A New Cubicle Journey Begins

It's a new era in the wacky world of cubicle confessions. I find myself again in a new cube with new fluorescents bronzing my pale Cincinnati skin and new (dare I say) synergies breezing in and out of the catacombs of the cubicle maze. However, this time something is different.

This new journey has me contemplating the uncertainties of my future career. Once again an intern, I have to work even harder to prove that I am as valuable as I think I am. It's humbling.

On a positive note, the aesthetics of my cube are almost endearing. On my first day of work I was greeted by a friendly pot of foe-orchids and several Microsoft Paint print-outs reading "Welcome Lauren!" It was a a real treat. A week later, my cube now contains a box of particularly soft tissues, a oddly placed roll of paper towels (which I have not touched for fear of where they came from), and an Associated Press Stylebook that I have been drooling over for the past two days. I "borrowed" this from the administrative assistant who sits by the CEO.

I am excited to begin my literally journey again and can't wait to see what happens in the next 11 weeks of my internship.

Tootles.

LA

Confessions from a... paint can?

Indeed, it is quite the adventure working at a start up company. My cubicle has been abandoned. Yes, abandoned. I have been outcast to every nook and cranny of the greater Cincinnati area and it has turned out to be quite the wild ride. Monday I worked at a coffee shop in Mason, Tuesday I worked in the corner of a quaint Mexican restaurant, Wednesday we found WiFi at Penera Bread, and both Thursday and Friday I worked in the sanctity of my own home.

Being a rouge drifter has its perks. The constant change up always keeps things fresh, and you get the privilege of coming up with clever excuses to explain to your conference call attendees why their is a mariachi band playing in the back ground ("Oh, that music? That's just the office next door.").

The photo featured above is an iphone snap shot of me working in an unfinished office. My legs (off screen) are resting on a paint can, and you see the windows and door lying on the floor behind me. You have to be creative, flexible, and above all, positive to be a drifter like me. You start to appreciate the little things, like electric outlets, and public restrooms. But above all, the spontenaity keeps you light on your feet and ready for battle. Multi-tasking has a whole new meaning, and I confess from my (not-so-cubicle-like) cubicle, that I am enjoying my life on the road.

Stay tuned for next weeks adventures... they are certainly bound to be grand.

My selection of cubicle views

I've received an overwhelming response from Confessions from a Cubicle lovers eager to show off their own cubicle views. I must admit, I was a little surprised to see that the world of cubicles is much more diverse than I have ever known. Some people have beautiful cityscape views, other cubicle dwellers can almost see a window, and still others get creative with what they've got. It turns out the world isn't three blank burlap walls and a windowless hole afteral.

I have selected three of my favorite views to share with the world and am excited for the next round to come pouring in.

DING! DING! DING! This view takes the cake. It seems that sharing the cubicle maze with your fellow co-workers comes with a few perks. This view can't be real. It seems like it might be more of a distraction than anything else.

My guess is that the person sitting in this city scape perch might look out their window and ponder the happenings of the world below, rather than staying focused on their task at hand. This view can't be all its cracked up to be.



This next cubicle view is something of a tease. My keen eye can spot that almost-perfect view in the distance complete with sunshine and a gorgeous white oak or two. It looks like this cubicle dweller got jipped out of the window seat on the plane. At least there is room for a good brain storm session on the plush couches and vision boards that line wall.






My final selection came from a friend is San Fransisco. It seems with a little creativity his feelings for his cubicle home added to the chi of this glowing cube. It doesn't look like he wins the killer view contest, but I give him props for effort.







Thanks to all the submissions! If your photo wasn't chosen, please wait until your next promotion and resubmit your view.

The watering hole...

Do you ever consider the interactions that take place in or around the office water cooler? Its a marvel. Somehow every time I get up to get a drink of water, or a sip of coffee by the nearby coffee stand, some guy realizes that he's thirsty as well and comes over to join. Its an awkward place. Its a place like no other. Its a place where meaningless conversation, and mindless banter occurs, all for the sake of...simply taking place. Its an excuse to get up and stretch and a place to tell inside jokes or quote favorite movies. Its a place to reminisce about the days activities and gossip about your fellow cubicle dwellers. Its a place to release emotion, sadness, and joy. Its a place that cannot be replaced, and shouldn't.

