Althouse: At the Home Office Café...

June 19, 2012

At the Home Office Café...

... we're keeping busy.

(Info on the new furniture here.)

51 comments:

Toad Trend said...: Wanted to thank you for inspiring me to change my home office setup. Saw your power unit awhile back.

I crafted my own stand-up desk surface and I love it. It is right in front of a 72" window looking into my back yard. I also have a 34 inch tall adjustable drafter's chair with a seat back and foot ring if I want to sit while doing larger CAD stuff.

Have had it set up for 2 weeks now...my legs are stronger already and my back feels great. Good stuff!!!; 6/19/12, 1:26 PM
Farmer said...: I still sit down while I work, like a savage.; 6/19/12, 1:30 PM
Shanna said...: I love the desks looking out the windows. Have you thought about doing anything about hiding the cords?; 6/19/12, 1:35 PM
rhhardin said...: It looks like a library date setup.; 6/19/12, 1:42 PM
Rabel said...: Unscolicited observations:

The man of the house has a larger monitor. This is as it should be.

Still haven't pulled the trigger on the new TV. Do it.

It's time for a new carpet. Unless you're going to get a puppy.

I'm disappointed the $700.00 stool is not featured. But for that price, it may have been cooking lunch when the picture was taken.

Certain commenters may equate this inside look at the Althouse sausage factory with the doggie euthanasia cages. Be prepared.

Where's the damn Nikon. When I pry into someone else's personal space, I want resolution.

Overall, that's a sweet set-up.; 6/19/12, 1:42 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "The man of the house has a larger monitor."

No, they are both 27" iMacs. His desk was set higher at the time when I took the photo. Both desks go much higher and much lower.; 6/19/12, 1:46 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "Still haven't pulled the trigger on the new TV. Do it."

Why? What's the point? The picture is good and we're not short of space in the room. We just don't care enough to bother.; 6/19/12, 1:47 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "It's time for a new carpet. Unless you're going to get a puppy."

Believe it or not, the carpet, which is white, is more than 20 years old.

Removing it is a big deal, because what I want in place of it is hardwood flooring, and doing that involves a renovation project that includes removing a spiral staircase and reconfiguring the kitchen. We'll do it when we do it.; 6/19/12, 1:49 PM
Ann Althouse said...: And we are not getting a puppy.

Even if we were getting a dog, which we're not, we would not be getting a puppy.; 6/19/12, 1:50 PM
Patrick said...: I gave some thought to a new TV last year toward the end of our addition/renovation project. Turns out buying a TV is hard work. The TV I have is one of the old ones, and knowing it would be awhile before I got a flat screen, I never paid much attention. Looking at Amazon, I noticed a big price difference on what appeared to be similar TVs. Prior to buying one, I wanted to understand what makes one much better, or worth another $1,000.00. I don't yet understand, and doubt I will in the near future. The TV I've got is just fine, and upgrading is nowhere near the hassle.; 6/19/12, 1:56 PM
Shanna said...: Prior to buying one, I wanted to understand what makes one much better, or worth another $1,000.00.

I researched a few things (like LED vs. Plasma, brands, etc.) but once you get down to it, there are so many choices you can get too bogged down in that. So I just went to the store, looked at the screens to see which picture I liked in my price range and bought it.

I don't replace tv's until the last one dies, though.; 6/19/12, 2:00 PM
rhhardin said...: I have a solar powered fan cooling the computer chair (panel outside, some bailing wire connections, and amazing 12v 12" fan blowing a gale)

It lets you know when a cloud covers the sun, so you don't need a window.; 6/19/12, 2:02 PM
Moose said...: very nice except for the Mac's...; 6/19/12, 2:04 PM
Rabel said...: 1. I measured with a toothpick. I see my error and now support monitor/sex equality.

2. For one thing, old movies that you've seen before on TV are like new movies when viewed on the widescreen HD.

3. When my Springer Spaniel got old and incontinent my wife's Shih Tzu took it as an indoor pissing contest. I still have that carpet, so I humbly withdraw the complaint. It's still a little stinky on a hot day.

4. You're either a dog person or you're not. I read you as a dog person. The unquestioning, absolute love they give is a very, very good thing. Think about it, you may come around.; 6/19/12, 2:08 PM
FleetUSA said...: I love the stand up desk possibility. I also like it being more a table than a desk with drawers just to gather never to be seen again stuff. I always used a table and when possible got a stand up desk.

