well, it's a frigid cloudy thursday afternoon. a LARA DAY!

I haven't inhabited the local coffee chain just to be on my computer and such with a coffee in hand for a very long time. Yes, I'm at Caribou. Though I frequent said establishment very often, it has lately been in-and-out for me. Just a quick espresso at 6am because I have to get to work. Have I mentioned how glad I am not to be in Saint Paul until the weekend? I love my days off nowadays because I literally have NOTHING to do. I almost feel lost with out a game plan for the day, like I'm doing something wrong by not knowing what to do. Because of that fact, I have planned my day out for day off #2 tomorrow. I'm going to go to Burnsville to pay a bill and then go hang out in Uptown, go shopping, explore, and probably end up at Uncommon Grounds. It's good to have a plan.
TODAY:
I was thinking on my way to the 'Bou about how it is very much the center of the existential universe. For observers like me it is the intersection of all types of people. That's probably the biggest reason why I come here, or to any similar place, just to people-watch. And of course to indulge in caffeine, and of course to bring my plate to the table. Now that school has started again the 'Bou becomes slightly more polarized towards the younger population, but still it's interesting nevertheless. First I get pleasurable banter from the barista (-0? baristo? Is it one of those words?)....then I receive a small advertisement from the people sitting across from me at another table (photographers...they left in a hurry hopefully to fulfill my imaginative scenario where they sped to the convention to capture protestor shenanigans). I received dirty looks from the high schoolers....who were multiplying in number with their schoolbooks in hand and their monotonous hairstyles. I thought, I wish I could be as cool as you kids. I'm just a lowly twentysomething with a computer and a REAL coffee....Needless to say it's always entertaining at the Town Centre Caribou Coffee.
I think my favorite part lately about hanging out really anywhere is the fact that it's not work and I don't have to put up a social facade, though said facade has gotten thinner and thinner as years have passed. I don't have to act "worky"----defined as over-the top polite, helpful, organized, etc etc etc. It takes a lot of energy, no wonder I find myself falling asleep while reading Twilight. Jeebus.