For those of you who missed it last week, I did a full week of “Top 5” blog posts. Well, I’m continuing the tradition, only I moved it to Tuesdays, so each Tuesday (at least for awhile, and if I remember) I am going to be posting a Top 5 list.
The debut: Top 5 Offices may seem like an odd one, but for those of you who know me know that I “office” out of coffee shops for the most part. For whatever reason I have a hard time getting much work done at home. So, todays post is all about the local places you may find me getting my work done. I decided on “local” because I have had some pretty sweet offices (read: coffee shops) through the years and through my travels.
My criteria certainly included the quality of the coffee (if applicable) but also includes ambiance, noise, climate control, distance from home, Internet Connection, productivity for me, etc.
So, without further ado, here’s the list:
Honorable Mentions because I like them a lot: The Blend in Maple Valley, Cutters Point in Covington (near Fred Meyer), 5 Corners Sbux in Burien and The Met in Renton.
Honorable Mentions because I use them a lot because of proximity to home: Benson/Petrovitsky, Fairwood and Panther Lake Sbux.
Five: Seattle’s Best Coffee in Renton. I don’t visit here often enough, in fact, I probably hit it up once every other month, but I have a soft spot in my heart for SBC (the Fairwood Sbux was an SBC and my best work memories from Phoenix were from an SBC). The reason I still come here is because it DOES NOT have internet service. There are times you need to go to a place and not be distracted by the net. I have one regular meeting here and then it ends up being a great place to get some work done before or after. This is also the one place on the list where I don’t run into people that I know.
Four: Forza Coffee in Kent. This is a new shop and I really like it and the Baristas. Might be the best cup of coffee of the top 5 (seems to be a great balance of coffee flavor with my sugar free haz. nut and 1 inch of non-fat). I also have loved my conversations with the baristas and the customers here. In just 10-12 visits I have had more engaging conversations and opportunities to talk about Jesus with these new friends than at any other individual store. Forza has a few things to do to help it move up the charts; in other words, it has some down sides right off the bat: it needs more furniture (a fireplace and some comfy couches would automatically give this two more spots on the chart) and for whatever reason, the entire store has NO garbage can out on the floor (you need to give it to the baristas or take it into the bathroom). Weird.
Three: Cutters Point Coffee in Covington. First, the down side, it is a little too far from home, however, I have more and more meetings out this direction, so it certainly has the potential to go up the chart. I love BIG cafe’s because you can find hiding places to work; while at the same time I like the noise of a semi-busy coffee shop from time to time. I have had a number of good conversations with Christians at this shop (whereas at other places I look to engage the non-Christians). Great cup of coffee at Cutters, and I appreciate the ability to order a very large coffee (larger than a venti).
Two: Mike’s Community Cup in Seatac. Wow, didn’t realize how much I missed this place until I’d been gone. Mike’s is the place I meet with the Burien area network of Youth Pastors. Great quiet atmosphere, until the boys all gather. I am able to get a ton of work done here before the meetings and then it has proven to be a good atmosphere for our talks as well. I like the coffee at Mike’s and they are very generous with the refills (never charging, even for the syrups). The only down side is the distance from home, if it were closer, it would probably be #1.
One: Kent Kangley and 132nd Starbucks in Kent is my current favorite place to office. I seem to get the most amount of work done here and it is so convenient for drop off and pick up Audrey for her school. Our new church is only a minute or two away and it has been nice to run into some new friends here. In addition, it has proven to be a great meeting place for many south-end Youth Pastors as well. The coffee and tea are both so predictable to Starbucks, and though it isn’t “the best” it is pretty consistent at each one. However, I do feel this status is in jeopardy because of the recent switch to a bathroom key that needs to be obtained at the register… ease of bathroom list might be the downfall of the #1 for the mighty Bux.
You have some suggestions for me within a 20 minute drive of the greater Fairwood area? You have a reason I should bump one of mine out of the top 5? Let me hear ’em!
