The following article is a part of our Deskscape Series. Many of us spend up to eight or nine hours at our desks per day, making our “deskscapes” a creative reflection of the book publicity work we do for our clients every day.
Senior Partner David Hahn shares some of his favorite parts of his deskscape:
My 10th grade English teacher, Mr. Schomborg, always greeted us with a boisterous “Happy Friday!” each and every Friday of the school year. I never quite understood the energy or broad smile that accompanied that statement at the time. But today – today being a beautiful summer Friday in the Big Apple – I fully appreciate that sentiment, having put in 2,000 or so (who’s counting) working Fridays since that time.
And as such there is a carton of munchkins on my desk to be shared with the MEDIA CONNECT staff. Nothing pleases me more at work than a nice simple surprise, especially when it’s food. So assuming that everyone else feels the same way I do (don’t they?), I try to help relieve the weariness sometimes felt at the beginning of a Friday workday with this simple gesture. And isn’t that a very satisfying feeling when you pop one of those munchkins in your mouth, especially a fresh jelly one!
Also on my desk is a mug created by the talented Arden potter, Alan Burslem. It serves as a fine pen and pencil holder. But it more importantly serves as a reminder of my roots, coming from this idyllic, unique pastoral small town to be found just north of Wilmington, Delaware.
Like most other boomers I know, I have an extremely fond memory of my childhood, especially in terms of the unfettered freedom we had to simply play. And playing in Sherwood Forest, on the Arden Greens, and riding bikes playing cops and robbers up and down Sherwood Road, Lovers lane and Miller Road will forever define who I am and what I hold dear. The mug reminds me of the importance of finding some sort of artistic grace in all that we do as well as the wonderful energy and creativity that can be found in simple play – as elusive as that may be.
On my windowsill is a beautiful flowering plant. What more needs to be said. Thank you Joy. Thank you Mom.
And, finally, there are two dolls that have “Jamaica” written across their chests. These are wonderful colorful cloth dolls created by the talented people in our Travel Division at Finn Partners. They not only bring a splash of color and energy to my desk, but they come in handy when children come to visit the office! I also like to throw them at my staff sometimes if I feel their attention is wandering during a conference call. I am naming them today in honor of this blog and this Happy Friday: “Red” meet “Yellow;” “Yellow” meet “Red”. Yes, that will do just fine.
HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!
