One of the biggest things that stand out about me to other people is the fact that I am never tardy. Ever. In fact, I go to grat pains to ensure that I'm not late. Every clock in my house is set five minutes fast, I wake up with two hours to shower, get ready, and get to work in the morning. This leaves me with more than ample time should my tire go flat, my engine blow up, or I get abducted by aliens (I've left instructions that should they abduct me, they are to drop me off at my destination once the anal probing is done...lol!)

But as humorous as all that is, I don't doubt that it has contributed to my stress level. Frankly, it's a pain in the keester to ensure that I'm on time everywhere I go. Sometimes I'd rather be a tad more mellow about it, but then I'd rather be chronically early than chronically late.

That brings us up to today. I had some appointments to keep, appointments I was almost sure could be resolved before my time to show up. But, as almost doesn't work except for horshoes, hand grenades, and A-bombs, it also doesn't work for Gid's planner. So I cleared it with my boss and my coworker to be late if need be.

Sure enough, I was done with what NEEDED to be done with time to get in to work. I was covered until five "just in case", and here I was at 2:30, faithfully heading to work. My normally scheduled shift started at 3.

I promptly changed my mind. After all, if you've got an EXCUSE to be late for work, why do you want to walk in early? I headed out to knock off a couple of errands with the extra time at my disposal. I paid the cell phone bill, headed over to Wally World and picked up an MP3 player and a CD for my collection to BURN on said MP3 player, and grabbed some chow. There, I thought, I've managed to do the unthinkable and actually come in late to work.

And so it was with great satisfaction that I walked to my cubicle, sat down at my desk, and logged in at the terrifically, rebelliously tardy time of 3:30.

Sorry, I don't think I'll ever get the hang of this "being late" thing.