new work digs

I've been lusting for a new desk for several weeks now. mareklamo and I originally went to IKEA in search of one, where I settled on the galant corner desk, but we quickly discovered that we couldn't fit it into our car. We were told that IKEA could put it on the roof of our car, but with a 90 mile drive to Bellingham ahead of us, we opted not to do it, returning it for a refund instead. So since then I've been thinking about that desk, trying to figure out a way to get it up here. Today, I finally gave up and drove to Seattle, had them strap it to the roof, and drove back to Bellingham via state highways, figuring that if anything did happen it would be less catastrophic.

The part that wouldn't fit in the car was the desktop, which was wrapped in a cardboard sheath -- the rest went in the back seat. The guy tied the desktop down so thoroughly that I had no doubt that everything would be just fine.

But I didn't count on the rain, and what cardboard does in the rain. So about halfway to Bellingham, the cardboard started melting, and everything got a lot looser and started sliding around a bit. Everytime I heard a thump I pulled over to the side of the road and reassured myself that no catastrophic failure was imminent. I plotted a route back to Bellingham that would minimize my exposure to traffic, choosing to skirt Lake Whatcom, which lies east of Bellingham. Unfortunately, as I was traveling along that road, nearing the home stretch, I saw a sign indicating that the road was closed ahead. So I reversed course, traveled south and away from Bellingham, and then finally turned west towards the bay and north again towards Bellingham.

I arrived home, lugged the desktop and the rest of it indoors, ate dinner, and then assembled it, making me the proud new parent of a nice big work desk.

Now all I need to do is, um, work.

Drat.