In this neighborhood I’ll never run out of things to do. It’s the perfect mix of ritzy hippie to allow an artist like me to occupy the basement units. I’ve developed a 6th sense for dives because at least twice I’ve walked by a place on my way somewhere, stopped, turned around and gone into the place. Both have been excellent. The Mecca, mentioned earlier, and now the Streamline Tavern. 

Tonight is actually a double feature of the two joints because they are only a few blocks from each other.  The Steamline serves cheap drinks, The Mecca serves all day breakfast and neither is more than a few blocks from my home. This has got to be what a real estate trine is.  Both places have a full bar, friendly people and wifi access.  I discovered tonight that the mystery side of The Mecca (left at the door) is the bar element of this bar/diner.

I’m still sitting on the diner side, mainly because the lighting is better.  It’s also because I’m saving my drinking for the Streamline later tonight.  I’m flanked by two professional-looking gentlemen that are also busy on laptops.  I feel like I fit in here.  The waitress is congenial and sincere.  She reminds me of a favorite bartender at from Memphis in all the best ways.  This is the type of place I can call myself a writer and feel that it’s true.

I’m booked with things to do through next Tuesday.  Now that my social security number isn’t under suspicion I’m seeking employment more fervently.  I’m also feeling the gaping hole moving across the country has burnt through my pocket.  I don’t need full-time gainful employment right away but I have to establish some sort of positive cash flow to preserve my economic sanity.  Watching my savings account balance only decrease makes it feel like a countdown timer on a bomb.