Once upon a time, I had nothing on my desk at work. This was because I hate decorating. Then I found a picture of Garrison Keillor way way back in the day, and I pinned it to the wall of my half cubicle. Then I found a cartoon and some quotes and a couple of pieces of photocopied artwork from a sales brochure.
Then came the toys, which are now one of the few reasons I get up and go to work.
It started with an anonymous Wolverine pez dispencer showing up in my mailbox.
Then I got some magnetic animals that are hanging from my desk lamp. Then my student worker gave me a Wolverine action figure. (Because Hugh Jackman is hot.)
The most recent addition is a container of plastic animals, which is comprised of reptiles, amphibians, a tree, and three boulders. (Thank you to whoever placed these in my box.)
So, now I am faced with a dilemma. Just how unprofessional would it be, on a scale of one to ten, to create a little jungle next to my computer with Wolverine attacking a snake. Cause I think that would be pretty hilarious. Also, I think it would point out what I have just discovered: I am so bored.
That's not to say that I don't have anything to do. I'm just not interested in any of it. I hate testing the database, I'm sick of worksheets, I don't ever want to see another new text book again, and if I have to change the schedule one more time I'm going to vomit.
Here's what I really want to do: I want to be paid for my opinion. I have to get hooked up with that racket. Like the Ebert and Roeper movie review thing. Those guys go to movies all day long, then they tell everyone what they thought about them, and then they get paid lots of money. So, the benefits of being paid for your opinion are as follows: A) You have one already, so it may as well be earning you some money, B) It's not like they can evaluate your performance because I have gone to many movies that Ebert and Roeper loved and come out going, "What the hell was that about?" and C) How much work is it really to go and watch movies all day and then talk about them. I'm paying to do that right now for entertainment.
So, in short, I am going to build a jungle on my desk because I can't get paid to go to the movies. Somebody has to slay the plastic snakes, and if it can't be me, then it'll have to be a miniture Wolverine.
Posted by LoWriter at January 20, 2005 08:27 AMi think a mini jungle is a great idea. i keep a bulletin board just above eye level at my desk, and its got a few great Get Fuzzy cartoons on it, that wonderful map of North America after the US election, a picture of me and lauren riding the Blaine firetruck and a few cardboard pop-outs from the New Yorker - one 3-D Mini Cooper and one iPod (green). oh, and a button that says "What Would an Artist Do" cuz it makes me laugh. otherwise, i've stuck to the decor that was here before me, mostly cuz i am surrounded by books, adn that's a really good thing. books are so pleasant. i think you should banish text books from your desk completely. bring in a bunch of classics, just for aesthetic value, and no one can complain. especialy if you cascade your jungle around them.... i'm sure Jane Austin would love to watch a parade of animals running from Wolverine... :o) c'mon - history is funny! and it would give you something interesting to do.
Posted by: Dr. Gonzo at January 20, 2005 11:03 AMI think it's appropriate... go for it!
Posted by: 10lees at January 24, 2005 12:57 PMTwo "l"s in Keillor there.
I volunteered at this literary agency and the desk they let me use had all these pictures of Viggo Mortensen and Johnny Depp. Both very attractive men, but, ah, it got to me after a while.
I just realized we shared facing pages in the autumn 2000 Coeval. Did you read at the reading? I don't remember.
Posted by: Jeremy K at January 25, 2005 11:50 PMJeremy K-- Sorry about being short an "l." I'm not always as dedicated about proofing my own work on here as I should be.
I don't know about Johnny Depp, but I do know that I usually feel inspired by the pictures of great writers; although, Johnny Depp is hot, so maybe that's inspiring, too.
As far as Coeval goes, I usually read whenever they asked me to. I usually remember readings by poem, though, not year, so I will have to dig out my 2000 Coeval before I'll know for sure. I'll have to check out your piece. What did you write?
Posted by: Lo at January 26, 2005 02:08 PM