I kind of hate going into campus (interacting with bright-eyed master's students who haven't yet had their souls crushed by academia can be exhausting), so i work on my research from home 3 or so days a week. most everyone is familiar with the challenges of working in an office (coworker distractions, people stealing your lunch, jammed copiers, not to mention the unspeakably disgusting things that happen when that many people share a bathroom). well, working from home presents a whole different set of issues, particularly if you have pets.
today, for example, i had an important conference call scheduled. unfortunately, my cat sometimes has this really weird reaction when i talk on the phone. i don't know whether it's because i am ignoring her, or if it's the disembodied voice coming through the phone that freaks her out, or what it is. all i know is that trying to pay attention and maintain an air of professionalism while your cat is meowing and biting and pouncing on you the whole time is not exactly easy. i have absolutely no idea what i must have sounded like on the call today, but i am pretty sure i did not sound normal.
maybe they'll just think i'm working on becoming an eccentric academic?
How about putting "Baby" in the bathroom, with the door closed, when you have an important conference call?
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