Today my landlords had to switch off our electricity again (they’ve been installing some new light fixtures) and so I headed out to work in a cafe. It was the FIRST TIME!!! Can you believe it?! I mean, I’ve gone & brainstormed in a cafe, done some sketches for an illustration or a website – and we worked a little in Austin – but this was the first time here in SF, out at a cafe with my *laptop*. :) Exciting!

After a quick morning here at home, organizing the last lonely pile that never got sorted through before my Mother came, I was ready to head out the door. I met up with my friend (and fellow Flash Goddess) Adrienne down at her local hangout The Grove, in the Marina.

I used to love The Grove. It’s cozy and they have yummy food (albeit overpriced) and a nice atmosphere. But, I guess I haven’t really been there much in the last couple years though, cuz they’ve changed it around. And I can safely say I haven’t been there during the day where you walk in to find atleast 7 people in there working away on their laptops. haha! Guess that’s the place to be if you work for yourself in the Marina, eh?

When I had asked Adrienne if she wanted to meet up today she’d asked if I was going stir crazy at home. No way. I love working at home! And today’s virgin cafe experience just drove it home all the more. I mean, sure it was cool to have someone to talk to every once and awhile, but I couldn’t help but notice the luxuries I was missing.

First off, everyone is sitting on hard wooden benches. They have pillows on them, but still – they’re not my comfy Aeron chair! And the table I was at was kinda rickety, so when I got to typing fast the table would sway back & forth. Not even a napkin lodged under the foot helped, I think it was the actual screws from the post into the table top. But with only a few tables available and being all set up, I just rolled with it.

Then there’s the annoying music (mental note, bring headphones next time!). In a cafe you’re at the mercy of whatever they have playing… ’nuff said. Not to mention the various people, conversations, children, etc. One today that was especially annoying, was the hour + long uber corporatey, interviewey, over-used-business-lingoey, shmooze fest. Ug. I wouldn’t even work in that office environment for money let alone have to be subjected to it’s blabber against my will! I was so glad when they left.

I definitely missed the comforts and conveniences of my little home. I missed my 5 CD player, spinning my favorite tunes on my kickin stereo. I missed my kitty coming up & saying hello every once & awhile (and/or the comforts of being able to take a 5 minute snuggle break when he’s looking irrisistably snuggleable. :) And lastly, I missed my big 19″ flat screen monitor that I hook up to my powerbook to have a duel screen monitor. It’s sweeeet.

Instead of my tasty homemade melted cheese sandwich creations, I had an overpriced BLT with “gourmet chips” (and a tasty pickle which honestly earned the worth of 1/2 of the entire $8 meal, since it just about topped the rest!). And in the afternoon I split a big cookie with Adrienne.

Total cost of the day: $10.50

Oh & driving all the way to the Marina (way across town from my place) AND having to move my car once, since I don’t have the right neighborhood parking sticker you can only park for 2 hours in one place at a time.

All in all, not worth going back to that specific cafe, as mostly it’s just out of my way. But with all that said I am still stoked I’m mobile.

p.s. Today was also the first time my laptop rode in the new comforts of my awesome new Booq laptop bag! It’s PERFECT!