Grace,
Brian
I found an article from the USA Today which did a fairly good job of describing Jon and his faith. 
Five: Sunriver, Oregon. This week we have spent in a very nice rental house in Sunriver, OR. My parents gave their three kids and their families this week at Sunriver with them. The house is a five bedroom house with a bonus room. Each couple has a master-mini-suite (except I’d call my parents room the master JUMBO suite). And then the cousins have the other room and a bonus gaming room to share. We’ve had a blast, good weather, great pools and biking and hiking trails galore! My brother brought his Wii, so this entertained for hours!
Four: Copenhagen, Denmark. Around Christmas and New Years in the year 2000 Elisabeth and I led a mission trip to an orphanage in Kota, India. Though the India trip itself is a honorable mention, we did have a nice 20-hour layover in Copenhagen on the way home. I wish we would have had several days there, but to have this time as a couple after a 10 day mission was amazing. The hotel was a cute little villa and we loved our dinner out at an American Diner (after the time in India I honestly felt this burger was one of my best ever). The “date” was concluded the next day when we got to our flight and we got upgrade to Business Class on our 10 hour flight home!
Three: Catalina Island, Avalon, CA. Because I was a Youth Pastor for so many years Elisabeth and I have had a hard time finding the opportunity to do a trip during our anniversary time (July 20). Camps, retreats and missions have prevented us from doing an extended trip, so we decided to do a pseudo-anniversary trip in February 2005 by taking a cruise. We did a quick four-night cruise which included a day at Catalina Island. There is a beauty of Catalina that literally feels like you’re in a different country. We loved our time on the island and my favorite memory was having coffee together off the beaten path at this little cafe at the top of a hill.
Two: Salish Lodge, Snoqualmie Falls. For Elisabeth’s 30th birthday I surprised her with a sweet deal at the Salish Lodge. I couldn’t believe the Internet special I scored which included our night at the lodge, two massages, and a $30 credit at the restaurant. The November night had a perfect late fall, early winter feel. Each room has its own fireplace and a great sunken tub! What a great way to celebrate her 30th!
One: Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii. We have had the great privilege of being to the Marriott at Kaanapali Beach twice! When we wed in 1996 we spent an entire week at this haven! Then, several years later, with Halle, we got to go back when I was invited to speak at a camp on Maui. We extended our trip by booking a couple nights at the same hotel we had our honeymoon. I can’t wait to go back to this place sometime in the future! There’s something about having the pools, shopping, restaurants and the ocean (not to mention 85º weather) steps away from your beautiful ocean view room.
Five: Cubs vs. White Sox, Wrigley Field, May 18, 2007. This set the stage for #4 a year later. As a “build memories while we can” surprise (no worries, neither of us is dying, but you know what I mean… right? My wife said this sounded too morbid). I surprised my Dad by giving him a trip to Chicago to take in a few stadiums together. We were able to see Yanks/White Sox at US Cellular Field the day before and then after Wrigley’s day game we drove to Milwaukee for a night game between the Brewers and Twins. What a day, what a three day trip. Wrigley Field was incredible and my Dad and I had such a fun time interacting with the fans around. Great game too as the Cubs come from behind for a 6-3 victory.
Four: Red Sox vs. Twins, Fenway Park, July 7, 2008. Not a big Red Sox fan, nor am I a Twins fans, however, I am a HUGE baseball and baseball park fan! The experience of Fenway Park is worthy of a top 5 by itself, but to take it in with my dad and my brother created a great family memory. Manny Ramirez, just weeks before being traded to the Dodgers wins it with a late-game single for the 1-0 victory.
Three: Rainiers vs. ???, 2008. 
Two: Seahawks vs. Packers, Monday Night Football 2006. Attended this sn0w-bowl with the Heider boys and Marc Gronholz. What a great game and how incredible that on a Monday Night Football game we had about 3-4 inches of snow fall during the game! The Seahawks won the game 34-24!
