I’ll say up front that I haven’t, in fact, had a quiet word with God about a career move, although what with the way the last week has gone it wouldn’t surprise me that if I had a sudden new love of dogma, kneeing and a much reduced reading list (OK, actually this would surprise me a great deal but I digress).  This week has been an eye opener.  Three things happened:

• I cleaned out my desk.
• I brought a new motorbike.
• I had lunch with an artist at his studio.

These things aren’t related really except that I thought they would be really different than how they turned out and I guess that they showed me that I hang onto things for too long – stay with me here – this isn’t another metaphysical rant about being mental about stuff.  No this is more about loyalty to the object (Note to self:  This is a good writing prompt).

My desk was full of stuff.  Much of which is now in the “charity box” or the dustbin.  I’m getting a new desk at the end of the month – a sit stand desk from Conset.  This doesn’t have draws, hence the need to thin stuff in my desk because it will have to be stored elsewhere.  I’m really looking forward to getting this desk since I expect it to be the catalyst to working more on design and code – my cramped position has been really taking it’s toll of late and so I’ve been avoiding work.

My new bike – a used 2005 R1200GS in mental yellow.  Wow.  I wasn’t riding much because my old R1100R was past it’s best, difficult to start, unpredictable and not really happy going under 50mph.  I was therefore down to a few days a month on it.  The riding position was also cramped so again with the back pain.   The new bike is big, starts first time, is smoother than glass and doesn’t care what speed it goes.  I, so far, am riding in every day.  I should have done this ages ago.  I was luck enough to get a good deal and it hasn’t put up my insurance as much as I’d feared.  I also get more miles to the gallon and as a bonus the car park fees my Joe job employer charges are now set to double each year for several years, but motorcycle parking is not only free, it happens to be right near my office.  Yay!  Do I feel righteous now?  Yes I do.

Finally lunch with my artist friend.  That was great.  He’s a really nice guy, interested is load of diverse things and also interesting to listen too.  His studio wasn’t full of half finished paintings and cheesy drapes but a spacious and intelligent workspace suited to the work he does.  In that respect it is just like mine.   Very inspiring.   Somehow he empties my head in the same way I’d emptied my desk.   I already have several idea’s going on for the inaugural project for my new workspace.