4/17/2011

Look Up, Now Back To Me

After reading Lisa's searing piece about where she writes, I felt it wouldn't compromise national security much to highlight where the cracker crumbs meet the keyboard at my house.

This is where I turn my back on the room and world and spend hours at a time snacking and agonizing about sentences that will never see the light of day.  At last count, I have 33 drafts dating back to September 2006, most with the good sense to remain comfortably where they are.  There's no pride in this testament to procrastination and perhaps one day, they'll rise up and demand to be completed though presently, they don't have the strength to dare.


Because picture day is an important one, I decided to move four pens (but no paper?) and assorted other small items out of the shot.  They are now behind the plant which may explain why Nigel looks on curiously from the giant cat toy, he knows something's amiss.  The basket in the lower right on the floor has several of his and Rizzo's toys in it.  To the right is a bathroom and the left, a closet.  Don't worry, the glass is not clear in those doors but I'd still probably hear you pee if I was sitting there.  Directly opposite this desk is the family or television room proper.  This writing area is an odd adjunct to the rest of the room but I like the way it's still within and separate at the same time.

I see now those shelves above could use some arranging but cut me some slack - I only moved in 10 months ago!  My favourite distraction while writing is the rain.  I look up at the skylight wishing the sight could somehow match the comfort of the sound but it never does.

At my desk is the one place my posture reaches near impeccable heights. If the exercise was to take a shot of where I watch television, you'd be looking at a sofa comforting a man who wouldn't look out of place in Dali's The Persistence of Memory.



Another writing related fascination I came across recently on The Vegetable Assassin's site involved handwriting.  I broke the meme rules from what she posted - once a rebel...

A letter from me would generally start out looking fairly readable (see below) and invariably end with much less precision (be glad I didn't continue writing).


Several of my siblings write in what appears to be a complicated code that would find the experts up late into the night but somehow I manage to be one of the more legible of the gang.




I'm definitely curious about where you write and what your writing looks like but my Canadian ways will not allow me to pressure you on the matter.  Do as you will, or won't.

14 comments:

SkylersDad said...

You are entirely too organized my friend!

Barbara Bruederlin said...

If I had those lovely built-ins and the world's tidiest desk, I too would have 33 drafts that never saw the light of day! I do, however, have grey walls. We're paint buddies!

If I were to partake in the exercise, it would be Russian novel length, since I write all over the house. I'm such a laptop whore.

Allison said...

I can't possibly show you were I write now, your writing space is far to organized!

This is a lovely idea though. I don't have a specific space at home, as I'm on the laptop - but I will partake in this exercise at work. After I clean my desk, of course. ;)

Dale said...

But my brain is uber messy Skyler's Dad!

You should see it already now that I took the photo Barbara, somehow there is a whole bunch more stuff laying around on it. The walls are mood coloured for sure depending on the light - grey, green, blue, it just depends. I appreciate your whoriness.

I almost feel bad now Allison. Maybe I should let it get all cluttered and do a reshoot. Believe me, it doesn't always look like that. I don't dare open the closet door to the left. It's a nightmare in there. I hope you do play along.

lisahgolden said...

I'm so glad you did this. Your space is beautiful. I love those glass-front shelves.

As wonderful as the photos are, it was the words here that got to me. If you're ever looking for someone to beta read any of your drafts, give me a call. Or an email. No pressure.

Dale said...

Thanks for the nice comment and the offer too Lisa. I wasn't sure if I liked the glass at first or not. I find if I don't disturb anything, I don't have to clean them as often! Thanks again, your post really spurred me on.

Jenny Jenny Flannery said...

Thanks for a peek into your world Dale! I'm like Barbara...there is no one location for me.

But maybe I'll try it and the handwriting thing. I'm sure you'll find it very difficult to read. You have lovely penmanship!

VEG said...

Well I found it all incredibly fascinating! Your tidy house belies your crazy brain and the same goes for your pretty handwriting, cleverly disguising your rapier wit and quirky danger.

Yikes, I should just profile people for the FBI or something, no? :)

Dale said...

My pleasure Flannery although I bet I can decipher your handwriting! Yes, that's a challenge.

You profiled me pretty good Vegetable Assassin and thanks for the handwriting idea to begin with. I'm all about contradictions so this post served me well!

X. Dell said...

I could show you where I'd write, but then I'd have to kill you.

Is that one of the cats that freeloaded you in posts of a bygone era? Have you adopted him/her?

Dale said...

I'm not ready to die X. Dell so I understand. It's not the original freeloader cat, it's the companion freeloader cat for the first freeloader cat.

Anonymous said...

Love the space. Now I feel bad that I assumed a cave and crayons were involved. I'm sorry.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure how I got here or what this site is but I like it. I googled "what to look up now" and this came up on the first page. Strange? Maybe it's a message to tell me to tidy my desk and do something constructive.

Dale said...

Hi Anonymous! I like you liking the place. Have a look around, stay a while.