"About how many cups do you go through a day?" I returned to Zoka and was intent on writing a quick post about my coffee spot hunt. The fact that I was back at Zoka obviously meant they are at the top of my list. My coffee, while not as good as last time, was adequate. And the parking was easy(ish). So what threw me? Well, for one thing I only had a bit of time and the internet kept kicking me off. I must have started this blog post about three times before I gave up and did something else. .... And that something else turned out to be listening in on a conversation happening near me. Because, from all appearances, it looked like this group of three men, one pacing as if he had just had one too many shots of their extra strong espresso, were working on their plans to open a coffee place. As you know, I have overheard many interesting conversations... but this was the first time ever I had heard business men talking about opening a competing coffee place, in a coffee place. The nerve! Right? I tried desperately to log back in so I could post an overhear, but it was no use. And, it turned out to be a good thing.... because after a few more minutes of paying closer attention I realized they actually were working on something related to Zoka (the big star logo on their computer screens finally gave it away.) And... while I was relieved, it has also made me a bit nervous. These guys looked a lot like consultants- and were asking suspiciously consultanty questions of the barista; thus the reason I thought they were opening a store of their own. So what do I do now? I don't want to invest myself in a new writing spot only to have it go all scale on me. "Oh, sorry, now we charge by the teaspoon used." "WHat are we doing? Oh, nothing. Just removing half the chairs so we have some merchandising space. Want a Zoka mug?" or finally, "Wifi is extra." (Well, I'd probably pay for this if it actually worked, so that might not be a bad thing.) So, I am still on the hunt. Not ready to commit. Not ready to begin chatting up baristas and making friends, only to lose them when move someplace new. Or perhaps... I am not ready to write and am simply avoiding it by scoping out coffee places . . . Nah! Here's to your next big commitment. And also, I want to give a shout out to a new Barista at Starbucks back in my home town . . . although it is a bit scary to think I watched him riding around in a Barbie jeep not that long ago (If he denies it, I'm pretty sure I have photos:>) Good luck Zachary and don't forget to say interesting overhears for other writers who may need a prompt. It may not have been in the training manual, but I guarantee it is part of the job description.
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“We actually don’t have wi-fi.” Ding, ding ding…. Look no further. We have a winner. Well, not yet- but eventually. When I am ready to move into creative, rather than research mode this Starbucks, less than 2 miles from my home, is where I will come. In fact, I came out today to write a blog post about a couple of the different coffee places I have visited, and found this jewel. I mean, really! When was the last time you went to a Starbucks without wi-fi? Even when I was travelling in Europe my laptop kept wanting to log me in. This store is about as far away from my last attempt to write at Starbucks as I could get. Last week I had errands to run at a snobby bea-u-ti-ful shopping mall near me called University Village. There they have not one, or even two, but five Starbucks (if you include their separate Teavana shop.) The biggest one is supersized it is like drinking coffee in a food court, albeit a very comfy one. The scene is- preppy university kids meets home decorators meets tech start-up entrepreneur… all with too much time on their hands. Ouch! Am I being harsh? Yes… but I can say that since I was hanging out there I must fit into one of those categories somehow. I’ll let you guess how. Anyway, so while the coffee was my lovely standard, I don’t really see my creative juices, or even my research juices, flowing in any direction except into their cash till. My prior attempt had led me to a different Starbucks altogether. There is just something about their brew that is very reassuring to me. So when I found myself in Southlake Union waiting to have lynch with my husband, I stopped into the main Starbucks there. Does this have anything to do with the fact that Amazon is headquartered in this area? Okay, perhaps I thought some of the publishing vibe would rub off on me in a good way. And certainly the atmosphere was waaaaay preferable to the store in University Village. Busy, but in a good way. Hip, but in a comfortable rather than trendy way. Friendly, in the way I expect the best Starbucks to be. Sadly, I had to pay parking. And anyway, that store is a bit too far away for daily visits. So, for now I am still on the lookout for my coffee writing spot; waiting for inspiration, or my credit card bill to hit. I will, of course, let you know when I find it.
Cheers and here’s to our journeys inspired by caffeine! Deanne |
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June 2020
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