Dried eyes and a sore jaw (from nervously grinding my teeth) are the product of my afternoon burying a dear friend's brother. In the midst of the North Georgia Mountains, we gathered in the most perfect late summer weather to hear the rounds shot and the trumpet's song. The death of a soldier, the death of a friend. My personal political and religious opinions aside, it was all very touching, intense, and inspiring. The Patton family is one I wish to emulate in my years to come. Boundary-less, sincere, and a love that made me feel as a part of their family.

Always, always. We'll miss you Chris.

tee'd

remember this?


it went from a joke, to knuckle tattoos, to blogs, and now.. tshirts! Images of the shirts to come soon. Our dear friends at King Screen made them. I know some of you may have seen M's already over in Nordic lands as she travels with her set during the Nordic Barista Cup. Make sure you harass her for one.

team!

Until one particularly evil internet monopoly gets their act together, I am riding on one bar of neighbor WiFi (thank you m'lissa). So when you're waiting on a particular email from Counter Culture Coffee regarding the status of your email for Team CCC, and your cat Bruce finds a comfortable spot on your desk that makes that one bar disappear and not come back, the internet becomes a strangely precious resource.

Last night while toggling between options of Planet Earth or Frontline (a difficult choice, mind you), my mind wandered like a kid on Christmas Eve. Is it there yet? I should check, just in case. The internet is out. Wait, no, it's back. Bruce, don't move. Gmail. click.

And it was there. And I did it. I made it. I'm one-third Team Counter Culture.

I only quietly doubted my own passion or abilities to whether or not I was capable or dedicated enough. My real concern was if "they" were going to take me seriously. I appreciate their ability to see where I am coming from. Their understanding and my induction to the team lends me to an obscene amount of training time with mister owens, coffee and travel expenses, and the honorary aspects of teaming it up with Lem. Tomorrow I believe i will get to "meet" the other Team CCC member via teleportals.
Much to plan. My mind is a-spun with ideas. Soaring, really.


So now the true test begins: to finish my degree (a la mode) AND rule the SERBC.

purp

Yesterday M'lissa was describing that feeling you get when you want to ask a question in grade school but suddenly your face flushes roses and knots appear in the fabric of your stomach and your hand remains in your lap, your question unanswered. Some refer to this simply as butterflies, others define it as anxiety. It shows up with sweet memories and uncomfortable situations. You know this feeling.

There is a someone in my life that gives me this feeling. There is a place that, when I think of moving there, gives me this feeling. And then last night there was a sense of purpose that gave me this feeling.

Meeting the owners of Finca El Puente at the Counter Culture Training Center last night was amazing. Hearing their stories of how they came into coffee, growing what is commonly known as the "Purple Princess," and their genuine love for what they do was nothing short of inspiring. So humble, so charming. And as a woman running the entire farm, Marysabel Caballero must give that "somethin' special" to her coffee.



meet me in marcala, honduras next december.