after a couple of decades in SF and Berk/Oak ... I wanted to say that as opposed to the posts I viewed on the main screen, my attachment to abir is very emotional. as a dear, old friend of mine went through very serious physical illness that led to major depression, we'd meet regularly at abir for coffee and long talks. after struggling with the her issues for a long time, she took her life at 29 years of age.

while on my personal front, i will never get over this devastation - for much of what we discussed were things such as my own suicide attempts in the past - and, as someone ten years older - a promise that it gets better ...

my point is (since i seem like some sad person blathering anywhere someone will listen), there are places all over this city that are sacred and special for reasons that go beyond a plate of food, a server, a time when they were out of what you wanted, or the best latte you've ever had in your life. i do not believe we could've had those talk at all in a starbucks, or even rocking java or even reverie on cole street. there's just something about abir that makes it ... deeper and different ... in spite of a bad coffee here or there on occasion. ( a messed up coffee was rare, and the people behind the counter were always nice even when they were busy and distracted.)

thanks for listening, and thanks to the warm sf weirdness of abir for being there. i might never go back now, and i will probably soon quit this group .... but i'm glad abir has a strong bunch of supporters to keep it alive and vital. thanks to everyone who frequents abir, and thanks to the staff.