Winter Reading List

I've been falling behind in my reading lately.  November was a very busy month, and while December will probably be crazy-busy, too, I'm going to try and get back to my reading list and get caught up to where I want to be.  Here are the books on my list for winter (in no particular order):

• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• The Heroines by Eileen Favorite
• The Elegance of Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (rereading)
• A Whistling Woman by A. S. Byatt

Writing Goals for December

We're coming to the end of the year, and there's a lot I want to do before 2009 is ushered in and I start a whole new list of things to do.  Here's (some of) what I want to accomplish in my writing life this month.

• Go back to working on the coffee house book, which was on hold for November.
• Continue writing articles for clients and (hopefully) increase the number of articles written each week.
• Connect with at least one new client.
• Set CSW goals for 2009 and write 2009 business plan.
• Organize CSW finances in preparation for tax season.

When the Leaves Change: Summer 2008 in Review

This has been an eventful summer for me. I left my teaching position, started a business, became an auntie, and adopted two new kitties (Azshara and a boy kitty whose name is to be determined). I've read (though not as much as I would have liked), written (more than I expected I would), and made a breakthrough in the writing of my book. Overall, it's been a good summer. Sure, there are things I wish had happened differently, but I don't regret anything. I did what I thought was best at the time.

On Starting a Business
When I quit teaching to become a full time freelance writer, I expected to spend the bulk of the summer seeking clients, building relationships, and doing almost anything to build a portfolio. Shortly after "opening," a kind fellow freelancer passed my name to a client who needed projects done on a tight deadline (too tight for her), and I picked up some projects for a few months. I was a paid writer!

A month or so later, I applied to a writer's assistant position working for another freelancer who had too many projects and needed help 15 or so hours a week. It was a little shaky, but I got the position, and it has been the best thing for my career so far! The woman with whom I work is a wonderfully sweet woman, and we have a lot in common. We work well together, and write well together. It's been a wonderful experience already, and my portfolio has gotten so big I had to start a couple of extra file folder to contain the hard copies!

I'm not making very much money yet, but I already consider myself a successful freelance writer. There is quite a bit more I would like to do (and expect to do) in my writing career, and this summer has been a wonderful start to it. I'm already doing better than I thought I would, and if this summer was any indication of how things will be in the future, I may have to start posting less frequently!

On Becoming an Auntie
I'm so excited my little sister is a mama! Ashlie Elizabeth is a beautiful, beautiful baby girl, and she is going to be spoiled with love for the rest of her life. It's a bit strange. I always assumed I would have children before her, so I thought that, by the time Sis had kids, I'd be able to sit back and chuckle at her stories, empathize with her pains, and share (unsolicited) advice about everything. Instead I'm an auntie and I get to spoil Ashlie and give her candy (when she's old enough, obviously) before sending her home to Mommy and Daddy wired and unable to sleep.

I'm not going to lie: I'm a little jealous. I love babies, and I'm looking forward to when Hubby and I are able to have children of our own. Until then, though, I'm going to enjoy peppering my personal blog with pictures and bits of information about my darling niece.

On a House of Fur Babies
I've always loved cats, and when Hubby and I adopted Jaina back in October 2007, I couldn't imagine a home without animals. This past June, Hubby suggested we get another kitten as a playmate for Jaina and though I was unsure, we found Azshara and fell in love with her energy and friendliness. So we brought her home. Jaina wasn't so sure about having another kitty around, but after a few days they became best friends.

Just prior to Tropical Storm Fay hitting Orlando, a stray cat started hanging around my in-laws' house. Since Mom-in-law is allergic, we agreed to take care of the stray at least through the storm so he wouldn't be out in the weather. When we brought him home (and cleaned him up) we thought Azshara would take to him immediately but that Jaina would be a bit standoffish as she was with Azshara. We were surprised that, instead, Jaina started mothering him right away, and for several days, Azshara hissed and growled anytime he went near her. Everyone is friends now, though.

When we first brought the stray home (we originally called him Thrall, but we settled on Warrington after the Cheshire Cat in Fforde's Thursday Next series), I couldn't believe we had three cats at our house. Three! That seemed so many! But each of them has such different personalities, now I don't know how we could have less than three cats in our home!

I love all our fur babies, and I'm thankful we took Warrington in to rescue him from the storm.

On Expectations for Autumn 2008
As eventful as the summer has been, I know the fall is going to be even more eventful. In addition to freelancing, I plan to finish the first draft of my coffee house book (hopefully prior to the insanity that will be NaNoWriMo 2008), read more, and achieve some of the goals I've set for my personal life.

