Taking back the night

I had an unusual experience last night. I watched TV. Just watched TV.

Sure, that's what you are supposed to do, but since I installed a wireless Internet system in my house a year ago, I've watched TV with my laptop on the chair arm. I convinced myself that it was simply like a magazine and I would use it to read -- especially about subjects that the TV shows suggested.

But last night I realized that what I really do it play with e-mail. I had the computer available while watching CSI New York, but after a few minutes I concluded that I really had nothing I wanted to look up. So I just enjoyed the show.

Many years ago when I became a general manager to the East Oregonian newspaper, I was proud and elated to be given my own laptop and a cell phone. I even installed a phone jack next to my arm chair so I could dial into the office network from the living room.

After about six months, my wife pointed out at those status symbols were actually shackles that had enslaved me to my job. Instead of a "normal" managerial 12-hour day, I was actively working until midnight or the wee hours and was functionally on call 24-7. Since a newspaper is a round-the-clock operation, I often got those calls at very unsociable hours.

Now I'm trying to decide how much of my night I should take back. This year I have been signing onto AOL Instant Messenger about 8 p.m. most days to "conduct virtual office hours". In combination with student e-mail, it is very popular. But to whom do I owe my evenings, my wife or my students?