I am the lunch girl in my office. My office is fairly small and we enjoy each other's company and almost always eat lunch together. Usually I start the lunch talk at about 12:00 by announcing that I am hungry, then I begin walking around to everyone else's offices and asking what they feel like for lunch. After half an hour or so of relaying everyone's desires and cravings we decide on a place. I then take everyone's orders, collect money and then either call in the order to be delivered or if it is close enough I will walk and pick up our lovely lunch. We then sit around for at least an hour and eat and talk and relax, and then another 10 - 15 minutes talking about how much we ate and getting fresh cups of coffee to take back to our desks with us.
The extended lunch process, the fatty and highly caloric but oh so yummy foods that we eat [lots of hot dogs and fries and RC] combined with sitting behind a computer for hours each day has increased my waistline [and my arms, and my butt and my thighs ...] in the almost year that I have worked at my place of employment. I cannot be fat. I just can't. So, I have had to introduce a little discipline into my life, particularly when it comes to lunch. One dog instead of two, no fries, diet pop instead of regular [YES! It's true HT!] a salad instead of an Italian Beef. Time to trim the fat, tighten the belt and impose some order and discipline. I've already dropped some weight and combined with a rigorous workout regimen I am seeing muscle definition where there used to just be flab. I've also noticed that I don't feel so sluggish in the afternoon, not so many heart burn attacks, and well, not as much gas, either.
It's funny, imposing discipline and structure to something as enjoyable and as freeing as lunch doesn't seem like it would make it better, but it does. And I think it also segues quite well into an analysis and discussion of the controversial OWFL posting schedule. There have been some very vocal anti-schedulers and a pair of very vocal pro-schedulers, and then a whole bunch who seemed undecided. Today is the last day of the trial schedule. I encourage all the contributors of the OWFL to go back and review the posts we have had and the ensuing discussions since the schedule was instituted. Then go back and review the month or two prior to the schedule. I think you will clearly see that the posts and discussions that we have had since the schedule have been hands down the best we have had to date. People seem to take more time to create a thoughtful and entertaining post when they know they have a responsibility to uphold. We have also had the greatest diversity of voices, and the daily post was not dominated by three or so members.
Discipline, order, structure are not what we necessarily think of when we think about lunch, but they have most definitely helped foster a better and more enriching OWFL. I think the time has come to institute the schedule as a regular component of the OWFL, but alas we are not a dictatorship [and even if we were, I wouldn't be the dictator] so the future of the blog is in all our hands.
Discuss.
Oh yeah, what's for lunch on this beautiful FRIDAY!?
62 comments:
Where's the blogger discipline? First comment after 11am, sheesh!
Anyhoo, I'm on record in favor of the schedule. I find that if I'm expected to do a post, i'll actually think about it and try to come up with something interesting.
As for lunch, at this moment Mrs. Watchdog is at the U.S. Consulate in Canada to see if she can become Mrs. Immigrant-Dog. So i'm really nervous and need some calming lunch food. Suggestions?
I think soup is a very calming food. I also like cookies, maybe oatmeal raisin. Comfort foods are good calming foods, maybe a grilled cheese sanwich and tomato soup.
I think Miu has an interesting point about the schedule that I hadn't considered: It helps protect the voice of those who might not have the tendency to otherwise lead and shape the discussion. I like it.
But I cannot abide Miu's choice in lunch today. A tuna melt is quite possibly the most offensive and intolerable of all sandwiches.
not sure what's for lunch today. i'll probably eat the stuff i didn't really eat yesterday: 2 hard boileds, hummus, carrots, tzasiki (homemade with real fage people!), and lavash. oh and a rouge tomato.
i already made my sentiments clear in the official schedule post so i have no more to comment here at this time.
watchdog -- eat something foreign in honor of mrs. immigrant-dog...perhaps chinois is in order for you as it is closest. some eat-first, perhaps????? i love that place.
oh, and FELIZ CINCO DE MAYO!!!! us silly gringos will think of anything to party. the 5th of may was some battle that the mexicans won against the french. i have no clue how it got so damn popular here en los estados unidos.
it was probably the tequilla and cointreau cartel that wanted to sell more fixins for margaritas and duped us all into partying it up on this day. it's almost a hallmark holiday...almost as bad as valentine's day!
