there is one window in my office

During the workday I try to do as much work as possible but I seem to always find the time to play. Some of my distractions are worthwhile and keep me up to date with current events while others tell me what cats think. Whatever the distraction is, it makes the time go by quicker. There’s nothing more agonizing than watching the clock tick…slowly. Five o’clock becomes a myth that you might have heard about in early post grad.


Remember in college when you would be fighting sleep and watching the clock tick? It was a struggle just to pay attention but the clock was always working against you. You would start to doze off and then you would wake yourself up with the hilarious and embarrassing jolt. The jolt was funny because you try your best to play it off. Everyone knows you were asleep buddy, don’t swat at the air, there’s no fly. I used to pull the gotta-tie-my-shoes-right-now reaction.

So instead of staring at your monitor as if some sort of baked treat was going to pop out of it, use it to your benefit. Here are a few suggestions based on my own work distractions. I hope my boss doesn’t read this.

Let’s kick it off with some knowledge. I like to read the news every day. It keeps me well rounded. Every once and then I just use my Google Reader but to get to the nitty gritty I use three news sites.

www.thewashingtonpost.com
This is strictly news with a little flavor if you go to the Going Out Guide. No frills, just facts.

www.slate.com
Slate is part of the Washington Post company but it’s much more hip. The screenshot shows that it still contains all the news that you want and some of the fluff that makes news fun. Think of it as news in a language that won’t put you to sleep.

news.google.com
In a world where google is a verb I would fully expect Google to carry some news. It’s a collection of the most popular news for the day. It doesn’t update much during the day though so don’t go to this one that often.

Now for the funny distractions


http://icanhascheezburger.com/
Captioned cats. I shouldn’t have to say more than that but everyone needs to go through this site at least once a week. You can either go to look at cute cats or to laugh at what they are thinking. The captions ARE what they are thinking.

http://peoplewhodeserveit.com/
I really hate it when I’m walking somewhere and there is a group of people walking slower than death. This website calls that the Slow Walker Sidewalk Blocker. “You clog our sidewalks and subway platforms. You make us late and irritable. You ruin the morning before the day even starts. And one of these days, you’re going to get punched in the face. And it’s nobody’s fault but your own.” If you ever want a type of people or something that you really hate get punched in the face, then check out this site. You might share a common bond with the writers (which are hilarious, by the way).

http://www.overheardintheoffice.com/
I love this site because it is spot on. We have all overheard someone in the next cubicle or office that makes you turn your head like a beagle asking for a Beggin’ Strip. Dogs don’t know it’s not bacon. This collection of overheard conversations is worth a chuckle or two. Search by city, you might have been quoted.

Other distractions

If you ever want to lose track of your day make sure to get a Gmail account. Gmail is just AIM for grownups. You’re digitally shooting the shit with the few friends you kept up with enough to get their e-mail addresses. Anyone who doesn’t have a Gmail account hates America and progress.

www.pandora.com
If you like music then you will like Pandora. The only drawback to Pandora is the number of times I have had to give my stations a thumbs down. Overall it’ll keep you humming your favorite tunes all day. You just enter the name of an artist or song and then you’re ready to rock. Just don’t disturb your neighbors by singing any Lady Gaga. If you want to create your own playlists, try www.groovesharklite.com.

http://keubedykeu.blogspot.com/
I have just wasted 10 minutes of your day. You’re welcome. Keep on comin’ by and be a follower. It’s cool to follow.


Thanks for reading. Peace.