This episode’s vocabulary
To power through (something)
phrasal verb — to continue in a strong and determined way until the end of something, even when this is difficult.
Layout
noun — the way that something is arranged.
To set (something) up
phrasal verb — to prepare something for use, especially by putting the different parts of it together.
To put (something) together
phrasal verb — to put the parts of something in the correct places and join them to each other.
Accoutrements
plural noun — the equipment needed for a particular activity or way of life.
Standing desk
noun — a desk at which you stand rather than sit.
Ergonomic
adj. — relating to the design of furniture or equipment which makes it comfortable and effective for people who use it.
Soundproofing
noun — special material put in a room or building in order to prevent sound from passing out of or into it, or the act of putting in this material.
Plastering
noun — the job or activity of spreading plaster on walls or ceilings in order to make the surface smooth.
Lightness
noun — the state of being light.
Ample
adj. — more than enough.
At (your) ease
phrase — relaxed.
To crack open a book
idiom — to open a book in order to study or read.
To crack on
phrasal verb — to start or continue doing something, especially more quickly, or with more energy after a pause.
Ultimately
adverb — finally, after a series of things have happened.
Man cave
noun — a part of a house, or a small building near a house, where a man can go to get away from the other people in the house and do the things he wants to do.
Questions and answers
Well, I quite like to sit in my office when I feel the need to power through some homework or, well, it's better to say research, isn't it? That's more grown up, and it's a pretty simple affair, to be honest with you, just a desk and a chair in my home, although I really like the layout of the room and the way I have everything set up in there, it was actually one of the first things I ever put together when I moved into my new place, since I was still working at the time and everything was coming together, so it made sense to work on this first. Originally, it was a bedroom with the usual accoutrements, but then I had that all taken out and replaced with just the standing desk and the ergonomic chair. And some soundproofing. That's unrelated to studying, but it's useful for my work. The desk is at a 90-degree angle to the window so I can look out of it when I need to rest my eyes or just take a break from all the working or studying I happened to be doing at the time. This was all done at the start of the year after the main renovation and plastering was done, the walls were painted Magnolia, just to take advantage of the lightness of the room. And again, it's got ample lighting and I don't have anything distracting on them, although I think this will change in time. I think the main reason I feel so at ease in there and really get into the studying mindset is the feeling that it's what the space is for, and it's been designed with this express purpose in mind. It almost feels natural to just go in, open up a site for further study, or crack open a book and, well, crack on with whatever I meant to be looking at or doing. Even though it's not completely finished, now all the main things have been done. It's just this ideal space for me to work and study in. And so, well, when it is ultimately finished, it will be even more ideal for this kind of thing.
And what about your family and friends? Do they like this place?
Oh, they are banned from entering. This is my space. It's my man cave.