gaming while in a car

i'm going to be driving cross-country with my parents in about a month. i'm planning on playing half-life 2 on my laptop when in the passenger seat. i already have a power inverter so i can use the cigarette lighter...

my question is, how can i use my laptop and my mouse when in a car?? i can't picture how i'd use the mouse or where i'd put it. is there some kind of surface i can put on my lap to do this? maybe something made for this... or just a clever use of space?

thanks for any help you can provide.

http://www.toolroomrecords.co.uk/_im...l/mousemat.jpg

If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch you could get the Air Mouse application, if you don't, get a gyromouse.

that's a good idea, ninja - i have an old mouse with a scroll ball but it's not usb or anything, although i may be able to get some cable for that. i really like not having to move the mouse all over the place. thanks!

I turn the mouse sensitivity way up and place the mouse on the case in front of the keyboard and to the side of the touchpad. It takes a little while to get used to, but now I have trouble doing it any other way.