or why i'm special and you're not.

in the computer center where i am employed, there are several classrooms and one main, open area. in this open area is a desk. my desk. our desk. the desk is a closed-in area that can comfortably accomodate up to ten people. the desk is outfitted with three computers (all of which are mostly useless), an old laser printer, many shelves, and a variety of computer manuals. also stored there are sundry items such as lost disks, cleaning supplies, pens and pencils, and condiments.

this last provides a nice segue into an issue that has been the source of much consternation on the part of our beloved users. because, you see, while in the computer center no food or drink is allowed, we consume both behind the desk. hell, our predecessors were even known to get loudly drunk behind the desk. this strikes some people as unfair.

perhaps if these people thought about it a little harder, they would understand that the license we as lab techs take is a result of the special status of the desk. the relationship between the desk and the computer center is much like the relationship between an indian reservation and the united states of america. in many senses, we are a sovereign state and as such, the rules of the computer center do not apply to us unless explicitly stated. thus, we can order and eat pizza, we can bring in a keg. technically, we could chain smoke if the ventilation were better and we weren't likely to suffocate ourselves by doing so. well, maybe not that..

despite what you may have been led to believe, life is not fair. some people enjoy rights others don't. you want to eat while you use the computer? go buy your own. too poor? go steal one. otherwise, you'll have to be content to watch the lab techs enjoy their meals while you must log off of your machine and go out into the hallway to enjoy yours. ha!

(this is what happens when people are condescended to and taken for granted on a regular basis.. they get surly and this fosters weird superiority complexes)