nearby lovely

being a midwestern climber from the start, one takes what one can get...

no complaints here.

today's hat

today's fountain

wheeeeee! wait. huh?

5 faces of winston, and uh, grk

mmm corn...

today's feel good game

for real.

http://www.onemorelevel.com/games.php?game=547

have a moment.

http://www.virb.com/jeremycowart/videos/616
try headphones & click the little light bulb for focus.

today's candy

this is from a chocolateer in town, who(m) makes a fine piece of chocolate. Fresh lime is fantastic as is this caramel pinot noir piece not pictured. The chocolates are so simple and pure in character, the experience of consuming is almost more engaging on an emotional level than a physical sensory level. I hope the fine grammar has been appreciated. My doppelganger must be growing stronger and sapping my intellect.

today's pleasant random public expression

good live show feeds

here's a link to some good live music. Apparently it's been around a while, but it's new to me. And there is some good listening to be done there. I hope you enjoy. Thanks to Matt at CavemanRecords for passing it on.

http://tela.sugarmegs.org/_asxtela/

enjoy.

crashed

Here's Winston relaxing this morning. He had the pleasure of crashing in the bed with me since Sarah's been traveling. He is particularly taxed from chasing cockroaches on his 'nightime vigilance' walk.

today's sly cat

today's belly goes to:

today's fruit

Hermeto Pascoal - Música da Lagoa

Thanks to John Wilson for opening my brain to this fellow's work. enjoy.

today's personal space

So, you're on an airplane, flying coach(you have not overcome the caste system). You have a short sleeve shirt on. The person next to you occupies the arm rest you gave up as a courtesy to your fellow man or woman. That person also has a short sleeve shirt on, but is unaware of the length of the little wing his or her pressed shirt creates. This wings makes you aware of their every move as the fabric touches you ever so slightly up and down your arm as you try to sleep away the flight.

Do you say, "Excuse me, did you pay extra for a seat and a 1/5th? I didn't get a discount for your shirt... Are you aware you are caressing me just so"?

Probably you say nothing, and proceed to contort your body in cryptic ways as to gain a little rest and peace of mind. Drift. Shift. Or, perhaps it doesn't bother you at all.

I am curious. How do you feel?

"I got the next break!"

To satisfy Brad's curiousity and take it a step further...

today's reason to not complain about your job

All day long the folks sort coffee seeds for defects. Withered, rotten, broca(holes from beetle larvae) and other funky beans are removed by hand. There are machines that remove the defects to some extent, but for closest to perfect results, humans do the job.

Enjoy your ergonomic desk chair.

Spice of life

What better place for a urinal? While one's opponent is racking for the next game, assuming one is male, one could turn around, deftly urinate, and return to the break without losing too much stride.

I realize there are some flaws here, but it is convenient. Save your self the long walk to the bar and chill your next beer in there. Just add ice.

Just add imagination.

today's retro chewing pleasure

Anyone remember these?

today's piece

I am chronicling the little known graphic history of the Boston Terrier. Scholars say the breed was created to aid in the work of urban farming. The art of farming balconies and flower boxes has long been neglected since the Boston was domesticated. Some say the breed has softened over the generations. Stay tuned and judge for yourself.

today's piece

4th of July in KCMO

Wow. That's about what I can verbalize from my vantage point this evening. I saw no less than 30 fireworks displays from the Parisi Coffee rooftop. The explosions continue as I type. I would say 15 of the 30 fireworks were coming from residential areas. Two blocks away, some amazing work was being done.

Anyway, amidst this night and a couple Fat Tires, my decision has been made to stay in KC to get things started and figured out. Quality coffee dealings, from people to product to people again is the focus. There is a world or more challenge in that statement, but there is much good that can be done at the same time.

I hope you are all celebrating the progress you have made to growing independent from the culture being spoon fed via media from every direction. Root to reality as best you can. Then blow some crap up.

Happy independence day.

and pups in a pipe

beauty

Greetings all,

The trip south went very well. I have to process it still, but the overall experience left a broad mark on me. My perception of the state of coffee and the future of the state of coffee changed. I dropped dead at a cupping table in Costa Rica. A coffee varietal I had not experienced prior to last week left the old me quivering and bloating on the tiled floor. It takes a while for things to sink in for me sometimes, but when they do, they are there, installed and shiny. More on that later.

As for now, I leave you with one of the more memorable characters of the coffee industry. His name is Gillio. He's probably in his 70's and lives in a little cabin in the cloud forest of Costa Rica. I can't remember where that region is specifically. Anyhow, I am back safely with minimal parasites brought on board. I missed you all so much.