As usual, this morning I am working at Starbucks.  Anyone who reads my Tweets knows I spend a lot of time here.  I like Starbucks.  I really, really do.  I like having a caffeinated “Cheers” to go to where everyone knows my name and my order.  I’ve never thought much about whether Starbucks over roasts their beans.  It doesn’t bother me that there’s a Starbucks on nearly every corner.  Far from it.  I love that I have an app on my phone that will lead me to a familiar place where I’ll be served exactly what I want (iced venti non-fat latte) by a friendly counter person who will generally smile at me.

Life is hard.  There is so little you can count on.  Some things should be easy.  Starbucks is easy and bright and cheerful.  They only thing that drives me out of one is finding no vacant seats, because I’m usually a man out to find a place to sit and read or write golden prose like this..

Since moving to San Francisco, I’ve tried to move out of my comfort zone and become a Peet’s fan.  To the natives, Peet’s is a legend, a source of “thumb your nose at the Great Satan” (Starbucks) pride.  I can’t.  I don’t know why, but it doesn’t speak to me.  It’s fine and it will do in a pinch, it’s just not me.

Once in a while I’ll try a new small chain or independent shop, if I’m in the mood – like when I’m out strolling in a new neighborhood, when it’s spur-of-the-moment and I don’t care how long it takes, when I feel like trying one of the odd pastries in the display case, when I don’t need to be anywhere or get anything done.  That’s fun, but it’s not the norm.

I generally have my coffee in the morning.  I am not, however, a morning person.  In the morning I need as few obstacles as possible.  I need a clear shot at the bathroom, I need MUNI to run relatively smoothly (I know.  Good luck.), and I need to get exactly what I want at the coffee bar.  Once all of these requirements have been met, I can loosen up and face whatever difficulties may come my way.

Reading this, you may think I’m wound very, very tightly.  The truth is exactly the opposite.  In the early hours I’m not wound at all.  For me it’s a long journey from sleep to wakefulness and it takes all my strength and concentration to make that trip every day.  I need as much support as I can get along the way.

Thank God for the Great Satan!