I'm optimistic about the rest of the year. There are things I'm greatly looking forward to in the near future (including visiting my family for Christmas this year), and it will be a good way to close 2008 before starting a great 2009.

I think things are looking better.

July Blog Topics

I've been looking through my writing files lately to come up with blog topic ideas for the month of July. I have some ideas (listed at the end of this post), and a few things I'm planning on a more long-term basis. However, I'm always open to input from my darling readers, as well. So I put it to you: what burning questions do you have about writing and/or coffee? What do you want explained/explored/evaluated? What do you have to say that you would like shared here?

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Possible July ideas:

• Non-coffee coffee-house drinks
• How to get the most out of your local library
• 10 tips to a better coffee-house experience
• Writing dialogue (a lesson from playwriting)
• How to make coffee at home
• Write every day vs. write productively

Who says Irish only drink whiskey?

Comhghairdeas a ghabháil Stephen Morrissey! The "Irish Barista" has obtained the World Barista Championship title for 2008 with 738.5 points at the end of the competition. (Second place went to David Makin of Australia with 733 points.)

This is the champion in action.

Webcast by Ustream.TV

WBC 2008

Today marks the first day of the World Barista Championships! Isn't it exciting?


For those new to the world of baristas, the WBC is just what its name suggests: a world championship for those who make specialty coffee drinks. This year it is being held in Copenhagen, and runs from June 19-22, 2008.


According to the WBC's Mission Statement and Goals page, the goals of the WBC are:

1. To promote the growth, excellence & recognition in the Barista profession.
2. To grow the Barista's knowledge of and expertise in, the preparation and serving of specialty, espresso coffee through competitions.
3. To promote the knowledge and consumption of specialty coffee to the consumer through the Barista.
4. To become globally recognised as the premier World Barista Event in the coffee calendar.

For the rules and regulations of the WBC, go here.


The judging committee for this year's WBC are Justin Metcalf of Australia (Chair), Fritz Storm of Denmark, Jose Arreola of Mexico, Brent Fortune of the United States, Chris White of New Zealand, and Matts Johanssen of Sweden.


The baristas are evaluated on many factors.


On the sensory score sheet, for example, there are five parts to the sensory score of 164.


Part One--Espresso Evaluation
Taste evaluation:

• color of crema (hazelnut, dark brown, reddish reflection)
• consistency and persistence of crema
• taste balance (harmonious balance of sweet/acidic/bitter)
• tactile balance (full bodied, round, smooth)

Beverage presentation:

• all 4 espressos served simultaneously
• correct espresso cups used (60-90 ml. w/ a handle)
• served with accessories (spoon, sugar, napkin and water)

Part II--Cappuccino Evaluation
Taste evaluation of cappuccino:

• Visually correct cappuccino (traditional or latte art)
• Consistency and persistence of foam
• Taste balance (served at an acceptable temperature, a harmonious balance of rich sweet milk/espresso)

Beverage presentation:

• All 4 cappuccinos served simultaneously
• Correct cappuccino cups used (150-180 ml. w/ a handle)
• Served with accessories (spoon, sugar, napkin and water)

Part III--Signature Beverage Evaluation
Evaluation of Signature Beverage:

• Well explained and presented
• Appealing look (elegant, clean, usage of cup/glass)
• Creativity
• Taste balance (according to content, taste of espresso)

Beverage Presentation:

• All 4 signature beverages served simultaneously

Part IV--Barista Evaluation
Customer Service Skills:

• Presentation: Professionalism/Dedication/Passion
• Attention to details/All accessories available
• Appropriate apparel

Part V--Judge's Total Impression
Overall view of barista skills, taste of beverages, and presentation


On the technical score sheet, there are six parts that make up the score of 89.


Part I--Station Evaluation at Start-Up
Competition Area: Clean working area at start-up/Clean cloths


Part II--Espresso Evaluation
Technical Skills:

• Flushes the group head
• Dry/clean filter basket before dosing
• Acceptable spill/waste when dosing/grinding
• Consistent dosing and tamping
• Cleans porta filters (before insert)
• Immediate insert and brewing
• Extraction time (20-30 seconds)

Part III--Cappuccino Evaluation
Technical Skills:

• Flushes the group head
• Dry/clean filter basket before dosing
• Acceptable spill/waste when dosing/grinding
• Consistent dosing and tamping
• Cleans porta filters (before insert)
• Immediate insert and brewing
• Extraction time (20-30 seconds)

As you can see, a lot goes into the evaluation of a barista, and you can see why the competition lasts four days!

Good luck to all the competitors!