In the Grip of Freebie Fever at Net World 2000

If I had a dollar for every dot-com at Spring Internet World 2000 the other day, I’d be a gajillionaire.

Internet World is a three-day event at the Los Angeles Convention Center where Net companies can show off their latest software, hardware, browsers and silly freebies.

What is it about trade-show freebies that is so alluring anyway?

A neon pink yardstick was the object of my freebie lust at Internet World. As I strolled the aisles of the South Hall, it seemed everyone was carrying a big stick--except me.

I finally found the booth after walking about a mile, filled out the obligatory form (SmallBusiness.com will be bombarding me with e-mails till kingdom come) and claimed my stick.

As soon as I got the yardstick to my car (another mile’s walk), along with a tote bag full of free T-shirts, pens, Post-It Note pads, bouncy balls and assorted candies I had snagged, I asked myself, Why? I didn’t want any of the stuff, but somehow, I had to have it.

I guess it’s the hunter-gatherer instinct at work. Everyone else was gathering, so I had to gather too. Now I wonder how long the bag will sit unpacked in my apartment.

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Another note about Internet World: Total babe fest. An excellent place to meet good-looking men and women.

You don’t even have to go inside the convention center and deal with registering. (Ironically, the computers were down when I was in line to get my badge.) Try the Fox Sports Sky Box bar at neighboring Staples Center around lunchtime instead.

Better yet, grab a wad of pens, slip into a dot-com T-shirt and hang around outside. You’ll be making friends in no time.

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I have always been an advocate of mandatory nap time in the workplace. Imagine . . . from 1 to 1:30 p.m. every day, we all pull out our mats and lie down. Stores, banks and offices close, and, in restaurants, maitre d’s dim the lights so diners can put their heads down on the tables. When 1:30 p.m. rolls around, cappuccino is served!

A survey recently conducted by healthshop.com found that a midday siesta might not be a bad idea. One-third of the respondents admitted to dozing off at work on occasion.

Surprisingly, the study found that sleeping on the job decreases with age. Of nearly 1,600 workers surveyed, 40% of 20- to 30-year-olds reported nodding off at work, compared with 30% of 31- to 40-year-olds, and 26% of those 41 to 65.

The study correlated on-the-job dozing with sleep habits and stress levels, and found that the vast majority of respondents reported getting enough sleep at night, but the more stress they felt, the more they tended to fall asleep on the job.

And stress levels are highest, the survey found, during the assertive career-building years (ages 32 to 40).

Guess that explains why I’m so tired all the time.

Booth Moore can be reached at booth.moore@latimes.com.