This picture was taken at the La Marzocco factory in Firenze. At least twelve 3-group and nine 2-group machines to be made from the subjects of this photograph.
Delicious.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
foreshadowing
This picture was taken at the La Marzocco factory in Firenze. At least twelve 3-group and nine 2-group machines to be made from the subjects of this photograph.
Delicious.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
I reside in Arlington--part of the Southeastern United States
“In Atlanta, the heat and humidity for a significant part of the year can be debilitating. Before air-conditioning, people got used to it with modifications in their behavior, namely, doing as little as possible. This held for people of all social ranks and was, in fact, a traditional feature of modern culture. People compelled to do hard physical labor would do as little as possible as slowly as possible, but so too would insurance claims adjusters and bank presidents cooped up in offices. Since doing as little as possible tends to produce less of value to human society, it would be fair to say that the climate of the southeastern United States was not naturally hospitable to advanced civilization. Air-conditioning, or “comfort cooling,” as the industry likes to describe its product, made modern life possible in that part of the country…In contemporary Atlanta, one need only sweat making the journey from a given parking lot to a given building. Air-conditioning and cars are the primary determinants of life in Atlanta. The city’s utter dependence upon them is assumed if no longer completely conscious.” James Howard Kunstler, The City in Mind
Feelin it.
Feelin it.
Monday, July 16, 2007
thoughts on the coffeehouse of my future
I often refer to "the coffeehouse of my future" as I continue to learn the how-to's and how-not-to's of opening and running coffee bars. After six years of working most every job available in your average shop--from counter boy to barista to baker to manager to bookkeeper--and now six months of customer relations work for a wholesale roaster, I've seen too much not to have taken a couple of notes.
There comes a point in a baristas life when making high-quality drinks is no longer optional and the intangibles come into play as "that thing" that will distinguish your shop among all others.
Ask me six months, a year, ten years from now and this list will have grown and changed, but I have a few things that have kept popping up recently that I wanted to record at least for my own reflection at a later date.
1. Live where you work
Ask me more about this one and I may go on a tirade about New Urbanism, sidewalks and the decline--and now, hopefully, rise--of american community life. Be specific about coffee and I'll go into the following:
First off, you'll save a lot of money. I don't know how many owners and baristas I've encountered that spend into the hundreds of dollars each month in commuting to and from work and buying meals because they are stranded away from their own kitchen and stove. Bad deal.
Second, if your customers live in the shop's neighborhood, they openly dislike and distrust the fact that you don't. They'll share it with everyone they know. They might not carry this prejudice into their reviews of your product or even stop coming, but they won't be happy. And they'll make that known.
Third, you can't get a feel of your customer base by living inside your store. "My customers say they want X" Honestly, your customers don't really know what they want and neither do you. You can only get a feel for this by exploring the street you are on and getting to know the stories and histories of the community you are serving. Shop at the grocery, eat at the deli, drink at the bar. And then turn around and offer them what they need rather than what they think they want.
2. Serve
While that last point may have come across as somewhat low on humanity, the coffee industry is ultimately a service industry with an emphasis on serving. Thankfully we are not simply vending machines and God help us if we are all shooting to model our stores after a Burger King or a Taco Bell.
Don't ever lose sight of the role of the evangelist--the good messenger. Oh, to open the eyes of the blind with that Yirgacheffe or Macchiato. While we possess such great knowledge, we must judge our educational efforts by both the honors student and the kindergartener. A wise man says, "love your enemies." The enemy here is sometimes seen as "a future customer" with dollar signs in the eyes of the business owner. This is not the way of love and should not be the way of our industry.
Sustainability doesn't end at paying a fair price to a farmer or having confirmation that pesticides didn't touch this plantation. Self, don't advocate sustainability if your own life is not so. Fairness, equality, justice. In my business? In my family? In my community? In my life? Fight for justice at home and abroad. Serve your employees. Serve your customers. Serve your producers.
I actually had a few more things that have been on my mind, but all this preachy preachy has sort of worn me down. Self, don't forget.
There comes a point in a baristas life when making high-quality drinks is no longer optional and the intangibles come into play as "that thing" that will distinguish your shop among all others.
Ask me six months, a year, ten years from now and this list will have grown and changed, but I have a few things that have kept popping up recently that I wanted to record at least for my own reflection at a later date.
1. Live where you work
Ask me more about this one and I may go on a tirade about New Urbanism, sidewalks and the decline--and now, hopefully, rise--of american community life. Be specific about coffee and I'll go into the following:
First off, you'll save a lot of money. I don't know how many owners and baristas I've encountered that spend into the hundreds of dollars each month in commuting to and from work and buying meals because they are stranded away from their own kitchen and stove. Bad deal.
