Today I finally made a rash decision: I hate 3 hole punches. I mean really hate. They make me crazy. Road rage is often the cause of multi-car pile ups on the highway. You might call this hole punch rage. I have never had a quality 3 hole punch. And I mean never.
I still have
the first one I ever bought. I remember buying it. It was a big day--I love office supplies. I took it home and lovingly took it out of the box. I thought "this is the beginning of a great relationship." Alas, it was not meant to be. It was over before it began. It couldn't punch through more than 2 sheets of paper at a time and the lever stuck so you had to pull the papers out forcefully--ripping the paper, rendering it useless in a 3 ring binder. It has sat on the shelf ever since. And that was like 10 years ago. This is an actual photo of my first 3 hole punch. If you look closely, you can see the dust. It got what it deserves if you ask me.As a teacher, a 3 hole punch is a must. Students are constantly putting worksheets and handouts in notebooks and I am a 3 ring binder lover. I think I went through about 3 hole punches a year. They break, they don't punch properly, the levers break. But I digress.
I am usually a fairly level-headed person. Sometimes my temper does get the better of me and I'm working on that. I count to 10, I keep my mouth shut--I've got lots of strategies. But where were those cool-down strategies today at about 10:03am? In the trash, just like my current 3 hole punch.
I had just printed a few reports--only 3 pages long--at the most, I promise. In went the papers to that tiny slot, down when the lever and BOOM! it was like the skies ripped open and the greatest storm of the century had arrived--the papers stuck. There was much ripping, anger and not so kind thoughts directed at the 3 hole punch. The papers went in the trash--I was so mad they didn't even make it into the the recycle bin. I am so ashamed.
It is just not meant to be. 3 hole punches and I do not get along. My life will be much smoother now that the 3 hole punches and I have a new understanding--you stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours.
What do you hate?
2 comments:
Very clever and funny Sarah! Your mom directed the hearts to this site. I work in an office an deal with a 3 hole punch daily. I know this is a stupid question but are you emptying the "holes" out of the tray?? Would a little lubricant help??? Hope you have a better experience with your next 3 hole punch. I really loved reading your blog! mary west
I too was (notice I said WAS) a self proclaimed "hater of 3-hole punches" which is why I just now resorted to googling, "When 3-Hole Punches get Stuck." This was the first relevant article that appeared.
OK, Sarah-- get ready to dust off that old hole punch you have pictured, which incidentally, looks exactly like mine. I work in an office and actually brought mine from home last time I became exasperated with 3 different ones provided at work. I even wrote my last name on it so no one would take it! Well...it turned out to be just like all the others--until now.
Anonymous just saved us from a life time of 3-hole punch aggravation. She suggested a little lubricant!
I went to my purse to see if I could find anything that could pass as a lubricant. I only had some creme hair product called a leave-in Hair Perfector. Desperate, I wet an old q-tip (which I also miraculously found at the bottom of my purse)with the lotion, dabbed the holes thoroughly with the product, and voila! I have been punching non-stop for the last 25 minutes. I'm laughing as write this and so excited I decided to share the remedy to help others.
Thank you, Anonymous! Good luck to you, Sarah! And happy punching to everyone!
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