Shortly after I left the place this morning, and headed into work, I realized that I was not only the last patron to leave Solo Cafe before they closed for renovations, but I was the first patron in the door this morning. I guess if you measured just by this, you’d think I’m a total Solo junkie, and well I kind of am, but I’m not always there for the coffee. It’s really a second home almost for me. It’s so relaxing and there’s always so much going on. Not to mention it connects to the best. salon. ever.

As I was saying, today was the re-opening of Solo. I had an 8:30am meeting this morning but was determined to stop in and see what went on while I was locked out. I was joined by the infamous Matthew Petro.

I am glad to say that the feel remained the same. Some of the changes included moving the large round tables a bit and adding some smaller white ones which were pretty comfy. The “TV viewing area” was opened up and the couch and two matching chairs moved where the leather chairs used to be. The bicycle everyone remembers so much has been replaced with an awesome one of a kind mural that was painted on the walls by local artists while cleaning and renovating was being done.

The kitchen is coming along and a food menu should be available shortly. In addition there will be patio seating along the back patio of the cafe and I think I heard there would be a fire pit eventually as well. Smores n’ Lattes sounds like a fantastic night to me.

My peppermint cream was just as good as last time as was my cherry danish I haven’t enjoyed in awhile.

I’ve heard about a local tea place opening up, White August. Would be awesome if some of their teas were brought into Solo too.

Great way to start the day today, and glad to have my security blanket back and the balance back in my life

Solo - you rock!

My most favoritest place aside from my house is Solo Cafe in Tempe. I started coming here almost 8 months ago when I moved to the area from Detroit. Then, the place was usually abandoned when I stopped over. The past two months, it’s been packed full, which is good, unless I am looking for a seat with access to an outlet and not my favorite round table by the bar.

It’s 1:43pm on Friday, and I walked in from Altered Ego Salon & Spa and took a spot on one of the leather chairs to enjoy my last half hour here until Tuesday, and to take in the old Solo Cafe. In 15 minutes or so they will close their doors to begin some awesome renovation. From what I’ve heard while ordering my iced peppermint cream, they are ecstatic about it. Pictures I have been promised

1:45pm and the doors connecting Solo and Altered Ego have officially closed. The tables are being brought in from outside also. There’s currently only one other patron here aside from me and it looks like he is gathering his things to head out. He had my second favorite spot, the comfy sofa.

I was told not to worry about leaving in a hurry, but have ordered my peppermint cream to go just in case. It’s so quiet and clam in here, almost like the calm before a storm.

I have to admit I am nervous and excited at the same time to see how this place will look come Monday when I stop in. I know it will keep its same charm. I have no doubt about that. Solo Cafe will have it’s charm plus 100.

I guess I am just glad to know that I knew this place before it was “the place” and that I am able to sit here to be out with the old and in with the new.

1:51pm: Umbrellas are coming in. Let them know I was willing to leave at any time and to just kick me out, but was told to not worry. They aren’t worried about me

2:00pm: Was just asked if I minded being locked in. Open sign has been turned off. Chatting with the Solo crew while some local music plays. It’s a duo that typically plays at Macayos every Thursday. Folksy. Great stuff. Will now need to hit Macayos some Thursday night. I kinda feel like dancing

2:15pm: Work is starting at Solo Cafe. It’s also been mentioned that my pink sandals are the girliest.

2:23pm: Leaving Solo to go pick up my repaired Lil 3 so they can really start working. Bye all. See you Tuesday Solo!

One last glance at Solo before I close this:

So seriously, I wish that when you opened this post to read it, that it would automatically play a file of me screaming WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO really fucking loud. That is the only way to describe yesterday.

I got up and had a lazy morning at the salon. Decided I am going to try to grow my hair out but didn’t want it to look like it was growing out so my stylist Laura put some cute curls in my hair *with a flat iron*! After running some errands and throwing some laundry in, I threw on my outfit for No Doubt.

