I Read a Book, and more…
Its been a long while since I read a book for recreation. This weekend I read “Bringing Down the House” by Ben Mezrich, the story of one of the MIT blackjack teams who took Vegas for all its worth in the 1990s. It was a pretty light read for my standards, but entertaining nonetheless. If you are interested in blackjack, Vegas, or just really smart people who take advantage of the system, you would probably like this book.
I’m disappointed how few books I have read so far this year. Last year I did very well, the long Metro rides to FEMA allowed plenty of “me” time with books and SuDoKu puzzles. Lately I feel like I always have to be doing something productive: working, reading research papers, KDE, homework, grinding rep and honour for an epic mount (don’t ask if you don’t know). Having that hour and half of me time every day was nice, even if I had to get up at the crack of dawn for work. I just need to find some kind of break in the day for “me” again. People have suggested going to the local coffee shop to have a break and read a few chapters. Besides the few (more than two chances) bad experiences with a poor product, its not really a scene I could relax in.
Which gets me to thinking… we really need better coffee shops than Starbucks or Caribou Coffee. What ever happened to private establishments? The 61c back in Pittsburgh always seemed to do well, however it was in a more grass-roots area of town in which people were proactive towards supporting local business. Tryst here in D.C. sustains itself enough for seemingly impossible rent, however I suspect its profits are more from food and alcohol than coffee and tea.
Why don’t I like [Insert Chain Coffee Shop]? You mean other than its commercialized appearance and pseudo-pretentious crowd drinking some trademarked concoction of sugar and cream with a dash of coffee? For starters, the coffee itself isn’t anything to write home about, and the price makes it even harder to swallow. Many places have streamlined production in such a way that many of the popular flavor combinations have been reduced to a syrup or a powder, rather than making it from scratch. It is extremely frustrating to see them make a [flavor combination] chai by dumping brownish colored powder mix in to steaming soy milk. Does no one brew/steep tea anymore?
When I think of a coffee shop, I think of the 61c Cafe in Pittsburgh. I want to see a wall of beans, a grinder, and an actual espresso machine. I want to see tins of loose tea, not commercialized tea bags I could buy in the store for a fraction of the price. I want to get water that is the appropriate temperature to steep my tea in or a latte with froth on it. I want to see people sitting at tables enjoying their beverage, not a zoo of people lined out the door to get over-priced coffee which is going to get cold on their way to work.
I haven’t been much of a coffee drinking since college, mostly because I’m particular about my foods and there are no good coffee shops where I live. I don’t make it at home because I don’t have the equipment and Justin doesn’t drink much coffee . Mostly its laziness, but most importantly its because I can’t make as good of coffee as I would like to enjoy. We eat out often, and usually I’ll get coffee when were out and I know its good.
In essence, I think I am projecting my dislike for commercialized coffee shops as a way to express my frustration for the lack of support of smaller businesses. Too often you see mom-and-pop shops move out for larger, sterile corporations. Cookie-cutter planned urban communities (such as the one I live in) have the chance to provide a supportive environment for private establishments. Instead they fill the streets with the same things you see in the next neighborhood over, providing convenience and hurting the local economy.
I know where there is a decent one like you describe, but it’s a bit of a hike for you - certainly not walking. I’d say about 10 min driving out 28/107 to Poolesville, there’s a little coffee shop in a mini mall on the corner. It’s on the left side of the road heading towards the Ferry. I’ll have to take you out there sometime.
Ah, that book is on my to-read queue… I could use some ‘me time’ too.
The Delocator (http://www.delocator.net/) may be of some use in finding independent coffee shops.
Have you thought about using the Crepes place for coffee or tea? I know they make at least some of their stuff fresh because that sound of the squealing steam in their place always sticks in my head after I hear it. And it’s pretty chill as far as atmosphere goes… *shrugs*