i almost forgot to mention...
because i am looking at purchasing a synesso, i would be especially interested to work with the synesso you have at your pioneer location, if that would be possible. that way i can get a feel for the machine and learn more from you guys your impression of its performance and the resulting experience in the cup. here in the netherlands there are quite a few Kees van der Westen machines that get used.

alex. it sounds indeed like i may have stumbled onto the correct barista. i have heard about trabant via coffeegeek podcasts and after checking out trabant's website, i am all the more interested in visiting the trabant locations during my stay in seattle. are there any special events or cuppings i should be aware of going on during any of the days between June1 and June9? with regards to being a guest barista at trabant, that sounds great. i will be available on sunday june1 from 1pm-4pm. please confirm my shift once you work out the schedule. also would you mind giving me your contact info so that i know who to call if i need extra info/directions? what will i need to bring with me for my shift? might participants in a shift get to take home a free bag of some fresh 49th parallel, per chance?
at this point i am still looking at other possible options regarding lodging, but i will keep the hostel in mind. in addition to my questions above, could you please let me know about the following:
does the hostel have a secure place for guests' belongings that is not accessible to the public? if so, please describe.
is it possible to reserve a bed for 4 nights in a row, and then for one more night a week later? what are the hostel's policies and terms regarding booking for a night that is not part of an earlier series of nights?
if i leave for a few days to vancouver and then come back to sleep one last night at the hostel, is there the possibility to leave my stuff secured in storage until i return for my last night? or will i have to take everything with me?
does the hostel get filled up very quickly from may30-june 9th? if so, when would be good to make reservations? is there a large risk of not getting a bed if i don't make a reservation beforehand?
do you have refrigerators/kitchen available for guests?
sorry for all the questions, but i couldn't find much information from the hostel's website, apart from pricing and reservation procedure.
looking forward to some delicious espressos,
ned

no shifts during the week? sat may work out, but maybe not- u district street fair is going to be blowing up on sat/sun.

hello alex.
my name is ned, a barista here in europe and i will be flying out from the netherlands to take my very first coffee tour of the NW, including seattle, vancouver, and portland. i will be arriving in seattle on friday, may 30th and would be needing a place to sleep for a few nights. i also plan on being in vancouver friday, june 6th and heading back to seattle on sunday, june 8th.
would you or anyone you know be interested in putting me up for a few nights? i wouldn't mind working a couple of hours at your shop, if need be, as it will give me a better feel for how various specialty coffee shops are trying to bring the world of specialty coffee to the american and canadian culture.
let me know if you would be interested.
-ned

Sorry- crazy day. How about next week?

word up pimp...good to see you trottin' around. When I first saw you at the party I wasn't sure if it was actually you or an imposter. Tell the Trabant folks I said what up. I'm gonna send some thangs to you cats.

Hey Alex- when's your next shift at t2? I'd love to get the lowdown on your coffeeing. Cheers

I was @ T2 - well... still am, but heading to Collins Pub to get my beer on...
and type an email or two...

did I mention beer?

I have tomorrow off from Trabant... but might have to work Metro, we'll see - the new girl needs a shift covered... sigh. I swear I pick up more slack than Danny DeVito's tailor...

that joke makes sense to probably just me.

that's awesome to hear!

um... not to be a sexist - but were they of the female gender by chance???

not much goin' on here fellow Baristo. ;)

just kickin' it at Collins Pub, havin' a nice stout that I can't even see through and munchin' on some Freedom Fries (can you tell that I enjoy semantics?)

let us know how Minnesota is treating you guys!

Peace

Yeah, I'm definitely going next year. If things go well, I'll compete.

Do you have a blog?

good luck with your training, i wish the best results in competitions.

Let's talk coffee! You ready for the UW coffee tasting?...

~ XOXOXO ~

yo holmes, check this tamp!

http://www.espressoparts.com/product/30COMP_SKULL_EBONY/Compressore_Espresso_Tamp_with_Skull_and_Crossbones_Art_Inlay__Ebony_Wood.html

and then lend it to me! ;D