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NFT: how to make office cube entertaining but not too obnoxious

D HOS : 9/19/2024 11:42 am
To make some kind of point that no one is getting, my company has decided to move everyone into a large common area of cubes (nice cubes, roomy, but still...) seemingly due to conflict over employee adherence to our flexible work from home policy and the resulting angst among our older executives (I'm old, but not an executive). Even as a senior person in a sensitive position, I'm now out with the hoi polloi. I can deal with that, it's ok, but as partially a statement and also to amuse myself, I am trying to make my new desk area as entertaining and ridiculous as possible without being too distracting nor obnoxious.

Against a backdrop of bland cubes featuring only "two monitors, a docking station and a keyboard", I have so far a lava lamp, neon light up wheels for my chair, stickers, plants, books, interesting clock, cool lamp, working on bubble gum scented potpourri, considering bringing in a sega with a small TV. I previously had an echo show but now have brought that home because I argue alot with alexa.

Since I am a high producer of quality work and a critical resource with an old school work ethic, friendly with the owners and execs, many of whom I have a long working relationship with, I can get away with a good amount. But not like a fish tank, lizard terrarium, laser light show, that's too far. Setting up the set from the merv griffen show... too much.

Ideas?
This is all I got  
pjcas18 : 9/19/2024 11:47 am : link
I was build someone  
Mattman : 9/19/2024 11:56 am : link
A cardboard roof when they were complaining about the lighting
When I was going into the office, we had the same setup you described  
aimrocky : 9/19/2024 11:56 am : link
open with low wall cubes. As a Director, I was given the largest cube for my team. I had a few Giants helmets on my filing cabinet and unused part of my desk and a newspaper clipping from the 2007 Super Bowl (sent from a vendor). I also had a small football and baseball within arms reach of my keyboard and phone. The baseball was my version of a figit spinner (always practiced my pitching grips while on calls) and the football would get tossed around with or execs as they passed through to chat.
Candy jar or one  
Pete in MD : 9/19/2024 12:00 pm : link
of those candy machines that takes pennies. People will stop by and make conversation.
Like this  
Pete in MD : 9/19/2024 12:03 pm : link

Everyone will love you.
Yeah candy for others  
Mike from SI : 9/19/2024 12:16 pm : link
will definitely increase your likeability.
Add a pet boa constrictor...  
BMac : 9/19/2024 12:30 pm : link
...which occasionally "escapes."
Considered a bubble gum machine and I may go there  
D HOS : 9/19/2024 12:34 pm : link
Right now it is a little basket of bazooka pieces. I do have a NY logo paperweight but I cannot bear to bring in my giants helmets and other stuff. I like those where they are at home. Maybe display my super bowl coins or Malik rookie cards.

Im looking for more flash though. Considering led lighting under desk.
RE: When I was going into the office, we had the same setup you described  
D HOS : 9/19/2024 12:38 pm : link
In comment 16615925 aimrocky said:
Quote:
open with low wall cubes. As a Director, I was given the largest cube for my team. I had a few Giants helmets on my filing cabinet and unused part of my desk and a newspaper clipping from the 2007 Super Bowl (sent from a vendor). I also had a small football and baseball within arms reach of my keyboard and phone. The baseball was my version of a figit spinner (always practiced my pitching grips while on calls) and the football would get tossed around with or execs as they passed through to chat.


After the Eli super bowls I went out and got all the area ny newspapers and made a collage of back page and headlines in a large poster frame. Two of my favorite displays (at home).

The last time we all had cubes I brought in my giants rubber street ball and we would toss it around. Maybe I'll get the duke.

Lots of hard core NFL fans here.
Small water feature?  
RAIN : 9/19/2024 12:54 pm : link
Like the fish tank over the sega.
After my employer announced three days back in the office  
JonC : 9/19/2024 12:56 pm : link
I found a new job.
How do you feel about cooking at your desk?  
Giantology : 9/19/2024 12:56 pm : link
.
Lol I thought of that  
D HOS : 9/19/2024 1:01 pm : link
I had a coffee brewing setup but no space so I brought that home.

I love my job but it does resemble a dilbert strip a bit too much.

Years ago I did have a 5 gal fish tank with shrimp and tetras.
You can get strips  
Mike from Ohio : 9/19/2024 1:25 pm : link
of those sticky LCD lights that can change to all sorts of colors and outline the cube or desk. Many of them can also sync and change to music. Endless possibilities there.
I know yo said no fish tank  
oghwga : 9/19/2024 1:50 pm : link
but 40 years ago when I last had an office job I had a big fish tank with a piranha and a crayfish. Every pay day we would pick up a dozen feeder goldfish and drop them in and it was total bloody carnage. The crayfish was snapping them in half while the piranha zoomed around in a frenzy. It retrospect it was pretty horrible but we did always attract a crowd after lunch.
Get a bunch  
JayBinQueens : 9/19/2024 3:36 pm : link
of little ducks and leave them around the cubicle.

Always a good reminder that not everything is so serious
Bose noise cancelling headphones  
Metnut : 9/19/2024 3:44 pm : link
thank me later.
RE: How do you feel about cooking at your desk?  
Giantsfan79 : 9/19/2024 3:47 pm : link
In comment 16615969 Giantology said:
Quote:
.


what's on the menu?
RE: Get a bunch  
D HOS : 9/19/2024 5:09 pm : link
In comment 16616084 JayBinQueens said:
Quote:
of little ducks and leave them around the cubicle.

Always a good reminder that not everything is so serious


like from tractor supply? There is one up the road, that will probably not go over well.
RE: Bose noise cancelling headphones  
D HOS : 9/19/2024 5:10 pm : link
In comment 16616087 Metnut said:
Quote:
thank me later.


I'm there with you. I listen to music most of the day when I am not in meetings. I have the poly voyager focus over the hear headset. It's hard to keep my voice low during meetings now.
RE: RE: How do you feel about cooking at your desk?  
D HOS : 9/19/2024 5:10 pm : link
In comment 16616090 Giantsfan79 said:
Quote:
In comment 16615969 Giantology said:


Quote:


.



what's on the menu?


I could get a toaster oven with a roller grill on top and just make hot dogs with toasted buns all day...
I just put a foot hammock under my desk and  
D HOS : 9/19/2024 5:11 pm : link
while lying under there adjusting it, I discovered it makes a decent pillow as well. Constanza time.
Mousetraps on top of the cube work. keeps people from looking  
Rich_Houston_1971 : 9/20/2024 9:17 am : link
over cube.
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