BOREDOM!

Have you ever been bored at work? Ever been so bored that you made up game or came up with a new way of doing your tasks so it takes twice as long? Well, since I've had a pretty boring and lazy month at work, I've learned how to make a dull work environment fun.

Here are some ways to help you get through the day when it's moving slow and when you're just plain bored to death.

1. Stare at the computer- I do this several times within the day. It tricks my boss into thinking that I'm working on something that has stumped me. Even if he may ask what I'm having problems with, I've just killed a few more minutes before a long awaited break. Just make sure you have something work related on your desktop. FYI, YouTube is not a work related site.



2. Check your personal e-mail account- When the work e-mail is empty, checking your personal e-mail should be the next resort. Just make sure you do this as inconspicuously as possible. Getting caught is never fun.



3. Name inanimate objects- Yes, I've done this. If all else fails and you've tried to squelch your boredom with other things and it's just not working, name your pencil cup, your coworkers, or your keyboard. Wanna know my keyboards name? Reba. Reba McIntype.



4. Staple random papers together- It takes plenty of boring minutes of your day to search for papers, get the stapler, and staple the papers together. And, if you're lucky, you may get to put more staples in the stapler.



5. Shoot Hoops- Crumble up useless pieces of paper (the ones you stapled together to kill time) and try your hand at a game of hoops with your waste basket. Set a goal too, you have all day to beat it.



6. Paperclip Jewelry- It's fun to design, make, and even wear. Plus, it'll kill about 20 minutes if you take your time.



7. Sharpen Pencils- I don't use pencils at work, but for some reason they supply us with a cup of pencils and a sharpener. Hmm....Maybe they know how bored we get.....



8. White Out Art- I'm a master. I've perfected several techniques with my White Out. One day I made a great piece of art in the likeness of the Abominable Snowman.



9. Online Gaming/Instant Messages- MSN offers great Buddy Games you can play with your IM partner. UNO is my top pick. In my opinion, Wheel Of Fortune is a rip off. No matter what, the opponent always wins. Also, beware of network monitoring from your superiors.



10. 10. Doodles- I've become skilled in the art of doodling. So much so, I've ventured into the world of comics. On a boring day, I can create two-three small comics....all of which one of my coworkers enjoys to read. They are called BoredBots and it tells of the adventures of a few robots who are just trying to get along with the rest of their robot race. Here are a few samples (I took about four minutes of my eight hour day to scan these into the computer and e-mail them to my personal e-mail account):

After you've used up all these techniques to kill time, your last resort is probably sleep. Use these steps wisely and with caution. Doing them too many times in one day may cause your boss to get suspicious. Use sparingly.

SideNote: I, nor any of my coworkers have resorted to any of these tactics. We enjoy our work and always have a fun project to partake in. *cough cough*

The Great '08...or so we think.

2008 is going to be a year of change. I can feel it in my bones, people. Don't ask me how I know this, I just do.

First off, we've got an election coming up - the passing of the baton - so to speak. I already know that the race to the bloody end will be a battle of epic proportions and will be the latest news every night on CNN, CBS, NBC and FOX until then.

We also have an entertainment crisis on our hands here. The WGA still hasn't got their settlement and started working yet. My hopes for this year? That it gets resolved before February so we can get atleast a few good episodes before the television season ends.

On lighter and more uplifting entertainment news, new movies for the year 2008! I'm really excited to see what this year brings to the table. Last year, we had some good ones, some okay performances, and some major flops. I know I've seen one movie this year that will probably be the talk of the town for the rest of the year, Cloverfield. Penned by the great JJ Abrams, it's sure to be a hit. Another movie I'm ready to see is Leatherheads. It's directed, written, and even starring King George Clooney, with the talented John Krasinksi (The Office) taking a lead role as well. Other movies that might catch my eye: Step Up 2, Jumper, The Dark Knight, and Untraceable. We started 2008 out with a bang, let's hope the rest of the contenders are up to the challenge.

New changes for me in 2008? Yeah, I got some....just a few though. I turned the big 2-0 this year and started my first semester of college. And, as of February first, I'm moving and entering the real world, the adult world, the "live paycheck to paycheck" world. And, I'm pumped.

My family is growing this year too. In June, I'll be four times an aunt with a little neice or nephew. I'm excited. I just worry about the complex this innocent human will have when they realize what family they entered in to. Poor kid.

Other predictions for the year 2008-

Britney Spears will rapidly gain weight and become unrecognizable. She will be absent from the tabloids and from the court systems for a long period of time. She'll then act under her new persona and begin a relationship with K.Fed, who will know her as a lounge singer named Denise. Once she cons him into marrying her and getting custody over the children again, she'll join Jenny Craig, lose the pounds, and once her former self is revealed, snatch the kids away. Then, she'll flash something and go to prison. It's a viscous cycle.

G-Dub Bush will pack up his belongings "really slow" after his retirement as President (in the late 2008, early 2009 year). Reports of missing bars of soap and towels will cause a scandel in the later part of the year. On an unrelated note, he'll leave his banjo and aroma therapy candles in the Oval office because of "feng shui."

YouTube will rule the universe. People will start to write and direct their own shows, such as Manny the Manic Mortician-Starring Chris Crocker and the Numa Guy, and the ever intriquing, Melting Ice Cream in Reverse-The Sequel- this time with Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey! And, by late Decemeber, our every move will be documented for the entertainment of others. Wait, hasn't this already happened?

I'm completely joking about all of these predictions. But, if they happen to come to pass, then you'll know who credit is due to.

With all that said, I wish everyone a wonderful year. Be prepared though, just in case it isn't.