Escapism

Started: 2004-11-05 21:59:53

Submitted: 2004-11-05 22:40:13

Visibility: World-readable

Asserting that I'm currently busy at work doesn't really begin to cover it. As previously documented, we have way too much work to do in the time allocated. Apparently I wasn't the only one who wasn't being motivated by worthless stock options; two weeks ago a Plan was hatched, predicated on the fact that corporate profitability is actually within our collective grasp.

The good news is that we're in the fairly unique position of already having deals in place to sell our products; all we have to do is ship them and we'll get the money. So assuming we get everything done, profitability (and its associated awards) is actually within our grasp.

The only catch is that we get to work absurd hours for four weeks, starting two weeks ago and ending just before Thanksgiving. (Fifty to sixty hours is officially suggested; we've been promised comp time (redeemable starting in January).) And a bonus at the end; an exact number was not given, but the total amount of bonus available indicates my share will be on the order of $nk, which will be nice. And a salary review (I'm going to do research and probably pleasantly demand more money), the prospect of hiring more people, more reasonable engineering schedules, and an all-around warm fuzzy feeling.

The end result is a whole lot of carrot and not very much stick. I'm actually having trouble figuring out what more I could ask for, aside from shorter hours. All that remains is figuring out how much I can actually physically work without killing myself. My stress level, and physical anxiety symptoms, were nudging upwards through October and now can't be ignored. I'm managing to keep it under control, barely, through relaxation exercises and a bit of meditation.

My primary recreational activity is Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Zan Lynx was kind enough to loan me his entire collection -- all six seasons currently available -- for my viewing enjoyment. In the eight days I've had the set, I've watched all of first season (except for one episode I watched on TV a month or two ago) and I'm six episodes into second season. It occurred to me that I'm watching principally for escapist purposes -- I'm less likely to dwell on my own problems when I'm immersed in the Buffyverse. I wouldn't recommend it as a long-term solution, but I think I can sustain it for the next fourteen days.

Here's hoping I make it through.

They made up their minds
And they started packing
They left before the sun came up that day
An exit to eternal summer slacking
But where were they going
Without ever knowing the way?