The Office Assistant - The comfort of routine

The morning routine is in place - wake up, put on the 'uniform', fire up the 10 toe express (thanks for the phrase bp), hit the footpath, get to work and take a break, enjoy the 'regulars' coming by. Fo almost 4 weeks I have not had to think about trouble shooting the issues on my projects and life. There has been security in this process. And a clear lack of thinking when compared to my 'other life'. Where has the month gone - besides being shown by the art of work in crocheted plastic? Dare I admit to enjoying the familiarity of the environment with the installation? Once I am at work, it goes like this: chat - crochet - chat chat - crochet - chat chat chat - croch - take photo of the bums of everyone at the ATM machine - chat - cro - chat chat chat chat chat....

I wonder how Freeway Man is going in this rain? Given his artificially 'natural' look, I kept thinking that if he goes outside without taking necessary precautions, it will be like an oil spill waiting to happen.

One of the most interesting things to happen late in the day was a visit by Becky. Basically she came down to tell me that she was experiencing a definite reaction to what I was doing, and it was definitely on the negative side of the analysis. Becky really wanted to find out why she was having such a reaction to my project, when there seemed to always be someone sitting in the chair chatting, which seems to indicate that something other than 'negative' is happening. She is the first person to tell me that her job gives her freedom from the other parts of her life, and yet, she doesn't see her security being defined by her job - does that imply it is through the other part of her life - the part that her job gives her freedom from? Compared to the others that have insisted on telling me how poorly they think I am performing without actually enquiring as to what is going on, this was a truly enjoyable encounter. Thankyou Becky for taking the time to find out what is going on in this little space - it is absolutely not at all what it might look like.

Quite a few curious visitors came by early - including Don who is an art history expert on purple carpet paintings, and Santa Bob, who now checks in frequently through the day. Robert, Adriennce and Lisa decided to have a meeting IN MY SPACE!
Then Kathy came by - she is trying to get an office job with the City so that she has security and benefits after 15 years of making it on her own! She wants someone to look after her and her family.

Kevin brought his colleague Edith to visit, and to tell me that he has resigned from his secure City job, to go to a new role much closer to what he really wants to do - with a lower salary!! Bravo. Steve brought me up to date on all 57,000 street lights in Portland and how 90%+ are working at any one time - impressive. Roy is half Australian and was being completely non-p.c. with his cadillac shirt, but being the Hazmat Man does have its perks. Mary wants to fly helicopters.

Warren IS a writer - he is ahead of me on this one. I didn't find out what Terry wanted to really do - or if he could answer the question even. John opts for security with a mortgage, which means he needs this job - so his real boss is the house. Alan "I can't tell you my last name" is always a bit pissy with me - and probably everyone else too, but Mary Beth was as warm as her salwaar kameez outfit - even if the bindi washed off in the shower. And most of this was before 11 when the rechargeables in the camera died. Skye and Sharon came by - as much for the photo op as anything I think. All of a sudden the camera kicked into action for one last shot - a bit like my crochet today - and then the day was 'done'. The walk home was relaxing. There is something quite beautiful about rain, nature, freshness, and happiness.

I can't stop smiling. And I get to do it all again tomorrow.

The Office Assistant - So, what do you DO?

It has been a social weekend, with the usual predictable question surfacing frequently when interacting with strangers here. "So, what do you do?" is the common opening line in coversation. If I say that "I am an axe murderer looking for my parole officer" then the curious party noticeably backs off. If I say "I am the Senior Manager of Accounts at blankety blank corporation" then the conversation goes much further. If I say "I am an Artist", it usually draws a blank stare - especially in this town, where at times the word 'artist' seems to be an euphonism for 'unemployed'. Aren't there other mechanisms that you can start a conversation with? Why does it always have to be about 'what you do' - as if your job is the only thing that defines you!! How do you talk to a homeless person? By asking them 'what they do' - if you talk to them at all.....

And while I am typing this post, the NPR program, "The Splendid Table" is keeping company in the background. The story of the book, 'Julie - Julia' sounds a lot like the kitchen version of my living room habit of crochet. :-) this is good....

