The Nature of a Lunch Hour

One thing I've struggled with in my time in the workforce of America is what to do with my lunch hour. Other than eat lunch of course...because the actual act of eating only takes me about 10 minutes or so. When I lived in Spartanburg, SC, I worked at a bank 7 minutes from my house and was able to go home at lunch. I would usually watch a little tv, eat my lunch, do a couple of chores around the house, and head back to the bank. It was a great break in the middle of the day, and truthfully it helped preserve my sanity. While a solid first job, the bank was easily my least favorite job yet.

When I moved to Annapolis, I was working on the West side of Baltimore and had a 45 minute commute. Clearly not conducive to going home for lunch! However, for the first 2 years or so, I had a "lunch group" of friends that I ate with. I was probably the most talkative in the group, so lunch was often filled with my silly chorale stories, etc. I usually brought my lunch to work...mostly because I was apartment-poor from paying rent in one of the most desirable areas and getting the salary of someone living in a not so desirable area. I switched jobs 2.5 years ago, and lunch was often varied...sometimes out with friends, sometimes brought from home, and the occasionally shopping trip to Target.

Somewhere along the line, I stopped eating lunch with people and started always eating it at my desk in front of the computer. I realized that I needed the break away from my desk, so I've gotten pretty creative with my lunch time. While I miss the camaraderie of eating lunch out with friends, my finances like that I'm not dropping $10+ on lunch every Friday. They also like the fact that I've cut back on my Target lunchtime browsing. That place is dangerous. I certainly have Chick-fil-A more often now that it is around the corner, as well.

Behind our office, there is a back parking lot with some trees, grass, etc. When I drive around back there during lunch, there is a man who opens up the back of his SUV every day, sits on the tailgate with a cigar, and reads a book. I'm kind of jealous of his lunchtime routine...it's a good break away from work!

Here are some of the ways that I've recently been spending my lunch hour:

-On the leather couch in our office reading a book. This sometimes ends up with me dozing, attempting to look as if I am not sleeping.

-In my car taking a nap. This is only on days that I am flat out exahausted.

-In my car, eating Chick-fil-A and listening to an audiobook in the Chick-fil-A/Starbucks Parking Lot.

-Reading a book at Starbucks.

-Watching LOST on my iPod.

-On pretty days, I'm outside in my car with the windows down reading a book.

-Occasionally, running on the treadmill if I won't be able to get a run in any other time.

-Running errands at Target. But this is strictly if I have multiple items I NEED...like toilet paper, contact solution, etc.

Does anyone else have interesting ways to spend a lunch hour? Sometimes I'm tempted to see if I can take 15 minutes and then leave the office at 4:45 instead of 5:30...except I often have training sessions scheduled at 4 PM.

Back Again!

Whew! Things have been busy around the Home for Wayward Chorus Girls the past few weeks! Maureen and I had a fabulous trip to Maine that included all of the things a trip to Maine should...eating lobstah, relaxing, reading, watching football, sailing on the Penobscot Bay, enjoying wine by the lake, bonfires by the lake, waterskiing, boat rides, good food, good friends, and good conversation. All in all, it was exactly the vacation I needed!

After we got back, work got busy, and last weekend was the busiest I've had in awhile! I guess that means fall is certainly upon us! Last weekend, I relaxed on Friday night while moving iTunes music files to an external hard drive (quite the task!). Saturday, I ran 5 miles, headed off to Rosh Hashanah rehearsal, came home to breathe for a minute, and then drove into DC to see Washington National Opera's Barber of Seville at Nationals Stadium for their Opera in the Outfield production. It was a fun, fun time! Doesn't get much better than eating a hot dog, drinking a beer, and watching opera! Sunday, I ran 10 miles in the morning and then went up to Baltimore for Baltimore Concert Opera's production of Faust. That was another great opera. Then, I had the pleasure of a quick dinner date with my recently somewhat elusive boyfriend (quite the busy man, as well). This week has been filled with work, rehearsing, and running. Last night, Maureen and I saw Barber of Seville round 2 at the Kennedy Center. I was amazed at how different the production is onstage vs. the simulcast! Not better or worse, we just saw different things onstage that we missed during the simulcast. However, the simulcast is great because you can really watch the performer's expressions.

This weekend? 2 Rosh Hashanah services to sing, 16 miles to run (in 2 separate sessions), some chores to be completed, a Navy game to be enjoyed on TV at the Ramshead Tavern...and hopefully a tasty Sunday dinner to cook! I will hopefully get some downtime at the house as well. Unfortunately, this weekend doesn't include a date...but one is planned for Tuesday!

Ideally, you all now feel caught up on my life the past few weeks! I may have pictures to post soon...but we'll just have to see!

Odd and Ends

Hi again, faithful readers (all 5 of you). I have a couple of quick updates on what I've been doing and have coming up.

• Rehearsals for chorale are back in full swing. This makes me happy...even though I was burnt out towards the end of last season, I've really missed my music. And so far, making the switch to alto for some pieces is quite refreshing. It's a bit like I get the best of both worlds.
• Tomorrow, Maureen and I are heading to Maine for 6 days to see our friends Jean and John. I never thought this would become an annual trip, but it's one that I always look forward to! Time relaxing on the lake, hanging out with friends, eating good food...always just what I need.
• I'm working on getting myself back into the swing of things exercise-wise now that the triathlon training is over. That means strictly running...which I don't always enjoy. Oh well, it's what I need to do in order to be ready for the Goofy Challenge!
• I've been reading and very much enjoying Julia Child's My Life in France. I picked it up after seeing the movie Julie and Julia, which I highly recommend as well. While I was at it, I bought Julia's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Maureen and I are planning on trying her recipes once a month for Sunday Night Dinner.

Other than that, I'm just trucking along...enjoying the lovely bit of fall weather we've had, and looking forward to the coming "busy" season!

Oh, and I posted my race report for the triathlon on my Running Blog. Feel free to hop on over there and read about my crazy triathlon day!