“This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” ― Alan Watts

On Saturday I had to go into work to meet a couple of contractors, one to deal with some computer issues and one to measure the curtains.

They both showed on time and did what they needed to do.  Actually, the tech guy came, did his job and left.   The curtain guy seemed to want to stick around.

The curtain installer came to remeasure the rolling shades I am ordering for the office. He measured them, explained to me why I needed to go with the original measurements and kept talking.  I walked him to the door and he didn’t seem to want to leave.

“All right,” Roland said. “Rudeness is forgivable, Blaine; so I was taught in my youth, and the clay has dried in the shapes left by the artist’s hand. But I was also taught that stupidity is not.” ― Stephen King, The Waste Lands

It reminded of being in Brazil.  When guests leave your home in Brazil you normally escort them to the door and talk for awhile being they get into the car and leave.  Sometimes one stays another hour at door talking before the guests finally leaves. And you have to make sure to wait till the car is leaving, wave good bye and then go back inside.  It is considered rude to go inside before the car leaves.

Anyway, the curtain guy is a nice older man but I think that he was mistaking my friendliness for interest.  I think he was trying to flirt with me.  I definitely didn’t want to give him the wrong impression by being too nice, but at the same time I am incapable of being rude.  He thinks I am married and I made sure not to correct him.   

Finally I said I had to get back to my work in the kitchen, which I did; and he left.  

“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action. ” ― William James

I have been in this new office working alone and already I could see droplets of coffee on the wall behind the sink and coffeemaker so I decided I needed to have a back-splash installed before the employees came back to work.

I was going to use real tiles and make it lively and fun but I decided that at this point I just don’t have the time to dedicated to that.  I just need to get the office ready for when everyone start returning in next few weeks.  In the end I just went with the easy, fast and cheap route: peel and stick tiles.

“Why is patience so important?”
“Because it makes us pay attention.” ― Paulo Coelho

I have no patience to follow directions, but realized once again that I should have done so.  There were the instructions that came on the package, there were detailed reviews with additional instructions and also YouTube videos with additional tips, but I disregarded them all and did it my way.  

While I wish I had paid more attention to the instructions I am very happy with the result.  The imperfections are small and I don’t think anyone will notice them if I don’t point them out.  Next time I will follow directions, but for my tiny office kitchen this is perfect!

“If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all.” ― Michelangelo Buonarroti