What’s On YOUR Desk?
Jan 11th 2008
Sabrina JeffriesWhen Goddesses Fall To Earth
Seriously. I’m talking about those things you accumulate on your desk (or dresser or kitchen counter, for those who don’t have desks) that either
a) Show your personality
b) Don’t seem to have a place
c) Make you feel good or special
d) Serve some weird, specific to you, practical purpose.
I don’t mean stuff you need for work—staplers, pens, lamps. I’m talking about the adornments. The desk jewelry, if you will.
My writing desk is tiny (my huge office desk won’t fit in my only window, and I like to write in the window), so I’m limited, but I still manage to have the following:
Category A: a Jane Austen action figure, a tiara given to me by the Avon Ladies for work on the website, and a pirate Mickey Mouse
Category B: two twist ties and the plastic doohickey that popped off the desk
Category C: A stuffed pink monkey keychain with Raji’s name beaded on it (he was in Only a Duke) from Elsie Hogarth, the teddy that came with the basket my agent sent when I hit the NYT print list this year, a gigantic coffee cup and beaded bookmark from Caren Helms Crane, dragon and Simpsons bookmarks from pal Suse, and a Shakespeare action figure from hubby (Will S and Jane A are dating, although there’s a serious height and head size discrepancy)
Category D: flower-handled tools (I always seem to need tools), post-its with “Sabrina” imprinted on them, batteries for the wireless mouse and the headphones, fingernail polish, a penny for switching out my Mac batteries, pretty coasters, reading glasses, coffee cups and water bottles (always). And the gigantor magnifying glass that I use to consult my Compact OED.
So what about you? What desk jewelry do YOU have? Does it change? What does it say about you that we should know (because we’re nosy and we don’t want any surprises when you pull out an Uzi on Mount Oly)?
82 Comments »
82 Responses to “What’s On YOUR Desk?”
Cookiedough on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:34 am #
I’m sad! I don’t have ANY desk jewelry.
my desk is in the foyer of my apt, the only place big enough for it and my “stuff”. Surounding it are paintings my sister has done, a framed photo of my parents in the 1940’s and my ever present rescued-at-Christmas cat. She likes to sit on my desk, behind it at the window, or her new spot, leaning her head against the white hot radiator while laying on the floor among my shoes.
Karen Hawkins on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:35 am #
Ohhh! I love this topic!
My desk:
a) Show your personality - a stack of pictures of me and my kids that I want to put in an album one day, but probably won’t, but will still enjoy flipping through them and grinning like crazy, and some antique ink wells and snuff boxes (I collect ‘em).
b) Don’t seem to have a place - stacks of old manuscripts. I’m afraid to throw them out so there they sit.
c) Make you feel good or special - a mask from Venice and my two Best Book of the Year awards from RWA.
d) Serve some weird, specific to you, practical purpose.– two hundred types of post-it notes. I use them to plot, remind myself of changes I want to make, make nots of great plot or character ideas, and more. I loooove them and have a gazillion shapes and sizes.
And yes, it does change . . . just not very often!
I think it says I’m messy and eclectic and very unorganized on the surface, but my drawers are spotless.
Wait a minute. That doesn’t sound right. Well, you all know what I mean. Heh!
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:17 am #
I am glad to know that your drawers are spotless, Karen. I couldn’t bear the alternative.
Thanks a bunch, Sabrina. Now I have to clean up my desk just to determine what is on it. I’ll keep you posted if I come across anything that shows my personality.
cail on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:23 am #
a) Show your personality- my pictures of friends and family and my Yankees calendar and Yankees plastic hat cup that i keep cough drops in
b) Don’t seem to have a place- some handsoap. no idea why its here.
c) Make you feel good or special- a few stuffed animals that were given to me by different coworkers, some post it notes that friends wrote on and stuck in my cube, some christmas cards that i haven’t gotten rid of yet
d) Serve some weird, specific to you, practical purpose- my rice bag, which i heat in the microwave and put on my shoulders when they get achy, my rubix cube which i play with while on conference calls
Lisa H on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:26 am #
My desk doesn’t have any drawers, its just a writing desk. My favorite thing on it is a tiny little dish in a tiny little stand that says, “I’m so glad you’re my friend” given to me by my best friend Dawn.
