Tuesday, January 22, 2008

What's on Your Desk?

I thought it might be fun to show you what my desk looks like on a typical day and ask you post a link to a photo of your desk.

To the left, you can see my desk, and if you click here, you can see a larger version, but it's high-resolution, so don't click if you have dial-up.

Can you spot the following items (roughly from left to right)?

A galley copy of Beyond the Reflection's Edge, an empty glass, my laptop computer, a stack of post-it notes propping up my laptop because it overheats, nail clippers, partially unwrapped Hall's cough drops, a pen, an open envelope, a pad of blank checks, a wallet, a paper clip, chapstick, the checkbook where the blank checks belong, a thumb drive, a video camera, my monitor with my favorite photo of my favorite person, a spider on top of the monitor. a wireless keyboard, bookmarks, a weather station that currently reads 37 degrees, a cup with pens and pencils, two Duracell batteries, blue-handled scissors, a wireless Microsoft mouse, bottle of water, various receipts, a brown box, and two bottles of vitamins.

People sometimes say that your desk reflects your character or personality. Is that true? If so, what does my desk say about me?

How about your desk? Post a link to a photo and give me a list of things to look for. No fair cleaning up before you take the photo! Then we can psychoanalyze you.

I hope some people will do this. Otherwise this will be a waste of time. Invite your friends to come here and post a link to a photo. Post your desk on your own blog and link back to mine. Let me know you did it, and I'll post a comment on your blog. Maybe we can start a desktop blog tour and make it spread throughout the Internet.

Okay, so I dream big. No matter what happens, let's have some fun.

32 comments:

Sapphira Adi said...

My family and I don't have a digital camera or anythingm but does taking a picture with my camera phone count? I will see if I can figure out how to put my photos on the computer. We'll see! Plus, you've already commented on my blog, but another one won't hurt:)

Bryan Davis said...

Sure. A camera phone photo would be great.

Levi Wolstrom said...

I can take a picture, but I've been looking for my camera cord for over a week. Eventually there'll be a picture posted...wait! I think I have one.

It's an old one, but not much has changed (except it's a little bit cleaner).

Here's the link:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/ljgledhill/Pictures/HPIM0237.jpg

Anonymous said...

This is my desk!

i22.photobucket.com/albums/b334/legossi/IMG_4973.jpg

With the pretty horse background.

Unknown said...

But I don't have a desk...:(

Levi Wolstrom said...

Maybe you can take a picture of your work area, then?

That might not go over too well, though.

Unknown said...

Well, even though I don't have a desk, I do use my kitchen counter as a desk, so I've taken a picture of that and will be posting it on my blog. paischaros.blogspot.com

This will be the first time you've ever posted a comment on my blog :D

Unknown said...

BTW, my supervisor gave me the OK to take a picture of my desk there. So when I got to work tonight, I'll take a picture, then I'll post it on my blog when I get home :)

Amy Jane (Untangling Tales) said...

Well, from the sample represented here I'm one of your oldest readers.

I did a desk post on my blog.

With family duties, etc., I've only gotten through your first two books so far, but I've really enjoyed them.

I really appreciate seeing Christian writers with talent being willing to work in "entertainment" even when it doesn't look like traditional ministry.

It's very encouraging when I feel a pull in the same direction.

Shane Deal said...

Well here we go:

http://sjdeal.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Hey, OoF bookmarks. I didn't know they made those.

Very well, here is the desk at which I currently reside:

http://hafling.googlepages.com/morerandom081.jpg

Or rather, the whole room. Just so y'all can get the full effect. (Though no camera can capture it properly.)

Stuff that may or may not be visible: A copy of Prince Caspian, Muse magazine, physics homework that was due a few days ago, various maps of China, a box that says EVAPORATED MILK but has not contained that milk in any form since 1994, old photos, three monitors (most of which don't work), several language learning CD-roms (never used), Jesus videos in various languages, and of course...papers...

[Actually most of this chaos is my dad's. Really, truly.]

Araken said...

Okie dokie (I love saying that!) here's my desk, hope you can see it under all the clutter!

http://loveoffiction.blogspot.com

Bryan Davis said...

Ithilien,

You win the prize for the most clutter! It looks great!

Shane Deal said...

Oh absolutely. I love clutter. :-D

Anonymous said...

My desk after some hard writing and drawing my desk normally has a Bible, a sketch book, my writing notebook with some pencils, and my word document for the book I'm writing. Not too clean but it's good enough so that I don't get in trouble for leaving my stuff around. Sorry I couldn't see it to you through this post so I'll send through and email. :)

Unknown said...

Ok, I just posted pictures of my desk at work! Have fun! paischaros.blogspot.com

Nuntius said...

