Coffe and Technology

As I am sitting here typing this post, I am also sitting in a hot coffee spot.

Who would have thought that coffee and computers would one day go hand in hand? Almost every brew station I enter has some sort or wi-fi connectivity going on. At first I was opposed to the idea, but I must admit, as time has gone on, I have become a fan.

For some reason, even out in public places, it is getting more difficult to connect with people face to face. People are busy, preoccupied, or just plain not interested in building relationships. B3eing online seems to help reduce the awkwardness of sitting alone at a table. It also creates a sense of connection to others.

How ironic that cyberspace connection - global and anonymous, has replaced the face to face interaction in the neighborhood caffeine filling stations!

Stop and Smell the Coffee

Ok. It's been a couple of weeks since I last wrote of my beloved coffee spot. It is not for a lack of love for my java joint.

It is because it is the holiday season.

I have been scrambling to get all of my busywork done for the Christmas Holiday. Rush, rush, rush, and run, run, run have been my mode of movement for the last few weeks. I have neglected to just sit and enjoy my place of nirvana in a cup. I have not slowed down enough to fill my cup. I have not savored the aroma of relaxation that I always find in my caffeinated home away from home.

But tomorrow is another day and another chance to stop and smell the coffee.

Black Friday...

In general, this term is used for the Friday after Thanksgiving-the first big shopping day that retailers really slash prices to draw consumers in.

I assume that the "black" means that at the end of the year, the retailers will be turning a profit, not a loss - ergo in their bottom line is in the "black."

It's not Black Friday for me for that reason.....

It is Black Friday for me because for some reason, more than any other day of the year, I need a cup of hot, strong, BLACK coffee.

Maybe it is because I am still in a tryptophan stupor from the enormous amount of Turkey I ate the day before. Maybe I am suffering a sugar crash from all the pumpkin pie. Maybe, just maybe, it is a coping mechanism to prepare me for the long holiday season ahead.

My Cup Runneth Over

Whether you call it java, joe, brew, or just plain coffee....ever cup I drink comes with overflowing blessings.

First, I am blessed to be able to get myself to my coffee spot everyday. I have been blessed with good health, safe and reliable transportation (via my car, my bike or my feet).

Second, I am blessed that I am able to purchase my cup each day. Yes, it is only a $1 refill each morning, but it today's world, many don't even have that much extra to spend.

Third, I am blessed to live in a place where I am allowed to come and go as I please, whether that be to my coffee spot, or anywhere else.

Lastly, I am lucky that I even have a refill mug to....refill. There are many people in the world that don't even have that!

The small things that I sometimes take for granted, come into clearer view at this time of year. I am grateful for all of the big things, but the little things get a bit clearer.

I am grateful that every year at this time I realize - my cup runneth over.

Give Me a B!

On any given day at my coffee spot, this is what I see...

Blackberries ringing,
books being read,
business being conducted,
Bibles being shared,
babble between friends and acquaintances
babies begging for mom's attention, banging tables and biting bitty snacks,
bagels,
buns,
big mugs brimming with brew,
boisterous boys and girls on their lunch break,
Best and worst traits of people.

I need a Cup!

I missed going to my coffee spot today. It is now too late because, unlike many of the big java players, mine closes at 4 pm.

My day just hasn't flowed the same. My routine is off and that is throwing the rest of me off.

I feel lost.

I feel sad.

I feel like I need a cup of coffee!

The Crew Behind the Brew...

Let's face it - we go to our favorite coffee spots for selfish reasons.

When we step up to the counter to place our order, our thoughts are on the satisfaction and instant gratification we will soon be receiving from what we are about to imbibe. The hot, caffeinated liquid we are about to partake of not only warms our bodies from the inside out, but also warms our soul. It makes us feel good.

Have you ever stopped to think about the crew behind the brew? Besides a weekly paycheck, does their service to us warm their hearts?

I would hope that at least to some extent those that are waiting on the customers in my favorite coffee spot do it because they enjoy the daily interaction with the public. But even if they don't, as responsible and socially conscious coffee consumers, we should do our part to bring them a little bit of satisfaction- in gratitude for how they help facilitate ours.