JacketFlap connects you to the work of more than 200,000 authors, illustrators, publishers and other creators of books for Children and Young Adults. The site is updated daily with information about every book, author, illustrator, and publisher in the children's / young adult book industry. Members include published authors and illustrators, librarians, agents, editors, publicists, booksellers, publishers and fans. Join now (it's free).
Login or Register for free to create your own customized page of blog posts from your favorite blogs. You can also add blogs by clicking the "Add to MyJacketFlap" links next to the blog name in each post.
Blog Posts by Tag
In the past 7 days
Blog Posts by Date
Click days in this calendar to see posts by day or month
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: coffee, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 26 - 50 of 100
How to use this Page
You are viewing the most recent posts tagged with the words: coffee in the JacketFlap blog reader. What is a tag? Think of a tag as a keyword or category label. Tags can both help you find posts on JacketFlap.com as well as provide an easy way for you to "remember" and classify posts for later recall. Try adding a tag yourself by clicking "Add a tag" below a post's header. Scroll down through the list of Recent Posts in the left column and click on a post title that sounds interesting. You can view all posts from a specific blog by clicking the Blog name in the right column, or you can click a 'More Posts from this Blog' link in any individual post.
I asked the wonderful Shelley if I could do this write up and she graciously said yes. Ten minutes later I wondered, Dude, what are they eating? In The Cistern the main characters own and work at a restaurant, so it should be pretty simple.
I have worked in the restaurant industry for nearly 10 years and have always been amazed at the variety of the characters you find working there, as well as the crazy things that can go on, so I of course wanted to write something that took place mostly in and around a restaurant. I had started a few ideas, mostly dealing with life and love, but none of it was really working. I put the idea in a back file in my brain and went on.
A couple of years ago my wife got a part-time gig cleaning dealing with foreclosed houses. The job was supposed to be simple: take pictures of the building, inspect it, take note of any damage, clean it out and collect the cash. House #1 had been abandoned for a year. Going inside we were amazed at how much stuff was left behind. Shoes, kitchen toys, a dining room set, kids skateboard, family photos, little kids drawings, one kids report card, candles…it was as if the family had to get out of Dodge in a hurry. Right away the story ideas started churning. What happened to the family? Where did they go? As we searched the main floor the ideas were bubbling and preparing to erupt. Then we went into the basement.
If you read chapter #4 in The Cistern, Chrys and Spencer go to what they refer to as “The Creepy House” and pretty much do the same walk-through that my wife and I did. And in the basement they find the same peculiar thing we did.
“Ah, Chrys.”
The hairs on her arms felt electrified at just the way her brother said her name. He was already moving forward.
Spencer felt drawn to walk around these inside walls. There had to be a door or something. There had to be a reason for them to be there. He said, “This is a concrete room. The walls don’t go up.”
“What?”
“They don’t go all the way to the ceiling.”
“What? Why?”
Here in Saskatchewan there are many old houses with cisterns in them. They are basically reservoirs for collecting rain water that can be used for many household things that don’t need filtration and all that. The tank at the back of your toilet is a cistern. This one happened to be about 10’ on each side and 6’ high with a trap door on top. The ideas burst through the damn.
I decided to put some old character ideas I had (it was actually a couple originally) but make them a brother and sister. I brought back the restaurant idea and The Alcrest Mysteries were born.
Food is an important part to developing the characters. Yes, I’m counting The Alcrest Gastropub as a character as well as the main ones Spencer (chef and owner) and Chrys (server and constant eater). It starts from Chrys adding hot chocolate powder to her coffee to what Spencer puts on the menu. There are even a couple of bonus recipes in the paperback. What they personally eat has not been completely delved into yet. Restaurant workers are notorious for eating crap. Spencer’s favorite late night snack, for instance, is Chocolate Frosted Pop tarts (toasted) and a bowl of chocolate ice cream. Chrys, on the other hand, is also a dance instructor and jammer for a local roller derby team, so she tends to try and eat healthy. Not to mention she rarely pays for her own food, so eating in their restaurant or others is a constant treat.
Chrys and Spencer are just regular people living regular lives amongst outrageous circumstances. And, if you ask Spencer, amazing food courtesy of The Alcrest Gastropub.
Thanks for returning to share more food for thought, Lorne!