I also have a framed picture of Captain Jack Sparrow, a Captain Jack Sparrow action figure I received from my son on Mother’s Day last year. He said to me, “I was gonna get you Will Turner too so you could have them fight each other.” I responded, “That’s okay honey, I only wanna play with Jack.” heh heh. And a large cup from when I went to see pirates of the Caribbean III with Captain Jack’s beautiful face on it.
I also have a small silver heart frame that I won at the RWA Conference in NJ that has a picture of my 11 year old son holding the two year old son. It is very sweet.
I have a dictionary and a thesauras and many, many post it pads!
DebMarlowe on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:36 am #
Oh, fun!
a–Tons of pictures of my family. In fact my youngest sometimes asks to come in so he can look at all the pictures of himself.
Also a gorgeous pop up Regency xmas card I bought in London
b–a bunch of tablets and legal pads for when I want to write longhand and a toille (sp?) notepad too pretty to write on.
c–several useful and pretty containers and little boxes given to me by Sabrina, and Caren Crane. The things that make me feel special are mostly on the walls–the gigantor map of London that Liz Carlyle gave me, pictures I took in England, the print of the Lake District that Claudia gave me, the Regency fashion wrapping paper that I turned into a poster and the GH Finalist/First Sale ribbons from last year’s RWA conference that I put on my bulletin board.
d–the weirdest things in my office are not on my desk–my heaters, because I write in a shed
MarthaH on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:45 am #
So, as I sit at my desk and look around my office - it’s covered with all kinds of stuff. I happen to adore the Marvin the Martian & his canine companion K9 cartoon characters and I have all sorts of items with his image on them .
As well, I’m a Pez collector and I have them set out all over. My favorite set is the Pink Panther with Inspector Clouseau along with the Ant & the Ardvaark.
I also collect sand from some the beaches I’ve visited on holidays. I have sand from Hungary (Lake Ballaton), Hawaii, St Thomas & St Martin.
Most people who enter my office are often quite surprised by what they see. So what does that say about me? Who knows? Even I don’t understand me sometimes.
Karen Hawkins on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:00 am #
MarthaH, my long lost sister! I have a gazillion Pex dispensers, too! I made Christmas ornaments out of mine, and oh, the kids love them. Did you see the Disney Princess head Pez dispensers? I sw them at Toys R Us before Christmas and had to indulge.
And since you didn’t seem to know; Pez collecting says that you are beautiful, intelligent, and have a whimsical sense of humor.
MarthaH on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:07 am #
Thanks Karen
I’m penciling in a trip down to Toys R Us for tomorrow. HHMmm Christmas ornaments you say? What a fab idea!
Gillian on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:10 am #
My poor desk….hubby was remodeling upstairs, and a huge pile of “overflow” has made it into my office and of course the desktop.
I have a reproduction banker’s lamp, box of envelopes, tape measure, calculators, baby toys (even though the youngest in this house is 8!), a painted ladybug rock from aforementioned child, hand lotion, binder clips and notecards.
My biggest pile is torn off pages from my 2008 Mary Engelbreit’s desk calendar. This was a serious mistake! I love her work, and the sayings, so instead of throwing each page away I keep them, thinking I will stick them on my bulletin board ( which is on the floor, leaning against an unpainted wall).
Today’s calendar quote is “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.”–R. Frost
SuzyQ on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:16 am #
Thankfully, we’re only discussing what’s ON the desk and not IN it!
This is a great topic by the way.
a. My Tinkerbell business card holder and a heart shaped bottle filled with fairy dust. A tiny Enterprise, Klingon Bird of Prey and Romulan Ship.
b. A pet Tornado, a little stuffed gorilla, a pile of cd’s (most of which I have no idea what is on them) and a starched crocheted bootie I got from a co-workers shower.
c. Pictures of my kids and family, a pencil holder my DH made me and an award I got from the company.
d. A bottle of hand sanitizer, a bear filled with honey for tea, and a jar filled with sugar packets for my coffee. A coffee cup filled with eating utensils. I also have “fun” pens - a witch’s broom for Halloween, a light-up snowman for Christmas and various feather and foo-foo pens for the rest of the year.
