Here’s another one! Man I love these small tales of a hyper-real world where something strange is percolating ;-) just beneath the surface. You write these so, so well, Nathan. Eager for Part 2! 🤓
An intriguing start, Nathan, so looking forward to part 2 to understand more about this name changing stranger 🤔
I still find your mastery of words and language to be second to none in being able to draw the reader into the story. Particularly one about a beverage that I do not drink 😁
However, the calmness you describe by being in a coffee shop is exactly how I feel in a book shop and you’ve given me an idea for a story that’s been percolating in my mind for a few weeks now so thanks for that 👍🏼😊
“I would go so far as to say that, through whatever contrivance of fate, I was supposed to end up working there.” Hmm, some sort of a time warp? I am trying to read the delicate microfoam as if it were shapes cast by tea leaves left in the bottom of a cup, but you left me no clues there. This would be a great first chapter of a book. where will you take me, looking forward to finding out!
Thanks Lor. Your delicate reading of the foam is ever so appreciated. I wish I currently had it in me to try and sit down and pen a full novel, because this is certainly pulled from how I feel beginning a Haruki Murakami novel.
"Of course? I was somewhat baffled by this whole encounter. A man who each day changed his name and had of course read Abe. For the rest of that day I could think of nothing else." And so we can think of nothing else but who is this man with many names? Had me smile. Having a coffee while waiting to be served part two!
I’m ashamed to say that I don’t drink coffee, never have. I like the ideas of it and the ritual and even the smell but the taste makes me gag. I did, however perform in many coffeehouses in my youth. I can tell you that nothing fucks up a ballad quite like the hissing scream of an espresso machine.
I love riding along with your narrators. You have this ability to describe normal things but cast them in a mysterious light that transforms them entirely. I’m always waiting for something otherworldly to happen and it often does but not in the way I would ever expect.
Love this. The feeling inside the cafe walls, the Japonisme of the encounter…it’s great reading a story when the exposition is loaded with possibilities. Great writing, Nathan!
I like where this is headed … and I foolishly fell into the trap of thinking the narrator was you, in real life, being a barista (which is an excellent thing to do … we owned a coffee shop and five years on is possibly a good time to turn some (fading) memories into stories) … excited for part two.
I knew you wrote this in a coffee shop! It's so funny because I was picturing you in a very specific coffee shop in Santa Monica that made the most glorious coffee and they moved slowly and it was an art and there was this understanding that if you were in a rush you went elsewhere.
I love how your love of coffee pours off the page :) excited to see where things go with our name-shifter :)
I can feel the rains falling on parched land with every sentence. Gorgeous, sumptuous, languorous and meta, as I let the hum of the room focus my mind on your words and your narrator focused himself to the page. It was quite a cool feeling to join him there for a moment. I knew something/someone mysterious would emerge from this serenity, and sure enough, you delivered.
And I love how this early sentence offers great contrast—beauty in demise:
“the type of building that would remain long after humanity's demise, to no doubt be claimed by nature and become, in its own way, beautiful.”
Here’s another one! Man I love these small tales of a hyper-real world where something strange is percolating ;-) just beneath the surface. You write these so, so well, Nathan. Eager for Part 2! 🤓
Aw, thank you. You're the best.
“Hyper-real.” I really like that description.
An intriguing start, Nathan, so looking forward to part 2 to understand more about this name changing stranger 🤔
I still find your mastery of words and language to be second to none in being able to draw the reader into the story. Particularly one about a beverage that I do not drink 😁
However, the calmness you describe by being in a coffee shop is exactly how I feel in a book shop and you’ve given me an idea for a story that’s been percolating in my mind for a few weeks now so thanks for that 👍🏼😊
Thanks Dan!
Ah yes, I too have that serene feeling within a bookshop. It is almost equal, I would say.
Glad to have provided some inspiration.
“I would go so far as to say that, through whatever contrivance of fate, I was supposed to end up working there.” Hmm, some sort of a time warp? I am trying to read the delicate microfoam as if it were shapes cast by tea leaves left in the bottom of a cup, but you left me no clues there. This would be a great first chapter of a book. where will you take me, looking forward to finding out!
Thanks Lor. Your delicate reading of the foam is ever so appreciated. I wish I currently had it in me to try and sit down and pen a full novel, because this is certainly pulled from how I feel beginning a Haruki Murakami novel.
