Holiday Novel

Each Holiday season I look forward to getting sucked into a good novel, but the selection of such is always the hardest part.  Any suggestions?

I am a Barista

Barista
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


A competitor (James Hoffmann) during the World Barista Championship.
This article is about bartenders. For lawyers, see Barrister. For the chain of espresso bars in India, see Barista Coffee.
Not to be confused with Batista.
When using the term in English, "barista" refers to one who has acquired some level of expertise in the preparation of espresso-based coffee drinks. Within certain circles, its meaning is expanding to include what might be called a coffee sommelier; a professional who is highly skilled in coffee preparation, with a comprehensive understanding of coffee, coffee blends, espresso, quality, coffee varieties, roast degree, espresso equipment, maintenance, latte art, etc. James Hoffmann of Britain is the current World Barista Champion.
Though popularly believed to be an Italian term, it was developed in America as a derivative of the Italian word meaning bartender and is now part of the lexicon of some American coffee shops. Entered into English from the Italian in which it means roughly "bartender" (plural: baristi [masculine or mixed sex] or bariste [feminine]). The term is derived from the Italian use of the word bar, which is similar to the American or British café. In Italy, the barista typically works behind a counter, serving both hot (such as espresso and other coffee-based ones) and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Although I am astounded to be akin to such a definition, and I think Scooter's should start selling really good beer and wine, I believe there is much more to being a barista. Baristas are the experts at everything. We are the available ear to anyone's woes. We set a tone to our given coffee houses. We arise early to ensure that your coffee is ready when you are. I love it!

Is it fall yet?

Not in my job decription

Okay, so in the say day, in the same hour, my role at Scooter's expanded.

The first incident:
After making a vanilla cappuccino smoothie with whip and making small talk with the customer, it was exclaimed to me, "You might know! Where can I get rid of a set of old encyclopedias?" How do I qualify to be one who might know? I make coffee! Anyway, I did have an idea: Lincoln Freecycle. She went for it.

The second incident:
From behind one of our walls I heard, "Hey Brook, is the word "subversive" really a word?"
"Yes, it is definately a word," I replied. Why did the customer suppose I had an advanced vocabulary? Hmmm?
It's not easy to be a barista. You have to always be on your toes.

Definition:
sub·ver·sive [suhb-vur-siv]
–adjective
1. Also, sub·ver·sion·ar·y [suhb-vur-zhuh-ner-ee, -shuh-] tending to subvert or advocating subversion, esp. in an attempt to overthrow or cause the destruction of an established or legally constituted government.
–noun
2. a person who adopts subversive principles or policies.

Breast Cancer awareness what???

Before I procede with this entry, a disclaimer: I am not against creative ways of raising money for breast cancer awareness. Furthermore, I have compassion and empathy for those who have fought against this disease.
However, you have to find the humor in just a bit of it. There are just some things that should not be pink.

Such a thing of beauty should never be pink

Really, a corkscrew?

Dangerous pink knives

And finally that which never loses its suction. . .


Other things I am hoping never to see in pink:
Kenmore washer/dryer
a snowblower
a weed wacker
basically any large appliance

check out who made the front page of the Journal Star today!

We have a celebrity in our midst. But, why was she at The Mill???