Putting things in order
After several years of contemplation but while too ill to undertake such a project, I've had an image in my mind of how my work space/computer lab/library might be arranged.
I've done it! If that isn't sign of growing health I don't know what would be. The project was awesome in its complexity. Not only did it mean hauling down books off the shelves, but many went into boxes for temporary storage while gathering up accumulated dust, discarding "Why did I ever keep THAT?" items, then trashing one set of shelves (broken chipboard), moving another thee-shelf unit to the living room (a radical improvement in that corner), then moving every one of the six surviving bookcases into a different array.
The move opened up a 38"-plus space along the north wall where the end of my 8' table top I made years ago in Idaho could be fitted over the two-drawer file cabinets, the old computer table dismantled and removed, the file cabinets moved (requiring removing heavy drawers to do so), then resetting all the computer equipment onto the 8' table.
I didn't get the files in the right place--I need to move them over about a foot, meaning pulling the drawers again (arrrgh!), shifting all the heavy computer parts to the right end, moving the first cabinet from underneath the table, then doing the same in reverse to move the other cabinet leftward.
The present array, however, looks marvelous, neat, organized, and now allows the move of the cedar chest (after it's unloaded, by two muscular men, not presently in evidence) out to the living room under the big window.
THEN, my "bed" (a recliner) can come in here, and be out of the LR. I've lived, ate and slept in that recliner for four and a half years. It is high time the LR revert to a non-hospital atmosphere without someone sleeping there.
What an improvement this is all making. I feel alive, in reasonable control of my space and life for the first time in years, and Dorothy is delighted to see this happen.
Her son, Jim, said yesterday, "This looks wonderful! Why didn't you do it years ago?"
I would have loved to--but wasn't up to it until now. The logistics and planning of the step by step evolution of spaces and the occupying accumulated books, computer materials, music, piano, connecting cords and the like took a whopping amount of work, just cogitating. The implementation of the plan was simple in comparison, but aye-yi-yi what chaos ensued.
Now I have room to build the upgrade for my computer. This has involved the purchase of a new case and motherboard, CPU chip, memory module and hard drive. That doesn't leave much to make it the full computer--a 3 1/2 floppy, the CD-RW, then I'll move the SoundBlaster Live 5.1 (the version with game/midi port on back) to the new unit, and later, get a quality graphics/video card. The MB has both sound and video on the board, but the midi connector for the digital piano isn't there, so I'm moving the card that does have it.
All the programs need to be loaded from scratch to get "clean" copies installed. I'll have to transfer all the other files (downloads, saved items, "My Documents" and so on) via CD, meaning I've got numerous CD's to burn.
Parts of the new unit are here, the others due to arrive April 5. I've got a lot to do before they get here. So what do I do? Get sick, play, put off. Oh well, it will happen, eventually.
Now! If it all works, I'll be much speeded up and hopefully happier with how things work.
I've done it! If that isn't sign of growing health I don't know what would be. The project was awesome in its complexity. Not only did it mean hauling down books off the shelves, but many went into boxes for temporary storage while gathering up accumulated dust, discarding "Why did I ever keep THAT?" items, then trashing one set of shelves (broken chipboard), moving another thee-shelf unit to the living room (a radical improvement in that corner), then moving every one of the six surviving bookcases into a different array.
The move opened up a 38"-plus space along the north wall where the end of my 8' table top I made years ago in Idaho could be fitted over the two-drawer file cabinets, the old computer table dismantled and removed, the file cabinets moved (requiring removing heavy drawers to do so), then resetting all the computer equipment onto the 8' table.
I didn't get the files in the right place--I need to move them over about a foot, meaning pulling the drawers again (arrrgh!), shifting all the heavy computer parts to the right end, moving the first cabinet from underneath the table, then doing the same in reverse to move the other cabinet leftward.
The present array, however, looks marvelous, neat, organized, and now allows the move of the cedar chest (after it's unloaded, by two muscular men, not presently in evidence) out to the living room under the big window.
THEN, my "bed" (a recliner) can come in here, and be out of the LR. I've lived, ate and slept in that recliner for four and a half years. It is high time the LR revert to a non-hospital atmosphere without someone sleeping there.
What an improvement this is all making. I feel alive, in reasonable control of my space and life for the first time in years, and Dorothy is delighted to see this happen.
Her son, Jim, said yesterday, "This looks wonderful! Why didn't you do it years ago?"
I would have loved to--but wasn't up to it until now. The logistics and planning of the step by step evolution of spaces and the occupying accumulated books, computer materials, music, piano, connecting cords and the like took a whopping amount of work, just cogitating. The implementation of the plan was simple in comparison, but aye-yi-yi what chaos ensued.
Now I have room to build the upgrade for my computer. This has involved the purchase of a new case and motherboard, CPU chip, memory module and hard drive. That doesn't leave much to make it the full computer--a 3 1/2 floppy, the CD-RW, then I'll move the SoundBlaster Live 5.1 (the version with game/midi port on back) to the new unit, and later, get a quality graphics/video card. The MB has both sound and video on the board, but the midi connector for the digital piano isn't there, so I'm moving the card that does have it.
All the programs need to be loaded from scratch to get "clean" copies installed. I'll have to transfer all the other files (downloads, saved items, "My Documents" and so on) via CD, meaning I've got numerous CD's to burn.
Parts of the new unit are here, the others due to arrive April 5. I've got a lot to do before they get here. So what do I do? Get sick, play, put off. Oh well, it will happen, eventually.
Now! If it all works, I'll be much speeded up and hopefully happier with how things work.