Response to the ignorant bystander: "Why do you bitch about your job if you like coffee so much?""

This is an excerpt from the longer three page response that I gave when asked this question...

"Coffee is a funny thing. The second most mass-produced legal narcotic, under cigarettes, that is naturally addictive and in many ways (proven by science) to be beneficial to your health. I drink anywhere between one and ten cups of coffee a day, and yes I know many of you might be thinking after reading up to this point that I should seriously consider decaf, but fuck it. I’m not here to impress anyone. Coffee is delicate (much like good wine or beer), and holds properties that are distinctive to its growing region. Its true characteristics can only be found when roasted and cupped to its potential. When a coffee isn’t given proper treatment, it won’t give you proper results. Coffee is an art, not a commodity, and with any type of art it has to be appreciated to a certain extent. The reason why I enjoy this tasty black slosh is not only because I know more than most about it, but also because it has never wronged me in any way. Both wine and beer have placed me into oblivion in some instance or another, and while I still drink both to great lengths, the happiness can only last so long. Not with coffee. Instead of bringing me down, it picks me up. Many a mornings I wake to find coffee a Savior from the effects of the alcoholic beverages consumed not hours before. Energy ensues…on top of that, it brings people together for long (or short) periods of time, whether it be a quick pick me up with a friend, to those extensive conversations with someone who either won’t shut up or you actually enjoy being around for more than twenty minutes at a time. Coffee has been a catalyst for social gatherings for many generations ("penny universities") and will continue to become more and more popular as the years go on. Why then do I hate my job so much?

Because I hate sharing such a beautiful, god given luxury with people who don’t appreciate it. Coffee is an art- an ARTisan craft- not a commodity. Never forget that.

Fuck Folgers."

Quick Question

Something crossed my mind while I was walking to class the other day that raised an interesting question: Are men's legs genetically less attractive than women's, or do women really spend that much time making their legs look attractive?

Now I can't say for sure what kind of reaction I would expect from such a question...and it would be assuming to think that most of you would say 'no' and 'yes...they do', which is why I'm throwing it out there. To be honest, I can find arguments for both sides, so I'd be interested to hear what you guys think. More so, I hope to confirm with any women that this may be true, that they do spend a horrible amount of time on their legs...

A Moment From 'The Book'

Jack put his head down between his arms, careful not to look suspicious, and pretended to sleep.

"Let him nap. Come along children," the teacher contently motioned her class toward the EXIT, much like sheep being guided from a pen to pasture, and waited till every last nose-picker was out of the room before quietly shutting the door. Jack was smart to let time pass before revealing his bluff, as the teacher reentered the classroom moments later to shut off the lights. With one last glance in Jack's direction, the teacher smirked at the thought of being a child again; so innocent, so unaware...a distant feeling. This brought a warm glaze over the caring teacher's emotion, and blocked any suspicion that may have 'blipped' her ignorant attention. In a moment of nostalgia, Jack had tricked his foe, and was left as the lone conquistador of a room filled with things yet to be discovered by him.

As Jack lifted his head, he shook off the tired from his eyes, squished his cheeks to even out the blood showing too much red, and soon a smile spread across the young deviant's face.

Oh teacher, he thought, so innocent, so unaware...

The popular trend today seems to be 'getting by'; like everyone just hopes to live another day without worry of being able to live. Or maybe that's just me...

I have been known to make distractions for such things as worries before, and each time bettering the promise for hope although little hope for progress exists. Today, being. Yesterday, being. Tomorrow, being. Good God let's not go this direction again. Time is my enemy...and so I digress.

Or, perhaps, not digress. Truly, work is my enemy, but time is so much easier to blame. Wasting time is what I'm best at, and making excuses is how I survive...

Period, end of story.

Alice in Wonderland

I don't know about any of you but I am extremely excited to watch the new Alice in Wonderland movie by Tim Burton. All of his movies are soo interesting and creative. He is able to create a story that was made specifically for children into something that people of all ages are going to want to watch. I wonder why no one has attempted to create and Alice in Wonderland that was not a cartoon and if they have it probably was not good enough to become popular because I don't remember any being made. Anyways I am going to see it the day it comes out and I heard someone where it is in 3D which if it is would make it even better.

school school school

I have realized that trying hard in highschool is completely different than trying hard in college. I don't really know if I am doing really well in any of my classes and I feel like I really need to step up my game but maybe its too late. The semester is almost over but I guess there isn't ever a too late. I am soooo stressed out about it and don't know what to do. I'm sure lots of other freshman feel the same stress I do but it seems like I am the only one who is freaking out about this. Maybe someone of you freshman can relate a little bit who knows....back to studying haha.

"Permeating Poetry"

Ok so I have been working on a style of poetry that I like to call 'permeating poetry', where the poem itself gives off this spreading-like feeling to the reader, even though the meaning is obvious. I attempt to do this by using couplets and (strategically placed) breaks, which proved to be better later even though I was skeptical at first. It may take a couple of times before you get what I'm talking about, only because you have to kind of find that flow in the reading as you go, which means read it out-loud if you so choose to read it at all...enjoy.

I See You, Day-by Travis Barbour

I see you. I see you

Day. I see you through

The dying night, the moon

Hiding in the horizon, sewn

Under the break of Dawn;

Collecting dew, the leaves have drawn,

Swaying delicately in the breeze

Amongst the colored trees

That paint a portrait proud

And cheer the autumn loud,

For me. Here a new

Day breaks; the fortunate few

Who wake to greet it,

Take on the morning bit

By bit and find me

Standing quietly. A plea

(To which I rather enjoy)

Makes the daylong ploy

Worthwhile. Forever

Will the natural endeavor

Bring tears to my eyes,

And in great merriment, lies

Beneath the sun. Oh

Knowing Mother Earth stow

Your beauty in the minds

Of those who wish to find

Peace again. For when

The time comes in trend

That this joyous day will

End, and all the world ill

Of night will call, in

Unison, for a new day to begin.

"Cheers."

-Chucho