Home Geek'dm (Geer, Gadgets, & Grub)

Browsing one of my favorite websites, TED.com, I came across author Sam Martin discussing how the building of his backyard writing space sparked his interest in “manspaces” nationwide. I’m uncertain as to how the term “manspace” applies, as my experiences have shown the need for personal space is independent of gender. Nonetheless, I found the video interesting and relevant for writers who are “carving out” their place in this world with ample room for GADGETS…I hope!

via http://ted.com

If you’ve seen Kung Fu Panda you know that the key to the "secret ingredient" is just to believe there’s a secret ingredient.  So if you’re going to have your morning cup of java or tea, why not transform it into "screenwriting fuel" with this cup from Zazzle.com.  Let it be a constant reminder of your screenwriting goals in 2010. 

Buy Here: $13.95

The folks at OfficePOD believe the ability to work from home is a trend that’s here to stay.  I think their product is ideal for writers with a backyard and who are in need of "space" to write.  You wouldn’t think twice about a shed for housing the lawn tools, a greenhouse, or playhouse for the kids, so why not an office pod?  So often writers find themselves carving out work space at the kitchen table or on the couch - only to be interrupted by the kids, the dog, the telephone or solicitors banging down the front door.

There’s lots of benefits for corporate too, such as reducing commute time, more focused employees, etc, however the OfficePOD would be absolutely ideal for writers seeking solitude and a special place designated solely for the depositing of their brain droppings. The OfficePOD is energy efficient and designed in great part with recycled or recyclable products. Each pod is delivered and constructed by a specialist team and measures approximately 7′ x 7′.  To date, this brilliant idea is only available in the UK for £14,950 ($24,273).

[click to continue...]

I love to skeet shoot.  The number one rule to remember is: Think small, aim small, miss small.  In other words, instead of aiming at the entire clay pigeon, aim for a piece of it.  It narrows your focus and heightens your chances of success.  How the hell does this equate to a tranquil writing bungalow in the woods?  Put a sock it in - I’m gettin’ there!

And back to my center of peace…

Me: Well, what’s stopping you? 
You: That thing we call “dinero” with lots of “muchos” on top. 
Me: How do you plan on obtaining this muchos dinero? 
You: After I sell my blockbuster screenplay and rake in the 15 points on the back-end of the contact.
Me: Sweet.  But isn’t it the calming affect of the bungalow by the brook that helped you create that blockbustin’ screenplay?
You: Uh…yes.  Listen, is this going to be a chicken and the egg thing?

[click to continue...]

Leather and technology are an odd combination, mixing old world with new age.   However, Restoration Hardware has put together a handsome combination of the two eras in the form of a steamer trunk office.  When I came across this desk piece I thought it might be ideal for some of our readers. Writers so often love the nostalgia of  traditional  office settings, but don’t want to be fettered by antiquated technology. 

The Mayfair Steamer Secretary Trunk is a reproduction of an antique steamer trunk with over 3,000 hand-hammered brass nail heads.  If your main room doubles as an office and entertaining space, you can literally close up shop, allowing for privacy and additional room for guests.   Window placement in your loft or house might cause "glaring issues" with your computer screen at certain times of the day.  The Mayfair Steamer stands on wheels for easy mobility - so you can position your office away from the sun, the kids, or your spouse???  

Price: $3995

I came across these typewriter key coasters while placing an order with one of my favorite online catalogs - Sundance.  Each coaster is stamped with a courier font letter of your choice and encased in glass at $8 a pop (two or more $7 each).  Order your favorite letter, piece together initials, or get creative and spell out something like LOVE or DREAM or QWERTY. These coasters would make the perfect gift and fit the decor of any writer.

It’s pretty typical that people who love to write often love to read; and people who love to read can serve up some scrabble "woopass".   The Scrabble Premier Collector’s Edition from Restoration Hardware is so gorgeous your writer friend will likely dig out her old Scrabble set for routine play and reserve this collector’s edition for the well-heeled crowd. This is one of those thoughtful gifts that will never be forgotten.

Price:  $169

Smart Furniture takes an innovative approach to  a  staple in office furniture - the bookshelf.  There’s a lot of creative artistry that goes into book cover design, so why not display your books as…wall art???

The base of the Concealed Floating Bookshelves tuck indiscreetly between the pages, offering the appearance of a floating stack of books.  I can imagine an entire wall covered with floating books. Each shelf is made of powder-coated steel.  The large wall-mount is $11.50 and the small wall-mount is $8.99 and holds the same weight.  There’s your conversation piece; now just add wine.

If you want to mix it up, Smart Furniture also offers what they call a Flybrary.  Much like the  Concealed Floating Bookshelves, the books are suspended to the wall with invisible shelves, but the spine faces up.  Priced at $30, the Flybrary is engineered to hold up to 20 lbs.  For those of you taking a modern approach to your office setup, these creative bookshelves might be just the right touch.

I wrote at length about the advantages of netbooks for writers several months after these gadgets first stormed the scene. With the current state of the economy, the Founders’ Blog is getting more and more inquiries about the capabilities of these new computers. In response, I’ve taken the time to graphically depict what a productive office setup might look like as it relates to gadgets/technology and the netbook.

Let’s quickly eliminate a few skepticisms about netbooks. While a netbook is not as powerful as a laptop, it is adequate for a writer’s needs. Can a netbook run MS Word? Yes. What about Final Draft? Yes. Movie Magic? Of course. Writers have it easy - we deal with text, the whole text and nothin’ but the text. And netbooks are perfectly capable of running text-driven applications. I do caution a few things: before buying, make certain you purchase a netbook with at least 1GB of ram if it’s running Windows XP and at least 2GB of ram if it’s running Vista. Keep pictures and music to a minimum unless you are using the netbook to transport the files to the web. [click to continue...]

