Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Crushing Monolithicism
Today was different. Today I approached the problem in a forthright manner. Today I acknowledged my co-workers. I encountered Karl first, and greeted him with a hearty “good morning”, surprising even myself in the process. Flush with confidence and daring, I proceeded to engage the woman in the break room in a bit of conversation, like you see in the movies. I don’t know what her name is; she’s just one of those random people who walk by my cubicle a couple dozen times a day. Traditionally I’d grunt and maybe give her a quarter-nod, but today I did not hesitate to talk to her, as humans sometimes do. I asked if a nor’easter was still headed our way, and she told me no. I was so happy I ate two strawberries. As the lady left the break room she congratulated me on successfully interacting with a fellow member of the human race. I briefly entertained the notion of high-fiving her, but realized that probably would have seemed odd and inappropriate. I walked past my supervisor, Maggie, on the way to my desk, and startled her by saying hello. She asked how I was feeling, and I cheerfully told her that I have bronchitis. I don’t know what impressed her more, that I came into work despite being sick, or that I didn’t completely ignore her, as I most often do. Right now I’m sitting in my cubicle, and I feel kind of good about the world, and my place in it. I talked to people without getting a headache and without worrying over my nervous and weak speaking voice. I was able to say the stupid things people are supposed to say to each other without feeling like a jackass. Maybe I can run for president after all.
Today was different. Today I approached the problem in a forthright manner. Today I acknowledged my co-workers. I encountered Karl first, and greeted him with a hearty “good morning”, surprising even myself in the process. Flush with confidence and daring, I proceeded to engage the woman in the break room in a bit of conversation, like you see in the movies. I don’t know what her name is; she’s just one of those random people who walk by my cubicle a couple dozen times a day. Traditionally I’d grunt and maybe give her a quarter-nod, but today I did not hesitate to talk to her, as humans sometimes do. I asked if a nor’easter was still headed our way, and she told me no. I was so happy I ate two strawberries. As the lady left the break room she congratulated me on successfully interacting with a fellow member of the human race. I briefly entertained the notion of high-fiving her, but realized that probably would have seemed odd and inappropriate. I walked past my supervisor, Maggie, on the way to my desk, and startled her by saying hello. She asked how I was feeling, and I cheerfully told her that I have bronchitis. I don’t know what impressed her more, that I came into work despite being sick, or that I didn’t completely ignore her, as I most often do. Right now I’m sitting in my cubicle, and I feel kind of good about the world, and my place in it. I talked to people without getting a headache and without worrying over my nervous and weak speaking voice. I was able to say the stupid things people are supposed to say to each other without feeling like a jackass. Maybe I can run for president after all.
