I have known coworkers who don't want to go home because they like the people at work much more than their own families--and at home they have to make dinner and do laundry and all that. One person didn't even take vacations, because they'd have to deal with family stuff rather than the fun work stuff.

I like my job. In general, I have respect for my co-workers. and I have a few friends from work. But I hope I never think work is better than home

I'm having steamed zucchini for breakfast. om nom nom nom.

Why can't we all just do our jobs?

This!

I realized after I wrote that that I have had two jobs where I totally had a blast working. But still, the occasional shenanigans did not interfere with productivity. much.

My best job ever was working for a woman everybody else found difficult and unpredictable. We had a telepathic relationship, finished each other's sentences, she'd put her hand out and I'd slap the file she needed into it, I'd open my mouth to ask and she'd tell me to take some time off.

Looking back, I can see that she was difficult for most people. But she treated me like a grownup, made me part of a team, demanded the use of my strengths and opened up new ones for me to stretch, and took up the slack for my shortfalls. She spoiled me utterly for working for anybody else. Demanding, difficult, exhausting, but also exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding. I miss that. I miss her. She too, got kicked upstairs.

That happened to a lot of my bosses, actually. Hmmm.

You made them look great!

Yeah, my best boss everyone thought was a complete asshole, but in reality, he was an efficient and effective manager who was successful at herding a lot of cat types (actors, mainly) where they needed to be to do their jobs well. He would curse you up one side and down the other if you screwed up doing something stupid, but never said word one to me the one time I screwed up, but not for stupidity. AND he would tell you, in no uncertain terms, when you did well. Completely fair, you never wondered about his communication. He was just brusque because he needed you to act promptly and he brooked no nonsense.

My favorite boss at the restaurant was the one everyone else hated. You always knew exactly what was expected on her shifts. I so much prefer that to the slacker boss. People called her a bitch (behind her back) when she called them up at home and made them come back and finish their sidework or be fired. She didn't call me- my sidework was done correctly.

Yup, that was my boss, as well. Demanding but fair. I don't need pretty speeches, just tell me what to do, and let me know I got it right, and I'll fling myself in front of buses for you.

Um. Metaphorically.