utah day one

So I've been cubicle free for five days now. I've been so incredibly physically active that I am starving like all of the time. It's so funny. My dude used to get so frustrated with me because I was never hungry at night. Who wants to go out to eat with someone and be the only one eating? I think no one does, so I understood his frustration but there was nothing I could do about it. I sat all day five days a week. One hour to work, Nine hours at work, One hour home. That's eleven hours of chair time which was sometimes twelve or thirteen hours depending on traffic and overtime. Maybe that's why it didn't work out. He was sick of being the only person with an appetite in the relationship.
The world outside is so different. It's full of packing and unpacking, taking down walls, and then putting new ones up--I'm not being figurative here. I've literally packed up my entire life put it in a car and driven it across three states. I've now semi unpacked it but there is work to do. I spent the whole day ripping out wood paneling and installing dry wall--all with the help of my family, my brother especially. I feel like I've lost my cynisism since I've left corporate office land. It could be that I'm too busy for it to exist right now. Maybe I'll build a little box for me to hang out in at night--you know, for old times sake.

Mug Shot

Mug Shot,
originally uploaded by greentracylee.

I found this picture a few weeks ago. I took it right when I started working in this cubicle. Little did I know that it would become a prison. Did the photo make it a prison? Or are cubicles the prison that no one tells you about? Either way, I get out on Thursday...

cake

So a few weeks ago, I put in my notice at work. Yesterday, I sent out an email to the company just to let them know of my departure next week. I wanted to be like the host of the Bachelor, and give people a chance to 'take a moment and say their goodbyes'. I feel like I've made some 'connections' with people that will be 'long lasting friendships'. (Ok I'll stop pretending like I'm on a reality show now.) I've had a mixture of response from people--most have been really positive. It's kind of amazing to see the little things that you do can affect someone so much and you have absolutely no idea what high regard you are held in. I was sitting in my office and someone walked up to me and well I think this is my favorite response so far:
"So do I get a cake out of your departure? Who do I talk to so that I can put my order in? I like strawberry cake. Yes, I'm serious. Are you going to be in charge of this?"
There was no "thanks for all of your help" or "we'll miss you" or "good luck". Just where and when do I get my dessert for your going away party. What the crap.

cube shmube

I just decided that I'm not going to call it 'my cube' anymore. I'm going to call it 'my office'. It has walls, a desk, a chair, a phone, and a computer. I know the walls are small but that is a technicality. The dictionary definition of office is: A place in which business, clerical, or professional activities are conducted. This applies to me so if anyone wants to know, I am in my office right now.

Loud Talkers

The other day, I almost took cover under my desk when someone on the phone yelled, "GIVE 'EM HELL!" I sit right outside of the CEO's and the head of PR's offices. Both tend to get really excited while on the phone and they talk really loud--at times loud enough that it's almost distracting and disruptive. (I mean, how can a girl concentrate on her IM's when they are talking? She can't, she just can't!) One day, the CEO walked by when the PR guy was on the phone talking extra loud. The CEO turned to us and said, "He is loud! Do you want me to go and shut his door?" All of us just stared at him blankly like are you serious? Have you heard yourself on the phone? And then he asked us a question that really had only one right answer, "I don't talk that loud do I?" It was like a fat person asking you if they look fat. How can you respond to that without hurting their feelings or in this case getting fired? Of course we became sheepish and replied, "Not really?"
The high volume continues....

coke zero

Today we had a taste test: Coke or Coke Zero? and Diet Coke or Coke Zero? It was almost like the Pepsi vs Coke commercials. The only difference was we did not have a booth set up with pieces of cardboard dividing the table, one side holding the cans of the true beverage identities, and the other side holding two clear logo free glasses. It was more like this: We were crowded in a cubicle each holding two styrofoam cups. Oh yeah and Michael Jackson wasn't there. There were some who requested no ice as a questionable hair was found frozen in a cube of ice in one of the trays in the freezer some months before. I know what you are thinking and yes, it was one of those hairs. I was suddenly caught in an episode of fear factor: who will drink from a glass that has ice in it. The whole test proved to be quite fruitless. Contrary to the game's objective, everyone guessed what coke was what and not one person found a questionable hair. We were however, subjected to the all new Coke Zero which I quite enjoyed. There was so much splenda and so much caffeine in it that I was giggling and humming the rest of the afternoon.

"sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot"

Our color printers are constantly breaking down so the big boss decided to get us two brand new higher quality color printers. Awesome. Unfortunately, the space that is needed to occupy these monster size printers was not accounted for, thus causing a giant beast to be hooked up right next to our cubicles. I say giant beast for a couple of reasons. One, it is really the biggest printer I've ever seen--and not only does it print, but it scans and copies! oooooo aaaaahhhh! Two, when activated, this machine produces a humming sound equivilent to a blow dryer right next to your ear. It all of a sudden felt like we were working in the copy room on Nine to Five and, mind you, this is only ONE of the printers. Lucky for us, a small office was converted into a mini copy room of sorts and the beasts were moved in there. So now we can shut the door and hotbox with the ink fumes! Bring on the copy jobs...