A bunch of people who participated in my Awesome Art Journaling Class, started a Sketchbook exchange project. They made a list of people who participate, we all bought a small journal, filled a page and sent it to the next person on the list. When receiving someone's sketchbook, we fill a page and send it, and again and so on. This is one of the pages I filled - in the traveling sketchbook which will end up back at the owner who lives in Italy, and I know she's a coffee lover, like I am. Pretty obvious what to do with a page in her journal then:
This is another one I did for this project:
It will take while before I receive my filled sketchbook, but I am very curious and excited that it will be filled with art from all over the world!
0 Comments on A Sketchbook Exchange Project as of 7/25/2014 9:50:00 AM
Most of my audience knows me as an author and speaker, but few are familiar with my poetry.
My poetry is as diverse as my other writings – the meter, subject matter and innate rhythms vary greatly. The one I’ve chosen to share now is one of my earlier poems. It is freeform with a distinctly feminine subject. It was inspired on a rather lonely, rainy day several years ago while I was contemplating the view from my window. I felt a most interesting swirl of emotions, that encompassed isolation, peace, sadness, hope and wonder all rolled into a kaleidoscope of feeling that came out on paper in the form you are about to read.
In particular, for the purpose of Shelley's blog I'd like to say that certain foods will inspire me to write. Which ones often depends on the mood of the day. In this particular case, it was a hot cup of coffee with my favorite creamer, coupled with a fresh, warm buttermilk biscuit and jam. Feeding my body certain things that make me smile helps me write with passion and from the heart. And through my writing I feed my soul as well. Perhaps that's this writer's personal meaning of "soul food"!
I hope you enjoy it, and I look forward to receiving any comments you'd like to share. My sincere thanks to Shelley Workinger for allowing me the privilege being a guest on her blog!
A MOTHER’S LOVE
The sound of the rain pounds against the beating of my heavy heart. Would that it could be lightened… By a soft, sweet voice, a tender word, a hand extended. I watch the water meet the earth under a gloomy sky. It matches the mood. A tear rolls down my cheek as I look up and notice the droplets clinging to the needles of the pine, and perched high in the branches of the weeping willow, glistening like diamonds for the taking. As if in answer to my plea, the wind gently moves the boughs as a hoot owl sounds its acknowledgment. One by one, the droplets fall offering to me something precious, something right there within my grasp if I will only reach for it. I am uplifted. Nature beckons, and I feel the Mother’s hand caress my chin. “Do not be sad, daughter,” she says. “I am here. I will guide you. My jewels will adorn you. And our hearts will be forever as one. Rejoice. For when you are with me, all is possible.”
Thanks for stopping by to share your food for thought, Gilda!
GILDA EVANS started her first business while in college at the age of 20, which she sold at a profit when she was 24. Winning her first poetry contest at the tender age of 9 and her first essay contest at 10, writing and speaking have always been natural forms of expression for her.
Her first business was followed by two years of teaching lighting design at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. The long and winding road then led Gilda to begin her stint as a television writer/producer/director, working for such venues as CBS, HBO, Showtime and Warner Brothers. It was during this time that she also met and married her children’s father. Twelve plus years and three Emmy and Ace award nominations later, Gilda left the TV industry to devote herself to her family.
Unfortunately, the happily ever after was not to be back then, and after a fourteen year marriage she found herself going through a divorce. It was at that point she decided to reinvent herself and her career. Her myriad of experiences comes to the forefront in GIRL TALK…a book series twenty years in the making whose time has finally come. As Gilda likes to say, “I have a PhD in relationships from the school of life!” She is also working on a YA novel series, THE ALTERNATES.
In my previous posts, I've talked about my ongoing self portrait project, and how I stumbled into an extra challenge of doing Film Themed Selfies.
So far, I've been pretty devoted doing these. I am doing a self portrait each day, and if I feel like it, I'll give it a whirl and draw myself as a film character.
Below, you'll hopefully recognize Sandy from Grease, and a scene from Spiderman too...
Some days are better than others. Didn't really like the muddy result of the 'Pride and Prejudice' Selfie, and the whole sketchbook spread is kind of bland. But on Facebook, I posted that quick selfie on the bottom left, and someone said: is that Nurse Ratched? Which gave me an idea for the next journal entry!
So there she is. And on Facebook, someone else suggested I could do a 'Rocky' selfie. So I did. I made that one after a super intensive thai boxing training, so yeah, I could really bring that feeling of triumph onto the paper.
Just so you know: I am teaching a 4-week online workshop on art journaling, starting 26 May. If you'd like to join for only $69, click here
0 Comments on Film Themed Selfies in my journal as of 5/23/2014 12:16:00 PM
I feel like a celebrity! Check out this interview by Stephanie Levy, who gave me a push forward two years ago in the very first round of her fantastic ecourse Creative Courage.
I am determined to meet her in person in Berlin, where she lives, one day in the near future, and have a cup of coffee with her.
0 Comments on Interview! as of 3/24/2014 7:47:00 AM
A while ago I had a little chat with someone about my online classes, and about her art. She told me that she hasn't got a style of her own and gets frustrated about it often. I totally understand the frustration, but at the same time, even though I never saw any of her work, I knew she was being too hard on herself. Just like we all have our own handwriting, our style, even when still developing (I sure hope so, because as an artist, you're never 'done' learning and developing), we also have our own style. Even if it's not that distinct (yet) Searching for the right path, the right way and the most suitable skills and techniques, you might just be overlooking that 'je ne sais quoi' that is solely yours.
And then there's this too: as an artist, you gotta give yourself some credit! Of course, you need to be your own critic about what you make, but also: there's always that inner critic that can really nag inside your head, and put you down. Saying that what you're doing is crap, or should be perfect. I bet you know what I'm talking about.
I found this quote by Harriet Braiker, that I think is very suitable: 'Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing'.
Do you love the quote as much as I do?
Let's just stop perfectionism. It's not like it's going to bring us anywhere than in frustration mode.
If you want, I can give you a little push in the right direction, by handing you practical tips and teaching you about various drawing skills that can make you more confident about your art. on March 17, my online drawing course 'Just Draw It' starts, and you can join in the 5 weeks of drawing fun for only $99
Want to know more? Click here to read about the course and enroll today!
0 Comments on Just stop it as of 3/8/2014 7:00:00 AM
Owl coffee mug for Open Road Brands. These were produced last spring and sold through Home Goods, small retailers and gift shops. Retailers looking to stock them can contact Open Roads by clicking here.
5 Comments on Owl Coffee Mugs, last added: 1/12/2014
Last night I went out and drank wine with old friends, and made some new ones along the way. Two of my favorite things to do.
A lot has changed since I’ve lived in this part of LA. Happily there are many more places to hang out with friends and drink wine and microbrews What does this have to do with a local coffee house, you ask? Well, survival.
One of the best parts about where I live now is that my church, a great little bakery, a coffee house, a spa and a cheap little, very bustling breakfast place are all within walking distance. There are some great hiking trails too. I told Sue, the owner of my local coffee house, that if it wasn’t for her croissants and tuna salad sandwiches, I wouldn’t be alive today. She smiled and said she really appreciated the compliment. Her place is as charming as she is. The people on the sun-drenched patio all engage in the news of the day. But there was trouble brewing. You see, even though Starbucks has a store a mall over, they felt the need to place an additional drive-through satellite Starbucks about thirty yards away from Sue’s place. Petitions were circulated, but by the time I’d come to town construction was just about complete.
So, what did Sue do? She decided to turn her place into a wine bar at night. Last night was the soft opening of her “after dark” business. I had a wonderful Pinot Noir from Oregon which I enjoy, called Acrobat. The place was packed . My friends and I had parted ways earlier that night, so I was just stopping by to show my support on my way home. The small plates she served looked great. Next time I’ll have to try one.
Two days ago the Starbucks drive-thru opened. I’d gotten a coffee earlier in the day yesterday, my favorite Jamaican-Me-Crazy, and watched the cars pull up to the drive-thru one after the other, there was quite a line of cars. The people around me were all very friendly. It was as if we were all answering the silent question, why? One lady said, well it’s easier for moms with small children to get drive-thru coffee. True. One lady just shrugged and threw up her hands. Sue has expanded her business and now works double time to survive. If you are in the area and want to get out of your car to meet one charming business woman, with an almost biblical sense of grace under pressure, check out Sue’s place.
