Tag Archive: coffee


I’ve attempted several Regular Features on Heavy Mental, but without much success. Not unlike Italian forms of government since WWII. I’ve tried read-alongs. I’ve tried retrospectives.

But this one is different: this go-round, I’m making  the time for it, once a week. I’ll be scribbling some reflections and ideas engendered from Coffee Wednesdays at the Waldorf School of Atlanta. It’s Wednesday, and I’ve had my coffee. So let’s get started.

Getting mugged at WSA. You're doing it right.

After dropping the young lad at school, I stayed, joining in the fun, bread, and beverages at Coffee Wednesdays. I got my java and homemade bread fix, had some insightful convos (Thanks, Nancy!), and made a new connection for my freelance writing business. The last one was a complete surprise — either a complete coincidence or a divinely coordinated arrangement.

I’ll bank on the latter.

You're doing it wrong.

I stayed to the end of the event and helped to carry a tray of coffee mugs (no Styrofoam(TM) found here!) up to the kitchen, taking the opportunity to talk with a fellow parent. It just turns out that her relative is a contract writer for a local agency and would be glad to pass on my 411 to the relative. Sweet — that’s organic networking at its finest.

To top off a great morning, on my way to the parking lot, I found myself behind Ms. Luba’s kindergarten class as they were heading back from their morning walk.

Ah, childhood: like each day, it’s so full of promise.

It’s been a week now, and I’m still sans coffee at work.  In its stead, tea is doing a good job as a stand-in, but it’s not quite up to the task of being coffee’s stunt double.  

I’ll admit that two days ago, I paid Starbucks a visit…my, but it was good.  And the donut didn’t hurt either. 

Still, my tea is a pleasure and not just for the taste.  That’s because the leaves I’m using now came from our last trip to Japan.  And drinking it, I’m reminded.  Insofar as I’m reminded, I’m mentally refreshed, too.  It’s a minute mental vacation.

I’m reminded of the humble, organic grocery store where we purchased the tea.  It was a walk from our hotel in Takayama, a growing city nestled in the Japanese Alps.  We’ve had occassion to visit over the years as we’ve returned to Takayama once every two or three years.  It’s been nice to see it grow, but pleasant in its constant offering of great products and kind employees.

This recent trip, I took some pictures, which I will have to post.  While their employees and products are local, they welcome foreigners.  My son felt quite comfortable in a new corner they had set up for children, letting me even wander out of sight–somethign he normally won’t do in new environments.

When we go back–perhaps next autumn–we’ll visit again.  I may run out of tea beforehand…I see a coffee relapse in my future.

Walking the block or so from my parking space to work is a small joy to me, but today it challenged my willpower.

Yesterday, I decided to substitute tea for coffee at work (those last two words are vital, people). Having taken my coffee and French press home yesterday, into work this morning I carried a bag with two pieces of left-over pizza, one strainer, and a jar of hojicha, a rather tasty Japanese tea.

Walking opposite me, slightly ahead and stepping lively in the same direction was another gent—obviously headed to the office, not unlike me. But very much unlike me, he carried a coffee in hand (or was the coffee carrying him?). Tell-tale white paper cup. Black writing. Cardboard insulating ring. White plastic top. Curse you, doppelganger. Curse you, Starbucks.

Dang, but a grande Americano with three Sugar in the Raw packets and a spot of half-n-half woulda hit the spot.

Why opt for green leaves over ground beans? Part cost, part health, part time. Yes, time. Like many of you perhaps, I enjoy the coffee ritual, the whole process. Beyond preparing your Joe like you like it, there’s something organic about brewing your own coffee (or tea). There’s a connection to it, which makes it more, well, more better.

At the office though, the brewing process is time-consuming when other matters call for my attention. There is also livery of grounds, milk, et. al to the office, to say nothing of cleaning the carafe. Yes, tea requires some of the same TLC, but TLC that weighs less on my wallet, health, and watch.

And at least my friend Java will still meet me

Tuesday mornings with Gary Gary Kool-aid

and Thursday afternoons with Oscar.OscarCoffee

I’ll have my tea…and my coffee, too.  That’s a nice balance, and it’s also an answer to an earlier post.

Cheers.