WhaHappen?

Serious (boring) accoutrement

My current assignment requires that I conduct myself with, ahem… decorum. I’m kinda new to this type of self-restraint, but I’ve found that it can be done. My last job was alot of fun and often provoked deep belly laughs. Very demanding, sometimes annoying, but definitely a “what-weird-event-am-I going-to-have-to-roll-with-today?” kind of fun. Why I finally left after almost 3 years is a post for another day, perhaps soon.

So back to my present job. I’m in court almost everyday. I’m not a lawyer and I’m not a habitual offender. I work for a law enforcement agency (I’m not a cop). I interact with judges regularly, hence the need to maintain sobriety. Do you realize how hard it is to continuously muffle my inner Tourettes in a courtroom during criminal proceedings? I think about how the defense attorney looks (and kinda dresses) like Elton John, which then makes me want to hum “Hold me closer, Tiny Dancer” as he walks by.

So, when I get back to my cocoon/cubicle in the afternoon, I take off the straitjacket and play with my paperwork. I’m diligent and no-nonsense when it comes to my work product, but I’m still the same 4th grade kid that would get my math homework done right away so I could play on the monkey bars after school. I use a few desk accessories that help me remember that working hard doesn’t always have to be so serious. Take a gander:

Daydream whenever. (I use a calendar as the backdrop.)

Works great even on heavy duty staples.

Pretty pen without the seagull noise

The ballpoint cover muzzles the bird so I can eat lunch at my desk in peace.

When I'm not looking, Croc misbehaves.

This solid pen writes really well. I used it to take notes during a squad meeting and suddenly everyone needed “to borrow the pen just for a minute”.

I don these when I congratulate others on their promotion or other windfall.

Everyone loves my Mr. P tape dispenser. Sometimes, I find his tongue mysteriously sticking to his forbidden zone.

These are just a few necessities that reside at my otherwise sterile cubicle and I’m always on the lookout for quirky but practical office paraphernalia. So my message is: Surround yourself with things that have a toy-like quality. However, it has to be useful so you can still masquerade as a productive, professional adult. Always have fun…

Related Post:
5 Simple Ways to Amuse Yourself During the Workday
Looking Good in Court
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