0 Comments on Goliath’s Skinny Latte battles David’s Jamaican-Me-Crazy: a tale of coffee, wine and survival as of 10/26/2013 2:18:00 PM
I found another lost post this morning. Since I’m too tired to walk, I will just pretend that this was today!!
This morning I went for a nice walk. I almost always end up in a coffee shop sometime during my walks. Coffee shops draw me in. They are full of people and people are interesting! Everyone of them has a story. While sitting in Ziggies this morning I see mostly men. Sitting across from me is a man with shining white hair. He is bent over the newspaper and chasing down his seeded bagel with warm coffee. His newspaper is spread out before him. I wonder what he did for a living when he was working. Is he married? Is he widowed? What did he look like when he was a little boy? Where did he live? What is his story?
The man in front of me is graying, but not retired. He has his work papers spread out before him and he looks entirely too serious for this time of the morning. He has a real coffee cup, not a paper one. He has on a nice dress shirt, Dockers, matching socks and black dress shoes. He could be a lawyer or even a teacher. I try to guess.
As I sip my coffee I watch the two girls behind the counter making a tall whip creamy chocolate drink for a young girl who looks to be a track star. Miss track star leaves and more customers pour in. None of them stay, all leave for work or play.
There is one more man sitting on the couch. His white curly beard is out of control. He has a vacant stare as he drinks his coffee slowly. I wonder about him. Has he anyone to love him? Another man sits down on the couch across from him and Mr. Vacant begins talking about the fire that has been on the news and then he chats about the hot summer forecast in the newspaper. The other man barely listens to him. Mr. Vacant goes back to his vacant stare. I feel sorry for him. Does he have family? Does anyone care about him?
And so that is my coffee shop morning. I am off to finish my day. It will be full with drawing chickens and preparing for my visit to NY. Still, I will remember my morning walk and those people who crossed my path.
pva accounts for craigslist said, on 7/7/2013 1:01:00 PM
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a
famous blogger if you are not already Cheers!
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 7/7/2013 3:21:00 PM
Why thank you very much. I hope you will come again sometime. The world is such a nice place with friends in it.
Who doesn't love moseying around bookshops? Perusing shelves packed with books, resting your weary limbs in the nearest and squishiest armchair, then leaving laden down with beautiful tomes to pore over when you get home. We're getting misty eyed at the thought of it.
Anyway, if you didn't know, today is July 4th. To many, it's Independence Day. To us, it's INDEPENDENT'S DAY (admire the subtlety of what we've done there folks. To read more about Independent Booksellers Week, head here.) We've taken a moment to praise the independent bookshop, and below are three examples of our favourites.
If you have a suggestion or would like to contribute to the blog, please tweet us or comment below. Tell us about your favourites, we want to hear about bookshops in farflung places, tiny bookshops that few people know about, or simply a bookshop you love to while away the hours in, wherever it may be.
After walking down Gloucester Road, I can’t imagine a sight more
welcome than the dusty blue of the Slightly Foxed awning. If Gloucester Road is
a cultural desert (and it is), then the Slightly Foxed Bookshop is an oasis.
Slightly Foxed published the first issue of their quarterly
literary magazine in 2003, and in 2009 they took over the Gloucester Road
bookshop. It’s an extension of the sensibilities of the magazine – they stock
an eclectic selection of new releases, and all manner of second hand books. It
feels as though they might operate nightclub style one in, one out policy –
there aren’t shelves full of the latest bestsellers, but there’s one each of
the new Pulp the Classics editions, and they sit in the window above Caitlin
Moran, a James Bond novel, and Mark Mason’s Walk
the Lines. Sure, it’s a motley crew, but one that completely makes sense.
It reads like the rest of the collection; intelligent, witty, and clearly
curated by people who love the books they stock. There’s a shelf full of
Slightly Foxed hardbacks – searingly bright wibbalin encases some great
writing. And with only 2000 of each title printed, they’re collectable as well
as covetable.
And downstairs! Oh, downstairs. If you’re a self-indulgent
Penguin employee (and I definitely am) it’s well worth sitting at the bottom of
the steps and looking through all the Penguin Paperbacks. Beyond that – as if
you could need more – there are shelves and shelves of second hand and antique
books – art books, biographies, travel and food writing. It’s all there, and
it’s an abundance of quality and quantity.
I spent about half an hour at Slightly Foxed, just browsing.
