Workplace Shenanigans

Approaching mid-thirties, middle management and wondering have I lost my playful edge. I don't think I've lost the thoughts, but I exercise more control. What brought this about? No idea. Could be my current environment, increased level of responsibility, increased sense of ownership, post-recession stress disorder or maybe I am, gasp, maturing. Alas, there are memories of my former self. A few come to mind.


Working during college. I recall at least three jobs that I never formally quit or put in "two weeks notice" --- I think I just got bored or busy and simply stopped showing up.

Summer with Dan the Gutterman. Paid hourly. Recall blowing through rolls of quarters trying to conquer some arcade shooting game with Marco. On the clock.

Banking. Corporate card. Pre-WorldCom. Car Service, dinners, movies, happy hours. Never a question. Mildly responsible behavior for the time (especially compared to some of my colleagues) but looking back, out of control.

Loooonnnnng lunches. Mid-afternoon movies.

During friend visits, the boys would come in on Wednesday or Thursday. The host had to go to work, despite closing the bars. One morning, woke up, alarm had been tossed across the room (suspect Joe or Phil). Quick shower, get into office around 11AM. Wore sunglasses all day. Manager: "what happened, Craig?" Craig: "nothing" Manager: "don’t let it happen again" Craig: "okay" Manager: "do you need those sunglasses?" Craig: "I better take them off later"

Told coworker I would kiss her in the elevator. We go to the elevator, hit the stop button. I realize she was serious…. I get nervous, chicken out and hit the start button. Later realize I hurt her feelings. She later realized, I am a wimp. So all good.

Studying for GMAT/LSAT/writing law school applications openly.

Short stay at UBS Investment Bank. Crazy controlling culture. Manager power tripped for no reason. Craig to manager: "don't talk to me like that." Manager to Craig: "don't talk to you like what?" I mocked the manager's voice in an obnoxiously high-pitched whiny voice. Manager didn't talk to me for rest of day.

Signed emails "Cobra Commander"

Survived the following epidemics: MySpace, FaceBook, Scrabble, gchat, BBM (blackberry messenger)

Well, as it turns out, I am some form of (1) extremely censoring, (2) drawing a blank, (3) not the badass I thought I was or (4) all of the above.

Nonetheless, I've have a great overall working experience. I have made mistakes, said and wrote things I regret, cried, lost sleep, made great friends and laughed a lot. I still laugh a lot… and the summer is approaching…