Friday, April 30, 2004
Today in the morning, instead of doing anything to boost my employer’s bottom line, I have decided to take an hour to myself and enjoy the fine weather that NY has provided over the past few days. Being an investment banker, I could not possibly go outside empty-handed (if you have never noticed this before, take a look at i-bankers – they are always carrying something in their hands to defend themselves and their numbers from attacks), so I took a bunch of Economist print-outs to educate myself about the world I’ve been missing out on for quite some time. I stopped by Starbucks, got me a venti latte and headed outside. There, facing the sea (well, the NYC harbor), I almost felt like a free human being. Why almost? I still have till June 30 to spend in the banking dungeons. But nonetheless, it was unbelievable to indulge in a pleasure many take for granted – ability to devote an hour of your day completely to yourself. The smell of coffee mingled with salty sea air, the wind was just right, and nothing, not even the ring of my mobile, interrupted my bliss. Honestly, if someone had something to say to me, they can wait for 40 minutes or so.
Once my environment changes drastically even for a short time, it is very hard to readjust back to the old one. In this case, during the past month or two my life has centered around office, pitch books and excel – working weekends and long hours become a matter of fact, not something to be thought over, but something one just did. Now, after my revelation on the sea shore, it is near impossible to be fast and diligent, responsive and positive when all the forces in the universe seemed arrayed against you. Oh well. My run here is coming to an end and no amount of positive attitude will convince me that it is worth spending your life in the controlled microcosm of the office. We only live once, and hence, whoever just left me a voicemail can wait. It’s probably not the important anyway. As a post scriptum, I’d like to quote a New Yorker cartoon: a gentleman talking on the phone says, “No, Thursday is out… so is Friday. How about never? Is never good for you?”…
Once my environment changes drastically even for a short time, it is very hard to readjust back to the old one. In this case, during the past month or two my life has centered around office, pitch books and excel – working weekends and long hours become a matter of fact, not something to be thought over, but something one just did. Now, after my revelation on the sea shore, it is near impossible to be fast and diligent, responsive and positive when all the forces in the universe seemed arrayed against you. Oh well. My run here is coming to an end and no amount of positive attitude will convince me that it is worth spending your life in the controlled microcosm of the office. We only live once, and hence, whoever just left me a voicemail can wait. It’s probably not the important anyway. As a post scriptum, I’d like to quote a New Yorker cartoon: a gentleman talking on the phone says, “No, Thursday is out… so is Friday. How about never? Is never good for you?”…
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