Cubicle Farm Noises

You can learn a lot about your unsuspecting cubicle mates by listening very carefully. Phone conversations, gossip amongst their close office mates – it’s all there for anyone to hear. You just need to listen. I’ve learned about co-workers’ pregnancies, their kids’ problems, how to cure various health issues, what the problems are with an upgrade to a website. You name it, I’ve probably heard about it – and you probably have too.

This just goes to show that one needs to learn some Cube Etiquette before picking up that phone or giggling over the latest gossip. If what is overheard is taken out of context and then repeated at the water cooler – rumor mill here we come! And that so does not what make for a great day at work.

So, keep your personal discussions to a minimum in the farm unless you want to entertain the world. In that case, spill the beans – we’re all listening, whether we want to or not.

Short Work Weeks… just like I like em’

I have now completed my work week in my lovely cubicle thanks to a part-time schedule and the fact that New Years landed on Tuesday and I had off on New Years Eve as well. So… let’s see, I think I was in my cubicle a grand total of 10.5 hours. Hhhmmm… just like I like it!

Nothing much happened – as you can imagine. I feel like I have been glued to my computer though as I have been blogging and working on some sites. I am ready for a break!

I read an article from the October 2007 issue of Incentive that telecommuting is on the rise. Oh, to be in that number… according to the article, it may only be a few years down the road before that is a viable option. A recent survey indicated that 50% of the respondents feel that telecommuting will be the norm in 5 years. It is beneficial for both employees and employers because of cost reductions in rent and equipment costs and less absenteeism with more productivity. It would seem that the opposite would happen but companies already implementing the telecommuting option are proving otherwise.

Check out the article – it has some great news for us Cubicle Dwellers… We may have to change the blog to Armchair Dweller before long…

Enjoy – and dream!

From Prison to a Cubicle

Apparently, prisoners have access to typewriters in Texas. I have never been in a prison but I have heard they have quite the amenities now. I am sure it depends on the security level as well. Anyway, I landed back in my cubicle farm this morning after a wonderful vacation. I sorted through the pile of mail and sifted through the gazillion emails I had waiting for me. Okay, only 100+…

Once I returned my focus to the mail to actually do something with it, I noticed that one of the envelopes was typed. I removed the page and began reading an interesting note. The writer was requesting an information kit on our organization and how could his family donate to us since we sounded like a worthwhile endeavor? Hhhmmm… it all seemed a bit odd. Especially that someone had used a typewriter in this accelerated age of technology. Being the dutiful admin that I am though, I gathered the information packet together and was prepared to send it out. Something wasn’t right though and I decided to do a search on the address to see what I could see. Part of the address seemed like a radio station as it had ”1400 FM” included. I stared in amazement when I saw an entire page or more of elements of the address included. It all started sinking in when I clicked on one of the links and the Texas Dept of Criminal Justice came up! Whoa! I quickly took the brochures and information out of the envelope I had prepared and threw it along with the grateful letter I had composed into the trash can. 

Lesson learned: always follow your gut instinct. I KNEW something wasn’t right about receiving a hand-typed letter in 2008.

 Knowing the organization I work for, I can only imagine what this guy is doing time for and that makes me sick… I felt I needed to wash my hands afterwards.

 So, on that note, have a lovely day and be wary of hand-typed notes in the mailbox near you…

Nothin’ Good Lasts Forever

Alas, it is the eve of my first day back at work after a wonderful and long holiday break. Yes, I am sad. I return to cubicle farm at its finest. My cubicle is situated near the operations of the Big Boss, the stairwell (and elevator) leading to the building’s lower level, near the upper level bathrooms and close enough to the front lobby to hear the entire conversation of the receptionist’s phone calls. Yeah, I feel so much at home there that I haven’t even decorated (gasp!) my work space since my arrival at the end of July 2007.

Don’t take your cue from me though, please visit Cubicle Xpressions to find those special treasures to spruce your little cube stall up! My situation is temporary so… that is my excuse.

Wrap up your New Year celebrations, folks, the inevitable is about to happen. January 2nd arrives in a few short hours and with it, the routine life of corporate employment we all love and hate.

The Eve of New Year’s Eve

Another year almost over… where does the time fly?!? This time last year, I was contemplating buying a shop so I could pursue a dream of owning and operating an antique business and flee the cubicle farm. I am now 10 months into that endeavor – but STILL in a cubicle! At least it is only part-time and hopefully, short-term. I guess we’ll know the rest of that story this time next year. Stay tuned.

Unfortunately, this being the Eve of New Year’s Eve means that I have to return to the cubicle in 3 short days. The last nine days have certainly passed too quickly.

Meanwhile, I can look forward to our party tomorrow evening as we say goodbye to 2007 but heartily greet 2008. Doesn’t Y2K seem SOOO long ago? Of course, 2001 is forever marked in everyone’s memory as our world as we knew it changed forever. The last 6 years have not been that remarkable for me on a personal level. 2000 and 2001 will definitely be years I’ll recall while sitting in a rocking chair at my grandkids’ house whiling away the hours with my stories of a past life and long ago days. Boring everyone, no doubt.

Ah, well… enjoy your New Year celebrations, be safe and remember to Hit Your Refresh Button for 2008.