we snapped this pic of the southeast barista jam, now ssxxnnttggzzz
November 16, 2009 – 1:00 amwords may follow, when this blog decompresses them from the pea-sized capsule in which they are embedded somewhere in our shell-shocked, sleep-deprived, weekend-warped brain. for now, an emblem of the extremes present at the desperately long, insanely loud, hyper-jubilant fest that was the southeast regional barista jam and latte art bash.
noted: this image does not denote cause and effect! the blogson, having rooted for his blogfather to pour winning latte art, ultimately resigned himself to the reality that doing so means we may. never. leave. and thus deposited himself on a table, next to some random empty.
8 Responses to “we snapped this pic of the southeast barista jam, now ssxxnnttggzzz”
HAH!
By jf on Nov 16, 2009
(For the record, and for legal reasons, we did NOT serve this underaged minor the Sweetwater Festive Ale that’s just to his left.)
Thanks for all who came out, all who helped make it happen, and all the baristas and coffeegeeks like bz that make up the Southeast Coffee Family. It makes me real proud to call the SE home.
By jason dominy on Nov 16, 2009
I was reminded that, ultimately, what we do as baristas, shop owners, roasters, or other coffee industry professionals is about people and connections. We have to have passion about our product, but we must never lose our passion for people. They are what drive our business, and push us to greater heights. There is always something new to learn, something we can share with others. Pursue excellence!
By Paul Yates on Nov 16, 2009
good call, paul. it seemed clear to me that there was a large number of people present who were getting first-time exposure to much of what the weekend had to offer. for the rest, community has always been a real force in specialty coffee. this was quite the gathering for the southeast.
By bz on Nov 17, 2009
All very well said! I have said it many times… and I don’t mind saying it again… EPIC! This event, and all of the people who made it what is was, was nothing short of astounding! It really showed that the southeast region has a LOT to offer! I’m looking for a champ to come out of our region this coming up competition, and based on what we’ve seen I don’t think it will come to any surprise! Watch out Portland! Watch out Seattle! We’re on our way!
As Paul said, it’s the people. Everything that we do is about the people… about community… about the better wellbeing of our fellow man… Without every person in our industry, it collapses… From that farmer, or child, that pushes that seed into the dirt, to the very person that enjoys the spoils of their labor a few years later when that seed is made into a great cup!
This event really showed us the power we have, and the community that we’ve developed, and are still developing… I consider myself to be among the most fortunate to be able to share my life with people such as yourselves!
I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY!
By Daniel on Nov 17, 2009
I’ll just say that this weekend further confirmed one of the main reasons (other than the addiction to my drug of choice) why I’m in this industry, the People. It was great to get to spend time with people I know but don’t see often enough and to meet more. There is so much to learn from everyone. I was placed as a station instructor but walked away feeling like I learned more than I taught. I’m taking all that energy and inspiration back to Aurora to continue pushing forward with our training program rejuvenated. The southeast is definitely becoming the next northwest. Can’t wait to hang out with all you again (SERBC?)
By Chandler Rentz on Nov 17, 2009
the sentiment of loving the people of the coffee community is regularly heard, but i’m frequently taken aback by the seriousness and gusto with which people say it all over again after such events. these comments, and the ones in the other thread, are a prime example.
i wonder why it’s such a big, humongous deal to people to connect in this way? is it that the coffee crowd just happens to be full of fairly nice and endearing people? is there a real need for knowledgeable types to support the sometimes lonely work in quality cafes? or are we individuals tired of a consumer culture who end up longing for lasting connections and relationships centered around something of value?
just wondering out loud here.
By bz on Nov 18, 2009
I think it’s because for the bulk of the time we are dealing with people who don’t get it, who don’t share the passion, and who don’t know what a macchiato is. It’s because we know of each other’s shops, we’ve conversed on Barista Exchange and Coffeegeek.com, and to meet in person and chat is a cool thing. I think it’s because we are such a niche industry, it’s just good to be around a group of like-minded people, talking about the same things, appreciating each other’s passion, and spurring each other on to better things, especially since the bulk of the rest of our time is spent trying to win against the other guy, fighting for that one account or customer.
This is an outlet for us to get together and geek out, to challenge each other, to talk smack in love, and to wonder out loud what’s possible. Plus, it’s intensified because we are such a big region, we don’t see each other that often, which does make it very much a “family reunion.” We see each other at Expo, at SERBC, or maybe at a random event a roaster’s putting on, but it’s only a couple of times a year maybe. We want to catch up, and to see how their Chemex program’s going, to see if their customers have adjusted to the fact that only brew to order, etc. It’s a place to be passionate about one singular thing together.
So, for that reason, it’s very much like church. A large group of people gathered to focus all their energies and passion around one singular thing. And because all are joined in the same passion, community becomes a beautiful thing. It becomes a place where people are nurtured, grown, encouraged, and taught. It becomes a place where people are challenged, are developed, are supported.
By jason dominy on Nov 18, 2009