There’s something majestic about late hours in the early morning.

Over the course of several months, I developed a particular routine. First, I’d start with taking a mid-day nap, and I wouldn’t set any alarms. I’d just sleep until I naturally woke up.

Which sounds trivial, I suppose. Because what is so significant about taking a daytime nap? 

Well, it’s because I had some spare time on my hands. Understand, that not everyone can take catnaps at two or three o’clock on a Wednesday afternoon. 

However, I could. For a time…

Previously, I was caught up in the rigmarole of the “professional” life cycle. Job title, next job title, etc. Although I expedited my process, I ultimately found myself becoming exhausted.

Gridin’, hustling.’ Ya know? … Goin’ to this event… But then, you also gotta show up for that other thang too. Shakin’ hands. Kissin’ babies. Superficial waves and artificial smiles: “So, what do you do for work, and how I can leverage it? …”  

But aye, it’s all a part of the game. Life occurs for a reason. So, if you ever find yourself away from the figurative hamster wheel; before you go jumpin’ back on, first catch your breath.     

Unexpectedly… I had free time for months. So, I maximized the space and time to recharge and recalibrate my mind. To formulate and process my thoughts on a different wavelength from others…

Well, from society.

Alas! No longer, was life about appeasing others for opportunities, approval, and social acceptance. If I concurred, then it was solely of my volition. Conversely, if I vehemently opposed it, it was my choosing. I understood that dissenting from the consensus would likely be met with skepticism and not curiosity.

As a result, I prepared myself by formulating a creative process. As the general public was out and about having daily conversations with coworkers, family members, significant others, and friends, I was at home resting.

As the dusk settled, I came alive. Folks were unwinding, preparing for work or school the following day. Meanwhile, I was arising. Ultimately, this would be a benefit for me due to the stillness. The peace and quiet that the evening provided. Truthfully, the daytime was too busy, yet evenings were serene.

Time felt different in so many regards.

- - -

“333” appears on a normal time clock twice per day. Well, every minute occurs twice daily. Unless, the clock is set to 24-hour, military time.

The general populous does not typically announce the time as, “1500,” but instead as 3 p.m.

“Meet me at 0300.”

“What? Are we heading to war or something? Don’t you mean 3 in the morning? Or 3 a.m.”

Ante Meridiem means before noon. Post Meridiem is afternoon. On a 12-hour clock, p.m. is referenced to the afternoon and evening. 24-hours divided into two halves.  

“333” will appear both in ante meridiem and post meridiem. And while time can be reflected with the same numbers on a clock, the physical environment channels a different energy between ante and post meridiem.

- - -

Allow me to present a scenario:

Say that you reside in the basement, or lower level of an apartment complex. And, there is an external blockade that is intruding light into your place. It’s a large tree, or a taller building adjacent to the space where you’re living.   

The external obstruction is so grand that you must physically exit your place of residence to check the weather outside. All that you’re able to see outside of your window are bushes or concrete. This is not uncommon too, especially for city-living folks where everybody wants to live atop each other. The pros and cons of proximity and convenience.

So… yeah, you’re living in a safe neighborhood, or a nice building, but you’re not at the top level. Which is an increased rate just to be in the mix.  Ultimately- those at the top can see everything below them. They usually have the greatest views. Meanwhile, the residents living on the lower levels of the same building cannot even tell what time of the day it is.  

         … So, in this scenario, you’re at home being useless and unproductive during the middle of the day; post-meridiem. It’s also the winter season and you’re off from work or you’re unemployed… Let’s say you’re chillaxin', and then suddenly you doze off around 1300.

You later wake up with crust all around your eyes, and the time is now 0200.  

You’re groggy and woke up disorientated. But then you do as many people do upon waking up from a deep slumber. You check your phone.

The time on your homepage is displayed as 1436. You dozed off at 1 p.m. and woke up at 2:36. It was light outside when you fell asleep, but turned pitch black as you woke up.  

You don’t hear a sound. No one is entering or exiting from your building. You don’t hear any outside conversations. It’s eerily quiet at 2:36. You don’t even hear the sounds of car engines revving outside. And if you do, it’s but a faint noise off in the near distance.

Light and darkness can differentiate ante meridiem from post meridiem.

Context is imperative. Spatial awareness is imperative. Energy is imperative. How people move and interact concerning the physical space around them becomes heightened once there are external forces impeding daylight to our mental clarity.   

         - - -

There are locales where during the winter months of the year, it turns dark outside by 1 p.m.

Where I’m from in the upper-left, it’s often dark and gloomy; especially in the fall and winter.

Conversely - there are places where at the same time of year, it can be bright and sunny at six or seven in the morning. But regardless of the local weather, time is always time.

3 p.m. every Tuesday is part of the workweek. People must still navigate their daily lives regardless of the weather conditions. Whether it’s light or darkoutside. But dammit if 5 p.m. in June doesn’t feel different than 5 p.m., in November.

- - -

Growing up in the upper-left, it’s commonly understood how weather affects people and productivity. Especially, for individuals who have relocated from sunnier locations. In general, people can become moody, pessimistic, and depressed. Especially in the winter.

