One Hot Java
a fan story
A new yet already dear friend and colleague to sends out an invite to the new photographer anxiously awaiting to photograph her exceptional beauty. As he opens in anticipation to see a date of availability and with was a recommendation to meet at a small coffee shop in Long Beach. Though familiar and fond of Long Beach, the intrepid photographer was not yet familiar with the candid named Hot Java. His fondness for this particular area of Long Beach led him to arriving 20 minutes before the scheduled appointment time to allow time to order and enjoy from what he found to be an ample sampling of coffee, tea and food. A moments glance at the menu landed a cold blended choice from their chilled offerings and during the exchange with the pleasant staff, the right choice seemed to have been made in drinks. Java happiness in hand, he turns from the counter filled with a range of treats to fully take in the surroundings that were previously only briefly seen as a "b-line" for the java tunneled his vision upon entering.
The tables, chairs and couches offered several options for seating and by luck an open table presented itself which was perfect for ample space for the upcoming meeting with his new friend. Immediate comfort was realized in the welcoming space and smells of nutty aromas, cinnamon, and hint of vanilla made the setting all more pleasant. It was in this moment of comfort as his eyes scanned the room as if a bear getting ready to hibernate making sure in a comfortable spot that he noticed a few other patrons with their laptops making use of the free wi-fi which he made a mental note of making to bring his portable glowing box on his next visit. As his eyes continued along the decorative appointments the feature of local art was much appreciated since so few coffee shops do so and only small local privately owned treasures such as these do so.
Once relaxed, which relatively speaking took only a few deep breaths, the first sip of his Java based liquid experience had been taken and though he expected good coffee, perhaps even great coffee, the chilled beverage glided along his tongue as if being hugged by a love one after a long separation and his delight was briefly glimpsed by a fellow enthused drinker at an adjacent table and the mild snicker made the photographer slightly glance suddenly aware that he made an audible note after the first venture into the 16 ounce cup before him. Mildly embarrassed he looked back at the friendly face he saw smiling at him and offered a smile in return noticing that once again, as he has experienced many times in the fair town of Long Beach, a friendly face that did not judge or condescend his enjoyment, but instead realizing that this was the first visit to our photographic inclined protagonist.
Thus begins the love affair between man and shop for nearly every visit to Long Beach includes a visit to the Hot (and cold) Java. With each subsequent visit, he is never disappointed by the quality of the coffee, the professional pleasantness of the staff and the immediate comfort of the surroundings as if the opening of the door was a gateway away from the stress of the outside world and lounging for even briefest of moments a welcome retreat. Our photographer, who soon shall be a Long Beach resident, has found solace that his housing of choice is within walking distance of this land of Java creations. A land that sits two short blocks form a beach with landscaping views of the ocean and harbor.
Such is the greatness of such small places, there could not be any better use of a few dollars per visit than to spend them in a place that maintains its quality in a privately owned space that may very well one day be a landmark among a city known for them. read more