Also, nice you have a room with a view. The best environment for working (as well as cleaning dishes).; 6/19/12, 2:17 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: You're either a dog person or you're not

Having a dog, and especially a puppy, is like adopting a child that will never grow all the way up. The responsibility to care for, pay attention to, train, walk several times daily and just BE WITH your dog is huge.

There is nothing worse than having a dog or pet to which you cannot give the proper attention that it deserves. Traveling? Take your dog or kennel? Working all day and gone for hours? Erratic schedules? Indoor confinement? Not enough exercise and mental stimulation?

We would love to have a dog ourselves but are realistic in that it would just not be fair to a dog at this time of our lives. We have a cat. She is much less demanding than a dog but still we are hampered and shackled by what we can do, how long we can go away, having company traumatizes the cat.

Pets are hard and you must be able to take care of them responsibly.; 6/19/12, 2:17 PM
Patrick said...: that seems like a good way to approach it, Shanna. I suppose I could just go and buy a cheap one, but the way I watch TV has changed after discovering Netflix. I basically watch sports (mostly football, because everything else is on cable) and Netflix stuff. Seems like one of those "smart TVs" could be the way to go, but I can stream netflix through the ipod and hook it up to the TV.

Sooner or later, I'll probably have to start paying NFL directly to watch live games. I don't want that inevitability to mean I also have to get a new TV.; 6/19/12, 2:19 PM
Lyssa said...: My baby has fingerprints this week. It's less than 3 inches long, but has teeny, tiny fingerprints, can you imagine? Amazing!; 6/19/12, 2:21 PM
Wince said...: I could never quite figure out if the living space is on the top floor of Meadehouse and the sleep chambers below?; 6/19/12, 2:28 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: After a series of not guilty verdicts, I'm predicting Sandusky will be found guilty on account of being an old white male.; 6/19/12, 2:32 PM
Synova said...: They had the premier showing of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer on the Abraham Lincoln over in the middle east.

That must have been fun. I bet the sailors had a blast.; 6/19/12, 2:32 PM
crosspatch said...: You folks in Wisconsin are a little nutty.; 6/19/12, 2:32 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "For one thing, old movies that you've seen before on TV are like new movies when viewed on the widescreen HD."

It is a wide-screen HDTV. A very nice Sony that works perfectly fine.; 6/19/12, 2:33 PM
Patrick said...: That's cool, Lyssa. Going through that with my wife was really awesome. Heartbeats, squiggles, and with number 3, we also had the anticipation of our oldest, who was very excited. Family is cool.

And yes, I know I didn't go through everything.; 6/19/12, 2:42 PM
Patrick said...: That was a great video crosspatch. Gettin on towards time to crack one open.

Pass me a beer?; 6/19/12, 2:43 PM
MadisonMan said...: Jim Packard has died. I am not going to go for the cheap pun.

I'm bummed.; 6/19/12, 2:44 PM
Curious George said...: "Ann Althouse said...
And we are not getting a puppy.

Even if we were getting a dog, which we're not, we would not be getting a puppy."

Then get a a baby duck!; 6/19/12, 3:18 PM
Shanna said...: Absolutely amazing Lyssa. Are you going to get one of those 3d sonograms? You can actually see expressions! So cool.; 6/19/12, 3:20 PM
Toad Trend said...: I did not spend $1000+ for a power/telescoping desk (those ARE cool) nor did I spend $700 for a chair.

The materials for the desk itself cost me less than $100...I am using filing cabinets for bases on either side. Solid wood uprights support either end of the 60"L x 23"D (4 supports each end) surface. I paid $125 on Amazon for the adjustable (to 34" tall) drafting stool.

My surface is fixed at 44" high, perfect for where my elbows rest and my 5'11" height.

My 23" Samsung HDTV/monitor is at eye level on a 52" tall bookshelf next to the window. The monitor is not visible looking in the window from the outside.

Total cost about $200 and a couple of evenings rearranging the office and fabbing/mating the wood pieces.

Great idea and thanks again for the inspiration.; 6/19/12, 3:30 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: Sports bars are good places to compare tv screens too.; 6/19/12, 3:47 PM
edutcher said...: Except for the fact that The Blonde is by the window and I'm by the door, a very similar set-up.

Ann Althouse said...

Believe it or not, the carpet, which is white, is more than 20 years old.

Fortunately, you don't have The Blonde's brothers, who think it's very macho to track up a house when they're doing "man" stuff.

