The Coffee House Blog

Right off the bat I want to say that I love coffee houses. There is something that I can't personally explain about a hot cup of coffee, a good book or a blank page on a computer, and an environment that welcomes it all. This in no way means that I won't at least try. I had specific plans today. I wanted to wake up, go to the gym, eat breakfast and then head to one of my favorite coffee spots to write for a few hours. As I sit here now, I can't help but feel roused to write something different. I was going to work on my little story that (I'm still afraid to even call it a novel) I had been working on for the past couple of weeks. I was, I guess you can say, inspired by my surroundings that I put it on hold at least for the next thirty minutes or so as I write this blog. It's a bright sun lit room with big windows surrounding two of the four walls of the shop. The walls are colored with orange paint that I can't really decide whether to classify as bright, dark, or even both if that's even a possibility. It smells, of course, like coffee and pastries. Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" plays in the background. If you don't know who Tracy Chapman is, 1. You're too young to be reading this, 2. You probably know who she is and what she sounds like, but don't know her name, or 3. You're way too cool to be reading this blog of mine and I should be reading yours. I'm kidding of course. I think of myself as pretty cool and so does my mother. I am interested to read your blog as well if you have one. Anyways, Its a song that I think was written especially for coffee shops, if that makes any sense. The walls are decorated with pottery and pictures that look like they could have come from Egypt or some other ancient civilization, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were bought from various garage sales judging by a tag hanging from what looks like a lamp displayed on one of the walls. Its not for sale either, I've already asked.

If you haven't noticed already, I'm not talking about those big name coffee shops that, although can provide a great environment for working, can stifle a persons imaginative ideas by being so... common. I'm looking directly at you Starbucks. It seems almost strange to me that someone can go into a place like Starbucks, Peet's, or any other of the numerously over abundant carbon copy coffee shops not just in this city, but every city, and sit down to write. I guess reading or doing homework would be doable because of the lack of function from the right cerebral cortex of the brain (the imaginative side) or so I've read. But something as creatively rich as writing, drawing, or coming up with ideas for anything requires places more inspiring. Places like this. Places where the colors or decor could arouse feelings, emotions, and sentiments. Places where the employees, customers, or interactions could inspire possible character names, personalities, or story lines. Places that aren't just gloomy, dark, brown (which seems to be a common color for coffee shops, I get it ok... you sell coffee), and hipster-ish barista with "too cool for you" and couldn't possible give less than two shits about me being there type attitudes. My point is, there should be more places like this. And don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing on Starbucks or Peet's or any of the other big name coffee shops at all. I'm a customer of them as well. There's really no competition to Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte. All I'm saying is that where I am now, sitting here, sipping my coffee, no matter how stupid it may sound to some of you, has inspired this rant of mine. The inspiration can come almost effortlessly in a place like this. So, if it seems like your at a standstill in whatever it is you're doing whether it be writing, drawing, or coming up with ideas for anything, come by Java on Ocean. Buy a cup of joe, sit down, enjoy the ambiance, and let imagination come to you. I also urge you to support other local businesses :P Peace and Love people!