Nice post Jade - and in case you didn't see my comment this morning on yesterday's post - I couldn't stop laughing at my own idiocy. Hee! Totally didn't notice it until this morning when I read your post pointing out my mistake. Der!
Hee hee - Immigrant-Dog. Nice! Perhaps a Hot Dog for lunch?
I am actual going to post on the schedule post about it. Hm. I have many thoughts on the subject . . . really I do!
I am also undecided about lunch. I was a little hungover, but 2 iced coffees have helped tremendously. Now I'm almost starving, but I have no idea what I want. Well, actually, what I really is more of the spicy scallop roll I had last night at dinner, but it's way up in Tenleytown. Plus sushi's expensive. Hm. I may have to delve deep into my menu pile . . . .
Jade, you are so wrong. Tuna melts, when done right, are sublime. Hm. Maybe I will get a tuna melt on a bagel . . . .
Cinco de Mayo is not nearly as Hallmarkized as St. Patty's Day. Yet.
Thanks for posting and opening a dialogue The Jade. Just like miu, I was not discussing What's For Lunch before there was a schedule. I have enjoyed it and would vote in favor of a schedule as well. How is the schedule decided? How are contributors selected?
Went to the Baseball game last night and got pretty drunk. Not sure what lunch will be today. Maybe I'll check the hangover post for suggestions.
I lived in Mexico for a year and was very excited when Cinco de Mayo was coming up. I asked my friends "donde esta el fiesta" for the big cinco de mayo celebration. My Mexican friend had never heard of Cinco de Mayo, he consulted with some other Mexicans and they were able to come up with consensus that the holiday exists, but that its only celebrated in Puebla, Mexico, the site of the battle of Puebla where the Mexicans beat the pissy-pant frenchies. Mexico has lost every war its been involved with, even their civil wars somehow, but they did win a battle once, on May 5 some year or other. I guess it kind of points out there military feebleness so most people in Mexico aren't even aware of it. That being said, the U.S. has adopted it as a marketing ploy to sell coronas and tacos. So why not enjoy it I suppose, because they sure as hell aren't celebrating it in Mexico
Hmmm...interesting and impressive twist on your post Jade. Definitely killing two birds with one stone!
I suppose you could say I am one of the undecided, or really one of the "I didn't feel like throwing my opinion into the mix because there are plenty of individuals with much stronger opinions on this topic than myself".
Ok, so it was mentioned how Jade was surprised that imposing discipline on your lunch actually made things surprisingly better in possibly the same way that the schedule, although can be seen as "disciplinary" is in fact beneficial. The difference is that it is an individual decision that you impose on yourself in terms of what you eat, whereas the schedule is implementing restrictions on others. And call me crazy, but there are some people on here (cough cough...HT...LC...and I'll even point a finger at myself) that no matter what the issue is does not want to be told what to do. Now I see the benefits and draw backs of both sides. Honestly though, I think most of the going back and forth about the topic is mainly due to the fact that there are several people on this blog with strong opinions and a strong will. Sometimes there really isn't a disagreement, but more of maybe a power struggle...hmmm...de ja vu back to a sore topic of the OWFL conference...
Anyways...this is what I propose, which I think is a semi-compromise. A schedule, but one that the contributors sign up for. You get to pick what day you want. That way if it is a time that turns out doesn't work for you it is your own fault (even though we LOVE to point the finger at Jo).
Throw up a schedule somewhere. If there are some days that are unassigned, throw out comments of encouragement for someone to take them, or leave them open to allow someone who was randomly inspired that particular day to get in a little extra WFL love. In reality, there are just some who have more to say on the topic and love saying it and there will be days where some just don't have the time. With all of the personalities on this blog, I really don't think having boring, uninspired or non-posting days
will be an issue anymore.
I also propose that Sunshine be listed as an official contributer...that is if he already hasn't been.
By the way, I wrote this really fast because I am BUSY at work so I'm sorry for any typos or partially explained/unclear thoughts!!
My fat ass needs to get on a salad regimen asap. Although, a chicken burrito bol from chipotle seems like the perfect way to mark "cinco." They have corona there, too.