It was only when I left that I realised that the two people who worked there
hadn’t interrupted once – I don’t think they cared at all whether we bought anything;
they were just pleased to see people paying their books so much attention.
Slightly Foxed pitch their magazine as ‘the real reader’s
quarterly’. The Slightly Foxed Bookshop is the real reader’s bookshop.
I only recently discovered Book & Kitchen whilst
wandering around the streets just off Portobello Road one weekend. I have just
moved into a new flat there and was trying to scope out the charms of the local
area – not exactly challenging in Notting Hill, you’ll agree (yep, I’m already
a smug West Londoner).
The store has a strange but balanced composite of
aesthetics; bright contemporary colours and modishly upholstered armchairs share
space with a fully functioning vintage typewriter and record player whose
needle wobbles and crackles over an old vinyl.
The spirit and energy is immediately evident, not only from
the décor, but the staff as well. Book & Kitchen’s owner and front of
house, Muna Khogali, is super friendly and passionate about what she’s doing
and could no doubt hand sell every book in the store with her enthusiasm. Plus
she’ll also make you a coffee and a slice of cake downstairs! When was the last
time that happened when you were browsing in [name redacted for legal reasons].
That’s the ‘kitchen’ bit in the name by the way, just in case, you know, you
were thinking they also sold splash backs and graphite worktops.
What I like most is that the books are allowed to showcase
themselves. There are no shouty sales promotions or merchandising that makes
you immediately aware of the publishers (yes, I fully realise the hypocrisy
here). It is assumed that you know what you are looking for, and if not, you
are given as much time as you need to discover something new. 31
All Saints Rd, W11. Be about
it.
A little like Joe (see above), when I first moved to the part of London I now call home, I spent (and still spend) an inordinate amount of time wandering about the place, often lost. It was on one of these adventures that I stumbled across Pages of Hackney. Attractive exterior: check. Local notices in the window: check. Wonderful assortment of books, old and new, plus small dog: check. It is a proper book shop.
If, like me, you're interested in London's history, especially the local stuff, there is so much to sink your teeth into. The history books are right in front of you when you go in, and you can find pretty much everything there. I recently bought a great little book on Blake's London by Iain Sinclair, and a copy of Craig Taylor's brilliant Londoners for a friend. There are lots of more obscure titles too, but I won't bore you with them all, you'll have to go and check the selection out yourself.
Finally, get thee to the basement (a treasure trove of vast proportions) and hats off if you can resist the lure of classic Penguin books and vintage Marvel comics. They run great events in there too. Before I descend into even more hyperbole, here's why Pages gets my vote:
1. It smells right. New and old book smell = nice.
2. It's quiet, calming and no-one bothers you if you just want to get your head down and browse (but people are friendly and suitably informed if you fancy a chat).
3. Did I mention Merlin the dog?
By Natalie Williams, Digital Marketing Executive | @natalie_rw
It would be remiss to talk about independent bookshops without mentioning the Paris institution that is Shakespeare and Company. Here's a post on our On the Strand blog from last year that you may find interesting.
Finally, for our London followers, here's a handy map to the great and good of London's independent bookstores. Enjoy, and happy Independents Day! #independentsday
There is nothing like a nice cup of steamy hot coffee with cream and conversation with friends. Since all my friends are working or busy, I am having coffee with my other friends. Today it is Toola. … and no, she is not sharing that second cup with me. She likes two cups of coffee at one time. It’s kind of hard to get her to sit down (obviously), but we must love our friends no matter what!! It takes a lot of interesting people to make a world. Enjoy your day!
LOVE your characters! They make my heart smile! Stella & Patryck
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 5/20/2013 5:23:00 AM
Thank you sweet Stella!
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 5/20/2013 5:25:00 AM
I must ask you, how did Patryck do this year in college? It was so good to see you both at his graduation and now it’s been a yea since I’ve seen you! How are you feeling? Love you friend!!
Pajama Day! I love the thought. A day to stay inside, kick back, and coast. A day for breakfast in bed! Toast, eggs, coffee with cream and strawberries on the side with a good book or magazine to follow! Aaaahhhhh!!
As much as I love the idea, I rarely do it! The last Pajama Day I had was when I had the flu three years ago! ha! I suppose it is because I associate pajamas with the END of the day, with going to sleep. … and personally, I would rather be AWAKE!
