HawthorneVillager.com

I don't have that option...
I gotta work in Guelph from 8:30-5:00 with a 30 min break...at least my cubicle has a window...which I'd like to hurl myself out of on occasion...

(and I've only had this job since March!)

At least your commute is better then most. I work by the Pearson Airport. I was tempted to get into a car accident this morning just so I could avoid the commute.

Reminds me of that episode of the office where Martin tells everyone prison is better than work.
http://www.spike.com/video/office-prison-beats/2800619

Yes I agree the commute isn't nearly as bad...
I used to work downtown Toronto, had to take the GO everyday.
Talk about a reality migraine...I hate the general public as it is...I could never go back to public transportation as a means of commuting anywhere.

People who spend 12+ hours a day at work on Bay St. are dreaming of 9-5 hours. 9-5 is work life balance IMO.

I currently work 8-4 and I find that it gives me enough time to enjoy life, even with the 3 hour round trip commute time.

Those guys on Bay Street are nutz - they live their jobs.

Everybody's situation is different, and everybody's desired balance is different too.

When I was taking the Go Train every day, I had to wake my son up very early, rush out the door to get him to daycare for me to be able to catch the last train downtown. For me personally, that didn't work.
Now we take our time in the morning, have a nice enjoyable breakfast, play a little, and THEN it's off to school.
Also, getting home at 6pm sucked, since I'd only see him for 2 hrs a day, then bedtime.
The 3 hr return commute never used to bother me either, but then life changed and so did my preferences.
That's why I believe it's based on the individual - the point I like to try to push is that no matter how it seems, you're in control of your own life - often it's fear of change and the unknown that prevents people from trying new things, if they DON'T currently have a balance that works for them. Good for the OP for wanting to talk about it in the first place!

Try volunteering for a cause you believe in and be thankful for good health if you have it. It may put things in a different perspective. I know this has helped many a person in your situation.
Good luck.

There are lots of companies that have work from home flexibilities. Hearing about IBM got me looking at their site, but HP, Canadian Tire, and probably lots more are flexible about this. I think it was a rant from Prickly Pete that talked about just how useless it is for most people to come into work. Sometimes I come into work and sit on the phone in meetings all day, and then go home. Why did I drive 1 hour each way to sit on the phone when I could've easily done this at home. Or I do 2 hours of productive work and 6 hours of surfing, realizing how many resources are wasted for that much productivity.

abridgel, I take it you don't wanna mention the company you work for? I have a feeling it's the same draconian one that I work for

On the way there I usually made sure I was one of the first on the train so that I could snag "the good seat" (the one at the back where you don't have to face anyone) then I'd stick on my headphones and fall asleep. However the ride home SUCKED. Usually had to stand until I got to Meadowvale, then I would finally score a chair. Or I'd be forced to watch the guy in front of me drool in his sleep, or I'd be fighting for the armrest with the big fat greasy guy next to me, or having the chick across from me air her nasty smelling feet...
I like being in my car all by myself.

I guess it is much easier for me as I don't have kids, so getting home at 6PM and having free time until 11PM (required for me to wake up at 6AM) is enough most days. Who knows, my definition of work/life balance could change if I have kids one day too.

Do you have your own house that you need to clean? What about house hold chores? Any pets?

5hrs a day to do what you want and take care of the house, make dinner etc simply isn't enough time.

[quote="abridgel]Do you have your own house that you need to clean? What about house hold chores? Any pets?

5hrs a day to do what you want and take care of the house, make dinner etc simply isn't enough time.[/quote]

I don't have kids either, but I find that I can usually hit the gym, cook dinner, straighten up the house a bit and still have some time for TV or reading or any other extra curricular activity within 5 hours.

What sucks though, is knowing I spend 8 hours of my day doing sh*t I don't want to do, and then 5 spent on me, my house and my social life. It should be the other way around...
I don't know why office jobs can't end at 3:30 like school days. It would make sense for those with kids. I'd also rather a 4 day work week and a 3 day weekend. Or we should introduce siesta's like they do in Mexico. I know I get tuckered out around 2:30-3:00...I could use a half hour nap. I'm not very productive when I can barely keep my eyes open...

Yes I own my house, you can clean it on weekends, dogs take up 30 minutes of your evening if you need to feed and walk it (cats nothing), making and eating dinner is an hour.

Guess what? I still have time to exercise 5 days a week, go out almost every evening, and watch all the sports I want.

5 hours a day (without kids) is plenty of time if you have decent time management skills.

I'm not complainning I don't have enough time but I think out of the 16 or so hrs that I am up everyday only about 1-2 hrs is spent on something I enjoy doing.

I spend approx 10 hrs a day commuting and at the workplace. Another 3-4 just on maintenance (chores, dinner, cleaning etc).