PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

Weekends fill up so fast with activities and obligations. Finding time to date or meet people suddenly takes a back seat to all of the stuff that has to get done before the alarm clock goes off bright and early Monday morning. Luckily for you most jobs allocate at least a forty-five minute lunch time to break up the mundane ness of the typical eight-hour work shift. Even thirty minutes is enough time to squeeze in some romance.

When making a date on your lunch break it is important to plan as much as you can beforehand. Take into consideration how long it takes you to leave your office. Mull on what the traffic constraints are at lunchtime or worse, how much time it could take to find parking.

If getting some time away is important to you, start to scope out places for a quick getaway. As you commute to the office take note of what eating establishments are on the way or nearby. A bookstore with a built in café has just as much potential as the perfectly placed lunch table at a nearby park.

Meeting at a place with quick service or serve yourself options is a great way to save valuable time. Start your conversations in line at the salad bar and by the time you make it to your table you will be deep into debate.

Perhaps your time could be more effectively spent if your date met you in your office’s cafeteria. Many larger corporations are offering low cost and high quality on-site eating options. You and your date can find a table to yourself and get to know each other. This option isn’t the best for shy types as chances are your lunch date will be the talk of the office before the afternoon coffee run takes place.

If getting together over lunch in person is next to impossible, try a cellular picnic. Pack each other the same lunch in the morning and at lunch hour escape from your desk with your sack lunch and your cell phone. Find a hidden spot away from your coworkers and dial up your sweetie. You may not be face to face but it is the next best thing.

Still can’t get away from your desk for some time with your new sweetie? Simply closing your office door is a way to signal to your staff and co-workers that you are unavailable to them. Use this time to exchange rapid-fire romantic e-mails from your cell phone. If your guy is unreachable take the time to compose him a romantic letter. Something that lets him know that you were thinking of him is always a welcome and appreciated gesture.

So many of us don’t take advantage of our lunch hour to separate from the work grind. This is your time to unplug, unwind and recharge. If you aren’t involved with anyone you can still benefit from some quality time by yourself. An ipod loaded with calming music can become an escape from the day, however brief.