May is just around the corner and graduations are nearing.  Need the perfect gift for that English Lit grad leasing a new apartment or that quick-witted screenwriter finishing up film school? The Atelier polished task lamp is a memorable gift that sends the perfect message: Your future is bright. 

For those middle of the night "bursts of brilliance", gift them a journal or notebook to keep beside the task lamp.  I love the Jenny Bick refillable SMILE journal.  Just click on your task light and jot down your thoughts. 

Lamp Price: $229      Journal Price: $29 

Embody by Herman Miller

One of our most popular articles has just received an update.  Click here to find more ergonomic chairs to help increase your productivity, as well as updated links and a peek at the all new Embody chair by Herman Miller.  

A company out of Oregon called Woodfold has created one of those Maxwell Smart-products that is very appealing to almost any geek’s palate.  If you have the means (residential setup) for this product line, I highly envy you.  Imagine it - your own hidden writing sanctum. 

Woodfold’s Bookcase Door System serves two functions: it’s a bookshelf and an entryway to whatever lies beyond its bounds.  Perhaps it serves as a portal to a safe or a paint-splattered art studio. My personal favorite is a secret writing den where you conspire writing the next James Bond sequel or the next great Da Vinci Code.

In June of this year Founders’ Blog posted a very popular article about ergonomic chairs. What followed were numerous emails asking detailed questions about specific models.   The article was written to encourage writers to invest in their health when setting up a home work environment, not so much to profess ourselves pundits on the subject of ergonomic chairs.  Nonetheless, we’ve gone ahead and gathered a handful of videos on the internet that showcase some of the features of specific models. We are happy with the response to the June article and again want to encourage all writers to invest in two things: good computer equipment and a great chair.

Chris Pirillo uses the Grahl ergonomic chair and explains the importance of investing in a high quality chair.

Thorough review of the SwingSeat - very innovative product. Try it out and if you don’t like it, you get your money back including S&H.

Difficulty finding a BodyBilt video that showcases the entire chair. One of the best features is the seat - modeled after the old, farmer, tractor saddles.

[click to continue...]

There is an insightful article over at Guardian News and Media which has researched the working spaces of 68 famous writers. Within the article each modern writer elaborates on their choice of space, furniture and gadgets. Posthumous articles by various journalists cover the work spaces of writers such as Virginia Wolf and Rudyard Kipling. It’s interesting to see some of the geek’dm, and antiquated work spaces used by the best.  

Having just posted an article myself about the best ergonomic chairs for writers, I offer Sarah Waters (Author of Tipping the Velvet) the prize for best chair.  She also has several maps plastering the walls which qualify as art in my office as well.  Charles Darwin’s Victorian digs surprised me, as I expected to see a bunch of dead specimens in jars and carcasses hanging from the wall. 

Check out  the article and see where the musings of many great writers have taken place.

Sarah Waters’ Writing Room

I’m not sure if I want this alarm clock, but I do know that I need it.  Yep, I am one of those perpetual snooze-button-hitters.  My alarm goes off on my Blackberry at 6:00 am every morning and I hit the snooze every ten minutes until 6:50 am.  That’s no longer possible with Clocky. 

This geeky little wheeled alarm clock started out as an engineering student’s project to wake her up.  How does it work?  You set your snooze time anywhere between 0 and 9 minutes.  Clocky will allow one hit of the snooze button before he shrieks and rolls away.  He works on both wood and carpet and can jump up to three feet!  Want to turn Clocky off?  You must get out of bed and chase him down.  How’s that for curing (or annoying) us Snoozers.  Rise and shine!

Clocky comes in various colors with a price tage of $49 and is sold in multiple locations such as Think Geek. 

Grahl Synchron 5

UPDATE: Videos - Best Ergonomic Chairs for Writers 

UPDATE 2: Refreshed Article December 5th 2008 with better links and more chairs. Plus, check out the all new Embody chair by Herman Miller.

This article has become so popular that we are going to continue to update it and post the updated links on the Home page, linking back to the original article. Godspeed in your search for the perfect chair!

————–

Every writer should invest in two things – good computer equipment and a great chair.  Forget the desk. A desk just holds stuff.  I don’t care if you use two barrels and slab of oak to create a desk. As long as the height is conducive to your body type. 

It’s 2008 and people find themselves sitting in front of a computer all day long, including writers. Unfortunately, proper seating can be the last thing writers think about.  You pick the cheapest or the prettiest chair from your local IKEA or office supply store and you live to regret it.  Invest in your health and give your body the proper support it needs to create that blockbuster!

Things to consider when buying a chair:

• Free range of adjustable motion (height, seat, back, arms)
• Upper and lower lumbar support (executive series)
• Adjustable headrest
• Durable material (it’s a long-term investment)

[click to continue...]

Well, we are gearing up for the 25th Anniversary of the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival.  The Festival takes place here in beautiful Temecula, CA this weekend – June 6th through the 8th. 

Come and join us for musical entertainment, wine tasting, hot air balloon shows and rides, a kids fair, arts & crafts, exhibits, and food.  The wine tasting (yes, I know… I already said wine tasting), features premium wines from numerous Temecula Valley wineries, as well as others from Southern California.  LitCentral would love to see you there!

And for those of you who love gadgets as much as we do, even when it comes to wine there’s geek’dm to be had. I  have already reserved the babysitter, and placed my order for the coolest, craziest, most Tim-the-Toolman-Taylor corkscrew I have yet to see -  The Wine Ratchet Magnum!