timeliness & accuracy

for as long as i can remember, i’ve had my clocks set fast.

this was to compensate for my habitual tardiness. which wasn’t chronic or extreme like hmc’s tardiness, but more on the range of a constant 5-10 minutes behind. i think this stems from an aversion to waiting anywhere for anyone, as i keep thinking that i’d rather have those extra minutes at home doing something useful. however, it’s really about selfishness, isn’t it? that your time is more important than everyone else’s time, that it’s more important that you not be kept waiting as opposed to everyone else.

but anyway, i’ve played tricks on myself for years to account for this, because attitudes like this don’t really work in the business world where you need to show up on time, especially in things like sales calls. so i’d set my watch five minutes fast, my alarm clocks ten minutes fast, the clocks in the living room seven minutes fast. the theory being that just seeing the time would jolt me into getting my ass into gear. and the unspecificity of the time would not allow me to just mentally adjust and make it all moot. for a while, my car clock was set something like 24 minutes ahead. and then 30.

recently, as i adjusted my car clock to 35 minutes fast, i decided that this was all just ridiculous. i’m tired of playing games with myself, and i should just take responsibility and either try and get to places on time, or just not and deal with it. as of the latest daylight savings adjustment, all the clocks are set to the same time. and accurate.

forgive me if i’m late meeting you somewhere. i’m (probably) on the way.

Posted at April 7, 2004 11:52 PM