Java Madness

Today the line inside the coffee shop moves slowly as some patrons have evolved from the regular cup of black coffee to a latte, espresso, Chai or cappuccino. Along with their high-calorie caffeine fix they add a muffin, bagel, or Panini to their order. 

A choice of tables for two or four with chairs is available inside, as well as on the waterfront deck which overlooks a marina. The light blue sky with puffy clouds contrasted by the dark blue waters makes the choice of sitting inside or outside debatable until we open the door and a gust of wind whips at us and the decision to sit inside prevails.

Our table for two offers a game of tic-tac-toe. We play a few games before becoming bored. We've become too sophisticated to enjoy a simple game anymore. Just as Pong no longer excites us as it did 30 years ago. So, Dave takes out his pocket PC and connects to the Internet via the free Wi-Fi offered by the coffee shop. I pull out my trusty journal and pen. Nothing like the feel of pen and paper when writing.

Local artists exhibit their work. One woman carefully hangs her paintings, portraits, pen and inks and watercolors, and prices them accordingly. Her bio and business cards are also proudly displayed.  I wonder if anyone really buys these works of art?  The works displayed by this, and other artists, are viewed by those who sip their coffee either alone or with a friend, lover, business associate, classmate, parent, sibling, or other type of companion.  

Parents share a bagel with their twin boys who wear matching orange sweatshirts on this cool Saturday morning. They help mom by taking their empty paper plates and cups and placing them into the trash bin.

Two men talk at one table, while three women converse at another. By eavesdropping I  determine that both groups are conducting job interviews.

Musicians take their turn entertaining the transient crowd. Last week a local singer/guitarist played/sang pop songs from the past, with his wife occasionally joining in. This week, a father and daughter play soothing melodic / harmonic classical acoustic guitar duets as patrons show their appreciation by dropping dollars into the large round glass container.

Through the window we see that on the deck a father plays his guitar and sings. His reluctant daughter holds a mike awkwardly and sings occasionally, but her uncomfortable presentation clearly states that if she continues this type of performance we will not be seeing her as one of the finalists on American Idol.  The rest of the family watches from a nearby table.

An author is there to sign his recently released murder mystery novel which takes place locally; but he has no sign, no name tag, and makes no eye contact. His lack of salesmanship, nonchalant demeanor, while donning jeans and sneakers causes him to waste several hours of his day - he is doomed to fail at selling any of his books.

We each finish our coffee and determine that we've been entertained enough by the music, art, and people watching at this coffee shop and it's time to move on... to another coffee shop, perhaps?