Yesterday, in a spontaneous choice to be more social and connect with my local community (one of my 2025 resolutions), I stopped into a new coffee shop that just opened a few blocks away. They're not fully set up yet, but I had passed a few times and wanted to say hi.

I ended up chatting with the barista and met the owner, who took me on a "tour" of the space – he's planning on cleaning up the backyard (unused by the previous occupants) and turning it into a community space.

The whole encounter was probably less than 10 minutes but was the most connected I felt all week.

been thinking, who is up for an LA dinner in the next few weeks?