A Caffeinated Speech

The following is a speech done on the importance of coffeehouses (all tongue-in-cheek, of course) for a class assignment. All you see below is the actual written 'script', word-for-word, copypasta -

My fellow classmates, how was your morning? How did you wake up today? Perhaps you woke up with a nice warm cup of coffee. How did you get this coffee? Perhaps you made it yourself, perhaps you went to a Starbucks along your way here, perhaps you don't even drink coffee. For all that matters, there is no wrong time to have a nice, warm, drink in your hand, and there is nothing like going to a coffeehouse at the end of the day.

But coffehouses are more than just places to grab a warm, tasty, overpriced beverage. Coffeehouses, are ideal places to gather, share ideas, and commune well before green sirens took over every street corner. Way back, centuries ago in Istanbul, the first coffeehouse was established to much popularity. People began to gather around as these places of coffee expanded throughout the Ottoman Empire and beyond. In these warm, welcome places, people talked. They talked of the news, of criticism, of anything without regard or fear. A brief moment where one had a freedom of speech in a time of massive control. As expected, countries attempted to ban the coffeeshops with success akin to that of the brief prohibition period of the United States.

In 1600s Europe, coffeeshops became commonplace with 3,000 shops in England and a near-monopoly and Paris. Again, attempts were made to surpress the coffee culture, again to no avail and infact causing the opposite effect – more people flocked to them. Much more so that by the 1800s the coffeeshop had nearly replaced clubs in England as common meeting places, with some being a precursor of sorts to a stock exchange. The coffeehouse had effectively become a hub of information.

Over here in the States, however, this hub of information, until very recently, did not exist in the same way. Coffeehouses were near-nonexistent until the 1950s, when immigrants from Italy brought forth a style of cafes common to their home region – espresso. Even then, this wasn't widespread. The hub of information was more of an entertainment venue common mainly in art districts and college towns like the very one we're in.

Slowly, but surely, the concept changed. Youth started to copy the concept of the coffeehouse, and small organizations communed in these cafes, sharing information once again. However, to much Americans in the 20^th century, a coffeehouse was a mere diner where coffee was an afterthought, and the overall intent was a place to dine. Then in the 1970s and more rapidly a couple of decades later, the coffeehouse in the original form was finally made widespread by a Seattle chain started by the aforementioned youth. Starbucks enacted a catalyst – suddenly coffeehouses, independent and otherwise popped up across the nation. And as in the early times, people began using these coffeehouses to gather, meet, and more recently stay connected to one another. The coffeehouse was finally a hub of information in the new world.

So next time you enter a Starbucks, a Peet's, or Mishka's, don't just grab a cup of coffee, take a seat, socialize, hang out, or even go online if you wish. As you do so, take note and think – you are taking part of one of the oldest hubs of free communication, expression, and information, a type of place that has so much history and culture behind it. A place of influence.

Weekend of Bizarre Dreams

I am not quite sure what's been going on in my mind lately, for these past two nights I have been having the most random of dreams. Perhaps it's something I ate... Nevertheless, it all started on Friday evening, a little bit past midnight, little after snoozing off...

I find myself in the middle of the night at this british-looking row house (oddly enough in Los Angeles). It was raining (or looked like it just did). I walk around the corner and enter the house through a narrow wooden door. The interior turned out to be in sharp contrast to the exterior: modern, big (seemed bigger than the house itself), high-class and well-lit. I find myself in the small, yet quaint kitchen for some-odd reason when two dogs (and a cat) suddenly walk in. I follow them around, and then up a randomly-appearing staircase adjacent the kitchen. As I turn around, a party suddenly happens, almost as if it were happening all along. I walk down, back to the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired living room, joining into the party and suddenly seeing half my school there, in a near-uncanny experience. Then once I begin to enjoy myself, all of the sudden...

... I woke up. I guess I was having quite a lot of fun in that dream, as I woke up rather depressed. Seeing the time - 6 AM - I decide to go back to sleep.

Not surprisingly, the entire setting changes - I find myself in a utility cavern which turns out to be part of the Submarines from Disneyland... only there is no water, yet the subs are still running. I grab hold to the back of one of these surprisingly short submarines, and go through the increasingly-industrial 'tunnel'. Out of fear of getting caught 'backstage', I jump out of an open manhole in the ceiling and enter what I first thought were lockers. I look around, and see backpacks and random items scattered about this vast hall. Looking to my left, I see rows of open doors and what looks like the park itself. As I walk out, however, I find myself stuck in a weird portion of backstage, with all of the park's icons scattered about, all behind vague, grey buildings (point of reference for those who can recognize these - I was facing east with Grizzly Peak in front of me, Space on my Right, and Matterhorn to the Left). I do a quick turnaround to find myself in an asphalt lot next to railway tracks, with plenty of grassy fields, and what looks to be a widely open Frontierland in the background. I proceed to walk towards this land, seeing a line for some random attraction, hopping right over the line, and get told off in Spanish by a random cast member. I try to explain my situation, and she decides to escort me across the park. As I pass by the hub/castle, the perspective suddenly changes to third person, and everything appears as if it were an anthropomorphic cartoon made by DC Simpson, which involved something to do with rabbits and shopping. Shortly after this, I wake up, two hours later.

