Radically redesign their workspace on a whim

I've been more paranoid these days about the consequences of being sedentary and out of shape. Since I have enough wherewithal at my disposal to address this, I *finally* did get off my behind and do something about it. I first came across the concept of "not sitting" all the time on a quirky site called The Hairpin (love that place) and some of the comments mentioned having a standing computer station. Kinda like a kiosk for the home, office, or home office. So I'm thinking the idea is totally fantastic. Hours later, I clicked an online article I didn't mean to click. But oh, it was so worth the 1.34 seconds of brow scrunching. The author described in great detail, converting their whole working space to a computer/desk mounted treadmill. I was so fascinated, that for three days I thought of little else. Three nail biting days later, after acquiring my Craigslist loot, I fashioned one of these new-fangled things myself.

 Behold...

A treadmill workspace cobbled together by moi!

 It also got me thinking about ergonomics in the workplace. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics said that in 2010, up to 34% of all work absences recorded in the country were because of musculoskeletal disorders that were work related. I am actually shocked by that number, but perhaps I really shouldn't be surprised when I notice people at work who aren't at their best health. For example, I went out to lunch at a restaurant yesterday, and I noticed that the serving lady had really swollen ankles. That could've been related to any number of health issues, but standing for hours without properly flexing your muscles can make anybody's lower extremities puffy.

 I know that a lot of us also have really bad habits when it comes to computer usage, sitting posture, leg crossing, etc. But there are some factors in which workers don't always have much of a choice. It's totally not unheard of for people who fall on either side of average height and/or weight curve to make do with whatever standard sized desk,chair, or equipment is provided by the workplace.

 Back in the early 1990's before everybody caught on to best keyboard/mouse practices, there was a dramatic rise in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Today, the computer-centered desk is one of the most ergonomically redesigned part of the workplace. But what about people whose work and productivity don't revolve around the computer? People who work long days in hot fields full of pesticides, with only a bandanna over the face and a sweatshirt for protection from the chemical mist, definitely could benefit from ergonomic redesign. As could many, many people in other trades that rely on physical labor.

 I can't ignore though, that in many memoirs and autobiographies I've read about people who've become influential in their respective professional spheres, there's usually a sort of positive association with the "battle scars" of the trade. A broken bone here, a gash there, an occasional burn, all of these seem to be recalled with... nostalgia? I think I can actually identify with that a little bit, in the way a person who likes to build things with their hands can. I've had my own share of cut, smashed, impaled fingers and hands more times than I can count. And if ever I write a memoir, I can too see myself waxing on about it with a special sort of fondness. It's like I look at those past injuries as obstacles that I've overcome, like any other logistical challenge. Perhaps this is a rather detached way of looking at things in the way that those of us with relatively protected livelihoods can afford. If I get injured in one of my favorite activities (working with tools and home improvement projects), it'll slow me down, but my job and lifestyle won't be at stake. This isn't true for everybody.

Take a long hiatus to "find themselves".

Hi folks, I'm back. Yes, I've been gone for nearly two years, and in fact, I pretty much forgot about this blog in the shuffle of the many transitions in my life. I also got quickly burned out on the hyper serious tone I initially set here. I can't keep it up because the somber mood is just not sustainable for me. I've tried my hand at a few special interest blogs and I've failed each time because I couldn't maintain the same level of enthusiasm... and as a serial project starter-non-finisher, it's always my vice. As is my susceptibility to prolonged depression episodes, ever present and annoying ADHD, and a whole host of other quirks, but that's another blog entry for another day. Someone I know once said, "A blog shouldn't feel like work." For me, depending on my mental state, mood, busy-ness, blogging will always feel like work to me. And that's okay. I'm going to try a different approach now, and see if that sticks: 1. Talk about the privileges I encounter in my daily life, and try to say something thoughtful. 2. Stick to using my genuine silly personality that very few people know exists. (I just can't do serious well, though I do try my hardest :-/) 3. More pictures. How else can I justify the existence of my super lens digicam (privilege!) if I don't use it often. 4. Get personal, admit I have huge flaws, and be gracious about it. I have a real aversion to letting people in my personal sphere, being vulnerable, and a general phobia of people paying attention to me. It's a personality trait I'd rather do away with because it really hasn't served me well. Since it's more easily said than done, it's a work in progress. 5. I'll just make it up as I go. So, we'll just see how this all goes. Maybe it sticks, and maybe it doesn't. But it's worth another shot.