Friday was another wonderfully social day too. Jebra and I met when she asked me about information for the ATM machine. Thankgoodness I didn't know the answer, because our conversation continued. My meighbor Woody came in to see what all the brooha was all about, and promptly received an earful from someone else that just doesn't seem to listen (to anything except himself....). Karl drops in frequently and it is always an interesting chat. Kendall shared some of his photographic images which have the same hue in them as his eyes and shirt;Brenda shared her humor and spirit and our collaborative photographic endeavours. Jennifer made the effort to come to the Portlandia building to specifically to see the Project, while Beth and her daugher Katie came by to see the Artist. Ruth the security guard helped me document the work done this week - I took this image in overtime, when there literally was nobody in the building.

This is my last week on the job. You can help the project by completing a Performance Appraisal - on the website between the blog and the Portland Tribune link. Have fun!

And to everyone that wants to bring their knitting and crochet projects in - please do. It will be really enjoyable to share the space, time and occupation of doing hand work. My fingers are crossed that there is a modest candy haul on Monday morning...

The Office Assistant - Office Memo - for real!

For many visitors, hitting this blog is a first time experience. But the fun part can be in the commenting....so here are some simple instructions that I hope will give you the confidence to post a comment.
Look for the small type at the bottom of this post called "comments". Click on it.
This takes you to the comment page. Type your comment in the white box on the top right hand corner.
Then select your identity - "other" or "anonymous" is fine if your prefer to not explore further through clicks.
Next step - Click on "preview" which brings up the comment for one last look, in a yellow box. If you like it, then hit "publish". It is this easy! I still double post my own comments, so don't worry about your etiquette.

The quilt will be in City Hall for First Thursday in December - and I will keep working on it once I leave this space. The blogging will also continue. Thanks to the Office of Commissioner Sam Adams for making this possible. This will be a fun reunion too, so I am expecting to see numerous visitors that have been interacting with the project, both through the blog and beyond. Portlandia will have to shiver for a little bit longer...

The Office Assistant project at this site will wrap itself up on Friday 4 November, around the usual knock-off time for a public building. (We all know what that means!) Around the middle of the week, you will be able to submit a Performance Appraisal on the Office Assistant - the details will appear on the blog early next week.

It has been noticed that the Frequent Travellers, are still, well, frequently traveling through the lobby. One of them has started to interact with the quilt so I can't bag him, but the other continues on his own way, with absolutely no acknowledgement of my presence at all. So.........here are some teasers to help identify this lucky person......
I call him Freeway Man - not because he spends so much time walking through the lobby; instead when he combs his artificially darkened hair and makes a part way low on the left hand side, it exposes the white growth underneath. It kinda looks like the markings for the bike lanes....

I do want to make a special 'thankyou' to Maureen who gifted me something that is simply paper with printed words on it (and it is not a cheque!). The words on these little pieces of paper just make me smile thinking about the 'door' that they will open. Domo arrigato Maureen. Your gift makes a wonderful difference.

There are numerous other visitors today that I want to thank too - for being so generous and making the time to chat. Mary Jo from City Hall came by, and met up with Al. Roland came over shortly after that (so I took the opportunity to razz him about being an American with a passport -which is a rare bird - that has never been used - dah!), followed by Tony from Trimet who wrapped himself up in the quilt - not bad for a grown man without any prompting! Mark from Oregon City shared stories of how he mans a Peace in Iraq protest out where he lives. Jack can come visit as often as he likes - it is too much fun! Cindy from RACC was totally faking it with the crochet - at least she used the hook! Donna from Parks and Rec just tried to pull it all apart - that is the project for next month Donna!!! Norberto also dropped by, just to catch up on progress - especially the part where the quilt was hung for the first time.

The Office Assistant - What were those questions again?

So, what do you REALLY want to do?
And why aren't you doing it?
What would you do if there were only 24 hours left of existence?
And what would you do if you had one year left to live?
Now, answer that first question again.....

Christopher came to visit and quietly put each of those questions into focus. His comment is in the book, and is a very sobering perspective. His answers also seemed to amplify the 'non' answers from everyone else. There is nothing quite like the knowledge of how much longer you might 'have' to make you think about those questions and get this stuff figured out. As Christopher accurately noticed, this installation is not a commentary about an actual job - but rather about the security and comfort that a job can generate and in reality, how transitory that security and comfort (or any security and comfort) really is. It is only when you have taken it all for granted and are suddenly confronted with circumstances of incredible magnitude such as premature death, or situations way beyond your control, that each moment takes on deeper significance. He bowed his head in thought and touched the work with gentleness. Everything matters when you know that time has gone. Christopher is not the first person to share this story with me. But he is the youngest. I was grateful for the long, slow, rainy walk home.....

Jesse and David from Commissioner Sam Adams Office came by. Jesse's comment about "finding the perfect job I never knew I wanted' was refreshing. Debra has already started a process to create the life that she wants and has some insightful comments on the process. Michelle used to work for the City, and in fact, bumped into someone from her past life whilst visiting the quilt. Michelle prefers to not 'be on the path' but rather 'watches to see what coming'. When you first meet Laura Sewell, you wouldn't know that she had lived 37+ years in India and can catalogue books in 5 languages. Her spirit matches her gorgeous jacket, and twinkles through her eyes. Her attitude said it all - it is not about the money! I hope she can visit again next week. The "RACC gurls" came by - Lorin, Kristin and Ingrid, getting all wrapped up in the rug.....Mikko played under the crochet, and will bring a friend when he comes back next week too. Another visitor gave the analogy that right now, his life is a round room full of doors and he is scared of going through one in case he misses out on something else. In the end he is sitting alone in an empty round room full of closed doors. It seemed that every decade and stage of life has been represented today, and that everyone had a story of how security and comfort had been disrupted unexpectedly.

And now the quilt is starting to organize itself. With the help of Jesse and David, there is a strong possibility that the quilt will hang in one of the atriums over at City Hall, in time for First Thursday in December. (I hope Sam brings my boots back for the event!!)

The Office Assistant - In the Portland Tribune

WOW - the impact of the Tribune article is startling. My sincerest thanks go to Joseph Gallivan for the story and Jim Clark for the images. :-) And also to everyone that came to visit because of reading the article. The 'good' news is that there was no crochet accomplished today - and the conversations were incredibly interesting. There is also a link on the website to the Tribune article, under Media, print media. Given the rapid speed of change to the site at the moment, always hit your browser refresh button with each visit.

Adrienne visited again, telling me how she began working here as an Americorp volunteer. Barbara came in as the Bearer of Great News. Then Bill came by - he practices Zen. Half way through that chat Channel 8 as Tim Jacobs arrived. Like all good media coverage, I haven't seen the spot on the news - if I owned a tv, the chances would be better! Alex and Carolyn from Standard Insurance came by to check out my authenticity because they are both Office Assistants. We had fun! despite the look on Alexs' face as she tries to crochet. Then Christine came by to chat Artist to Artist - to be joined by Connie, who was in a Tai Chi class with Christine more than ten years ago and hadn't seen each other since then. Lorena took on a Ceremonial robe, and
Joyce brought her entire Ceremonial Art class by. Mick the Amex Musician snuggled under the rug, while Andreas went Corporate with his cell phone in repose mode.

Thank-you to everyone that take the time to check in each day, have a chat, and peruse the quilt. (Al and Bonnie are keeping my nutrition levels up!) Also thank-you to the person that made a point of telling me that she LOVES her job, but doesn't think much of the Tribune article or care much my art work either. I was thrilled that she made the effort to tell me. Now I hope she is able to read the premise on the project and can follow the dialogue on the blog.

The Office Assistant - Catching up on the backlog

Thankyou to everyone that called out a cheery 'hello' this morning. The comfortable routine is back in place. Walking 40 and Working 40. (Yep - I really am walking my commute and it really does add up to 40 miles in 5 days.) Have you ever looked at yourselves as you walk into the lobby - what a bloody miserable lot you all are. Nobody seems happy to be back at work, or expresses it through their facial expressions. It makes me want to launch the Loaded Smile ever more frequently. Every aspect of this nascent community is appreciated though - from the friendly frequent visitors to the small clusters that insist on ignoring me 6 times a day.

The key question today has been 'what will become of this (quilt) at the end of the installation?' I don't quite know just yet, but Drummond navigated me to the office of Commissioner Sam Adams, where I met Jesse Beason. Word on the street is that Sam is a keen supporter of the Arts, so it seems appropriate that all enquiries be directed to him somehow. Apparently Sam was in Australia last week, and left for the Czech Republic today. He doesn't need to travel so much to find me - I am right across the street. "Hey Sam - if you are in Czech, can you bring back my studio boots? They are in the second drawer of the white dresser." If anyone has any inspirational ideas on what to do with this huge, growing quilt, then email Jesse - :-) The stats for the work to date are impressive - 30 square meters and counting, weighing in around 15 pounds right now. The plan is to try and hang it up on Wednesday, before I get lost underneath it all.

