Writing with Safeway and Sinatra
April 28th, 2008 by KimWhat’s your favorite work/study spot on the island?
One of the benefits — or challenges — of being a mobile journalist or “mojo” is working out of the office with a laptop, wireless Internet connector device thingy and cell phone. When I first started out, that meant I did a lot of work from my desk or living room table at home when I wasn’t actually physically out on a story.
Recently, though, I’ve found that working from home can often be a combination of lonely, boring and distracting, so I’ve sought out other places where I can sit and interview people and write stories. Plus, the city last week started water main repairs on my street, which has most recently added “headache-inducing” to that list.
The biggest problem I’ve found is finding a QUIET place to do this. Without resorting to the local library, it’s remarkably difficult to find any establishment that isn’t blasting music. For example, Starbucks plays a combination of opera, salsa, indie and Frank Sinatra, which I guess can be pleasant — but not at crazy volumes.
The other problem is finding a place where I can plug in my laptop. I like working at the newly renovated Safeway supermarkets, especially the one on Kapahulu, which has comfy couches, tables and chairs. It’s quieter than Starbucks, and all the food you could ever want is right there! My work has provided me with an enormous, orange, 50-something-feet long extension cord to help me be more “mobile.” Even so, the few outlets in Safeway’s sit-down area are often taken and if I can’t plug in, my laptop expires within 30 minutes. So, no good.
There’s also the problem of “admission.” At Starbucks, I usually go for the least expensive, but still tasty, “small” ice tea, which runs me $1.98. Most drinks besides the basic coffee will cost $3 or more. At that price, you end up paying $60 a month in “coffee rent” for your study space at Starbucks. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is another favorite place, but again, you have to buy something if you want to sit there for hours, as I usually do. As if my regular rent at my apartment weren’t enough! I’ve also tried working from Panda Express in Kahala Mall, but after one week you can only take so much Beijing Beef and chao mein.
It’s also important for me to not be sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with people when I’m trying to work. This is for my sanity, and because I’m sure they don’t appreciate my gabbing for hours on the phone while they’re trying to read the New York Times.
So, right now I’m at Starbucks in the Waikiki Food Court on Kalakaua and Seaside. I’ve drained the last of my passion fruit ice tea and a baby just started screaming in the background. Don’t get me wrong, working out of the office is cool… but sometimes… yikes.
Anyone have suggestions?
Tags: work
April 28th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Your laptop batteries only last 30 minutes?
Time to get a new battery. Or a new laptop.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
You can work at my place anytime! ^_^
April 28th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
you can work at the Costco food court…and the “rental fee” is cheap…
April 28th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
You can work at a Borders cafe or something. I find it’s always quiet there and the atmosphere’s great
April 28th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
kim,
sounds like you enjoy hanging in the “well-to-do” parts of town. maybe that’s the problem. what you want as a hangout, others want as a “pick up” place or a “dig me” joint. seriously, go to a local school, elementary, middle, or high school. get your work done and get a pulse of what’s happening in our schools and with our future generation. many public school libraries have wireless and/or “hot zones” so working on your computer will be a cinch. plus, cool people hang out at school libraries and you don’t have to worry about ear-bleeding music choices or guys trying to hit on you with some lame try.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
That’s a good suggestion. I wonder what a school would say if I asked if I could hang out in their library all day… it’s worth a shot.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
just a thought….whatever happened to the Library? Seems like no one ever goes there anymore…
April 28th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
You refuse to resort to working at the local library.
You are interested in working at a school library.
Why is a school library so much more tolerable?
April 28th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Public libraries are not hotzones yet but will be in the near future I believe…Oceanic and libraries are working on that and are in the testing phase.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
School libraries, local libraries…. I’m open to both kinds of libraries, actually. Either way, libraries are probably better places to look for community news than at Starbucks.
Can’t you tell I lived in the library in college?
April 28th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
If you’re at the Evil Empire–er, I mean Starbucks–if you don’t leave the store, refills of regular tea or coffee I think are only “fitty” cents. When I was in med school the Lion’s Coffee shop near Queen’s BBQ was the BEST place to go. Unfortunately, they closed down.
