Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Coffee Rebellion

If you can believe this one - I got a "stern" talking-to yesterday about my attitude at work. Seriously. Something about how I should take a vacation, what do I want with my life, etc. I even remember the words "since you and the Captain broke up" somewhere in there (reason #75 to try to keep my personal shit PERSONAL).

This reminded me of my first work rebellion, about 8 years ago...
(I had been working here for a year, it was high time to start rebelling, right?)


I used to be a full fledged member of the coffee drinking society.

I was always the first person to get to the office. Yes, I was THAT girl (still am). So I would make the coffee. Fine. UNTIL people started EXPECTING me to make the coffee. People - meaning my boss. She would even pop her head into my cubicle and say, "POM, we're out of coffee."

UM, are you f'ing kidding me? Don't get me wrong. I lurve to do things for people I like. I bring treats, silly gifts, help with errands, anything. BUT for people I don't like (or fake liking) it's another story especially when they start to EXPECT it. Well, that was it for me.


So what do I do? I quit drinking coffee. I wish I could say that I quit for my health or some fabulous reason like that, but no. I quit because it was a passive aggressive way to get back at my boss.


The first morning of the coffee coup, my boss leaned over my cubicle and said, "POM, there's no coffee."


I replied, "I don't drink coffee anymore and I really can't support other people drinking it. Plus, I can't stand the smell of coffee pee in the office bathroom."

Now everyone goes to Starbucks, but there is no coffee brewed in this office. Nine years later and I still only drink tea.



(Image borrowed from deansbeans.com)

Oh yeah, I ran this morning. Did not want to get up, but kept thinking "bikini season, bikini season" and I got up. I felt like I was struggling. I was doing Fartleks and started out sprinting way too early, wasn't warmed up yet. Had issues catching my breath.


Miles: 4 Time: 34:14

41 comments:

Laura N said...

ha! That's one of the funniest passive aggressive stories I've heard. Can't belive no one is making coffee, still after 9 years. WTG on the early morning run.

Tammy said...

I love it! They would rather buy Starbucks coffee than make it themselves? LOL!

Great job on the morning run... I wasn't feelin' it when the alarm went off this morning either.

Debbie said...

That's so funny that that is the reason why you stopped drinking coffee!! Way to take a passive aggressive stand. Btw- where do they sell that cherry green tea you recommended?

Laura said...

I stopped drinking coffee after one night, in college, I had SIXTEEN shots of espresso within two hours to try to stay awake to write a paper. I got sick from too much caffeine, went to sleep shaking, woke up still shaking, and visited the campus health center only to have them say "sorry, nothing we can do. Only time will make you feel better." I felt slightly less stupid when the doctor told me she had done the same thing in med school.

I've never really been a soda drinker, so now if I need to stay up later, 1/2 cup of coffee or soda will do the trick.

Amy said...

Your passive agressive story is very inspiring to me.

And seriously I bet your boss is ugly...right? She's just jealous because you're dang hot.

Amy - the gazelle said...

That is the best reason ever for not drinking coffee. hee.

My plan, starting next week (when I have my life and my routine back) is to start doing morning runs. I mean really - how hard could it be? I have pledged to my PDX bffs that when we are in Vegas in October, I will wear my bikini - and I don't want to be embarrassed!

Sorry 'bout your attitude problem. :)

teacherwoman said...

Now that is too funny! :) Nice job on the run!

C said...

I don't drink coffee either, but my reason is not fun like yours is.

Good job on the run.

Alisa said...

That is one of the best stories I have ever heard...now if I'm I could convince everyone I was quitting email (so they'd stop sending it), I could actually get stuff done.

Bikini season alarm went off this morning but since I've been working 10-14 hour days I ignored it and decided my body needed another day of sleep.

Hopefully, tomorrow morning I'll make the gym. I'm feeling fat! (Isn't it amazing how fast you feel not working out??!!)

Sarah said...

I was ALWAYS the first one in the office at my last, unappreciative job :) After getting talked to about how they weren't going to give me overtime (I never asked for it by the way) for being 1/2 hour early every day....I rebelled by refusing to answer my phone or check work e-mail until exactly 8 o'clock. I hope you find a new rebellion :)

Unknown said...

Ha! POM, you kill me. I think I'd still be sneaking coffee however... I've never been able to get hooked on tea.

My run sucked today. Maybe my attitude sucks too? =)

Romance said...

