Taking my laptop out for coffee

At home the TV always beckons. Even when I know there's nothing to watch I feel compelled to turn it on, for companionship, for noise, for the Food Network (Hello Bobby Flay...). I sit on the couch, pull my laptop onto my lap, and turn the TV on. Even though I know I write better when it's off, I still can't seem to stop my right hand from reaching for that remote. Within minutes I'm submerged in my blog post or article and the TV fades to background noise, but every so often a commercial or a loud comment interrupts my train of thought, pulling me into TV Land and away from my muse. I don't always mind, and in fact, at night it's my favorite way to spend an evening, but I'll always be the first to admit that it's not the most productive way to spend an hour or two. So on Monday mornings, I'm loath to waste even a second of the precious few hours I've set aside to focus on my writing. So every Monday, after I drop off the kids at daycare, I set off in search for free wireless and a good cup of tea.

My kids go to daycare in Los Altos, and since I only leave the baby for a few hours on Mondays I try to maximize computer time by finding a nearby coffee shop. Sadly until today I thought my options were either Starbucks, where the wireless isn't free. Quick aside - Why? Why is the wireless NOT free at Starbucks? Seriously? They can't afford it? Don't they understand that it's good business practice? I'd pay $4 for coffee if I could surf for free! I won't pay $9 a DAY to get online, not when I can do it for free elsewhere. Harumph. Rant over. Or Le Boulanger, where the lunch crowd gets thick pretty early in the day. So every morning saw me headed back down the Peninsula to my favorite coffee shop It's A Grind, where the wireless is free, the coffee and pastries are yummy, and the staff is incredibly friendly. Today I finally noticed that the the Los Altos Bakery Cafe, a mere block away from the daycare, is a WiFi Hotspot. I parked my car and hurried in to check out the digs. Sure it's no patch on my favorite place, but it's a lot closer than Cupertino and perfect for mornings where I don't have enough time to spare to drive an extra 20 minutes. I might even come here on Fridays after work for a quick writing session before picking up the kids.

This post originally appeared on Silicon Valley Moms Blog.
Rose also writes at It's my life...

Comments

[Cheryl Wenzel/New Mom Central]

Wow. That's MY life. Except I do it M/W/F mornings while my kids are in preschool. In fact, I was going to write a post about it, too. YOU STOLE MY POST! =)

I do, however, pay tmobile a monthly fee ($35) so I can use my laptop anywhere. The problem that I've found is that not all Starbucks locations have great "reception" so I've found 2 locations that work for me and I stick with these 2.

I also have the same problem as you. If I stay home and write after the kids go to bed I want to be comfortable so I sit on the couch and yes, my hand grabs the remote, too, against my wishes! haha

[Military Wife]

I just stumbled across your blog and wanted to say HI. I'll be back again. Stop by mine anytime.

[StarbucksRants]

Just a heads up. Wi-fi will soon be free, for 2 hours, at Starbucks if you have a registered Starbucks Cad (not the credit card, just the normal ones). Along with free syrups. So hopefully in the next month or so you can get the free wifi at Starbucks that we all want.

[Jill Asher]

I hang out with my computer at Prolific Oven in downtown Palo Alto ... free internet and awesome coffee! :)

[Daisy]

My favorite wifi spot is a locally owned coffeeshop, too. Their wifi is free, and they have a fishbowl on the counter for donations. I always toss my change in it, even if I'm not using the wifi that day.

[Nicole/wksocmom]

I have that same question about Starbucks, but suspected that they got enough business so didn't need the added incentive - just more reason to go local. I've been known to wander around towns asking if they have free wireless. Some of my favorites are Menlo Cafe (horrible hours, great prices) and Barefoot coffee - yum, but South Bay.

[Heather]

That is my favorite coffee shop around! And it's a few doors down from Score and has sandwiches for the kiddos. I also bought the most amazing chocolate decadence birthday cake there. I try to go there more that the Starbucks right next to Score whenever possible. Yeah Los Altos Bakery Cafe!

[Linsey K / KrolikLegal]

Starbucks, Panera Bread, Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company - these cafes ARE my office! I work anywhere there is wireless. And although I have paid for the tmobile account for Starbucks for the past 2 years (worth it, to me, as I never know what area of town I will be in and I know I can always find a connection at Starbucks - I rarely have problems with reception), I am SO excited that the fee will be going away. A no brainer, for sure. Starbucks has to make it free - otherwise, we will all be flocking elsewhere.

See you out there for a latte :)