The Office: Day Screw It, I’m Not Counting Any More
Feb112013
Honestly, the plague topped off by a blizzard has pretty much ended any illusion that there was a steady progression here. We are FINALLY recovered, just in time for Krissie to head home on Tuesday (she was supposed to go a week ago but then Trouble Ensued), so I’m back to work, which means I’m unpacking the office while I actually do work, so I’ll keep posting on what I’m doing, but the Twelve Days is laughable now.
On the monitors: One is a desk top Mac; the other is the monitor that my laptop plugs into. Why do I need a monitor for a laptop? Because I’m getting old, my eyesight has gotten much worse, and that monitor is a lot bigger than my laptop screen. Why do I need two big monitors? Because sometimes I work with a lot of documents. I can pull up my Voodoo Pad or Scrivener files on one screen and write the story on the other. I can pull up images on one and refer to them on the other. I can run a chat on one screen and refer to documents on the other. Really, how do you all function without two? Oh, right, you’re young and you have good eyes and you’re probably more organized than I am. (The third monitor is just the laptop screen, so it’s a dupe of the big one on the right.)
Quilt over the door: This would be an excellent idea except this is a really small office and I need all the wall space. The door is just the part of the wall that swings. I could hang something over the garage side, though. That could be a very good idea. Or I could get one of the old doors currently leaning against the wall in the basement and see if that’s warmer although that would involve a contractor and money which is in short supply at the moment. The floor in here is absolutely icy, so more layers there would be a good idea, too. Cogitating here.
Bendy power strip/surge protector: I love those things. Never an unusable outlet on them. Of course I also love the ones that look like people and dogs. I’m a sucker for surge protectors.
Dog: Milton hurt his back. He’s a dachshund so that’s a big deal. There’s an operation that will put him back to normal but it’s expensive and he needs it fast. So now cogitating on that. Of course, if I’d write a damn book, this wouldn’t be a problem. No worries, I will solve this.
Normal: Moved in, virus defeated, now sitting up and typing without dizziness or nausea, faculties returned to as normal as they ever were . . . nothing but good times ahead.
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36 Comments to 'The Office: Day Screw It, I’m Not Counting Any More'
On February 11, 2013 at 3:26 am PG said...
“Why do I need two big monitors? Because sometimes I work with a lot of documents.”
I should print this as a poster to put in my husband’s home office area to pre-answer the standard question. He’s a lawyer but used to be a techie, so he’s always finding ways to make his lawyer-work easier. One of them is having two large monitors when he’s reviewing documents, so he can easily see every footnote or handwritten notation, and so he can keep one document open while he cuts and pastes from it into another (if accurately titled, would be “Ha Ha I Can’t Believe the Opposing Party Put That in Writing”).
From what I’ve been seeing, you actually had a pretty fast recovery from norovirus (seems to wipe out most folks for 2 weeks), so maybe count that speed of recovery as a sign of nothing but good times ahead. And I’m guessing your posting means that you have power etc., also ahead of many people in the Northeast. Keep your feet warm-but-not-damp (a trick I haven’t quite figured out yet, but maybe I just have sweaty feet) and I think you’re set to write a damn book.
On February 11, 2013 at 11:43 pm ChelSierra Remly said...
Here’s the answer to dry feet: Antiperspirant. I don’t remember where I read about that, but to keep your feet warm in Winter, there was a suggestion to rub a solid antiperspirant over your feet before putting socks and shoes on. My dad was an ironworker, and his feet were always freezing, so he tried it. When he worked outside, his feet still froze, but when he worked inside, his feet warmed up. Before they stayed freezing. The article I read said to only use a solid on your feet, but my sister used a spray on her feet without any problems. I guess you can wait a bit for it to dry before putting on socks and shoes.
On February 11, 2013 at 3:31 am HJ said...
Re quilt over the door – you can get (or improvise) a portiere – a curtain rod designed for doors which have to be opened – which lifts and moves a door curtain as the door is opened. As long as it’s a strong enough rod and mechanism you should be able to hang a quilt on it. Decoration and warmth in one! (I suggest eBay for this and other desirables-but-not-essentials; it’s amazing what you get at a reasonable price.)