KariE on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:24 am #
a) Show your personality-My pen holder is the only personality showing thing I have on my desk. It is a red M&M character. I’m a HUGE Elliott Sadler fan so it was giving to me back when he drove the M&M’s car. I do have a cork board hanging behind my desk that holds an array of things like key chains from various concerts I’ve been too, Elliott Sadler car stickers, death notices of my grandparents that were made into bookmarks, pictures of my son, and a rainbow of post-its. It’s really rather festive.
b) Don’t seem to have a place-Mike the Moose. I got this guy free when I ordered 2 cans of air. He is a screen cleaner/duster. He’s never comfy in one spot so he gets moved around often. He’s my desk pimp.
c) Make you feel good or special-framed Christmas picture of my 2 nephews.
d) Serve some weird, specific to you, practical purpose-meds/pills in my drawer. I wouldn’t say they are weird but they serve a purpose!!
KariE on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:29 am #
Mine doesn’t really change.
Thanks to Karen H. every time I see someone talk about what’s in their draws, I will now chuckle.
doglady on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:46 am #
a) Show your personality - My purple feather quill pen in the ink stand my brother made for me. My kitten bookends. My laminated copies of the photos of a couple of the FROS guys - you figure out which ones.
b) Out of place - Bobble head dogs, statues of fairies, a tiny figurine of two birds huddled together.
c) Make you feel good - Between the kitten bookends, my personalized autographed romance novels (a couple by the Goddesses thank you very much) A photo of my dh and I. My Royal Ascot finalist ribbon.
d) Well I could say the FROS photos, they are INSPIRING! Nothing else I can think of.
SnikWhite on 11 Jan 2008 at 10:06 am #
My desk has a ton of stuff on it that show my personality…or my kookiness rather. I have two paper lemurs staring me in the face on top of my monitor. They are joined there by a green M&M in a jester’s hat with blood shot eyes and a dried gardenia from one of the field guys. I have a hand woven basket from Guatemala that holds my drugs ie: tylenol, dayquil and cough drops. Under my keyboard is that picture of David Beckham in his underwear, but I did cut out a small kilt and taped it over his you know (cause I’ve determined my future husband will be Irish). I taped only one side so I can sneak a peak when I need to. I have pictures that my daughter colored on one wall, fish that everyone in the office colored and framed pictures of my little girl. Finally I have one liner signs all over the place. My favorite ones that just joined the group: “Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine” and “I’ve stopped listening, why haven’t you stopped talking.”
SnikWhite on 11 Jan 2008 at 10:10 am #
OH also, my brother just returned from a hunting trip and I told him I wanted a souvenir - that didn’t previously have a pulse (seriously, he would have brought me the carcus of some poor animal that lost its life to the hands of an 18 wheeler if I hadn’t specified) but what he did bring me was the feather of a wild turkey and it lives in my pen holder right now with the feather from a seagull that I found at the beach. I did not inquire what happened to the rest of the turkey…though I fear at Easter, I may know the rest of the story.
KariE on 11 Jan 2008 at 10:21 am #
Sniky-At least BroBro didn’t bring you a peacock feather.
Freshechelle on 11 Jan 2008 at 10:33 am #
a) personality - framed pages from Harper’s Bazaar’s fashion spread drawn by the Simpson’s animators, a Simpson’s glass from Paris with Homer saying something in French.
b) Don’t seem to have a place - a ceramic disk Dracula thing (a gift from a co-worker who from Transylvania). God, it’s ugly
c) feel good - a picture of The Nuns, family cats who were sisters who are/were black and white (one has moved on to that big cathouse in the sky)
d) Serve some weird, specific to you, practical purpose - Tiki Time, a toy tiki that when you push his button, drums on two skulls with a background song. We make him play on stressful days, playing it long enough to get to the drum solo.
My other weird, useful item is a rearview mirror for my monitor. Useful when my office layout has my back to the door. Sadly, I didn’t have it the day I heard someone come in who I thought was my office husband. I said “what the hell do you want?” without turning around, it was our humorless president
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 10:36 am #
Sheeesh…what a mess! Here’s what I uncovered so far…Still can’t decide what it says about me, but here goes:
A little statue of a naked cherub sitting on a toilet. It says, “No job is done until the paperwork is finished.”
A 1960 tall glass coke bottle…unopened…so you can still see the flat coke.
Bottle of Ibuprofen.
Tube of Advance Healing Vaseline Intensive Care.
17 yellow highlighters.
A crystal doorknob
NY Yankee Notepad
Pictures of Husband & Son…None of me
World History Text Book that son obviously forgot to bring to school.
A huge make up brush…no make up
Small Teddy Bear…from son’s crib in hospital when he was born.
