One advantage to being a telecommuter (i.e., someone who works in his pajamas) is that your co-workers can be anywhere. They could be next door, or the next state over, or even on Mars -- if the internet could get out that far. (Psst, it does.) In my case, I have a new co-worker in Australia. Since he's 14 hours ahead of me, we communicate mostly through email.

--And for the record, I do not open every email with "G'day!" That's obnoxious. Instead, I always say, "Hello, man from the future!"

I knew I could work with folks that were anywhere, but I had no idea I could work with folks that were anywhen (you know what I mean). Fourteen hours is a pretty good peek into the future. It's not enough to cause any major paradoxes, thankfully, but it's enough to still make for interesting emails.

Hello,

I'm sorry, I do not understand what you are talking about. Perhaps you sent this email to the wrong person?

Have a nice day,
Jim

On Jan 31, 2008 5:35 PM, OZ wrote:
> Hello, man from the future!
>
> I was going to take a nap before dinner but I don't want to be up all night. What do I eventually decide to do, and how does it turn out?
>
> Thanks,
> --OZ

It took a while to develop our rapport, but eventually I started getting some very useful info. Here's an exchange from last night:

The chicken is fine. You said it tasted great and all you did was microwave it for 45 seconds.
Jim

On Feb 12, 2008 6:29 PM, OZ wrote:
> Hello, man from the future!
>
> You should know, you're in the future!
>
> --OZ
>
> On Feb 13, 2008 8:22 AM, Jim wrote:
> > How many times do I have to tell you that I don't live in the future, but rather simply live in a different timezone?
> > Jim
> >
> > On Feb 12, 2008 6:21 PM, OZ wrote:
> > > Hello, man from the future!
> > >
> > > I'm cooking some chicken for dinner but it's a little old. I was going to chance it, but I wanted to check with you first. Do I call in sick tomorrow morning?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > --OZ

Having your own buddy in the future is very handy. I recommend getting at least one. I also recommend not drinking flat soda. I had some last night and now I can't keep any food down and have cold sweats. I'll have to ask Jim if I feel better tomorrow.