A Big Mess
A long while back, Belle Yang asked us to take photos of what our working spaces looked like. I put mine up, and then for the next two years messed it up as much as I could without even trying to. Sure, I've had periodic cleanliness attempts, but right now, it would seem that a large mole has taken up residence under the twelve magazines, three packages, two news papers, seven books, microphone, camera, photos, cards, letters, pens, and notepads on this three by six foot desk. I even have some Pokémon cards. Don't ask.
This is likely a national tragedy.
Worse, is that I was on vacation, and things were literally piled here. Bills and catalogs (did you see that Athleta sale?) and I am stunned into inaction. I left much of the contents of my purse here on the desk while away, and now the quarters are glinting at me, those evil things.
And then there is the virtual desk, the 54 emails I went through this morning, reading, writing back to or at, and deleting or filing. It's 7.20 in the morning. My brain is more toast than the toast I ate.
What I tell my students is that their actions in my classes are metaphors for who they are. I'm sad to say that I think that right now, my desk is a metaphor for who I am write/right now. Scattered. Messy. A bit out of control.
So I'm going to to sign off, fortify myself with another cup of coffee, and clean up. Really. I swear.
Jessica
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About Jessica
Jessica Barksdale Inclán's debut novel Her Daughter's Eyes, published in 2001, was the premier novel published under New American Library's new imprint Accent. Her Daughter's Eyes was a final nominee for the YALSA Award for the best books of 2001 and best...
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Women for Women International Goodwill Industries Lindsey Wildlife Museum Freecycle.org
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You mean my father was
You mean my father was right! Look at your room, he used to say, no wonder...(Fill in the blanks). As I type this, the books on my floor rise to calf-level. As soon as I retire, I will get on this.
i remember when we posted those images for belle!
I'm in a different apartment now than I was then, but the purple chair and the (cluttered) desk and the red notebook have moved with me.
Congrats to you for taking a day and making your writing space your own again! It really is a joy to experience that "fresh start" feeling you get when your desk -- the actual wood or metal -- is visible for a change... : )
Peace.
"...Where there are no oxen
"...Where there are no oxen the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox...." Proverbs 14:4
When my wifeypoo gasps in horror at my workspace I simply remind her I'm accommodating my inner ox. :)
Eric
Hi, Evie and Bob-- Yes, Dad
Hi, Evie and Bob--
Yes, Dad always knew best. And it was sad how little time it took before I could move about in the office easily. The desk? Clean. Now it's time to write.
Best,
J
Jessica Barksdale Inclan
www.jessicabarksdaleinclan.com
My plan is:
To keep on the way I am until something dead shows up (hopefully it will be small), and then I'll do something. Worse than my desk (kitchen table) being a mess is that my chair is not just right yet. This is a problem of far worse degree as it involves actual discomfort. Any ideas for a good chair?
I know a few people who use
I know a few people who use those exercise balls to sit on. It rolls away, but you can't put anything on it, so it's always available. Maybe give it a go?
Best,
J
Jessica Barksdale Inclan
www.jessicabarksdaleinclan.com