http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/01/10/144988133/drink-coffee-off-with-your-head
Coffeehouse observation No. 352 – Resolving to drink more coffee (No kidding!)
The new job has kept me away from blogging and has drastically cut into my very valuable coffeehouse time. It’s sad, really, to have to turn our backs on something as vital to our existence as coffee and the coffeehouse experience simply to make a living wage. Something is wrong in that. Especially since coffeehouses – most specifically Empresso on the Miracle Mile in Stockton – have provided a sanctuary during the two and a half years that I was unemployed.
So here are some coffeehouse resolutions for the new year.
Coffeehouse resolution No. 1: Drink more coffee. I know what you are thinking – is there really a need for this resolution? I mean, after all, “more coffee” makes complete sense. Resolving to drink less coffee would just be, well, silly.
Coffeehouse resolution No. 2: Drink more coffee. Yeah, it’s so important to the very fiber of 2012 that “Drink more coffee” is listed here twice.
Coffeehouse resolution No. 3: Learn more about coffee. You would think that I know a lot about coffee – and I do. But I consider it vital that I be a “lifelong learner” when it comes to coffee. I consider this an investment in continuing education.
Coffeehouse resolution No. 4: Be bolder when it comes to my caffeinated beverages. I tend to be in a rut when it comes to my beverage choices. I tend to go with straight coffee – mild rather than bold because I heard once that there was more caffeine in mild coffee. Usually Sumatra. No sugar or cream. I think it is time to branch out just a bit more.
Coffeehouse resolution No. 5: Visit more coffeehouses. I love Empresso – well, except for the occasionally four-legged creatures that that run across the old theater’s lobby floor. But other than that, it’s been a great place to look for work, get a caffeine high, and network just a bit. But I cannot help but think that I might find comparable features in other coffeehouses. We’ll see. Some changes might be “just too much.”
OK, that’s it for now. Have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Coffeehouse observation No. 351 – Harp music for the coffeehouse
Why, this is new. A woman is playing a harp in the coffeehouse. Not exactly the most portable instrument. … And her companion is a Chihuahua. I kid you not.
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Coffeehouse observation No. 350 – Back in the coffeehouse again
Today was the first chance in a couple of weeks to be able to sit and enjoy the coffeehouse. The new job has kept me busy, which is quite the opposite from a complaint. It’s very good to be busy. It’s very good to be employed. … But it has kept me away from what was a haven for two and a half years of unemployment. … I’m comfortable here at Empresso, but I do like the idea that I’m working.
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At long last, I am going back to work
It has been a very long, winding, tumultuous two and a half years of unemployment since March 2009 when I was laid off from The Record in Stockton, Calif. It has been a very difficult time for so many people, including and especially those in the newspaper business.
But I’m starting a new job on Monday Tuesday – a 60-day trial as the editor of the Central Valley Business Journal, a monthly publication with offices in Stockton and Modesto. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and confident that this will be a good fit. I get the feeling that the Central Valley Business Journal hasn’t had true editorial leadership in some time, so even small improvements in the publication will be noticeable.
I have never been a business writer/editor before so the experience will be challenging in that respect. I haven’t been the sole editor of a publication in quite a while, so it will be challenging in that respect, as well. And I haven’t had to get up early for work in quite a while, so that will be pleasantly challenging.
I have written here in the past of the complete emotional toll unemployment takes on a person. You lose your self-worth, self-respect, and sense of self. Friends and family who haven’t been through the situation cannot truly understand what the unemployed go through, but they still offer suggestions – “You know what you really should do is …” – of actions already taken time and time again. They mean so very well and knowing that kept me from screaming just a bit. Prospective employers reject you simply for having been unemployed. And society turns an uncomfortable cold shoulder to those of us who were unemployed for so long.
My girlfriend, Brenda, has been very supportive and encouraging through the past few months. I thank her for helping me maintain my enthusiasm for, well, everything and for encouraging me at every step. She is solidly in my heart.
