Monday, 22 October 2001 | The Pod People

Ever since I moved from my fourth floor office to my second floor office, I have lost the privilege of heating my lunch in a microwave so close that I don't actually have to leave my chair. These days I have to carry my lunch into the main dining area (which isn't all that far away), walk back to my desk to entertain myself for 4.5 minutes, and then run back to retrieve my lunch before a pouting, foot-tapping coworker snatches it out. Carrying a steaming plastic tray of squared-off portions of meat and vegetables down the hall is rather a humbling experience, not unlike wandering around the doctor's office with a specimen. I'm convinced no one can look cool doing it.

Yesterday I saw part of the Dark Crystal, the part where the Pod People get their "essence" sucked out by the Skeksis. Today my office is playing the part of the Skeksis, draining me of my essence to the hum of florescent lights. In retaliation, I've been pouring Diet Coke down my throat, but what I really think I need is sunlight.