In The Cubicle Next Door

I changed cubicles about a week and a half ago. When I first started my job, I was in a cubicle all by myself and it was quite lovely. Then, about a week and a half ago, my supervisor decided that I should sit in the same cubicle as the girl who manages the program on which I am working in order to learn more quickly, have better access to her, what have you. I wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of sharing a cubicle. It’s not that I’m bad at sharing. It’s not that I don’t like the girl I’m now sitting with. It’s just that, well, I’m kind of a loner and always have been and like to just kind of keep to myself and not have to worry about talking to someone sitting next to me. Plus you never really know if the person will annoy you or eat loud or bring in smelly food or any number of unruly things.

Regardless of my silent objections (you can’t really say no to your boss), I’m now sharing and so far, so good. There haven’t been any quarrels or smelly foods or any other such thing. So far, G and I have gotten along just fine and things are running smoothly. Here’s to hoping the smooth sailing continues along.

Since I’ve moved to the new cubicle, it’s been like moving into a new neighborhood and getting to know the folks on your street. In the cubicle next door is a man, A, who has got to be one of the loudest talkers I have ever encountered. From what I gather, he’s worked here a long time and therefore has a lot of vacation time stored up because he takes off about once a week to look after his elderly mother who lives in Birmingham. I long for these days because it’s so much quieter when he’s not around. A spends most of the day on the phone, for his job, and talks so loud it’s as though he was sitting right next to me. What time he isn’t on the phone, he’s talking to M, a guy who sits across the wall from him.

A and M talk about college football – ALL DAY LONG! Now, don’t get me wrong, if you’re a reader of this blog or know me personally, then you know that I love college football. These two, however talk about college football so much it’s like they’re beating a dead horse. It’s as though there is nothing else in the world but college football. While I, too, love to chat about college football from time to time, often, in fact, I’m proud to say that I can also have a conversation that doesn’t involve college football. Some of the time their information is wrong too which drives me a little nuts because if you’re gonna talk it, then at least get your facts straight. It takes a lot of control not to holler over to these two and set them right. I’m beginning to wonder what they talk about when it’s not football season. Probably spring training or something dreadful like that.

Ya’ll I can’t even really put into words how much I dislike listening to A talk. I long for the lull in the day when this man doesn’t have a thing to say, which is not often. I’m sure he is a lovely man, and I hope he has a lovely family but to hear him talk you would think he wouldn’t be in existence if it were not for Alabama football. Yes, this loud next door neighbor at work talks about Alabama football ALL DAY LONG. As a lover of Alabama football myself, it seems strange that all I want is for this man to shut up, but tis true, my friends, tis true. I never thought I would wish that someone would stop talking about college football but alas, I have found the one person in the world that I wish would put the brakes on all the football talk. Wonders never cease!

Everyone else around us is pretty quiet, keeping to themselves and only talking in a normal tone of voice when they are on the phone or what not. This area I now work in is so different than where I was in my old job because over here you can pretty much hear everyone’s conversations unless they are whispering as quiet as a church mouse which doesn’t happen too often.

So, that’s the environment in which I’m working. Really, it’s not too bad at all. It’s just that sometimes, I wish A would just take a breather from his football talk and just keep his mouth shut every now and then. I doubt this will ever happen, but a girl can always dream.