Buffalo Gal

I've never been a lady who lunches, more like a broad who eats with interesting other people sometimes.
Early in my reporter days I worked at an American Cities Business Journal start-up where they had a specific, chainwide formal program for source development. Three days a week I was required to take different potential sources within my beat to lunch and submit the receipts with a brief dossier.
A habit for lunches that accomplish something was set. The victims of many of those enforced meetings are still on my Christmas card lists, some in my personal email address book today.
Living on a coastal island is in many ways the anti-thesis of being productive. There are businesses here and business people, but no business culture. There is no need to network when everyone knows everyone and you can instantly distinguish between tourist and local at the grocery store.
But for the almost six years year, I've tried to schedule one mid-day meal each week with Rog. We talk about our work (he's a Certified Arborist so his stuff is always more interesting), my travels, and important things like basketball, shrimping and diving. (All of which I enjoy vicariously through him).
Every few months I can catch Bobby between newspaper photography assignments and get him to sit still for food. We talk about music, the bizarre world of local politics and solve most of the world's problems in under 60 minutes.
My daughter Jen and I go to Subway at least once a week, divide the newspaper between us and talk about the world and what's happening in her life. With her work and school schedule , sometimes it's the only time I get to see her. Yet another practical reason to share a meal.
A few months ago a new activity appeared. I could wimp out and say Amy is our Realtor and Anne is my illustrator on the children's book project. I could pretend that we only discuss serious business topics. The fact is they are my friends. Our lunches rarely discuss business. Most times, in fact, we have fun. I actually caught myself wondering what I would wear to lunch with them today.
So maybe I'm becoming one of those women.
But I will not wear a hat.

Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2004-03-26 8:14 AM Ladies who lunch I've never been a lady who lunches, more like a broad who eats with interesting other people sometimes. Early in my reporter days I worked at an American Cities Business Journal start-up where they had a specific, chainwide formal program for source development. Three days a week I was required to take different potential sources within my beat to lunch and submit the receipts with a brief dossier. A habit for lunches that accomplish something was set. The victims of many of those enforced meetings are still on my Christmas card lists, some in my personal email address book today. Living on a coastal island is in many ways the anti-thesis of being productive. There are businesses here and business people, but no business culture. There is no need to network when everyone knows everyone and you can instantly distinguish between tourist and local at the grocery store. But for the almost six years year, I've tried to schedule one mid-day meal each week with Rog. We talk about our work (he's a Certified Arborist so his stuff is always more interesting), my travels, and important things like basketball, shrimping and diving. (All of which I enjoy vicariously through him). Every few months I can catch Bobby between newspaper photography assignments and get him to sit still for food. We talk about music, the bizarre world of local politics and solve most of the world's problems in under 60 minutes. My daughter Jen and I go to Subway at least once a week, divide the newspaper between us and talk about the world and what's happening in her life. With her work and school schedule , sometimes it's the only time I get to see her. Yet another practical reason to share a meal. A few months ago a new activity appeared. I could wimp out and say Amy is our Realtor and Anne is my illustrator on the children's book project. I could pretend that we only discuss serious business topics. The fact is they are my friends. Our lunches rarely discuss business. Most times, in fact, we have fun. I actually caught myself wondering what I would wear to lunch with them today. So maybe I'm becoming one of those women. But I will not wear a hat. Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top