Ah, someday you will.
"Of course? I was somewhat baffled by this whole encounter. A man who each day changed his name and had of course read Abe. For the rest of that day I could think of nothing else." And so we can think of nothing else but who is this man with many names? Had me smile. Having a coffee while waiting to be served part two!
Thanks my friend!
How intriguing that we both selecting a bloom as our photo this week. Synchronicity!
I’m ashamed to say that I don’t drink coffee, never have. I like the ideas of it and the ritual and even the smell but the taste makes me gag. I did, however perform in many coffeehouses in my youth. I can tell you that nothing fucks up a ballad quite like the hissing scream of an espresso machine.
I love riding along with your narrators. You have this ability to describe normal things but cast them in a mysterious light that transforms them entirely. I’m always waiting for something otherworldly to happen and it often does but not in the way I would ever expect.
Thanks so much, Ben.
Haha yeah, I can imagine that the scream of the milk frothing would be quite off-putting.
Nothing to be ashamed of re: not drinking coffee!
I read this opening on notes and was already looking for a tea barista job in the hopes that it’ll help me jump to university professor in some years…
All illusions shattered, I’m now looking forward to the second part next week. Great little story! 🙌
Haha, sorry to shatter the illusion. ;)
Thanks Claudia!
Okay,Nathan. You have quietly set us up for something unusual. I'm all in.
Yay. My work here is done.
(My work here is not done. I still have to finish part 2!!)
Love this. The feeling inside the cafe walls, the Japonisme of the encounter…it’s great reading a story when the exposition is loaded with possibilities. Great writing, Nathan!
Thanks so much Kate!
I like where this is headed … and I foolishly fell into the trap of thinking the narrator was you, in real life, being a barista (which is an excellent thing to do … we owned a coffee shop and five years on is possibly a good time to turn some (fading) memories into stories) … excited for part two.
Thanks so much! That’s great you owned a coffee shop. Start brewing those stories. ;)
Great cliffhanger, Nathan - can't wait to hear the conclusion for Whitley Of Course's mystery.
Thanks, Troy!
I can't wait too! 😅 (He says, staring at a half-finished draft…)
"And thus the alchemy begins, the liquorice wonder emerging and flowing with obsidian clarity into the awaiting cup."
Ahh Nathan, how expertly you brew us our coffee... make us wait for the richness of flavour - but will it be bitter or fruity...?
I'm excited to find out!
I love how your stories begin as if you write from a journal, as if you've experienced every beautifully constructed sentence personally... 🙌🏽
And how expertly you pour words into the comments to fill my mind with joy. 🤩
I try my best to imagine the thing as closely as possible, even if it's something I haven't actually done.
I knew you wrote this in a coffee shop! It's so funny because I was picturing you in a very specific coffee shop in Santa Monica that made the most glorious coffee and they moved slowly and it was an art and there was this understanding that if you were in a rush you went elsewhere.
I love how your love of coffee pours off the page :) excited to see where things go with our name-shifter :)
Chloe! What a delight to wake up and see your comment. Thank you, friend.
Ah, Santa Monica -- a place I haven't visited but no doubt would slip right into.
I hope I don't spill too many wayward drips as part two percolates!
🤗
For someone who was averse to first person narrative, you sure have come out of the closet lately. 😁
Haha, thanks. To be honest, I think it's probably the only way I want to write now.
I can feel the rains falling on parched land with every sentence. Gorgeous, sumptuous, languorous and meta, as I let the hum of the room focus my mind on your words and your narrator focused himself to the page. It was quite a cool feeling to join him there for a moment. I knew something/someone mysterious would emerge from this serenity, and sure enough, you delivered.
And I love how this early sentence offers great contrast—beauty in demise:
“the type of building that would remain long after humanity's demise, to no doubt be claimed by nature and become, in its own way, beautiful.”
Can’t wait for part 2!
Thanks, Kimberly! I am happy there is some amount of water now trickling along the land and into the well. 🤗
I like these two characters very much. I hope that 5 sided stone doesn’t show up…😁
Hehe, far as I'm aware that's not going to happen. ;)
I'm entertained and intrigued, Nathan. Eager to read part 2!
What more could I ask for? 😁
Thanks, Jim!