WFAL

Now that I've been working from an alternate location aka home for about 2 months now I thought it would be a good time to reflect.

pros:
- I get to look outside through a large double window. I see plenty of birds now that I've put up two bird feeders, the weather, when the mail person comes, the daily 12:30 jogger and so much more. I certainly don't miss the alternative of watching who goes to the printer and how many times they do. Actually there is something really relaxing about just getting a chance to look outside and not have it be a metropolis of taxis.
- pjs everyday. Although I usually get dressed by 10am it's quite nice to start the day off in my pjs
- I can make lunch! I don't have to think about what I'm going to bring in and pack it or go to a cafeteria.
- Decorating 'my office' doesn't require me lugging in a large bag to the office or being embarrassed by the things I do put up. right now it's pretty bare as it's not technically my space yet :) I have a letterpress calendar up and a cat bed which leads me to my next pro
- I get to hang out with cats all day. They typically take turns sleep on the desk staring out the window at the birds.
cons
- I want to do other things while I'm here. Once you're in an office you don't easily have the ability go do laundry, wash the dishes, make some bread! etc. it's just not possible. really it just takes me a little more effort to get those 'worries' out of my head and stay focused.
- I feel like I have to be at my desk every second! It my status clicks to away I feel like that is sending my co-workers the message that I am not working and off wasting time. If the same happened while I was in an office it would totally be acceptable whether I was chatting with a friend on my cell phone or at the 'watercooler' or if I ran down to the duane reade to grab a snack. But when I grab a conference call from home I feel like I need to keep the computer right in front of me and always active whether I'm using it for the conversation or not.
- networking. although I hate to use the word it is incredibly difficult to stay in contact with people you don't see everyday let alone meet new people. New potential managers or mentors etc. I have to stay very vigilant in keeping up communications with those outside of my immediate working circle to maintain those relationships.

all in all I'm enjoying the change, from office to home and from city to the burbs.
My next step is to have my home office be a job in which I work for myself :)