Lots of AAA batteries…don’t know if they are dead or alive.
A Lord of the Rings letter opener (sword) my son gave me for Christmas with his very own money.
I’m half way through cleaning this desk…will keep you posted….probably with the thirty thousand post its I have on this desk.
Sabrina Jeffries on 11 Jan 2008 at 10:42 am #
Okay, y’all are as fascinating as I thought you’d be. Pez dispensers? Sand? Skull drums? We are definitely a creative lot.
Oh, and Deb, the best thing I got for Christmas was an electric throw (you know, an electric blanket for just your lap). I LOVE IT! I get so cold.
I should have clarified that my main office (not the dinky bedroom I write in since it has the only window) has lovely maps and books and prints and all sorts of stuff. But I still have to have my little “stuff” on my dinky little writing table (no drawers).
The action figures of various kinds and Kari’s desk pimp are free to join MY action figures for a party whenever they want. No sports.
Karen Hawkins on 11 Jan 2008 at 10:51 am #
Uhm . . . doglady, you LAMINATED a FROS guy. LAMINATED him. Encased him in PROTECTIVE PLASTIC.
What and who are you protecting him from?
Hmmmmmmm.
Lisa H on 11 Jan 2008 at 10:56 am #
I used to be Sqwaker…over with the Avon girls and I remember a simaler blog they had. Christina Dodd said she had a wind up walking penis on her desk.
Where does one find a “wind-up walking penis?” Just askin’.
Gannon on 11 Jan 2008 at 11:11 am #
Oh, Lisa, I remember the blog when Christina talked about the wind-up walking penis. That was hilarious!
SnikWhite on 11 Jan 2008 at 11:19 am #
I think I would have had my out little Fresca Shoot if brobro had brought back a peacock feather! LOL would have been perfect!
zambonigirl on 11 Jan 2008 at 11:30 am #
a) A Captain Picard bookmark taped to my monitor, a Mighty Ducks Stanley Cup championship hockey puck, a Ducks ticket to the fancy schmancy seats where we had a waiter called Mike who would bring you a $10.00 burger, an Animal (from The Muppets) air freshener, and a turtle ornament that a co-irker brought from Hong Kong especially for me.
b) No, I throw that stuff away. I’m really bad like that. It always comes back to haunt me.
c) Pictures of my niece and my friends and those other people-er, my family. Also a picture of the Sheriff’s Mounted Unit.
d) Um…two bendy straws with tisnel around them in a firework-like pattern red white and blue. It’s a long story. Shirley Temples were involved. I’d rather not talk about it.
Mia Rose on 11 Jan 2008 at 11:39 am #
Hmmm… you are all so interesting with your desks! Who would have thought desks had become such personality outlets. Since the only thing I have at my desk at work is my betty boop mug/pen holder and a picture of brett favre… I’ll skip right to my home office. It’s my B&W room, so the walls are covered with B&W posters of Elvis, Godfather, Scarface, Goodfellas and more Betty Boop. The desk has random pictures I printed out in a messy stack, tons of random paper piles of outlines, ideas, products, etc. that I’ve printed out. A couple of unique mini notebooks. Next to the notebooks an assortment of markers. I have no idea why. The dark green one is missing because it’s in the kitchen where I could update my Packer season with W’s. I also have 2 boxes of envelopes. A pack of opened thank you cards. a single large paperclip. My heart shaped bamboo. and finally a lantern shaped red candle holder. It’s been that way for months, so I doubt it’ll change any time soon.
Mia Rose on 11 Jan 2008 at 11:40 am #
… and after all that I really don’t know what it all says about me. I need a professional to analyze all that and manage to understand it.
Ann in IL on 11 Jan 2008 at 11:44 am #
My desk is a mess. Here’s what I can see on top.
