Relocation Excitation

I was asked to move offices a few weeks ago, and have been waiting for our transient IT guy to be in town long enough to actually move all my corded things and plug them back in so they all work when he walks out.

He was here today, and hence, I'm in my new digs.

This office is literally 4 doors down from my old one, but it has a much better view of the sliver of Lake Michigan that I can see (facing north, the southernmost tip of North Avenue Beach), and the same view of the Allerton Hotel Tip Top Tap sign that I could always see. I have a full view of the uppermost 60% of the John Hancock Building, and that is just nice.

All in all, the view's the same.

However, the perspective is totally different.

Since it is a slightly bigger office, I have...drum roll....a bookshelf. With NINE shelves. Spanning the entire length of the wall to my right. Industrial by nature, they are a combo of black shelving, wood ends and raw metal piping. But, it isn't their design that excites me.

It is their function.

I hadn't had a bookshelf in the last office, and therefore, wasn't able to properly display my SCHTUFF. And by schtuff, I mean, my framed photos, knickknacks, cool collateral samples, gimmicks from vendors, candles and such. Some of it is crap, some of it is memory-laden, and some of it is filler. You always have a little filler when you have NINE shelves to cover. Spare me the judgement.

And, not the least of it, on this bookshelf marvel, I get to show off my books on branding, advertising, marketing, the consumer, strategy and other things that make me look smart when people snoop. Dressed, on either side, by the fancy schmancy bookends that my Mom gave me for Christmas—made of heavy silver, one is an "@" and one is an "*" and they are very cool. Reminds me that I can be a writer, if not by trade, by hobby.

To my left is what I'd guess is a 12-foot cork-board wall. I've already tacked photos, my calendar, sticky-notes, phone lists, etc. to it, and will be dressing it even further as I grow into the space. At the very top, and in just the right angle, hangs my Georgia Bulldogs flag. Since it is the super G logo, despite the red and black color combo, people often ask me if I am a Green Bay fan. They chuckle. I scowl.

Behind me is a sad excuse for an office credenza, and I'm guessing the floor in here is uneven, because two of the drawers—containing my file folders—keep sliding open. I've pulled a MacGuyver on that one and taped them shut with black mockup tape. I'm pretty sure that's a symbol of how often I go back through things once they are filed neatly away. Yeah...never.

And, finally, in front of my behemoth of a black MDF desk, is a lovely pair of 80s-inspired fabric guest chairs, flanking a metal table where I have the "doctor's office fan" going with the latest magazines. All in all, it's homey, and welcoming. As best as it can be without the new furniture coming in yet. Which, from what we hear, is eventual. As in, eventually, if you wait long enough.

The corner is empty and needs a plant. A fake tree will do, right? The walls are bare save the corkboard one, and are yearning for some framed photos—I have just the set. Black and whites of the beach in Chicago will do. Remind me where I'd rather be.

All this rearranging, decorating and decluttering makes me feel good. Accomplished, organized and happy. Probably too much so. But, I have two guest chairs in here if you'd like to stop by and discuss my neuroses in person.

I'll be the one moving things on my shelf to the left one inch...no, to the right two inches...

In Time for Valentine's Day!

As my "fan base" for this blog grows, so do the suggested topics. I couldn't avoid this one today, provided by my friend Josh.

The above photo is of a couch crafted by an art student in San Francisco, who is now trying to unload this lovely creative venture on an unsuspecting (pervy?) buyer.

It is a va-ja-jay couch.

It can be yours for the low-low price of $600, plus a flight to California, and a U-Haul rental back to Chicago or wherever you reside (in your couchless apartment).

The best part is the description: "the couch has some scuffmarks and stains around the bottom from being moved." Yeah, that's what they all say.

I don't think I can write much more. Just go to Craig's List and see for yourself. There's even an "action shot" of someone sitting in it. And they don't look very comfortable. It makes the utterly unstylish papasan chairs look relatively normal, roomy and chic.

And, yes, I just typed va-ja-jay. Get over it.

You probably own a papasan.

Pass the Ravioli

With the political correctness of most companies these days, and people at work focused exclusively on getting really creative and fantastic work done on time and under budget (of course!), there isn't much time for decorating the office space.

So, you may end up being left to your own devices.

At our office, this was the team-generated, company-approved result of one simple inquiry to help decorate the desk at reception, emailed to the entire directory. It was a plea...come decorate my desk, she said.

At least the can was red to begin with—truly set the stage for some tasty holiday cheer.