A moment in time

As I racked my brain trying to enhance a social network exercise I had launched, I happened to look up and glance out the window. A tanker was slowly making its way across the bay in the afternoon sun.

Wow.

When I first saw this office, the view took my breath away. But with the hustle and bustle of the business day, I rarely notice. I am sure it’s out there every afternoon, but who looks up?

Now, the view in this office is a big deal. Our first office in SOMA had no windows. We toiled away for 5 years without so much of glimpse of the outside world. Many winter days started and finished in the dark. Three years ago, we moved to Dogpatch. We took an office on the west side of the building. It had windows – oh happy, happy, joy, joy!!

The view on the west side was the 3^rd Street light rail. Our first year was comprised of wondering if we would ever see a train since the project was running two tears and many millions over budget. Then one day – a train went by. We had a new view, and we became experts on the inefficiencies of the T line.

We out grew that office and moved to the east side of the building and to the view. I remember that view, but it’s been about 3 months since I’ve looked up from my computer. Now, I was faced with a dilemma – I could enjoy the view or I could toil away. My natural instinct was to work. I had 3 unanswered IMs, an interview to edit, and phone was ringing. But there was this moment in time.

In a few moments, the sun would shift - the light would change. The tanker would cruise out of view. It was now or never. So, gasp, I took in the moment. I enjoyed the light on the old warehouses that line the shore, I studied a myriad a broken windows that toyed with the afternoon shadows, and I just stopped for moment. The world didn’t end, the IMs would be there, voicemail would pick up, and life would go on.

I may look out the window again tomorrow.