So glad you’re feeling better and able to work again. And – how does anyone who is working while using documents or online resources manage without at least two monitors and/or an iPad or equivalent? It’s the modern version of having several books open next to your typewriter!
On February 11, 2013 at 7:57 am JaneB said...
My 27in iMac was a breakthrough – I can have several files open per program, and flick between programs via the dock, parked on the left of the screen. I don’t think my eyes would cope with focusing on different screens – but I can see they’d be great if you could.
The big limitation, when I’m editing huge files for books, is that Word really doesn’t like to have more than one window open for such a file where you’re tracking changes. This is really frustrating! I’m hoping Penguin (for whom I do nearly all my freelance editing) will find a program that’s designed for book-length files, and switch to using that.
The big screen is also brilliant when I’m sorting through hundreds of photographs, or designing illustrated projects. And it makes my images look stunning (which is always encouraging!).
On February 11, 2013 at 9:12 am Beth who recently found the blog. said...
I love my double monitors. I too cannot fathom how people function without them….
On February 11, 2013 at 9:25 am Skye said...
I would glad have dual monitors. Someday, when I have an income, I will have them. Then I will find it much easier to see what I’m doing onscreen!
Glad you are feeling better. Hope you can get your office feeling warm soon.
On February 11, 2013 at 9:34 am Tara said...
One thing we’ve done to insulate doors that we still need to use, is to attach styrofoam insulation to them. We just cut it a little smaller then the door and screwed it on. You could put in on your office side and cover it with fabric then use it as a peg board.
On the double monitors, my hubby (works in IT) has actually had up to three monitors set up at one time. He had to downsize his office area when we moved, but still has two set up. He says it’s helpful to have another screen when he’s upgrading or fixing a system, he can run tests or search for info on the second screen.
On February 11, 2013 at 12:34 pm Office Wench Cherry said...
I have dual monitors for work and I love the. I do accounts payable and we process our invoices electronically so one screen holds the scanned copy of the paper invoice or work ticket and the other has the coding/invoice data. Could not do my job with one monitor. I can completely understand needing two or three to write.
On February 11, 2013 at 12:39 pm Teri Anne Stanley said...
I have this ginormous double wide screen on my desktop computer at work, but that’s for my real job…I’m totally with hooking up an extra for my dream job, the writing one…but I have to pay for a dog operation first, too…huh. Hope your pup feels better soon!
On February 11, 2013 at 3:14 pm Kathryn said...
Hi Jenny –
If you have a monitor attached to your laptop, you should have an option to “extend” the diplays rather than “duplicate” them … I have a Mac and I work on a PC and I’ve done it with both. That would give you THREE displays… Plus, if it’s something regular (like an email inbox or chat windo) you wanted to have up on your laptop display (this is what I do at work) you can make that window full size and magnify it so that it’s as large as you need there. You probably already know this but I just thought I’d throw it out there for you!
On February 11, 2013 at 5:49 pm Gina Black said...
This is what I do. There’s a control panel inside your system preferences where you can tell it to NOT mirror and then you have two independent monitors off of one computer. It’s very easy to set up. I tend to do my research on the smaller laptop (or Voodoo Pad or Aeon Timeline) and the writing up on the big one.
On February 11, 2013 at 3:19 pm Leigh said...
Poor Milton. My dog Gibby (he didn’t have enough dignity to carry Gibson) injured his spine. It was huge. He had to be carried everywhere (and he weighted 34 pounds) for a solid month. Out to the grass. From couch to couch.
It’s a big deal. Sending healing thoughts toward Milton.
On February 11, 2013 at 3:26 pm Sure Thing said...
Agree totally about the idea of many books around a typewriter. That’s exactly how I use the internet on my mobile phone.
Yay for recovery. (((HUG))) to doggie and you for being a good doggie mom.
Here’s a “Thrift shop” parody with (adopted) dogs for you. It’s not by Mackelmore, it’s by BARKelmore!!
On February 11, 2013 at 3:31 pm Sure Thing said...
