Yesterday Melissa Walter brought me a ceramic plaque that reads, “Meandering to a different drummer.” I must say –  I LOVE IT!

I hung my new plaque over my desk in a spot where I can look at it frequently. It makes me happy to look at it. I think it suits me…both the meandering and the different drummer.

I have lots of other stuff in my office as well that folks have given me over the years. An eclectic collection of stuff that may not mean a whole lot to others but that has sentimental value to me. Folks sometimes find it difficult to concentrate in my office – there simply is so much “stuff” to look at. Folks often need to come back multiple times before they can take it all in. I should probably go ahead and take some of my “stuff” home, but I do so love having it around me while I am at work. I find it both soothing and empowering.

Most of the faculty at the university have well-mannered offices that have all the books neatly aligned by subject, author, size, color…but not me. My office does not fit the mold, but it sure fits me. And I like that it is a crazy mish-mash of silly, fun and thoughtful “stuff” because I am “meandering to a different drummer” and I like that about me.

And while I, like my office, may be a lot to take in, over time I hope folks realize that I am worth the extra energy. Different is okay I think…at least it is okay in my little office in Minard Hall – please do stop by any time and meander with me.

Day one hundred and fifty-one of the new forty – obla di obla da

CC