Concerning great coffee and free internet: The right combo (for me) has been elusive, particularly when driving time/distance is concerned.

• Abby Coffee House- Great coffee, free internet but not a convenient distance from home.
• Oasis Lounge at the Murat Shrine Club (yes, I'm a Shriner)- Free internet (okay, with my membership dues... so I guess it's not really free). I've never had the coffee there and it's not a convenient distance from home if I'm lugging around my laptop instead of my fez. *Starbucks- Great coffee, close to... EVERYWHERE... but if I understand correctly, the internet there is for subscribers to a particular wireless service.

• Panera Bread- My personal favorite "out of the home" internet-use site. Free internet and close to home but it lacks the third ingredient concerning great coffee. The coffee at Panera is disappointing. However, their iced green tea IS great.

  Conclusion: My favorite place to get on the internet is still at home. Of course nothing is free there but practically everything is convenient. I don't have to drive to get there, I control the greatness of the coffee and when time comes to "unload" the coffee I don't feel the need to carry the laptop with me to the restroom out of fear that it won't be at the table when I get back. The one inconvenience, interruptions. Whether it be the phone, a knock at the door or home chores that beckon, home interruptions continue to be the one reason why I still occasionally look for the perfect combo for internet use elsewhere.

I've come to the conclusion that my curiosity, in many ways, will keep me from ever finding the best combo for practically anything (IF the best combo actually exists). Example: looking for the BEST place for free internet, great coffee and convenience is like vacationing in the islands of the Caribbean. When I finally get to an island that has everything I want and am looking for I stand on the beach and ALWAYS see another island in the distance. I then ask my self "I wonder what is on that island and how can I get there."