Office Space Case

I found myself at the gym the other day yapping with an acquaintance, both of us lamenting about how it was only Wednesday. I've had similar conversations almost every week for the past three-and-a-half years (or since I graduated from college). But after we whined for a while, I asked her if she thought there were really people out there who loved their jobs so much that they didn't really care when the weekend rolls around. She gave me a half-hearted explanation about how she really enjoys her profession (she's a financial advisor) and how she has good days and bad. Sure, we all do. But are there really people out there who truly love what they do? Are there people who don't give a crap how many days until Friday (or any other day of the week they don't have to work)?

I asked a friend what she thought about this. Her response was that there are people out there who don't care about their weekends; they're called "workaholics." They are the people that are completely consumed by what they do professionally, often sacrificing relationships and social lives. But maybe it's not so bad to be consumed if you're traveling the world for National Geographic or fighting against world hunger.

Personally, I don't have it so bad. I work in a nice office, with nice people. I'm thankful that I get paid pretty well, or paid at all, especially when I'm spending part of my work day writing here. I like what I know -- editing, and that's what I do. But I still can't get over that feeling that I might be wasting my time. So, yes, I will be getting off my ass soon to make some changes in my life.

But until I have achieved my dream job, I might as well do some daydreaming. Here's a list of jobs that I believe keep people not caring about when the hell Friday is:

1. Photographer for any nature, fashion, porn magazine
2. Travel documentarian
3. Children's author
4. Actor on The Office
5. SNL gopher
6. Marine biologist
7. Brad Pitt's towel girl
8. Rock Star
9. Writer/assistant/grunt for the Simpsons, Curb your Enthusiasm, Sopranos or South Park
10. Sports commentator
11. Sports bloopers editor
12. Any position at the Onion
13. Roadie
14. Bike messenger
15. Ski resort employee
16. Brazilian trail guide
17. Any trail/safari guide
18. Sailing instructor
19. Frisbee Golf course designer
20. Pixar employee
21. Dog trainer
22. Mandolin maker
23. Brewmaster
24. Vinticulturalist
25. Toy tester

I could continue this all day. And probably will until I'm at my dream job in Mexico, tending to my Frisbee golf course and laying on the beach editing novels.

If you work at your dream job -- or just have some ideas -- please share.

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If a good man comes to me, and says thank you David, for the opportunity and continued support in the work-related arena, but I’ve done that, I wanna better myself, I wanna move on, then I can make that dream come true, to, AKA, for you.

-- David Brent, the Office, Series 1, Episode 1