One: Game 4, Mariners vs. Yankees, October 1995. Without question, game 4 of the Mariners and Yankees in 1995 stands out as the best sporting event I have ever attended. When Edgar Matinez came to the plate in a 6-6 tie in the 8th the crowd of over 57,000 had already been on their collective feet for most of the game. Though we were not listening to it, I could in my mind hear Dave Niehaus screaming “Get out the rye bread and mustard grandma, it’s grand salami time” as Edgar crushed a grand slam en route to an 11-8 Mariner victory.
Five: The Bourne Series
Four: Fletch.
Three: The Passion
Two: Hoosiers. This is one of a few films that has made me cry–not because it was sad, but tears of joy as the boys run the picket fence and Jimmy hits the shot! Go Hickory! For Gene Hackman this was his best film–he probably should have called it quits right then so he didn’t have to become the voice of Lowes commercials for the rest of his life. Anytime this movie is on TNT or some other cable station I have a hard time turning it off! Great story, free from smut and just a great feel good flick!
One: Shawshank Redemption. My wife hates that this is on my list, let alone my top pick. If she were to create a list of her most hated films, this may make the top 5. Shawshank Redemption simply put, has a great (though morbid) story line, fantastic acting and for whatever reason it feels very real. I know one reason my wife does not like this has to do with the portrayal of the “Christian” warden (who in the end does not behave very Christ-like). I understand that the worlds view of many Christians is that they are “legalistic” hypocrites. Unfortunately there are many out there who are exactly that. So, my own hope (not so much as a reaction to this film, but more about life in general) is that I (and we) can present grace in such a way that does not invite people to a list of rules but a vibrant relationship with Jesus where we desire to live the life He has set as an example and share with our mouths about the kingdom to come!
Five: Gordon Biersch, Pacific Place, Seattle, WA. This is one of my local favorite places, and because it is local it makes my top five. Great variety on the menu, plus I have a few great memories with my wife, family and dear friends. It served as the “birth place” for my Lead Team this year for the YMV’s as well. My favorite dish here has been the Fettucini with Sun Dried Tomatoes, but the burger takes a very close second. I am especially fond a certain wheat beverage they serve to people over the age of 21 as well (with lemon).
Four: In-N-Out Burger, California, Arizona and Nevada (and a specific one would be the one on Lyons Ave. in Santa Clarita). Wow, a fast food place makes the list! Well, it’s not any fast food place, simply the best fast food burger you can get. I remember many a late-night burger run during college, this served as the ideal alternative to dorm food. My favorite is a Double-Double with both regular and grilled onions, fries and a Strawberry Shake.
Three: JaK’s Grill, U-District, West Seattle and Issaquah, WA. JaK’s has three locations in Seattle, and it probably makes the list based on food/cost/location. Because the food is so good, because the cost is pretty reasonable and because the three locations all offer different ambiance I bring this one into my third position. We go here once-a-year for Elisabeth’s birthday. Though I have had a better steak (at Ruth’s Chris), this steak compares, but comes with a large salad, bread, fresh steamed vegetables and your choice of starch (all for cheaper than just a steak at Ruth’s Chris). My favorite is the large Sirloin with baked potato (all the fixin’s on the side) and salad with ranch on the side.
One: Casa Guadalajara, Old Town San Diego. A San Diego must for me! I love Old Town, but I love this restaurant even more. This outdoor restaurant has the beautiful ambiance, great chips, great salsa and the best mexican food I have ever had. San Diego is one of the best places to visit because the weather is so very consistent and this plays such a factor in grabbing a bite-to-eat at Casa Guadalajara! Even if there is a line, there are women out front making and serving fresh tortillas to those waiting. I have been able to treat a few friends to this place when on scouting trips for missions, they agree it is the best-mex they have ever had! My favorite is the Chicken Fajitas with plenty of spice in each bite.
