Coffee Talk.

Beat generation enthusiasts would be rolling in the deep graves they never would have expected to become shrines were they to see what the "tea-rooms" and their countless denizens have become in the early 21st century. The once hipster den of antimaterialism, now reduced to the market of capitalist opportunity, have continued their decline into transforming the level of dependency on a substance as grounding as coffee by universalizing the services around it. In other words, coffee shops are soon to be all Starbucks.

Coffee People joined the list of fallen java soldiers like Torrefazone, Seattle's Best and Peets when it was announced a few weeks back that over 30 stores in the PNW would be sold to the Seattle megacorp. Indy shops are few and far between, and while the quality of these stores remains high, their consumer bases remain low and lower daily due to the proximity of quickie-shops to their businesses. I find solace in one staple of the power of small business, that the people who really care about it will continue to care no matter the opposition. Today, my wife and I continued to prove that with our activities.

Lisa was invited to a little shop on Hawthorne and 42nd called The Daily Grind by a couple of her coworkers. She doesn't drink coffee, but with her shyness in making friends this was a complete win for her (coffee drinker or not).

I had the chance to head to my little shop in Sellwood, the Ugly Mug. Prepared to write and expand my novel idea, as well as complete the touches on my student's Midterm exam and third quiz, I sat to start writing with a fresh, double mocha in reach. After a while I noticed the other computer users in the cafe speaking in turn to the barista. Seems the Wi-Fi was out, but I'd been too busy writing to notice. Then, the most amazing thing happened. Because there was no connection to the interweb, one-by-one people packed up their computers, schloshed down their java and hit the road. As new customers entered, ordered and sat, they too, upon being informed of the lack of Wi-Fi, followed suit to drink up and leave.

People spend a lot of cash (thousands) on their computers for more than just the connection to the internet. Now, when the cafes are one service less than desired, people leave. I could not believe that everyone was so incapable of enjoying themselves, so I stopped to talk to an older gentleman sitting near me with a newer MacBook. He was a retired respiratory tech, caring for his ailing mother and returning to school for his degree (intending to go to PSU he says!) What a wonderful forty-five minute conversation we had.

No internet, no worries, no need for computers, but we shared ideas, opinions, pictures of family and art. Beat never had it so good.