You're about to go have lunch at a nearby restaurant, and you have everything you need, a hungry tummy and the urge to make it go away.

But wait! There's something wrong with this picture.

You need at least a few more items to get the most out of your lunch: a pen and a pad of paper.

Everybody, as I see it, should carry these things, practically everywhere, for these reasons:

(1) Great ideas pop into our heads precisely at those times when these items aren't present. Have you ever noticed how many terrific notions scoot across your mind when you're taking a shower or jogging? I'll bet you don't have your pad and pen, then, right?

(2) There's really nothing better to do when you're waiting for table service. Sure, you can jabber away on a cell phone, but what a waste. Anybody worth their salt won't want to talk with YOU on their lunch hour, so you'll be chatting with the few bozos that find you good company and are willing to sneak bites in, and swallow uncomfortably.

(3) You can scribble! Hey, why should tiny kids have all the fun?

(4) You can make yet another list that you'll never complete.

(5) You'll have something to do when all of those sexy people insist on flirting with you, and a place to jot their numbers when your resistance crumbles.

(6) If any of your associates see you, they'll think you're still working, donating your precious lunchtime to the company.

(7) You'll look organized and important to everybody.

(8) If you're a writer, you might just have that epiphany that will help you to conquer your writer's block.

(9) You'll have a place to take notes if you actually get an important call.

(10) You'll have something to tear into little pieces, enabling you to siphon off your tensions.

Seriously, if you bring a pad and a pen, it's amazing how the good ideas will come to you. And it feels really cool to be able to capture them, and to refer to them later!