Borrowed Office Space
I was having trouble figuring out how to start one of the chapters in my new book, so I used this spot for a few minutes as a temporary office, taking a gentle swing on the tire swing I pass on my walk. (I cracked the opening problem late yesterday -- phew!)
What? A swing still exists? OMG over concrete? Think of the children
NB:
a_random_guy at June 26, 2011 1:23 AM
NB: that was sarcasm, for those who might have missed it...
a_random_guy at June 26, 2011 1:24 AM
Why Amy, I didn't realize you were a swinger...
Cousin Dave at June 26, 2011 7:14 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/06/26/borrowed_office.html#comment-2305269">comment from Cousin DaveTHAT, Cousin Dave, was very bad.
Amy Alkon at June 26, 2011 7:23 AM
Well, Jimmy Buffet did sing "Life is Just a Tire Swing" many moons ago.
And Cousin Dave, have you considered, given the context, that Amy is *tired* of swinging?
BlogDog at June 26, 2011 10:10 AM
I still remember when I heard that a couple were "swingers," I assumed that it meant they enjoyed dancing.
Patrick at June 26, 2011 12:58 PM
Reminds me of an old outhouse my uncle built in upstate NY. Tires are useful.
BOTU at June 26, 2011 1:47 PM
Hey Amy, I've heard that ADHD people (well, students) are better able to focus and think productively when you swap out their regular chair for one of those balance balls. They are also called yoga balls, stability balls and exercise balls. They are like those red rubber balls from your childhood playground but more like 20" or so diameter. They come in different sizes so get one that feels comfy.
LauraGr at June 26, 2011 1:56 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/06/26/borrowed_office.html#comment-2306092">comment from LauraGrInteresting. What's the thinking behind that?
Amy Alkon at June 26, 2011 2:12 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/06/26/borrowed_office.html#comment-2306095">comment from Amy AlkonI do have to say, I can't imagine writing from 5 am into the evening while balancing on a big ball!
Amy Alkon at June 26, 2011 2:13 PM
I do have to say, I can't imagine writing from 5 am into the evening while balancing on a big ball!
Well, you don't need to do the circus act, merely use it as a seat. Apparently, the small shifts your body does automatically to stay centered on the ball occupy that fidgety, racing bit of brain that gets in the way of concentrated effort. Similar in effect to rubbing a worry stone or chewing gum. This allows the more orderly bits of gray matter to do their thing. At least to a certain degree.
A quick search using terms: seat adhd balance ball
Gets numerous hits like this one.
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/exercise-ball-chair.html
That link has balls on frames with wheels, like regular office chairs. A plain ball works just fine.
LauraGr at June 26, 2011 4:49 PM
Thank you everyone, I'll be here all week!
Cousin Dave at June 26, 2011 6:28 PM
You get motion sick and can tolerate that type of swing?
Insufficient Poison at June 27, 2011 12:11 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/06/26/borrowed_office.html#comment-2308826">comment from Insufficient PoisonI wasn't doing Cirque du Soleil type swinging! Just rocking back and forth a little. It's going around curves that gets me sick. Or the slightest airline turbulence. Landings are particularly tough. On my last flight on a small plane (after the ev psych conference in Binghamton), Steve Platek (a researcher I know) kept me from throwing up. (He didn't know this, but he's a researcher I quote from time to time in my column, and I was mortified at the thought that his last vision of me would be me blowing my cookies into a paper bag.)
Amy Alkon at June 27, 2011 1:34 PM
Interesting... Amy, have you ever been on a centrifuge, and if so, did that make you sick?
Cousin Dave at June 27, 2011 6:26 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/06/26/borrowed_office.html#comment-2309733">comment from Cousin DaveIn an amusement park, I assume you mean.
No, I have not. I also have not removed any of my toes with a child's scissors.
Amy Alkon at June 27, 2011 6:29 PM
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