Road warrior's notebook

In this season of reflection, I’ve learned some things. Turns out, I’m no longer a teleworker, but one of these mobile worker/road warrior types. I should know this already, true, but in 2004 I was too busy running around to really get it. This year, more of the same. 

Start anywhere in the day planner: In December, I visited Taiwan (see editorial link below); just after New Year’s, Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. Heading to Dallas at the end of January, New York in February, San Francisco in March, Philly in April, then back to Vegas…

In the bag, two notebook batteries, Cat-5 and RJ-11 cables, an extra Wi-Fi card. Tylenol, melatonin, cough drops. I can write stories on airplanes, I’m immune to jetlag, and expert at brewing tea with hot tap water from the hotel bathroom sink. Yup, I’m a road warrior.

To continue reading, register here and become an Insider. You'll get free access to premium content from CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, and Network World. See more Insider content or sign in.

In this season of reflection, I’ve learned some things. Turns out, I’m no longer a teleworker, but one of these mobile worker/road warrior types. I should know this already, true, but in 2004 I was too busy running around to really get it. This year, more of the same. 

Start anywhere in the day planner: In December, I visited Taiwan (see editorial link below); just after New Year’s, Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. Heading to Dallas at the end of January, New York in February, San Francisco in March, Philly in April, then back to Vegas…

In the bag, two notebook batteries, Cat-5 and RJ-11 cables, an extra Wi-Fi card. Tylenol, melatonin, cough drops. I can write stories on airplanes, I’m immune to jetlag, and expert at brewing tea with hot tap water from the hotel bathroom sink. Yup, I’m a road warrior.

How’s all the travel impacting my life? My boyfriend picks me up at the airport, even from red eye flights. Only the hardiest houseplants survive. When calling, friends no longer ask “How are you?” but, “Where are you?” in greeting.

On a call from Vegas, my son Jake’s going on about acing math and history tests, and re-energizing the drama department, the new kid this year. He pauses to reflect then asks, “Mom, is it OK to say that I do better when you’re not here?”

“Sure, honey. But I do - kinda - still live there, too, you know.”

“Mom, can I get my own apartment?”

Home again, holed up nursing a cold, trying to write pithy CES analysis and stay out of Jake’s way, I trip across “Everybody Loves Raymond.”  There, a pattern emerges.

Because Debra’s complaining that Ray never gets home in time to tuck the twins in with a bedtime story, he sets up a basement home office from which to write his sports column. (What is it with men and basement offices, anyway?) Bathrobe clad, Ray spends the day playing with the kids, cooking up junk food to watch in front of the company provided satellite TV, and burns the coffee pot, twice.

In the inevitable showdown, Ray says to Debra, “Let me get this straight. You wanted me to work from home. Now that I’m here, you don’t want me around?”

Debra collects her thoughts and answers slowly. “It’s complicated. I thought I wanted you home more. But it turns out, I just want you to want to be home more.”

Ray chews on the logic then replies, “I can do that.”

Work’s not a place anymore, sure. But then neither is home. Interesting. 

Read more about telework in Network World's Telework section.