How background tunes shape my day and creative process while observing the regular customers
I am sitting here in my usual spot at the coffee shop.
I’ve probably been here for about 30 minutes today; some days it’s longer. It depends on what I’m doing.
Usually writing or reading. Sometimes both. I use pen and paper, sometimes I take my laptop — depends how I feel.
The usual suspects are in the shop.
- Sitting behind me nearer the window, a bald man sips slowly on his latte, trying not to drip. He seems deep in thought, miles away.
- A lady with green hair is busy with her crossword puzzle, as her cup of tea sits there (probably stone cold by now).
I’ve been listening to Spotify on my headphones. The music is kind of fitting for today: slow jazz. I like Miles Davis. It’s a song called ‘Blue in Green.’
Yep, it’s a kind of lazy Autumn day. It is not too cold outside, and the sun is shining through the trees lining the road outside the coffee shop.
Ah, yes, the ‘bag lady’ is here.
She consumes her mug of coffee in her usual ‘wild way’. I say wild, because it’s hard to describe her method of beverage consumption.
She kind of throws the coffee down her throat, lifting the mug up as if she is looking through the bottom or praying to the ceiling. Then she proceeds to scrape the remnants of coffee crème with her fingers, as she licks her sticky fingers with delight.
I wonder if she is aware of the music? I wonder if she is into Jazz? Who knows.
Usually ‘bag lady’ seems to come back to earth after this display of gratitude, gets up promptly, wipes the table with her serviette and neatly places her chair back under the table.
I never really understand why she sits at a ‘table for 4’. Her bags are in her trolley, though, taking up much of the aisle where customers queue to order coffee. It must be annoying for the coffee assistants too, I guess.
I’ve taken a break from listening to Spotify, and removed my headphones. My ears get a bit hot if I’ve been listening to music for a while.
Oh, that’s nice ‘Stormy Weather’ by Etta James is playing now over the coffee shop speakers. I love her voice!
I spy a new lady sitting by herself; she seems deep in conversation with someone on her phone. I wonder what ails her, as she has a walker propped up near the table.
Her coffee just arrived. Latte, I think, in a glass. Looks hot. She’s looking around for a serviette to wrap around the glass.
Ah, OK, the coffee assistant spotted her and has come to her rescue. These girls are really kind to us customers in this place.
Ah, she’s coming over with a glass of water for me now.
“Thank you, Michelle!”
Its a quiet spell at the moment. Two people queue for the other coffee assistant, Maylene, to take their orders.
The music seems to have stopped! What…
They must have changed Barista. The two young girls serving coffee have just arrived for their shift.
The others are just leaving.
“Bye Michelle, bye Maylene.”
They both waved to me as they left.
Ah, OK, the music has started again. Oh, this is different.
‘Wish You Were Here’… Pink Floyd… David Gilmour’s vocals are unmistakeable. Brilliant. Love this. It takes me back to the 1970s.
There’s another lady (who brought her trolley in to the shop) taking up a lot of space, waiting for a takeout coffee. Why do people bring trolleys in here? They can’t read.
Guess not.
It clearly says, “DO NOT BRING TROLLEYS IN THE SHOP!” on the front door.
Too busy holding the door open with one hand and pushing the trolley in with the other, I suspect.
Music has changed again…
I listen to the soft background music. It sounds like Sade, but I think it probably isn’t her.
Funny how music affects my mood. Some days it inspires me; others, I can’t stand what’s blaring out over the speakers.
Yes, the music they play here in my coffee haunt… well, let’s say some days are down right awful and don’t inspire me to write anything at all.
But that’s OK… I can’t control what they play. And I can just put on my headphones again if it bothers me. No biggie.
“It’s a Spotify playlist,” said the Barista. “This is Naomi Sharon — Another Life.”
Ah, OK… as if I’m expected to know who she is and like it, hah!
Well, it started off sounding like Sade, but now there is a loud, thumping drum sound pulsing through the song. Oh, heck! That’s spoiling it.
Obviously, someone else has complained. They’ve changed the music!
Ooooh, I love this… Mark Knopfler… ‘Two Pairs of Hands.’ That’s better!
Dear Mark. Just love, love this track. It’s almost hypnotising, and definitely one of your best for writing to!
Back to the writing… Now, where was I?
Oh, yes, the people watching exercise. I almost forgot; that’s what I was doing.
Suddenly, there is a thud at the large window in front of the coffee shop.
“What the hell was that?” The bald man said, jumping to the side of his table, as if he was avoiding a gunshot.
Well, that certainly got his attention!
The green-haired lady looked surprised, but just sat there peering over to me, pen still poised over ‘8 down’. She didn’t seem too bothered by the thud.
“Calm down people. It was just a bird flying straight into the window,” said the Barista. “Happens at least once a week. The birds just don’t seem to see the window is there.”
Holy Moley indeed, Mark. This poor bird certainly wasn’t one in your ‘two pairs of hands’. I’m not sure where it went, though. I hope it is OK.
The music has changed again. They’re playing Taylor Swift’s ‘Blank Space’ right now.
You’ve got to hand it to her… I like her lyrics. She comes up with some great songs. Well done Tay Tay lol.
You’ve kind of inspired me to write a bit longer… and stay a bit longer…
Finally, bald man and green haired lady have left the building.
So… who’s next to arrive?
Oh oh, it’s a bunch of rowdy schoolkids. It must be the end of school for today.
Yes, here they come—the 4 pm rush. Crashing through the front door, queuing up for their milk shakes, or is that actual takeaway coffee??
What exactly do kids drink these days, anyway? Beats me.
At least they don’t have trolleys. Imagine the chaos!
… and as fast as they arrived, they’ve gone!
Peace and calm prevail once more. Ah. Thank goodness.
I wonder if the coffee shop was playing Taylor Swift just for the schoolkids? I bet they were, ‘cause the music has changed yet again.
‘Hotel California — The Eagles’… is playing now. Another one of my favourites.
‘You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.’ That’s right, Don!
And I guess it’s time for me to check out too. The difference is that this writer can check out any time he likes, and he can always leave!
If you are a writer, what do you do to gain inspiration for your stories?
Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear where you go to gather your thoughts.
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