Article Contributed on: 9/7/2009 6:43:07 PM
I am a certified coffee junkie. I buy my coffee card, every paycheck, and show up at the Round Table, every morning (give or take a few), to reach my morning caffeine quota and mentally prepare for the day.
This is not something I would have done even one year ago. In fact my introduction to the Round Table, and the Illuminati thereof, was a passing gesture of goodwill by my, then, soon-to-be-ex-husband. Now, officially ex.
Initially, conversations in my presence were strained. In part, and understandably, because I am a woman, and that is, still is in fact, an old boys club. In part also, because of my own nervousness around new people. Nerves have the distasteful tendency in me to manifest in almost non-stop talking. And, like most folks, my favorite nervy topic is me!
So, imagine if you will, a place of intellectual debate, shared male camaraderie and allowed curmudgeonness intruded upon by the estrogen contingent of one. It was a rough couple months. Eventually I settled down enough to listen, rather than continually babble, and was tolerated, then accepted and now welcomed.
I love going to that table. It reminds me of the talks I would have with my dad when he still inhabited this planet. They guys are bright, quick witted, scathing, fearless, seek solutions, and always and ever push for new ideas. I was reminded this morning by the conversation between two of the few that there is no need to feel overwhelmed by the obligations of life, as log as I remember to live it.
I love the coffee there at "my" coffee shop; organic shade-grown, fair-trade and roasted on site. I love the atmosphere; warm, light, and eccentric. Mostly, however, I just love my guys at the Round Table. I miss having a Dad to talk with, and brothers to argue with, Uncles to tell wild stories and Grandpa's to offer sage or silly advice. Now, I can go in and ask the questions I would have asked my familial males if they were either available or alive.
The combination of tremendously good and socio-economically responsible coffee and intelligent conversation won me over. I'm a regular, now. I'm just glad the Knights allowed a Courtier at the Table.