Published: July 18, 2008 08:34 am            

Take a peak at a desktop personality

I think that I have the most interesting desk in the newsroom. I have two desks, each with a computer for different tasks. Therefore, I have double the space to decorate my desks with random tokens. Lip gloss, pictures, hand sanitizer, lotion and even an Outback coaster with the words, “I had to end it. He was a vegetarian,” surround my computer. And that is not even half of the things on my desk. Don’t forget the two desk calendars, Christmas angel, coffee mug and postcard that says, “Trust me ... I’m a reporter.”

But what does my desk say about my personality? Am I extrovert? Can I be described as a people person or do I like to surround myself with amusing coasters to distract myself from work? I like to believe that I am simply personalizing my work space — drawing a clear line around Lifestyles Central.

Taking inventory of my collection, I decided to sneak a peek at my co-workers desk and see if I could figure out their personalities by the objects on their desks. Like a spy, I slowly walked around the newsroom, pen and paper in hand. Copy editor Allen Roberts runs a close second when it comes to desk decorating. With a New York Giants football figure, a Hulk Hogan action figure, a special agent paperweight and a Mr. T mouse pad, it is obvious that Roberts is a pop culture collector — one with a soft spot for the ’70s and ’80s.

Fellow copy editor Amy Persinger is the exact opposite of Roberts. Keeping her items to a bare minimum, the only thing on her desk is a tranquil rock garden, complete with a rake to ease tension and stress. Sometimes the news business requires some sort of stress reliever. I am glad that she can get by with a rock garden. I need a punching bag.

News Editor Andy Patton does not have any stress relieving agents, but he does have a bit of history on his desk. A signed football by random employees of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph sits next to his computer. Along with a motorcycle from a event hosted by the Telegraph several years ago. Oh, and he does have a sad and dusty plant on his desk.

All three Bluefield Daily Telegraph reporters have two desks as well. True to their jobs, both desks are covered with multiple folders and files, each filled with notes. Reporter Greg Jordan has a hourglass on his desk and a gargoyle — both found at out-of-state flea markets and garage sales. City editor Charles Owens keeps a McDowell County sticker on his rolodex — a proud reminder of his home county. Of course, he also has a calendar — which still says Jan.10 — on his desk. Bill Archer, a senior editor, keeps his desk full of books, but also displays a name plate made out of coal.

Managing Editor Samantha Perry has an office. I am jealous because I would love to have all of that space for Lifestyles Central. Having all that room, she can incorporate a small white bookshelf — with each shelf dedicated to a particular “passion.” One shelf is devoted to her pets, one shelf holds miniature collectable high-heeled shoes, another shelf is dedicated to newspaper events like Sept. 11 and her bottom shelf holds books and manuals. And that doesn’t even cover the items on her wall, her desks or her table.

After sneaking around the newsroom, I went back to Lifestyles Central, where I came to the conclusion that a desk does not reveal any insights into a person’s true personality. Regardless of all the Internet quizzes and helpful hints about workplace cubicles and desks, personalities are embedded in a person — not in the items on the desk. Random items only showcase a person’s interests like whether they like the New York Giants or the Tennessee Titans. Or whether they like witty quotes or tranquil stress relievers to get through the demands of the day. Looking at my co-workers’ desks establishes what I already knew about them as co-workers. The only benefit to my spy-like stroll around the newsroom is that I now have a host of Christmas gift ideas.

My desk — which may seem to hold a lot of useless items — is no reflection of a work ethic or a personality type. Instead, it is a desk that holds the things that I love (like my pictures) and things that haven’t made their way back into my purse (like my lip gloss and lotion).

Jamie Parsell is Lifestyles editor of the Daily Telegraph. Contact her at jparsell@bdtonline.com.

        

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