77free’s Weblog

what isn’t an experiment

77free — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:53:42 +0000

Soooo, I attended my first coffee class tonight on making espresso. It was so cool. There were ten of us in the basement of Joe’s Coffee – an artisanal coffee shop in New York on the Lower East Side. There were an equal amount of guys and girls; I met some really cool people. cool! So we had to go round robin and introduce ourselves to one another and share something about ourselves that we wanted the coffee education “expert” to know about us. And, two girls before my chance to express my love for the bean a woman went. She had her camera out on the table, and she said that she’s a writer and she has a blog about (that she recently started) about coffee culture. I was like Say What! to myself. I smiled inside.

So when it came to me, I said I’m a writer and I’ll be launching something just like you this Fall. She smiled on the outside. I was already happy that I signed up for this class and invested the $30. Each person was there either just for the love of espresso like a mid-age guy who said he traveled to Italy last year and fell in love it, or another guy who makes it all the time at home and wants to get better at brewing it, or the married jean over-all two ponytailed girl who said she’s been drinking coffee –black-since she was two – the same way her grandmother drinks it. Whoa! I did mention in my introduction that I went from 3 cups to none but that I do love coffee. I did NOT mention that I work in a coffee shop 3 shifts a week as a barista.

After introductions we learned about what an espresso actually is and the factors – environmental and circumstantial – that affect a bean and the taste of grinded beans. Then we each learned some techniques about clearing the machine, pulling a shot, patting it down (forgive me I forget all the technical terms) evening out with what she called the funky chicken move, whisking away the extra, tamping the shot and finally let the water pressure brew it. I’m not an espresso drinker, except for when I’ve been on vacation I suppose. My first one wasn’t great, the second was a lot better. I watched as all members of the class went and it was quite fun to be in an underground basement learning about espresso with like minded aficionados. Oh I love what I do. And, I love what I’m about to do with smdlr – my new site. There is a future in coffee for me, obviously with my site but perhaps beyond. Our instructor thought that I had a transparent passion for what I was talking about – don’t I always when it comes to something I’m interested in? I’m glad she could see it though.

So, I took down the information of the woman who started her site – thecoffeeexperiment.blogspot.com. I checked it out – she has some nice introductory posts. Soon, I’ll be on the path with her – drinking and experiment and documenting coffee and its culture. She mentioned that she feels like she doesn’t know what she’s doing. I told her – she does know. And, this is all an experiment – I mean what in life isn’t an experiment. We feel something, we believe in it, we love it, we do it. We must believe in the worth of our ideas. I left this comment for her on her most recent blog post of Aug 10^th,2010 about what thecoffeeexperiment is about for her. I can’t wait to keep reading her stuff, she has 2,000 followers already.

Isn’t it interesting how one can feel so safe in such a public place. Its the community energy inside that incites that feeling of being able to be inside of its space for hours one end with something continually being held from the middle palm of your hand. In addition to being able to be an active observer of the life that comes in and out of coffee shop we do learn a lot – I’m so glad you mention that. And, learning about others across this wonderful universe is a great activity – even grander inside a cafe. Congratulations on your journey!

p.s. I’m now 2,001

cde

just because

77free — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:35:15 +0000

I’ve heard it said, ” if something is meant to be, you have to let it go and it’ll return to you.” I believe that; however, just because it returns doesn’t mean it will be yours.

cde

anodyne

77free — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:35:06 +0000

I learned a new word today while reading the LostCity blog. It was so different that it caught my attention.

Here’s the sentence:

Bloomberg, the billionaire, city planner Amanda Burden, the millionaire, and their cabal of equally wealthy real estate and Wall Street pals forged ahead and got the metropolis they wanted all along: homogenous, anodyne, whitewashed, suburban, toothless, chain-store-ridden, ordinary, exclusive and terribly, terribly expensive.

According to dictionary.com this is the definition

–noun

a medicine that relieves or allays pain.

anything that relieves distress or pain: The music was an anodyne to his grief.

–adjective

relieving pain.

soothing to the mind or feelings.

And since this word is used as an adjective – I assumed that these individuals mentioned in the authors post were creating a city that relieved them of their historic nostalgic pain. Interesting.

But I’ll have to use this sentence soon in my vocabulary. You should too.

cde

by whatever Paper necessary

77free — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:28:19 +0000

A friend updated her status today and said “writing poems on deposit slips.” After I saw it, it inspired me to leave the below comment. And then to stop everything right now, right this second and write this blog post. See, when you are a writer or a thought originator, you don’t choose when those thoughts will come. Instead they choose you. And, in that case, when they come you have to pen them down on whatever paper is around. Be it receipt, deposit slip, often a napkin for me but most my hand if not my Blackberry.

I’m grateful for the act of thoughts. Lately, my thoughts have been very present and clear and I like that. And even more I like the fact that I’ve taken the time to honor my thoughts by writing them down. Because, I mean, after all that is the least that one can do if you’re graced with something nudging you inside your brain.

There is so much going on in my life right now. A lot of it is straight up goodness. I’d like to think I’ve been drawing it to me. But, I’ve also been in tune with my feelings and I’m glad I’ve seen the importance to get them done. Because now as the things I’ve felt manifest in reality I can go back and trace the origin or at least the remembrance of the initial thought.

And, I must mention how powerful one thought is, from deciding that I need a certain amount of money to achieve something (international trip) , a certain job to learn something (barista), downsize my expenses (the right roommate this time) and just so much more. I’m just so grateful and I want to stay that way and humbled by how my God hears me and takes care of me. So perhaps this post is really an electronic deposit slip going into my prayer account.

cde

still something new

77free — Thu, 27 May 2010 01:42:41 +0000

I love so many things about life and by extension living in New York City. I had a mid-afternoon break today when a new neighborhood friend invited me down to the tea lounge to visit with her and two friends.

When I got the message it was about an hour past when she called. At first, I was being a little lazy and self-involved but then said hey this is a great opportunity to spend some time with someone new and just create a memory; as in an experience memory – one that builds friendship. And, I’m always open to creating new bridges and building community with people.

So, I left in the middle of the scorcher that today was – (no complaints) and caught the bus down to the Tea Lounge. I found them there happily in each others company and happy to see me make it – as I couldn’t promise I would come down for sure when I returned the call but I would try.

Once I arrived, it was a pleasant thirty minutes talking about the differences between Brooklyn and the “city” of Manhattan, the neighborhood-y feel of Brooklyn where you can actually talk to people and feel apart of something intimate and close. We talked about summer concerts – cue Norah Jones – Prospect Park – that’s going be a long waiting line to get in – but I’ll be there and they are going to join me so that will be cool.

In addition to the goodness of the company, I ordered an iced tea to drink. Now, prior to today, I must admit I haven’t been an iced tea fan; it just didn’t do much for me. However, since I’ve been moonlighting now at the bakery, I’ve tried a few different things Yesterday we made new ice tea – a combination of red zinger and orange. I told myself I’d try it – so I poured a healthy amount over ice and then decided to take a cue off the latte drink and add a little soy milk to it. Then I said, wait , 2 brown sugars would sweeten it up just a bit, not too much. At first taste; it was ok. But, then I gave it a little shake so that everything could blend in – talk about YUM!

I had another one before i left the shop. So when I went to the counter at the Tea Lounge to order a drink, I figured something cold and was going to go for a latte but then saw a selection of iced teas. There was pumpkin and then apricot peach. The latter sounded nice, fruity, refreshing so I ordered that. Then in a quick moment I asked the barista about the pumpkin she said it was good and I love pumpkin. And boy did I love that pumpkin iced tea, with a healthy splash of soy milk and two brown sugars.

It just makes me feel all cool and fuzzy inside that there’s still something new to discover in my borough of Brooklyn.

cde

Perhaps

77free — Fri, 07 May 2010 11:24:40 +0000

I’ve lived next door to a coffee shop for almost six years now. Yep, can you believe it. There is also one across the street as well as a wine bar, and a diner next door to my right. But this morning – its 7ish- I smell a strong smell of beans. Smells like those roasted (dark) beans are being ground and pulled for early morning shots of espresso and latte’s and whatever else the Friday local desires. Do I now notice the smell because I moonlight as a barista? Perhaps.

cde

I need…I need

77free — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:43:59 +0000

I can’t help but think of Bob in the comedy”What about Bob?” when he begs for some professional help. He pleads, “I need, I need,” when trying to arrest time from Dr. Leo Marvin – his future psychologist.

Thinking about this blog – as I sometimes do – I need, I need – more time!

cde

Ruby Tuesday

77free — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:48:00 +0000

so excited today.

working with Ebony on Ruby’s

great things are going to happen.

cde

Dont Draw the Curtains

77free — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:37:37 +0000

I could cry over a lot of things. Like the fact that I have vitiligo – going on 3 years strong. But I’m grateful that t hasn’t overtaken my entire body.

I could cry over the fact that its March 16^th, rent was due yesterday. And, no I don’t have it. It would be great it if I did but I know I will.

Yes my phone bill is due, can’t pay that either, yet. But hey what am I going to do. I’m going to do what any resilient, god-fearing person does. Pray, act and wait. That’s what.

So what I can’t go out shopping, so what I can’t go to one of my favorite restaurants Akasha, so what I can’t look at my bank account and see a few zeroes, because I am happy…happy that I’m not stuck in a cube…happy that my greatest assets are within me…happy that I can create, think and that I’m still bold enough to dream. So don’t draw the curtains, I like to dream in the daylight.

cde

Stateside – West

77free — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:33:11 +0000

I left the east for the west. Left the east when it was sunny, must have been perfect timing. It rained for the five days there while I was here. I’ve been soakin’ up the sun, spending time with my fam, eating home cooked meals, playing my guitar and laughing a lot. I’m so excited about being productive while I’m here, writing, seeing a few music shows for free and laughing like I only laugh when I’m hanging on the west coast.

While I’m here I’ll hit the beach, discover some bike trails, wanted to go and look around the Los Feliz areas,visit the Sensitive Baker, people watch at a market, watch Lakers’ game, do the Santa Monica stairs. lose my voice rooting for folks at the Marathon and sleep in and in and in.

cde