Our Love for Coffee

The modern world runs on coffee like cars run on gasoline. Our love for coffee has made coffee shops sprout on every corner like weeds on the grass. No matter what level of income, coffee is affordable and you get what you pay for. The donut shop has pots of it to accompany their round, sugary, and fatty pastries. One cup will do the trick. It will deliver the much needed caffeine to awaken and start the day. Although if you're late, it will taste like it was aged in the glass barrel. Gas stations have it all day long. Towering urns of hot coffee poured by the press of a button. Sometimes its hot enough to upset Stella Liebeck. Sometimes its warm enough to chug like an Italian in a hurry. Sometimes the empty tower of Colombian dark will force you to choose a spiked brew with blueberry, pumpkin, vanilla or coconut. Bakeries and restaurants have it because they have to. It is not their forte. Their budget has been adjusted to add coffee in their menu by popular demand and trend. The coffee is decent like water on a hot day. These places brew it away from sight. If they run out of regular no problem. There is always a box of orange bags ready to fulfill the job--and people seldom know the difference. Espresso experts have houses dedicated to the art of coffee. Each cup costs as much of two or three cups of coffee at the donut shop. Each latte and cappuccino is enjoyed like a fine glass of wine. The foam, as it rises to the top to form a leaf as if it was painted by an artist, justifies the premium price. This house loves coffee enough to import it from the most exotic locations. The unique composition of soils, elevation and temperature yields subtle notes of flavor like blackberry, chocolate, and Tahitian vanilla. Whatever you call home, the generic pre-ground or freeze-dried coffee has a special place in your kitchen. The shrine to your morning caffeine is activated by the press of a single button or one or two scoops. The aroma fills the kitchen like a delicious batch of chocolate chip cookies in the oven. One cup in your favorite mug is all that matters. One cup is all we need to forget for a brief moment that we are parents, employees, students, debt importers, creators, and collectors of stress. Coffee is the king and queen of drinks. Whatever you can afford, coffee will always find a way into your mouth and wallet. Time for a refill.

Remembering Kobe

I was working when I found out about the tragedy of Kobe Bryant and his daughter. A customer of mine who was seated at the bar told me about it and I didn't believe him. I changed the channel on the bar television and it was confirmed. I spent the rest of my shift trying to process the horrible news. After work I called my cousin who works in a small café in Newport Beach, The Wild Strawberry Café, because she knew Kobe as a regular customer at her work. She was in disbelief and cried because of the loss of not only an amazing basketball player, but as a person who frequented her café. I spent the rest of that Sunday listening to the radio and watching the television about the accident and the people who cared and loved Kobe, his daughter and the rest of the passengers.
     I was never a Lakers fan. I am a Warrior fan. However, growing up around many fanatics of the Lakers, I developed an interest in the chemistry between Kobe and Shaq. I followed their career as much as I followed the Warriors. The basketball part was only the beginning. The determination, the winning-mentality, philanthropy, inspiration to millions, Academy Award and other projects made Kobe an inspiration for me. Although I did not think about it until his passing.
     About a week before the helicopter accident, I was struggling with one simple question, "Who is an inspiration to your life?" For some reason I was not able to think about someone because I believed that question should have been reserved for a family member or close friend. My negative relationship with my family has made it difficult to think about answering such question. Kobe Bryant's death uncovered some light and helped me understand the answer I was looking for does not have to rely on family alone. Deep down, I was subconsciously inspired by Kobe. I have been struggling for so many years with my own personal difficulties that any positive lights were clouded by them. Kobe's passing helped me see a little bit of light. It helped me understand there are more lights to be uncovered. It helped me understand to hold on to those who still love me dearly. And most of all, that life is short.

The Jillian Michaels and Lizzo Debate

Jillian Michaels is well known for her exercise videos and reality television promoting weight loss. Lizzo is a famous singer with a great voice and a bunch of chart-topping hits--all this without the appearance of the former. This positive self-image Lizzo is embracing is what makes her even more popular. This attitude helps people of all ages feel better about themselves when obesity is a problem. I like Lizzo. I think she is quite talented. However, when a person falls in front of a crowd, the immediate response is to get up fast and pretend it didn't happen. Even though there is a certain level of pain associated. We see Lizzo as a celebrity. We do not see her as a private citizen. Maybe she does have a health problem, maybe she doesn't. Such lack of transparency makes her a poster model for success. Obesity is a problem in the United States. It is linked to several debilitating conditions. I think Lizzo should keep telling people not to be ashamed of the way they look but also try to implement healthy habits. On the other hand, Jillian Michaels was a bit harsh about her comments regarding Lizzo's weight. I think she could have said it better but then again, it is Jillian Michaels. Her voice is amplified and brutal...and honest. Those comments she made are the reality and any doctor would agree with her. Obesity and unhealthy habits in the United States is one of the main reasons health care and medicine is expensive. We keep sweeping all those problems under the beautiful rug we like to sit on. We need Jillian Michaels to keep encouraging exercise and we need Lizzo to promote positive body embrace while adding notes of healthy habits. Lizzo is in a position in which she could encourage millions of people follow a healthy lifestyle without the harsh words of Michaels.