My kingdom for a stapler

Adjuncts and offices, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, and 7 other things worth your time.

A year ago today, an adjunct professor named Philip Eil wrote one of the saddest articles I’ve ever read.

The headline and subhed alone will drive it home:

Being an Office Worker Is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me.

(For an adjunct professor, having a stapler is living the dream.)

Aw man, I cringe just re-reading that. Here's a quick intro, to drive it home:

On the first day I got the key to my office, I nearly cried.

I am an adjunct professor of English and journalism, and after more than seven years of working in academia, this is my first office.

But it was the office supplies that really got me. When I opened the door, I found that someone (a predecessor? a kind-hearted administrative staffer?) had left a small array of fresh legal pads, Post-it notes, and pens waiting for me on the desk — my first desk.

Someone had thought of me, and the newness of that feeling hit me hard.

It goes on. It's very self-aware. I think there's some metaphor in there, but it's also very literal.

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