Avoiding the Office

I am on the cusp of another 3 month vacation and with a mere 3 days separating me and a life that must resemble heaven, I am clawing at my mouse. Amongst other more ambitious activities, I plan on embarking on such noble tasks as late morning breakfasts, afternoons in the park, and general idling. I plan on being one of those people who aren’t at work during the day.

A question I have pondered, despite the experience I have enjoyed myself, is “Who are these people and why aren’t they at work?”

Apparently I am not the only one.

Two mysteries have followed me well into adulthood: Does soaping yourself work underwater, and how come there are so many people out on the street all day, seemingly not working? Having pitched a work, and not a soap, column, I recently attempted to answer the latter.

The story’s author, Chris Colin, investigates by questioning random street idlers as to why they aren’t at work. He finds a slew of answers from the self employed to the professionally unemployed. Most interesting though is that we, the perpetual avoiders of office hours, are often curious about each other.

A funny thing about these swarms of daytime layabouts: They are quietly self-reflective swarms. Almost all of them admitted to me that they often wonder about their fellow malingerers. The funny thing is, everyone has an answer for themselves but is baffled by everyone else. Possibly this is like life itself.

Read the full article at the San Francisco Gate, and hit me up if you want to eat a late breakfast next week.