New Workspace

So as quite a few of my readers know, I now have a job that allows me to work from home at times.  Well, I can't go back to the farm after having been to Paris, let me tell you.  This is the best thing ever.

Anyhow.  Most of my work has happened from bed on these days, let me tell you.  It made me realize something important.  I need an actual workspace in my apt.  I mean, I have one right now, but it's not, well, serious.   It's kind of like the 'fireplace' in my apt.  For display, but can't actually be used.

Anyhow.  I decided to create a new workspace within my confines.

Here is the before (of both parts of my apartment):

And the after:

When I first set up my apartment, I displayed my diploma over my desk.  It seemed like the thing to do.  Like, the appropriate setting for it.  As I moved my desk over, I thought about moving my diploma with to give the area the right 'feng shui' if you will.  However, I kind of felt like, inadvertently, my desk ended up having the perfect picture framing the area to begin with.  I think we all know this pic says 'I am read for the workday'.

Your thoughts?

Currently Reading....

Save the Assistants.

I got it from Santa.  But it was a direct request.  

Here is her website:  www.savetheassistants.com

Anyhow.  After I received the book, I went to amazon to read the reviews on the subject matter.  A couple of people played it off as a book on how to be better at your job as an assistant - that kind of worried me.   I feel I have truly mastered my role.  

However, upon starting the book, I realized it was a great catch.  I like the sarcastic, direct, observatory writing style of the author (Lilit Marcus).  I highly, highly recommend it.  

Anyhow.  As mentioned above, Lilit has a website.  I really think she should hire me to work for her.  But not as her assistant.  Even though I trust she'll behave.

Overheard in the Office

"I'm about to send you an email."

I hear this about 8 times a day.  Not always directed at me - I overhear it constantly in others' conversations as well.  

Not that there's anything wrong with it.  But is this REALLY something that requires a heads up?   Ooh, thanks, now I'll go mentally prepare to click read!  Is there a particular reason we're giving people a heads up before we email them?  Is a warning necessary?

Expressions I Hate, AGAIN

The expression 'touch base'

As in, 'Let's touch base on this matter later' or 'I'll touch base with John'.

I hate it mostly because it's classic corporate speak. It has no use in real every day life. If it somehow does appear, it's either
a) force of habit (excusable) or
b) an attempt to sound more educated/important/dignified (horrific)

Anyhow. There's no real reason to choose these two words. It's an inflated way of saying 'talk about' or 'reach out to'. Who 'touches base'? Is yet another everyday expression relating to baseball? Don't people 'tag the base'?

Ugh. This reminds me of the pandemic 'All Your Base Are Belong to Us' back in high school. (Anyone else remember that?!?!)

Anyhow. I guess I don't really want to know the origin of this expression. I just watn to bitch about it. I'd ask if anyone else out there feels the way I do, but I googled 'the expression touch base' and one of the first responses was: 'when people use the expression touch base, do you have the urge to crack them in the chops?'

Does anyone like this expression? Anyone else find him or herself unfortunately using it from time to time?

Something New I Learned Today....

"Do you want a scone with your latte?" is the new "Do you want fries with that?"

As in:

The graduate with a physics degree says, "How does that work?'
The graduate with an engineering degree says, "Why does that work?"
The graduate with a technical degree says, "I can make that work?"
The graduate with a liberal arts degree says, "Do you want fries with that?"

I will try to appropriately update my personal joke repertoire.

My Favorite Thing I Saw in NYC....

They are a corporation. They are incorporated. They went down to City Hall (or whatever government office) and stood in whatever necessary line, filled out whatever necessary paperwork and paid whatever necessary fee to become their own business. They are serious about this!

I appreciate their honesty. Basically, they just need to get paid. It's a rough economy - I'm not judging. Let's call a spade a spade - either a) Corporate America doesn't work for them for some unnamed reason (perhaps they don't like to have to answer to authority; perhaps they don't like the obligation to shower daily - again - who really knows) or 2) the unemployment ran out, the interviews didn't go well and they have given up.

I'll be moving in a couple weeks. I wonder if they charge extra for long distance jobs. I should warn them I don't provide transportation.