Because things happen when you' re bored. ' Some of the most boring jobs Ive had were also the most creative. While checking out food at the supermarket, I invented stories about people's purchases .The man buying eggplant and a six-pack of beer at 9 p.m.: Which was the must-get thing and which the impulse purchase? How did my former fifth-grade teacher feel about my observing her weekly purchase of cookies?