home office...

my trip to qatar postponed, i am in the unique situation of being quasi-employed. i don't have a real job per se, but the contracting company for qatar has supplied me with some projects. there are no deadlines on these projects, which means i am paid when they are completed. most important, the majority of these projects can be completed from right here: my "home office."
a few years ago, i mentioned to a friend that it must be nice to be able to work from home. in turn, she said it takes an incredible amount of discipline and that i would likely not do well because i would miss working with others. now that i am in the situation, i admit she was half-right; it does take an incredible amount of discipline, but i don't miss working with others. if anything, i've had time to reflect that despite years of middle management and leading teams, in the end the only thing i miss is being able to tell people what to do. in this capacity, i'm much more suited to being a teacher ("you may open your exams when i say so") or a consultant ("impliment these wines to improve your list because i say so").
to go back to the point on discipline, working from a home office is indeed very challenging.  with so many distractions around me in my home, i like to think i have adapted quite well to a strict routine that enables me to make the most of my day. the following is an example of a typical day at the wtf-winetravelfood home offices:
9.00: wake up (no alarm; my internal clock seems to like to wake up then)
9.00 - 9.55: breakfast (this generally invovles 2 cups of coffee with scrambled eggs and toast or muslix and yogurt with fresh blackberries. pancakes occasionally appear if i've been good)
9.55 - 10.00: clean up and turn tv off.
10.00: commute to work
10.00.03: arrive at "the office" (a significantly improved commute than 90 minutes on public transportation. nb: i'm still in pj's)
10.00 - 12.00: office work. laptop is on, nothing else allowed.
12.00 - 1.00: errands. (mostly grocery shopping, and doubles as exercise since i walk)
1.00 - 2.00: lunch break (sandwiches lately, accompanied by a glass of sherry)
2.00 - 3.00: siesta (i've always wanted to work that into my rythm, and now i can!)
3.00 - 4.00: gardening (harvesting, weeding, digging, pruning, mowing...whatever is needed)
4.00 - 5.00: housecleaning (a project i've been working on for a few weeks and i swear i have never seen my place look so white. i never knew i had such an obsession for cleanliness...)
5.00 - 7.00: prep, cook, and eat dinner. decanting a wine may be involved. (Conn Creek 2008 Napa Cab with Kofta-burgers topped with Provalone and Chimichurri was the most recent meal)
7.00 - 10.00: evening office hours. i loved the long afternoon breaks in spain and argentina (which perhaps inspired the chimichurri yesterday). (nb: office closes at 8 on wednesdays...a new season of survivor is on)
10.00 - 11.00: down time, which usually involves a crossword puzzle and some tv.
11.00: lights out.

so, there are my hours. embracing the body's naturaly rythm (which seems to enjoy sleep and little actual work) has been wonderful, and i can't wait to impliment this in doha.
it's noon now. time to start those errands!