Table: A Space-Time Odyssey
»Hey, what if you asked the carpenter to make us another table, seeing as how he’s making them for the office already? It can be the same, 160 x 80 cm is ok for a kitchen table, don’t you think? How much is he charging for one?« »I think he said around 200 Euros, which is super cheap for how good they are.« »Seriously? Well, it’s settled then: tell him to make another one for our kitchen.« That’s how our dining table was conceived, at least if you ask us. When we first met and even later, troughout the years, the table has never introduced itself, so it doesn’t have a name. We call it Table. It’s stable, inviting and reliable. It’s where we put things. And it’s where some things are created. And where some of the same things dissapear.
»A lot of grandma’s tiramisus.«
Our table has never said »No« to us. Not even when we were a family of just two. The only thing that it’s always insisted on, was that we never leave it behind. 8 smaller screws holding the framework and 6 longer ones, drilled into the wooden top. As said, stable.
Our table has fed a lot more people at the same time, than the number it can seat. We think that’s 14 at the most, while it insists that number is closer to 16 (babies count too!). Although we don’t post food pics on Instagram, our table frames many home cooking adventures - Indian, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Mexican, Turkish and loads of failed Ramen soups. A lot of grandma’s tiramisus. A lot of children’s drawings. A lot of talks that started with anger and ended in a hug. A lot of scratches that give the table its character. It’s inviting.
»It knows how to guard secrets, spillt over beer.«
Our table really is reliable. It’s moved to different apartments with us four times and has been disassembled and reassembled back together many times over. 8 smaller screws holding the framework and 6 longer ones, drilled into the wooden top. It’s reliable because it never complained, even when it carried the weight of our entire book collection, as we were packing to move. Ok, maybe the last time it did, the collection is getting rather big. It’s reliable, because it knows how to guard secrets, spillt in confidence and over beer. And it’s reliable, because it’s been carrying the weight of heavy yawning and morning coffee for over ten years. Not an easy job. »Where did this long screw come from? I found it on the floor.« »Yeah, it’s from the table, it must’ve come loose. Let me check... Oh, I see, we’ve taken the table apart and back together again so many times now, that the drill holes in the top have become too big… I see there’s two more loose screws ...« »Can we fix it?« »I guess we could, but I’m not sure if it’s really worth it. I think a new one is due anyway. It’s not like we’re emotionally attached to this one.« »Cool, okay. I already have my eyes set on one. Want to see?«
