My perfect office? My bathtub
One of the challenges I had on the 20-mile run on Saturday was dehydration, and I can’t afford to make that mistake again with the marathon coming up. Thus, I’ve decided the best way to work from now on is to move my office to the bathtub.
I adore baths to the point of obsession — any of my (many) ex-boyfriends can attest to that. I can easily spend an hour, two hours in a delightfully warm bath, reading Maureen Dowd’s book “Are Men Necessary?” and pondering the same. And now that I need to stay ultra-hydrated to make it through 26.2 miles, I’ve determined that I should make more out of my bath time, so I need to work from the tub from now on.
I’ve been doing research on the tools I’ll need for the transition. It’ll actually be pretty easy and will cost less than $400, if I drop the waterproof printer case:
- Get a waterproof keyboard. Some of them are actually washable in the dishwasher. $225
- Buy a waterproof phone. I am unhappy with my current model anyway, so this upgrades my current phone and can be used in the new office. — $90
- Buy The Droodle for just $15, a waterproof notepad for taking notes during calls (I usually use Steno pads). Says one user, “It`s a great way to leave love notes to your spouse if you share bathrooms as we do. Also great way to memorize scripture verses.” I’ll also need a waterproof pen for another $8.
- I may need waterproof inkjet paper like the National Geographic Adventure Paper, but it makes more sense to use a waterproof case for my regular printer. Paper is $19 for 25 sheets. Good thing I don’t print much. The case says contact us for pricing, which is never a good sign.
Of course my electricity bill will go up with me having to add hot water all day, but I’ll scoop out the tepid water to flush the toilet to save water. I’ll also probably have to add some kind of natural sea salt because, as I discovered while researching a recent article, these additives can prevent the skin pruning.
On the flip side, I expect my phone bill will go down because I’ll prefer to communicate via email instead so clients don’t hear the sloshing.




Sara Best on 12 May 2008 at 9:38 am #
I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog. I stumbled upon it recently while searching for other things and as a fellow freelance writer working from home I find it both funny and sometimes even inspiring.
Keep it up!
Thanks!
Beth on 12 May 2008 at 10:01 am #
Wow, Sara. You really made my day. Sometimes when I’m writing about the ups and downs of working for myself, I wonder if anyone cares. It’s so nice to hear that people enjoy it.
Smiling big,
Beth
Erin on 12 May 2008 at 3:41 pm #
You can also have a water proof MP3 player…designed for surfers! It comes with waterproof ear buds.
Just a suggestion…. you can load it with songs like:
These boots are made for walking
I will Survive
Girls Just want to have fun…
and so on
Love love
Sarah on 16 May 2008 at 2:50 am #
Hmmm, seems to me that a business in the bath takes away all the wonders and joys of a bath. Something to think about!
Monday is just another day | Life on Avenue Z on 23 May 2008 at 6:49 am #
[...] working, or at least I’m sitting here at the computer. I guess sometimes it means I’m sitting in the bathtub or taking a nap, but full days here of doing nothing are out of the [...]
Kurt on 18 Jun 2008 at 8:36 am #
Beth,
I think Erin’s onto something, and here’s another song to add to her list: Rubber Duckie.
Come to think of it, The Droodle would be good for song lyrics (to go along with your waterproof MP3 player and its waterproof ear buds), so you could, in those moments of ebullience that happen only in the tub, belt out a song or two with the *correct* lyrics. Or, with lyrics altered for your own amusement. Semi-Submersible Karaoke.
Eureka! | Life on Avenue Z on 14 Sep 2008 at 1:02 pm #
[...] I’ve been sweating the first draft of a project for a new client. I thought about it in the bathtub, while running, as I did dishes, at dinner with D.J…. I think I even dreamed about it. But [...]