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7 de Septiembre, 2007
Boxes : Space
Categorized under Once de Septiembre , Palabras | Tags: Computers, I should tag this something
IT WAS STAYING WITH ANITA, in Hollywood, Florida, that broken-up winter of 2001, after I left NYC post 9/11 (in my mind it's always when I fled nyc which is odd because I wanted to stay so bad I cried as the bus pulled away from Lady Liberty's view) that I realized how important it is to remain connected to the outside world even when--especially when--on your computer for hours. It was the setup in that little condo type joint, where I would sit barefoot and shirtless with both doors open, my toes upon the tile and the beach wind blowing through and map-sized gauzy curtains flapping, whispering, sighing in the salt-tinged breeze. Having the window right over the monitor...so that when I needed to reach for a word or a memory, I could look into the sky, deep into the blue limitless.
That was probably also about the same time that I began to visualize millions of humans in rooms facing the wall staring into glowing boxes.
Either way, I realized that all my future computer setups (if possible, if possible, of course If Possible) would have to put my back to the wall, and my face facing the room. I use an "L" shape desk for this. Plus, I would have to be facing a window.
With these parameters set, you can see that when it comes time to setup a new computer area, I am stressed the hell out and exercising my mental visualization skill to the utmost. It feels like one of those puzzle riddles in a video game...I think of some rooms in one of the Zelda games where you move boxes around to make the face of a villain in a poster...there's only one way and you might not even find it!
This picture to the right is my last setup in New York. These days my window (I'm lucky) is tall in my little studio room, and so wide it spans the entire length of both my desk and my room.
I love the green leaves and broad blue sky out my window next to me, right now! And the sun. I'm glad that even though my work sees me spending FAR too many hours sitting down and nearly motionless (given the full range of human motion), at least I maximize my space and light and wind (open window, fan under desk on feet, etc) so that I do not feel trapped in a box. Box in a box. It's too much, when you remember at the end is, most likely, another box.
I told mi hermano anoche as I mimed it out with a sneer and a laugh and large motions: To hell with this graphic design and writing shit, bro. My next job will involve throwing things at walls!
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Comentarios (5)
RC dijo:
Well, make yourself go out and take a long walk with Nita every day. Otherwise you may not be able to hang with the internet game. The sitting made me nutty when I was a film editor and a negative worker, plus in those days we smoked nicotine while we cut workprint and flattened our glutei, even worse.
The internet game is a very very good one and in a way offers the ultimate freedom.
With a satellite or even a phone and a post office {get checks}, you can go anywhere in the world and your job is right there in the next room. You might have to turn a generator on for a few hours or have a couple of solar panels and batteries, but the situation you have now allows you to move somewhere that the cost of living in USD$$ is very low {Baja California for instance}, you do not have to register with anyone and say you are working, and you can live very cheap and make good money on line. It has many of the elements of the dream job.
Find a cheap place, move there, work half as much and spend the other time exercising by swimming, wandering, whatever. Buen Viaje!
A su felicidad.
Palabras por RC spat forth on el 7 de Septiembre, 2007 at 10:00 AM
nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez
dijo:
good thoughts, true. i kick around some like these, too. thanks, amigo.
Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez
spat forth on el 7 de Septiembre, 2007 at 10:21 AM
M dijo:
Like yourself? :-p
I have the same obsessions with places to study and to work. I wasn't destined to be in a cubicle or one of those modern designed areas with little windows. I have to see EVERYTHING outside. Rain or sunshine. It's when I'm most productive 'cause I know that I'm not closed in.
Palabras por M spat forth on el 7 de Septiembre, 2007 at 11:37 AM
RC dijo:
I think from working in all of those tiny editing rooms at 1600 B'way and at DuArt where there were no windows, I got to like being in a little box and concentrating on a little screen. When I have to make illustrated reports now, it is still the same. I turned my set-up AWAY from the beautiful view outside because it distracts me too much. I do hear the birds though.
But I don't sit in a little box and look at a little screen for more than 5% of my income. I guess if I did, I would want the big window to be there. Most of the time I am outside working and inspecting. I like it out there with no window interposed. I have had many opportunities to join the office life over the last 37 years but could never see that as a possibility for me. I particularly couldn't deal with very artificial boxes that have fluorescent rows of lights, fake air, muzak, wall to wall industrial carpeting and other squirrel cage type atmospheric
embellishments. I can feel my brain draining in there. I have to drink a lot of coffee to stay awake in those places.
Palabras por RC spat forth on el 7 de Septiembre, 2007 at 02:53 PM
nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez
dijo:
M, that's a great idea. see if i'd stick.
--
RC, you are right. when i edit video, i pull the curtain. i guess i'm talking mostly about writing and coding and designing grafiks.
Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez
spat forth on el 7 de Septiembre, 2007 at 02:57 PM