Tag: Seattle

Some Thoughts On The Coffee Industry, and a Book Recommendation

Carl Setzer1 Comment
Starbucks Logo

In the early 2000s (2004-2009, to be specific) I worked at Starbucks, first in Global Communications then on the Corporate Social Responsibility team. I loved my time there and is the one place I would return in a hearbeat.

We former Partners (as Starbucks employees are referred) have an alumni group, the Green Apron Network. It’s a great group of folks whose presence I greatly enjoy and am privileged to be part of. One of the great figures of Starbucks’ corporate history is a man by the name of Major Cohen. If there is anyone who knows coffee better, I am unaware of them. Recently retired, Major has written a book, “Coffee For Dummies“. Though I haven’t read it yet (I have a copy on its way), I know Major well enough to highly recommend it. A few of my friends have already read it, and recommend it. I’ll write more about the book once I have read it.

So, check it out! There’s a Kindle version, so you can start reading it right now. If you read it, leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Is the move from big cities permanent?

Carl Setzer
Map of the US

My son and a number of my friends have asked what I think about all these people moving out of cities. Well, a Twitter friend, Bernie, posted this to his blog today: Iowa shows why the move from big cities may be only temporary. I agree with his assessment: cities offer more than affordability. I lived for the better part of 10 years in downtown Seattle and loved it. Arts and culture are a part of my soul. Having galleries, coffee shops, restaurants a short walk away delighted me deeply. One my favorite times in my life.

Anyway, Bernie references an article that looks at Iowan politics that might impeded this desire to attract the coastal urban dwellers to the mid-west*: Wood: About that public narrative we’re crafting to attract out-of-state people to move to Des Moines. Summation: the state’s anti-progressive agenda will impede growth. It’s an interesting point of view. For me, personally, politics might be a part, but, ultimately, the whole urban west coast thing is who I am. Even if they had the fastest internet on earth, I doubt I’d be heading east in a U-Haul.

 

*As a life-long west-coaster, I have long loved calling the middle part of the US the middle-east. 

Under the Clouds

Carl Setzer2 Comments
Under the Clouds

set under the clouds
my city moves through the rain
while fueled by coffee

A rainy day here, just north of Seattle. One that brings me memories of northwestern Oregon. The winter rains in Astoria where my feet were my main mode of transportation. I guess that came from the heavy weight of the rain drops along with their coldness.

Created with Adobe Spark.

A Saturday Snowfall

Carl Setzer
Snowfall in Lynnwood

snow falling
memories: moments of cheer
delights of childhood

Snow isn’t quite a joyous a thing as an adult as I found it as a child. Yet the echoes remain.

This is my contribution to today’s Word of the Day challenge, with today’s word “cheery”. I took a little liberty with “cheery”. I hope it cheers you, at least.

A Pluviophile’s Delight

Carl Setzer2 Comments

rain is predicted
delights pluviophiles
Seattle winters

As a live-long Seattleite, I hold a certain fondness for rain. One tempered with topical annoyance, and occasional despair. Yet, for the most part, I enjoy rain. The sound upon my roof. Watching the rain from a street-side café, listening to jazz. So much of my life revolves around liquid precipitation.