The Elsewhere People

I started writing this post several months ago, so not exactly news-worthy at this point, but my commentary continues...

I found out recently that I am part of a new class of people- the Elsewhere Class. I read this in a Newsweek article by Dalton Conley, author of the book "Elsewhere, U.S.A." (January 26, 2009) Maybe my interpretation is not exactly what Mr. Conley meant, but it really fits. Let me tell you about the Elsewhere Class.

We are constantly moving between the "blended world of work and leisure, home and office." Nicely put, Mr. Conley. But that specific word- blended- implies to me that there is a cohesive melding of those worlds. Feeling more like oil and water, I can relate better to his statement that "today's professional, by contrast, is constantly dogged by a feeling that he or she should be "elsewhere"- back at the office, at the party full of potential clients, home with the kids or at a social function with the spouse." Amen to that, brother!

Will I constantly be plagued by the feeling that what I'm doing in each area of my life is either a) not the right thing for the moment, or b) never quite enough? Will this feeling diminish when my daughter is safely tucked away in school for most of the day (oh, dread and joy simultaneously!) and I know I have certain hours in which I can solely concentrate on all things work, uninterrupted?

Mr. Conley presents that in Elsewhere, U.S.A. the home is more like the office and vice versa. The lines are blurring because of less defined gender roles, income inequality (in addition to an overfed keepin'-up-with-the-Joneses symdrome), and ubiquitous availability of technology. And what do you do when the home is the office? Balance away... Now where do I sign up to work at Google? Laundry service? Massages? Free food, beverages and gym? I'm in!