Tuesday, 4 May 2004

Artificial deadlines

Something that has put me into a bad (well, at least not great) mood all day is artificial deadlines. Like being at work for 0830. Why the hell would I have to be there at that time? Does it make any difference to anyone? I'm not even interacting with other people about work today, or tomorrow or even the next day. So does it matter when I work, or only that I put in the hours? But that's SO hard to explain to other people. It drives me mad sometimes (if you had not noticed).

And this got me to thinking that just about all deadlines we have in life are just made up. Being at work (for people with flex hours), handing in co-op reports, ... For the most part, they are just deadlines for the sake of deadlines in an effort to ensure that they actually get done. What will happen if we don't meet those deadlines? Not much. But it can be hard sometimes for me to distinguish what are "real" deadlines, and what ones can be safely ignored / bent, so I end up treating all deadlines equally. And it's driving me mad. *sigh*

I just have to keep focused... Hopefully I'll get a kayak this weekend, so it's all good... *focus*
Listening to: Dave Weckl Band - High Life


9 comments:

  1. if you get the kayak, take pictures! I'm curious!

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  2. Ahh priorities. That's why I didn't mind missing doing a 3 hour assignment worth 1% instead of studying for a 20% midterm. :)
    As for schedules, I try to avoid rush hour. I like to get to work between 9:30-10 AM, eat lunch at 2 PM and leave at 6PM or later. Everyone else can have the rat race, I'm out.
    But when you start getting higher on the food chain, you need to keep normal "business" hours. You might as well enjoy not having to do that as long as possible. Government, well ... is usually not so flexible.

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  3. The other way to avoid the rat race, Which I usually liked to do, was to go to work between 730 and 800, leave between 330 and 400. This way I would get home at a reasonable time, and feel like i didn't spend my entire day at work. I realize this isn't an option for those who live so far away from work, but I have to say, it worked well for me.

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  4. Actually rush hour in Ottawa starts pretty early if you're driving in, like 7am. It's pretty sad, I blame the government. :) Besides, I'm not much of a morning person. What good is coming home early when all I do between 4 and 6 PM is watch TV or surf the net?? Can't go anywhere because of rush hour! hehe

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  5. I've tried both, and personally I like going in late and working late. It's easier because 1) traffic DOES start really early in Ottawa, and 2) it's nice and quiet when most people go home.
    And it works out for me 'cause I really have no reason to go home other than sit around and watch TV with my folks. I can see me wanting to go in earlier if I had a family (kids etc) to get home to, but not now.
    Plus, it's really easy to find my car later at night when everyone else has left the parking lot. ;-)

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  6. Is your position at Industry Canada permanent? I would seriously look into moving closer to work. I don't know how you do it. Don't you think it would be much nicer to spend 20 minutes a day travelling instead of 2 hours. I know there are different costs involved, but there are other things to look at.

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  7. I have come to love the 8:30/9:00 starting time. I have also realized that if you go to the gym for at least an hour and a half, evening rush hour is done by the time you are ready to go home. For those who say that they like to be finished early in the afternoon, I agree with Ryan when he says that it is just unproductive time. Sure it gives us time to go and run errands and what not but who the heck actually wants to do errands? Not me. If something absolutely has to be done it can be done during lunch...or the weekend...or when ever you get home.

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  8. Listen to audiobooks in your car :)

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  9. Kibbee: right now I am on a contract, so I am not en employee (yet), but I would like to be one. And it only takes me about 45 min to get into work (normal traffic). For about 50 km, that's good travel time. I drive (listening to music), and then I bus (reading). It's okay for now. I WOULD like to live downtown though...
    James: I usually go for a run at lunch so I'm out of the office for 1-1.5 hours. I stay late to make up the time (and then some) and then I beat the traffic and travel home on a near empty bus. ;-) I like going / coming a bit late. It works out well. ;-)

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