Friday, April 22, 2005 Posted: 1208 GMT (2008 HKT)
LONDON, England -- Workers distracted by phone calls, e-mails and text messages suffer a greater loss of IQ than a person smoking marijuana, a British study shows.
The constant interruptions reduce productivity and leave people feeling tired and lethargic, according to a survey carried out by TNS Research and commissioned by Hewlett Packard.
The survey of 1,100 Britons showed:
# Almost two out three people check their electronic messages out of office hours and when on holiday
# Half of all workers respond to an e-mail within 60 minutes of receiving one
# One in five will break off from a business or social engagement to respond to a message.
# Nine out of 10 people thought colleagues who answered messages during face-to-face meetings were rude, while three out of 10 believed it was not only acceptable, but a sign of diligence and efficiency.
But the mental impact of trying to balance a steady inflow of messages with getting on with normal work took its toll, the UK's Press Association reported.
In 80 clinical trials, Dr. Glenn Wilson, a psychiatrist at King's College London University, monitored the IQ of workers throughout the day.
He found the IQ of those who tried to juggle messages and work fell by 10 points -- the equivalent to missing a whole night's sleep and more than double the 4-point fall seen after smoking marijuana.
"This is a very real and widespread phenomenon," Wilson said. "We have found that this obsession with looking at messages, if unchecked, will damage a worker's performance by reducing their mental sharpness.
"Companies should encourage a more balanced and appropriate way of working."
Wilson said the IQ drop was even more significant in the men who took part in the tests.
"The research suggests that we are in danger of being caught up in a 24-hour 'always on' society," said David Smith of Hewlett Packard.
"This is more worrying when you consider the potential impairment on performance and concentration for workers, and the consequent impact on businesses."
4.24.2005
4.17.2005
I was dying!
OK so here's the skinny on this Sunday:
- I was awaken to get up anyway.
- I did finally get up.
- I was in pain bending down to place incense at people's tombstones.
- I smelled like smoke.
- I paid for lunch. (I know I just have to work another XX hours of OT to pay for it.)
- I had a stomach ache until Tucker hit a Grand Slam.
- I felt better after the Grand Slam. (Ironic right?)
- I felt better when I knew the Giants won.
- I watched a lot of Trigun.
That's the latest from me.
Horoscope: The best way to keep a secret is to ask them not to tell you in the first place.
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- I was awaken to get up anyway.
- I did finally get up.
- I was in pain bending down to place incense at people's tombstones.
- I smelled like smoke.
- I paid for lunch. (I know I just have to work another XX hours of OT to pay for it.)
- I had a stomach ache until Tucker hit a Grand Slam.
- I felt better after the Grand Slam. (Ironic right?)
- I felt better when I knew the Giants won.
- I watched a lot of Trigun.
That's the latest from me.
Horoscope: The best way to keep a secret is to ask them not to tell you in the first place.
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4.16.2005
I'll Always Be Right There - Michelle Branch
When you're all alone,
And you need a light,
Someone to guide you through the night,
Just remember that I am here,
To hold you close and dry your tears.
Oh-ooh
And just when you thought you were falling,
But you know I'll always be right there.
When you're all alone,
And you need a friend,
Someone to help you to the end,
When you need someone to catch you when you fall,
I'll be there through it all.
Oh-oh
Just when you thought you were losing,
But you know I'll always be right there.
I'll be there through the good times,
And the bad,
And we'll be there for each other,
You're the best friend I ever had.
Oh-oooh
And just when you thought you were falling,
But you know I'll always be right there.
Oh-oooh whenever you need me,
I'll always be right there.
I?ll always be right there...
And you need a light,
Someone to guide you through the night,
Just remember that I am here,
To hold you close and dry your tears.
Oh-ooh
And just when you thought you were falling,
But you know I'll always be right there.
When you're all alone,
And you need a friend,
Someone to help you to the end,
When you need someone to catch you when you fall,
I'll be there through it all.