I always liked bookstores because people are *usually* quiet in there (the random sofas and chairs, not the coffee station), and you don’t have to buy anything.
You could always check out the med school library. It’s right next to Kakaako in case your laptop finally dies, then you can give it a good send off by using it for grass sliding!
Also, the cafeteria at Straub Hospital, believe it or not, has some comfy places to sit, is usually near empty when it’s not meal time, and has bomb diggity (considering it’s a hospital cafeteria) fried rice in the morning.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I think the best place to work in town is the main public library. The hours may not be the best but it’s quiet and there are outdoor and indoor tables. It’s not “dinky” or “unfriendly” like some of the other libraries.
Thanks again for coming out for Career Day on Friday. It takes a lot to talk in front of 25 adolescents and share your life with them. Props to you for giving these kids insight into journalism and advice that will help them to achieve their dreams.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I know how you feel, I am always looking for someplace to write. I’ve never thought about going to Safeway. Hmmm.”Guys, I’m going down to Safeway to write my article”, just doesn’t sound right.
I’ve always found myself going to Sarbucks. I love my coffee! If you registar your Starbucks card, refills are free. Shhhh, don’t tell um I told you so. But you’re right, they play their music hella loud sometimes. I am not the only one who has asked them to turn it down, especially when you’re the only one in there. I usually have my Ipod with me, so it doesn’t bother me.
It seems that you have the luxury of that wireless internet card. What are you doing hanging around Kahala Mall? Hahaha, nothing against that place, but it does get packed there in the mornings, with all those people looking over your shoulder, trying to see what you’re writing.
Like the other poster said, get yourself a battery that lasts longer. The hit the beach, or sit under a tree, let nature be your guide! That’s my alternative place to Starbucks. Good Luck!
April 28th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Kim
You forgot to mention the utterly entertaining human-like walrus that sleeps in the corner of the new safeway cafe from time to time. Thanks for the blog though. You speak to those of us who are perpetually looking for new places to study/work!
April 28th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I’m surprised with the over 50% increase in electricity in the last year that you can find any outlets to plug your computer into at these places.
Is it reasonable to expect that these businesses provide you with electricity at no cost? Your “rental” of a few food items might actually be cheaper than staying at your apt. and charging your computer there.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
My workplace has something called iPass that allows you to connect to pretty much all TMobile Hotspots as well as other random hotspots. Wireless cards work well too (though pricey).
In school I loved Borders/Barnes & Noble. With the addition of some noise cancelling earphones, it worked out really well. As long as you have books open or drag some over, it’s pretty nice.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
OH YEAH. and try tweaking your laptop settings to take up less resources while you’re on the go; if you’re just doing some word processing, you can “slow down” your laptop. And they also sell extended life batteries.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
why don’t you go to the park? Central Oahu Reg. Park is nice and big. Better yet, Taco Bell in Waipio between 2pm-5pm. Place is pretty much dead between those times. Me and my buddies used to hang out there. It was our restaurant hang out spot, like how Jerry Seinfield had his restaurant in “Seinfield”.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Kim - you can use our lanai - but you may have to bring your own bevvy! the only bummer is sometimes the surfer boys behind us get routy - but you may like them!
I doubt public schools would be interested in having a stranger hang out at their library all day. However, I bet you could contact some of the private schools in your area, the beautiful La Pietra comes to mind, (or even Iolani) and see if you could trade hanging out for some journalism mentoring.
I notice a lot of people sitting in front of Pioneer Plaza (I think it is a hot spot) with their laptops - there are plenty of outlets. But - watch out for the apparently homeless, and hygiene challenged, scooter riders - they like the outlets also!
good luck - I still think our lanai is the best option yet….
April 30th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
If you do go to coffee places, just as ask for hot water and bring your own tea bags! I do that all the time, they charge 25cents to 75cents… not sure about every place.
May 4th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Check out where you can hook up to the City and County of Honolulu’s Kokua Wireless - http://www.kokuawireless.com. Downtown and Chinatown is pretty much all hooked up. I like rRed Elephant.