As detailed here a few weeks back, LEARN NC moved into new offices in the ultra-nice Center for School Leadership Development, behind the Friday Center. The building, a stark contrast to our old house, is monolithic and corporate. Just last night, there was a retirement party in the lobby for some big-wig that included strawberries, a DJ, and other amenities unheard of for the casual state employee such as myself. State senators and congressmen routinely wander in to meet with some big player in the professional development arena.

I’ll pretty much work wherever you tell me to work, and while I’ve no love for cube-farms, I don’t really care that I am in one. I certainly enjoy a comfortable work environment, but I’ve tried not to get worked up on days when it’s hot as hell but the AC in the building doesn’t seem to be cranking. I received the order to start dressing a little more professionally very politely, though I can honestly say that my mode of dress really hasn’t changed at all. And I haven’t gotten too cranky when I use the copier and people watch me like a hawk, like I’m about to steal something valuable, like paper.

You see, none of this is upsetting me terribly, because reptiles roam the hallways.

I’m serious. The Center is built near some woods, and this land could very well have been somewhat swampy before UNC began building on it. I’ve seen cool brown frogs or toads clinging to the outside walls a couple of times (though always, it seems, when my camera is elsewhere). The fire exit that leads out of our wing of the building (also known as my usual exit route, until I get yelled at about walking on the grass) doesn’t close well. If it’s not securely fastened, snakes have been known to come in and occupy some of the cubes. This, of course, makes my co-workers extra vigilant about keeping that door well-shut. Which is fine, but apparently, lizards have been zipping in through the space between the door and the floor. Just a few minutes ago, I saw a lizard blithely crawling through Chris’s cubicle.

I could, and probably should, alert someone to the presence of said lizard. Or I should pursue him myself. He really should be escorted back outside… if he wants to come to work here, he should have to apply with Human Resources like the rest of us did. I’m sure that it’s not particularly sanitary for lizards to run amuck.

But I did nothing, and will do nothing. He’s a tiny guy, he’s likely to eat any insects he finds in this otherwise sterile environment, and who knows? If someone else discovers him, it could be a raucous good time.