Every morning, I wake up, check my email and see what my transcription assignment is. Today I was startled to discover that my assignment (should I choose to accept it) is twice the normal size and due in half the time. Yikes! Maybe it’s a typo? It’s odd, because the folders aren’t marked ‘Rush’ on the ftp site. I can’t ask why, since they are sleeping in Seattle. Even if they are sleepless in Seattle, they won’t be at the office ’til late afternoon my time, so I’d better get cracking.

By now, you’re probably wondering about the title of this post. Well, while waiting for my audio to download, I skimmed through my bookmarks folder, noticed a monkey theme, and found myself musing on how much in life depends on being in the right place at the right time. Consider the following:

In what sounds like the premise for a twisted video game, Indian officials are considering a bizarre plan which would solve two problems at once: unemployed youth and the overpopulation of monkeys. The proposal is to hire teen-aged boys to chase down rogue monkeys and sterilize them with lasers. (Makes you wonder if they serve cocktails at official meetings in India.)

Back in the USA, a monkey named Whiplash has made quite a name for himself on the rodeo circuit. The critter, dressed in cowboy garb, rides around on the back of a border collie, and seems to be having a great time in this video and commercial. According to his official website, Whiplash is fond of pb&j sandwiches and the original ‘Law and Order’ series. (Wonder if he’ll be my pal on Myspace?)

See what I mean? Sure, they may worship monkeys in India as being the god Hanuman, but I’d rather be like Whiplash and get to exercise my freewill, eat sandwiches and watch what I want on TV. At the moment, however, my files have downloaded. I’d better put on my headphones and get to work.