I've been sitting at a Starbucks in uptown Dallas for the past three hours
I hear tell that today is Take Your Gun To Starbucks Day or something like that. There seem to be 17 patrons and 5 staff in here right now, most of them either typing away on their smartphones or catching up on chit-chat. Four of us are huddled over laptops, including yours truly.
For all I know, I'm the only person at this Starbucks who isn't carrying a concealed handgun. Okay, probably not. But any warnings of doom and gloom so far appear to be unfounded. Life goes on as normal.
I own a Kalashnikov, but the only way I'm ever taking it into a Starbucks is if I'm being chased down the street by a dozen rampaging zombies while the rest of their undead horde lay siege to police headquarters. So I think we'll make do without it unless said apocalypse occurs. Rifle barrels have a tendency to knock fragile stuff off shelves if you're not careful, anyway.
Wow, the crowd just surged. There's 25 patrons at this Starbucks right now, with more undoubtedly on the way. Should I start eyeballing them for the telltale bulge of a holster? Or maybe just rotting flesh?
Anyway, carry on. My unemployment streak may soon be coming to an end, as this morning's interview with my prospective employer appears promising, and I could put a $45K salary to some very worthwhile uses. Salud.
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Been unemployed since just after Memorial Day. Unemployment checks help, but they're no substitute for a decent full-time job. Keeping my fingers crossed... 
And it's not just the job, but also medical, an actual pension, the chance to reconnect with some old friends - I'm optimistic!