But, does the water cooler increase production or slow it down? Does it help morale and serve as a refresher for your employees? I appreciate my water cooler and wouldn't change it for a thing.

The watering hole...excuse me, the water cooler, somewhat resembles your local bar - cozy, comfortable, and a lot of small talk.

Check out my watering hole, and send me pics of yours.

The view from atop!

Hello down there! ... I said HELLOOO DOWN THERE!

Phew! I assume you can't here that. Unless your hearing is unconventionally keen, it would be difficult, when standing on the ground, to hear me greet you with salutations from my lofty view here in my new cube. After relocating several times and finally arriving at a cozy cube by a window overlooking a pond and a mulberry tree. Everyday I fixate on birds of all species, colors and sizes. This week a scruffy Robin perched on a branch near the window and cleaned himself. It was one of the oddest things i've ever seen. This dirty little robin was scratching his head with his claw. It took him ten minuets to do it and I watched him the whole time...like a creeper.

This brings me to my main point. Maybe it is better for efficiency and workflow to put your employees in a cube facing a wall, much like my old cube. However, I am indeed much happier with my pleasant view and the work that I do gets done with a smile on my face and is completed with better quality.

So, I ask you: Do you think its better to have happy employees who get less work done but do it better because they are more relaxed and happier? Or do you think its better to have a somber employee without a view that gets more work done, but the quality is lacking?

See my view in the photo above. And Goooooooodddd byeeeee! (but you probably didn't hear that either)

From cubicle to shining cubicle!

I've made myself comfortable in a new cube. I had to pack up my picture frames, my ethnic tissue box, scenic calender, and my tac-board and relocate to a new company with a new cube and a new chair. Its a 21 century cube, smaller, retro with modern colors, and complete with a Herman Miller air-on desk chair.

It was a fascinating experience, moving to my new home. I had to adjust to the modern theme, the new smell, and the new atmosphere with new people. I have a window, rather I HAD a window. I was relocated thrice and ended up in the windowless cube in the corner. But, the caramel colored walls will substitute for now.

The main difference is the noise. There are lots of cubes, and lots of people. And, I must try to convey my thoughts to you through the chatter of salesmen answering phones, mothers talking about their daughters boyfriends, and the managers trying to make sure their people aren't saying anything to customers that might hurt the business.

I sit here both in bliss and sadness. I am gleeful of the change and interested to see what life will be like in my 21st century cube, and I am saddened to leave the old cube behind and the memories and countless blogs that took place there.

When it rains... the cubicle gets wet

It is indeed an unfortunate moment when you walk into your cube Wednesday morning, excited to embrace another day, and you step in a puddle. A puddle? Yes, it seems that thunderstorms not only bring lightning and hail, but they also bring with them a furry of rain that can penetrate even the strongest cubicle walls, and do it with malice.

Three cubes down from mine, Dave's cube, got a good two inches of water sitting in and around his office chair, the power cords, and the most humorous piece of equipment with googly eyes taped on the side ( i wish I could explain this piece better, but you will just have to imagine).

Instead of bringing in a fan to start blowing on the water logged carpet, they are brainstorming what to do. I didn't need someone to tell me what to do before I jumped into action. I made my way to the bathroom for some towels to provide my little cube with an immediate solution. However, it seems as if we are out of paper towels so I was able to suffice with an entire roll of toilet paper that I brought back to the cube with me.

Toilet paper in hand, I got down on my knees to assess the situation at a more intimate distance. As I discovered, little damage had been done, and my quick thinking saved a few office products from getting splashed by the angry flood.

My toilet paper was not as successful as I would have hoped. In fact, residue from the one-ply Charmin is still stuck to parts of the carpet, but most of the water is gone.

Unfortunately, Dave's cube was the hardest hit and he was forced to evacuate and seek shelter in a cube on higher ground.

I'd love to hear some solutions that I could pass on to Dave as he struggles to get by in his unfamiliar cube. I'd like to help him assimilate back into his cube as soon as possible. It seems the thunderstorm, and trailing water damage has, (pardon the pun) dampened his spirit.