Moving on to last night, the Disney theme was (albeit to a lesser extent) continued, as I find myself on a CGI lego highway en route with my class to California Adventure (I presume this was the upcoming senior trip). Suddenly our lego-looking bus driver, and the bus itself, disappears; forcing us to walk the way to the park, as day turns to night, and everything becomes more 'real'. Evidently, California Adventure seemed to have become just Paradise Pier by the sea, with Screamin' (the big coaster) replaced by a giant steamship which we later found out was just a small, compact prop for reality shows as well as a parking garage. I explore around a bit, finding myself on the boardwalk wearing my tail, and then along this hilly, palm-tree lined road lined with condominiums on the right and an open-field park to the left before inevitably waking up.


Frankly, I'll admit, these have all been a tad bizarre. I guess that granted, that is how dreams typically are (yay rhyme!). But 'tis still odd.

Granted, I have had stranger dreams in the past, like that one time where my school held a combined 'furry and flower/gardening convention'. =P

Of Furry Sites

So I was talking with a friend-turned furry earlier today. Earlier this month he created a SoFurry page to upload his writing. In doing so, in considering the idea of getting an FA (as his stories weren't getting much notice on SF) he and I pointed out an interesting correlation between the two sites and their respective purposes -

Post art on FA, see it fly off the front page in seconds, but post a story and it'll be up front for days.

Post a story on SF and see it fly off the front page in minutes, but post art and it'll be up front for a long while.

Trip Planning, Folf Style

Step 1 - List out all the places you'd wanna go in the upcoming months that isn't a day trip ( e.g. LA/SoCal/DL, AC, WDW, TDR, Seattle)

Step 2 - Downsize and focus on one, then figure out ways of getting there (e.g. Train or Plane)

Step 3 - Compare the costs, see both choices have the same price, and opt the more fun option if travel time allows (Overnight train) with the belief that you can save up for it.

Step 4 - Proceed to ponder and add extras (aka onboard sleeper), see price increase, and start to worry a bit.

Step 5 - Add essentials to the added price (food, lodging, emergency, roughly $150), proceed to panic and faint

Step 6 - Do either of the following: a) crawl to a corner and permanently cringe at sticker shock or b) realize the impracticalities and just opt to fly, or severely downsize and go thrifty.

Step 7 - Give up all hope, or skip to Step 8

Step 8 - Proceed with plan and start saving

Essay on Transit (or I be Railin' Part 2)

I recently had to do an essay for as part of class, based on anything, as long as I be comparing. So, on a whim, I thought of going to SoCal, and comparing to near-similar ways (car and train) of getting there from my town. Also, to kill to birds with one stone, I'll double this essay as a conclusion to an earlier entry, as this adequately describes the 'California' trains as well. Save for an added image, everything is exact from the aforementioned essay -

Stuck in Davis, one wants to escape. One wants to possibly escape to someplace like Southern California. However, one has a dilemma: how to get there in a cheap, convenient, and enjoyable way? Flying is out of the question as cost is high, time constraint and added travel to Sacramento International isn't all that convenient, and the entire process of flying – from check-in to arrival – isn't all that enjoyable. So for the sake of this passage, I will be focusing on the two land options: Road and Rail. Driving down south, one has two options beyond the default I-80: Either go through the Valley via I-5, or go along the coast via 101. Granted, one would most likely choose the former for time's sake. However, assume that one has the time and takes the more casual route, hence the inclusion of both in this passage. From Downtown Davis to Downtown Los Angeles, going through the Central Valley takes roughly 6½ hours at the highest, safest possible speed, with absolutely no stopping complete disregard to the inevitable traffic. Total gas used on an average (25 mpg) vehicle would cost around $27.44 – roughly 14 cents a mile for 396 miles. Going down along 101, of course, will take 1½ hours longer with the same conditions, with a higher gas cost of $68.04 for the 486 mile-long journey

One of the best perks to driving is the mere fact that one is in the privacy of one's own vehicle. In theory, one doesn't have to endure the inconvenience of others' nuisance. In addition, from being able to literally go from Point A to Point B, going on the road allows improvisation. One can immediately change their destination – make a bee-line to Disneyland instead the original plan of Santa Monica, for instance. Also, if one chooses to go on the very scenic 101, one can opt to detour onto Highway 1 and enjoy an even-more scenic view of the California Coastline.

