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around the corner where two strangers meet over coffee in the Central Coast area

YellowbourbonCoating

She / Her

Boulder Creek, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
Mid 30s in a happy committed relationship just beginning my third career (it was a rough road but I'm glad I'm here now).
How's your life?
Pretty good. I like my home life; I like my work and colleagues; I love where I live. I'm a critical one. I think I'm too critical of my circumstances. Nothing is ever perfect but I'm genuinely happy these days.
Anything you recently found interesting?
My boyfriend and I are all prepped to try to grow mushrooms (the grocery store kind though I fully approve of all mushrooms).
BooksAndBakedGoods
I love your mushroom love inclusivity! I’ve never considered growing my own, but I like the idea! I can also be very critical of myself. I like to think of myself as a recovering perfectionist, as Brene Brown says. Sending you a coffee chat!
What is your idea of a perfect day?
Asked by

Sarah

dot
Los Angeles
Would be sometime in February where the air is chilled but crisp. A sweater and a jacket needed to get a hot cup of coffee or tea and sit out in the patio to really get your fill of the special weather. Then maybe spend the midday in an outdoor antique mall. And then in the evening, make a delicious hot bowl of soup, whatever you prefer, with a side of the fresh sourdough loaf you found at a bakery you stumbled upon during your outing of the day.
dot
San Jose
Wake up in Texas Springs Campground in Death Valley and get a good hot coffee. Jump to NorCal and drive through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Then somehow get to Oregon and walk up to the top of Crater Lake for an open-water swim in its icy cold water. Soak in Umpqua Hot Springs among hippies. Before sunset, come back to the campground where I wake up. Take a lot of night sky photos before going to sleep.
Nice relaxing morning, then some work, then some exercise, then cook a good meal, then some live music or a glass of wine with some friends.

burgersandbeaches

She / Her

Santa Barbara, CA

burgersandbeaches's photo

Somewhere above Colorado before dreamland

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’ve lived a lot of life in my short 31 years so far and I’m eager for more! My career is (was?) steady despite a recent layoff. I’m happy with myself, my community, the place I call home. Living in SB is such a privilege and worth every bit of effort it takes to make it work out here.
How's your life?
The last year-ish of life has been my most challenging yet, but I feel more optimistic and genuinely excited about life itself than I have in years. I’m calling this chapter “metamorphic goo” as I shift so many gears at once - it’s been a lot! I’ve been craving peace for a long while and I finally feel like I have it once more. Life is tumultuous but life is good, really truly actually good.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Solitude, nature, traveling, community, long phone calls, concerts, Disneyland, so many things with some polarizing variances but all in moderation.
What is most important to you right now?
I’ve lost connection to many of my hobbies over the last few years and I’m on a mission to regain what makes me most myself. Hiking, running, going to the movies, baking, art… so many activities! I want to rediscover balance between work and play.
Anything you recently found interesting?
I travel a lot and I fly often. We all know that boarding is tedious and I’ve spent a lot of time wondering, “why isn’t this process more efficient?” Or, “wouldn’t it be better to board from the back of plane to the front?” I did some reading on case studies and such, then I went to the National Museum of Flight in Scotland and it was so damn obvious. Gravity. Planes are on wheels. Between baggage and fuel and passengers and the plane itself, gravity affects balance of the aircraft. If we loaded all passengers at the back first, the plane would have an incredibly high possibility of tipping backwards because of the uneven weight distribution. Boarding “first class first” is about leveling weight distribution as much as it’s about maintaining status quo.
Mbpram
I found your interesting research very interesting and informative....!! It all makes sense now why boarding starts at the front of the plane ...

HeartMind

He / Him

Santa Cruz, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
In a decent place! Lots of wild detours. Met some great people along the way. Learned a lot about myself and what really matters to me. Trying to into all of that more fully with patience, compassion, and a touch of boldness.
How's your life?
Big question. Simple response. I take it a day at a time. I see life is more list a mystery to unfold than a problem to solve. I try to make good choices. I try to be helpful. And I aspire to make the most of every day. I love learning in all forms. I love people and building community. I have done that in some rather unique ways that have helped me see how people and groups share each other. It's one of the things I'm most passionate about.
What helps you keep your sanity?
People and causes I care about. Connecting to things bigger than myself.
What is most important to you right now?
Richer sense of community, more strong friendships that evolve meaningfully over time.
Anything you recently found interesting?
So much that this question is overwhelming. Lol.

trynahike

She / Her

Santa Barbara, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m 31 and have moved around a fair bit, landed in Santa Barbara and absolutely love it. I enjoy backpacking, camping, hiking, and climbing and would love to find some outdoor adventure buddies! I also love live music and am always interested in learning something new.
How's your life?
Life is great! I work remotely and have a lot of flexibility. I have a great partner and community through him, and am looking to meet more people and develop my own network as a recent transplant to town.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Nature no question. I love to explore and get out into the wilderness where there’s no service and no concrete.
What is most important to you right now?
The most important thing to me is my people- family and friends. Second is how I spend my time. I try to be intentional about spending my time doing things I love and am looking for like-minded people to share those experiences with.
Anything you recently found interesting?
I learned today there is a species of lizard in Santa Barbara whose blood kills lymes disease. Nature is neat!

ChristianLady

She / Her

Goleta, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
I am at a blessed point in my life! And I am focused on developing my skills, social circle, and relationship with God. I am excited to hopefully make new friends!
How's your life?
My life is doing well! I am working a fine job, attending community events, and participating in stable hobbies. Plus, I am a caring and humble female that loves nature and science!
What helps you keep your sanity?
The Bible/Gospel/Word without a doubt keeps me sane. Yeshua died on the cross for me and I have happily given my soul to Him. I am passionate about Spreading His Word. All glory goes to God.
What is most important to you right now?
The most important thing to me right now would have to be my relationship with God, first and foremost, and then it would be growing my social circle. I don’t have a lot of friends, so hopefully I will be blessed in making true ones soon!
Anything you recently found interesting?
Yes, the world is very interesting. There are many secrets that lie within it. So, let’s uncover them together! Blessings to everyone!

saritaisapoet

She / Her

Santa Cruz, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m at a transitional point, which I'm sure is fairly typical for someone in their mid-20s! I’m working a temporary job in Santa Cruz while applying to grad school programs across the country. I would love to have some friends in the meantime, as applying to grad school feels like a lonely process!
How's your life?
Overall, it has been fantastic, and I’m very, very, grateful for the progress I have made. Right now, I’m trying to find balance in a busy work schedule. I tend to isolate when I feel overwhelmed, but being lonely isn’t good for my mental health either. I think having some local friends would ground me.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Writing poetry, reading speculative fiction, going on long walks, and dancing and singing to music in my room.
What is most important to you right now?
Self-growth, compassion, community.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Did you know that the modernization of the printing press played a huge role in the development of nation-states and Christianity as a worldwide religion?
Ruby
As a recent new grad who went through the whole application process, I empathize! It can be harrowing but hang in there! You will get through it. :)
What do people usually get wrong about you?
Asked by

plumeriapassion

dot
Garden Grove
Because I’m introverted and constantly overthinking, (maybe a tad bit of rbf.. ha..) people think I’m standoffish; to but it nicely. The reality is I’m not, I’m just selective with my energy. I’m always looking to improve though, so I know it’s something to work on if I’m giving people that impression of me.
dot
Los Angeles
My craft is in design. It’s often assumed that if you can make things beautiful, you or your work cannot simultaneously be smart
dot
San Jose
When people first come across my writing, they think I’m a man.

ExpressCup1

He / Him

Goleta, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
Pretty good! Keep busy enough that I wish for more hours in a day. Left a very stressful job 2 years ago and finally recovered enough. Make enough money and am fine on my career growth. Hardest thing is social life/dating life right now, but have plenty of hobbies to make up for it.
How's your life?
A little chaotic, but being relatively stress free is nice. A little young to be saying this, but I think I accomplished everything I wanted to career wise. A lot of pressure taken off because of that!
What helps you keep your sanity?
I go in spurts of being hyper social to hermit. Plus always having a trip planned out.
What is most important to you right now?
Travel! I used to go on a big trip every two years, but since covid I go every year!
Anything you recently found interesting?
Ive been slowly attacking my stack of books, This is How You Lose the Time War was the best thing I read this year.