Adelvan here. See my desks there: http://nuntiusmuses.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-entry-is-reply-to-bryan-davis-post.html

Roheryn said...

hm... this one doesn't have a desk... *ponders*

I could take a picture of where I normally sit on the couch, and viewing into the rest of the living room... since that ish pretty much what I can see when I'm on the compy...
tomorrow... or rather, later today

Anonymous said...

I am not entirely sure how to post a picture on here...
hmmm
Can someone give me a few tips?

Unknown said...

Here is a pic of my desk(s)!
http://s97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/narutofreak1456/My%20desk/

Bryan Davis said...

Justin,

Great photos. Of course I love seeing the Enoch's Ghost poster there!

Araken said...

Hey all, just thought I'd update the URL to my desk pic.

http://loveoffiction.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-desk-if-you-can-call-it-that.html

Leto Granger said...

Well I have a desk, but I am a neat freak so all it has on it is a computer, and a WWII model airplane I built. It's Not really worth taking a picture of, but most you need to take desk clean up 101. How do you even get work done?

Holli said...

I should take a picture of my desk. *snickers* It's a disaster.

Anonymous said...

I think your desk says that you're busy. With you wife on your desktop, I think she motivates and encourages you.

Heh, so uh...there you are. =D

Holli said...

I would say your desk says you're prepared. Fitting, I think.

Here are two images of my desk. The URLS are broken up.

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/
j134/BonnieSilver/Desk%20and%20Room
/?action=view¤t=DSCN0040.jpg


And:

http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/
j134/BonnieSilver/Desk%20and%20Room
/?action=view¤t=DSCN0039.jpg


My desk is covered by:

A NIV Bible and an NKJV; my journal; a small box that I keep jewelry in; my water bottle; CHOSEN by Ted Dekker; The Two Towers and Return of the King; the seventh book of the history of Middle-Earth; a writing notebook; a Latin notebook; printouts; an Algebra II notebook; a planner; my camera; my cell phone; by TI-84 graphing calculator; AP Exam Study Guides for English Literature, Biology, and World History; an envelope; pens, pencils, and highlighters; folders and notes from my writings; my laptop.

Against my desk I have a pile consisting of an Amazon.com box and text books, with notebooks. Beneath my desk is a power strip with various charges plugged into it, a basket that holds more text books and binders, as well as a slew of Latin materials. On my chair is my sister's Hello Kitty blanket.

Bryan Davis said...

Holli,

Your desk looks great. And snow in the background. Nice touch. I wish I could arrange for that here.

Holli said...

*snickers* I know. The winds and weather change as I will them. Isn't it great? ;)

MangyCat said...

Okay, Legossi pointed me to your post, so I had to jump on the bandwagon. I posted mine here: Mangy's Project 365

As for your desk...I think it says that you need a bigger desk. Perhaps with some shelves above it. ;o)

Amy Jane (Untangling Tales) said...

I forgot to analyze you!

My first observation is that you must not have any small children. Lots of "tantalizing" items *way* too close to the edges: scissors, an easy-open pill bottle, an easy-open water bottle right next to your mouse and keyboard (would make me nervous).

Also, I'm sure having a "weather station" in lieu of a window means *something,* but I'm not sure what.

The post-it propped laptop means you're frugal/practical, and the odds and ends (nail clippers, scissors, chapstick) means you don't like interruptions, but little things still distract you.

What I mean by that is, it looks like dry lips/broken nails (boy, that sounds petty) will distract enough from working that you have handy what "fixes" them, but (even if you had to go fetch the item) it's too much bother to return it.

And you work on things as they occur to you. You will start a new task before the previous is concluded, evidenced by the checks not-in the checkbook (which I don't see, but you mentioned) and the half-unwrapped cough drops.

And there is space between your desk and the wall, so you're probably willing to interact with someone as you work, or at least don't expect to be distracted often with other people's needs while you're on-task.

Any of that match?

Blessings on your day.

Bryan Davis said...

Amy Jane,

You're right on most points. Our youngest child is then, so that explains the dangerous items. The weather station is for temperature. I can look out the window to see if it's raining, but I can't tell how hot or cold it is.

I am frugal and practical. Right on that one. I don't mind people interruptions, but I prefer not to be interrupted by minor issues, explaining the proximity of many items. Yes, I am easily distracted, so it's good to make those distractions as short as possible.

I do usually finish one task before moving to the next, but I leave things in what some consider an unfinished state. I don't feel the need to put the checks back in the book or tightly seal the cough drops. Those tasks were done.

You're right about the space in front of my desk. I do enjoy people interruptions, and I'm glad to see any family member who wants to come and "distract" me. They can do that anytime they wish.

Good analysis!

Unknown said...

Just now saw this. I'll have to take more than one picture, as my set-up is...bizarre. Then figure out how to hook my new camera up and show off photos. Bwahaha.