Cubicle life

[fredericks]

Since starting the new position I've ended up spending at least half of my workday in the office. In a cubicle, no less. This being the first time in my worklife I'm boxed in I've brought my Office Space mug with the picture of Lumberg in to use for tea, and find myself fighting the urge to hold it casually by the handle as I hang over the edge of my wall going "Umm, yeah" as I converse with coworkers. I haven't personalized my office space at all, short of leaving my reusable aluminum water jug on top of the desk. I keep pouring over the items at ThinkGeek trying to figure out what to buy (I'm pissed the Ninja Star Push Pins are out of stock, and am looking for recommendations as to where I should browse for more kitschy things; the nerdier the better).

But the reason for the post: I've noticed all the younger female coworkers in my immediate area keep a mirror on their desk. Except for me, of course. The funny part: one woman came to sit in the cubicle next to mine to cover for an older nurse who was out for the day, and she brought her mirror with her. Is this normal female behavior? Frankly, the main reason I'd require a reflective surface would be to check for a) boogers, b) eye crud, c) conjunctivitis, or d) sudden vampirism. But I feel like I should get a mirror just to fit in.

Or maybe I should just exponentially increase my random Trek trivia factoid droppings, thereby completely alienating myself from my peers and call it a day. God, I'm such a sheep.

Comments

[blood-of-winter.livejournal.com]

lol @ lumberg mug - awesome

yeah my cube is lined with star wars, godzilla and other geekery plus some egyptian items, a cat macro or 2 and a mini quotable quotes by women book and a halloween tree. i also have spider webbing complete with plastic spiders draped over my monitor...BUT

I also have a mirror.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Oh noez! You've given in! Resist! Resist! *grin*
I do understand the need for the mirror, I just found it funny that I saw so many of them staring at me when I took a step back from the cubicles.

[sternel.livejournal.com]

Simple. You can stick a mirror in such a way as to spy on who's coming and going in the hallway, if your cube doesn't let you face it -- and give you advance warning that someone's coming up behind you. And pretend like you are doing none of those things and it's just there to make sure you got that spinach from lunch out of your teeth.

Aah, cube life.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

They actually have a cubicle action figure set on ThinkGeek. The tilted mirror would work if the walls of the cubicle were higher. As it is I can see and be seen by everyone. When I'm not buried in work, of course.

[atraxia.livejournal.com]

i never kept a mirror at my desk.
the stuff i had at my cube were things that other office people gave me - or got from vendors etc (you get all sorts of weird kitschy crap in marketing - like jumpropes w/ the company logo on it). my favorite being a darth tator potatohead from my favorite coworker.
i once tried keeping plants. all of them died within weeks.
the one thing i put up that made me happy was a picture of some beautiful scenery in nh - i would stare at it when things got rough to try to remember peaceful stuff. it sometimes worked.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Darth Tator! That sounds nifty. And I don't think I'd be brave enough to try plants; I have a black thumb.

I could do with one of your pics, though.

[utopiantrunks.livejournal.com]

Well, let's see how I'm doin', here... Can't see any eye crud or stray nose hairs, but... can't actually see my face, either. Dammit, I knew that wasn't just a hickey!

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Heh. I need to stop inviting pale photosensitive folks with tomato sauce rings around their mouths into my apartment via my window.

[darker-one.livejournal.com]

I work in an office full of women and no one has a mirror at their desk (unless they keep them very well hidden).

Office geekery is fun. I have my Office Space stapler, my The Office calendar, and a big Kermit the Frog pen. And I have some pictures of my cat... but that's mostly in sarcastic response to all the baby pictures in other people's cubes.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I am going to have to bring my Red Swingline in one of these days.

Glad to hear not all women have the mirror thing going on.