It’s easy to get overwhelmed and depressed with the daily entourage of negative news media. While I mainly use my blog to explore meaningful connections between society, science, and the environment, yesterday I couldn’t help but create a silly Infographic to distract myself for just a few minutes from the absurd world around me.

I recently moved back to Southern California (albeit the northern extremity), and its been entertaining to note the difference in atmosphere and general crowds, particularly in places like hip coffee shops. Don’t get me wrong – I love good coffee and admit that I’ll spend several dollars for an organic oat milk latte. I love sitting under an umbrella outside one of the many local coffee shops near me, sipping on cold brew with my chihuahua in my lap. I get it; I’m part of the stereotype.

But at the same time I’m self-conscious of it and basically pinch myself every day to remind myself to be grateful for my surroundings and not to take it for granted. I guess you could say I have a love/hate relationship with SoCal.

So, without further ado, I present to you the Top Ten Signs You’re in A Southern California Coffee Shop: