Every Saturday I’m at Dutch Bros, sometimes with my best friend, sometimes flying solo with my own thoughts for company. Good coffee doesn’t require an audience, and neither does enjoying your own soul.

I collect details like a magpie and pull them out at exactly the right moment in conversations. Call it wit, call it showing off—either way, callbacks rule and I’m committed to making connections that matter.

I used to think everyone experienced the world basically the same way I did, just with different opinions layered on top. Then a coworker casually mentioned believing something I’d always assumed was metaphorical, and suddenly the universe got much more interesting. Turns out people don’t just disagree about conclusions—they’re working from entirely different starting points. This was either terrifying or wonderful, and I decided to go with wonderful.

These days I’m learning to slow down for sunsets the same way I slow down for coffee. Both require being present enough to actually taste what you’re experiencing. ABBA on the soundtrack helps, obviously.

My Songs: Chiquitita by ABBA, Keep Going by Bay Ledges, Spoonful by Grizfolk