Bruce Lee Adama

I kind of figured at some point I would sit down and write about my life. Invariably, the as-yet unwritten memoir wouldn't just be a coming of age story (lasting two or three or more decades), but it would showcase my not quite assimilation into North American Caucasoid life. What this has to do with espresso or making coffee isn't entirely clear or direct, but I'm a barista; we'll start from there and hope it gets more relevant. About a month ago a friend of mine caught me looking at Nick Cho'… Continue

Sick days are amazing blessings in disguise. I don't even remember the last time I drank coffee and savored the taste without feeling I had to find some nuances in the cup. I have heard that smell is the strongest sense tied to memory; I should have known that gustation would come a close second. A lot of Central and South American coffees taste like a savory broth to me. When I get to them they are more than lukewarm, but not quite hot--a lot like the broth brought to me in bed by my mom or dad… Continue

It's getting harder to find time for myself. At a time in my life when I want to meet everyone and do everything, it's increasingly hard to be anywhere and not run into someone I know. It's a good thing to know people professionally who eventually become your friends, but when your friends are also your co-workers, well things can get sticky. It's not trouble nor insurmountable, but it's definitely hard to avoid business when seeking pleasure. My current search is for the fabled "Third Place."… Continue

110 miles in the span of 90 minutes and I'm thinking, "I got to be on the road less."

These deliveries, these in-person "How do you do's?" are fantastic, but they begin to wear and some point. It's subtle, you know, like when you realize the music in the background's stopped playing, or when you see a dent in your car and wonder "has that always been there?" My buns kiss cushion a whole hell of a lot--by the way, this isn't a complaint. I'm just saying I drive a lot so you understand t… Continue