Der Kabelsalat A Post Holiday Reset with maximum foot space
Our apartment gets more resets and tweaks by the square foot than a major downtown office building. After we packed up the holidays this week, some furniture was moved. We exchanged Joey and Chandler's matching recliners in the living room for our black leather sofa from the office. The dog fully approved of this move. The dog, with so many options for sitting, has taken up residence where one of us would typically sit—the dog's prerogative. Even with the dog hogging up the best seats, moving the sofa is a big win. With the recliners, I missed having the dog lay against me on the couch so we could all three watch a movie and the dog could get both daddy's pets simultaneously.
Morning hunt for squirrels and Ikea
Let me say we have a rule about furniture from the street. Just say no. However, the street treasure gods have been generous with the end-of-the-month move-outs in our hood. Today, the dog walked me by a piece of Ikea Malm furniture on the curb. First, I said no. Then I realized it matched what we already had. I was not so keen on the 4x1 Malm shelf Itself. Although it is small and versatile, we have a two-part guide to follow when picking apartment furniture that is small and multifunctional. This Malm can lay on its side like a coffee table or on end like a tall bookcase. I was hot and bothered by its pair of double-drawer units, an option the previous owner had added. It was worth it to get the drawers. I told myself if nothing else, I could use it to stage the studio we have to rent next month.
I dropped the dog at home, decided I still wanted the Malm, and drove around the block to pick it up. If you still want something enough that you are willing to go back for, it's a good sign. Once I got it home, it fell into place next to my desk, and all the things on the floor under my desk now have a cubby. With all the kit off the floor, my desk was scooted back as part of my husband's yet unrealized quest to create more walking spaces. The double drawer units went to the second room/office/music. Our dog has the best nose for hunting curb treasure.
"If I were you, I wouldn't pull that thread."
That gave my husband the idea to square up our sofa, tables, and chairs to make room for walking around and pull one of the recliners back into the living room. We needed more seating because the dog had decided to occupy where a person should be sitting.
Der Kabelsalat
The German word to describe the mess of cords behind the TV is Der Kabelsalat. We don't have that word in English. It's odd because I am sure we have the same problem, if not worse, here than in Germany. I was meant to sort my knot of power cords behind the desk today, but opportunity knocked, and now I have new furniture. Besides, with the sofa now living in front of my desk, you can't see my mess of cords. Problem solved.
What am I reading this week?
This is a short story prequel to A Galaxy's Edge.
Waiting in storage for years, pondering his past mistakes and the 88 lives he failed to save, a robot is pulled from storage by its former commander and awarded the nation's highest military honor and something more. Most of the book covers how the robot is pressed into service as a medivac pilot, although it is long past its prime and not well-regarded by regular soldiers. It does the math and sacrifices itself to save a few more troopers from peril. It was a quick read at the gym on Tuesday, but I look forward to starting the Galaxy's Edge series.