Thursday’s Post: Sitting Pretty

stolice manje_locanda

Chairs accompany us in our everyday life. I have recently calculated the average amount of time I spend in a chair on a working day, and was astounded to find out that it was nothing less than thirteen hours. I am sure that most of you that lead a sedentary lifestyle with office jobs have more or less the same average. It does seem absurd that this piece of furniture is the most prevalent constant in our daily routine.

When did this happen? How did the chair find its way into our lives?

The first chair was invented in Ancient Egypt and was later perfected by Ancient Greeks. In early cultures most people sat on logs or stools, whereas chairs with seat, four legs and a back were reserved for privileged members of the society. The word chair was derived from Latin cathedra ”seat“ i.e. from Ancient Greek kathedra (chair of a teacher, throne). In modern languages the word “cathedra“ has been preserved to designate a seat of a bishop or an official chair of a professor. Hence the word cathedral which means a church into which a bishop’s official cathedra is installed.

The word chair in today’s English does not only denote a piece of furniture that is indispensable object in our daily life; it is also used figuratively in expressions: the first chair – second chair, chairman (chairperson) etc.

What would our lives without chairs be like?

I know I would be lost, if someone was to take my armchair away. As a result, I would probably develop some abdominal and back muscles, but I know that I would not be able to spend as much time on my computer. If it weren’t for chairs, I would probably sit on meadows with my back leaned against a tree trunk and smell the freshness of a forest instead of smelly people in my office.

Well, it may not be such a bad idea after all. 😉

The above photo shows two marvelous chairs I used to sit pretty on my holidays.

The ”Sitting Pretty“ post is dedicated to Sophia of Sonel’s corner. A while ago she encouraged me to look at furniture differently ;).

**About Thursday’s Special: It is a new ‘non-challenge’ challenge that appeals to bloggers eager to wake up their creativity and show their own ideas and interpretation of the world. I invite everybody interested to join in. There are no themes, titles and techniques set for your expression, there are no limits and restrictions (no red tape whatsoever). The only thing required is to post a photo post on Thursdays entitled “Thursday’s Special: (your theme/title)” (as explained in my Thursday’s Special introductory post), to provide a link to my Thursday’s Special post, and to leave a link to your post in the comments section of my post. If you like Thursday’s Special widget, feel free to grab it and post it on your blog.

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 Category: Music, Photography, Thursday's Special      Tagged: , , , , ,

61 Comments on “Thursday’s Post: Sitting Pretty”

  2. Woah, I don’t know which direction to go first! I can tell this is going to be another evening when I get nothing done 🙂 Have you seen Sonel’s Jakesprinter post on Anime? I just clicked on your link and there it was. Fantastic!
    I digress 🙂 Another informative post, thanks Paula. I hadn’t made the connection between cathedral and chair. I used to be a sprawl on the floor sort of person but the old bones do prefer a bit of comfort these days.
    Like the music choice too, though I don’t recognise it. 🙂

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    • 🙂 Thank you for your fun comment Jo :). The music is by Ingrid Michaelson “Ribbons” 🙂 I am happy you like my post about chairs 😀

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  3. Great post! Didn’t know itwas invented by Egyptian… Thank you for sharing the history. Will post mine on Thursday 🙂

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  4. Love your simple wooden chairs Paula. Had no idea about the root word for chair being Cathedra!! But I did know about the earliest being from Egypt. We saw some marvelous specimens in the Luxor museum and it was hard to believe they were several thousand years old!

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  5. I like the low point of view Paula, and black & white is a great choice.

    I too would much rather be sitting in a meadow somewhere, instead of an office full of people, smelly or not 😀

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    • 😀 I agree the POV really made them stand out here ;). Uday, thank you so much for reading it and looking at my photo. Hope your week is going well.

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    • 😆 Yes, the sitting in the office is my less favourite part of sitting too :D.
      I love your entry CG 🙂 Thank you 😀

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  9. “When the grandmothers of today hear the word ‘Chippendales,’ they don’t necessary think of chairs” (Jean Kerr)… 😉 😉

    Very interesting subject and very well captured too… 😉

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  11. Such a stunning photo and post Paula. I am sitting ‘pretty’ as well now. Busy washing carpets and now I am tired and taking a break. Great theme for this week hon and thanks for the dedication. You are so sweet. 😀
    Have a great day. *big hugs*

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  15. I’ve just read it Amy and I am touched with a beautiful message and narrative 🙂 Thank you so much for your creative contribution. Bless you 🙂

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    • I really love it Amanda 🙂 the very subject of the photo and your angle 🙂 Thank you so much for your wonderful contribution 🙂

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  24. I was just checking my settings to make sure that I continued to receive all of your posts. I accidently clicked to unfollow you but I tracked you down immediately the click follow again.

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    • I’m doing my best Patti 🙂 Right now I am on a recliner on my hotel balcony breathing in rich sea air. Fall seems to be far off here :). Talk soon dear.

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