The New Computer Desk

Okay, so this is why I think I'm awesome:

Welcome to the fruits of this afternoon's labors:

At first glance, it doesn't look like much, but it's actually rather impressive.

Everything is organized and plugged in and run through the transformer (the black thing up top) if necessary.  The transformer's video outputs are then run across the room to our projector.  I extended our speaker wires so we could have some speakers on the floor under the projector screen instead of in the back of the room where it used to be.  (the projector screen is to the left of the computer; if we pulled the screen down, it would hit the chair.)

Originally, we were going to put the transformer next to the projector on the bookshelf.  Then I realized that would involve running A LOT of cables back and forth along the couch behind the wall ... and if we moved the transformer and the Xbox to the computer desk, we'd just have to run an HDMI cable and a component video cable across the room.  We already have those cables (30 feet long) because when we first moved in, we set up our projector across the room from the computer.  ANWAY.  LONG COMPLICATED UNNECESSARY STORY.

The following things are hooked up on the computer desk:
Computer
Monitor
Cable Modem
Wireless Router
Printer
Nintendo Wii
Xbox 360
Speakers (which are over 10 years old and could be replaced with superior, smaller speakers from DI for <$20 ... another day, another day ...)

I'm a kind of OCD organizer, so a few years ago I labeled all of the power cords with masking tape so we could look at the power strip and know what went where:

(the top-middle piece of tape says "cable modem" upside down)

It makes a big difference.  Trust me.

Since I moved the transformer from across the room back to the computer desk, I dealt with a lot of cables.  I love how comfortable I feel with them.

This is what the back of the transformer looks like (printer cables up front).  I had to do all of the inputs (computer video and audio, Wii video and audio, Xbox video and audio) and outputs (speakers, HDMI out and component out).  LOTS OF WIRES.

I touched every single one of them.

My proudest accomplishment, though, was making a bigger hole for the Xbox's power and output cords.  We drilled a few holes into the back of the desk so we could run cables through them.  We thought we'd be able to put the printer where the Xbox is but it's too big.  Oops.  Anyway ... the single small hole wasn't big enough, so I drilled a second hold beneath the original one and then found a way to smooth the sides without sandpaper (couldn't find it!)  Wouldn't you think a girl who can use a drill is hot?  (don't answer that.)  Okay, would you think she's capable?  (that's a much less awkward question from a married girl)

Whoever designed those things is evil.  Why so huge?  That thing on the bottom is for the audio/video output for the Xbox.  It fits perfectly through that oval hole I made.  Like, you have to take out that other cord for it to fit through the hole.  I think that's pretty spiffy!!

Now I'm almost considering finding something to put over the back open part of the computer desk to hide the cables.  I'm sure that if we put stuff on the shelves it will hide the cables, but ... I don't know.  Aesthetics.  There's a reason we try to run cables behind furniture when they have to go across the room. :)

Tomorrow, I'm going to work on organizing the bookshelves upstairs in the guest bedroom and decide what books are going to be allowed to stay downstairs.

On Saturday, we're going to IKEA again to buy a Billy bookcase and a media storage tower.  And I think I want to get a wall-mounted shelf to sit the projector on, since I don't like the bookcase solution we devised.

Instead of having that bookshelf there, we'll have our DVD/media storage tower there facing >>> way instead of towards the camera.  And see how the ceiling is about a foot lower in the dining area?  I'm going to install a shelf somewhere in the vicinity of that arrow, then find a way to hide the cables and have them run down the wall behind the media tower.

We're going to put a bookcase in the corner, on the right-hand side of that piano to store some of our books and Mark's DND stuff.  I'm going to buy some doors for the bookcase to hide the miscellaneous clutter.  I'm probably going to move the pictured bookcase upstairs to our room.  We have so many books. @__@

Here is a picture of not even HALF the stuff I piled into the upstairs closets when clearing off our bookshelves to prepare the house for getting new carpet:

So my next blog entry will probably be about our exciting adventures of having the carpet guys come install our carpet on Friday and Monday!  And the one after that will be about the grand IKEA adventures we will have on Saturday and how we'll finally have our furniture organized!  Then I can blog about de-junking the attic and taking stuff to DI (and getting tax deductions)!  (Wait, you're not finding these topics absolutely THRILLING?!  I am!  I love this!!)