So anyone who's met me in person knows I'm tall.
Very tall. I learned my height in cm in Mandarin before I learned it in English, since we use Freedom Units in the US, as 196cm, or 6'5. With a body like that, it's hard to find ergonomic desk setups.
So it's been no real surprise that I've gone through two desk arrangements now, as well as two chairs, without finding something truly sustainable. Either my wrists are sore from being at one angle, my lower back is angry from one chair, or my shoulders and neck are angry from one desk. And the most frustrating thing is not knowing what's wrong. Is the chair too low? I could probably find bigger casters. Is the desk too low? I could get something to prop it up on. Is my keyboard too far back or too close? I can move it, and find a wrist support if I need to. But no combination of things I've done has actually had me able to work for more than an hour or two without getting really tense and sore.
I've run out of time I feel like is worth trying here in Plovdiv - I'm only here for one more month, and then it's off to the next place. So I'm going to just kind of suffer/limp through for now, and when I get to Batumi, try some other setups. If I can find a set of IKEA furniture that really works for me, then I'll just get that at every place I stay from here to whenever. That'll be a nice easy solution, and it's not something I'd be too loathe to spend at each place since it'd make me more productive by reducing how many breaks and stretches I have to do.
Anyway.
In the studio where I first started pole dancing, they had a term, "pole kisses," to euphemistically describe the bruises you sometimes get from training. It's odd to me, but despite training in Colorado for a few months, I didn't get my real first pole kiss here in Bulgaria. I assume there are more to come as I continue training.
Also, it was only a day or two ago that I actually noticed what the welcome mat to the apartment cluster I live in said. And I found it charming.
I've talked before about the limited soda options here, but I'm not sure I ever provided evidence of how Fanta variety thrives but not much else.
And finally. Enjoy this pretty tree
No idea Fanta had so many flavors. The flowering tree is so cool. What does it feel like - the leaves and the flowers? So neat that you are noticing the flora and fauna there and sharing it. Good for you for your continued training. I am guessing it provides a pretty decent workout and hopefully a way to connect with some people and share life with some folks. I wonder if someone in the pole class would be able to advise some exercises that might help "work out the kinks" as a result of chairs and your height and all? I was just telling a friend about your adventure and they thought it the coolest thing and were quite envious of the adventure, the hutzpah (sp) and actually doing some things so different and outside the norm. Finding time for the flute? Sounding better all the time? Same old same old here. Rainier than usual, getting brakes done with an oil change this week and ... drum roll, please...going for a drive this week (meeting our friend in Denver for lunch). Lunch with Martha and her friend, Grant, from Lake City today at Centerra. We have really hit it off with Grant over the couple weeks he has been at Martha and Doug's and the Lake City area (near Creed) is so cool (especially if he will have time to be tour guide for a bit when we get to southern Colorado which we figure we will give a shot in the next 3 months some time). Highway 6 (instead of going thru the tunnel one can go over highway 6 and past maybe Loveland ski area) was closed for a time yesterday into today, I think) and all due to an avalanche. It would be exciting to see as long as one wasn't in its path. Things about the same here. Spending a bit more time at home - especially since can't get the brakes dealt with for a couple more days. It's been good. Basement kind of like a living room now and will set up a card table so playing games or putting a puzzle together or whatever when it gets hot upstairs. Flute sounding better all the time? Finally some folks staying at the Overlook (first time this season) so we are glad for Dean and Nancy that own it. Work on the tank site continues but not near the traffic we were having. The road has had most of the holes filled and I am sure a better job to be done once more completion of the system work. Done with the run on. Love and miss you! Look forward to another phone call some pre-arranged time.
ReplyDeleteLate lunch with our friend Michael in north Denver area this week and not much else going on.
Hey...
ReplyDeleteI would think there would be some online advice on measuring height and angles etc for the ideal ergonomic set-up. Says the person who knows not a thing about the topic.
I was invited to a pole dance birthday party. I should have known it was a bad idea but I went and I was the worst of all the attendees.
Sodas.... In Israel they do not allow any added food colors or additives. That may be an exaggeration but overall true. That's the only country I have even a hint of an idea. Kennedy is planning to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes. There may be protests by children.
Lastly an item I actually know about. I believe the tree is a Mimosa tree. We have them here. I don't know that anyone actually sells them and I don't see many.
Eileen
Hey Luke, I appreciate your updates and enjoy your writing style :-)
ReplyDeleteI've worked remotely for many years now. Best thing I ever bought was a simple IKEA desktop with adjustable legs, and a decent office chair with pneumatic height adjustment. Of course I'm not 6'5 so it's probably easier for me to get comfortable.
Some time back I thought about 'upgrading' my home office and found a nice traditional desk with drawers etc. But when I got it set up, I had to lower my chair so much to fit under the middle drawer it felt like I was sitting on the floor. The desk was quickly returned.
One more pro tip (even though you didn't ask) is a glass chair mat and a set of those 'roller skate' wheels for your office chair. Glides like a dream :-)