January Mood

All hail the corporate consciousness that is responsible for the new screen savers on all our terminals at work. Someone apparently thought we needed some uplifting, motivating thoughts in the blackest, bitterest depths of the hell that is this winter. Pictures of smiling hospital employees parade before our eyes (no one from the lab, it should be mentioned) along with famous quotes. 'Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God'--William Carey. Or, 'Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one'--Marcus Aurelius. How about 'Work is love made visible'--Khalil Gibran.

In the midst of my fevered daydreams about a rice and bagel sandwich, with chocolate cake for dessert, this all struck me as just a bit preachy and patronizing. Maybe it was just me. Gee, could it be that we were working short-staffed on a screamingly busy night, with no more than five minutes to inhale lunch? Knowing there was no more than a token effort by supervision to cover the call-in? Low blood sugar, maybe? I dunno.

Why didn't they include 'Arbeit Macht Frei' in their little parade? I wouldn't have thought it the least bit out of place.