Yeah, nice catch yesterday, Jade. The Original What The Fuck?
Happy weekend, all.
Let's not celebrate a Mexican victory. Let's celebrate a French loss.
I think a holiday becomes official when it makes it into the 'seasonal' aisle at CVS (CVS is a chain of pharmacies on the east coast where customer service is an option, but it is rarely effective. Think Pop Copy)
My agents just returned from CVS and they report the seasonal aisle is full of summer themed things, shitty little grills, plastic glasses for drinking out of doors, lighter fluid, bug spray that kind of junk. Search as they may the agents could not find one sombraro, tequilla bottle, cactus, or dead frenchman.
So I think Cinco de Mayo isn't a holiday. It's just a marketing event brought to us by corona.
Thanks Unicorn. I have a post brewing that I have been itching to throw out there, but after that... I got nothing.
The BIG holiday in Mexico is September 16th, their 4th of July. In Mexico, when they blow shit up, they REALLY blow shit up, and there is no hesitation about raining flaming debris onto large crowds. I went to three events in Mexico that involved pyrotechnics, and I was set on fire in two of those. Fortunately the Mexicans are prepared for the rain of fire and are quick to put out the flames on your shirt or hair. Gotta love the mexicans...
Can we have a Chicago OWFL booze fest sometime this weekend? Dipso, Peep, Rico, Spoilsport, Brian [helloooooo, spoilsport and Brian] I'm looking at you! Did I miss anyone?
I like what unicorn had to say about the schedule.
I second sunshine for contributorship.
Cinco de mayo is the anniversary of my divorce! This is a good thing! Yay, two years!
Were those events inspected and approved by the 'Mexican Safety Council'? I think that's the governing body that oversees things like acceptable passenger loads on busses and things like that.
On a side note, did anybody read about the bus that killed 68 of the 72 passengers on board when it plumetted into a 500 foot deep ravine in Mexico? (the largest class of charter buses seats 55)
I actually like Uni's compromise. I hate, hate, hate the schedule (for reasons I've been very clear about), and the posts that I ended up doing on my scheduled days would have been so much better if I could have just done them when I was ready.
And, I have another problem that I've been seeing. Yesterday I asked for lunch help. And, only Uncle Lesto and Uni responded (though Dipstarkle's suggestion to eat a seafood sub at subway can hardly be considered serious help). Today, WD needs our advice, and only Jade and TAFKALC, and LT have stepped up, though LT's was more a response to TAFKALC.
My point here is that I think - and I don't know if this is a result of the schedule, or not, but I suspect it is - that we are getting away from the original mission of the blog. Yeah, the posts are good and the conversations generated are interesting and they all have to do with lunch - but we're all getting caught up in the daily pop culture, esoterrorism, whatever topics, that when one of our brethern calls for help (WD and I are only two recent examples of something I've seen happen more than a few times)
I think that the OWFL is on its way to losing its way. I'm not trying to stifle conversation, and I'm certainly guilty of the above described actions, but I think we need to keep in mind the mission of the blog.
WD - I think in your situation, I'd be all about tomato soup, grilled cheese, and a cup of hot tea.
Lunch today was kind of already eaten, I had a couple pieces of stinky cheese, and some rare roast beef. Yum. But, I think I'm going to need to eat again later.
Lunch today has me going to the bank, and I pass an On The Border on the way to the bank. Perhaps a taco to celebrate is in order
MS, can you send an email to theoriginalwhatsforlunch@gmail.com? I need your email to add you as a contributor.
Congrats!
I wonder if theoriginalwhatthefuck.blogspot.com is taken.
I'm still undecided on lunch. Try as I may, I'm just not in the mood for mexican. I might hit Dheli Dhaba. Or maybe a panini. Hmmmm. Or maybe I'll just start walking. Maybe I'll do breadline! Ha!
Come to breadline, LT! It's only a couple metro stops away!!
Oh my god, I'm so excited. I have just created a new blog. Probably nobody can actually go on it from work, b/c it's theoriginalwhatthefuck.blogspot.com. I am ridiculously excited!!! Check it out when you get a chance!!
Are you actually going to update this one, LT?