Oh-oh
Just when you thought you were losing,
But you know I'll always be right there.
I'll be there through the good times,
And the bad,
And we'll be there for each other,
You're the best friend I ever had.
Oh-oooh
And just when you thought you were falling,
But you know I'll always be right there.
Oh-oooh whenever you need me,
I'll always be right there.
I?ll always be right there...
4.13.2005
Tired.
I went to be early last night. It was before 2.00 a.m. so it was a record in my book. It was also early. Terrible loss today. I don't even know how to describe it. It was last season's last game bad. Final score 8-9 Dodgers. God damn it. If only they wouldn't have had a problem.
Disappointment can only describe what I'm feeling. It happens. I did this last season and this season I'll survive too. It's just when they're down I'm down. Must sleep early tonight.
Horoscope: Go ahead: Cancel plans if you need to. Your friends will understand.
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Disappointment can only describe what I'm feeling. It happens. I did this last season and this season I'll survive too. It's just when they're down I'm down. Must sleep early tonight.
Horoscope: Go ahead: Cancel plans if you need to. Your friends will understand.
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I need to stop having pains...
I need to see a doctor. I do. I can't have pains anymore. I need a day off. If I have an ulcer or something I really will have to get help.
The game was depressing as hell. It was ugly. I hate KENT. I HATE BRADLEY (SORRY!) (referencing a board game), and most of all I hate LEDEE! What kind of sorry ass person is he? Plays like shit for one team and then is the BOMB for the other team? I don't get his thinking.
I hate everyone in DODGER BLUE or otherwise known as LAD. LAD SUCKS!
Horoscope: You're just trying to get things accomplished, but all anyone wants to do is gab.
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The game was depressing as hell. It was ugly. I hate KENT. I HATE BRADLEY (SORRY!) (referencing a board game), and most of all I hate LEDEE! What kind of sorry ass person is he? Plays like shit for one team and then is the BOMB for the other team? I don't get his thinking.
I hate everyone in DODGER BLUE or otherwise known as LAD. LAD SUCKS!
Horoscope: You're just trying to get things accomplished, but all anyone wants to do is gab.
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4.12.2005
Day off...
Boring day. I need sleep. I really do. Being a zombie is horrible.
Tomorrow's game will be good.
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Tomorrow's game will be good.
Horoscope: Instead of choosing one project now, find two or three ventures you really enjoy.
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4.11.2005
Some past Giants moments...05/06/04
05/06/2004 8:00 AM ET
Ask the Giants: Getting in position
By Chris Shuttlesworth / MLB.com
Got a question for Ask the Giants? Submit your queries of general interest for a Giants player, coach, staff or front-office member and see if your question gets answered in a future edition of Giants Jottings.
What made you want to play the position you play now? -- Lucas R., Salinas
Dustan Mohr: I always wanted to play shortstop. We had a bad outfield in high school, and so I went and played center in high school. Once I went to the outfield, I enjoyed being out there. Making a diving catch or robbing a home run sometimes feels a little bit better than getting a hit. The thrill of taking base hits away from people is the reason why I like it now.
Matt Herges: I've kind of always been a pitcher, ever since Little League. But if I had had a choice coming into college, I would have been like a third baseman, because I love to hit. How your career path takes you, you don't know how it's going to end up. I guess the scouts, the guy who signed me, thought of me more as a pitcher. Even my college coach thought that'd probably be the best way for me (to succeed).
That's how it kind of evolved. I played third base and DHed in college. I used to be a switch-hitter. I never really said, "Yeah, I'm a pitcher." I would rather have been a hitter, but the way it's turned out, shoot, I never look back. I love my job now. I wouldn't change now.