LINK!
http://www.mashable.com/2013/02/10/thrift-shop-dogs/
On February 11, 2013 at 3:45 pm Judy, Judy, Judy said...
You are the poster woman for knocked down 10 times – get back up 11.
I have dual monitors at work, too. They’re good except when I’m working away on one and the cursor is on the other.
On February 11, 2013 at 6:21 pm Robena Grant said...
I have enough troubles with one monitor. Give me two and all hell would break loose. Ha ha. Sorry about the pup, poor Milton. I know what it was like when Nikki’s spinal problems increased. And she weighed 100lbs, so it was a lot of dog to care for.
On February 11, 2013 at 7:32 pm Deborah Blake said...
I work on the laptop in the living room and the desktop in the dining room, so no place for two monitors. Otherwise, I think it is brilliant. Maybe someday when I have a real office…. I do keep a 1arge laptop specifically for editing, so I can have 2 screens open at the same time. Priceless.
Glad you and Krissie are feeling better. So sorry about poor Milton. What about running some kind of fundraiser? I know you don’t want anyone to give you money to help you with stuff, but this is for Milton, not for you. And you could offer a couple of random giveaways (signed books, partial read, a crocheted something) to a lucky few. Or something. Or, I suppose, there’s that whole “write a book” thing.
Hugs.
On February 11, 2013 at 9:02 pm Diane L. said...
Oh, poor Milton. I know way more than I want to about dachshund back problems and surgeries. Wishing you and him the very best.
On February 11, 2013 at 9:14 pm Kelly S said...
Glad you and Krissie are feeling better! Like most here, I have dual monitors at work, sort of. I have my mac laptop set up on risers and connected to an extra monitor but not synced so I have a large monitor and the laptop’s.
Will pray for Milton and that you get that book written to pay for his surgery. Okay, getting the book written is as much for me as him as he probably needs the surgery now and getting paid for a book takes a fair bit more time.
On February 11, 2013 at 9:40 pm fiveandfour said...
I wanted to mention that in the aftermath of the norovirus, you might check out this pamphlet on it (http://www.amazon.com/Norovirus-2013-Health-Matters-ebook/dp/B00B6L2RQ2) as respects how to clean up after it. Apparently, it’s possible to feel perfectly fine after recovering from it, but still pass it along to others. I got it as a free Kindle download and I see Amazon is now charging $.99 for it; because it had been free you may be able to find it elsewhere on the internet at no cost.
On happier matters, I use two monitors at work and find it makes life immeasurably easier. There are just so many times when one has multiple windows open to accomplish a task. At my prior job I could work from home and it was sometimes tough to decide what was better: being in the office with two screens or being at home with one screen, but dressed in my jammies. Had I two screens at home, they might never have seen me in the office!
On February 11, 2013 at 10:51 pm Robin S. said...
Wow. You guys recovered fast. Glad you’re feeling so much better. Many FGBV’s to Milton.
On February 11, 2013 at 10:55 pm Rozasharn said...
Think nothing of it. This ‘lack of progress’ is because you got knocked off your feet, and had to spend time getting up again. Like in Monoply, when you roll the dice and get “Go directly to jail, do not pass Go.” Pure bad luck.
I would say you had three Days of Office (judging by the blog), and since then you’ve had four days of Sickness. Office days are on hiatus until the recovery is over.
Supporting the idea of a quilt over the garage door, although I want to emphasize that this will get dragged and thumped and pawed every time the door opens, so you should go for a cheap mass-produced comforter, not a handmade art quilt. Hang it so it covers the entire door and overlaps the frame, and is touching them as much as possible: excludes drafts.
On February 11, 2013 at 11:44 pm Micki said...
Glad you guys are feeling better! Just hang in there.
Re: the quilt. You can pin stuff to a quilt or fabric, so it’s not totally useless, especially if it’s blocking drafts. However, if it is a seasonal item, it might be a pain in the butt taking all the notes off and putting them someplace else.
On February 11, 2013 at 11:45 pm Robin S. said...
OMG!!! RED 2 is scheduled to come out in August!!! Helen Mirren is supposed to kill Frank! And there is Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones… Trailer here http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821694/?ref_=sr_1
On February 12, 2013 at 12:30 am Water Cherry said...
