Posted: Feb 15, 2000
It just occurred to me that time and space are twofold.
Time is long, fruitful and glorious when I am home, working on whatever project my various hobbies have spawned, or even doing housework. My surroundings are beautiful and peaceful.
Time is short, on the other hand, when I venture to school or work downtown. Every second wasted is another dollar lost, another mark docked, another course failed. My surroundings are at best sterile and cold, at worst grim and dingy.
Most (heck, all) of my time at home is spent fooling around with important things. I'm glad I have a reliable computer at home now, and good phone service. It automates the process of communication to a zippy flow of waves and bits, carried much faster than a carrier pigeon or a letter carrier. I get up, check email, wash up, have breakfast, go to the store, do other important things, eat lunch, do equally important stuff, eat dinner, talk with friends, and go to bed. Hurrah for the small town.
Most of my time in the city is taken up in transportation, be it on the bus, car, or walking/running. Not doing important work, such as schoolwork. Even attending class sometimes takes valuable time away that could be put to better use. I am constantly on my guard, always trying to remember a myriad of social obligations, whose fulfillment I must synchronize with the alien deadlines of alien society. Sometimes I forget to eat.
All in all, whoever thought progress was a good thing must have had a substantial coprolite in place of a brain. Give me back my time, dammit.
D.