Where does A.J. Pierzynski's last name originate from? -- Steph I., Napa
Pierzynski: It's Polish. Tom Paciorek, who is a TV broadcaster and is Polish, said it means "feather bed," but I don't know if that's true or not. He tried to look it up in the Polish dictionary, and that's what he could come up with. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's what he always calls me whenever he sees me.
What's with Pedro Feliz's new number? -- Cathi O., San Rafael
Feliz: I like the number (7). I used it in the minors. Somebody else (Marvin Benard) had it before.
Has J.T. Snow ever acted? -- Kate R., San Bruno
Snow: I've been on a show, but I wouldn't say I really acted. I just stood there. It was on "ER" in 1994. I was playing a doctor, just standing in the hallway looking at X-rays. When I was with the Angels, the best friend of our PR director was in charge of extras for that show. So he called him up and asked him if he could get me in a scene and he did.
Other then SBC Park, which is your favorite stadium to play at? -- Savannah W., Redwood City
Jeffrey Hammonds: Camden Yards -- it was the first. (Hammonds broke into the Majors with the Baltimore Orioles.)
Herges: That would have to be Busch Stadium, just because it's close to home and I always have family there. That's the ballpark I grew up going to most. Even the smells of it are the same from what I remember. First time going back there as a big leaguer, when the last time I was there was a kid, I was like, "Oh, my goodness." The smell of it brought back crazy memories.
Who decides what backpack the rookie will carry to the bullpen each year? -- Betty W., San Francisco
Scott Eyre: This year, Jim Brower bought the pink (My Pretty Pony) one for David Aardsma, and I went and got the new one, red Power Rangers with a mask. I kept the mask, but I gave the bag to, at the time, Coop (Brian Cooper), and now Tyler Walker has it, I believe.
The pink one was for Aardsma because he was a true rookie, no time at all in the big leagues, no days, so you get a pink one like that. That's what happened to me. We got the other one because Cooper had almost a year in, and the pink bag was also 6-11, so we fired it. It's still around, though. If Aardsma gets back up, he's getting the pink one. He's not getting the Power Rangers one. (Aardsma was recalled May 1 and is again carrying the pink backpack.)
How big is "The Shed" that Kirk Rueter has? What type of stuff is in it? -- Ryan N., Tracy
Rueter: It's about 4,500 square feet, and it's just a big game room, basically. It has big-screen TVs, it has a bunch of arcade games, pool tables, shuffleboard, any kind of game. It's just a big kids' room, basically. That's where all the guys hang out.
What is the biggest advantage playing home games at SBC Park? -- Scott L., Hayward
Hammonds: Our left fielder (Barry Bonds). He shows you what you should and shouldn't do here. If there's someone who knows this park like the back of his hand, it's him, so having somebody you can watch play the park the way it's supposed to be played (is an advantage).
J.T., where do you think you would be right now if you had turned down the baseball scholarship and taken a basketball or football scholarship? -- Brian M., Campbell
Snow: Probably at home, not playing. I probably would have played in college and then did some other job.
Chris Shuttlesworth is an editorial producer for MLB.com. Questions may be edited for clarity and/or space. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Ask the Giants: Getting in position
By Chris Shuttlesworth / MLB.com
Got a question for Ask the Giants? Submit your queries of general interest for a Giants player, coach, staff or front-office member and see if your question gets answered in a future edition of Giants Jottings.
What made you want to play the position you play now? -- Lucas R., Salinas
Dustan Mohr: I always wanted to play shortstop. We had a bad outfield in high school, and so I went and played center in high school. Once I went to the outfield, I enjoyed being out there. Making a diving catch or robbing a home run sometimes feels a little bit better than getting a hit. The thrill of taking base hits away from people is the reason why I like it now.
Matt Herges: I've kind of always been a pitcher, ever since Little League. But if I had had a choice coming into college, I would have been like a third baseman, because I love to hit. How your career path takes you, you don't know how it's going to end up. I guess the scouts, the guy who signed me, thought of me more as a pitcher. Even my college coach thought that'd probably be the best way for me (to succeed).
