After three days of holing myself up in my apartment, I needed to get out. My cold had subsided enough where I was braving it without the help of meds, so I made the disastrous decision to pick up my Cy Twombly print at Jo Ann Fabrics and then find a coffee shop for some reading and writing time.
During my first errand, the thought occurred to me that it might not have been a good idea to have ventured out at all. Apparently, Chicago decided it would have a practice round for Black Friday today. The traffic was unbearable, the parking spots unavailable and the shoppers unaware of anyone else’s personal space. I can hereby say that I vow to enter Jo Ann Fabrics only twice a year from this day forward. The overpowering potpourri sent makes me ill upon every entrance. But, they do have some damn good framing sales. And we all know that framing is, for some ridiculous reason, one of the more expensive capitalistic endeavors money can buy.
With the print framed and in tow, I headed over to the Ukranian Village to check out a cafe some Yelpers had recommended. With a money parking spot acquired, Steve Martin came on the loud speaker in my head and said “Things are going to start happening to me now.” (name that movie reference) I entered Cafe Ballou only to hear Andrew Bird playing on their sound system. Steve, you were right. This place was about as near to my personal heaven as any cafe in Vienna. Old marble tables! Adorable salt and pepper shakers! Egg sandwiches served all day! Moroccan Mint Tea! Menus written on mirrors! Free wi-fi! I powered up my netbook, ordered a panini and a tea (in a glass mug!) and let the creative juices flow. I felt sudden urges to be in school again, or be a writer, or have a work from home job – just so I could spend more time there.
My heart can now rest a little easier knowing that Vienna is only a 10 minute drive away.
Happily Caffeinated,
Your Redness
Adorable Salt and Pepper Shakers
-Naven R. Johnson “The Jerk”