A Hoops and Yoyo bucket
Wooden spoon and spatula (to distract the baby nephew when he’s here)
A christmas statue
A Halloween statue
Moose mints
box of raisins
sea shell
Christmas cards I did not get sent
6 Phone books - do you get this many? We get 6 every year.
Box of kleenex
camcorder
encyclopedic dictionary
Wire basket full of bills and bank statements
Basket with 15 pencils and 4 pens
3 styles of post it notes
a stack of paper to be shredded
a stack of paper to be sorted to see if it needs shredding
cordless phone
gooseneck lamp
3 AA batteries - I think they’re dead
recipes printed form Food Network
2 catalogs
computer and printer
Kim on 11 Jan 2008 at 11:47 am #
a) Show your personality: 2 M&M phones, 1 M&M street lamp, pictures of my family and pets.
b) Don’t seem to have a place: one stereo speaker that my husband wired in for me to hear music. A Queen of Cuisine hallmark ornament a good friend sent me a few years ago.
c) Make you feel good or special: He’s not here now but Max my kitty. He usually sprawls out on it somewhere.
d) Serve some weird, specific to you, practical purpose: a great big folding “pocket” knife. Its my letter opener *g*
Can I join in the ranks with lots and lots of post it notes? Love them! And well I have an obsession with pens. I have so many that there’s a whole shelf of nothing but boxes and cups with pens.
SnikWhite on 11 Jan 2008 at 11:53 am #
I almost forgot the most important and most used thing on my desk as of late…my assistant went on vacation for 2 weeks leaving me to face both our jobs on my own. Before she left, she bought me a present. Its a panic button. Hoops and YoYo chant to me to stay calm before they change their minds and help me panic. I end up giggling far more than I panic, so either way, its effective.
SnikWhite on 11 Jan 2008 at 11:59 am #
Ann - are moose mints some sort of code for something dirty? cause that’s where I went.
Zamboni- i have to say I love that you have captain picard anywhere on your desk…and more so because you admit it.
Freshechelle - where does one acquire a rearview mirror for the monitor? I truly could use one!! I hate people sneaking up behind me and look like a paranoid freak for the number of times i just turn quickly to check behind me
SuzyQ on 11 Jan 2008 at 12:09 pm #
Snik - I need one of those panic buttons! I love Hoops and Yoyo!
Ronlyn on 11 Jan 2008 at 12:37 pm #
my desk here at work:
A wooly mammoth beanie baby hangs over my comp. monitor.
several framed photos
a packet of Incredibles stickers
a paperclip that one of the patients decorated for me
a panic button that my DH bought me when my computer was fritzing out
a folding fan that a patient gave me (she also gave one to Hillary Clinton)
red nail polish (Cherry Crush actually)
ummm…I think that’s it. that’s all I’m seeing at the moment anyway.
My home desk is more interesting in that it has a couple postcards of some hunky chests, a set of handcuffs left over from an ex bf who was a cop,…stuff like that.
SnikWhite on 11 Jan 2008 at 12:41 pm #
SuzyQ- she tells me she got it at the Hallmark store, and apparently, there are several other Hoops and YoYo trinkets there too. Now, because of a solidarity thing with KariE, I don’t tend to frequent Hallmark stores (ask her about a two legged dog in hawaiian board shorts some time) but i bet you could Hoops & YoYo your way to happiness if you stopped by!
Freshechelle on 11 Jan 2008 at 12:43 pm #
Snik - the mirror was a gift my mom got for donating blood coincidentally the day of the president incident. She said “look at this piece of junk” but I was thrilled by it. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. I’ve looked for them to buy as gifts but no luck. BTW, it is convex so it bruises the ol’ self-esteem to check your lipstick in.
Sabrina Jeffries on 11 Jan 2008 at 1:07 pm #
Love the rear view mirror!!! I want one! Since I write in the window (literally, looking out over my neighbor) and I listen to headphones, I never know when someone enters the room until they tap me on the shoulder. Which of course, sends me into orbit. So, yes, the rear view would be great.
Kim, I didn’t mention the pens, because they’re practical, but I have TWO holders with sparkly pens, markers, red pens, pink pens, green pencils for marking copy-edits … Yes, lots of pens. And quite a few pencils, too. That’s what Will S uses as a staff when he has to fight for Jane A’s honor.
zambonigirl on 11 Jan 2008 at 1:28 pm #
“Zamboni- i have to say I love that you have captain picard anywhere on your desk…and more so because you admit it.”
Is there some sort of Anti-Picard movement going on out there (aside from the Kirk supporters who are ineffectual at best) that I should know of? *Hugs Picard’s bald head protectively*
Ellen-you’re letting me down. I was sure you’d have something insane on your desk. I don’t know what, but I was positive that I’d be cracking up. I feel so disillusioned. *sniffle*
Ann in IL on 11 Jan 2008 at 1:43 pm #
Snik - Moose mints are a little moose shaped tin with sugarfree choc mints inside. From Hallmark this past season. One of my dear friends is a “wheel” at Hallmark in KC, Mo and he sends me all kinds of trinkets. Also, Hoops and Yoyo are my all time favorite Hallmark characters. I have lots of their items.