That's how it kind of evolved. I played third base and DHed in college. I used to be a switch-hitter. I never really said, "Yeah, I'm a pitcher." I would rather have been a hitter, but the way it's turned out, shoot, I never look back. I love my job now. I wouldn't change now.
Where does A.J. Pierzynski's last name originate from? -- Steph I., Napa
Pierzynski: It's Polish. Tom Paciorek, who is a TV broadcaster and is Polish, said it means "feather bed," but I don't know if that's true or not. He tried to look it up in the Polish dictionary, and that's what he could come up with. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's what he always calls me whenever he sees me.
What's with Pedro Feliz's new number? -- Cathi O., San Rafael
Feliz: I like the number (7). I used it in the minors. Somebody else (Marvin Benard) had it before.
Has J.T. Snow ever acted? -- Kate R., San Bruno
Snow: I've been on a show, but I wouldn't say I really acted. I just stood there. It was on "ER" in 1994. I was playing a doctor, just standing in the hallway looking at X-rays. When I was with the Angels, the best friend of our PR director was in charge of extras for that show. So he called him up and asked him if he could get me in a scene and he did.
Other then SBC Park, which is your favorite stadium to play at? -- Savannah W., Redwood City
Jeffrey Hammonds: Camden Yards -- it was the first. (Hammonds broke into the Majors with the Baltimore Orioles.)
Herges: That would have to be Busch Stadium, just because it's close to home and I always have family there. That's the ballpark I grew up going to most. Even the smells of it are the same from what I remember. First time going back there as a big leaguer, when the last time I was there was a kid, I was like, "Oh, my goodness." The smell of it brought back crazy memories.
Who decides what backpack the rookie will carry to the bullpen each year? -- Betty W., San Francisco
Scott Eyre: This year, Jim Brower bought the pink (My Pretty Pony) one for David Aardsma, and I went and got the new one, red Power Rangers with a mask. I kept the mask, but I gave the bag to, at the time, Coop (Brian Cooper), and now Tyler Walker has it, I believe.
The pink one was for Aardsma because he was a true rookie, no time at all in the big leagues, no days, so you get a pink one like that. That's what happened to me. We got the other one because Cooper had almost a year in, and the pink bag was also 6-11, so we fired it. It's still around, though. If Aardsma gets back up, he's getting the pink one. He's not getting the Power Rangers one. (Aardsma was recalled May 1 and is again carrying the pink backpack.)
How big is "The Shed" that Kirk Rueter has? What type of stuff is in it? -- Ryan N., Tracy
Rueter: It's about 4,500 square feet, and it's just a big game room, basically. It has big-screen TVs, it has a bunch of arcade games, pool tables, shuffleboard, any kind of game. It's just a big kids' room, basically. That's where all the guys hang out.
What is the biggest advantage playing home games at SBC Park? -- Scott L., Hayward
Hammonds: Our left fielder (Barry Bonds). He shows you what you should and shouldn't do here. If there's someone who knows this park like the back of his hand, it's him, so having somebody you can watch play the park the way it's supposed to be played (is an advantage).
J.T., where do you think you would be right now if you had turned down the baseball scholarship and taken a basketball or football scholarship? -- Brian M., Campbell
Snow: Probably at home, not playing. I probably would have played in college and then did some other job.
Chris Shuttlesworth is an editorial producer for MLB.com. Questions may be edited for clarity and/or space. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
4.10.2005
SWEEP!!!!!!!!!
Best day ever! OK I wake up and think it's game day! It's time for a sweep! I think I just thought why not head to the last game until they're back in a week and a half. It's the most spontaneous thing I've done in a while. Really it is. I mean I'm 20 something and can't have a "fun life". Here's how the rest of it played out.
I am walking out the door to see if I see a bus. Bad.
I walk to the lightrail. There's a lightrail. Good.
Then I get on. Good.
