^ Note the use of the free USB hub I got in a golf tournament gift bag…

The USB and other ports are all located inconveniently in the back bottom of the machine, making it a nightmare to plugin or swap plugs! You can go about it one of two ways: 1) spin the computer about 30 degrees to access the ports, but run the risk of accidentally unplugging some tightly stretched connections, or 2) reach over the top and hope that you can get far enough over it to see and reach what you are doing. Both methods usually result in the jumbling of chords or improper ejection of drives.

Enter the Macessity Lowkey Stand. I’ve been eyeballing these stands for a while now, but only recently pulled the trigger. It was one of those senarios where I left the tab open in chrome for a few months, occasionally going back to look and debate getting it. Eventually my buddy Cable got fed up with me consistently asking him about it and just about ordered it for me to shut me up. So I caved…

As you can see from the picture below, when you work with files and media as big as I do, you can quickly accumulate more external drives than you know what to do with. The works part is that the lack of USB support isn’t even entirely the hard drives’ fault!
1) Apple Slim Keyboard – the number pad is crucial in after effects so I rarely use the wireless.
2) Wacom Bamboo – This guy doesn’t get used much, but it’s still essential for roughing sketches and signing documents.
3) CF Card Reader – I would trade the built-in SD card slot for a CF slot in a New York minute!
4) iPhone
5) Hard Drive #1
6) Hard Drive #2
7) iPod
8) Hard Drive #3
9) Hard Drive #4
10) Hard Drive #5
11) Printer (not pictured) – Even though my printer is “wireless” it still takes forever to print over the network so I just plug the sucker in.

Installing the lowkey stand couldn’t have been easier! It comes with a power and USB chord that essentially adds 3, extremely accessible ports to your arsenal. The space under the stand is traditionally used to store your keyboard when not in use, but I’ve chosen to store a few hard drives, Wacom, and CF reader under there instead.

So far I love this stand! If there was one critical thing to mention about it, it’d be that the silvers don’t match exactly between my iMac leg and the stand. It’s ticky tack, but a critique none the less. If you’re running into the same problems I had with desktop clutter and USB port famine, This is a great option to look into!

This has to stop. I’m not going to get all big-picture/revolution on you, but awareness needs to be raised.

This video warmed my heart to the core. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in stress and money that stopping to smell the roses can become but a distant afterthought.

The story goes:
“An elderly couple walked into the lobby of the Mayo Clinic for a checkup and spotted a piano. They’ve been married for 62 years and he’ll be 90 this year. Check out this impromptu performance.”

I hope my wife and I last another 61 and 3 months! (I’m referring to our lives, not our marriage)