I sit at home day after day writing specifications, procedures, protocols and descriptions of complicated how-to’s. It’s boring unimaginative stuff, designed to put you to sleep in seconds. But it’s a job and actually a very good job. They pay well for this work because basically no one else wants to do it. But sometimes its just gets too much and I divert for as few minutes to take a look at how the stock exchange is doing, check the weather forecast for tomorrow or have at look at what’s happening today in China. And then of course, occasionally, very occasionally, I slip into an online casino for a few rounds on a slot machine or a couple of spins of the roulette wheel.

I had one of these diversions this morning while I was in the middle of writing a protocol for a new laboratory that would be making some sort of medicine from blood plasma. The lab has to meet the most demanding and stringent conditions that the FDA can dream up. Halfway through the work, I went to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee. Back in front of the computer I sneaked a quick look around the room and clicked to enter the Glass Slipper, an online casino. Inside, I went straight to the roulette table where a live dealer was running the show.  Five spins only, I promised myself, the dealer and my absent boss.

I clicked on $50 chips and placed one on number 17, Lisa’s birthday. I spun the wheel and watched as the ball dropped into number 34, the slot next to 17. Close but not good enough, I mumbled. I pushed another $50 chip across to my birthday, number 23 and spun the wheel. I waited anxiously as the little white ivory ball rolled around the edge of the wheel and finally dropped into number 23. I have won $1,750 and I have 3 more spins left in the online casino. What shall I do? I decided to leave my winnings on number 23 and play another $50 chip on Sally’s birthday.

Number 23 came up again. I let out a wild whoop! $60,000! Enough to go and find someone else to finish writing this awful FDA protocol. And I have 2 spins left.

Posted on: May 16, 2009

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