The Great Office Trek II – The Curse of Too Many Dictionaries

A little over a year since the previous Great Office Trek, we received the call once more. This time we would move from building again (hey, it’s a huge company) and I would receive a new cubicle. On Friday I quickly packed all my things from my desk - realizing at twelve that I needed to be packed up by two. (Somehow the time passed much faster than expected while I was still scurrying around after the long weekend off.) So, with three boxes, a bubble wrapped computer and everything having my name taped all over it, I left for the weekend and looking forward to seeing the new offices. Not actually having to carry all my dictionaries two blocks by myself was simply delightful as well.

I had opted, however, to take most of the dictionaries home (where the preciousss would be safe for two days) and realised just how many books were actually crammed into the space next to me. I think some of them might have just appeared there – I couldn't remember when exactly it was that I decided I need my bilingual Oceanography Dictionary with me. But, in my defence, I had used it a few times. This meant taking only those I use the most back to the office on Monday.

Photo by Michal Zacharzewski 

Reaching the new offices – which are very nicely decorated in bright colours – I realized that I am not tech savvy. I take twice as long as anyone else finding the little box-thingy where you scan your access card. The taps in the bathrooms have buttons – buttons which look as if they should be on the Enterprise. I think I would have preferred the taps on Serenity – somehow I think I would be able to work those without looking like an idiot. But, I guess in a few days’ time it would all be second nature. I'm really holding on to that thought!

Our desks are new-ish, which means seeing more of your neighbours (which I like, thank goodness), but also means that there is a whole new desk to decorate. Yes, I said decorate. For some reason my brain seems only to be able to focus on my work if my desk isn’t the “proper empty desk with computer, phone and one file”-state you see on most brochures. I need colour, I need quotes and photos and, an action figure or two will also not go amiss!

 For the time being my bookcase is on the other side of the office, but I will take that as a reason to get at least slightly more exercise. Tomorrow the rest of the pile o’ books will take their place on the shelves and I will definitely make sure that anyone who dares to touch them without permission will be eaten by a thesaurus if a raptor cannot be found. Language Practitioners are like that.
Now… just to find a place to hide my coffee and tea stash…

In other writing news
I had one of those amazing epiphanies during the weekend when a lot about the world you are writing in (or building) becomes clear. I had known for some time that the stories of Airthai which I am writing at the moment are a build-up to more and more of the history of a changing world. I love the idea of taking one sliver of the time and telling the stories of the people of that specific time period – for instance the stories around the Midland Wars. I also got a clearer picture of the earlier history of the world while sketching out a map. (I still cannot get the flow of the story of “The Dragon Seeker” quite right.)
For Worldbuilding Wednesday (tomorrow), I will have a bit more of the history polished for posting.
I am also working on a shorter piece, which I hope to have finished by the weekend. At the moment I seem to have so many ideas! I think I should just make a list and randomly choose one to work one!