Perhaps another way to look at this project is to ask "is all of this work in vain?" Which might be like asking "are you spending your life in your job in vain?" What does "in vain" actually mean? Take it all one step further and the conversation always arrives at Iraq - "have soldiers died there in vain?" What would be your reaction if I sat here for another month and methodically dismantled my work, pulling each square apart and rewinding the plastic back onto the spool? Would that work be 'in vain?' And if I did, wouldn't that get right up the nose of these same people who comment that this project is a 'waste of time'.

Whilst pondering that one (thanks Al!) Ellen and her purple hat checked out the volume of the work. Susan told me how she has moved departments, and life started to feel better (with some interesting circular feedback from people that had worked in that department too!), whist Charles checks in on a regular basis - in his designated role of Supervisor. For the record, the plastic is reclaimed - not recycled. It was sitting on a loading dock when the kidnapping took place, in broad daylight, saving the spools from certain death in a land fill. Now it is very happy to live quietly as an art project.

The Office Assistant - Has phoned in sick

I am out of the office until Monday morning. I will not be checking email or voicemail until then. In case of urgent requests or needs, please contact my boss, Charles. I am sure he will be happy to help you.
Thank-you
zen
The Office Assistant

The Office Assistant - Optimum use of time

Once upon a time I worked with someone that devoted an hour each day to putting on her makeup. Every day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. There were no exceptions, and barely any variation in the final result. In fact, she would not emerge from her space and engage the world until she had her 'face on'. She always looked the same day in day out and she positively revelled in her job of being a pretty wife. I always wondered why so much effort, especially as the sole purpose of the exercise was to ensure that the final result is always the same as the previous one. Her conversation skills went about as far as the variation in the makeup. The only change in her life was the amount of time that each new husband would stay before divorce proceedings were started. At one point, I calculated that with her age, and the time spent in this ritual and process around her makeup, she could have graduated college, probably with a double major. I would have preferred a college level conversation. I only remember her because of her unhappiness and anger, and the fact that she spent an hour a day painting over it in an attempt to fool everyone, including herself.

Late last week one of the conversations reminded me of this person described above. It was when I heard "I hate my job, but I am waiting out another 15 years for the benefits" that I started to pay attention in a different way. ANOTHER FIFTEEN YEARS!!!If you hate your job and you are sacrificing yourself for 'someone else or their cause' then how much fun are YOU when you're at home with that someone else? How do you manage hatred or loathing for such a long period of time? Are the 'benefits' really that great that you are willing to do this to yourself? Why are you so scared of doing something that you like?

When I lived in Asia, we frequently repeated a saying. "Angry makes you old".

Yep. That pretty much says it all. Angry makes you old.
And really miserable company too.

Thankfully Bonnie is like the antidote to that saying! Michael also lives his happiness too. The photo with myself and Ramesh is interesting - a double image in digital! How rare is that! Thanks Darrell for your mighty fine photographic skills. And speaking of mighty fine skills - Willie (M65) can actually crochet. He didn't want anyone to see him -especially anyone that he might know, so make sure that you compliment him on his talent the next time you see him. So M65, what is wrong with a guy being able to crochet huh? And why aren't you out there playing golf??

The Office Assistant - Life in overtime

Many curious visitors are wondering what will happen to the rug at the end of the installation. Am I really making a shawl for Portlandia? The rumor was started last Tuesday, and came full circle yesterday morning. AJ from the Fire Department added fuel to the fire (haa haa) by agreeing that a big red truck with lots of sirens and lights, a couple of big, burly men in large jackets, and a tall ladder could be very helpful in getting the garment up on to Portlandia's shoulders. I could also do a mini version for Tom the Mayor too if he likes. Next time someone is popping over to City Hall, could they let him know that I will need him to try it on sometime next week, if he doesn't mind dropping by.

The negative feedback hit me in the face today - when I witnessed someone passing through the lobby, grimace and mimic my actions, basically mocking what I was doing. Rudeness never ceases to shock me - and ignorance even more so. What is ever more disturbing is the fact the their lives are so fragile that 40 hours of crocheted plastic threatens them.

Cindy from IT dropped by - she wants an "RV and a dog" to make her dreams come true - my crochet is my RV and dog! Dominique woldn't let me take her photo - but we caught up on news, especially about her colleagues working in New Orleans. AJ and Steven are showing off the new design feature of the shawl - the rossettes. Sophia made a very skillful contribution to production, and a Happy Stranger or two just couldn't resist wrapping themselves up in the bulk of the work.

The Office Assistant - Where did this fear come from?

