Two Insane Things in One Day
1) Our building at MIT is currently under construction (at least parts of it - our floor is largely unaffected but the floors above and below ours are being completely gutted to rebuild new labs). As with any construction project, there is of course some periodic noise, but (outside of one hour about a month ago) the noise level is hardly that troublesome, certainly not enough to really change your plans on what you were doing. Actually, the normal noise from the lab ventilation systems is probably as loud or louder than the construction noise. However, my supervisor complained and demanded MIT do something to compensate us for our (lack of) troubles.
Quiz time: MIT's response to this demand was:
(a) reschedule construction to occur only during off-hours (although, to be fair, our lab's "off-hours" would be hard to define)
(b) move people who are particularly bothered by the noise to temporary office/lab space
(c) express regret, but plead helplessness about the situation
(d) purchase the ~90+ research and office staff on the floor their own iPod nanos together with top-of-the-line ultimate noise-suppressing earphones (estimated retail value $130 + $120 = $250), to be returned after the construction is over.
If you picked (c), you are a realist. If you picked (a), you a creative insomniac. If you picked (b), you are sane. If you picked (d), you are right. So, as of today, I am now the proud temporary possessor of a 2GB iPod nano to help me survive the "intolerable noise" I have noticed for one hour over the last three months. MIT's motto: "no problem is to big that it can't be solved by spending thousands of unnecessary dollars buying overpriced and underutilized electronic equipment". I have never shaken my head so often and so long since my last conversation with James :) However, at least my lab mates found the response to be as truly ridiculous as did I (although, like I, they were in no position to look a gift horse in the mouth). Here's what I want to know: who will want my used headphones when I have to return these gifts after they have spent 11 months stuck in my ear? Truly odd.
2) Actual radio ad today in Boston (and said in a total tone of seriousness, it must be noted): "WBOS invites you to join us to experience the long-awaited return of Richard Simmons, live in Boston!"
My immediate response: the "long-awaited" return of Richard Simmons? Long-awaited by whom exactly????
