meme( working at the library is better than working at home )

I think I may be the first person ever to notice this: Libraries are quiet. And they have clean desks and few distractions. And if they are anything like the excellent Hong Kong Central Library, they have wifi, too! Ever since quitting my job and trying to start my own projects, I've found it really difficult to work effectively at home. There are too many distractions and I seem to have to wait until everyone clears the area before I can really get started. Going to the library gives you the feeling of commuting, provides a quiet work space, and frees you from distractions. Plus, they have lots of books and magazines! Another amazing discovery!

meme( starbucks is on the way out )

When starbucks first landed I didn't go because I was an elitist snob. Then I went there ironically, but also secretly because there never serve you a lump of charcoal in a cup. Then I lived somewhere where there was no starbucks (!). Then I moved to Hong Kong and appreciated a little bit of western "culture" and a place to sit down, so I ended up going there quite a lot. But recently it occurred to me that it is on it's way out. I think one big problem is that it's stuck in a sort of 90's design aesthetic with big chunky furniture and laminated wood. And you can only spend so much time with that green color. The other problem is that the food is terrible. Either it's always been terrible and I've just become sick of it, or standards have gotten higher. Anyway, all of the food there seems designed to last for a month. It's just not fresh. It's getting to the point that you really want to be somewhere with better coffee, decent food, and cleaner design. In Hong Kong, it seems like several businesses smell blood. Cafe O, Caffe Habitu, and Agnes B seem to have stepped up to create a modern cafe atmosphere. I think Starbucks needs to update it's look and concept if it wants to keep pace