Strangely liberated but bored

I thought that it was about time to put this to the test and live 24 hours without either. Here's what happened:

08:26am
Normally use my 'Communicator' as an alarm clock but that's off limits, so as I couldn't seem to find any other reliable method, I keep the windows wide open. Oversleep and wake up in a rush.

09:00am
Left my car at work over the weekend (was a busy one) and so I hunt for a taxi on Al Wasl. I realize I brought my communicator with me and look at it longingly during the ride as I have my entire days schedule mapped out on it but am not allowed to open for a sneak peek. I notice my taxi driver looking at me suspiciously, he knows I would be cheating if I open it…paranoia kicking in.

09:30am
I usually start my mornings by downloading the usual bucket load of emails and checking the 'adserver' online to see the status of all current campaigns. But of course this won't be my routine today, the rest of the Proximity iMedia team inform me that we currently have 18 campaigns up and running and since I can't help them I am not very popular. I feel smug whilst reading a copy of 7days.

9:46am
I look around and everyone (I mean everyone) is engrossed in their emails except me. It's that Monday morning look on everyone's face, so no socializing, only sucked into their computer screens. By not having to worry about my emails, I feel somewhat liberated if a little bored, so I decide to play with my rolodex.

10:46am
After an hour of analyzing the smallest, minute differences between business cards and organizing them by industry and design preference, I end up with pile that even Lars (AME Info) would be envious. I also realize that some of the cards were collected 4 years ago and either the said person left or the company imploded. 84 business cards end up in the trash. Yes I'm THAT bored.

10:54am
Notice that Martin must be even more bored than I am by his fax which lands on my desk. I call him up for sake of a kindred spirit but instead Martin begins one of his inimitable German style rants about the virtues of online and asks why Emirates Airline would dare run an online booking campaign in the newspaper. I know better than to argue and agree profusely.

11:30am
Paperless office?? Not today! Got paper flying off the desk as my pen waves like a mini office tornado. I decide to scrawl out Proximity's Campaign ME awards entries but find that even I can't read my own handwriting. Why is everything in capital letters?

11:50am
ITP photographer turns up, carefully positions me in various natural pose for the article photos. Difficult man to please..'Stop trying to look upset cause it looks obvious… but can you look just a little more upset than that?'

1:00pm
Working lunch, cannot access my MSN messenger to communicate with the online media houses for status of RFPs and solve any trafficking headaches. Hence I fax or call people. This proves far timelier and no responses. Don't people check their faxes every minute for those important messages? I guess not.

2:45pm
I've got a meeting with Gulf Marketing Review for a round table to discuss the future of Internet & online advertising in the Middle East. I head out to the car park and shockingly find that someone had tried to break-in to my car. Left a large tear in the soft-top. Extremely close to breaking the rules on this one, angered by the finding but cannot call towers security for follow up with Police. Of all days to have this happen!

3:11pm
Arrive in Media City for the round table. Some people running late. So follow up about the 'car break-in' via land-line telephone. Get put through to an automated recording…'Your call is important to us…' give up. Decide I will deal with it later; you have got to love the service levels in Dubai.

5:30pm
Round Table concludes. Made some 'off-the-wall' statements about all consumers plugged in to Internet 'Matrix style'. Instead of apartments Dubai residents will live in small Internet pods! That's the EMAAR future alright.

5:45pm
Having concluded the pleasantries, I find myself on the wrong side of the Sheikh Zayed Road, not too far from the office. If only it weren't for the 5,000+ cars blocking my way.

At least the no 'mobile rule' means this ride will be devoid of the usual office emergencies. But at the same time, I have no idea what is going on back there.

6:35pm
Give up by the time I hit the 2nd Interchange and shoot back home. I was pretty useless in the office anyway. Once home, I hit the home phone and call everyone I can think of and ask if I was missed. I wasn't. So I go through my bills.

6:36pm
Realise that all payments are made online anyway so again cannot achieve much here either. Give up, watch TV. Over 137 channels and nothing on. Decide to go for a walk.

7:30pm
Walk over to my parents house (should only be 20 minutes) but take the long way. Play with the dog and a bit of rugby with the younger brother. Having a fantastic time outside getting my mind off of the day's madness. Funny how kids can bring you back down to earth. Is it really all that important afterall?

8:30pm
Walk back home. Normally partake in a little mp3 downloading but not tonight. Also no blogs, and no imdb.com, no pitchforkmedia.com - How can I survive?! Crossword puzzles? No I opt for Su Do Ku instead.

9:45pm
I realize that resistance is futile. I decide to go to bed early knowing that as soon as I start reading I will pass out. I have just the book; 'Anthropology: The Exploration of Human Diversity'. I am usual fascinated as it works a treat for insomnia.

Somewhere around 10:15pm
Out like a light.