(Not) Doing Fieldwork in Times of COVID-19

How does one begin a new research project these days? It's difficult to begin a new research project without funding. It's difficult to get funding without (a lot) of experience in a new field. So the plan was clear: use some of my own funds for a brief, exploratory field trip to the new place …

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Making Coffee: My First Few Days

I thought I'd share a few impressions about my first few days at the coffee house. I'm a first-class barista now. Not. Okay, so: my first two days were quite good. I have great colleagues (mostly), most of them are patient. The customers are similarly nice and patient. My third day, a Saturday, quickly turned …

My K-Pop Experience: My Ears Are Bleeding!

Did you ever attend a boy band concert? I did. Not as a teenager as many of my classmates did during my teenage days. But as an adult (if I want to call myself adult), chaperoning a teenager. My experience began at the checkroom where I met one of my students who worked at the …

Can I Make You a Coffee?

Today was the day. My first (proper) day as barista. My head is spinning. Coffee, coffee, coffee. Caffè Latte. Latte Macchiato. Cappuccino. First milk. First espresso. Lactose free. Almond milk. Flavors. No flavors. Hot milk. Cool milk. Tee, please. Do you remember that I don't drink coffee? The first thing I had to do today: …

A Future In Coffee? (Part II)

Last week I talked about my job interview at a coffeehouse (A Future in Coffee?). And today was the day. After these last days with the horrible boss I considered quitting if today would go well. (Not immediately, though, but maybe after the first two weeks or so.) I met a few of my (potential) …