(yeah, yeah - pot, meet kettle. But I swear I'm updating this weekend - with pics! Maybe.)
Good luck on everything WD!! I'd go for the soup and sandwich combo also. Maybe turkey with melty havarti or roast beef with brie.
I was in a rush this morning so I grabbed some leftover brown rice from leftover take out chinese and threw some steamed broccoli and edamame in with it. I already know that that is NOT going to be enough. I'll probably have to hit the downstairs salad bar for some extra fixin's.
Oooooh. Called out. Burned appropriately! My problem is that I'm on the web enough at work (see theoriginalwhatsforlunch.blogspot.com) that I'm kind of worried I'll get "the talk" like HT & tafkalc have recently! I do need to actually do it at home. I am an eslacker!
Hatertot, mail has been sent. You're not going to use my email address to help your friend in Nigeria move money into a US bank account? Are you?
Donkey porn is en route, MS.
Jade, Dipso is short for dipsomaniac -- so you know I’m in…IF I’m in town. Here’s the thing:
peep, big city clambake informs me that the orange fucker’s in miltown. Our all-around funny man (and HT’s would-be sodomizer) is, predictably, gung ho for the trip. I ain’t going to Oostburg, though… If there’s a trip, are your wheels available?
(Pardon the esoterrorism. Actually, don’t. Peep and I have known each other for 33 years – there’s gonna be some. Deal.)
I forgot how much I love the chicken burrito bowl. It's definitely among my top three lunch standards.
Dipso, I'm impressed with your new, forceful style. Nicely done.
HT - you sound a bit turned on by dipso's forcefulness... ;)
I second the approval for Dipso getting aggressive. Be! Aggressive! Be! Be! Aggressive!
Although I think you should stay in Chicago and go boozing with me. The sodomizer can come along, I think he is funny.
I think that's why I was intrigued by the Sodomizer. Not intrigued enough though. But piqued.
Anyhoo... back to work, now.
Oh, and Jade is living proof that you can take the girl out of the cheerleading outfit, but you can't take the cheer out the girl. Or something.
Well, I was on my way for comfort food and I got the call from Mrs. Dog, and now i'm eating Immigration-Authorities-Are-A-Bunch-Of-Bureacratic-Fuck-Wads food. Which is whatever the hell I wanted from the buffet place. That was salmon, sushi, orange chicken, avocado and tomato salad, spinach salad, and cajun shrimp.
There are dual processes going on, and one of the offices of the SAME agency requested THE original police clearance document from Mrs. Watchdog's home approx. 3,000 miles away. The issuing authority only issues ONE original, cuz its an original right? Well, seems the other office of the SAME agency also needs THE original document. When the Mrs. explained that she submitted THE original to them weeks ago, they said that she'll need to go get ANOTHER original from the issuing government, 3,000 miles away.
So basically its like "we know you have a certified copy of the original document we need, and we know WE HAVE the original document that we're requesting. But its in another city about 400 miles away, so rather than get it from them we need you to go 3,000 miles to get another copy of what we know we have but can't conveniently reach for it at the moment"
Allright, needed to rant. That's for hearing me out blog.
I'm cutting out of work early today, I need some time away from my employer, THE MAN...
A coworker just stopped by my office and asked for a good spot to get spaghetti for lunch. I jumped out of my chair and grabbed her by the arm and proceeded to tug her around the office to different offices and cubes, asking their occupants for recommendations. Thanks to one Executive Assistant, she’s happily on her way to Pizano’s on Madison. I am being forceful. Must be the Claritin-D I've been freebasing.
I’m not naming names, but people on this blog definitely need to start shagging. Blogcest!!!
Shagging with each other, or just in general?
Intra-blog.
Where's RicoTubbs? I bet he'd have some thoughts on the subject.
Damn tha man watchdog, damn tha man.
I support shagging. Should we set up a schedule for that too?
Who exactly do you suggest should start shagging?
Wow, I love aliteration.
Oh, I don't have any specific suggestions. I just come up with the big ideas. Someone else can work out the details...
Yeah, I'm seconding Jade's request for shedding some light on the shagging.
Eh, her alliteration was better.
And just like that, the Aggression disappears. So sad.
