One thing I rarely do is work weekends any more. I prefer to spend the time with my family. I really enjoy the way my office has the work week setup. We are one of those offices that only works half days on Fridays. That means Monday through Thursday we work 9-hour days. I personally work the early shift, 7:00am to 5:00pm with and hour for lunch. Friday, I still get in at 7:00 but I leave at 11:00am. The other shift is 8:00 to 6:00. Monday through Thursday we have our clients covered 7:00 to 6:00. But in reality, with email and cell phones we work almost 24/7.

When I have to work (drafting or design) a weekend, it usually meant that I also worked a full Friday. This last one was a little different. I had a meeting at another office and was done by 2:00pm. However, with several project deadlines on the horizon and 2 weeks of travel. I needed to get drawings done for the consultants.

Over the last 10 years, where we work has changed. I can remember that I would go into the office and fire up the computer. If it was a Saturday, I still tried to be done by 3:00pm so I could spend the evening with my family. Well, today all of my kids are grown and my wife is in college full time. So, going to the office is not a big deal. Except, I give up 90 minutes of travel time. It is about 45 minute each way.

Working an 8 hour day takes 10 plus hours. 45 minutes of travel. 4 hours working. Break for lunch. Another 4 hours of working. Finally followed by another 45 minutes of travel. By the time I get home on a Saturday, I’m wiped out. But because my wife put her life on hold until our kids were grown, I do my part and try to clean and fix dinner. That way she can focus on school.

Welcome to the 21st century. We have a good system for working remotely. I was able to walk into my home studio and login to the office server. I worked a good 8 hours and finish the project 3 days ahead of schedule. The benefit is in between, I see what was going on. Of course, my wife is in the middle of exams, so I would retreat back to my studio.

The beauty of all this is, I don’t feel like I miss out on the happenings at the home. I can mess around with my dogs, get lunch for my wife and do small house hold chores. But I do focus on work while I’m in my studio. And after 8 hours, getting the job done I really feel a sense of accomplishment. But the best part is instead of a 45-minute drive home, I can walk to the garage and grab a beer. Now that is real reward.

…and now for something completely different.
New York drifts about one inch farther away from London each year.