mardi 18 janvier 2011
While I was gone in Thailand, my office went through an internal rearrangement. Now, instead of being in the biggest room overlooking the square with two other people, I am all by myself in the meeting room, which overlooks the inner courtyard of the building.

Our office is the entire first (that is, second to you Americans), and it does a complete circle around the inner courtyard and staircase.

I often went there to escape the accordionists, but as I didn't have my computer nor desk there, it was mainly just to read in quiet.

(view from the entrance of closet door on left, my alcove, and door to toilets/kitchen/rest of the office)
Before, the alcove was used as a hide-all with a screen in front hiding an old air conditioning unit, some ladders, and two old broken cupboards. Where is all that stuff now you ask? Who cares! Didn't you hear me when I said "I have my own office!!!"?
When the opportunity to move came around, I immediately thought of this spot. Actually, I had thought of it before, but didn't dare suggest it.
When discussing how to arrange my desk in the meeting room, I suggested the small alcove (which I had previously measured just in case).
My desk would fit perfectly, and we would be able to keep the big table there.
The only problem is that the phone and Internet connection are on the other side of the door. Oh well.
(picture from my desk of printer, entrance, heating/ac unit, and coat rack. Windows overlook the inner courtyard)
Before leaving for Christmas, I packed up all my belongings and put them in the closet in the left in this picture, so that the movers could easily dismantle my desk. I hung this picture up. It is a wedding gift, "Chateau en Provence". The colors go perfectly.

When I came back, it was quite a mess and took me about a day to straighten everything out. But now I have: my own entrance, my own heating/air conditioning unit (which becomes an issue when women share office space with men), my own printer, easy access to the kitchen and toilets, a cupboard for all my books and folders, and, most of all

PEACE AND FRICKIN' QUIET!


I never thought I would say this, but it is almost too quiet. I feel somewhat isolated. Good think I am an Engineer and thus anti-social by nature, but still.


I bought a sound card and speakers for my computer so that I can listen to music quietly while I work.

It took me a bit to get used to being in this new space. I had spent almost 3 years where I was before, (started February 4, 2008). Started humming to myself "Nobody likes me, everybody hates me...."


So if you come in the building and hear someone bouncing off the walls saying "Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!" It is probably yours truly. But all in all, I think the move will be good for me. I also need to gain some independence and confidence.



(And I'm already thinking of it as "Megan's Office" not the "meeting room".)


Oh, and what has happened to its usage as an actual meeting room you wonder? There will be a smaller table put in my boss's office (the biggest room where the three of us once were), and this table is being kept where it is. If there is a company-wide meeting, it will be in MY OFFICE, and if they ever need to use and me to be ELSEWHERE, I'll have to go elsewhere. (Though hopefully not near the accordionists nor in the toilets.)



PS The police of Aix will be quite glad I moved too. I called them every single time the accordionists, or their sister/daughter violinist played, which was pretty much every day.
Everybody wins!


PPS Come to think of it, I think I am the opposite of claustrophobic. I like small, enclosed spaces. I especially hate the feeling that someone can sneak up on me. This should be perfect for me.

5 commentaires:

Toulonnaise for a while a dit…

Congrats! Pretty funny you called the police every day. Linda

Michel a dit…

Congrats on the new private office; hopefully you won't be pushed out for meetings very often.

deedee a dit…

Every time I see that accordeonist, I think of you...and I've seen his violin female side-kick around a lot, too. I swear the same guy begs outside my church on Sunday mornings (or it's his look-alike).

Starman a dit…

Talk about having your cake and eating it too.....

Norwegiantage a dit…

yay we're in opposite situations, maybe ull enjoy reading my blog as much as i have enjoyed reading yours so far :)

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