Operation Bob

Last time I checked, I had 24 hours in my day just like everyone else. But lately, it seems like someone is stealing some of my hours because I’m definitely not seeing the product of 24 of them every day.

I guess that’s one of the trade-offs for working at home. Although I do remember plenty of distractions in the office as well. I guess at home they are just different distractions. Here’s how it goes… I wake up ready to tackle all the projects on my desk. Eyes open – check. Teeth brushed – check. Caffiene – check. Computer on – check.Â

Ok, so far so good. Then the baby decides it’s time to play, eat, etc. or scream until I agree to play, eat, or whatever is on his agenda that I can’t figure out. An hour later with this crisis settled, I’m trying to get my head back in the game. Yes, peek-a-boo tends to shift my creative energy into a place that does’t do much for my work. Settled down, focused, and ready to go I open what I’m planning to work on and get ready to go.Â

Then the phone rings. Doesn’t really matter who it is or what they want, anything short of a wrong number throws my attention span for the next 20 minutes – at least. If it’s a family crisis or friend issue it can take a lot longer. So, let’s try this again. But, I’ve only got a little while because I promised so and so I would do that thing with them today.Â

Two words typed now, and soemone stops by – a friend, family, whoever. I love them and I’m glad to see them so we visit, until time for me to leave to go do that thing.

Several hours later, I’m back. What was I going to work on today? Then it’s another half hour before I figure out what I planned to do in the first place. Now back to the grindstone it’s time for baby to wake up again – which conveniently coincides with time to make dinner. My choices are to take care of the little munchkn while the wife cooks, or vice versa. Â

Right after dinner the pager goes off – this means a fellow citizen is in need of the fire department, and hey – it’s not their fault I haven’t gotten anything done today. We can’t let them down. I better go, because if I don’t, who will?

Two hours later I’m back. Exhausted, but back. Ready to go to sleep but I’ve accomplished nothing today and I’m not laying my head on the pillow until I do.  An hour later I’ve written some semi-coherent piece that I won’t even remember tomorrow and headed to bed. Tomorrow’s another day. But it usually ends up feeling a lot like yesterday.  Â