Vroom!

Recently I ventured on a journey to South Dakota! Yep, that's right...Most notably South Dakota is known for its wide open plains and the Black Hills. I have visited this expansive state a number of times, but this time every place I passed was only a memory. Stopping only to fuel up my rental car, I rested my head in Pierre. Pierre is the Capital of South Dakota and smack dab in the middle of the state, making getting there very difficult. Driving there was fine, but driving back was torture. Ten hours, ten hours of speed across 850 miles of country. I crossed two borders and made it back to Milwaukee in relatively good time. Next time, though, I'll be starting out earlier. Driving in the dark was stressful. So, back to my journey, otherwise known as vacation. My vacation was ten days total. First leaving Milwaukee towards St.Paul, Minnesota to see a concert stay with a friend. Then I headed to Pierre for a five day stay with E. Basically, I had planned on getting there and nothing beyond and that is exactly what I did, nothing. It was a delightful time away from my usual routine. Here's to vacation!

Todays Cup

As I sit in one of my favorite coffee shopes, I am draw into conversation with my favorite barista, Genius. I also work for this shope part-time and outside of being an employee I spend every day with this place. I am dedicated to coffee, to independent businesses, to small (although Mil town is not so small) town coffee culture, and to a vision to provide excellent coffee to everyone. It's not rocket science; running a coffee shope, but it does take some thing special. The key is community. Without smart, passionate people who are invested in the same vision you will lose every thing. Not even the best coffee will keep people coming back. From the perspective of a patron you are investing in a service and a product that you could do without. Everyone can make coffee, especially at home, and everyone can save a buck by staying at home, or simply stop consuming the product. As an employee, the investment is simple too. Foremost, you're in it for the money. You need a job, but what interests you in the beginning is some thing more notable. And the same can be said whether you are the owner, manager, barista, or patron. You love coffee! You're not just addicted, you love the smell of coffee, the taste of coffee, the sound of the brewer or Espresso machine, and the feel of a warm cup of coffee in your hands. But all this would be nothing without a community of people consumed by an addiction to being served a product they could do without. Funny how that works, isn't it?

Just a thought.

Nom, nom, nom...

In this week's review, much fun was had by all...

Gert visited me! Our challenge, beat the heat. With a record high, some thing like 100 degrees, we chose to eat our way across Milwaukee. After the morning brew, Columbian, we headed out to the Pancake House. I ordered a half order of French Toast with a side of bacon and Gert ordered Potato Pancakes...and boy did she get 'em! 10 of them!! 

Todays Cup

I'm relaxing a little before heading to work. I'm sitting at Roast with a cup of Anodyne's Columbian roast and talking with Sam. Next week I'll be working at the farmers market slinging coffee. Here's to the last week of regularity!

Todays Cup

Brazil roasted by Anodyne at Roast served by Sam.

Today's Cup!

It's coffee time! This morning I got going a little late today, but I finally got a cup of coffee. In Today's Cup I'm drinking Anodyne's Brazil while sitting at Roast Coffee Company.
Almost every cup I have consumed I have documented. I'm trying to keel track of as many details as possible. However, I have missed a few cups and I also lack the will power to keep up with posting these details. For some reason I feel that I need to keep adding material to this blog that is not only coffee, but some thing more substantial.
This being stated, I think I'll just hey over it and start keeping you up to date. More content will be added and I promise numerous cups of coffee. Maybe I will keep a running tally of every cup.
I welcome your support and your cups too! What are you drinking?

Quintessential

I'm marking this day as my third anniversary of living in Milwaukee. Since moving to Milwaukee in July of 2009, I have experienced a full spectrum of life changing events. However, there are just as many, if not more, quintessentially Milwaukee things I have not experienced. Shortly after moving to Milwaukee one of my favorite bloggers, Grace Bonney from Design*Sponge, published a city guide to Milwaukee. This summer I am planning my Milwaukee Grande Tour. Here's to a great summer of fun! Leave a comment with your must see things...

So far, I've taken in a lot, but I still have a long way to go...