Naomi and I decided to get an early start to our day and head to Solo Cafe for some coffee before we headed to Cricket. Solo’s attached to my salon so we decided to do some browsing in the boutique store section while we were there. I ended up buying three dresses. They are super cute and so worth it. I had to wear the one out shopping today and received quite a few compliments.

We arrived at Cricket fairly early but that was fine with me. The weather was gorgeous and it gave us a chance to walk around and chat and so forth before the music started. A few days before the concert, I was sent a notice from Live Nation about some concert rules. One of them stated that we were allowed to bring in one unopened bottle of water. However, when arriving to Cricket, we were promptly handed a large Styrofoam cup and asked to recycle our water bottle. Hmm. This caused not only one hand to be tied up when trying to show my ticket and what not, but I also had to then promptly drink my water instead of saving it and recycle but also use a Styrofoam cup. Hmm. Fail.

Also to note, tour merchandise is insanely more expensive than it was when I went to my last mainstream concert a year ago. $40 for a tank top? Bitch please. No thanks.

Before The Sounds started playing (which is a truly amazing band I now need to listen to a lot) we landed upon a State Farm booth that was taking photos and then posting them online for you to download. As we were in line for that, we saw the booth next to it which was rock band. Everyone was in line to play Spiderwebs. Whichever group (or solo if you chose) had the highest score by 9pm won 4 upgraded seats for the No Doubt portion of the concert. I just really wanted to play rock band so I drug Naomi with me. Soon the 2 girls in front of us asked us if we wanted to play as one group (to increase our chance of a higher score) and we obliged. After we finished we were 1st.

Our seats were pretty decent. We were in the 2nd section in the pavilion and had a clear shot of the stage. We sat back down to see The Sounds and some of Paramore and headed back around 8:30 to check on our score and grab some food. We were in 2nd place. As we were standing in line to play again (might as well) we ended up in 3rd.

We played again a few minutes before 9 (and therefore were the last ones eligible) and won with a score I think around 580k. We were then promptly escorted to our new seats which were a section farther up. We had an amazing shot of the stage. Here we are with our group members after the concert ended:

The concert was so incredible. I’m still in awe over it a day later. We ended up having great seats 9 rows back from the pit, which was about 25 rows up from where we were. I got to see Adrian, Tony, Tom, Gwen, and the two other band members so close. Every song I wanted to hear they played, although they saved Sunday Morning for the very end of their encore set which had me nervous for a bit. Gwen is still as sexy as ever as are the rest of them.

Here is one of the best shots I have. More of them can be seen on flickr. Videos are on vimeo (but are of bad quality, I will warn you right off the bat).

I am currently in the middle of round 1 of MotivationPalooza at Lux Coffee Bar in Phoenix. I have so much I want to have off my plate before I head to Interaction in Vancouver next week, not to mention stuff that *has* to be off my plate, that I need to spend the next two nights hashing it out without the distraction of my TV and Miss Tequila Rose who just loves to bark any chance she gets to let me know I should be spending the entire night with her.

Lux not only is in a tie for the world’s best mocha with Solo Cafe in Tempe, but it is just a great relaxing place to get stuff done. This is especially true during the week when it’s not as crazy crowded and a little more laid back. Sometimes Solo is a little too close to my house too so it’s easy to get a little more distracted there. I feel when I drive to Lux that I’m actually forcing myself to get something accomplished. What am I going to do if I actually decide to move over here near the Lux / Clarendon next year? I guess I’ll save on gas at the very least.. or I’ll be driving to Solo in Tempe haha.

Tonight I wrote an email for some volunteer work I am doing and am currently finishing up a survey to do during Interaction in regards to the current IxDA site. I was hoping to also write some more lyrics but in two hours, I think I have fared well. There’s always tomorrow for the lyric writing, which leaves Wednesday to create the melody. Thursday and Friday I will be doing social activities.

Okay well that was my break. Back to MotivationPalooza Round 1.