What work?

Not that you asked, but...
Have I mentioned that I like the work I do? I get lots of practical program evaluation research experience. I'm learning SPSS, attending meetings, and writing reports. I have done observations and interviews. I am a member of the program evaluation team. Very official. But don't try to call me, because I don't have a phone.

My workspace does leave something to be desired. It's my second straight day of sitting at the fall 05 version of my office desk. I cleaned and rearranged things yesterday, for a fresh start. I can't rearrange much, pitching the tired old computer out the window is not possible (the windows don't open), and adding noise would intrude on others. I have no phone, no personal drawer, and practically no office supplies. I have pencils but cannot find a pencil sharpener in the office (this will become a problem soon).

Taking up a fair amount of my desk space is a big new extra-long-cord power strip waiting to be plugged in behind the behemoth cabinet next to me (cabinet=not mine); the old power strip plugged into another power strip routine that's being used now is (shockingly) not okay with the fire marshal. In the meantime, the old power strip is about to knock out my neighbor's power strip from the wall outlet, and I must gently un/plug my laptop each day. Neither of us --nor anyone human--can reach the outlet. There's a work order request to move the cabinet aside and swap out the power strips.

Last weekend someone deposited a matching pencil canister and small bin (seems too big for paperclips or small PostIts, too small for medium PostIts) on my desk next to the two-tier paper trays I've got prominently positioned at the corner of the desk most likely to make this area appear inhabited. On many occasions I have come in to work to find either a person working at my desk or junk piled on my desk. A printer last week got me excited; it wasn't for me. The printer soon disappeared but the box stayed behind.

Yesterday I made a little sign to post above my desk, stating my name, position, hours (not that anyone else cares) and some amusing quotes. A personal favorite, from the small, talk-heavy and strange movie Metropolitan: "It's a tiny bit arrogant of people to go around worrying about those less fortunate." It's meant as an amusement. Hmm, I hope people realize that.

My "co-workers" are extremely nice, and they have all learned my name (I've worked here since June). I know most of theirs. Oops. Unfortunately, I have little to no idea what most of them do, particularly because I have nothing to do with any of them apart from sharing an awkwardly divided space. They work as program staff or administrative help for various programs presumably funded by grants my boss has received over the years (he's something of a veteran power player around here). I on the other hand am a research assistant (the lowly paid, grad student variety). Our boss is Robert Houston (I dropped the Dr. part--it's pretentious and doesn't fit Bob's style), a professor, former Dean, and executive director of the Institute for Urban Education. He is a kindly old white guy surrounded by women (mostly black). Collectively we have a suite of offices behind some imposing glass doors. I'm behind the wall that faces the doors. I dare you to find me. And bring something warm to drink or wear, because it is always freezing in here.

All of these things amuse me. Does your workspace/environs amuse you?