Every workday, for the last nine months, the first thing I do upon entering my cubicle is write the date on my giant whiteboard. There’s no real reason to do it. I have a calendar on the wall (with the correct month showing). It’s just a morning ritual of mine.
Each day has its own color. Monday is red. Tuesday is orange. (I would stop here, but the rest of the days would be jealous if I didn’t mention them, so…) Wednesday is purple. Thursday is blue. Friday is green. The colors may or may not be based on the Homeland Security threat-level system.
Anyway, today, I grabbed the orange marker, pulled off the cap, and was just about to write the date as I always do, when I was overcome with the overwhelming need to do something differently. Not different, just differently. I wanted to spice up the routine, give the ritual a good shake.
So I tried writing the date upside-down.
It took twice as long (twelve seconds instead of the usual six) and four characters gave me pause (can you guess which ones?), but there was something satisfying about the pauses and the result. What was even more pleasing was how it caused at least two coworkers to do double takes as they walked by.
Now I’m thinking the upside-down dates may become my new ritual, at least until I feel it’s time to shake things up and right side round again.
