I'm so not an office guy

2009 has begun, I'm another year older (as I celebrated my 36th birthday on Jan. 1), and as I'm putting in my first hours of work in the New Year, I'm reminded of how much I don't like to be in my office.

Why? There's no one there, for one.  I'm the only "employee" of my church. And being a pastor, I'm kind of in the people business, so it doesn't make much sense to be in an environment where I can't meet and talk with people.  Besides, you never know what you're going to get at my office since the heat & air conditioning are pretty tempermental.  Plus our wireless router is going bad, so my internet connection is off and on (and I'm too lazy to replace it).  So I basically pop in there every once in a while to grab a book I need or print something off.  Other than that, it's only coming in for various meetings and such.

So where do I work?  I have many offices in Springfield, depending on where I want to be and what I want to drink or eat or where I may have meetings set up with people.  Here's typically where I hang:

Downtown: my favorite place is Cafe Moxo...free internet, bottomless coffee, and unbelievable soups.  My second favorite downtown place is Andiamo's...free internet, bottomless coffee, and great pizza-for-one at lunch.

Near Westside: I'm at Brewbaker's quite a bit since it is right around the corner from my house and I usually walk or ride my bike (before my bike was stolen)...free internet and a great selection of coffee, but the food's a little pricey and portions are a tad small. I'm usually at the Monroe/Chatham Rd Starbucks once or twice a week to enjoy a French Vanilla Latte or a Chai Tea Latte.

Further Westside: Despite it getting crazy crowded, I'll end up at Panera a couple times a week simply because of 3 things: free internet, bottomless coffee and pop, and padded chairs...padding is very important. Sometimes I'll go into Barnes & Noble, but usually not to work, but to browse the 'zines and books for purchase.

Eastside: Sometimes I'll end up at the Eastside Panera, but that's become very rare.

North end: Nothing up there, but I've heard a rumor that my cigar shop has free wi-fi (but my wife doesn't appreciate the smell).

South: Don't really hang down there, but I've heard decent things about Centrum Cafe.  We'll see.

So, there you go.  I guess I have many offices around town where I meet, study, plan, and write.  One last note, for late-night meetings, Dublin Pub is my winner.  But no one in their right mind should eat a horseshoe after 8pm.