We got rid of cable about a month ago. By get rid of cable I don't mean that we switched to dish or DirectTV, I mean we completely got rid of any TV service. We hardly watch TV anyhow and most of what we watch is available online. The kids have adjusted easily, we take them to the library to check out books or DVDs and they really only watched PBS anyhow. We do hear occasional wistful remembrances about watching Olivia on demand but that is the extent of their complaints.
Tonight UberGeek and I broke out one of the two most excellent movies of all time, Office Space. Having spent the last few nights in quiet, working on various projects, reading or doing housework we needed a break. It is one of two movies we watch over and over again. The other is Parenthood. Office Space is a cult classic and I am such a dork that I eat up its blatant satire of the modern workplace. My cubicle has an "Is This Good for the Company" poster tacked up and I own an Initech mug. The irony of the poster isn't obvious unless you've seen the movie. I wonder how many of my colleagues think I'm a total loser for hanging up a poster that reminds me to think about whether my decisions are "good for the company?" If I could find a red Swingline I'd own one of those too. Most geeks know about Office Space, it's an anthem of sorts. I think that at some time in our lives we've all felt the quiet desperation of office life. Born to be social and active human beings we are confined together in a maze of tiny cubicles, separated by sort of walls and illuminated by dim flourescence. We are forced to sit all day in front of a tiny flickering screen that is supposed to give meaning to the nine plus hours stretching out in front of us.
I am very thankful that I work for a good company that does great things throughout the community. Still, after hours alone in front of my computer screen I sometimes have a tremendous urge to jump up and down and yell something really loud then run down the hallway. I contain myself but I am always fearful that one day all that caged up energy and lack of actual human contact will result in some sort of bubbling over. That is one thing I miss since I made the switch from working in clinical practice to technology, regular human contact. The pent up energy is easily taken care of with a run before or after work but the need for interaction remains. I wonder if I am the only one who finds it hard to act like an adult all the time when there are so many times I am overwhelmed by the urge to just stand up and jump?