Despite all these conveniences of going south behind the wheel, one has to factor in the ever-costly gas prices, which may be higher than the average previously listed ($3.50/gallon). Also, while the trip on land can be easily completed in less than a day, keep in mind that the times do not count the time spent on stopping along the way for any reasons, such as for gas, food, or potential problems. Also uncounted, as previously mentioned, is traffic, which is inevitable in Southern California. A slight inconvenience to road travel is that one is stuck in a seating position of long periods of time, leading to a buildup of fatigue upon arrival at the destination. While this is a side-effect to any kind of travel, fatigue is more apparent in road travel due to limited ability to move. Another inconvenience is that, in some instances, particularly on the repetitive I-5, there may not be a rest stop of any kind for several miles. Also, if one takes the coastal route, odd are one may opt to detour onto a roadside tourist stop and/or a beach, which inevitably adds-on an additional delay to the final destination.

If by now driving doesn't seem so appealing, but a trip to SoCal still does, the next best land alternative is America's Rail System: Amtrak. From Davis, like the road option, one has two choices for rail travel south: the San Joaquin which travels down the Central Valley, or the self-explanatory Coast Starlight. The San Joaquin, at a cost of $57 (if booked well in advance), requires a bus trip to Stockton before boarding a train to Bakersfield, where one again transfers to a bus heading towards LA, however, this route has the most frequent service with 8 trains south a day for the 8-hour-long journey. The Coast Starlight, while only offering one daily 15-hour trip, is direct from Davis to Los Angeles, at a cheaper cost of $46. Both routes require advance reservation.

Click image to enlarge

Overview of a typical 'California Train' Experience, similar to the San Joaquin

The best, and by far the most-promoted perk of taking the train is that it gives the most personal freedom of all the transportation options – no need to go through a complex check-in/security process, or fill-up on gas beforehand. One has the ability to freely walk about the entire train for exercise, with seats allowing enough room to stretch legs. Also, each and every seat has the convenience of a wall outlet for electronics, with the San Joaquin having complimentary wifi services, giving opportunity to spend useful time that would otherwise go wasted. Rail travel also promotes better socialization potential, as most passengers tend to be easy-going and relaxed, often not in a hurry. If one is traveling on the Coast Starlight, one's seat is essentially a recliner, with the coach lighting being dimmer than the San Joaquin, allowing for better relaxation. The Coast Starlight also has the added amenities of a Dining car serving full meals, a lounge with wide windows to better take-in the evermore scenic view, and the ability to book a sleeper, the equivalent to a first class with the added perks of a private 'parlor' lounge car and free meals.

Granted, taking the train isn't entirely a picnic. Both lines require advance reservation for the best price (last minute-purchases can raise the prices up to $90). On the San Joaquin, a 'reservation' doesn't guarantee a seat, and the trains are often crowded come Stockton. Fortunately, this isn't the case on the Coast Starlight. As Amtrak does not own any of the tracks they run on, both routes can be delayed by freight traffic, and depending on the route and the cars used, the trip can potentially be a bumpy one. While dining the Coast Starlight, waiters try to fill up the Dining car, often leading to be seated with a random group, which, depending on whom one's seated with, may potentially lead to an awkward dining experience. Also more apparent on the Coast Starlight but not at all on the San Joaquin is the abysmal choice of cafe food in the lounge car – akin to a poorly-stocked truck stop. The San Joaquin, while quicker, has by far the most unappealing view, showing the worst of the Central Valley. Also, the Coast Starlight is a misnomer as one only sees the coast for 3 hours out of the entire 15-hour trip through mountains. In addition, the Latter route is often subject to numerous delays when approaching Southern California due to the higher-priority commuter trains around rush-hour.

One has several options for breaking from Davis into a getaway to Southern California, both having their perks and drawbacks. While one may choose the road for convenience, I will have to side on the other hand, Rail, also for convenience's sake. While it takes longer and costs more with no surefire guarantee of on-time arrival, I enjoy the ability to take care of other things while on the move. I enjoy the fact that all my services – food and rest – are available on board without having to detour. Overall, I find traveling by train to be the far more epic experience than going by car, and is worth the added cost.

Interesting Night (AKA the "First World Problem" Journal =P)

So I went out for dinner tonight, decided to eat downtown, and promptly took a bus there. However, upon arriving, indecision hit and I spent an hour or so mindlessly wondering figuring out where exactly to eat. Began considering the usual spots, eventually eliminating whilst walking around based on what I wasn't feeling for. Alas, nothing stood out and I settled for a usual place: Mikuni sushi. However, it became apparent as I walked there that it along with neighboring restaurants had sprawling waits at the door. Granted, dining downtown on a Friday Night and expecting little wait is a rather derpy assumption. After a few more walking (yes, I'm that indecisive, and downtown is fairly tightly packed), I remembered of a nearby Mediterranean place that I haven't been to in a long while, and promptly headed there. Surprisingly, it wasn't as crowded as everywhere else and the food was good.

