I used to hang out at this great cafe. It was big, and cozy, full of couches good for lounging on. At first not many people knew about it, but through word of mouth, it started growing, until a good deal of my friends would show up to hang out. it was great because you could hang out for free, though it was nice to pay for something once in awhile to keep it going. The coffee was great, but even better were the conversations- we'd have long, rambling talks that sometimes went on for hours.

It's still around, and I still hang out there sometimes, but lately I was noticing that it wasn't as crowded any more. I still saw some people sometimes but not as often. Finally I gave in and went out to see what had happened.

Seems people had found this new coffee shop down the block. it isn't as warm and cozy- actually they just redecorated and it's sort of white and sterile but it does have a certain clean simplicity to it. And when I walked in, there were actually TONS of people I knew here. More than were ever at the old place. I was sort of surprised.

I've settled in, and its pretty nice, but it doesn't have the same cozy feel, you know? its sort of crowded and a little loud, and most people just hop in, grab something, say hi and share a few words, maybe talk about the Sox or gay marriage or ask me to join their fan club, then take off. We don't sit around and have long rambling discussions about life the way we used to.

When i do get to talk to people in here, they keep telling me about this even newer place they're going to more lately. Theyre always too busy to hang out lately, even to just for a couple minutes in this place. But this NEW new place, is totally sweet, and really convenient. its actually just a canteen truck on the side of the road. Yeah, its noisy and smelly and the coffee is kinda crap and no one ever hangs out because its too cold and there are no chairs. but you can walk up, grab and go, and it hardly takes any time at all. You dont even have to get roped into a discussion.

I don't think I'll be checking it out.