BOCA INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY

Thursday, January 5th, 2012, 4:20 a.m.

Time Zones have always bugged me, especially now with the Internet. I cannot figure out who's ahead and who's behind and by how much. I was born in England, around midnight, double summer time or something like that. What's that? I know I was born, and I know I left England at the age of 5 months but don't ask me when I was born if you want the right answer. I cannot give it to you. Each country seems to have a variation on the concept of time zones to fit their own weather patterns. Morning begins at this time and night begins at this time. and what about the poor people who live across the street from the time zone boundary? How do they cope. "I will see you at four, no, that's five...I think? What time is it at your place." At what point are you far enough away from that time zone border not to be affected by it? Yes, I know it was a great improvement on the 1800s and the problems they had but we are now something like 125 to 150 years since the time zones were established. Perhaps it is time to look at the map again? Nothing is set in stone when it comes to some things.

I am very creative in the middle of the night and I have slept an odd schedule for some 25 years now if not for most of my life. I have always pushed the clock, even as a kid when I delivered the morning paper and got up at 5 or 6 in the morning to do my run. Then my father would have to threaten me to get me to go to bed at 11:00 o'clock at night. My time zone is now dictated by what my life is doing that day. If I am tired, I sleep. If I am creative, I write. If I am awake I stay awake. Even a sleep apnea machine does not keep me asleep long enough. They say that the REM part of the sleep is the most important part. Well, most people have problems getting into the REM part. My problems seem to lie in the REM part, not getting to it. So what's that?  It is now 4:37 a.m. and I feel fresh from a hot shower and I am ready to start my day....what am I saying? I have already started my day having got up at 2:50 a.m. It is a good thing I am not married. It would drive my wife nuts. It suits me though and probably won't change all that much now that I am retired. I find it easier working at the computer at night and I am happier without all the sounds of people walking around over my head or walking the stairs in the hall.

Maybe it is my lifestyle that makes me this way. After years of being the guy involved with every organization and doing all sorts of community work, I am back to being a recluse, happier not having the pressure on me anymore. It has given me more time to indulge in the things I really enjoy, genealogy, art, education and especially writing. I remember the long hours and the pleasure I got out of building model cars as a youngster. Those days were my happiest because I did not have someone looking over my shoulder telling me what to do. Well, my retirement is a bit like that but I wish I could afford a housekeeper because my time zones don't allow me to do a good job. Like a lot of guys, the mess can build up around me and I don't see it. At least I do the dishes once a day but otherwise it's like the rest of the housework is in a different time zone, the one I don't go to very often. Years of tough medical situtations and an inability to get around easily have not helped the cause. Oh, well, I will just keep going until the mess disappears or a genie appears to clean it up.....hmmmmmm, now there's an idea! What do you think?

The next time you find yourself in a different time zone, give me a call. I will probably be awake. On second thoughts, send me an email, just in case I am not.  Have a great day, whatever time zone you are in.