I received email from the alumni office of my alma mater (Harvey Mudd College). The message starts out: “I received your name from the Office of Alumni Relations as someone who might be able to attend our Social Business Luncheon…” and then goes on to say “The purpose of the evening of course is to learn the art of dining, etiquette…”.

Are they trying to tell me something? Are my dining habits all that ape like? Maybe my son is rubbing off on me as he gets his food all over his face (he just started eating solid foods).

My wife and I signed up for the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall newsletter. I thought this was a good idea to see which of our son’s toys we need to inspect. Little did I know that we’d get email just about everyday with a few more recalls. These recalls don’t make headlines, but they make you go “hmmmm” when there are so many. Today’s email had 4 products in it, all made in China, 3 for violation of Lead Paint Standard. China needs to get on the ball or our government could ban imports of certain products.

When I first moved back to San Diego about 8 years ago, I searched for a large desk to fit in my apartment. I ended up buying 3 desk pieces (2 the same, one a large corner piece). The desks gave me a lot of room and weren’t cheap. Over the last 8 years, the desks have moved into 2 different houses, moved because we had carpet installed twice and then the last time they were moved is when I got a new floor in my office. The problem with this is that particleboard doesn’t move very well when there are screws, pins, etc. in them. I had drywall screws holding it together.

This past weekend, my wife and I were at Ikea looking for a new kitchen table (we both came into the marriage with the same small, square table that is a bit small for the two of us to use for anything) and I saw some desk systems. When we got home, I went to Ikea’s website and started looking at tables where you pick the top and legs and put it together. I found a solid beech top with some legs. Wow, a solid wood top that actually looked nice! I was thinking of getting the adjustable legs, but when I went back to look at them, noticed that they were a friction fit such that if something gave way in the leg, the desk would fall down. I only sort of trust stuff from Ikea as there is a reason it is inexpensive. I ended up getting 3 tables with fixed legs and am quite happy with the setup.

In addition, I picked up 2 of their cable racks so that I can hide most of my cables under the desks.

I feel like a kid in a candy store with my new desk!