Monday started off great - someone proclaimed loudly that they loved their job and I believe them! What a joy to hear and what positive life force to bask in!! Thankyou!

The counterpoint to that amazing proclaimation though is fear - and there have been plenty of conversations with fear as the subtext, quietly lingering in the spaces between the words. Fear of not having a job, and all that might imply: fear of not having medical insurance: fear of not having excuses for not doing what you REALLY want to be doing; fear of realizing your own potential; fear of change..... when did this fear take over? It is not like you take a college course in Fear 101 so that you can graduate, get a job and start working for promotion! Oh - I want the corner office in the Department of Fear. Right - that is how I want my life's work to be remembered -
F. E. A. R.

I can see it on people's faces - and hear it in their voices as they justify their decisions to themselves and answers to my questions. As if there isn't enough fear in this culture to start with - now it becomes the line of least resistance. Come on! Is that why you sit and wait out 15, 20 or 30 years until retirement, when deep inside you, you KNOW that there is something else that you REALLY want to do. Will the wait be worth it? If you are not doing what you REALLY want to be doing, what is motivating you? Fear??

Anthony didn't wait, and came by to share Henro stories. If you don't know what a Henro is, ask him next time, or check out the button for Stories on the website. Then Mark, Janet and Victoria had a meeting at the ATM. Victoria wants to stress that she is "legal" in at least two countries! (Her and I both have fake accents - we are both from Texas!) Ariana displayed absolutely no fear in showing me how to stack the rosettes for the quilt. Maiya is an Intern that will be staying until Spring next year. Is that code for "20 more"? Vivian dropped by from the Office of Management and Finance, to commune as one Office Assistant to another! yeah!!

The Office Assistant - How did I get off track?

As I am getting ready for tomorrow's routine, including the 4 mile walk each way, I started to review some of the most startling moments of this week. The biggest shock is realizing that a lot of the employees questioned didn't really know what they REALLY wanted to do, if they weren't at their respective jobs.

As I stood waiting at a traffic light, I started to think how easy it is to drift off course, and let the routine of the job dominate your life. If you don't have a passion or strong interest for something, then how do you use your time? Do you let distraction become the technique to fill in weekend time? I don't believe there is anything wrong with an employee admitting that there is something else that they REALLY want to be doing. If they are frightened to make such an admission, then what is wrong?That interest doesn't make them a lesser employee. It seems to signal to me at least that they have a healthy balance in their life - they are not buried under their job.

The irony of this project continues to grow. As I assembled the first quarter of production I realized that I probably won't be able to lift the final product. The metaphor is obvious - I won't be able to get out from under my job.

Other startling moments came when the talents of individuals emerged after ongoing conversations. I tip my hat to Al, who not only gave me the insight about banking vacation hours, but also stated clearly the true perspective of his job. It is only when you have been fired multiple times (through no cause of your own) and quit just as many times (absolutely acting on your choice), with long periods without a job inbetween times that you can knowlingly smile.

Speaking of talents though, Curtis and I started on the same day. His music life has been running a lot longer though. Susan has a laugh to match her smile. Judy barely squuezes her work week in between her huge weekends! Cindy is the REAL Office Assistant in this moment!..and finally, there is the work.

The Office Assistant - What do you REALLY want to do?

Maiya (or her mum Keiko) come by daily and bring me sushi. Maiya does not always roll her eyes backwards in her head, nor is in need of an exorcism, but she is in the process of changing her life. The first step is to fly to Japan next Tuesday, and see what happens there. What you don't know from this image, is she has just completed 7 months in retreat in a monastery and is figuring out how her attorney career adds the right sort of value to her life.

Justin proudly introduced himself as a Side Walk Ambassador, and told me that he had fought hard to get the job. All of which was nice as I promptly misheard his title as Side Walk Bastard, which could be a term of affection between fellow Aussies, but not necessarily something that we might fight for! As we jousted with our accents, trying to confirm what we had said through what the other had heard, Marie stepped in and saved the conversation. (I did think it strange that Portland, the "City that Works", would have a job title with 'Bastard' in it. Then again, being a visitor here, who was I to question!)

Marie is fasting for Ramadan, and had snuck away from her school group to sit and crochet, while they were eating in the cafeteria. When I lived in Indonesia, I did Ramadan 9 times, so we had a lot to share, including the topic of food. I broke my fast with sweet rice porridge, but Marie prefers a date. This is Maries' first experience of fasting through principles, but it is what she really wants to do. I admire the fact that she had the maturity and wisdom to separate herself from a challenging situation, and come hang out quietly, making hand work. I used to hear the loud ticking clocks as the evening hours seemed so incredibly long, waiting for the call at sunset......

