Downtime

Once in awhile there as bound to be special occasions (today happens to be one of them) when a creative assistant is lucky enough to have their Producer absent from the office for the duration of a workday (or multiple workdays). It just so happens that mine is in for Surgery. That's right. Admitted this morning, held over until Saturday for observation. There are other instances where he/she may be attending a reading, out of town on business/pleasure, or (and we can only pray) sick. Like everything else, it is what you "chose" to do with the few hours of weekday freedom that matters most. If you happen to work in a production office that is limited to a small staff and you are asked to hold down the fort solo, this may just allow for a lot of freedom...maybe too much. Here are some do's and don'ts.

What NOT to do:

1.) Invite guests over for a party and pretend that you own the place. (This coincides with using your bosses room as your own to entertain company)

2.) Bring in a musical instrument and jam out (word will get around from neighboring offices)

3.) Watch adult content or other "NSFW" material on your computer.

4.) Not show up.

5.) Show up late.

6.) Leave early.

7.) Establish it as a national "Bring Your Pet to Work" day.

8.) Establish it as a national "Bring Your Girlfriend to Work" day.

9.) Establish it as a national "Bring a Hooker to Work" day.

10.) Walk around the office naked "Just to see how it feels".

What TO do:

1.) Spend a ridiculous amount of time surfing Youtube.

2.) Take advantage of the "Instant View" feature on your Netflix account.

3.) Catch up on contacting old friends VIA Facebook, email or phone.

4.) Plan out your weekend activities.

5.) Blog, work on a current screenplay/novel/website etc.

6.) Finish all of your back filing.

7.) Take time to order more office supplies, water coolers etc.

8.) Take an hour long nap on your Producers comfy leather couch

9.) Listen to music at a volume in which you can actually "hear" it.

10.) Browse Craigslist, Mandy.com and others for new employment.

Really enjoy these days when you get them. They are a dime a dozen. If you chose not to take advantage of them, when you're being barked orders one of these days you'll be wishing that you did.

Watching the Cary Grant Classic People Will Talk using
the Netflix "Instant View" Feature