After dinner, I started walking to a nearby bus stop when I saw a bus pass by in the opposite direction. Quickly, I texted the 'nextbus' service thingy. "No upcoming bus for this stop" was the response. How odd, I thought. I assumed it was a bug and walked to the Train Station to grab a physical bus schedule. As it turns out, much to my shagrin, all bus services end at 7 pm on Fridays ( for time reference, I had left the restaurant around half past that). After thinking for a bit, and realizing that a taxi wouldn't be all that practical, I decided to just walk the way home.

Now, at first I hesitated this, but then I realized my hesitation was just pure paranoia - I only lived roughly 2 miles away, which isn't really that far when I thought about it, and despite Davis giving off a ridiculously creepy feel at night, there was really no real danger to walking across town other than tired feet. So then I set foot, and began a long, yet surprisingly peaceful walk. Walking was rather refreshing, and almost soothing in a way. The weather wasn't too bad either with a slight breeze but otherwise clear skies; so clear that I briefly stopped halfway at a grassy area to look up at the stars, 'twas such a pretty sight. Alas, 40 minutes after I left the station, I finally arrived home, and spent the rest of the night resting up from that.

So yeah, had a fairly interesting night. Now I have the urge to go see the stars at night whenever I can. That, and also make a DMV appointment ASAP. X3

I Be Railin' - Part 1

I love Amtrak. I grew up taking the train down from Fresno to LA with my grandparents every other week. Even today I take the train down to the Bay every so often.

The service is frequent, not too costly, and rather comfy. In all fairness, I tend to prefer it over going on the 80 and 99, though I'll get further into that later. Over the summer, I got to experience something I've always wanted to try, true long-distance 'National' Amtrak.

Now, what's so special about 'National' Amtrak that I have to refer to it as such? Well, those frequent and affordable Amtrak trains I was talking about earlier? They're ran by the state, under 'Amtrak California', designed for more local trips akin to a (rather lengthy) commute. Amtrak in general is typically twice-a-day, long-distance, interstate travel. In a sense, they're like different rail services altogether.

Typical Amtrak Superliner, with added notations
(click image to enlarge)

First, I'll start off with the National Amtrak. I had the opportunity to go onto the Coast Starlight three times in the past few months. Technically, 'Coast Starlight' is a misnomer. While the train does parallel the coast on its 36-hour journey between Seattle and LA, the only time one sees the coast is for 2 hours on a stretch between Pismo Beach and Santa Barbara.

Granted, the journey is nonetheless a scenic one, and (largerly) more 'relaxed';one can take things more leisurely with, unlike most other forms of transit, freedom to move around easily. One can dine with a (limited) variety of (semi)gourmet meals at various(ly limited) times, rest casually in coach, or like what I tended to do, loiter around in the lounge nomming snacks and eying the scenery.

For me, the trip lasted around 15-hours. Given the high variations between the three trips I took, I'll just quickly sum things up - I wake up at 4 in the morning to catch the Coast Starlight a few hours later (I have a slow wake-up process). I leave Davis at around 7 am, with an assigned seat near the rear of the train, and proceed to have breakfast in the Dining car, where, given the limited space, I'm usually sat with 2-3 other passengers, which can either be fun or really awkward. We pass through the Bay Area, taking extended stops at Oakland and San Jose, before briefly entering the foothills and into Monterey county (albeit without seeing a bit of the coastline), speeding through farmland in the area around noon-ish, having lunch either in the diner or in the lounge. The farmland gives way to hills, giving way to mountains and a long series of ascending tunnels and descending curves into San Louis Obispo. After a long stop, the train skirts by Pismo Beach with hints of the Ocean, and we skirt along foothills and canyons, before finally seeing the coastline around 4 pm. We continue skirting along the coastline atop jagged cliffs, through Santa Barbara, and up until Ventura, where the train turns east... then north... then east again into canyons and tunnels as we enter the San Fernando Valley. By this point, the sun would have set and all that can be seen is the lights urban Southern California. It is also at this point, actually rather earlier by Santa Barbara, where the train is frequently delayed by both the Surfliner and Metrolink, local SoCal trains. Depending on rail traffic, arrival in LA will be no earlier that 9:30.

So, yeah, talk about a quick summary =P

Well, this certainly became a tad long-winded. For the sake of convenience, on my and your end, perhaps it's best that I split this post into two posts. So, until next time,

Hasta Marflebark!