• coffee life,  coffee shops,  lifestyles

    No More Internet

    The Art of the Latte
    The Art of the Latte

    Going to throw some numbers at you.  I pay $50 a month for Internet service at my condo. That comes to $600 a year. I’ve been in my condo for 13 years now, so that means I’ve paid $7,800 for internet services at condo. That’s a nice chunk of money. When looking at those numbers, my mind asks the question, “What could  I have spent that money on?” Well, I could have used that money and gone to Spain with Earl and Bonnie, or down to Mexico with Paul or a weekend in Webster, preferably in April or May, or bought more unnecessary camera gear. Actually, all the above may be the real answer plus a new underwear.

    Most of you know I patronize local coffeehouses somewhere between 5-6 days a week. Yes, meetings would probably help. However, all of these coffeehouses provide free Internet. Six of these coffeehouses are within walking distance of my condo or quick bicycle ride. I’m a mobile person who carries along a camera, a Samsung tablet and a smart phone. I also have a 13″ laptop that is easy to carry. There is no reason I can’t just work off line then go for coffee or lunch and upload a post, check email, read my favorite blogs. So, I decided to eliminate my internet at home. It will require some adjustments such as working off line at home and better planning. We’ll see how it goes.

    It’s also a sad day as I offer prayers for the families of the passengers on another Malaysian aircraft going down. 🙁 I do hope everyone has a good weekend.

  • coffee shops,  writing/reading

    A Coffee House

    Morning Journal Time
    Morning Journal Time

    I do not have a specific time of the day I journal. I can be motivated to pick up my pen and journal when the mood strikes or I need to clear my head. Like my camera it is always with me. That could be the reason I post a few images of my journal and pen. 🙂 In Old Town there are nine small mom and pop coffee houses that I wander into. There is a difference in how each coffee shop makes their lattes so through experimentation I learn when to order a mocha, an Americano or chai latte. There is also a difference in the ambiance in each of them. The feel of each coffee house is based on the decor, the baristas and as well the customers. I may have to write a review on each of them as a short project. That also gives me justification for spending my money at these places.

  • coffee life,  quotes

    Morning Latte

    Morning Latte
    Morning Latte

    “The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.” 

    Confucius

    Morning latte and quiet meditation time at home. Hope your day is filled with good thoughts.

  • People/Portraits,  Self-portraits

    Morning Coffee

    Morning Coffee
    Morning Coffee

    “Gaze into the fire, into the clouds, and as soon as the inner voices begin to speak..surrender to them. Don’t ask first whether it’s permitted, or would please your teachers or father or some god. You will ruin yourself if you do that.” – Herman Hesse

    The inner voice suggested I use the window light for a self-portrait. I listened. It felt good. I think we all need to do that more often.

     

  • coffee shops

    An Awesome Week

    A Cool Drink

    It is a wonderful morning. A light cloud cover is keeping it just cool enough for me. Already have a walk in with a stop off at a coffee shop. Yet, warm enough to work up a sweat. My mind is still blank on things to write about and I do not want to be one who tells you what I ate for breakfast. Instead I’ll post and image of what I drank over the weekend. Hope everyone has an awesome week.