Monday, September 19, 2011

The Great Stude Makeover

I moved to California four years ago, three days after I graduated from a liberal arts college in Kentucky.  A wonderful friend had found me a job as an actress at a small, touring theater company, and even though I knew next to nothing about the Bay Area or San Francisco or moving across the country, I accepted the year-long contract, packed a couple of suitcases and hopped on a plane.

The result of this quick move, and the potentially definitive end point of my contract, was a rather nomadic lifestyle.  In four years, I have lived in no less than five apartments (YIKES).  I have boxed and unboxed and Salvation Army-ed more times than I can remember. Because of this, it has taken me a long time to get okay with buying nice furniture.  Why make the investment if a another cross-country (or even out of country) move was a distinct possibility?

But this September marks my two year anniversary in the Most Wonderful Apartment Ever.  I realized that I am happy as a clam and that I'm not going anywhere for a while.... and, most importantly, that my desk totally sucks. 

EXHIBIT A: The Suck-Desk


This desk was found abandoned three years ago on Florida Street.  I have been dragging it around with me ever since. The left leg sometimes collapses, the "shelves" are cavernous, the horrifically pointy edges have been known to rend flesh, and there's not enough room to WRITE in a NOTEBOOK.  If you're thinking, "But didn't you just get an MFA in Creative Writing? Isn't that a like, big freaking problem?" you have connected the dots more quickly than I, apparently, was capable of doing.

Yesterday, my dear friend Myla and I journeyed to IKEA, a trek we do not make alone for fear of never returning. With her help, I picked out, purchased, and excitedly brought to The Stude what would be its first AMAZING NEW DESK!

EXHIBIT B: Build O'Clock


So, this took a pretty long time to build. And the IKEA instructions definitely said (or rather "depicted") that one should not attempt to do this alone.  But guess what? I emerged triumphant and now my desk is a veritable Poetry Command Center. I may never leave my apartment again.

EXHIBIT C: This Desk Does Not Suck At All

15 comments:

Danny said...

This is my new favorite blog post!

Word verification: thica. Far too lame for this ultramod post.

Erika Lee @ A Tiny Rocket said...

woohoo yah new desk :) I have been eyeing these ikea curtains and might just pull the trigger.

Kyla said...

Woo-hoo for new desks! I have a desk from that same IKEA collection in the black and white too..such a great investment. It fits perfectly in your space, and happy 2-year anniversary in your apartment! :)

Anonymous said...

That is way cute! I love it! You will definitely be productive in your new workspace, and you won't risk any fleshwounds ;)

I know how you feel- this summer was seriously the first summer since I graduated high school that I didn't move. I have lived way too many places! It has been so wonderful to be in the same place for a while! Congrats!

♥ Nadine said...

Let the poetry flow... :) I like your desk, it looks totally cool. That was a good investment, clearly.

Enjoy your week, darling. xo.

Suzy Marie said...

Fabulous!

elledoubleyouu said...

What a great desk! I'm so happy for you (and quite a bit jealous).

♥ LW

Bucho said...

i'm a big fan of this, especially considering i don't even have a desk upon which to write. i'm a little jealous right now.

Anonymous said...

Greetings,
Thanks for your comment on my blog! Always fun to meet new "blog" ladies. :) and thanks for looking at my costumes.

Your blog was fun to read as well.
I enjoyed looking over your posts while sipping a cup of hot chocolate.
Yeah!! new desks are awesome. and I second the happy 2-year anniversary of the apartment. :)
Look forward to your new posts.

punkychewster said...

nice! i love ikea because it makes us women look smart! we can build too you know! (even though it might take us hours)

btw, i tried looking for that NPR tic tac toe article, but i couldn't find it. do u happen to have the link?

Halley said...

Oh! Fantastic. It's all about the setting.

Unknown said...

fab! there's nothing like a new desk and one with so many cubby holes and nooks to tidy and organise, sigh..... i'm such a nerd.

glad you feel settled, for now anyways. ;)

Annika said...

oh how I love my ikea desk!!! Writing girls like big writing spaces and this history girl adores her huge attached bookshelf!! <3

A Sweet Release

chantilly said...

wow!! that's an amazing story... you're so lucky to have gotten that contract! congrats on your desk! xo

Anonymous said...

Definitely a cute space! Woohoo! I love Ikea and I spy with my little eye a purple headed Blythe girl. Love it! :) California is my dreamland. I was born there :)