The Office Assistant - The loaded smile

It doesn't take long to realise that people here get very uncomfortable if I smile at them. Especially if they are scurrying through the lobby. There is nothing like a smile to make them all study their feet suddenly and seriously, as they hammer their way to the elevators.

Some of them seem to spend an awful lot of time actually IN the lobby - passing through it so many times that I have bestowed nicknames on them. Don't they have something to do at their desk? Or perhaps that is it - they DO have something to do, which is why they are travelling through the lobby so often. At least if they are going to be so 'busy' they should carry a file or something and play the part. Wouldn't that be a hoot, seeing all the dodgers carrying manilla folders around all day. Some bullet straight through, as if to walk around the block and come back, while another actually circles the lobby itself, paying respects to the ATM machine, the front doors, a lonely vending machine, and reading the information panel, which come on, must be as boring as heck after 17 years of working here!

There is also a lot of input on the installation - although the Frequent Travellers have never come over to see what I am doing. There are two types of comments at the moment - numerous pieces of advice on how to improve my craft project, such as spraying it with color, or making snow flakes. Others actually understand the premise and laugh quietly to themselves at the irony of what I am doing. This is how I met Darrell the Painter - who needs to take the next step beyond his comfort zone of exhibiting with the Employee Show each year. David the Writer is sitting sweet with half time work and half time writing - possibly planning the Big Move or the Big Novel. The mystery guest gave the squares a test run to see if there really is warmth and comfort in the metaphor. His response was that 'plastic doesn't breath'. Neither does an unhappy job.

The Office Assistant - It's payday today!

And the ATM machine has taken a beating. It is also very weird sitting in this space next to the ATM machine, being ignored, crocheting, doing my job, knowing that I don't have a pay check ritual in my life. What is everyone thinking about when they stand there, reacting to prompts and cues so that a machine will dispense some money for them? Are they really correlating the cash with their jobs? Or is it one of those remote, obliquely denied streams of consciousness? Knowing that people tend to 'bank' their vacation hours too makes me wonder - would these same people line up to withdraw their vacation hours in the same way?

The traffic flow is varied though, and now that there are barely enough squares to play with, there are also visitors. And teachers! Kevin from Janitorial Services looks after the space. Jared is showing his style, while Sarah is the Real Expert!

The Office Assistant - Performance and Installation

The "Office Assistant" performance and installation in the Portland Building is under way. Thanks to Steven Nehl from the Oregonian, the attached image appeared in the Metro section today, Tuesday October 11, on page 2. For those of you on this list that are non-Oregonians, this daily newspaper is "the big one" for Oregon, USA. Thanks Steven for making the space look so cool and very hip. And thanks to RACC for making this experience possible.

The performance/installation runs from Monday October 10 until Friday November 4, and the goal is to crochet 60 afghan (granny) squares, then assemble them into a large quilt. Each square measures about a meter on each side. The premise behind the installation is simple - there is something very comforting about having the Office Assistant around - they always know how to do things that the rest of the organization might not know so well.

It won't be a surprise to draw a large generalization that most people stay with a job because of their perceptions of security and comfort at the expense of what they 'really' want to be doing. Fear is a great manager!! They come to their place of work each day at about the same time, and stay for a predictable number of hours, performing a variety of tasks. Most people in this City of Portland building, so far, have found it difficult to answer the basic question of "what do you really want to do (rather than coming to work at the job you currently have!!!)
The dialogue goes deeper -
Do you know what you would do if there was only one day left?
Would you come to the office??

This large afghan rug is a symbol of that security (blanket) and comfort afforded with having regular employment (or even an Office Assistant around most of the time) - but at what price? I am sure that many of us know friends and colleagues who 'wrap' themselves up in their job too - doesn't it make you wonder if they have anything else in their life that interests them?

This is my job for a month - just being here and making this blanket - from about 8:30 each morning of the work week, until around 4'ish! Each square is crocheted from plastic - which offers no warmth and little comfort - perhaps underscoring the real or perceived value of a job.

At the end of each work day, can you honestly answer the question "are you doing what you truly want to be doing today?"
My question to you is, if not, then why not?
What is your excuse??

from Zen,
Office Assistant
www.ovoo.com