It's hot or stuffy. Bad.
I see other Giant fans. Good.
Fans that don't know who's the pitcher for today. Bad.
I find the gate for the bleachers. Good.
I got to shake Lou Seal's hand. Good.
I ended up getting a bag of cracker jacks. Good.
I had a Sheboygan. Strange.
Saw a sweep. Good.
See Schmidt have 2/3. Good.
It was a great day. I loved the weather until after the game. Then it got cold fast. It was just good hanging out and talking baseball. I need something like that to help me keep sane. Lord knows I need it. I know that I'm not an easy person to get along with, but I need space for me to have me time. Even if that's sitting at a ball game or in my room watching the game where the Giants are doing well or doing bad.
I know now that baseball is a game that I like. Actually, it's the saying that I dig. "I LIVE FOR THIS".
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I am walking out the door to see if I see a bus. Bad.
I walk to the lightrail. There's a lightrail. Good.
Then I get on. Good.
It's hot or stuffy. Bad.
I see other Giant fans. Good.
Fans that don't know who's the pitcher for today. Bad.
I find the gate for the bleachers. Good.
I got to shake Lou Seal's hand. Good.
I ended up getting a bag of cracker jacks. Good.
I had a Sheboygan. Strange.
Saw a sweep. Good.
See Schmidt have 2/3. Good.
It was a great day. I loved the weather until after the game. Then it got cold fast. It was just good hanging out and talking baseball. I need something like that to help me keep sane. Lord knows I need it. I know that I'm not an easy person to get along with, but I need space for me to have me time. Even if that's sitting at a ball game or in my room watching the game where the Giants are doing well or doing bad.
I know now that baseball is a game that I like. Actually, it's the saying that I dig. "I LIVE FOR THIS".
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I am getting OLD!
Why do I say this? I am looking for my phone and I can't find it. I know I brought it home, but I can't find it now. This has got to stop. Leaving stuff in the car thing. I could have swore I brought it up. I am totally too stressed out. I know I didn't leave it at work because I used it while driving. I know that's bad, but I did.
Today is the final home game with the Giants at home playing the Rockies. I hope something in today's game sits in my mind as well as theirs while they're on the road. I hope my phone is in the car. Man, this is the worse thing in the world. I hope I'll get up when the game starts.
Horoscope: Instead of choosing one project now, find two or three ventures you really enjoy.
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Today is the final home game with the Giants at home playing the Rockies. I hope something in today's game sits in my mind as well as theirs while they're on the road. I hope my phone is in the car. Man, this is the worse thing in the world. I hope I'll get up when the game starts.
Horoscope: Instead of choosing one project now, find two or three ventures you really enjoy.
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4.09.2005
Giants Vs. Rockies game 2...
I barely wake up in time for the game. Honestly, I woke up and then went back to sleep before the game started. I think I was aware of the time the game did start, but was I awake for first pitch? I couldn't tell you. I know it was Jerome Williams who was starting. He did a great job.
Vizquel did a great job for us. Fonzie did good too. I think it was because he was in the presence of greatness with his idol Vizquel. Today's game was great. Williams kept the Rockies to only one run. Fonize makes a great catch and then throws to first. Snow gets it and then tags Wilson. That play was so sweet! Everyone became pumped up after that.
Near the end of the game with the bases loaded Tucker hits a grand slam. His first one of his career. It's also his second Splash Hit. Then the score became 4-1 Giants up. The Rockies do get another run but since we have home field advantage it wasn't needed to play the bottom half of the 9th inning. This was a sweet game. We had everything in place.
I'm glad I did catch the replays of the grand slam. There's always the high lights on the Giants website.
Horoscope: You don't have to dominate the conversation to communicate your ideas effectively.
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Vizquel did a great job for us. Fonzie did good too. I think it was because he was in the presence of greatness with his idol Vizquel. Today's game was great. Williams kept the Rockies to only one run. Fonize makes a great catch and then throws to first. Snow gets it and then tags Wilson. That play was so sweet! Everyone became pumped up after that.
