Coffee, tea and me

When I was writing my first novel, I lived in fear that I wouldn't finish in time for my deadline. I lived on these lifesavers called Eat a Cup of Coffee. Each one was supposed to power-pack as much jolt as six cups of coffee. Wired to the gills, I wrote and panicked at warp speed, and of course, since all good things must come to an end, the company stopped making the lifesavers. (But I did finish my novel way ahead of schedule.)

Sigh and alas.

Though I love caffeine (I know, I know, it's not healthy, but sometimes you really need it), I'm more of a tea fanatic than a coffee one. But Laurel at the fabulous mediabistro alerted me to a brand new coffee joint opening in Soho, the all-new Gimme! Coffee bar at 228 Mott Street (between Prince and Spring.) All I have to know is that a. she loves it and b. they have pastries from Balthazar, to know this might be my new home away from home. (Though I am partial to Hoboken's Frozen Monkey Cafe.)

Oh and another fun coffee fact: For years now, when I sign books, I always draw a coffee cup, spoon and fork beside my name.