Instant Rantaroni the NYC treat!

"You don't know the reason why you do what you do."
This is not the thing one wants to hear about the job they do 35+ hours a week. I had my check in for the uws side store today. It was supposed to be a casual thing and it was for the most part, but this phrase ruined the rest of my day. I am the first to admit that I am a sensitive person, but this pissed me off. Over 4 years in coffee, 2 certifications, 2 in house competitions, numerous books, 2 written exams on coffee, and 12 hours of Nick Cho talking at me have earned me the right to say I know why I make drinks the way I do. I do not want to be supreme overlord of the coffee word and I could care less about barista competitions, but I know what I am talking about. I know why I do not "thump" or "knock" anymore, I know why I do things the same way every time, and I know why a shot tastes good and why it does not. Ones education never stops and this is true for coffee too. I read books and blogs and I have changed my form at least twice. Knowing why I pull shots a specific way is what qualifies me to work in specialty coffee.
I work hard and I am tired of crying about it. It seems that every job in this field I spend the first 2 weeks coming home crying. I want to get to the point where I walk into a shop and feel like I can do my job without being constantly scrutinized. I want to be recognized for my ability and not treeated like some pion...yes pion, unling....
I do not want power, but I am getting mighty sick of being dominated. I know this is the problem with working for other people. There is always someone who is going to feel threatened and therefore they are going to lash out, but I am getting fed up with being the punching bag. Yes I take things personally...but I think I have a right to. It is personal when its more than a job. I spend most of my week working on being better and then to have someone who does not know me or my method come in and judge me...not acceptable.
And the best part is I said "I keep up with the coffee world. I read blog (also forums and books)." To which said person replies "I don't read blogs (with disdain), but I have been doing this for a long time." bullshit.
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I have to rant when someone ruins my 8 hour day. I feel like a fire hydrant that never puts out fires, but always gets peed on. Go pee on someone else!
poop

Fred and Sally

This is an illustration I came up with on the bus down to washington dc. It is based on a drawing I did a year ago of a girl with a monster. In the original drawing the girl looked a lot more frightening than the monster and I want some of that to come through in the illustration. I did a few and I think the sketch of her at the bus stop will be the underpinnings of a full illustration.




Also look at bean there drank that for other drawing stuff

represent

Its here!

Train drawings

red lady

Last nights sketch while watching friends play settlers. Super tired and going to try and accomplish some work? We shall see very tired...beh

Fish Lady

This was an illustration from my sketchbook and colored with gouache. I have been painting right in my sketchbook these days which is great because I have had no time to set up a formal canvas or watercolor page. I need to set up an environment. I like doing these little sketches, but I do not push myself enough so maybe I will work on something on the train....if I can sit down.
I have observed that all the chairs in the subway all face each other....unlike DC where you can face forward look at the back of peoples heads or draw without people staring at you. I have such performance anxiety...I guess I will never be a characteristic at kings dominion. But really got to work on that.

soupie ladies

here are some sketch book doodles. The sketch book I have right now was a gift and the paper is so good that the color holds and does not seep through the paper so I have been colorizing all my sketch book stuff. yay fancy french paper!