It’s about time…
I have a bit of an issue with time. If I have a deadline, or an estimated time of arrival, I absolutely have to make it or I will teeter on the brink of an anxiety attack. I dislike arriving late so much that I will always aim to be early, sometimes excessively so (just in case something happens en route which delays me), and often end up walking around the block a few times, or pacing up and down, since arriving early can be terribly inconvenient for the people you are meeting as well (as the lovely carpet fitters who came 45 minutes earlier than expected proved, catching us still frantically painting ceilings and moving furniture).
I don’t apply the same standard to everyone else, at least not to the same extent, but it does make me annoyed when people drift in to rehearsals over a 15 minute period, seemingly unaware of the alleged start time. I think part of that is connected with the concept of purpose. The purpose of the time spent at rehearsals is to rehearse, so I get very impatient if I’m at the rehearsal venue, but not actually doing anything connected with the show.
Sometimes I wish I wasn’t quite so worried about timekeeping – it would be nice to have one less potential cause of stress and anxiety, since I am so very good at winding myself up. I have wondered whether it’s one of the traits that marks me out as being very British, but since I don’t drink either tea or beer, am not overly fond of cricket and don’t always mind a bit of rain, I’m not entirely sure that I fit the stereotypical mould at all.
It’s also about time I started posting here on a regular schedule again, and preferably with something more about either singing or being a librarian, since those are the title topics of the blog. I shall try.
The Singing Librarian Talks 
I also like to be early. I hate being late or walking in late.
I had a friend who was always half an hour late for any social event; in the end I simply told her a time 30 minutes earlier than the real time. Thing was, she caught me at it and there was a distinct froideur after that.
It’s interesting how consistent each of us is, isn’t it? I was thrilled when I discovered how restful it is to arrive early at an appointment – you have 5 or 10 minutes when you can legitimately do nothing at all, instead of 30 minutes anticipatory stress and 15 minutes embarrassment. Doesn’t stop me running 5 minutes to 2 hours late though. 😦
B
I tend to do the same thing quite often. I usually bring a book, blank notepad and pen, magazine or have something to look at while I am waiting. People tend to get antsy when I walk around too much. Today it is easy to have something like an Ipod or other device to while away the waiting time. Often I am about half an hour early.
I also try to be well ahead of my deadlines so I can stop worrying. Having a yearly calendar helps. I have started keeping a day minder for several months in advance.
It is fairly common among librarians to be like this. It is not just British.