Writers' Rituals

JD · Post by JD » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:50 am

The serious writing usually doesn't take place on the sofa - but it's still early yet!

When I worked, my employer was very good about all aspects of health and safety. We had two members of staff (who had been trained accordingly) who would come round and assess our work stations. They would tell you if your PC monitor was positioned .02mm too high or whatever. If they could only see me now!

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:15 am

Sounds great. Did you have an on-site massage therapist, too?

Elizabeth Ann West · Post by **Elizabeth Ann West** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:22 am

Celeste--- too funny we use the same machine!

Others: WOOHOO nice to see I'm not the only member of the current writing generation who doesn't long for a typewriter and a musty old study...

and we all write anywhere thanks to wireless.

Ed: I don't, I have a tray I use, or I stack my laptop on books. When I start to feel strain, it is a HUGE sign it's time to go visit my lizards and feed them grapes (my husband laughs at me, he says he's never seen anyone try to feed lizards before, but I looked up what they eat, and if I leave out smashed grapes they come eat it). Plus, my eyes usually go before my hands, I played piano for 8 years, not much ergonomics in that!

Always Smiling,
Elizabeth

JD · Post by JD » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:28 am

"Sounds great. Did you have an on-site massage therapist, too?"

Funny you should ask because at one stage there was talk about asking the massage therapist we used at our conferences to come into the office in the lunchtime for the staff. She gave those 10-minute back and shoulder massages you don't need to strip for. I think we were, on the whole, a fairly happy bunch of workers

.

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:29 am

I have to use peripheral everything, even though I have a laptop. I have a special desk that keeps the screen up high so I don't hunch and the keyboard at the right height. Now I'm just looking for a great desk chair that won't cost half my yearly wages.

I don't have a lizard, but when I begin to feel strain I'll take my dog outside, experiment in the kitchen, or go pull weeds. Will your lizard eat weeds? I can send you a year's supply.

Elizabeth Ann West · Post by **Elizabeth Ann West** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:41 am

I can't have a dog, well, my husband and I are not getting a dog because we know we will be moving again in three years to who knows where. Plus, we are trying for a baby right now, and if I know good ole' Murphy's Law, I'll end with an infant and a hyperactive puppy. Not my idea of fun.

All of my pets must be outside critters, which is fine because our property backs up to protected wetlands in South Carolina. There are lots of lizards, birds, ::gulp:: snakes, and alligators to observe. No alligators in my backyard, thankfully, but we did see a 5 foot one on our canoe excursion in Old Santee Park, about 5 miles from my house.

When Vincent comes to visit, my stepson, he will have a ball this summer finding lizards, toads, etc. He's the kid in Texas who at the age of 3 picked up a scorpion in his hand and wasn't stung. He's like a little Dr. Doolittle or something..... but I'm keeping him away from the alligators...

JD · Post by JD » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:42 am

Small boys are good for stuff like that. When my sister lived in Thailand her son was very useful in getting rid of the frogs that would come into their house.

Ed · Post by Ed » Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:46 am

I'm wondering how long one has to keep used coffee filters "safe"?

Celeste Stewart · Post by **Celeste Stewart** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:59 am

I'm wondering the same thing

. Fortunately, they are only used in the sense that she took clean ones and got them wet.

Ed · Post by Ed » Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:10 am

Oh, good. Hahah. Much harder to keep if they were used for coffee.

AThompson · Post by **AThompson** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:04 am

[quote="Ed"]How do you mitigate the un-ergonomic posture that the laptop requires?

I am waiting impatiently for the day when laptop with a vertically adjustable screen is available.[/quote]

The Toshiba is particularly unergonomic? I am not acquainted with it...

AThompson

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:30 am

I'm not, either, but I doubt it's more ergonomic than any other laptop/notebook. But once I met a guy who used his Palm Pilot for all his writing. I don't think anyone here is doing that to themselves? I hope?

Ed

Celeste Stewart · Post by **Celeste Stewart** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:12 am

I use my cellphone keypad to text every single word...

jk

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:22 am

You're even more amazing than we all thought!

Elizabeth Ann West · Post by **Elizabeth Ann West** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:47 am

For Christmas, I want the laser keyboard that plugs into my Helio, and you simply "type" on the table or nearest hard surface. I think it is amazing!!! They are still a little expensive, but by far the coolest gadget I've seen awhile. Plus, it seems like total scifi to type using a virtual keyboard....