Honorable Mention: Anahola, HI, this really is a tough one to keep off the list, and also a really hard on to put on the list. I learned way too much on this trip two weeks ago (July 23-Aug 2, 2009). I posted about those learnings
Five: Skagway, AK, my first rural mission trip certainly ranks among the top five. I remember my first scout trip, flying in (via Alaska Air) to Juneau, spending time with my friend, JR at his church (Auke Bay Bible Church) and then heading out in JR’s Cessna 172 aircraft (4-seater). The scout trip itself may have put this trip in the top 5. We literally landed in Skagway with zero contacts. We parked the aircraft, walked to town and picked up the phone book (this was before the internet was what it is today).
Tie for Four: (A) Rockaway Beach, OR, this trip in the year 2000 was the one I feel I really learned to let go and let others. In each of the other towns to this point my wife and I were the leaders (and only leaders) on our specific team. In Rockaway Beach we had a young intern, Wescott, with us. It was here in Rockaway that I really discovered a passion for mentorship and seeing others succeed in leadership. The ministry setting in Rockaway and partnership with leaders such as Guy, Mike and Molly are things that I will always remember.
Three: Julian, CA, I will never forget my scout trip and meeting Pastor Rick Hill. In the early winter in December of 2005, we sat at the Julian Pie Co. and I shared my hope and vision for what could happen in his very town in the summer of 2006. He looked at me with a smile on his face and said, “this is a great vision, Brian, and I’m thankful that you will do a VBS, that’s a great avenue, just know that the Youth Outreach probably won’t work… we have never had more than six people at any youth event” This simply excited me, whereas for Rick he just concentrated on our team coming as his VBS team. On the first night at the football field we had about 10-12 (he was floored), by the end of the week we couldn’t keep Rick from smiling as he witnessed first-hand nearly 40 students on the field and another 25 coming back to his church to sing songs of praise! Oh, the Pie alone may have given Julian at least the fifth spot!
Two: Mineral, WA, for about 27 years First EPC of Renton, traveled to Mineral, WA to put on a VBS for the church in this Mt. Rainier foothill. For my six summers as the Youth Pastor (years 21-26) I was part of the tradition. We used Mineral as our second mission (and really pushed this as a great entry level mission). Eventually we needed to add Morton, WA as a town (because the Mineral team became too large). The following year we added Onalaska, WA as a third town on the “Mt. Rainier Mission” I loved serving in these towns, we added “youth outreach” to each of them while continuing to serve through a VBS in the morning.
One: Pine Valley, CA, when I scouted PV in January of 2006 I KNEW this was a place we needed to bring a team. The only problem, the Pastor was not in town and though I tried calling several times I never got a reply. So, we scouted and found other places. Well, our sign-ups grew and we needed another town to service the Cuyamaca Mt. Mission of 2007. In April when I scouted again, I drove through Pine Valley again, and again, the Pastor was out of town, no answer, no returned call and we moved on to other communities, even landing one. But for whatever reason I KNEW we were supposed to be in PV. About one month before our Cuyamaca Mt. Mission trip the Pastor, Joe, returned my calls and we hit it off immediately. Because there had been poor communication with the last town I had gotten we decided to pull the plug on that one and go to PV. I was supposed to be taking my team on a return trip to Julian, but for whatever reason I KNEW I was supposed to go to Pine Valley.
Five: Cheers. This is a surprise entry to me actually, as I thought about this show with the criteria that I set, I can honestly say this is one of the DVD series I would pick. Cheers had a great run as a show, and even spun off a show, Frasier, that had an equally strong run. This show had a couple classic openings that I still chuckle about just thinking about them. And you gotta love Norm!
Four: The Office. No doubt this is the one show I expect will make a run up the charts over the years; however, it is still young and needs another year or two of consistent awkwardness to propel its way up.
Three: 24. Jack Bauer could kick any other character’s back side, but as a whole there are still two shows that top it. Two of the seasons of 24 (of the seven so far) have been a little weaker, whereas a couple seasons would compete with Prison Break for the best one year ever.
One: Seinfeld. Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine take the cake. I find myself quoting way too many episodes to not put it in the number one slot!
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