Previously, I mentioned what a poor job I had been doing in meeting new people at work, and though it's been three weeks now I'm still not doing a great job of advancing on that goal.

They say only boring people are bored, which may be true, but while not bored myself, I think I'm pretty boring.

I also don't do a good job of getting involved in a conversation, especially one in progress. I'm one to usually sit and listen, and I'm pretty well trained to stop talking if interrupted, so I'm easily walked over in a group. I don't really consider this bad, but it certainly doesn't help in engaging people.

Coversation is certainly something I miss from my situation before, where I'd be with the same group of people for lunch every day, some of which I've known for years. I miss them, which makes me a little sad during lunches as well. I don't think I show it, but I'm not watching myself, and I don't really know how much I telegraph myself to others.

So, I pick a sunny spot to sit at, with people if I can, but generally by myself, and at least try to enjoy the weather before it gets too cold to sit outside. And while I'm happy to converse with just about anyone, whether I know them or not, I usually end up finishing my lunch in about 15 minutes, sitting outside for another 5 or so, and heading back in to work.

I'm starting to think I should just leave work for the full hour lunch and go do something just to get out. But then that defeats the goal of meeting work people as well.

I think I need to come up with a better strategy....