Second, if your customers live in the shop's neighborhood, they openly dislike and distrust the fact that you don't. They'll share it with everyone they know. They might not carry this prejudice into their reviews of your product or even stop coming, but they won't be happy. And they'll make that known.
Third, you can't get a feel of your customer base by living inside your store. "My customers say they want X" Honestly, your customers don't really know what they want and neither do you. You can only get a feel for this by exploring the street you are on and getting to know the stories and histories of the community you are serving. Shop at the grocery, eat at the deli, drink at the bar. And then turn around and offer them what they need rather than what they think they want.
2. Serve
While that last point may have come across as somewhat low on humanity, the coffee industry is ultimately a service industry with an emphasis on serving. Thankfully we are not simply vending machines and God help us if we are all shooting to model our stores after a Burger King or a Taco Bell.
Don't ever lose sight of the role of the evangelist--the good messenger. Oh, to open the eyes of the blind with that Yirgacheffe or Macchiato. While we possess such great knowledge, we must judge our educational efforts by both the honors student and the kindergartener. A wise man says, "love your enemies." The enemy here is sometimes seen as "a future customer" with dollar signs in the eyes of the business owner. This is not the way of love and should not be the way of our industry.
Sustainability doesn't end at paying a fair price to a farmer or having confirmation that pesticides didn't touch this plantation. Self, don't advocate sustainability if your own life is not so. Fairness, equality, justice. In my business? In my family? In my community? In my life? Fight for justice at home and abroad. Serve your employees. Serve your customers. Serve your producers.
I actually had a few more things that have been on my mind, but all this preachy preachy has sort of worn me down. Self, don't forget.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Gibbon on History
After traveling throughout parts Italy and spending a few days in Rome a month ago, I realized that I know very little about the history of Rome and the Roman empire. I've always been a Greece guy, focusing my classical studies on Herodotus, Homer, the Tragedians, Plato and the lyric poets. Now I'm trying to learn a little about the Romans by diving into Gibbon's The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. While I doubt that I'll finish the three volume abridged version that I have, I'm picking up some nuggets along the way.
"Antonius diffused order and tranquility over the greatest part of the earth. His reign is marked by the rare advantage of furnishing very few materials for history; which is, indeed, little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind."
It appears that Gibbon, one of the most esteemed historians of his--or any--time, believes that "history" is just a record of humanity's errors. Maybe I don't want to be famous, after all. I've spent 28 years trying my best to make a way into the books--without much success--through positive actions. Maybe that's just the wrong approach. From now on, I'll focus on failure. That's the ticket...failure.
"Antonius diffused order and tranquility over the greatest part of the earth. His reign is marked by the rare advantage of furnishing very few materials for history; which is, indeed, little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind."
It appears that Gibbon, one of the most esteemed historians of his--or any--time, believes that "history" is just a record of humanity's errors. Maybe I don't want to be famous, after all. I've spent 28 years trying my best to make a way into the books--without much success--through positive actions. Maybe that's just the wrong approach. From now on, I'll focus on failure. That's the ticket...failure.
Friday, June 15, 2007
birthday boy...ho hum
Yesterday was my 28th birthday.
While it was a good day, it is plain that it no longer carries the same pizzaz that it once did. I remember witnessing my parents birthdays as a child and wondering how it is that they were able to conceal their extreme excitement. Surely they must be exploding with glee inside but need to maintain some sense of maturity since they are old. Really, what's better than your birthday?
Apparently, I've gone to join them, crossing over that line where birthdays don't exempt you from working, even working longer or harder, and don't bring piles of exciting toys and knick-knacks and baseball cards. Just checks.
Maybe next year, I need to have a child's birthday party to relive some of the emotions of my youth. Gift packs for the guests, a big disgusting cake, streamers and balloons. Or I could have an adult party like last year, with Belgian ales and international cheeses. For some reason, I decided to bypass the get-together this year. Just leave me to get old and die, thank you very much.
Either I'm starting to understand whatever it is that my parents have understood for years or maybe everyday is so festive that it's difficult to muster additional energy for party days. When you are already running at such a high level of positive intensity, how can you raise it up another notch?
In no way do I feel like I'm entering some sort of "big fade" where the rest of my life boils down to boredom and varying amounts of depression and crisis, which must be the fear of every slightly aging young man or woman. Maybe not boredom so much as simplicity. No crisis...I'm not wired for crisis. I'd be more prone to boredom, I'm sure. Honestly, though...Life is good. Birthdays are strange.