Dirty???? Where did you go?????? I can’t think of anything dirty connected with Moose mints.
Karen Hawkins on 11 Jan 2008 at 1:51 pm #
Mia, I’m liking the way you mark the Pack’s wins with a green W. I need to start doing that!
zamboni, I’m with you guys on Picard. Kirk was great kitsch but Picard was SEXY.
SnikWhite on 11 Jan 2008 at 1:53 pm #
Zamboni - No need to get protective, Picard is my favorite Star Trek character, some trekkies are in the closet is all, so I love the fact that you openly adore your bald headed bookmark.
Amy - Clearly I need a therapist, but I didn’t read it as mints, I read it as nuts which made my mind go to a dirty place, and that is nobody’s fault but my own. I need to purify that lol
Freshechelle - I would be willing to risk the joker impressions. If you ever do happen across one, let me know. This morning, I was living my life content with sporadic neck spasms to check behind me, now I can’t fathom living without a mirror hooked to my computer…would it be to much to use the old rearview that fell off my old car? HAHA
RachelG on 11 Jan 2008 at 1:53 pm #
As I look around my office, it looks like thieves have broken in and ransacked the place. Wow, how did it get like this? Very embarrassing.
a) Show your personality–my desk is a mess, so I guess it shows that I am totally disorganized. It also shows that I am okay with that.
b) Don’t seem to have a place–The Wedgewood plate I used for research a few books ago.
c) Make you feel good or special–My Rita. The jar of confetti I got at an Aerosmith concert. The bottle of champagne (empty of course) that a friend bought me when I sold my first book. The bottle of Dom Perignon (empty of course) that my agent bought me when I hit the NYT paper list for the first time. My Mark Messier bobble head and the various art project my children have given me over the years. Photo of Mr. G and our biggest dog in an overly ornate frame.
d) Serve some weird, specific to you, practical purpose–My cat’s chicken head hat that I’ve stuck on a candle. When she annoys me, I show it to her
colinfirthfan on 11 Jan 2008 at 2:09 pm #
My office at work has lots of personal stuff - My desk has pictures of my parents, my kids and my DH and i on our wedding day.
I also have an orchid in a crystal that my DH brought me from Singapore.
My whiteboard has a picture of some starwars starfighters that my 7 yr ols drew and I will not let anyone erase (we work around the pictures).
My brown board has lots of Calvin and Hobbes and Dilbert cartoon strips. More kiddy pictures, a small mask from Venice and a shell chain from Maui. Oh also 2 Calivin and hobbes pictures that I drew.
Oh I also have a plant that is just about alive. I have had it for the last 8 years at least.
zambonigirl on 11 Jan 2008 at 2:59 pm #
Definitely not closeted about my Picard love, Snik! Nice to know I’m not alone. Make it so!
claudia dain on 11 Jan 2008 at 4:01 pm #
Oh, rats! Another mini-quiz to show how uncreative and hyper organized I am!
Okay, I’m trusting that I will still be loved and adored (not merely tolerated, mind you) by my Desk Reveal:
Personality: Not actually on my desk, but I have a collection of swords on my office walls. A true goddess is armed at all times.
Out of place: Uh, that would be nothing. Everything on my desk serves a purpose. I have no toys, no mementos and no photos. I have a pen holder, a notepad, a coaster, my laptop, and a book stand to hold my hold-it-all research notebook.
Special: My Aeron chair. I can sit in it for hours without getting stiff. It was a splurge that pays for itself every day.
Practical purpose: a gorgeous magnifying glass that I picked up at an antique store. I need it for my tiny print maps of London.
Do you guys still love me? I swear, I’m creative. I think. Sometimes.
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 4:16 pm #
Claudia, which model of the Aeron chair do you have…gonna buy one!
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 4:18 pm #
Okay…came across one weird thing. Super Pickle. Forgot all about him. It’s a actual sized stuffed pickle with a cape, masked face and the funniest dangly legs you ever saw.
Don’t get me started on the walking vagina I had to bury.
Julia London on 11 Jan 2008 at 4:19 pm #
Claudia, I still love you. Someone has to have a clean desk. Mine is sort of clean.