Ooooh, I hate being 'talked' to. I would simply die without coffee. I had to go 24 hours without recently for a medical test and it nearly killed me.

I am jealous of your run. Today is my first day in real clothes in almost a week. Hoping for a run tomorrow.

Michelle said...

POM, wonderful! I quit coffee once! A long time ago, well about 3 months ago, then i had a starbucks and it all went to hell!!! But i commend you my friend!!! Plus you run like a rock star!!!
Michelle

Judi said...

LOL girl. I loved the story. You should hear some of my stories. OMG, they'd crack you up. I always tend to THROW stuff.

chia said...

My boss told me 8 years ago that smoking would give me wrinkles.

I read somewhere that something in green tea combats wrinkles.

So, I tripled my smoke breaks and traded coffee for tea.

Same diff, right :-P?

jen said...

That is hilarious! You are awesome. Great run today.

carla said...

KUDOS ON THE RUNNING.
now, I seriously can NOT believe you got a 'talking to' at work.

CLASSIC.

it's the principals office and beyond.


MizFit

Crissy Rae said...

That's awesome! What a great way to get back at the boss. I hate when people at my job expect things too..like quality work with a smile.

J~Mom said...

Love it!! That is too funny!

Christie said...

You've just reminded me of how much I hated my old supervisor and just nosy work people in general. I don't miss it.

Good job on the run, even if you couldn't catch your breath. I can only do 3mi in that time.

N.D. said...

I love it! I would do the same and I never drank coffee, and exactly when people were expecting it, I said F that!
Nice work.

Stephanie said...

A lil rebellion with healthy side effects. Love it! Aww forget the healthy part, I love the rebellious part! :)

Anne said...

I've never had a cup of coffee...can't handle the politics (or the taste or the smell...) of it. Long live the tea totalers!

Jess said...

Wow. You are certainly one to be reckoned with. To quite drinking coffee to make your point? That's a strong will!

Ali said...

I staged my own 'coffee mutiny' a few years ago, mine was over milk, I was the only one who bought it and EVERYONE used it.

Alisa said...

I know I can't wait for Hawaii. I used to go to Hawaii every Christmas with my Dad. I've never been to Kaui so I'm really excited to explore a new island.

Oooh...and I forgot to tell you my story about how I became a vegetarian for a couple of years b/c my Dad bet me that I couldn't go a month without a steak/hamburger. Haha...beat that...I was vegetarian for like 3 years.

doctorval said...

Which is why my work conversations are limited to ridiculous bon mots and dog stories. Nobody knows any of my business...except all bets were off two weeks ago when my dog died, but that's because I couldn't keep it together. My canned office response is "message received". Really irritates 'em.

I bow down to your passive aggressive skills.

Kevin said...

SO theyd rather pay 3$ for a cup of coffee rather then brew it. Talk about lazy

Anonymous said...

Nice job on the run. Good for you for sticking up for yourself and not being taken advantage of.

Viv said...

Whoa I can't believe the Captain was mentioned in the "stern" convo. I love that you quit drinking coffee just to let them shove it. You are too much.

Way to make yourself get up this morning and getting the fartleks done!

Bev said...

POM I need some Yoga advice. Can you recommend a good beginner DVD?

B. Kramer said...

If I were to ever stop drinking coffee, I want this to be my reason.

Have a nice long weekend.

BeachRunner said...

LOL. Love this post [raising my cup of orange juice in solidarity]. Have a great Fourth!

Nitmos said...

Nice speed workout.

Wow, that's quite a grudge. Don't get on your bad side, eh. Nine years??

Aron said...

LOL i love this story.

AnnaBanana said...

You go girl! That's hysterical. I'm not sure what "coffee pee" smells like and hope I never find out!

RooBabs said...

I swear, you always make me laugh. I love your sauciness. I admire your passive-aggressiveness, too. I wish mine could be that effective.

I read your blog all the time, and I've been meaning to add you to my blogroll and keep forgetting. So I'm doing it right now.

P.S. Great job on the run. I'm currently working on getting to a 9-min mile, so you are my idol. :~)

Frayed Laces said...

you must check out passiveagressivenotes.com It will make you feel so much better about your own passive aggressiveness!

Unknown said...

this is one of my favorite stories ever.

Matt Walker said...

Great posting! Coffee pee...classic.

Kevin said...

yeah, i get that too about the coffee. i brew my own starbucks beans at work and now every day, people expect me to make the stuff. but i love it too much to quit. so i make it... argh.