Arrgh.

The building I work in is owned by a progressive-minded rich liberal. This is her first foray into commercial real estate, and she wanted to create a certain “vibe” in the building by renting half the offices to non-profits and the rest to us workin’ joes. Whatever, fine.

She also has very little idea about what it’s like to work for a living, so she has done a lot of things, like fill the hallways with paintings by local artists, that normal people who actually need money would never do. Frankly, I never gave it much thought. Until now.

We just got a memo from one of the other tenants. On behalf of the owner, she commissioned a $750 painting to commemorate the opening of the building. The tenant wants to give it to the owner as a “gift” on behalf of the tenants (otherwise, it would be the property of the “company” that runs the building, which, let's remember, the landlord owns). In the memo, she says that if every employee in the building would pitch in a mere $20, she could cover the cost of the painting, which, let’s all be clear, has already been bought and paid for by the landlord.

Okay, so let’s recap.

What the hell was she smoking to think that I would be willing to part with $20 to give to my landlord? WTF?!? We already pay rent! (well, I don’t, but still.)

And why, Why, WHY, are we giving the landlord a painting she already bought?!?

Stupid rich hippies. I hate them. I hate them all.