Streams of Consciousness

Well it has been quite some time since my last post. Things have been a little busy and complicated and sometimes I don't feel like writing since I am often writing. I write papers, I write journals and I write in another journal and then I blog. Hey sometimes I'm just tapped out folks! So from today's post forward I will occasionally post completely random thoughts and experiences that are funny, sad and sometimes delving deeper in reflection, just to break things up bit. Enough said.
The Mocha That Wasn't...
I am what is known as an LA Term student. Which means that I am one in a group of Azusa Pacific students cavorting around Los Angeles, absorbing problems, researching solutions and generally sticking out. This last week we (as in the group of us) decided it would be fun to have a book club or poetry reading or something that would allow us to hang out and chat about something other than school. After much deliberation we decided to meet on Saturday at the coffee shop on Lavera street (sp?) and bring our favorite poems and books to read to each other. I headed out at 5:00 to meet at 5:30. O.K. a little aside here. Public transportation is so not conducive for scheduling and generally trying to have a life... Anyway I arrived at the coffee shop a little worse for wear, four miles and an hour later. I climbed the steps to the little shop and found my dear friends Laura and Alisha as the only occupants. The little coffee shop is really quite fabulous as a hangout. Being on Lavera street it has an appropriately Hispanic/ranch motif. Spanish blankets are used as tablecloths and the furniture is of a rustic wood design. Latin music plays underneath the unmistakable sound of milk being heated for an espresso drink. It was wonderful. After chatting briefly with my friends I decided that a double shot mocha would be perfect to ward away the chill and complement the whole poetry reading experience. Poetry, coffee and chocolate are a no-brainier divine combination. I scooted back and went to order the drink from the man at the coffee counter. Looking at the little card menu I spotted a listing for a "banana mocha". I have never had a banana mocha but always wanted to try one. I smiled at the man and asked for a banana mocha made with soy milk. He smiled back and said they were out of bananas... I blinked. Usually flavored mochas are made with syrup, but OK. Maybe real banana is better? He said their shop used organic and natural ingredients and I was like, "great". I said a regular mocha would be fine (I just want a coffee!). He responded by offering to put some fresh strawberries in it instead. Hmmm. I shrugged and said that sounded good. He set to work and told me he would bring it when it was ready. Then he got out a blender pitcher. I stopped and asked "it's a coffee in it right?" "Yes" he said. Feeling a little confused and uneasy I went back to my table. Several minutes later he shouted over and asked if I wanted ice cream since I had soy... I had a sinking feeling. I told him that no, I wouldn't like ice cream in it and thanked him for asking. I raised my voice and asked "It has coffee right?" He nodded another yes. At this point I'm pretty sure he has missed my request for a hot mocha and is making a blended mocha, though I'm do not know how this has happened. I'm also pretty sure I don't care anymore and a subconscious part of my mind is trying to hit the escape or alt+F4 part of this interaction. He continues puttering and a few more minutes pass. No mocha iced, steamed or blended appears. About six to ten minutes later he yells and asks if I want whip cream. I see a pink mixture in a glass on top of the counter. In my mind I tell myself that it looks dark enough to contain coffee. I indicate no and he slaps a top on the glass and brings it over. He tells me that he has never made this kind of mixture before and has poured some for himself to make sure it tasted good. I blink again (what am I supposed to say to that!?). After he turns his back I sip delicately on the beverage. Wait for it...Yup that's right! I am drinking blended soy milk with strawberry. I moan. It contains no coffee. I should have backed the truck up at the question of adding fresh strawberries. Oh well. The drink was good but I still do not get how I ordered a mocha and ten minutes later ended up with strawberries and milk. I look on the experience with great fondness. I have named the encouter "The Mocha that wasn't". Now I just have an intense desire to go back and try and order a mocha again to see what will happen!