Homefield Pride...Where Does It Leave Us

Upon disclosing the intimate nature of their relationship to corporate, Mike and Holly were informed that one of them would have to relocate. Holly agreed to move back to her old branch, and she made plans with Michael that they would visit one another every weekend. However, on the truck ride up to her new place, they began to realize that the journey was longer than they first anticipated. Feeling that the distance was too great, they decided to end their relationship, despite the fact that they appeared to have a strong bond with one another. Alternatively, they could have potentially made their relationship work by having one of them relocate to another company, while staying in the same town, however their jobs proved to be more important to them. Besides, even if one of them decided to give up their job, there is no guarentee that their relationship would have worked in the long run.

Back at the office, Dwight and Andy were at eachother's throats as Dwight maintained that he had applied to Cornell University (where Andy attended) and Andy tried to prove to Dwight that there was no way that the prestigious Cornell would ever accept him. Afterwards, Andy then pertended that he was a farmer (because Dwight was raised on a farm). These episodes serve as more silly antics that the characters are continually using to amuse themselves at work.

As far as University pride is concerned, I am proud to be a York Student, however, I do not feel that my school affiliation is the primary means through which I would choose to identify myself to others.

Funny Moment:
When Michael and Holly are driving to her new place with Darryl and they sing along to "Life Is A Highway"

Group Mentality...Why Exactly Are We Gathered Here?

On this week's episode, after having a date at the office (after hours), Holly and Michael accidently left the office unlocked and the place was ransacked with several items stolen. Deciding that they needed to raise money, Michael declared that they would hold a charity auction (C.R.I.M.E. A.I.D.) to collect funds to replace stolen items. So the office staff gathered together and particpated in the auction. For many, this was done begrudgingly since they had no real interest in the items that were being auctioned. The only real high value item, Michael's concert tickets turned out to be fictitious. However, money was made at the auction through Phylis selling a hug to her husband. Otherwise, staff members were simply buying items they were not really looking to buy from one another. This begs the question, was there any real purpose to the auction.

This brings to mind an experience that recently happened in my life. This past week I participated in a "flash mob". Basically, a group of us got together to congregate in a line outside the University library, holding signs and chanting "24 seconds for 24 hours" as we tried to further the cause of 24 hour library service. Granted there were some people watching our demonstration and some positive feedback was recieved from the crowd however, it is questionable if our actions will actually have a positive impact, since most likely the majority of the crowd was there begrudgingly. Did we move forward to achieving our library access goal, or were we simply whistling into the wind.

Funny moment of the week:
While descibing the auction to the staff, Michael said "We will auction off people like the olden days" while looking at the black employee Stanley. Once again, Michael has demonstrated how shamefully politically incorrect his behaviour is.

Relationship Disconnect?

This weeks episode revolved around a baby shower Michael was throwing for his ex-girlfriend's (Jan's) baby, which was concieved from an anonymous sperm bank donor. Despite having no real ties to the baby, Michael was determined to have a relationship with the child. Wanting to make a good impression on the Jan, Michael told Holly, the office HR rep, who he is attracted to, that he was going to treat her poorly, so Jan would not feel jealous in any way. By the end of the episode however, Micheal realizes that he has no attachment to the baby. Before leaving the office, Jan tells Michael that under no circumstances would she except him dating Holly. In response Michael asks Holly out on a date.

It has taken Michael quite a few episodes to actually ask Holly out. If will be interesting to see if the relationship works because she actually appears to value his company, unlike Jan.

The episode also featured several calls that Pam (the former recptionist turned art college student) and Jim (still back at the office) made to one another. They are attempting to make their long distance relationship work. Pam told Jim a story over the phone, but it was too confusing and he wasn't fully paying attention so he didn't really understand the point of the story. They tried to contact eachother at other points in the day, but could never manage to get in touch with one another.

Watching Jim and Pam reminded me of my personal experiences with friends going off to university. Unless a real concerted effort is made, it is easy to lose touch with friends separated over a long distance. Tools such as Facebook help, but sill it is difficult to have the same type of relationship with someone whom you no longer see in person.

Funny moment of the week:
Dwight trying to prove that Jan's $1,200 stroller was indeed destructable. It wasn't.

How Ethical Are You???

This weeks episode of "The Office" centered around the characters taking a workplace ethics seminar, which was not taken very seriously. Rather, Michael, as per usual, tried to make the expererience into a joke, and he had everyone divulging all of there transgressions. Meridith actually divulged that she was having rendevous with a supplier in order to get discounts on company mechandise (and steak). Holly, the HR rep tried to have Meridith officially reprimanded by the company, because she believed her actions were unethical, but her bosses were simply pleased with the discount they were getting on the supplies.

I started to think about ethics at YorkU. Every year we have to complete online tutorials concerning academic integrity. But how many people actually read though all of the materal, and how many skip ahead to the multiple choice quiz? Do people obey academic ethics, or do they simple find creative ways to cheat?

At one point in the show, Jim timed Dwight with a stopwatch, documenting every time he took a personal break thoughout the day, because Dwight claimed to be completely focused on work during company time. In my work experience, quite a bit of the day is in fact spend conversing with coworkers. It got me wondering, what is really expected of the workforce? Is it reasonable to expect someone to sit at a cubicle absorbed in their work for the entire day?

Funny moments of the week:
Jim timing Dwight's time wasting. He always has the funniest expressions when dealing with Dwight.
Kelly saying that she will take up smoking in order to get a break away from her desk during the workday.