Eating lunch by myself isn't that unique; I'm a temporary person at the office, and few people take the initiative to include me in their groups, including me.

What was a little unique is that I chose to eat out, and that I forgot both my cell phone and Palm Pilot. Since I can't bill my time while I'm away from my desk, I usually take a quick break, dash to someplace nearby, grab something to go, and return and work with one hand while I eat with the other (or, more accurately, grab a bite and type while I chew).

Today, I strolled aimlessly until I was a few blocks away from the office. Then I decided to look for someplace to eat. I found the nearly, famous, local establishment, Mickey's Diner. You may have seen it in the movies; nearly every film made here includes a shot of the little train-car styled restaurant. I settled into a spot at the bar (booths are reserved for parties of two or more), and made my choice from the menu. As I waited to give my order, I noticed I was electronics-free.

This is weird for me. I'm not the kind that's always on the phone, but I almost always have it with me. Sure, sometimes at home it's in another room, or even in the house while I'm tending to the yard, and at the office I don't take it with me to meetings (or the restroom--uh, ick), but it's generally where I am. A little wave of comfortable disconnection passed over me; someone could call, and I wouldn't know, and I don't care. (Sure enough, no one did...)

Then I pawed my pockets for my Palm Pilot. I usually carry this to remind me what to do, make notes of things I think of and want to finish thinking of later, and to review similar information previously provided. I synchronize once a week or so, and as part of that get some web news via AvantGo that I'll snoop at when really bored. Of course, there's a couple of tiny game distractions, and, when the environment allows, I've got a few MP3s to watch or listen to. I've got a digital copy of the Koran that I'm trying to read, just to see what the fuss is about, and some other texts that I've found or am trying to write.

A brief wave of disappointment, and I was over my disconnection. I peeked around for an abandoned newspaper (none to be found), and checked my pockets for a quarter to pick one up (the good paper is 50-cents, but the St Paul paper suffices in a pinch, and is only a quarter), but I almost always dump my change as soon as I get it--either in a place to save for later, like the ashtray of the truck or a jar on my desk, or in the penny jar or tip jar when presented. I wasn't too disappointed; I generally don't dig the paper just because faster, just as inaccurate news is available on the Internet.

This made me think of my next portable, which would need to have WiFi built in, so I can update it whenever I feel like it. Alas, a quick glance and I wasn't encouraged at Mickey's WiFi availability anyway. I'd also like a little built-in keyboard, or a nice fold-flat wireless job, something that could turn the little device into a better input device; something I might use to peck out better thoughts to reconsider later, or even to let me get back into writing.

This "looking around" curiously intrigued me, and so I took it upon myself to just let my eyes wander, and see what was around. I'm generally non-confrontational, even to friendly confrontation, so I don't engage in much people-watching. There's some architecture to see, and of course the interactions of the people on the street, without really engaging them.

I decided this was different, but I preferred the immersion I have into the electronic gadgets. I found myself trying to think of interesting things to think of, especially out of the background noise I observed. I tried to contemplate thinking about where people were going, or what they were thinking whey they put that on...but nothing came of it; I'm just not interested, I guess, in the actions of strangers.

A few guys came in and sat down at the empty seats next to me, and they bantered about some background noise conversation. Something about some girl graduating college in just three years. Something about the lack of respect that one of them got because he's the greatest thing to happen to wherever it was he was complaining about. Boring. I worked hard to stay out of it, not that they engaged me, either.

The burger was tasty, the fries ordinary. The service was friendly, and overall the place is clean. I was surprised that there were so few people in there at the peak of lunch, but there were more places closer to the offices near mine; perhaps too many people thought the two extra blocks were too demanding.

I meandered back, pretty much the way I came. As I passed, I looked from afar at the impromptu market that was thrown together on the mall; fresh farm goods, flowers, and some baubles. I mused briefly at the mobs of people standing in line at the chains in the food court as I drifted back to my desk. I normally try to get lunch in before the rush or after. I don't care to stand in line for my malnourishing sandwich, or the faux-nourishment they try to pass for a "salad."

I returned to my desk, determined to find some interest in my job. Tinkered with it for a bit, and then turned here, to the web log.