Cubicle Farm Healing Through Commiseration, Humor, Research, and Retail Therapy
Welcome to My World
Once upon a time at the cube farm, we were told by the Powers That Be we were getting all new office furniture. We were, naturally, very excited, because the furniture we'd been in and on for, oh, probably since the company's inception was cracking and leaning and just plain offensive to look at. So, Hooray! Much celebration.
And now we cube farm cowpokes work in ... wait for it ... a Collaborative Work Environment. Right, one of those great ideas the adminisphere comes up with that sounds great and looks great, but when the truth trickles down to the actual drones who use it, it isn't such a terrific idea after all.
Here's what ours looks like (you have to use your imagination):
Still cubicles, just stuck together in pairs. I guess it would be great if we actually collaborated. As it is, we all try as hard as we can to re-create our little private spaces. Could it be that we miss our cubicles?? Well, to make a long story short, we were assigned desks based on who wanted to be closest to the A/C, who didn't get bothered by foot traffic, and who needed to be close to the window (the graphic designer, so she had natural light to work by), etc. What ensued was the opposite of collaboration. We've become experts at shutting out our workmates. We use earplugs, headphones, anything to create the illusion that we're alone in our virtual offices. But the furniture is lovely to look at, I guess.
To Do Today!
Let k8 know about your own crazy, stupid, funny, annoying, wonderful cubicle situation. It might show up in a "Cubicle Farm" cartoon! (See module below.)
I Need Some New Material!
It's just possible that my own cubicle life isn't the only one in the world.
Puh-LEEZE let me know a story about your work life in a cubicle -- or any kind of office. You know, the guy who sharpens his pencil 20 times a day, the woman who walks back and forth by your cubicle 10,000,000 times a day... stuff like that. Or whatever! C'mon, it'll be fun.
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- Margo_Arrowsmith Margo_Arrowsmith Oct 6, 2009 @ 5:42 am
- Great lens! Well done and wonderful idea. I just hope you did the lens while in your cube!
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- Pastiche Pastiche Sep 15, 2008 @ 7:01 am
- My cubie days are long gone (so is the computer company where I was pubs manager - DEC). We devised all sorts of overhead "art" landmarks to help others find us in a sea of grey-brown office-boxes. "Look for Kermit on a swing by the windows" or "Take a left at the restrooms and look for the Pink Flamingo with a purple scarf" were just a few mapping keys. Love this lens! You're invited to join the new group, Senior Geek Squids. 5*s
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- WritingforYourWealth WritingforYourWealth Sep 12, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
- I'm afraid I don't have any great stories, since I work at home, but it looks like a fun start to a lens. :) (I had to click in to see what a "cube farm" was, hah)
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- businessbites businessbites Jun 23, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
- Great lens! Leave the cubicle farm and start your own small business I say!, check out my lens on the advantages of Small Business Ownership
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Cubicle Etiquette Delineated
The List
- The List
- You may want to write these down and carry them with you at all times. Just a suggestion.
The Great Cell Phone Debate Rages On
You may be wondering where all the seething anti-cell-phone stuff went. It moved to its very own lens, Cell Phones Are the Root of All Evil Please come and throw in your 2 cents.
Must-Have Cubicle Gifts on CafePress
Wear, show off, enjoy Cubicle Farm office humor products
Brain in a Meeting Mousepad
Remember the old PSA, "This is drugs. This is your brain on drugs"? I've borrowed its idea to explain your brain activity during a meeting. Any questions?
Price: 15.99 
Kitchen Window Small Poster
You'll be amazed at how a *picture* of a window scene creates the illusion that the Powers That Be decided to give you a window in your cubicle!
Price: 17.99
Coffee Stain Tile Coaster
My desk usually has so many coffee rings on it, I wouldn't be able to find my coaster. This might be a good gift for the neat freak in the next cube (heh heh).
Price: 8.99
Stet it Large Mug
What can I say about this wonderful word, the one way a proofreader can wield some power? 'Stet' says it all. (Not to be confused with 'Stat')
Price: 15.99
"Cubicle Farm" by k8
An absolutely funny cartoon/comic strip about life down on the cube farm
We're talkin' Stress Balls
These warrant their own section
Handstands Morf Stress Relief Balls
American Covers 04100 Morf Stress Relief Balls - W more...0 points
Handstands Morph Stress Relief Balls
American Covers 04200 Morph Stress Relief Balls - more...0 points
Porcupine Massage Ball
The porcupine ball has hundreds of sensory nodules more...0 points
ergoBeads Hand Exerciser and Stress Ball - Color Black
ergoBeads Hand Exerciser and Stress Ball Ergonomic more...0 points
Pink Noise
What is it and where can I get about a thousand?
