In which I periodically remind myself to get out of bed and work at the table
In work, as in life, I prefer to stay in–bed, that is. The more work I have to do, the more time I spend in bed, bringing all the reading and writing I need to do with me. Needless to say, the situation is far from ideal. I like closing my eyes when I think, and if I close my eyes while reclining in bed, then inevitably my mind slips away from the sentence I’m trying to construct or the argument I’m trying to iron out and I end up sleeping on the job, and the sleep is no good at all, not when it translates to limbs contorted to fit into what little space remains next to the stack of books, the laptop, and the breakfast-lunch-dinner tray, not when I wake up to another book ruined, its cover creased and its pages crumpled because of my literally falling asleep on it, and yes, not when it means no work gets done.
And so, the table. I’ve had productive relationships with tables through the years–when I sit before a table with the books, notes, and food I need arranged before me, I find that work gets done (or at least, sleep is harder to do). After years of getting by without one, I finally have a table for work at home. Now if only I can make that daily choice not to bring my work to bed and instead bring my self to the table.
My table at home in Albany, NY. Of course I tidied up before taking the photo. I have yet to learn to resist moving all the stuff to bed with me by the end of the day.
My table in Bellagio, Italy. I wrote two-thirds of one book in one month at this table, which came with free food that I didn’t have to cook myself, a lovely view, and time away from my day job. Apparently, luxury can make me extremely productive.
My office table, UP Diliman. Lots of cutesy stuff to amuse me while plodding through stacks of papers. I’ve eaten many years’ worth of pansit from the canteen downstairs for lunch at this table. Hmm, gusto kong kumain ng Katag pansit!
My table in my favorite NYC coffee shop. Spent lots of time with Foucault and Melville here.
nakakatuwa mam na problema niyo rin pala yung librong nayuyupi dahil nakakatulugan sa kama hehehe–at namimiss niyo po ang Katag pansit!
Di ba, nakakainis!?!? Pagkatapos mong pagkaingat-ingatan, mahihigaan mo lang pala, hahaha. At oo, miss ko na ang pansit! Yan lang forever ang kinakain ko sa Katag. Minsan nasisingitan ng giniling, pero minsan lang talaga yun mangyari!
hahaha remorse the morning after! i try to remember to stuff it under the pillow before i fall asleep. but gets ko yung coziness ng bed littered with books
at I agree yung pansit ang safest best sa katag ‘wag na nating pag-usapan yung mga pasta 
hope you’re well mam!
Onga Katag pansit lang talaga ino-order mo haha
HEEEY. Volume 3 of Poems for the Millennium!
Oh, sorry, it’s not pala!
Jedi & Mabi: yes, Katag pansit loyalist ako. Minsan may token tingin-tingin pa sa ibang pagkain, pero pagdating kay ate, mauuwi lang rin naman ang order sa pansit!
Andrew: wala pa akong vol. 3! We’re using volumes 1 & 2 in avant-garde class with Joris next semester (at mukhang last class na pala niya before he retires so tamang-tama ang dating ko dito, haha). Gusto ko icollect-them-all ang Avant-Garde & Modernism Studies series ng Northwestern U Press!
“(at mukhang last class na pala niya before he retires so tamang-tama ang dating ko dito, haha).”
You always have great luck with timing, no, C? See you soon (hopefully)!