It’s the first day back to the office for me after a lovely (too short, ended too soon) Christmas break. In all honesty it feels exactly like the “forced” first day back to school after August (imagine 6 weeks of fun fill rest then ‘an exciting history/German language test ’ to greet your brain….sigh). Well that’s how it felt today – heavy…
Don’t get me wrong, just 2 days out of the office left my mailbox full and my to-do-list running over 1 page of A4 paper and both sides of two pieces of 4” by 4” memo pad papers, so basically I am swamped. I had (correction – have) lots to do and frankly even with coffee my brain wouldn’t kick start -I’ve only managed to knock off 2 items from my lengthy (meaningless) list.
But the point is, I was at the office for a total of 10 hours today and if you do the math right, you’d come to the clear understanding of how idle my mind actually was – which lead me to today’s article about boring/geeky unappreciated things around the office and the green innovations the market of today has in replacement for them.
Now I basically just looked at my own desk for the inspiration so perhaps you can guess what my day job is from looking at the items mentioned.
First up: My trusty calculator
Factual existence: -
- Model: Casio general purpose desktop calculator (specific model – unknown, handed down unit from predecessor)
- Cost: Approximately $9.90 (but depreciated value brings it closer to being worth $0.99)
- Functional purpose: Saves unsuspecting brains from mental arithmetic!
Wishful thinking:
- Model: Water Powered Calculator (various brands available)
- Cost: Anywhere from $12 – $25
- Functional Purpose: Saves unsuspecting brains from mental arithmetic all whilst being fuelled by water.
- Reason for want: Runs on water!
Second Up: Stapling stapler
Factual existence:-
- Model: Brandless, made in China metal stapler with pink plastic head (another well used handed down piece)
- Cost: Nothing above $2 I’m certain
- Functional Purpose: Holds hoards of supporting documents together
Wishful thinking:
- Model: Eco-friendly Compact Stapless Stapler Paperclip Staple Green
- Cost: $2.99
- Functional Purpose: Holds hoards of supporting documents together, all while looking unique
- Reason for want: Binds pages without staples- Stapleless Stapler that holds with a buckle stitch, punched out of the paper sheet itself!
Third: Scissors
Factual existence:-
- Model: No branding that I can find (all I see is made in China)
- Cost: Cheap
- Functional Purpose: To cut the occasional tape, paper – frankly I don’t really use it.
Wishful thinking:
- Model: Ecotopia’s Recycled Scissors
- Cost: £5.86
- Functional Purpose: Snipping things?
- Reason for want: It looks much nicer than mine and the following reason (as provided by the retailer):
- 100% recycled stainless steel
- 100% recycled plastic
- 100% recycled packaging.
- HIGH QUALITY
- Guaranteed for life.
- Suitable for left and right hand use
- 10 year guarantee.
Forth: Paper Clips
Factual existence:-
- Model: Metal baby paper clips that come in a box with a penguin on it.
- Cost: Haven’t a clue, but pretty sure it’s cheap
- Functional Purpose: Substitute stapler when it’s missing or to hold together documents that you can’t afford to leave puncture marks on
Wishful thinking:
- Model: Pop Deluxe’s I Am A Paper Paper Clip
- Cost: $6.99
- Functional Purpose: Hold loose papers together
- Reason for want: Well firstly it’s got a really neat name, then it’s got colour and of course the ost important bit, it is Eco Friendly Paper Clips made from Wood Pulp!
For those who wonder why I keep saying ‘handed down’ or ‘cheap’ when it comes to description and cost, well I’m just stating facts. As to whether or not I can propose for the company to purchase those wishful thinking office supplies, well sure but approval for them is not going to be granted, no by a long shot anyway….