Wikipedia's definition of pink noise
"Speak English!" you're probably thinking. OK. Try this, from blackholemedia, where you can even download some pink noise!
"It's the hottest sensation to sweep the nation: Pink Noise! Also known as a signal with even power distribution on a logarithmic frequency scale, pink noise masks background noise to help you concentrate. Now with source code and white noise, for those less colorful. Drown out annoying roommates and co-workers today!"
Now we're talking, right? I also found some pink noise on Amazon. And for good measure I threw in a little white noise, our old friend:
Cubicle Essenticles
Hand-picked for your cubicle survival needs
Sounds of Nature: Carribean Coastline
If you're like me and you can't work while you're listening to music, try a sounds-of-nature type CD with your headphones. There are gazillions of them around; you could have a serious collection of birds singing, waves crashing, crickets chirping, who knows what all? And for $2.99...!
Amazon Price: $2.98 (as of 11/12/2009)
Used Price: $1.50
CUBICALLER DOORBELL
Would this be useful or what!? The ultimate office rudeness, and one of the most common problems: people walking right up to you and starting to talk like you've been waiting for them to come and continue a conversation. (That is after you've jumped out of your skin).
Amazon Price: $19.98 (as of 11/12/2009)
Used Price:
More Essentials
I couldn't find these on Amazon, and you simply must have them, so here are the links.
Office Plant Containers, Cubicle Planter Boxes
My office plant containers allow you to Add Plants more...1 point
CUBEDOOR.COM - a door for your cubicle
A door for your cubicle! The CubeDoor%u2122 and Cu more...1 point
Cubicle Expressions
cubiclexpressions.com1 point
ChatterBlocker
ChatterBlocker uses digital audio technology to ma more...1 point
Faux Windaux
Believe it or not, a pretty window poster can really help if you're stuck in a cubicle with no real view to the world outside. Try one!
Island View, Windows Art Poster Print by Randy Van Beek, 8x6
Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art pri more...1 point
2 Art Prints Ocean View Window Cool Spring Flowers Floral Picture Sea Poster
Set of Two Art Prints This listing is for a set of more...1 point
Harbour View, Windows Art Poster Print by Jock MacInnes, 16x20
Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art pri more...0 points
Window View Poster Print
Last Name: Goerschner. First Name: Ted. Paper Widt more...0 points
Window View, Art Poster Print by Christina Keating, 12x16
Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art pri more...0 points
Solid Wood Poster Frame, Plexiglas® Window, Medium Oak Finish, 24 x 36
Solid Wood Poster Frame<br />Clear Plexiglas more...0 points
Join the Group!
Did you really think you were the only one in the world who hates cube farm life?
Silly you. There are lots of us. And you could make it one more. Don't have a lens yet? Well, get busy, then come and join the Cube Farm Survivors. Get to know your fellow inmates.-
Cube Farm Survivors Headquarters
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Cube Farm Survivors: A gathering place for lenses and lensmasters that poke fun at and/or offer survival instructions for life in a cube farm. Please lend your support and share some office madness.
Toys!
Heaven knows cubies need to take time to play once in a while
The Office Space Kit
The perfect gift for anyone and everyone who breaks into a sweat just thinking about their job, The Office Space Kit is for all the minions out there whose TPS reports just aren't cutting it. Includes the office accessories featured in the movie.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/12/2009)
Pimp My Cubicle: Take Your Workspace from Boring to Bling!
Put some mojo back into your office! This tongue-in-cheek kit contains everything you need to pimpify a bland and uninspired workspace.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
The Cubes - Bob
"Finally, the drudgery of corporate life has been captured in a play set for adults!" (from Book Description)
Amazon Price: $17.35 (as of 11/12/2009)
Mad Libs- Who Moved My Cubicle
"Bad day at the office? Fret not, because Adult Mad Libs is here to help you blow off some steam and have a laugh at everything the job throws at you. The perfect antidote to the workday doldrums-kick off the high heels, loosen that tie, and ignore the corporate dress code with Who Moved My Cubicle? Taking on 'The Man' in all his absurd lunacy, this hilarious collection includes promotion announcements, HR updates, quarterly reports, and much, much more." (from Book Description)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
Comic Relief and Useful Knowledge for Office Survivors
- Hoops and Yoyo!
- You just have to see them, hear them, experience them. They're a combination of cuteness and hilarity. Come on. You need some fun. (See a sample below!)
- Letterman's Top Ten!
- Top 10 Drawbacks to Working in a Cubicle
- Do You Know Your Cubicle Etiquette?
- It's a cubicle world now, so we need to learn how to live together in it. Do you know the rules? Did you know there were any?
- Feng Shui for Cubes!
- "A cubicle is a much trickier Feng Shui situation than an office room. Cubicles are unfortunate paradigms of vulnerability for the individual worker." Read on!
- Reduce Distractions!
- See? You're not crazy, and you're not the only one who can't concentrate on what you're doing in that cubicly work environment of yours! (This is the HTML version; it includes a link to PDF too.)
Hoops and Yoyo!
Put on your headphones, make sure the boss isn't watching...
... and treat yourself to a little comic relief. I adore these guys. I dare you to keep a straight face!
Does Your Cube Have What It Takes?
YouCube is looking for a few good cubes.
Mark Knowles is 'looking for ... people who have adapted their cubicle. Or someone else's. Just couldn't resist the temptation to cover a co-workers cubicle in Postits when they were on vacation? I want to see the result.'
This site is great fun. Check it out and be a voyeur into the lives of other cubicle farmhands in the world of work.
Like... here's a pic of my very own cubicly home-away-from-home:
Meanwhile, at Pixar...
'AICN's Moriarty [takes] a tour of Pixar, and marv more...0 points
Kill the cubicles!!! : CollegeRecruiter.com Insights by Employers Blog
'What would happen if you allowed the workers to d more...0 points
Is there something you'd like to get off your chest?
Vent Here
... and read other cubies' rants. Look out for Mark Knowles' weekly column as The English Blogger.
Funny Employee Awards - Funny Office Awards, Certificates, Templates, Trophies, Games, and Ideas
Funny Awards site gives you funny office awards an more...2 points
JobSchmob.com - Your Escape From The Working World
JobSchmob.com - Escape the working world! Job tale more...1 point
My Pet Peeves
MY PET PEEVES is all about those little things in more...1 point
Wedding gifts
It is the most special time in the lives of any co more...1 point
Allergy Bedding, Allergy Mattress & Pillow Covers Factory Direct | Allergy Guard Direct
Allergy bedding, allergy pillows and dust mite mat more...0 points
Cubicles on Video
Anybody who has been fortunate enough to escape the cube farm or who, amazingly, doesn't know what one is, here you go. You lucky duck.
Read up on the Subject
Some laughs, useful info, and cathartic reading material
The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't by Robert I. Sutton
No joke, you need this book if you work for an ass more...1 point
The Cubicle Survival Guide: Keeping Your Cool in the Least Hospitable Environment on Earth by James F. Thompson
'Veteran cubicle laborer Thompson has gotten into more...0 points
Cubicle Farm Fantasy: An Indian IT worker's dream about escaping the rat race by Ranjit Sankar
'This book follows the life of the author as he de more...0 points
Going Postal:: The 50 Warning Signs by Scott Milzer
'Does your boss "cc" all his corresponde more...0 points
The Dilbert Principle: A Cubicle's-Eye View of Bosses, Meetings, Management Fads & Other Workplace Afflictions by Scott Adams
Introduction: Dilbert needs no introduction.0 points
You need some signage
Futurama Tin Cubicle Sign - You're Not Paid to Think!
You're Not Paid to Think: A Mindless Worker Is a H more...0 points
ADVANTUS People Pointer Cubicle Sign
People Pointer Cubicle Sign<br />Create your more...0 points
Advantus Open/Closed Sign W/Clock, 11-1/2"x 6", Red/White/Black
I use one of these because I always take my breaks more...0 points
Quartet Magnetic Letters/Numbers/Symbols Set, Helvetica, 1in., Set Of 128
Quartet Magnetic Letters/Numbers/Symbols Set, Helv more...0 points
13" Bilingual Site Safety Hanging "Closed for Cleaning" Sign, 44" Wide x 13" High. EA
Durable, bright yellow, bilingual English/Spanish more...0 points
Rant on!
Tell me what gets you miffed about cubicle life. Or you could just say hey, that's all right too.
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- coolrate coolrate Jun 18, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
- Great informative lens. Please check out this site Leg/foot/calf massager to surf information about the best deep, powerful massage for your legs, calves and feet at very low price.
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- shanejohnsoncartoons shanejohnsoncartoons Feb 27, 2008 @ 1:21 am
- Check out MyLifeInaCube.com for (un)funny observations from my work cubicle.
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- marasco2001 marasco2001 Aug 29, 2007 @ 11:20 am
- Great lens! For everyone that has ever worked in a cubicle, we understand the humor in your lens. Thanks for the smile!
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by k8company
My own personal cube farm is a small publishing company. I'm a typesetter/word nerd/techie by day and a CafePress shopkeeper by evening, night, and we...
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