HPs and VAIOs and Macs Mix Without Inhibitions at Starbucks

There's nothing like a good cup of coffee or three. Or in my case: a cup of coffee, a slice of lemon loaf and a chocolate chip cookie.

The main purpose for my Starbucks adventure was to take meetings and get some work done. But, really, I was just looking to find out What's Brewing in Brentwood.

Okay, full disclosure: The first Starbucks was on Santa Monica Boulevard at 26th Street, really just a hop, skip and a jump from our beloved Brentwood.

Starbucks 1: Community Starbucks, 11 a.m.

There were three people working at my corner of the store: a VAIO, a Mac and me: a mini-HP.

It's funny when you refer to people by computer, but really it boils down to the fact that we are a PC vs. Mac world ... which is what we chatted about as we waited for the coffee line to go down. It's great that PCs and Macs not only coexists in Starbucks, but make for good conversation.

I felt a nice camaraderie at this Starbucks, a coffee-scented shared workspace. It seemed like everyone was working there as an alternative to working at home alone. This is what coffeehouses are for, right?

When I started packing up my stuff, the VAIO asked me, "Are you done for the day?

"No," I said. "I am just getting started. I am going coffhouse hopping for my column for Brentwood Patch."

"You should try the remodeled Starbucks on San Vicente," he suggested. "It's really nice." And then added, "You're not going to have coffee at every Starbucks in Brentwood, are you?"

I smiled, "Probably not the best idea, huh?"

Since my plan was to go to the main part of Brentwood—and one of the five coffeehouses in a two-block radius—I decided to go with his recommendation, and keep the Starbucks theme for the day.

Starbucks 2: . A little after 2 p.m. Business as usual.

The VAIO from the first Starbucks was right. The remodeling took things up a level.

This Starbucks had a similar ratio of people working alone vs. those taking meetings. It was just as packed as the Santa Monica Starbucks, only this one was larger and had more people. Everyone seemed to be focused and busy. There were more headphones and less chatting.

Since I was taking photos to go along with this article, I ended up in a conversation about photography with the guys at the next table. 

"Do you want me to take one of you?" asked the guy sitting next me.

"Sure," I responded. "Thanks." And handed him my Canon.

After looking at the pics he took of me, I asked why my head was cut off in the pics.

"Did you ever notice when you see people's headshots, there's very little space about the head," he explained. "It's all about the framing of the shot."

Hmm ...

He took a few more shots, this time with space above my head, so I could see the difference. I promised to be more aware when I look at photos and in my own picture-taking.

Nice, friendly, productive Starbucks. And I even learned something. I'll have to come back soon.

Starbucks 3: s. 3 p.m. Coffee break time.

I had a meeting with Brentwood Patch Editor Dennis Wilen, and we sat outside.

Since this was a little later in the day—and right by Brentwood School—there were way more kids at this Starbucks, getting their after-school treats. Correction: There were kids at this one; the Skinny Starbucks was kid-free. Most of the students wore school uniforms, though there was a few in costume. The girl with the Superman cape stood out.

Also notable was the ponytailed, gray-haired guy who parked his yellow Mazda convertible in a "creative" (read: illegal) spot, then watched his car as he sipped his cup of joe. Ah, people watching ... my favorite pastime.

My day, book-ended in meetings, fueled by java, was pleasant and productive. Can't wait to meet more people next time.

* Watch Twitter for #whatsbrewinginbrentwood to see where I'll be hanging out next week. Please stop by and say "Hi."