This is not an attempt to chastise anyone about their mental health. Growing up in the upper-left, many of us are accustomed to seasonal affective disorder, typically brought upon by the changing climate. Especially, in-contrast to the rest of the region, where several areas have sultry weather. But the upper-left is away from everything. It’s grey and precipitative. And, this combination will make the most positive person, sad.     

People who’ve lived in the upper-left for an extended time, grow to understand that apathetic emotions are usually temporary during the dark months. But it’s also impossible to beat the summer weeks here. Absolutely gorgeous for all 13 days.  

Unfortunately, as well, a few too many will succumb to the dark weather conditions and will ring their toll bells prematurely. Perhaps, weather shall not be the causal, but it’s often exacerbated by.  

Imperatively - I can’t front. I would be remiss to not acknowledge the historic rates of individuals who have taken their lives. Is weather a main cause of it? Maybe, or maybe not. We’re not getting enough vitamin D and I’m not sure if a lamp will suffice.   

Do gloomy conditions exacerbate personal issues within people already exhibiting mental disorders? Certainly so.

Personally, have I ever experienced bouts of depression? Yeah, I have.

Interestingly, the first time that I recall feeling depressive emotions was when my family moved away from my hometown as a teenager. We moved to a sunnier location in a new state, but I was not excited to relocate. That experience developed emotions that I had never previously felt. Even while growing up in a gloomy and dreary city. I felt that I solid childhood, all things considered.    

Do have I anxiety based upon real-life traumatic situations that have occurred in my life?

Yeah, I’m quite sure. I don’t know if those experiences will ever completely escape me. But I work each day to one day achieve it. 

Has Pat ever thought about removing himself from Earth? Hell-to-the NAH!

I’m too arrogant and I feel like I have a life’s worth of purpose to fulfill. Call it whatever, but I’m a firm believer that my presence is too valuable. My purpose is way too strong. Quite frankly, I would be depriving others of my contributions. I can’t bring myself to exit stage left. Not even at my lowest point.

As human beings, we should desire to experience a full spectrum of emotions. Instinctively - we can process the good, but meanwhile, we struggle to comprehend and contextualize, the bad. So instead, we deflect. We irrationalize, or we withdraw. 

Some people can’t sit alone with themself; especially in darkness. We are often more critical of ourselves than of others. So, anything to abstain from introspecting is fulfilled through recreation or entertainment.  We yearn for affirmation, comfort, and support from anyone.

- - -

People will attempt to drag you down to the abyss with them.

• Misery loves company.

By the time “333” displays on your clock, it could’ve made for a long day. 

If you work a regular full-time schedule, 3:33 p.m., can be an interesting time of the day. Why? There’s still an hour and a half of “work” left. It’s the final homestretch of the workday and you still gotta at least appear productive on the job.   

- - -

It’s 5:00 p.m., and it’s time to unwind from work at the bar with some brewskis. It’s time for Happy Hour.

Curious - why does Happy Hour involve consuming intoxicants to produce self-euphoria? Why isn’t Happy Hour the last hour you’re at work? And, I’m not a company Kool-Aid person, but I have partaken in several Happy Hours. 

Is Happy Hour because we get tipsy or dunk and then eat pizza bites and sliders? Is it because we are hollering at each other while sitting less than five feet away from one another? It’s usually a good time for solid team bonding. “We’re one big family…” as often stated. (laughs) 

- - -

Seriously, if you’ve worked long enough professionally, then you’ve likely attended some type of after-hour work event or social gathering. These functions intend to build camaraderie and alignment in the workplace. And to strengthen bonds with your professional colleagues.  

However - sometimes at these events are the moments when your colleagues or even yourself are too indulging… Now, people beginning to share personal anecdotes.  

Those after-work conversations can have a different tone depending on the season. Discussions feel more jovial during the spring and summer. Then it’s “doom-and-gloom” for fall and winter.

Happy Hour discussions, especially during doom-and-gloom can leave people feeling sad, or upset after they come down from their high. Their euphoria resulted in overstimulation.

Topics can include but are not limited to: The overlooked promotion. Burdensome personal responsibilities. Eveninfidelity, as you would be surprised by the comfort level of some people willing to disclose personal matters. Especially, once their inhibitions have been decreased.

All the while, you just wanted to go home after work. But then you’d be perceived as not being a team player. So instead, your coworker is venting to you about a topic at 5:37 that they would have never approached you about at 3:33.

But it’s just “Happy Hour,” as they say. 

Nah, more like Honest Hour if you ask me.

- - -

Most people will only see 333 appear on a clock once per day, and that’s if they catch it in time. That and the device setting are not configured to military time. 1533 feels different than 0333. 1533 can be hectic on certain days. There is so much more happening at 1533.

0333 is a majestic time. It’s quiet and peaceful. The majority of the society is asleep. So, need not engage in those awkward discussions. Need not have surface conversations. At that time, it was only television reruns. 0333, permits physical space and time for improved mental clarity.

3:33 provided me with creative space and time. Although - it was often still dark outside; an idea or concept would light up within my mind. My natural curiosity is what provided the spark.

I devised a process that expanded my mind and allowed for heightened mental clarity, without the distraction or minutiae of daily activities and responsibilities.

And like clockwork, I would sometimes look to check the time; and it most frequently displayed “3:33”

Lucky me.

333-1.