Near the end of the game with the bases loaded Tucker hits a grand slam. His first one of his career. It's also his second Splash Hit. Then the score became 4-1 Giants up. The Rockies do get another run but since we have home field advantage it wasn't needed to play the bottom half of the 9th inning. This was a sweet game. We had everything in place.
I'm glad I did catch the replays of the grand slam. There's always the high lights on the Giants website.
Horoscope: You don't have to dominate the conversation to communicate your ideas effectively.
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4.08.2005
Michelle Branch...
She's MARRIED?! Yes MARRIED! MARRIED!?! YES MARRIED! - Similar to the line in Sixteen Candles. I can't believe that she's married to someone that's 19 years older than her. She's also expecting a child and is currently 5 months along.
WOW that's all I have to say. So the fact is that when I saw her in concert last year she was married. WOW! You learn something new everyday.
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WOW that's all I have to say. So the fact is that when I saw her in concert last year she was married. WOW! You learn something new everyday.
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LOWRY!!!!
I'm sitting at home watching the game and see opening pitch after making it home from overtime. I don't know if I'll include it, but you never know. I caught first pitch and watched a wonderful game. Lowry did wonderfully and the 'pen had to screw it up. I mean he did a great job and then it was all down hill.
In the end we did win, but it was a long hard fight. Thanks for the great moment Grissom "Grip". Your home run was the best gift you could give to Lowry after the 'pen screwed it up. It looked like the end of the season and we were celebrating making the playoffs. That was a sweet game. I did get yelled at for pounding on my desk for being happy for the team.
Horoscope: Your ambition and your need for stability are working at cross purposes.
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In the end we did win, but it was a long hard fight. Thanks for the great moment Grissom "Grip". Your home run was the best gift you could give to Lowry after the 'pen screwed it up. It looked like the end of the season and we were celebrating making the playoffs. That was a sweet game. I did get yelled at for pounding on my desk for being happy for the team.
Horoscope: Your ambition and your need for stability are working at cross purposes.
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4.06.2005
Opening Night...
It will be sweet. I'm still up I know. Terrible. I did "work" at home. I can't wait until I get off work. I will be counting the hours and minutes until I can go home!
Horoscope: If you don't move forward on this project, your progress may stagnate. Don't delay.
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Horoscope: If you don't move forward on this project, your progress may stagnate. Don't delay.
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4.05.2005
Opening Day...
I had to go to work. I should have skipped work. I have the game taped and ready to be watched. I might have missed opening day, but I'm going to opening night! It was an exciting game. No matter how little I listened to, but man did I have to have the shout of "YES!"? Yes I did. It was a great win and the last out made my day. I was on a high. Granted I should have been working. I was. I had to take my break. Good thing I have it on tape to watch later.
Giants: 4
Dodgers: 2
Record for this month: 1-0
Horoscope: A job setback throws everything in the air. This is an opportunity in disguise.
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Giants: 4
Dodgers: 2
Record for this month: 1-0
Horoscope: A job setback throws everything in the air. This is an opportunity in disguise.
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4.03.2005
My brother (First Name) "Rain Maker" (Last Name)...
He thought it would be funny to do a "rain dance". After he did that it was pouring. Then he proclaimed himself (First Name) "Rain Maker" (Last Name). I started to laugh. That is a funny thought right? And then one other time he said that our great great great grandparents were also "rain makers". Now that's just too funny.
Horoscope: A drought has turned into a flood. What ever happened to moderation, anyway? - That's just a little ironic seeing that it's rainning now in the afternoon. Heavy rain also some hail.
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Horoscope: A drought has turned into a flood. What ever happened to moderation, anyway? - That's just a little ironic seeing that it's rainning now in the afternoon. Heavy rain also some hail.
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