I think we should at least be allowed to furlough our responsibilties if we are traveling. Remember, I'm still stuck in the woods of PA.
Regardless, there is something to be said for a little self-discipline which prevents a bunch of self-laothing which is a far-worse thing. Don't you agree?
Today was a weird mis-mash (yes I said that right) of food at the place I am staying. It seems they contracted the cafeteria workers of the closest Middle school they could find. So I have been going out to get lunch meats, PBJ, and cereal that I have been surviving off of.
I have recently delved into the nether-world of sports energy drinks. I have come up with some favorites for both effect and for taste. I think it closely parrallels another funny website that I have read recently:
Bumwine
This is a very funny site that I can relate to after the foray into these new drinks. I think it will be the topic of my next post: "Horrors of Lunch: what do you replace lunch with when you have no time for lunch?"
Jade, good if not controversial post. Sounds like you might get "dry-gulched" (did I use that right?) by Jo for this one.
Cheers all
At home now and feeling better already. A little change in latitude (2 miles north) can make all the change in attitude.
E-que, I may skip the margarita, but a keg of the high life is sitting in the kegerator and calling me. Does your current governmental issues allow you for porch sittin' and drinkin?
The head CIA man just quit. So we can now talk about him without fear of his snooping on our blog. What kind of a first name is "porter", that's a last name or a beer in my book.
WD porter is also the guy who carries your bags when you ride the train.
My plans for the evening include High Life and the porch too. See you there.
And the CIA isn't supposed to do surveillance inside the US. That's the NSA's job.
News alert...
High Life keg dry...story developing...
dizko. Loved the Bumwines review. thanks.
Watchdog has wheels now. Time for a fresh keg, homie.
IPA, IPA, IPA!
jv, i'm not a wolverine, a Spartan in fact, but I love Zingerman's big time.
That should be a future OWFL convention site, for real...
Oh wow, Kennedy's going to rehab at the Mayo Clinic. (to keep with the theme) I wonder what they serve for lunch at the Mayo? Is it implied that mayo comes on the sandwiches, or do you have to ask for it specifically? Can you even get a sandwich without mayo on it there?
Check out the picture of him on the front page of the Post online. Is that thing a rug? Ugh!
And for non-DC area WFLers (and DC area WFLers whose email addresses I may have inadvertently left off the list . . .) I'm having my annual Christmas party 5/19. If you think you'll be in the DC area around then, let me know - you should come. It'll be rockin'.
Seared and loafing in Lunch Ventures
"Seared and loafing in Lunch Ventures"
Funniest fucking thing I have read in ages. Goog job, dog.
And with that, I was 69! Way to start the weekend!
Nice WD. I was going to be boring and suggest "What's for Lunch?" But I think we might all hold part of the copyright of that name? So you would have to share the profits with us. I'll take mine in sandwiches.
Oh, and PS - I just finished 'the Rum Diary'. Anyone read it? It's awesome. And having lived on an island, I can totally relate.
Great Post Jade!!!
I am on record as a proponent of the schedule. Uni's idea of a schedule by choice sounds good, but if anyone remembers that is exactly how the original schedule was supposed to begin. A grand total of 3 folks requested days (some made clear when they could NOT post). For those who are anti-schedule I think we'd all love to hear how you think things should flow around here without one.
I am blogging from Cleveland having lunched at Thurgood Marshall Baltimore Washington International Airport. I attempted to order the new spicy chicken sandwich from McDonalds and a salad. After 13 minutes they handed me a bag full of just about everything except what I ordered. The Orange Hi-C was good.
I'm thinking about BBQ tonight.
And watchdawg if I was in DC I'd buy you several rounds.
Hey everyone...I'm not sure if this works or how this works...but let's see what happens...just go to this link
http://freecal.brownbearsw.com/WFL
and to the bottom of the calendar and click Add/Edit...you can pick a date and enter in your name for posting.
I was just bored at work by the way...and I can see several ways on how this WON'T work.
Looks great Uni! Maybe we can discuss it further when people get back in to their offices on Monday and can focus on the blog (he he)?
it's amazing what's out there. Nice, Uni! And everyone: watch out before you click my name on the calendar! Tee hee!
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