New Feedback Corner

New feedback corner. Mitchell and I have established this designation for a coffee house (a relatively new phenomenon in the United States) at which one sits observing people and commenting on their presence. We never communicate our opinions, that would be rude, but we pretent that our opinions have substance, are serviceable, and marketable. The name derives from a small corner in a particularly friendly Starbucks. It is a table for two with views into a particularly trendy mall in an upscale neighborhood. “Those boots don’t work.” “Smile more.” “Life’s short, call home.” What saves us from condescension is our complete lack of seriousness and the sometimes volcanic laughter erupting from the corner. And besides, what we really desire is feedback!

So this is a new corner—J&S Coffee House, actually my favorite place to buy fresh beans. And since they have free wireless access, and one of the baristas (a new term for the workers at these coffee houses) sports a head of hair a truly lovely shade of pink. I’m perfectly at home. I even bought a pound of organic Guatemala French Roast Beans. I’m listening to web radio—Folk Alley out of Kent State, and they are playing “Railroad Bill,” and I’m feeling like I’m down on Macdougal Street in the Gaslight Café. I’m happy.

I just passed a car with a bumper sticker which asked, “Where did the hippies go?” They are here.

So the new iPods have huge capacity to hold music and videos, but because they have become so sophisticated, I can’t use them to put my music on because if I actually use the iPod while I run, I’ll break it. I thought to put my entire music collection on my iPod, but they advised me not to bother. I didn’t.