While it was a good day, it is plain that it no longer carries the same pizzaz that it once did. I remember witnessing my parents birthdays as a child and wondering how it is that they were able to conceal their extreme excitement. Surely they must be exploding with glee inside but need to maintain some sense of maturity since they are old. Really, what's better than your birthday?
Apparently, I've gone to join them, crossing over that line where birthdays don't exempt you from working, even working longer or harder, and don't bring piles of exciting toys and knick-knacks and baseball cards. Just checks.
Maybe next year, I need to have a child's birthday party to relive some of the emotions of my youth. Gift packs for the guests, a big disgusting cake, streamers and balloons. Or I could have an adult party like last year, with Belgian ales and international cheeses. For some reason, I decided to bypass the get-together this year. Just leave me to get old and die, thank you very much.
Either I'm starting to understand whatever it is that my parents have understood for years or maybe everyday is so festive that it's difficult to muster additional energy for party days. When you are already running at such a high level of positive intensity, how can you raise it up another notch?
In no way do I feel like I'm entering some sort of "big fade" where the rest of my life boils down to boredom and varying amounts of depression and crisis, which must be the fear of every slightly aging young man or woman. Maybe not boredom so much as simplicity. No crisis...I'm not wired for crisis. I'd be more prone to boredom, I'm sure. Honestly, though...Life is good. Birthdays are strange.
Monday, June 11, 2007
spring turns to summer
...
Hot midsummer’s petted crone,
Sweet to me thy drowsy tone
Tells of countless sunny hours,
Long days, and solid banks of flowers;
Of gulfs of sweetness without bound
In Indian wildernesses found;
Of Syrian peace, immortal leisure,
Firmest cheer, and bird-like pleasure.
Aught unsavory or unclean
Hath my insect never seen;
But violets and bilberry bells,
Maple-sap and daffodels,
Grass with green flag half-mast high,
Succory to match the sky,
Columbine with horn of honey,
Scented fern, and agrimony,
Clover, catchfly, adder’s-tongue
And brier-roses, dwelt among;
All beside was unknown waste,
All was picture as he passed.
Wiser far than human seer,
Yellow-breeched philosopher!
Seeing only what is fair,
Sipping only what is sweet,
Thou dost mock at fate and care,
Leave the chaff, and take the wheat.
When the fierce northwestern blast
Cools sea and land so far and fast,
Thou already slumberest deep;
Woe and want thou canst outsleep;
Want and woe, which torture us,
Thy sleep makes ridiculous.
excerpt from "the humble-bee" ralph waldo emerson
Hot midsummer’s petted crone,
Sweet to me thy drowsy tone
Tells of countless sunny hours,
Long days, and solid banks of flowers;
Of gulfs of sweetness without bound
In Indian wildernesses found;
Of Syrian peace, immortal leisure,
Firmest cheer, and bird-like pleasure.
Aught unsavory or unclean
Hath my insect never seen;
But violets and bilberry bells,
Maple-sap and daffodels,
Grass with green flag half-mast high,
Succory to match the sky,
Columbine with horn of honey,
Scented fern, and agrimony,
Clover, catchfly, adder’s-tongue
And brier-roses, dwelt among;
All beside was unknown waste,
All was picture as he passed.
Wiser far than human seer,
Yellow-breeched philosopher!
Seeing only what is fair,
Sipping only what is sweet,
Thou dost mock at fate and care,
Leave the chaff, and take the wheat.
When the fierce northwestern blast
Cools sea and land so far and fast,
Thou already slumberest deep;
Woe and want thou canst outsleep;
Want and woe, which torture us,
Thy sleep makes ridiculous.
excerpt from "the humble-bee" ralph waldo emerson
Monday, June 04, 2007
funny how these things work
ha.
so i make this post about returning to the blog. and then, well...
in some sense, i suppose it doesn't make much of a difference. currently, there is just a porch, some rain, obscure norwegian acoustic music. maybe that is enough.
it appears that our vegetables are doing well. i really need to spend some time with them, but it's been raining nearly the entire time i've been home since getting off the plane yesterday afternoon. i'm looking forward to eating something that i've grown-a salad of my own birthing.
ten days in france and italy behind me but i'm still processing the experience.
for now, a picture of my neice, linnea. i'd like to think she's named after an espresso machine, but a flower will do.
notice the floating $50 bill. don't worry, it was recovered.
so i make this post about returning to the blog. and then, well...
in some sense, i suppose it doesn't make much of a difference. currently, there is just a porch, some rain, obscure norwegian acoustic music. maybe that is enough.
it appears that our vegetables are doing well. i really need to spend some time with them, but it's been raining nearly the entire time i've been home since getting off the plane yesterday afternoon. i'm looking forward to eating something that i've grown-a salad of my own birthing.
ten days in france and italy behind me but i'm still processing the experience.
for now, a picture of my neice, linnea. i'd like to think she's named after an espresso machine, but a flower will do.
notice the floating $50 bill. don't worry, it was recovered.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
i don't know how i got suckered back in
The other day I found myself getting strangely nostalgic about the days when I used to maintain a blog. Well, maintain isn't really the right word for it, I guess, considering my frequency.
