Coffee, coffee, coffee
I’ve updated the blog (finally). Now I can tweak things and add plugins with greater ease. Had to keep a “coffee” theme, however.
I received this on my @profhood twitter account that I’ve just got to share with you all. Yes, it does have something to do with the “religious”. Well, make that the “idolatrous”.
How to Brew a Good Cup of Coffee from Ben Helfen on Vimeo.
Peet’s Coffee and TechnoServe
Peet’s has a new variety: Uzuri African Blend. It’s one of their best. Not an out of body, Bluebottle experience, but an outstanding blend.
Even if you hate Peet’s coffee, or don’t like coffee at all, you’ve got to view the slideshow about what they’re doing with TechnoServe. Superb.
New theme
How did I miss this Wordpress theme? It was already an option on my site. Cool. Need to tweak it a bit. But love that coffee aroma!
I don’t believe in atheists
I got a new book out of the library. It’s by Chris Hedges and it’s entitled I Don’t Believe in Atheists. I don’t know exactly what Hedges is implying with his title so I look forward to discovering it as I go along.
For me, given all the genuine Christian fundamentalism in the US and the “in your face”, cultural and political evangelical Christianism, or what one might call American religious Fascism, it’s been surprising to witness the renaissance of Atheism. Not to get too Hegelian, but I think these swings are good things. My own sense is that, globally speaking, religion has been on a not so good run lately. C’mon people! Did we really need Al Qaeda? We’ve even had the return of the evolution wars at school board meetings and in the courts.
At any rate, Hedges starts off with an overview of the past few years’ of godtalk and anti-godtalk in the media. Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and the philosopher Daniel Dennett, have written books attacking religious belief. Hedges thinks some of the criticisms have been screeds; others have been thoughtful.
He criticizes Hitchens and Harris for their unfair, crude, and intolerant remarks. About Harris’ book (Letter to a Christian Nation), Hedges writes that Harris’
facile attack on a form of religious belief we all hate, his childish simplicity and ignorance of world affairs, as well as his demonization of Muslims, made the book tedious, at its best, and often idiotic and racist. (2)
I watched the CSPAN debate between Harris and Reza Aslan in 2007. I heartily recommend watching the debate on Reason and Religion. (This is just a small clip. Check out the rest on You Tube.) As for Hedges, I’ll have to keep reading to find out where he’s going.
Peet’s rules!
I faced a minor coffee crisis Wednesday. I thought I had another half pound of Peet’s coffee in the convent’s freezer. But alas! It was Peet’s but it was Decaf Mocha Java! Eeek! So on my way to campus Wednesday, I stopped by the Peet’s on West Portal. Lo and behold! One of my students was working there. He’d told me earlier that he’d read in the blog about my being a fan of Peet’s coffee. But I didn’t expect to see him behind the counter at this Peet’s.
I’ve got a routine now. On Fridays I head over to my local Peet’s (San Jose/Union&Camden) for the second cup-o-the day. This last Friday I ordered a triple shot. (Don’t ask, don’t tell) And, oh darn! Just had to have a lemon curd goodie with it. Those little gems are really overly sweet, but since I don’t sugar my coffee the balance was perfect. And yes, that espresso was super strong. Ouch! Yum!
Coffee calls
I know I should finish the James post. But I’m off to go get some Peet’s coffee.
I am running a slight coffee deficit. The Sisters drink Folgers or Safeway’s best. I did bring some Peet’s Las Hermanas (cute, huh? It’s “the sisters” in Spanish), which I make early Thursday before I head out to school. But even though I worked a little Wednesday at a small cafe a block away from the convent, it’s not quite the same as camping out in one’s own, local Peet’s. Starbucks? Never. (Well, if I were desperate, yes, but only an Americano since Starbucks coffee is over-roasted in my not so humble opinion.)
I own lots of fountain pens and I enjoy using them. So Moleskines, not digital bytes, are what I usually take to Peets.
I’ll read and revise my James post while sipping some delicious coffee made with a French press.