Have you checked your e-mail lately?

September 30, 2003, 2:33 p.m.
I have checked my e-mail at least 50,000 times today. It’s much more fun than actually working and I figure if I check it enough, someone will e-mail me with some interesting news, a new assignment or at the very least, a free password to a porn site. So far I’ve gotten an invitation to the grand opening of a boutique, a story about a woman with one arm that almost made me cry, a reminder about a book club meeting, and a new assignment.

And just a few minutes ago, I received the best e-mail of all: a flight confirmation. I’m off to Las Vegas! Last week, somewhere between juggling two jobs, working odd hours to meet deadlines and preparing for a 4-day visit with my in-laws, I still managed to find time to check my e-mail every 30 seconds. Only this time, I got something better than porn – a free plane ticket!

I was convinced it was a message from fate telling me I need a break.

In reality it was a message from a friend who works for an airline. She had an about-to-expire plane ticket up for grabs and as a reward for my e-mail addiction, I nabbed the ticket. So, instead of working on Sunday afternoon, I’ll be knee-deep in penny slots, Elvis impersonators and all-you-can-eat buffets. Is there any better way to spend a few days?