I have two inspirations for my pursuit for good coffee and good coffee shops. The first is obvious to those who know me; I used to work at a great little shop in Livermore California called Panama Red Coffee. During my time there, I learned a lot about the process of making coffee and the importance of keeping up a good store and atmosphere. Thus, my opinions and ideas are largely biased because of my love for my store and the ideas instilled in me by my friends and co workers. The two sides of a coffee shop go hand in hand for me; there has to be a balance between a good product and a good environment. With , the this personal philosophy, the majority of my entries are nit-picky in that I like to analyze the coffee, the espresso, and the general brewing process each store implements as well the general aesthetic and “feeling” of every store I enter. I won’t claim to be any sort of expert, I am a total amateur. But, I do have my preferences and opinions on “good coffee.”

My other inspiration is this:

一月前に、僕と友達が地場カフェを寄ったら、この本を見つけました。この本と小説家がすごいと思います。本当宝を見つけました。

I found this book by accident when my friend and I were visiting a coffee shop for “morning service.” Here in my region of Japan, you can get food and snacks with your coffee in the morning for about $1. Finding book was such a stroke of destiny; it was just the right moment in time to find such a treasure. The style and general format of the book is basically perfect for a person like me. The writing in the book is very easy but enjoyable and it made me really get excited about learning Japanese again. Plus, it really focuses on the “self inspiration” that can occur when you find “your place” and make everything about the coffee shop your own.

– James