What A Way To Start The Day...Under The Control Of Machines

This morning began like most work days...I woke up, got dressed, and headed to my work station. I fired up the computer, was met with the calming twin blue screens, and I clicked to the VPM icon.

That's where the trouble started.

I remember growing up watching movies that depicted a hellish future where computers and robots enslaved humans to do their soul-less mechanical bidding. Well, it's the future and I think we're there. Sure, my telecommuting computer doesn't look like an evil robot, but it kind of is. Because, like many of you, I work at home, and if the computer or phones or internet is down, so am I. I'm powerless, inhibited...in a word, enslaved to the machines.

When I couldn't get in, I sent an e-mail to our computer help desk people. They responded that there was an issue. I had to wait until things changed. 

I waited...

And I waited...

And I waited...

Three and a half hours later, something changed on my screen and I was able to log in and get to work. I'm not blaming anyone, and I apologize if I've given that impression. No, these things happen, they've happened before, and they will definitely happen again. If anything, I'm kind of amazed each time we have computer issues how fast they get fixed.

This is our world. Years ago weather and animals used to have control over humans. Now, it's computers and internet. Thankfully, this morning's events were an anomaly. I'm thinking tomorrow I'll wake up, get dressed, head down to my work station, and get right to work.

That is, if my machine overlords allow me to do so.

The Pros...And Cons...Of Telecommuting

I'm working my second winter at home. Since last winter was my first, there was a lot of "trial by error" learning going on. I had never before spent a significant amount of time in the basement during the winter--I knew it was cold (since it's unheated...), but I didn't know just how cold.

Now, we're not talking below freezing or anything close. I mean, we have insulation in the ceiling and some of the walls. But, that first winter, it was cold. It was so cold there were times when I had to wear coats and fingerless gloves.

I'd like to think I learn as I get older. When it comes to my work situation, I learned a lot. The single biggest thing I did to improve the working conditions was to move my desk. Before, it was in the middle of the room. Now, it's up against two walls in the basement. I have a single space heater tucked under the desk. I had the same heater last year, but the new configuration has helped immensely. This year, when I'm close to the heater, I don't even know how cold the rest of the room is--I'm toasty warm.

So, a few pros and cons of my telecommuting situation. 

Pro: ninety second commute time

Con: have to supply my own treats at my desk--no snaking from others

Pro: being able to work a full shift even when office workers don't have to come in until noon

Con: having to work a full shift even when office workers don't have to come in until noon

Pro: don't have to dig out my car to go to work in bad weather

Con: surrounded by food storage and not fun co-workers

These are just some "off the top of my head" thoughts. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Life is a balance of give and take, of advantages and disadvantages, of pros and cons. Today, it was a little chilly, but I also didn't have to risk climb in my car and take my chances on the road. For me, the pros totally outweigh the cons, even in an unfinished basement in the winter.