Personality” A plastic pig in bondage gear that Kathleen Givens brought me from amsterdam. Not sure why, but I took to the pig immediately and stuck all my little Rita nomination pins in her.
Out of place: paper that has no place to go. Don’t ask me what — that would defeat the purpose of having a stack of stuff to get to some day.
special: I have lots of pictures of loved ones around my office, but nothing really on my desk.
Practical: reading glasses. At least three pairs in different styles and colors, because I am vain even when its just me!
Lisa H on 11 Jan 2008 at 4:34 pm #
Claudia - I guess I am throwback to the “bodice ripper” days when the damsel in distress had to rely on the huge and powerful, drop-dead- gorgeous, muscle bound hero to protect her from the villian. I would not collect swords. I believe a goddess needs only low cut, stylish gowns, sheer chemises and satin beaded slippers. Of course she might need a bathtub in which said hero comes upon her unexpectedly and falls in love with her wet lush form…
Ellen - I am not surprised about the super pickle. ‘nough said there! LOL
claudia dain on 11 Jan 2008 at 4:54 pm #
Ellen, now that you mention it, I’m not sure what type of Aeron I have. The regular, standard version one would be my guess. Mine is more than 5 years old and the smallest size they sold at the time. It was a pure splurge—I’ve owned cars I paid less for—but it’s been totally worth it. I am NEVER uncomfortable in it. I’m willing to pay for that!
Lisa, Lisa, Lisa…there are times when a woman wielding a blade is irresistible to an Alpha male. Trust me on that.
claudia dain on 11 Jan 2008 at 4:55 pm #
Julia, I am feeling the love.
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 5:17 pm #
Super Pickle wants to meet bondage piggy. He’s been lonely.
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 5:19 pm #
Hey…wait a minute! We haven’t heard from Ms. Rose today. I just knew it. She got all dolled up for the photographer and decided she looked so good, she didn’t want to waste it. Why, I autta….
zambonigirl on 11 Jan 2008 at 5:41 pm #
Ellen, thank you for not disappointing. My faith in you is restored! Super Pickle to the rescue!
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 5:46 pm #
Just for you, Zambi…oh…and Maschopig
Lisa H on 11 Jan 2008 at 6:09 pm #
Claudia - teach me sensai! I wonder if I have a big enough sword if I could lure Johnny Depp into my office????? hmmm…where does one go for a big sword?
zambonigirl on 11 Jan 2008 at 6:17 pm #
Super Pickle and Masoch Pig-great name for a band.
KariE on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:01 pm #
Mike the Moose will play bass. He’s a chick magnet.
Meg on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:06 pm #
I don’t really have that much personality things on my desk. What I do have though is: some of my Hot Diggity Dog figures, a Jedi Mickey Mouse (kind of like the pirate Mickey that Sabrina has), and a picture of my late husband. Other than that I just have too many bills and papers/receipts that I need to go through and throw away.
And PJ, if you are reading this, I’m a SC gal, too! I live not too far from Charleston.
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:07 pm #
I hope Sabrina’s Pirate Mickey Mouse doesn’t get pished off…he wanted bass.
claudia dain on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:07 pm #
Lisa, it’s not the size of the sword, it’s how you wield it. Ahem.
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:11 pm #
Uh oh…my mind is taking off…I see…I see
Jedi Mickey cutting Super Pickle into easier to manage pickle spears…just so he can sing lead in the band. At the end of their first gig, he goes to Pirate Mickey and says “I AM YOUR FAA THA.”
Band breaks up and MaschoPiggy stays with Super Pickle: she has secretly been into group sex for some time now.
Lisa H on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:25 pm #
Claudia - While I do agree with what you are saying, my motto for the past several years (since the 80’s) is Bigger is Better!
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:33 pm #
Stop with all the size talk….your making Super Pickle self conscious.
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:37 pm #
MasochPig is too hard for me to say…I changed to Mascho…gives same feeling, I think.
zambonigirl on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:42 pm #
I wonder if Jane Austen is a good enough singer to go for lead? Metal bands with female leads are all kinds of awesome. She can be the dominatrix for our little procine masochist.
Johnny Depp, clearly, will need to be a groupie, and I will be the stage hand that he has to shag in order to get a backstage pass. I’m taking one for the team here, people.
Is it 5:00 in California yet?
zambonigirl on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:43 pm #
Argh…PORCINE masochist. Alton Brown is shaking his head at me for misspelling that one.