Perhaps I will get in my pajamas just before dinner. Perhaps I will make eggs, toast, coffee with cream and strawberries on the side for dinner and cozy up with my good book for the evening. Yes, Pajama Night!!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY, eric! i just saw that I CAN SEE JUST FINE and HIDING ERIC are coming out this fall! can't wait to get them! CONGRATS, CONGRATS! they look fantastic! "-)
Finding Lucas centers around Jamie Ross, a 32 year old associate television producer for Chicago’s sleaziest daytime talk show. She’s just about ready to end her toxic five year relationship with her bad boy turned metrosexual boyfriend and head off on a hilarious and life changing hunt to track down the love who got away. And Jamie wouldn’t be the fiery and sassy woman she is without her beloved and holistically nutritious family.
Jamie is a coffee loving carnivore and the total opposite of her health conscious mother, Leah, a crystal healer and colonic herbalist who shuns coffee, meat, sugar and anything chemical. Jamie, on the other hand, craves anything that Leah thinks might be bad for her body.
I created these two diametrically opposed eaters because of my own struggle to eat healthier and make sense of the organic world. I have always believed that everything is okay in moderation, be it meat, cheese, coffee and sugar. However, it’s interesting that my husband and many friends are vegetarians, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law grow their own food and have chickens to lay eggs and most of my loved ones are very aware of what they eat. In Jamie, I created a food rebel.
Growing up in a warm, loving and toxin free environment, Jamie always felt like she didn’t quite belong. And without her daily dose of caffeine, Jamie would never make it through the day. Navigating a difficult childhood with parents unlike any others in her suburban neighborhood, Jamie ate spelt bread and soy milk for snacks (in the 90s!) and distanced herself from her family as much as she could.
Food plays a major role in one of the most talked about scenes in Finding Lucas when Jamie, her stepmother, sister and Leah are all having lunch with Jamie’s boss, Andrew.
"Do you want some tea, Andrew?" Katie asks as she pulls five mugs down from the shelf.
"Do you have any coffee?" he asks.
Four heads swivel to look at him in shock.
"That word is blasphemy in this house. No caffeine, no sugar, no meat. But there is a vast assortment of tea," I tell him.
"Um, sure, tea would be great then. I feel so damn good. I haven't felt this loose in," and he rubs his chin, "huh, years. I haven't felt this relaxed in years."
"That's funny. David does that," Leah says to Andrew with interest.
"Dad does what?" I ask.
"Rubs his chin with one hand when he's thinking about something."
"Oh, that's just one of my little habits. I also grind my jaw like Jamie."
"Do you have a navel ring like Rachel's?" I ask.
"No. But I do have a tattoo on my hip. Katie saw it," he says and winks at Katie who flushes with pleasure.
Where did Mr. Charm come from? Jeez, he is just full to the brim with surprising character traits.
"Could I have some tea too, please?" I ask.
I don't want to sit at the kitchen table and chitchat about Andrew's tattoo because before he knows it, they'll have convinced him to take off his pants to show them.
"Of course, love. Katie, mix in a little of that mulch we bought. Jamie's color needs some perking up," Leah says and peers at my pores.
"Just plain tea, please."
I move my face back so she'll stop inspecting me. It's embarrassing.
How people eat relates to how they see the world and their place in it. Jamie just wants to find hers. And though she goes through a major transformation and comes to appreciate her family more than she ever has, you’ll still never find her without a cup of coffee plastered to her lips.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your food for thought, Samantha!
Great post! I'm like you - I believe in everything in moderation but unlike you, I think being a vegetarian might be a deal breaker for me as far as a prospective husband!
Oh, what we do for love! Luckily, no one ever says anything about my love of meat because it is such a part of who I am. But, yes, dinnertime, especially with two kids, is a bit of a circus!
First another rant. Just returned from a coffee shop for a quick caffeine pick-me-up and once again encountered a coffee mug related problem. As a writer, a coffee or tea break is an important tool in the thinking process. If and whenever possible, I opt for a 'real' china mug rather than a paper cup. Somehow, and maybe it's my imagination, hot beverages including tea always seem to retain better flavor in a non-paper receptacle.
At this particular chain, customers are given a mug in which to pour their own coffee with unlimited refills. As the server handed over the mug, couldn't help but notice that the rim was slightly chipped.
ME Excuse me but this mug is chipped
There was a thirty second silence between us while we stared into each other's eyes. Sort-of a coffee-shop-stare-down. Glancing down, she grabbed another mug, passed it to me and took off to chat with another server.
Meanwhile, walking over to fill up the mug with coffee, I saw there were stains inbedded on the sides.
ME TO SERVER This mug is stained. See? Look at the sides...
SERVER (grabbing another mug absent-mindedly) This is as good as it's gonna get.
Let's just say it was passable but only just. 'As good as it's gonna get?' That's a good explanation?
The problem, in my humble opinion, is that a large portion of coffee drinkers have opted to be satisfied with a paper cup. We have turned into a population of mobile coffee drinkers who prefer to walk while they drink, rather than take the time to sit down and experience the pleasure of sipping coffee from a proper drinking receptacle. Proper drinking mugs and cups are becoming obsolete and coffee shops focus on their paper cup customers. Rant over and back to the real heart of the situation.
In spite of a concerted effort to work on my playwriting, my brain seems to be neutral. In assessing the situation, I'm thinking here that perhaps it's due to my physical location away from home base where ideas and dialogue seem to flow endlessly. Not that the current atmosphere isn't conducive to writing but the change, at least for me, isn't for the better. In my normal setting, there is a window next to the computer set-up and somehow staring out of the window at the passing scene inspires the part of my brain that produces ideas and concepts. Most of my time these days is spent staring at the computer screen, accompanied by the occasional line or two, which is frequently deleted shortly thereafter. Presumably and hopefully, upon my return to my usual environment, the words will flow like water. Or not.
“I tell my students there is such a thing as ‘writer’s block,’ and they should respect it. You shouldn’t write through it. It’s blocked because it ought to be blocked, because you haven’t got it right now.” —Toni Morrison
Yup.
0 Comments on Some thoughts about coffee mugs and inspiration as of 1/30/2013 3:50:00 PM
"Coffee makes it possible to get out of bed. Cupcakes make it worthwhile." - unknown author.
I worked on this yesterday, so haven't had a chance to properly clean it up. You're getting pretty much the raw deal here! I'd normally finish it off by moving around and smoothing out the words and letters, but as I haven't the time at the moment, here's what I've managed to complete so far ...
I started off with a very rough pencil sketch in my Moleskine squared journal:
The quotation seemed perfect for my Coffee Cupcake illustration, so I printed it out and glued it on as a guide around which the text would flow. I then inked it in, ready for scanning:
This is the scan, and here's where I'd work on the final cleanup, the icing on the cake if you will, and the addition of decorative elements. Not done. Let's hope it still tastes good:
I'm looking at it here and can see all the mistakes I'd love to fix ... making some of the text less angular, some of the spaces between words less awkward ... when I finally get around to it I'll post the cleaned version! Right now it's time for my second cup of morning coffee. Cupcakes, anyone? Cheers.
I'm not a huge coffee drinker. It's my morning cuppa, definitely, and I always order coffee rather than tea when I'm seated at a cafe somewhere, but really, the rest of the day is spent gurgling down numerous cups of tea ... Still, I've become rather addicted to that morning wake-up jolt, and I'm lucky enough to have a friend staying who makes a mean caffeine that tastes far better than anything I could brew up -- so I've been inspired to sketch out a little typographical homage to it.
I've recorded a bit of the behind the scenes process for you. It started out as a sketch in my moleskine graph paper journal:
Then I cleaned it up in Photoshop and 'painted' it black:
And finally readjusted it and added a drop shadow and colour, though I'm still not 100% satisfied with it yet, so I may play around a bit more till I'm happy with the colour choices:
Suggestions, constructive criticism and comments, are, as always, extremely welcome! Hope you coffee addicts out there enjoy it. Cheers.
What does this have to do with a local coffee house, you ask? Well, survival.
.jpeg?picon=3304)
Cheers!
.jpg?picon=1679)
These look so quirky and fun! Would love to spot one in Home Goods.
Happy New Year!
Thanks, Lisa! Happy new year to you and your family!
OMG!! These are very sweet!! Next time I am in the city I'll be looking for them!!
I love them :)
Thank you Michele and Fotf!