how to eat alone and the importance of being furnished

in the two months i've been in colorado springs for work, i've mastered the art of eating out alone. the necessity arose because i haven't met anyone outside of work here and my cooking ability is outweighed by my reluctance to wash dishes.

the most intimidating aspect about eating out alone is sitting at a table with two seats, the one across from you empty, while all around you are other tables with couples or bigger groups. this sort of thing is tolerable for eating fast food, say mcdonalds, because the anxiety of sitting by yourself at a table before your food comes is short enough to be bareable. however, if i want fast food, i usually don't bother with even walking in the place. i just get in my car, go through the drive through, then go home.

the secret to eating out alone is to eat at a place with a bar or a counter. in this way, your back is turned towards any other diners who are fortunate enough to have company. this also saves you the trouble of having to distract yourself until your food comes. if you're sitting at a sushi bar, you can watch the chef and he'll probably chit chat with you a little bit.

there's a thai food place down the street from where i work and they were smart enough to put a counter by the front windows of the shop. i like to sit there and read whatever free newspapers they keep by the front door until my food is ready.

regular bars are somewhat tougher to deal with. they usually have a bunch of tv's on without any sound. the bartender is not as likely to chit chat. i usually find myself staring up at a hockey game until my food arrives. i met a guy named josh the other night. i guess he was watching me sitting there trying to look entertained when he got my attention and suggested i play the trivia game he was playing on one of the screens. this guy knew what he was talking about. that was a lot more entertaining than watching tv with no sound.

...

i was sitting in starbucks earlier today thinking that i've been conditioned to sitting in chairs for the last twenty seven years of my life. staying in my unfurnished studio for the last two months is beginning to make me appreciate how nice furniture is. i have my laptop set on top of a box and i sit in front of it with my legs crossed. this is becoming more and more uncomfortable. i went to starbucks this afternoon to borrow a chair and table. it was really nice to read a book at the proper height. it was amazing to slouch in the chair.

i'm looking forward to getting back to houston after my job is finished. i was there during christmas week and really enjoyed sleeping in a bed again. i also enjoyed having lunch with my mom in my own house.