If you want to call him Mascho, you can, Ellen. As long as he answers you in the way that both of you have predetermined and remembers all the safe words…
I’m loopy. Is it 5:00 yet?
Lisa H on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:45 pm #
Johnny will only be shagging me. I can’t believe how I need to defend him on this blog site! You can have Christmas FROs guy!
Tell the pickle not to worry - Claudia says it’s not the size that counts but how you weild it. That ought to make him feel better!
zambonigirl on 11 Jan 2008 at 7:49 pm #
FINE! Then I get Christian Bale! I don’t want the christmas FROS guy. Wasn’t he in a Santa suit or something? I hate clowns. I’ll take Christian. He’s beefing up for Batman right now and looking hella fine.
4:54 pm…
tick tock tick tock
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:14 pm #
What team players you gals are! Taking’ one for the team. I guess I will have to pull my own weight somehow. Oh I know, I can work the stage door. All other desk toys must get past me to get a piece of….Porky Pie
I just snorted gleefully at my own stupid joke. Gotta go pick up the hubby at the station. Later
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:16 pm #
Porcine Pudding? Ham alama ding dong?
>>cricket, cricket, criket
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:16 pm #
I’ll stop now
KariE on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:21 pm #
cricket
Ellen on 11 Jan 2008 at 8:42 pm #
lol
Judy F on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:11 pm #
a) Show your personality Tweety Bird stuffed animal, a couple of cat beanies
b) Don’t seem to have a place Key chains that I have won or bought with no keys on them hanging off push pins in the cork board.
c) Make you feel good or special: Family and friends pictures. My Brett Farve bobble head. Picture of Me and James Denton
d) Serve some weird, specific to you, practical purpose. My collection of hotties on the other cork board. Its a great pick me up
Sabrina Jeffries on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:16 pm #
Okay, this has degenerated into an ENTIRELY inappropriate discussion about pickles. It’s not right to talk about pickles without me, since I adore them, especially the bread and butter ….
Oh, right. Not food. Well then, back to the discussion!
P.S. Claudia, I very nearly wrote a prediction that you would have a pristine desk with no creatures and stuff on it, but I figured I’d give you the benefit of the doubt. Nice to know I was right.
And we love you for it! SOMEBODY in this group needs to be sane. Just sayin’.
Besides, I suspect the neat-desk people are just too tongue-tied by the horror of “junk” on one’s desk to speak up. Give them time (and a champion), and they will out themselves. I’m sure you’re not alone.
Julia, I WANT a Masoch Pig to stick ALL my Rita pins in. All two of them. Sigh.
doglady on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:35 pm #
Hey, I want a Rita pin to stick IN the Masoch Pig!! Wait, I have to get a book published to do that, right? Okay, I’ll look into that! And Karen as to my “preservation” of my favorite FROS guys. Well, gee, I want to keep them in pristine condition for maximum inspiration, don’t I. SHEESH! Like none of you ladies have wrapped a guy in plastic to keep him safe and sound and around. Right? Right, ladies? HELLO!!!!
KariE on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:44 pm #
I wonder how Karen R’s photo shoot when. Has anyone heard?
Lisa H on 11 Jan 2008 at 9:46 pm #
doglady, if I had Santa FRO’s guy, the only thing I’d wrap around him is myself!
Ellen - porky pie?! I’m scandalized!
FreshEChelle on 11 Jan 2008 at 10:29 pm #
SnikWhite - Google “computer monitor rearview mirror”. I found heaps for you.
Jane Austen Alert - Did you all see that Masterpiece Theatre is showing films of all 6 Jane novels including the Colin version of P&P? Woohoo. Didn’t catch the details on the other versions of her books they’re showing but something to look forward to… Starts this Sunday. Hope this isn’t just a NY broadcast.
doglady on 11 Jan 2008 at 10:51 pm #
Lisa H - SO you guessed one of the FROS I treated to the loving care of lamination! And hey, if he actually showed up at my door I would climb that man like a tree!
UrsulaV on 12 Jan 2008 at 9:20 am #
My buddy Alan always called the area on the desk full of stuff the “geek-o-sphere.”
Mine includes a plastic okapi, a spray bottle for squirting the cat, and sundry other articles of dubious function and virtue.
Ellen on 12 Jan 2008 at 10:20 am #
“Squirting the cat?” hmmmm