Espresso Blog!

Beverages. Really? Who picks these weekly themes?

Well, it's got to be coffee and it has to be Italian; Lavazza Qualita Rossa for preference. I've just brewed the first invigorating hit of the day and am supping it on a beautiful sunny Blackpool morning. Every day starts with this routine, 0 to human in 5 minutes  - whether the sun is shining or not - courtesy of a "damned fine cup of coffee." That's a phrase any Twin Peaks fan will recognise, though in my experience there's a world of difference between the weak swill most Americans call coffee and the powerful muddy concoction that fuels your Saturday blogger!

Coffee has to be fresh, hot, black and strong, stylish, unsweetened, aromatic and stimulating. Brewing and savouring it is a ritual and a pleasure. Were I to be stranded on Roy Plomley's apocryphal desert island, my luxury item would almost certainly be a stout cafetiere and an endless supply of Lavazza coffee. I probably drink three good cups on a typical day: one first thing, one after a session at the gym and one some time around late morning. That seems to be the perfect intake - fires me up for the rest of the day.

Despite what I said above about weak swill,  I made the mistake once in Seattle of ordering a triple-espresso after lunch, just for the hell of it - and I was still buzzing at 4am while everyone else slept soundly! A lesson learned. As a rule, no more coffee after noon.

This week's poem attests to the lingering effect of the recent Shakespeare season, in form if not in content. Take five...

Domestic Sonnet
Unbrick the morning coffee to the pot,
bright sunlight stripes unblinding of the day.
All dark presentiment is soon forgot,
dreamtime's unnerving memories ebb away.
Throw wide this window on the waking world,
the twinkling of a goldfinch thrills the air,
rejoice to see the roses all unfurled.
What, to such simple pleasures, can compare?
A brace of dimpled citrons yield sharp juice,
pale suns of eggs lie sizzling on the grill,
such domesticity needs no excuse
for happiness. Break fast and eat your fill.
Savour black coffee, strong and thick as mud,
it fuels the soul, invigorates the blood.

Thanks for reading, y'all. Have a stimulating week, S ;-)

Read More

Cafe Nostalgia

Cafe Nostalgia

It’s just another Sunday morning in Southport, 
Carpe Diem is what I was taught, 
I’m rolling solo in the Uni-qlo polo,
Café Nostalgia on Lord Street, 
Time to catch up on what happened in the week, 
Sun is shining so I got on my shades, 
Pencil line beard with the blended fade, 
Waitress serves me like Wimbledon, 
She got me drooling like a Simpleton,
You look so good in this venue, 
So I ordered something off the menu, 
A Tuna Melt with a dash of mayo,
Washed down with a double shot of espresso, 
A few seats away, sat this blonde with the Caramel Latte, 
I dropped my shades and had a little glance, 
She was eating that bread that comes from France, 
She was at alone and the table was for two, 
So I looked at myself and thought what to do, 
I learnt in a film called we bought a zoo, 
All you need is 20 seconds of insane bravery, 
And something beautiful will happen trust me,
So I made my move, stepped to her like I was in the groove, 
Would you mind if I join you, coz in this area I’m kind of new
In the shop it was just us two, 
She was dressed in a pair of converse, and slim fit jeans, 
Long sleeved crop top showing off her tummy if you know what I mean, 
Slim trim abs got that appeal, kind of girl that would go halves on the bill,
I asked her if she wanted another round, 
Because the last shot I just downed, 
She truly obliged, another caramel latte is what she replied, 
I ordered a hot chocolate and a slice of cheese cake, 
After all last impressions is what I’m trying to make, 
Discussion was minimal, kept it on point like a decimal, 
For once I chose to listen rather than interrupt, 
I got a habit of butting in and sounding abrupt, 
Breakfast turned to Lunch, 
Shop started getting busy as people formed a queue, 
And that was my cue to leave, so we agreed, 
It was nice meeting you some nice downtime,
It would be good to do this again sometime 
I began to fidget, as I asked her for the digits, 
It started with 07, as I got all 11, 
See it all started it with a latte, 
And that’s the story of a blonde in the café,

Abdulicious 2014

Refreshment is the theme of the week and I found this refreshing to write to be honest. If you're not aware of my style of writing, well it's Street & Sweet. Since moving to Southport I have had to make things interesting for myself. I love spending Sundays visiting tea rooms and coffee shops. I like to visit shops that have a funky name. This time I visited Nostalgia Tea Rooms on Lord Street, a classic layout, as I am fairly new to the area I have to make new friends myself. 

The waitress was cute I must admit but it's Sunday morning, you have to take the time and place into consideration, I cant just start hitting on her straight away. I made light conversation with her and ordered a tuna melt and some espresso. Got talking to her about how small Southport is and coming from a city like London it is something that takes a while to get used to. So I sat down and started reading the paper for a while. 

It was a quiet morning. I was the only guy in the shop until this eloquent blonde walked in. I gave it 15 minutes and thought to myself, I am sat here alone and she is the only other person in the shop on a Sunday morning. It’s quite refreshing talking to someone who does not have a hangover on a Sunday morning. And that’s how the poem came about. 

It takes guts walking over to a total stranger and making conversation but nothing ventured the nothing gained. My focus from July is to meet new people I have been here since April and I have realised friendship is something you have to make it does not come just like that. 

Until next week have a good week ahead. A refreshing drink with a refreshing girl is not a bad way to end the week.

Read More