And we are not getting a puppy.

Even if we were getting a dog, which we're not, we would not be getting a puppy.

Just a river in Egypt.

Keep it up, Meade. She's weakening.; 6/19/12, 4:09 PM
Meade said...: Ed, when I become so disabled that I can no longer express my deep affections and my undying devotion, and when I'm no longer competent enough to conceal carry and protect her 24/7, only then will she need to replace me with a dog.

Meanwhile, as I've said before - heaven is other people's dogs.; 6/19/12, 4:26 PM
Meade said...: Oh, except for the dog three houses down that bark bark barks every morning at 5:30.; 6/19/12, 4:27 PM
Patrick said...: Think of 'em as an alarm clock, Meade.; 6/19/12, 4:32 PM
Patrick said...: Kind of like my neighbor's Harley. 6:30 a.m., like clockwork. Guy never misses work.; 6/19/12, 4:33 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: My husband spends all day standing, climbing on top of things, climbing down into holes and back out again, lifting heavy stuff,kneeling to do plumbing, reaching over his head and contorting his body, crawling into places that no man was meant to go or wants to go to fix and install stuff. Walking back and forth between his service truck and the job sites for parts and tools. Sometimes 10 or more hours....all day.

If I suggested that he should stand up while cruising around on the internet, I doubt we would be able to stay married.

:-D; 6/19/12, 4:35 PM
edutcher said...: Meade said...

Ed, when I become so disabled that I can no longer express my deep affections and my undying devotion, and when I'm no longer competent enough to conceal carry and protect her 24/7, only then will she need to replace me with a dog.

Meanwhile, as I've said before - heaven is other people's dogs.

Sir, no man can be replaced in his lady love's eyes; and a dog would only provide early warning, not protection.

What interests me is that Mrs Meade still finds it necessary to deny an addition to the family.

A simple LOL would do nicely.

Have fun this summer.; 6/19/12, 4:51 PM
Meade said...: "What interests me is that Mrs Meade still finds it necessary to deny an addition to the family."

Heh. Oh, trust me, there is no denial that additional grand-nieces, -nephews, and -children will always very welcome.; 6/19/12, 4:59 PM
bagoh20 said...: Mental treadmills
That's what I see.; 6/19/12, 5:11 PM
m stone said...: Something about side by side spousal work spaces bothers me. I need mine as a male. Do wives not?; 6/19/12, 5:20 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: That looks like a nice setup but there's a guy standing right in the middle of the thing totally photobombing your presentation.; 6/19/12, 7:12 PM
Mel said...: Lyssa, as a mom of four, let me say your amazement and joy are just beginning. It is very cool that Baby has fingerprints at 3 inches, though.; 6/19/12, 7:25 PM
Moose said...: Chip - he's there to adjust the desks...; 6/19/12, 8:35 PM
Saint Croix said...: I'm still in the vagina trap! Help!; 6/19/12, 9:04 PM
ByondPolitics said...: What's the point? The power cords are hideous, the carpet is stained and worn, the beams are dusty, and the curtains drag on the floor. Is this picture supposed to convey that you're too busy to care about how dumpy this is?

I suppose some people turn an old sleeping porch into a barely finished living space but they don't often post it.

What's with the fugitive slave act poster? It's an odd thing to promote when you're sending the message that you're too busy for basic upkeep.; 6/19/12, 9:04 PM
Meade said...: "What's with the fugitive slave act poster? "

It is part of American history. I was doing some research.

Thanks for taking such a close look at the photo and scrutinizing every detail. Yes, there we are in all our stained worn dusty hideous dumpiness. We'll try to tidy up a bit before we have you over, so as not to annoy your delicate sensibilities.; 6/19/12, 10:04 PM
David said...: Shanna said...
I love the desks looking out the windows. Have you thought about doing anything about hiding the cords?

Slap!!; 6/19/12, 10:20 PM
Meade said...: What cords?; 6/19/12, 10:23 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Those are cool. Much better for the back, too.; 6/19/12, 10:29 PM
Shanna said...: What cords?

I realize this was last night, but I was talking about all the computer cords. Maybe it's a personal thing, but I would probably try to find a way to hide them, if I had a room with all those windows and everything so exposed.; 6/20/12, 8:46 AM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: I must agree with Shanna about the cords. There are plenty of nifty things on the market now that could contain the cords so that they don't distract from the pretty view.; 6/20/12, 10:12 AM