From the Coffee Front

Okay, so I've done a million things in the last couple of months and haven't really told you much of anything. So this post will be very hodge-podge. No apologies though. As selfish as I may seem, I told myself early into this blog that it wouldn't become a chore. And because I make no apologies- it hasn't! ;) No offense, I still love anyone who is actually interested in reading it... but as much as I don't want to blog out of obligation- I don't want you to read out of obligation. Ergo- we both leave this URL guilt free whenever we choose to visit it!

So, back in April... I had the opportunity to work at the SCAA and WBC! Not only did Monin pay me bank, but I got to meet my coffee-crush.... (despite making a fool out of myself). The whole weekend was such the to-do... we were waking up early, truckin down to the Georgia World Congress Center, making drinks all day, networking, after parties every night, and watching people compete for one of the most alluring positions! The World Barista Championship! Coffee is a world so much deeper than one could ever know. It's like walking into a pool; first, you hit the shallow end where you don't have to really think about anything... the "bux" even knows your order most days... then you go a little deeper and discover you're not sure what you want...you've tried different things and aren't sure if you want to add sugar or not... then you go even deeper and you realize coffee can be made in so many more ways than you ever knew possible... and you don't need the sugar or milk to make it taste good... but this pool never ends- there is always something new to be discovered!

... and I step down from my soapbox...

How did I make a fool of myself to James? Well, I'm not much of a socialite... but I did end up a one or two of the evening parties. There he was, approachable and not busy... my lovely friend, Jon, pushed me towards him and said, "Go talk to him!" ... I fumbled toward James wanting to tell him how much I respect his coffee journey, what a great job he did in 2007, etc etc... but do you know what came out of my mouth?! "Hi James! I'm Emily... I think you look like Harry Potter" - WHAT?! What in the world was going on in my head?! I'd like to blame Jon for the stupidity that whirled out of my brain and right onto poor James. Who says that?! Thankfully, James (now referred to as "HP" by my fellow coffee friends) handled it so graciously and laughed it off, asking me, (with his British accent) "The actor or the actual character? I'm not sure if one can look like a fictional character..." I told him to trust me that it was a good thing... and somehow was able to walk away from the conversation without peeing my pants and melting from sheer embarrassment. Well, the rest of the weekend I would run into HP and awkwardly wave and walk away... what an idiot?!

...moving on...

Most life changing thing to happen as a result of that weekend? Jon and I, with the support of my amazing husband, have decided to start our own little business! We have been working very hard on a media kit and finding clients; it has been quite the adventure. The name of our business? Solido Espresso (pronounced 'so-lee-dough'). We are a mobile espresso bar that caters to events from weddings to corporate parties... any event that wants to experience the sound art of coffee... talk to me if you're interested ;)

My husband took pictures at the last latte art competition I competed in, here are a few: