« previous | main | next »
corporate cogs and dreaded sunny days
5:23 PM on Thursday afternoon when I was 100 percent in the I-Am-Going-To-Finish-This-Article-In-The-Next-Thirty-Minutes-If-It-Kills-Me zone that I descend into when the odds are wholly against me pulling it off, a loud thud announced it’s presence above my cubicle cluster, the lights flickered, air conditioning shut down, and then fire alarm went off, all evidence suddenly pointing to the fact that finishing the article in the next thirty minutes might indeed kill me.
My coworkers’ unanimously determined that this would be the perfect opportunity to make their exits into the still-75-degree afternoon, grabbing their laptops and bags and heading out the door without looking back, but I was paralyzed.
“But I haven’t finished my article yet!”
An announcement came over the loudspeaker that they were investigating the cause on the twelfth floor (my floor), and they’d keep us posted, but it fell on mostly-deaf ears as there were only three other workaholics and myself left in the office.
“Can I go back to my desk now? I have work to do!” I panicked.
Ten minutes later, as a team of (yes, of course) hot firefighters barreled through the aisles, the building manager said that although it was probably not unsafe to stay, there was a little smoke in the electrical room and that I should probably go home.
“But, but, my article isn’t done! I can’t leave!” I rationalized.
My lack of common sense well-documented, my instinct for self-preservation non-existent, I’m pretty sure I bottomed out last week. Fires may burn, my safety may be compromised, and I might be politely asked to vacate the premises, but my only concern is meeting my deadlines. I have redefined Corporate Tool.
Also, I need a raise.
***
In other news, Saturday afternoon Alex and I wandered about the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn [pictures up top], an excursion I can’t recommend enough. Each turn, each view is stunning, and the whole layout lends itself to hours of aimless meandering. And yes, I sang the Smith’s Cemetery Gates the whole time.
comments (10)
You know its not cause u are a good drone, its cause u are OCD, and didn't wanna think about it after u left!That is so me :)
Pics are deee-lish! love em.
1 | jezzie | May 8, 2006 01:20 PM
You are an amazing photographer - those pice are spectacular!
2 | Lindsay | May 8, 2006 02:48 PM
great pictures! It is ok to be a little obsessive about deadlines. Just don't let it get in the way of your safety and 75 degree weather.
3 | clearlykels | May 8, 2006 04:57 PM
Hey, they don't happen to have a Morning-Wood Cemetery, do they?
4 | Howard | May 8, 2006 05:23 PM
hahahahahaha
5 | Jess | May 8, 2006 06:14 PM
a dreaded sunny day indeed!
6 | pam | May 8, 2006 07:18 PM
oh dammit. i'm not so clever. i didn't read the title til after i commented. duh!
7 | pam | May 8, 2006 07:18 PM
When you tell the story to your bosses, make sure you use some artistic license if you really want that raise, like describing the flames that were surrounding you as you kept on writing, or the way you used that bottle of Poland Spring water as your only defense until the firefighters arrived.
8 | Neil | May 8, 2006 07:55 PM
You look very young to make musical references to the stuff I listened to in college (and still do!)
9 | big hair is back in style | May 9, 2006 09:39 AM
I totally and completely understand you're dilema. I just got done working from my couch on something that is due tomorrow, I wasn't going to watch Amerinan Idol until it was complete.
Also, it was WORTH it when you got to see the HOT firemen! Don't let anyone fool you.
10 | Jen | May 9, 2006 08:00 PM