It only took me 7½ months to figure out that a tiny bedroom desk was not big enough for me to work from.
I really hate buying new things when I am transition (remember I am still in a temporary 10 month housing arrangement) for fear they will not work in the next place. I would rather chew glass than go shopping! It’s not that I am cheap–I don’t mind spending money, but I HATE wasting it!
I’m not sure what finally convinced me: the bricks under the legs, or the glass top shifted so one-third of it is precariously hangs off the desk to give me more work space. How else am I going to fit a big flat panel monitor, keyboard, mouse, stapler, pen and pencil holder, US VoIP phone, local fax/phone, PDA cradle, and big hunk of quartz that Jimbo gave me which I have turned into an icon holder?
Or, it might even be the bruises on my bad leg from trying to find a way to fit it under the desk and between the legs of the desk, the opening of which was obviously custom fitted for a 110 pound (50 kilogram) Abuelita (granny).
Yesterday I had enough–I bumped the Staph wound while trying to get it out from under my makeshift workspace. After making an unkind suggestion to the Almighty, I decide the time had come.
The call went out to Julio, my favorite taxi driver, not only because he is a really good guy, but also because he drives one of the few models big enough for me to get into without buttering up my side and using an oversized shoehorn.
After telling Julio what I t wanted, and supplying him with a picture, we head off in search of big game, or was it a big frame?
Julio suggest we go to Géant, the local version of Wal-Mart, but I had looked there once before. So he pointed the taxi towards Avenida Italia and off we went.
I should note that Avenida Italia is one of Montevideo’s two main east-way streets. It is chock full of stores and you can pretty much find everything along Avenida Italia except nuclear weapons.
We stopped at the first mueblerÃa (furniture store) we encountered. Julio went inside and told them what I wanted–they couldn’t help but they told us who could.
Off we shot west on the Ave and about 15-20 blocks later we came to the places suggested. Again Julio jumped out and checked for me. He came back and said at least two of the places were possibilities. I unfolded myself from the front seat of the taxi, foregoing the usual block and tackle, Julio dragged the wheelchair out of the boot, and in we went.
The first thing that amazed me was that, though the front of the store was not very wide at all–and I am really sensitive to all matters of width–it was very, very deep. Within 15 seconds, I espied something I thought would work. Then it took five minutes to rearrange the furniture so that I could get to it.
It was perfect, strong, the right dimension, and even in the light wood I prefer. The best part was that it was modular, and I could buy the pieces that would fit now and add more when I have breathing space after my November move.
I asked a few questions, and within 5 minutes had ordered 3 pieces. I do not go shopping–I go buying! I bought a small desk with two side drawers, a computer desk and a hutch, all for U$S308, including tax and delivery. Two pieces will be delivered today, and to the great chagrin of the store manager, the hutch will not come until Monday. That didn’t bother me, but he seemed very unhappy about it.
Julio was amazed, I was satisfied, and starting today the bruises on my leg can begin to heal.