The price of surgery can also be very different depending on your location (due to hospital overhead), but the quality of care does not have to be different (i.e. pacemaker surgery is nearly $1000 different between Virginia Tech compared to Washington DC). I know there are rescue organizations and sometimes vet university hospitals that will help with surgical costs. You could always accept help now and then donate back to the organization when you have more cash. There are also many facebook or webpage pledges for rescue groups where people directly donated money for a veterinary surgery. Maybe Milton’s rescue group could help you? Also I googled and found a list of places that can help with funds (see below). I cannot personally vouch for any of the links on this webpage. http://fureverdachshundrescue.freeforums.org/need-help-paying-for-veterinary-bills-t201.html
On February 12, 2013 at 8:16 am nightsmusic said...
YAY! You’re on your feet again. Take your time though and don’t overdo or you’ll be right back in bed. I figured that one out all on my own…
On February 12, 2013 at 10:14 am Terri Osburn said...
So happy to hear you both are feeling better, but poor Milton. Gentle hugs his way and fingers crossed for a resolution to the surgery issue. I had to take my cat to the ER with no funds lying around, so I applied for the Care Credit card. Most vets take it and can even help you apply. Would mean another monthly bill, but paying over time is better than the lump sum up front and Milton would be taken care of.
I’m supposed to be getting 2 monitors here at work but it takes an act of God to get anything done. You’d never know we’re an IT company at the rate tech stuff gets done. I’d love to have 2 monitors at home, though I do have an extra laptop sitting around. Wonder if I could work with both of them. Hmmm….I’m going to need a bigger desk.
On February 12, 2013 at 6:48 pm Chelle said...
You only have two?? LOL, I have three and wish there was room for one more!
On February 13, 2013 at 12:17 pm katyL said...
In the office pics posted the other day, it looked like you had an Aeron chair. I do too & usually I love it. But last week it seemed off so I tried adjusting it. Big mistake. Ever since I’ve been in all kinds of agony & can’t get it back to my magical setting.
So if you do have the same chair and it’s working for you, I’m just popping in to share my cautionary tale. At this point, I’m in the bargaining stage, asking the Aeron gods to let me have my magical setting back & I’ll never fool with it again. If that doesn’t work, tomorrow I’m lighting a candle to sweeten the deal.
On February 17, 2013 at 9:58 pm Jenny said...
Yep, it’s an Aeron and I love it. Never messing with it, but thank you for the head’s up.
On February 14, 2013 at 9:25 am McB said...
Really sorry to hear about Milton’s back.
On February 17, 2013 at 9:57 pm Jenny said...
He’s home tonight and doing better. Fingers crossed he’s all fixed up now.
On February 18, 2013 at 11:42 am katyL said...
So happy to hear about Milton being home & on the mend. Have a dachshund mutt & thanks to you am now aware of the potential back issues. So thanks.
Probably it’s a breed thing, but part of me wonders if it’s a behavioural breed thing more than a physical one since my dog often moves like she’s a martial arts queen–she’s a bit crazy but a lot sweet. Which in my book is actually a great combo.
On February 19, 2013 at 6:58 pm Amanda said...
OK so I have NO idea how I ended up here – you know, press one link, then another, then another, until you’re Lost in the Interwebs – but I’ve been laughing my way through your blog for two hours. Which meant I had to eat to keep my strength up, so I’ve probably gained pounds. And it’s going to cost me a fortune cos now I’ll have to go buy your books. I had other things to do tonight, you know. Sheesh!
On February 20, 2013 at 9:41 am Jenny said...
Ah, my plan is working. Heh, heh, heh.
Welcome to Argh!
On March 1, 2013 at 5:24 pm Gayle Hoover said...
Hi. I worked 4 years for an Activator Chiropractor (www.activator.com) and a woman came in with her dachshund who was motivating himself my using his front paws only and dragging his hindquarters behind him. After several weeks of activator treatment, his walking was restored to normal. No operation. If interested, go to site above and click on “find a doctor” and enter your zip code. Buena suerte! Warmly, Gayle, lurking.