Thursday, January 21, 2010

opportunity knocks

so, no one likes to clean the office microwave.
but everyone seems to like to dirty the office microwave.
result: dirty, splattered, smelly, crusty office microwave.
scary.
so scary my Lean Cuisine-eating coworker now goes hungry instead of eating contaminated food.
so scary I wrapped my twice baked potato in a double layer of paper towels to protect it from debris that just might fall off during the zap, zap zapping.
so scary that I finally decided to do something about it.


I spread the word that I would be cleaning the office microwave.
Three people gave me a dollar and said they'd pay me a dollar every week I cleaned it.
I then realized cleaning that microwave was not worth it for only $3.
Then I had an idea.

That night I left a note by my garbage can, it read:
Cleaning Crew
Do you clean microwaves?
If so, will you clean our microwave?
[ ] yes [ ] no
The next morning the sticky note was gone, but the microwave was spotless.
Everyone thanked me for cleaning it and promised my weekly payment.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud as I pocketed my first installment of $3.
That will almost get me 2 loads of wash...

p.s.
i finally felt too misleading and had to admit to them all that they paid me $3 to write a sticky note. I'm not sure if I'll get next week's installment...stay tuned.

13 comments:

  1. I was going to suggest steaming a grapefruit peel in the microwave- do you know that trick? But as I kept reading I realized your trick is even better.

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  2. That is hilarious! Maybe I should try that...

    BTW, read your article in UB mag...great job!

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  3. That is very tricky indeed! Even uptight pharmacists leave the microwave dirty...maybe we should write a nice note to our cleaning lady.

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  4. Can I pay you to come clean my microwave and other odd jobs for $3?

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  5. Maren--yes, you told me about the grapefruit, but I've completely forgotten how it works...remind me!
    Becca--which article did you read? Thanks! :)
    Marianne--make sure to do the yes and no check boxes!
    Mom--as long as you're ok with my office cleaning crew doing it...:)

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  6. That's awesome! Why am I not surprised? It reminds of something that might have happened (unbearably nasty microwaves or other dishes) when we were at USU together...

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  7. That is awesome. Way to be resourceful!

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  8. :) You're funny and clever. Have I ever told you that?

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  9. We should write the janitors a "Thank You" note.

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  10. i love this mischevious story.

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  11. You are too smart! That sounds like something you would do! I can't wait for you to come to Logan for a visit!!

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