More striking is the absence of any time reference. Sleep until 10, go to WalMart at three in the afternoon, work until after midnight, and the only indication of weekend is that the kids are around the house all day. You full-time workers don't realize how much your job provides a frame of reference: Arrive at 8, coffee at 9:30, lunch at 12, coffee at 3, home at 4:30. That's a reference point every two or three hours. Without those, how would you know where you're at in the day? Me and D are planning on getting a clock that chimes every hour. If we hang it in the office, hopefully it will provide some much needed grounding in the flow of time.

Have you found yourself asking, "What day of the week is it?" Four days of unproductive tinkering and fidgeting can suddenly be broken by a few hours of hectic crunching and cramming. It's fun! And the best part is, you don't have a boss to kiss up to!

--David Vaiyne , 4/16/2004 12:40:55

" Arrive at 8, coffee at 9:30, lunch at 12, coffee at 3, home at 4:30."... In my (work) world, it is not like that. But then nothing is predictable for me working in EMS. :-D COFFEE? at a scheduled time? I wonder what that is like!

--pero , 4/22/2004 08:24:45

Hey Derek, Amigo!! Long time, no? Congratulations on getting fired and welcome to the club. Your too brilliant to be working for "the Man" for 12 lousy bucks an hour. I hope you are cashing in on some unemployment compensation cause, God knows, you have paid your premieums(sic?)for the last decade +. Was just browsing Little D's website. She is growing more beautiful everyday! P.S. Been doing a bit of ebaying myself. All a bit off the subject, but yes, time goes very wonky without the 9-5 structure. love & pax, Alison

--Alison, 4/23/2004 05:42:22

Me again, sorry, but I was just checking out your comments and realized that there are some beloved Wal*Mart Receipt pals hanging with you! Big wave to Balmain Boy!! I'm in London, now! Well, half way. Been living in Spanish Harlem for a while (love it!) but I am about to move to the UK (where I am at the moment). Also, Derek, love the latest Mirror Project pics!!! Alison, Bunch, that is.

--Alison, 4/23/2004 05:50:57

What antique mall do you have your stuff at?

--Trish , 5/3/2004 10:45:02