Blog updates for office space
8.29.06
The machine is a magic hustler
About a year ago, we had a new vending company place their machines here to offer snacks and sodas (or pop for you northeners). To get the gig, they went all out: pizza parties, free samples, and bragged about how every 60 purchaces resulted in getting your money back.
Pretty picture they painted, eah. The reality is, those machines are stingy, thiefs, and magic.
I've never been to a machine that so consistantly holds on to the item you selected. Sure, the little spiral thing turns, but it some how snags the food when it tries to fall. Yeah, you can rock the box to get it loose, but why should I have to.
Oh, and don't give it dimes. Nickles and quarters aren't a problem, but dimes, it randomly takes them. They'll go in and you'll hear it pass through the counter, but the value will never register. If you try to get your change back, you'll get everything except 10 cents.
Now, getting dimes as change is even more of a mystery. If I put in a dollar bill, buy something for 80 cents, you will distinctly hear the sound of two dimes in the change return. But, when you reach in to grab it, it's not there! If you look UNDER the machine, you'll see your two dimes laying on the carpet.
This has happened to me 3 times. The last time, I made a point to watch for my change. I heard two coins, only found one dime behind the plastic guard, and seen my second dime on the floor.
Needless to say, that's more drama than I'm looking for at the job. I'm sticking to Walgreens for quick snack fixes.
11:30 am in 8.4.05
Hey, the sign worked!
Low and behold, the receptionist actually took my advice. While the sign doesn't say exactly what I suggested, people get the point. Nearly 100% accuracy so far!
8.3.05
I can see, but I can't read
The office building I work in has a "twin" building that is right next door. That building is a medical center / mini-hostital. I bet you can guess where I'm going with this, can't ya! Yup, everyday there is a steady trickle of folks that come in looking for their doctor's office.
To their benefit, our building doesn't have the company name on it, but the medical building does...on two sides facing incoming traffic. So, in an effort to redirect misdirected patients, the receptionist has been on a mission of sign creation (using various paper colors, positioning, arrows and underlines). This has been a laughable attempt at best. Out of 10 people that attempt to walk in, only 1 may heed the sign's purpose, "The medical office is in the other building".
So, in order to improve her 9 to 1 odds, she has tried strategically placing "like" signs on the first of the building's double doors, on the building directory, and on the company's reception doors. This has, on average, helped to reduce wayward visitors to 7-3.
Well, I have a new strategury (sic). Use less words. Seeing that the normal person doesn't actually read, but skims over what's written, having a sign saying, "NOT MEDICAL BUILDING NOT" should work. Short and to the point. Also, no matter where someone starts or ends in reading the sign, they should still get the point.
Sure, it might not look to professional, but it's better than the receptionist getting cursed out by an 80 year old man with too much pride who tries to walk into the NOC for his colon examination....on a daily basis.
4.13.05
No love for the new microwave
In what is yet another observation of the place I like to call work, comes today's Office Life episode, The New Microwave.
Yes, yes there is a new microwave for the floor to share. It is bigger, faster and more powerful than previous one. It rotates your food while cooking and is built for high usage. Dog gone, it's even clean! However, it never gets used.
People will walk right past it and throw their food into the half broken dinosaur. Seems some people didn't even notice the new unit...sitting right next to the previous one. I'm sure the learning curve isn't that high, I mean c'mon...people here know how to use fax machines. Why is there no love for new appliances?
2.16.05
Coffee Cup Courtesy
I have a fun time noticing the subtle characteristics of office life. Today, since my cube was just moved next to it, my attention is fixed on the coffee counter.
It's a typical set up; coffee pot, coffee grounds, and styrofoam coffee cups. While the pot and grounds are mundane enough, the cups are an interesting subject.
The cups come in plastic wrapped, 24 count stack that simply sit on the counter for easy access. Now, common sense should dictate:
1) Turn stack upside down
2) Open plastic wrap from top
3) Take new cup and gradually slide plastic wrap down
4) Take last cup and throw away plastic wrap
These four steps are invariably never followed. More often than not, someone decides to either: 1) remove the plastic wrap from the remainder of the cups, or 2) pull all the cups out at the start. Both instances with the "mouth" of the cup facing down.
This always results in the last cup never being used. Why? Because NO ONE wants to use the cup that is touching the nasty counter.
11.12.04
The Restroom Culture
It's amazing to notice the difference in restroom use depending on where you are. No, I don't mean using the restroom, but what people do to keep themselves...uh...occupied and cleansing practices.
For instance, at my last job, small business in the IT industry, there were always tech and sales oriented magazines laying on the water basin. Actually, the owner would lay them in there for our entertainment. The decor of the restroom was bland. Nothing eye catching, simply a place to get the job done.
Well, now comes the "corporate restroom". This place is complete. Nice granite floors and marble sinks. Though I'm still in the tech industry, there are no magazines. But, I do have a cell phone with web access. And my director has a PDA with wireless access. And many other people have phones with web access.
The whole restroom visit can be spent hearing muffled "clicks" of phone keys or PDA stylus. The strange thing, with the proliferation of games available on hand held devices, I never hear "game sounds". It seems the focus is on work or reading while in there.
Last thing I've noticed is that office employees seem to be more descriminate in washing their hands and using paper towels while opening the door. I guess architechs haven't caught on to this since most restrooms are designed to keep the trash can away from the door way. This, unfortunately, leads to piles of paper towels either by the door or on the floor next to the trash bin by people who's free throw needs a little work.