But I thought I'd try to revive it and see if I can come up with something more interesting this time around.
But I thought I'd try to revive it and see if I can come up with something more interesting this time around.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
prettty preeety
129602-004
Originally uploaded by phrenologist.
soon the streets of missoula will be covered with snowy snow. and then they will just push it into piles in the middle of the street rather than taking it away. it is great fun to hurdle the mountain when trying to get from break espresso to worden's market to get the fine cornucopia sandwich. that's the one with the turkey and cream cheese and dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and all kinds of yummy-yummy.
happy thanksgiving.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
one month to go
DSC_5529
Originally uploaded by restingmusic.
again, i apologize. well, not really. it's hard work preparing for a wedding. but well worth it. on the 17th of next month, i will be wed to a beautiful and wonderful young lady. afterwards, we will fly far far away to ecuador for a week.
please check out the wedding site. it's quite great.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
sorry i'm so lame
so this has turned into the lamest blog ever...
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
i apologize.
but, in the meantime, please check out www.jillandryan.net to see what i've really been up to in the last month.
speaking of which, i was at the nats game on saturday and sat one row behind "steve" from the jerry springer show. i really didn't know who this person was, but apparently he's famous.
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
i apologize.
but, in the meantime, please check out www.jillandryan.net to see what i've really been up to in the last month.
speaking of which, i was at the nats game on saturday and sat one row behind "steve" from the jerry springer show. i really didn't know who this person was, but apparently he's famous.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
the washington nationals
so...
i've been to four nationals games so far this season. i watch on tv if they are on. i listen to the radio. i read the box scores. the team site is my home page for firefox.
...
i never thought i'd be hooked again.
they got me.
i lived in montana for four and half years and thought that i'd escaped the lure of professional sports, but having a pro baseball team within walking distance of my apartment has changed everything. i thought i'd given my life over to coffee and all things artsy and alternative, but, still, there it is, plain as day. i'm a sports fan.
i was raised a sports fan, and though i tried to get away for so many years, i've come back around. i have the fitted hat. i keep a scorecard at the game. i root, root, root, for the home team. it's over
feel free to check them out yourself at www.nationals.com.
i've been to four nationals games so far this season. i watch on tv if they are on. i listen to the radio. i read the box scores. the team site is my home page for firefox.
...
i never thought i'd be hooked again.
they got me.
i lived in montana for four and half years and thought that i'd escaped the lure of professional sports, but having a pro baseball team within walking distance of my apartment has changed everything. i thought i'd given my life over to coffee and all things artsy and alternative, but, still, there it is, plain as day. i'm a sports fan.
i was raised a sports fan, and though i tried to get away for so many years, i've come back around. i have the fitted hat. i keep a scorecard at the game. i root, root, root, for the home team. it's over
feel free to check them out yourself at www.nationals.com.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
downtown missoula
downtown missoula
Originally uploaded by mandapanda191.
oh, Missoula, how i miss you at times. i long to be back in your arms, even just for a moment. to feel your breath on my cheeks, your colors surrounding me. the little things, the sunshine, the railroad tracks, the blackberry muffins at bernices. one more cornucopia sandwich at wordens market.
i love you and hope to see you soon.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
the best news of the week
go here for some fantastic news...
http://www.artsjournal.com/aboutlastnight/
scroll down a little and read about how the idaho state house of representatives passed a resolution about the best friggin movie ever.
!!!!!!!!!! that's right, baby.
http://www.artsjournal.com/aboutlastnight/
scroll down a little and read about how the idaho state house of representatives passed a resolution about the best friggin movie ever.
!!!!!!!!!! that's right, baby.
