Shorter blog today. More of an observation, but much too long for a Twit.
Humanity is not supposed to slave away it's existence inside three carpeted cubicle walls. This is not an uncommon idea. Almost any entertainment about the people forced to work in an office building (from Fight Club to Office Space to two series called The Office, and so, so many more) touches on the mind-numbing duldrums of the cubed life. And, yet, it's the most recent MacDonald's commercial that resonates most with me.
That poor woman in the ad's waning moments, trapped inside of her cube, looking panicked about something on her computer screen-- though a panic that is existential. Somethings wrong on her computer, which means somethings is wrong in her work project, which could lead to something wrong with how she does her job; this could be her last chance and she's afraid if she can't fix it, she'll lose her job and then her life, as she knows it, will be over. All because she rounded down instead of up. Or something.
But then a co-worker brings her a nice, frosty beverage from Mickey D's and all is right with the world. No, she still has this issue to deal with, but something unexpected and delicious has eased her pain. She smiles as she takes her first sip, the refreshing coffee and chocolate cooling her throat and her burning mind. She can handle this problem now. Thank God for small delights.
This is probably the truest television ad that I've ever seen. I've only been working in a real office for about 10 months, though I've worked in the proverbially honest "rat-race" since I was 16. Ten years for those counting. It is quite amazing how everyone's spirits lifts when they hear mention of free food. Even if it's a planned meal still days away, everyone talks about how much they're looking forward to the free pizza or sandwiches from Jimmy John's. What did you order?, we all ask each other to compare notes until one in the group Wins Lunch. Even better when it's a total surprise-- free cookies from the visiting regional manager: chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar, take your pick! Like so much cattle, no one can help but stampede toward the freebies after the announcement is made and the email entitled "Free Cookies" is read.
We are not meant for the lives that so many of us lead, especially in this country. Somehow, we do, though at what cost to our souls and collective spirit? So many of us have no choice in the matter. We're free, but we're also slaves. Living in the DFW Metroplex, especially outside of Dallas proper, means you have to own a vehicle unless you're lucky enough to have friends/famiy who are willing to drive you everywhere or have a job close enough to your home. Necessary vehicles means necessary income, which usually does not mean choosing the right job, but any job. Slowly working up or laterally until something tolerable is found. And then we hope our children build upon our menially successes so they live in slightly larger houses, and have slightly more expensive cars, and have slightly less debt than we did. Like a slave working hard in the fields so his son could work in the master's house. Hey, it's air conditioned.
Frederick Douglas worked hard for his freedom and fought to bring it to all blacks; Moses stood up to the Pharoah, led the Jews out of Egypt and into the Promised Land; I lead the march at noon every other Monday to the quarter-caf for hamburger/corndog day.
And if it's chicken-fried-chicken on a Casual Friday, then I may as well be marching toward the gates of Heaven.
P.S. - X-Men 3 in my Tweeater tomorrow night at 9:30PM.
Humanity is not supposed to slave away it's existence inside three carpeted cubicle walls. This is not an uncommon idea. Almost any entertainment about the people forced to work in an office building (from Fight Club to Office Space to two series called The Office, and so, so many more) touches on the mind-numbing duldrums of the cubed life. And, yet, it's the most recent MacDonald's commercial that resonates most with me.
That poor woman in the ad's waning moments, trapped inside of her cube, looking panicked about something on her computer screen-- though a panic that is existential. Somethings wrong on her computer, which means somethings is wrong in her work project, which could lead to something wrong with how she does her job; this could be her last chance and she's afraid if she can't fix it, she'll lose her job and then her life, as she knows it, will be over. All because she rounded down instead of up. Or something.
But then a co-worker brings her a nice, frosty beverage from Mickey D's and all is right with the world. No, she still has this issue to deal with, but something unexpected and delicious has eased her pain. She smiles as she takes her first sip, the refreshing coffee and chocolate cooling her throat and her burning mind. She can handle this problem now. Thank God for small delights.
This is probably the truest television ad that I've ever seen. I've only been working in a real office for about 10 months, though I've worked in the proverbially honest "rat-race" since I was 16. Ten years for those counting. It is quite amazing how everyone's spirits lifts when they hear mention of free food. Even if it's a planned meal still days away, everyone talks about how much they're looking forward to the free pizza or sandwiches from Jimmy John's. What did you order?, we all ask each other to compare notes until one in the group Wins Lunch. Even better when it's a total surprise-- free cookies from the visiting regional manager: chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar, take your pick! Like so much cattle, no one can help but stampede toward the freebies after the announcement is made and the email entitled "Free Cookies" is read.
We are not meant for the lives that so many of us lead, especially in this country. Somehow, we do, though at what cost to our souls and collective spirit? So many of us have no choice in the matter. We're free, but we're also slaves. Living in the DFW Metroplex, especially outside of Dallas proper, means you have to own a vehicle unless you're lucky enough to have friends/famiy who are willing to drive you everywhere or have a job close enough to your home. Necessary vehicles means necessary income, which usually does not mean choosing the right job, but any job. Slowly working up or laterally until something tolerable is found. And then we hope our children build upon our menially successes so they live in slightly larger houses, and have slightly more expensive cars, and have slightly less debt than we did. Like a slave working hard in the fields so his son could work in the master's house. Hey, it's air conditioned.
Frederick Douglas worked hard for his freedom and fought to bring it to all blacks; Moses stood up to the Pharoah, led the Jews out of Egypt and into the Promised Land; I lead the march at noon every other Monday to the quarter-caf for hamburger/corndog day.
And if it's chicken-fried-chicken on a Casual Friday, then I may as well be marching toward the gates of Heaven.
P.S. - X-Men 3 in my Tweeater tomorrow night at 9:30PM.
VIEW 9 of 9 COMMENTS
annika:
http://www.spike.com/show/31082
keely:
hehehehe yay thank yoooou!