two month anniversary.

Two months. Really?

It’s been two months of exploring, learning, and understanding the element of coffee. Retrospectively speaking, this experience has been one of learning; even though at times, it seems that I lose focus. I have been taught a new method of brewing, and my eyes have been opened to third-wave coffee. The way third-wave coffee has been described to me is one of artistry instead of commodity. It looks to realize, enjoy, and experience coffee, instead of merely ingesting it. There seems to be a resounding parallel between baristas and sommeliers, with respect to coffee and wine. Thus, if anything, I have learned that in the independent coffee shop world, those who partake participate for pleasure rather than purpose [unintentional alliteration, I promise].

So with some perspective, what am I going to change? What am I going to keep the same? I think initially, I will continue to visit local coffee establishments. I think this keeps my project tangible. I have benefitted heavily from these interactions. With regards to progress, I have attended two more fine coffee shops and plan to upload these blog entries within the next coming days. In addition, the various “ruminations” have been extremely therapeutic, just in their own nature as free compositional posts.

In terms of practicum, I think it will be beneficial to stay the course of ‘do-it-yourself’ tutorial videos. I think the French press (upcoming) will be a video that will be more calculated and better produced for a viewing audience. Editing will also play a huge factor in the future. However, there may come a point, where this ‘practicum’ will be altogether scrapped for a more inventive idea, in terms of the final leg of this project. I hope to tie together all the loose ends of this project in order to provide some closure to my jaunt. One main concern I have is the almost dissonance of the rumination and practicum session. Hopefully, this next video will bridge the gap better. If not, a more effective strategy may be needed. I also hope that more interaction will ensue in my next video. It seem that I lost my own voice in the first video, and I hope that does not set a precedent for videos to come.

These project segments have definitely brought structure to this journey. Without these segments, the temptation would be to branch out too far, ultimately losing meaning in the translation. It keeps this project grounded and tangible for those that are following along. In addition, it seems that rhetoric is being reinforced. It seems the purpose and point of this journey is to somehow relate this endeavor to those reading. Is it possible to convey the knowledge and understanding of this community to those outside of it? To those not actively participating in it? I hope that time will tell. Yet regardless, I know that I have personally been changed by participation in this coffee discourse. My hope is that I will continue to grow, within this project, in my rhetorical skills to recount my experience and my growth.