When Change Disrupts Your Flow

"I have this theory of convergence, that good things always happen with bad things. I know you have to deal with them at the same time, but I just don't know why they have to happen at the same time. I just wish I could work out some schedule." - Diane Court, Say Anything

I've always felt some kind of connection with Diane Court. Of course, she is the glamorized, Hollywood version of me and her story has a few twists and turns very different from my own, but I relate to her. And I often find myself thinking about this quote, more when things go wrong than when they go right. Thanks, Cameron, for the inspiration!

There are days when I have a very difficult time seeing the good things. Please understand, I know there are those omnipresent good things: a wonderful family, a good job, a roof over my head and food on the table. I also know that having these things makes me better off than a large portion of the world. Like most people characterized by obsessive compulsive tendencies, I don't spend nearly enough time appreciating these gifts.

At the end of the day, that's what it all boils down to: time. The fact is, there isn't enough of it. Nonetheless, the expectation to do more with less remains and you damn well better smile while you're doing it!

For the past couple of years, I have had the good fortune to work for a company that has supported a telecommuting culture. This has worked out tremendously well for me because the office is an hour and half commute each way. Days that I was able to work from home gave me an extra three hours in my day. Those of you that work full-time, have kids, a life and a household to manage understand how valuable three hours can be. Fortunately, my cubicle was recently relocated to an office site that is just under an hour away. While the commute is much less painful, I would still telecommute a few days a week primarily for efficiency. Sadly, the company culture is changing and telecommuting is to become a thing of the past.

Gone! 15 productive hours from every week. The pressure continues to grow as I try to figure out how to do it all with less time. I feel like that girl in the anti-drug commercial who looks like she's been compressed by a trash compactor. I suppose the solution would be to do less but then what gets sacrificed? It's not such an easy choice to make.

I'll adjust, I know. My life has always been about shifting and accomodating to change and, in the grand scheme of those changes, this is a minor adjustment. As my sister pointed out, most people have to schlep into work to punch their card. And she is right.

Thank you. Consider this the end of my rant as I suck it up, spend an extra $40 a week in gas money so I can rejoin the commuting ranks and punch my card for "the man."

That is until Diane's theory of convergence is proven and I sell a screenplay and become "the man."