A room with a different kind of view

13th February 2008

A room with a different kind of view

I remember fondly the days where I looked out of my office window into the vastness of the South Side of Chicago. The cars! The lake! The daydreaming! Fortunately or unfortunately, I’ve left that great view behind me and onto a different kind of office. The coffee shop.

The noise! The uncomfortable wooden chairs! The expensive beverages!

I never fancied myself as the kind of person who could hang out in a coffee shop for the afternoon just ~~killing time on the internet~~ catching up on e-mails and writing. I have admired those who can. Those who can pop out wonderful work amidst the cell phone calls, the espresso machines whizzing and the god-forbid-its-mainstream music.

But on a day with not so many errands to run and a babysitter (not a nanny, no no!) at home with the kid, I figured I’d shlep my computer around and try to find a spot where I could settle until the “free” wi-fi (which is only free if I spend too much money on a not-so-good croissant sandwich) runs out.

Of course, I’m the idiot who couldn’t figure out how to get the “free” wi-fi code activated and had to bother the man behind me to help me out (Vista firewall issue, go figure). And of course, I haven’t gotten a lick of my new “work” done, but in reality my new little office isn’t so bad. It’s warm, the sun is shining in (finally) and there must be a new beverage on the menu that I haven’t tried yet.

I see that this might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. If only they hadn’t run out of chocolate scones.

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1 On February 13th, 2008, Amy@UWM said:

Mmmm…I can smell the cappuccino from here.

My office has a frosted window that overlooks an interior escalator. You definitely got a better deal.

2 On February 13th, 2008, Shari Schmidt said:

I know what it’s like to try to find that new place to work.
I’m a stay at home Mom, but not officially so. Anytime I get paid to write, I’m self-employed. My current office is a desk in the playroom. It’s loud and noisy, but it’s the best office I’ve ever had.

3 On February 14th, 2008, Alex Elliot said:

This summer I could not for the life of me get my computer to hook up to the internet at an internet cafe I was at. I had to have the teenager help me about three times.

4 On February 14th, 2008, Shannanb aka Mommy Bits said:

My friend is a freelance writer and he loves lugging his laptop into places like Panera and working. Its true what they say about the internet changing the way we do business. You can now work from anywhere!

5 On February 15th, 2008, Queeny said: