Expectations are a bitch.
So is Karma.
A Koffee shop in Omaha, too.
My Captor and I are content drinking Folgers at home, and I hadn’t been in a coffee shop since Toronto circa 2004, so foreign territory.
But during our recent trip to Omaha, we stayed at My Captor’s sister-in-law’s house (both think it’s an upgrade from being my sister), which only had a full bed – at a different point in life that might have led to another child – and no coffeemaker.
So, I ‘volunteered’ to sleep on the couch, and make a daily morning coffee run.
I first tried the nearby French bakery, which was authentic: The employees were on strike and garbage was piled in front.
Then I discovered Karma Koffee.
I was mildly nervous – wondering if I’d be allowed to order black coffee, and what it would be called.
But when I entered and saw the Buddhist Dharma Wheel, I knew my life would never be the same.
A coffee shop helping me find “my true purpose in life – what I was born to be”, briefly reminding me of my days at Coke, where our true purpose was giving mankind a “simple moment of refreshment”.
And you thought it was just a soft drink…
Thanks to the non-Buddhist looking Barista, I learned black coffee is ‘dark roast’, sounding much more satisfying – a step on the road to Dharmal fulfillment.
But, after googling ‘coffee varietals’, I ordered something more exotic each day:
The Worker’s Roast turned out to be some sort of socialism thing, and my large was shared with the French strikers.
The Marxist Blend was denounced as imperialistic, and my payment redistributed to the baristas.
The Looking into the Abyss blend was expensive, but came with an hour of therapy.
Unfortunately, I never ascertained my true purpose in life, so didn’t qualify for the free Buddha Breakfast Sandwich.
But when they turned the payment screen each morning, I learned the $5 tip was ‘Buddha approved’.
Speaking of expectations, My Captor and I finally made our return visit to The Nifty.
I’ve often debated the “Would you go back?” conundrum – can anything ever be as good the second time?
Our first Nifty visit (link below) was amazing – should we go back?
I decided “Yes!”, after consulting the ‘Dharma Pleasure Wheel’ – my gift from the ‘Frequent Karma Koffeer Club’, which advised: “What the hell, go for it.”
The Wheel also reminded me to be kind to others, and always let the Buddha go first at the buffet.
Our first visit was a Friday, we sat at the bar – the original from the 40’s, preserved during their renovation – and the bartenders had known my Father.
We had a great conversation, and they sent us out the door with Nifty items – even a Nifty beer glass.
Making me return the one I was going to steal, so the Nifty really did bring out the best in me.
Our return was a Sunday, and while the bartender was friendly, hadn’t known my Father.
The Nifty was fine, but lacked the ‘echoes of history’ ambience.
If our first visit was A+, the second B-, unfortunately.
Though upon reflection, it wasn’t the Nifty’s fault, my expectations were too high.
And for a moment I was on the ‘Never’ side of the “Would you go back?” debate.
But after re-consulting the ‘Dharma Pleasure Wheel’ – I realized there can be no pleasure without trying.
We may avoid disappointment, but we’ll miss potential joy.
So, I’m glad we went back: Better to have IPAed and lost, than never to have IPAed at all.
The first visit to the Nifty:
For 179 more posts like this –each with a wish for 7+ Husker wins – go to beersatthenifty.com. Your phone will display every post, and you can waste an hour or two.
Or send me an email to the site, and I’ll add you to my Sunday distribution.
TO ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING SONGS AND A CONTEMPLATION OF THESE FAMOUS NEBRASKANS:
Alexander Payne (Creighton Prep ‘79), Bob Devaney, Bob Gibson, Buffalo Bill (William Cody), Charles Starkweather, Chief Red Cloud, “Larry the Cable Guy”, Dick Cavett, Father Flanagan, Fred Astaire, Gabrielle Union, Gale Sayers, Gerald Ford, Henry Fonda, Johnny Carson, L. Ron Hubbard, Malcolm X, Marlon Brando, Matthew Sweet, Montgomery Clift, Nick Nolte, Tom Osborne, Warren Buffett, Willa Cather, William Jennings Bryan, Elliott Smith, Jack Carew
Theme from Pinata Bright EyesConor Oberst (Creighton Prep ’98) A great band, early practitioners of ‘Mope Rock’
I wish I had a parachute ’cause I’m falling bad for you
And I can see the ground approaching now
But I’m not sure what to do
I feel like a piñata once you take a swing at me
If you could just crack the shell open
I think, inside you would find something sweet
And I hear you like a hunter now
Your footsteps in the leaves
And I would gladly leave my hiding place
So I’m hoping to be seen
So let your arrow fly
And see I’m well within your aim
And lay your traps for a thousand miles
Please, don’t let me escape
Winter came to Omaha
And left us looking like a bride
A million perfect snowflakes now
And no two are alike
And so it’s hard for me imagining
Flaws in this design
I know debris, it covers everything
But still I am in love with this life