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	amberspace				"Been there. Been that."	Last updated on 2006.08.10.

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ramblings

My Morning Schedule
Or "Why Does It Take You So Long To Get Outta Da Friggin' Shower?!"

2002.09.19

This is part of my more-than-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-Amber series and this Rambling is specially dedicated to my roommates. Why? Because they have to put up with my routine, my Power Hour Shower. It is also dedicated to those people transitioning to demonstrate how much longer it takes these days.

My morning routine is long. It is about 55 minutes long. I know this down to a science. Yes, I've actually timed my routine before. (Hey, it's valuable info when you're perpetually tardy like I am!) My original routine was about 10 minutes when I was in high school. But why the difference? Let's see:

high school routine

activity time
(mins)

start hot water 1.5

general soaking 0.5

shampoo apply/rinse 1.0

soap on/off 1.0

stop water, drip dry 1.0

towel off 0.5

dry hair 2.0

clothe and leave 1.0

TOTAL 8.5

today's routines

Ultra-Fast Routine

activity time
(mins)

start hot water 1.0

general soaking 0.5

facial cleanser 0.5

soap on/off 2.5

water off, drip dry 0.5

towel off 0.5

dry minimally-wet hair 4.0

facial moisturize 0.5

baby oil on rest of body 1.0

clean up bathroom and hairbrushes 1.0

clothe and leave 0.5

TOTAL 12.5

(Shower cap, no shaving, and
jumping into the shower when
the water is barely lukewarm.) Fast Routine

activity time
(mins)

start hot water 1.5

general soaking 0.5

hair soak 0.5

facial cleanser 0.5

shampoo on 0.5

shampoo off 0.5

conditioner on 0.5

soap on/off 2.0

conditioner off 1.0

additional soap on/off 1.0

water off, drip dry 1.0

towel off 0.5

towel hair 1.0

separate and dry hair 10.0

facial moisturize 1.0

baby oil on rest of body 2.0

clean up bathroom and hairbrushes 1.0

clothe and leave 1.0

TOTAL 25.0

(Hairwashing but no shaving.) Normal Routine

activity time
(mins)

start hot water, lightly clean tub 3.5

general soaking 1.5

hair soak 1.0

facial cleanser 1.0

shampoo on 1.0

shampoo off 1.0

conditioner on 1.5

soap on/off 3.0

conditioner off 4.0

space out 5.0

shave 6.0

additional soap on/off 2.5

water off, drip dry 1.0

towel off 1.0

towel hair 2.0

separate and dry hair 12.5

facial moisturize 2.0

baby oil on rest of body 3.0

clean up bathroom and hairbrushes 2.0

clothe and leave 1.0

TOTAL 55.5

(The kitchen sink. And
cleaning it too.)

And there you have it. Notice there is no mention of makeup or doing my hair up. When/if I have to do that I'm going to have to allow at least 1.25 hours. Or I'll have to take shortcuts here and there.

(Editor's update: check out the new schedule. 2003.12.15.)