Goodbye Weirdos I Used to Know
I have been in the ATL for a total of 3 nights and 4 days. Of course, I have now been to 3 different coffee shops (unemployment is slow to sink in). On yesterday's visit a random old man asked me if I was going golfing. I was confused since I don't think golfers wear nike shorts and tie dyed wife beaters, but who am I to question my new friend's expertise. He, Brad, then invited me to join him golfing... anytime.
I love meeting weird, slightly creepy, people in coffee shops.
I realize I did not get to say goodbye to all of my weird coffee shop friends in Mississippi, so I would like to formally say goodbye to each of my ole Mississippi coffee shop friends.
John: I met John almost 3 years ago. He was wearing a stained, slightly wrinkled plaid shirt that was only partially tucked into his baggy khaki pants. His gray hair was sticking up in every possible way, and he had left over food in the corners of his mouth. He sat down in the leather seat across from me toting about 5 different books. He then began talking to me for the next 3 hours about politics, philosophy, and religion. I quickly learned that if John was in a coffee shop with me, I probably wasn't going to get a lot of work done, but was definitely going to leave smarter and more confused.
Wheezie: Wheezie and I were every day acquaintances. We both went to Starbucks every single morning at 8am. Wheezie is a very large older woman who wore shirts with horses printed on them. She ran a small farm in the country, and raised puppies. Her table was always full of cops, business men and other retired old ladies. She came every morning, rain or shine, and the crowds just knew where to find her. Wheezie's table was sacred. Occasionally I'd arrive to the bux before her, and have to guard her table from being stolen by innocent newbies. Sometimes we talked and she'd give me life advice or coupons for fabric stores. Mostly we both just respected each other's space and daily routine. Wheezie became a constant in my constantly changing life.
Cowboy: One day I met an old cowboy. He wore fitted Wrangers, a tucked in shirt, and sported slicked back gray hair. He was always on the phone doing something important, I guess. He saw something about South Carolina in my possession and started talking to me about my great ole homeland. Each morning, when I left for work, he would tell me I needed to find me a rich man so I could quit my job. After explaining how I was TRYING to get a sugar daddy, cowboy would offer his services, if I was just willing to marry an old man like himself. I loved the cowboy.
There are so many more sweet weird people that became my everyday coffee shop staples: baristas, old hippie men, awkward old men with Aspergers, and countless college and seminary students. I would like to tell each of you that I will miss you. You may have noticed that I have left, or you may not have noticed, either way... peace.
I love meeting weird, slightly creepy, people in coffee shops.
I realize I did not get to say goodbye to all of my weird coffee shop friends in Mississippi, so I would like to formally say goodbye to each of my ole Mississippi coffee shop friends.
John: I met John almost 3 years ago. He was wearing a stained, slightly wrinkled plaid shirt that was only partially tucked into his baggy khaki pants. His gray hair was sticking up in every possible way, and he had left over food in the corners of his mouth. He sat down in the leather seat across from me toting about 5 different books. He then began talking to me for the next 3 hours about politics, philosophy, and religion. I quickly learned that if John was in a coffee shop with me, I probably wasn't going to get a lot of work done, but was definitely going to leave smarter and more confused.
Wheezie: Wheezie and I were every day acquaintances. We both went to Starbucks every single morning at 8am. Wheezie is a very large older woman who wore shirts with horses printed on them. She ran a small farm in the country, and raised puppies. Her table was always full of cops, business men and other retired old ladies. She came every morning, rain or shine, and the crowds just knew where to find her. Wheezie's table was sacred. Occasionally I'd arrive to the bux before her, and have to guard her table from being stolen by innocent newbies. Sometimes we talked and she'd give me life advice or coupons for fabric stores. Mostly we both just respected each other's space and daily routine. Wheezie became a constant in my constantly changing life.
Cowboy: One day I met an old cowboy. He wore fitted Wrangers, a tucked in shirt, and sported slicked back gray hair. He was always on the phone doing something important, I guess. He saw something about South Carolina in my possession and started talking to me about my great ole homeland. Each morning, when I left for work, he would tell me I needed to find me a rich man so I could quit my job. After explaining how I was TRYING to get a sugar daddy, cowboy would offer his services, if I was just willing to marry an old man like himself. I loved the cowboy.
There are so many more sweet weird people that became my everyday coffee shop staples: baristas, old hippie men, awkward old men with Aspergers, and countless college and seminary students. I would like to tell each of you that I will miss you. You may have noticed that I have left, or you may not have noticed, either way... peace.
Coffee shops. I'll never understand the appeal when libraries have much more comfortable seating, outlets, quiet, and space. Not to mention the yummy smell of books. But as you are happy with the smell of wet beans and bodies in close proximity, I'll let it alone. I will miss you so very much. And I'm sad we didn't get a chance to say goodbye. We met in a coffee shop, of all places, and it will be hard to be one of the weirdos you've left behind. Love you.
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