What is this panic that sets in us when we hear the words "Limited Time Only"?
(Finite resources and/or time, you say??) It's similar to the reaction we give when faced with that question: "What would you do if you found out it was your last day on Earth?"
The idea is to "make the most" of what you've got when you've got it. The branch-off of that being, of course, that you will do this before you find out you've only got one day left. But hey - nobody's perfect.
I would like to think I am not one who falls victim to this attitude; this "Final Sale, Everything Must Go!" / "Get it While it's Hot!" way of life. I will get it once it is lukewarm, thank you kindly. Once the angry crowds have gone and I have decided that is is, in fact, something I actually want. (You won't find me out in the thick of Black Friday, if you haven't guessed. Catch me inside my home, how bout dat.) This isn't an exciting way to live, but I like it better than the alternative. However!
Upon recent meditations of skipping town, I have somewhat changed my tune. Since the very first weekend of this month (my last month in my hometown), I have made the decision to take myself on little adventures. Instead of spending time at my favorite spots, I have finally decided to branch out and try new spots. (Coffee shops, mostly. No bars. I am trying my damndest to stay out of trouble until I get to my new destination.)
I am attempting to take advantage of living where I do for as long as I do. And at a nice, easy pace (as is customary for any Taurus worth their salt). And there's really no pressure, as far as I can tell, because I can always come back and visit. And this collection of coffee shops is more of a mere suggestion as opposed to a bucket list to check off. I figure if I've gone this long without them, there will be nothing lost if I "miss out". There is nothing to lose, in my eyes. Only the possibility of hammering out some therapeutic blog entries and - God-willing - another couple of pages in my latest story. (I simply can't bring myself to call it a "novel". "My latest novel". Ugh. Downright ugly.)
My home-state has miles to go in the way of accommodating the hungry, plant-based citizen, but at least the espresso has been good. And coffee shops, as a whole, are typically very cool, low-key places to visit, so they are ideal for someone like me.
Sensory Time:
A favorite day of mine, the whole experience. Getting up early without an alarm. Easing into yoga in the comfort of my warm bedroom. Doing some light research online to pick out a new coffee shop / cafe. Popping into my car, Jasper, with the music playing me over to the next town. Maybe the windows are down and the summer scents fill the car. Or maybe the windows are up, the heated seat is going and the changing leaves fill the scene.
I arrive at a place where I am unrecognizable. I snag an espresso (and perhaps a vegan snack) and find my way to a calm little space where I can tuck into my book or my laptop. The sounds of clinking silverware and demitasse sets. The occasional laughs between the staff, maybe one of them starts whistling along with the quiet music playing.
I love the feeling of possibility and promise of the early drive.
Okay let's finish this up.
This is similar to the feeling of visiting The Met coffee shop in North Conway. I wasn't able to get there very often (other than taxes and doctor's visits, if you do anything sparingly enough, it'll become enjoyable. A special treat). So when the magical apex of being able to afford the time and money presented itself to me: I would proudly walk down to The Met. There is something inherently adult about taking a jaunt down to "the coffee shop" on your own. Some kind of easy, beautiful independence. Perhaps it is the 90's-kid in me: watching Friends and seeing too many cop films where (between Axel Foley bars) the characters would always just be at the cafe. At the top of the scene. That's where you go when you're an adult. It is simply what you do.
Hopefully, I will be able to bring this attitude with me on my next adventure. You can tell a lot about a place by its cafes.
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