Long-time friends – especially Teresa, Rick, and Michele – have provided part-time work, room and board, beer and tequila, laughter, and encouragement. I do appreciate everything they have done for me in the past two and a half years. Other friends, those not so “long-time,” also have provided encouragement and even groceries from time to time. For those veggies and peppers, Kathi, I am grateful. And I thank those Facebook friends who over the years have helped me maintain my sense of humor, perspective, and sanity, who have provided encouragement, job leads, and a place to vent. Thank you.
And now a new adventure awaits! I’m excited for it to begin.
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Coffeehouse observation No. 349 – Pavlov would hold back the food on this one
I’m not sure, but I’m pretty sure I just overheard a woman in the coffeehouse say: “It’s like Pavlov the Dog.” … No, seriously!
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Coffeehouse observation No. 348 – Tired, old pickup lines in the coffeehouse
A guy with a German Shepherd in the coffeehouse is killing time by hitting on the woman at the next table. From what I’ve been able to overhear, he’s doesn’t have a job or home – by choice, he says – and that he’s meandering his way to Tucson, Ariz., to end a relationship with a woman. He’s not looking forward to “doing the right thing” in breaking up with the Tucson woman, while he hits on the woman in the coffeehouse. Some guys have chutzpah!
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Coffeehouse observation No. 347 – Miles Davis, coffee do a soul good
“Birth of the Cool” … Miles Davis … It’s what does a soul good. … That and coffee.
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Coffeehouse observation No. 346 – Part of a balanced diet!
Coffee is essential for a well-balanced – yet caffeinated – diet!
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Coffeehouse observation No. 345 – On road to recovery
My BCC – blood coffee content – was low, but now I’m on my way to recovery with the third cup of the day.
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Coffeehouse observation No. 344 – Funny barista rant song!
[OK, this is funny. True, he might go a little overboard, but haven’t we all wanted to rant like this about something or other. Too bad Starbucks couldn’t take a freakin’ joke. – KM]
Starbucks barista disses picky patrons | CNN videos
Click for the YouTube video.
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Coffee and Cream Risotto | Treehugger.com
Coffee and Cream Risotto | Treehugger.com
Click to learn more about Philz Coffee.
Will write for food! … Or walk your dog!
Hey there! Hey there! I’m still trying to line up a freelance gig or two for the coming weeks. Please let me know if you are in need or know someone in need of a writer-editor-blogger-dog walker-house-sitter-dishwasher. Cheers!
Coffeehouse observation No. 343 – Royalty in the coffeehouse
A princess just walked into the coffeehouse. … No, really, I swear! … OK, I’m not completely certain that she is true royalty. But she is wearing a lovely pink tutu and silver slippers, and carrying a Disney princess handbag. Oh, and she is about 2. So, she has to be someone’s princess, right?
Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.
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Coffeehouse observation No. 342 – What did I do to deserve this?
Annoying people keep showing up at the coffeehouse. I’m not sure what I did to deserve this, but I take it back. Whatever it was!
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Coffeehouse observation No. 341 – Well, pardon my space
They may need a traffic light at the coffeehouse door. A woman was just cut off by another woman just as they approached the door. Oddly, the woman who was cut off said “thank you” as the woman who cut her off briefly held open the door for her. I mean, she was very nearly slammed into and she says “thank you”? Better manners than I would have had in the situation. And certainly far better manners than the woman who cut her off.
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Coffeehouse observation No. 340 – How much is too much, er, Bebe?
How much is too much? Especially when it comes to designer crap, er, I mean, designer clothing. A woman is sitting out on the coffeehouse patio and she’s wearing a besparkled black Bebe baseball cap, a besparkled black Bebe tank top, and besparkled black Bebe flip-flops. … But at least she’s sitting with a woman wearing a Sick Puppies T-shirt. Bebe’s friend has her priorities straight – rock over Bebe.
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