Finding The Third Place

Ray Oldenburg defines The Third Place as the environment for social interaction outside of work and home, the two typical environments that we thrive in.

I need that Third Place.

I really feel that I haven’t been as productive at home as I would like- it took me almost all summer just to finish all changes to this blog. I also wasn’t as productive as I wanted to be when it came to draft prep this fantasy football season.

I think the reason is that I am too distracted while I am cooped up in my room. I can easily procrastinate while at home (napping is a big part of that) and I think that by changing my venue- I can focus better on the task at hand. I also think the social environment will bode better instead of spending my days in solitary confinement inside my room.

So I think I’m going to start looking for that Third Place. I realize that hunkering down at a Starbucks with my laptop will instantly put me into that Yuppie group- but I think I now realize why the Yuppies do it. At least I can say I’m not working on my new screenplay (but maybe I should while I’m out there.)

I’ve already written about this idea over at New Persuasion, so I have a good idea of what I want to look for when searching for my Third Place:

• Free WiFi
• Easy access to a power outlet (my laptop is a power hog)
• Coffee (my body is a power hog)
• A manageable amount of people
• Late hours (I am a night owl)

So after looking at the Free Wifi Directory I have drafted up a list of places I want to check out:

• Busboy & Poets (Shirlington)
• Open City
• Tryst
• Panera Bread
• Perks Cafe & Coffeehouse
• Cosi
• Wegman’s (you gotta ready my NP post to understand)

So I think every week I’m going to try a place or two- maybe I’ll find the place where I can be at peace.

How about you- do any of you have a third place to recommend me?