Curriculum Vitae

I'm doing a distance learning course for a BA in Theology. Because I don't have to attend classes at a college it means I can set up my classroom anywhere. This week was Starbucks (Harcourt). I'm currently studying about radical dissident groups within the early days of the Christian Church. It's quite interesting to read about how the established church labeled these groups heretics because they didn't always go about doing things the "way they should". It seems like within only a couple of hundred years after Christ, his followers moved from the free flowing and Spirit led example of Jesus to become something more like they way you would think of most churches today. Within only a couple of hundred years!!

Anyway, I was enjoying my Tall latte (Starbucks talk for regular) when a lady came into the store, nicely dressed and with a C.V. under her arm, and asked for the manager. It turned out she was there for a job interview. For a short time I toyed with the idea of lining up behind her. I think it might be fun to work there. From what I could gather - I was pretending to read, but actually eavesdropping (I must look up where that crazy word comes from) - pay starts at E8.75 p/h and the coffee is always free! That's way better than free Big Macs if you had to work at Mc D's.

I couldn't catch all the questions that were being asked from the official Starbucks book of questions for complimentary coffee drinker wannabes. Honestly, the manager had a little spiral bound book of questions to ask! I began to guess what the most important features would be in a Starbucks employee. (For a genuine answer click here) I boiled it down to two: Surely you must have to have a love of coffee (right?), and be able to get along with people - customers and staff. It would make the interview process much simpler and far quicker and do away with any nice little spiral bound books. Think about it. Is there any situation that could not ultimately be reduced to those two standards?

I returned to my own world and thought about being a follower of Jesus. What are the bare essentials? How do you take a sack of coffee beans like Christianity and reduce it to a clear cut standard with the kick of an esspreso? It turns out Christ did it already. When he was asked what was most important about his religion he said,

Love the Lord you God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your strength...
(Then he adds a second standard)
...And love your neighbour like you love yourself.

Love God and love others. Think about it. Is there any situation that could not ultimately be reduced to these two standards? Could it be that simple? Could that be my 'Curriculum Vitae' - my 'Course of Life'? Or should I watch out for the heretic hunters?

Starting Young

This weekend we went out as a family to do some shopping. It's always a bit of a hassle to get out of the door with an (almost) two year old toddler and an (almost) three month old baby. But we managed it and upon arrival sought out the nearest coffee shop. It's always fun stopping for coffee with the kids in tow. The days of a relaxed cuppa with my wife are long gone. (But they will be back. Oh yes, they will be back). If you're the kind of person that gets annoyed with small children in a coffee shop then I appologise. There's a good chance we wont meet again so don't worry about it too much. Anyway, the cafe where we stopped positively encouraged the younger customer.

We ordered our drinks. A regular latte for me (of course), an Earl Grey tea for my wife (???), and what for my little girl? I scanned the menu.......... Yes, of course. A Babyccino.

Now before you get all up in arms about me caffeinating my toddler it's only steamed milk with chocolate powder sprinkled on the top. From a distance though it did look just like a cappuccino. I have to admit that I hoped other people in the coffee shop would be shocked, but I didn't see any disapproving glances or hear a single 'tut'. Actually, my daughter only had a couple of spoons of the froth and didn't seem to care for it. Never mind. The whole point of me ordering it was as an excuse to write something for my blog.

By the way, my same daughter currently thinks it is hilarious to hear the word, 'blog'. Even in her uncaffeinated state.



Blog!

No more imports

Occasionally, when I'm at home, I like to brew for myself a pot of hazelnut flavour coffee - particularly on a Saturday morning with something nice for breakfast. Now I'm not talking about coffee with a dash of flavoured syrup - Yuk! I'm talking about coffee with flavour added to the bean during the roasting process.

I first had a hazelnut coffee at Lakeshore Coffeehouse (I loved that place) when I lived in Cleveland, USA. I remember thinking when I tasted it, this is what coffee should taste like. It's just a little sweeter with a lovely nutty taste. Mmmm, I may go and make some right now and it's only Wednesday.

The reason I ration myself is because you can't get hazelnut coffee around here. I either have to get my wife's family to send me packages and stock up when we're visiting the States.

But, today...! I found some. In a cafe in Clerys of all places, but that doesn't matter. I now know where to restock my supplies.

That's it then. I'm definitely off to put the coffee machine on.

More coffee than this...

I don't want you to think that just because there are sometimes gaps in time between blogs that I don't actually drink much coffee.

On the contrary. There are times when I think of something coffee related to blog about, but don't actually get around to doing it! I know no one else would know that if I said, "I had a coffee today and..." when actually I'm talking about an experience three weeks ago, but I would know and I can't bring myself to do that. (Although, now that I think about it, you (if there is anyone out there) may not even read this until three weeks in the future so what difference would it make. Maybe I need to re-evaluate this policy).

However, there are also times when I have a regular latte, but don't find anything in particular to write about. Like today for instance. I had to go to a 'coordinating council' meeting at a place where I knew they would only serve instant coffee so I picked up a real coffee on the way to help me through the morning. The meeting was predictably boring, more or less. The occasional light moment, but nothing to write home about. Or on a blog.

I do feel suitably coordinated though.