Operations Room Update

A few weeks ago I reported that I was starting work on setting up a small games room at home. With the eldest daughter leaving home and the youngest 'upgrading' to a larger room, space has finally opened up for me to claim as my Operations Room. Progress has been steady but slow, with several weeks just to clear the room of furniture and unwanted stuff. This first stage is now complete and I have started decorating proper. Yippee! This stage is going to take a while as I have to do some work on the old plasterwork before I even think about painting. However, in the meantime, I have been busy making a shopping list of furniture items I want for the room. My existing painting desk and chair will be relocated to the new room, but I have my eye on new storage and shelving units.

I did try to set up a workspace years ago before the Young Padawan was born. But back then I found this a very lonely experience, buggering off upstairs on my own while the wife on her own downstairs. Not really fair on her and a bit anti-social for me. Fast forward 20 years and we both need our own space. I hasten to add this isn't a reflection of a deteriorating marriage, quite the opposite in fact. I guess a long and successful marriage has made us more relaxed about giving the other partner space. Unlike when we were younger we've grown quite relaxed in each others company and don't feel threatened when one or the other needs a bit of solitude or needs to work on something alone. And I have a technological solution that will keep us in contact, no matter where we are in the house (more on that in a moment).

My wife grew up with the TV on in the background and is quite content to have it on all evening, most of the time just as background noise. However, I'm one of those individuals that find the TV very distracting and the only way I can avoid it - to concentrate on painting or reading - is to put on a pair of headphones and listen to music or podcasts. It doesn't block everything out though and I still find myself getting distracted and before I know it most of the evening has been 'wasted'. Don't get me wrong, we both have favourite TV programmes, enjoy watching old films and new documentaries, I just don't want to spend 6 hours of an evening in front of the gogglebox! Escape to another room in the house is the only option for me and finally, I have a chance to do just that.

So back to the technological solution. I've ordered myself a Google Home Mini. Actually, I got one for free because I'm a long-time customer. I'm going to put this in the Operations Room so I can listen to podcasts or music ' hands-free'. Particularly helpful when I'm painting or up to my elbows in modelling putty.  A second unit downstairs will enable the wife to 'broadcast' when she needs me, rather than having to shout to get my attention. I'm sure the ability to summon me by voice command alone will appeal to her! Of course, the privacy implications of having a constantly 'on' item of voice-activated intelligent software in the house hasn't passed me by, but I'd like to give it a try. I'd be interested in other peoples experiences if they have this sort of setup in their hobby space.

It's occurred to me that this post has basically been a rather long-winded way of saying that I haven't done much painting recently (well, not the miniature kind anyway) because I have been busy decorating. Nothing much is likely to change in the next few weeks as I push to get the room finished, carpeted and then stocked with storage units. I will be heading over to Reject HQ on Sunday for a game but that will have to sustain me for a few weeks while I work through the necessary evil that is DIY. The payoff - may target if you will - is to have the room ready and operational by the start of the Painting Challenge in mid-December. Fingers crossed!