I've never worked in cubicle-land but I imagine working in the IU information commons is a similar experience. There's the constant drone of distant conversations, the continuous clicking of mice and keyboards, and you're always unlucky in that the guy next to you has B.O., smacks his gum, and has an annoying laugh, while the really cute girl with glasses is sitting at the opposite end of the room, unaware of your existence. Or in my case, the really cute girl sans glasses is in another country. At least she knows that I exist. -Zh.