Hey, thank you all for those music suggestions. I put them in a word document and I’ll cross them off my list as they make their way onto my ipod. I have it on shuffle right now, but why the hell does it play Elvis Costello every other song? Because it’s technological, I’m pretty certain it does this because it hates me. And is trying to mock me. And question my feeling that Elvis Costello is the true king of rock n roll. No, I really believe it, I DO! Please play something else. I named my ipod Mr. Wickham too, which is what I named my computer. I explained this to Steve this way: He’s Mr. Wickham’s Mr. Wickham. Steve understood this.
To the blog! As a freelance writer, I get to do a few things. I get to wear whatever I want (garters, fishnets and stilettos yoga pants) and I get to hang out in cafes. Well, I don’t get to do this often because I have a small child who doesn’t appreciate the finer points of being slightly abused at the hands of a barrista while listening to discordant indie rock and paying a small fortune for a cup of tea. But today, my friend Cathy is watching Arch while I work. So I went to a cafe.
And I ordered a tea. And I’m working on my mac. And now I have an urgent question for my blog readers.
It is this: Is it okay if I stab the two men next to me in the ears with a wooden stirrer because they are having a heart-to-heart discussion about selling insurance and what that means, and Jim’s intention vs. Jerry’s intention and how does one sell insurance and really OWN ONE’S OFFICE?
No, that’s not the question. I already know the answer: yes.
Here’s the question: can I leave my computer on the table while I go pee? I don’t want to take it with me because that would make me look like I don’t trust my fellow cafe go-ers. And I totally trust them! Except I don’t. Not at all. Even though, we’re in Portland, so they are all white, I STILL DON’T TRUST THEM. But I can’t look like a big non-trusting person. Or a shmo who needs her computer with her in the bathroom. And I fear interrupting the insurance guys because they might just try to sell me something like a new air filter for my car, which I’ll be forced to turn down and then scowl and then they’ll say something like this: You should smile more. And then I’ll be arrested for man slaughter.
Okay, answer quickly because I need to go bad. Real bad. So bad, I can’t use adverbs.
Wait, oh god, I think I’m in luck. An Asian girl just walked in. PLEASE LET HER SIT BY ME. NOOOO! Sat across the cafe.
Please COMMENT quickly people, for the sake of my bladder!


7 comments
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May 12, 2008 at 1:14 pm
JustinS
Tell the barista you’ve got a shiny quarter with her name on it if she’ll just keep an eye on the ‘puter for a couple minutes while you tinkle.
If she seems hesitant, calmly mention that you’re fine with it, but that you really didn’t want her to have to clean up the pool of urine you’ll leave behind if you aren’t able to go to the potty soon.
May 12, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Nipply Natashia
Whip those tits out for the insurance guys and ask them to watch your laptop. No one can resist tits.
May 12, 2008 at 2:05 pm
apollocreed
People cannot be trusted. No fucking way. They’ll steal your stuff in a heartbeat.
This may be the Brooklyn in me coming out.
May 12, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Kiala
Take the laptop with you!!!
Leave your purse, though…you know…to hold the table.
May 12, 2008 at 3:44 pm
crissyspage
Never leave your laptop. Very, very bad idea.
Just do what the kids at the library do when they don’t want to leave the computer:
pee in your chair.
May 13, 2008 at 8:42 am
ken
hmmm. tough one.
i’d have to side with chris and say take the lot with you when you go to the loo. can you afford a brand new laptop? i sure as hell can’t.
kiala’s got a good point though, too… if you pack up EVERYTHING then you’re basically vacating the table, which is then up for grabs.
can’t you bring a friend to the cafe with you and avoid this mess?
May 13, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Julian Chadwick
You can buy a lock that is similar to a bike lock. Kensington makes most of them. I bought one after I had a laptop stolen (from my trunk, not a cafe). You don’t have to worry about losing your table or people swiping that computer. You might still have to worry about people thinking you don’t trust them.