Friday, April 15, 2005
such sadness
so today was danielle's last day...
that makes me sad. i don't want to get all sappy here on the internet for everyone to see, but i know that i'll miss danielle. i have enjoyed the last--actually, i can't say that i know how long it has been that we've worked together... it seems like i don't remember her not working at the shop. i've learned a bunch from danielle and, hopefully, have helped her to learn a thing or two. although i wish she didn't have to go, i'm excited for all the adventures she'll have out in san fran. travel, experience, good stuff.
vota por summer. in other news, i'm watching napoleon dynamite in spanish right now. i was told that it must be done. i don't speak spanish well. at all. the entertainment comes from the voices they chose for the characters in the movie and how these other actors interpret the script. yeah, it is a very strange must-see for any napoleon fan.
that makes me sad. i don't want to get all sappy here on the internet for everyone to see, but i know that i'll miss danielle. i have enjoyed the last--actually, i can't say that i know how long it has been that we've worked together... it seems like i don't remember her not working at the shop. i've learned a bunch from danielle and, hopefully, have helped her to learn a thing or two. although i wish she didn't have to go, i'm excited for all the adventures she'll have out in san fran. travel, experience, good stuff.
vota por summer. in other news, i'm watching napoleon dynamite in spanish right now. i was told that it must be done. i don't speak spanish well. at all. the entertainment comes from the voices they chose for the characters in the movie and how these other actors interpret the script. yeah, it is a very strange must-see for any napoleon fan.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
jill says to the world:
"by the way, if i could add to your website, i would say: 9/17 or
bust! we're getting married regardless of rain, monsoon, guests,
dress or hall. if we have to, we'll meet at the courthouse. that's
it and that's all, whether you like it or not!"
that's right, we're getting married on september 17, 2005. and that's final.
bust! we're getting married regardless of rain, monsoon, guests,
dress or hall. if we have to, we'll meet at the courthouse. that's
it and that's all, whether you like it or not!"
that's right, we're getting married on september 17, 2005. and that's final.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
excited but puzzled
so i was on low's website, wondering if they may be coming back to the area soon. (they were just here in february) it turns out that they are coming to baltimore in june and i was super pumped. !! but then, i looked to see where the show is...and it is at the rams head live. there is a bar in annapolis called the rams head that i've been to before, and it's good food, nice space, etc, but never a place that i would expect to see low. the place in balt is their other location.
while i'm sure it is a fine venue, i had to wonder quite a bit when i read through their upcoming schedule. while they featured some pretty cool acts including the roots, earlimart, medeski martin and wood, and pinback, they also have coming up: Dwight Yoakam, KC and the Sunshine Band, Europe (the final countdown...now you remember), third eye blind, and steve winwood.
when they were just in town, they played the black cat, with pedro the lion opening. now they are playing six days before winwood (who is playing on my birthday). this might be kind of an odd show for them, but i'm sure they will pull it off. they are playing with a band called no wait wait, who i am not familiar with. find out more info on them here. see low's website to your right with the other links.
hooray for the best band in the world!
while i'm sure it is a fine venue, i had to wonder quite a bit when i read through their upcoming schedule. while they featured some pretty cool acts including the roots, earlimart, medeski martin and wood, and pinback, they also have coming up: Dwight Yoakam, KC and the Sunshine Band, Europe (the final countdown...now you remember), third eye blind, and steve winwood.
when they were just in town, they played the black cat, with pedro the lion opening. now they are playing six days before winwood (who is playing on my birthday). this might be kind of an odd show for them, but i'm sure they will pull it off. they are playing with a band called no wait wait, who i am not familiar with. find out more info on them here. see low's website to your right with the other links.
hooray for the best band in the world!
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Coffee artist...
i had posted a picture below this one of my first triple leaf. this was my second, a few minutes later. liz and ellen thought it was better than the first, so i thought that i would post it as well.
once, i thought such realms of art as unattainable, but now...maybe soon, such feats will be commonplace. we'll see.
once, i thought such realms of art as unattainable, but now...maybe soon, such feats will be commonplace. we'll see.
First Ever Triple!!
i was supposed to be writing a paper, but i had been thinking about pushing my latte art to a different place all week. i figured it was about time to try the triple leaf...
on my second serious attempt, i pulled this sucker off. not super clean, and i let it sit for a few minutes while i decided whether or not it was worth a picture or not. i guess i decided it was.
on my second serious attempt, i pulled this sucker off. not super clean, and i let it sit for a few minutes while i decided whether or not it was worth a picture or not. i guess i decided it was.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
kitchen tables!!
yeah!!!!!!!!!!!
jill and i made our first major joing purchase yesterday. we bought this used kitchen table from a friend of a friend that is moving. it has three more chairs and a leaf to make it large for all the parties we are going to have. pretty exciting stuff.
well, the wedding date has gone from september 3 to september 17 back to september 3 and now, likely, back to september 17. but until there is a reception site reserved, i wouldn't place many bets. hopefully, this is it. for our own sanity.
i'm writing a paper on david hume's understanding of personal responsibility and how we come up with ideas about divinity and eternity. yes, those two are related. at least i will present them as such. more exciting stuff.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
