#heather perry

[yesthemagdymohamed]

(via GIPHY)

[churchofclueless]

Stunning oil portrait of Cher by Heather Perry (prints available)

[tentaclemadestudios]

(via https://open.spotify.com/album/44o2X27ufye6TI5azeOJ7f)

y’all, this is my friend heather’s new ep, and it’s just so, so, so good

we went to art school together and worked in the supply room together (mostly on cold, dead pigeon saturday mornings), and i’ve been in love with her music since i first heard it (if you’re looking for her earlier work, it’s either under heather perry or heather perry and the blanks)

this is no different

[vintageslangs]

Check you later! VintageSlang.com

[sdcoffeenetwork]

The Gang Goes to CoffeeCon LA 2016

Photos by Julie Rings, SDCN Social Media Manager. Words by Pablo Lara, SDCN Blog Editor & Chief.

It's Always Sunny in the Specialty Coffee scene of Southern California, with it's exciting growth in an area including Los Angeles, Inland Empire and San Diego.  An ever-growing number of roasters, coffee importers, equipment manufacturers and cafes create a community rich in creativity and quality.  Last Saturday the SDCN blog crew went up to CoffeeCon LA to experience lectures, tastings, and shop with coffee professionals and enthusiast from all over SoCal. 

First lets go shopping; we are in LA after all.  The convention took place at The Reef on south Broadway, an interesting facility dedicated to design, small entrepreneurs, makers and trade shows. The event was held indoors, giving it an urban feel. An entire floor was dedicated to booths where you could sample coffee roasted by some of the region’s best. Portola, Klatch, Bar Nine Collective, Healing Coffee Roasters, Foxy Coffee and James Coffee, to name a few, had tasting stations with retail available for purchase. 

Brewing equipment captivated event goers. Our favorites were the ultra sleek Stagg pour-over kettles by Fellow.  The modern design elevated this brewing tool from kitchenware to kitchen centerpiece. Everyone wanted to get their hands on one. Even Barista Champion Heather Perry of Klatch Coffee was using one to brew a Good Food Award winning Kenya. This original design innovated the traditional kettle with the addition of a built-in thermometer for that perfect extraction. 

Another crowd favorite was the Cafflano all-in-one coffee maker.  This portable coffee brewer, ideal for camping and biking, includes a manual burr grinder, kettle, basket and serving cup. At the booth you could experience this neat little gadget in action and pose questions directly to the manufacturers.  Even SCAA Director Ric Rhinehart walked away with one, a handy tool for the many conferences he attends. 

Certainly the mainstays of this event were the multiple educational lectures offered throughout the day by coffee professionals.  We were able to attend an origin-centered lecture by Mokhtar Alkhanshali and a tasting with Peter Giuliano. To learn about green coffee you had the opportunity to visit the InterContinental Coffee Trading booth and purchase industry literature at the SCAA booth. 

Rediscovering The Mocha Road – Specialty Coffee In Yemen:

If you follow coffee journalism you will remember that the most memorable story coming out of the SCAA Event 2015 was that of Mokhtar Alkhanshali and his weeklong journey from Yemen to Seattle.  As the civil war broke out in Yemen, Mokhtar was determined to flee the country in order to attend the world’s largest coffee convention to present Yemen’s coveted green coffee. Little did I know that we would be meeting Mokhtar himself and learn more about his increadible journey and the dedication he has for improving the Specialty Coffee sector of Yemen. 

Taste Like An Expert- SCAA Symposium Director Peter Giuliano:

Earlier this month the SCAA along with the World Coffee Research Institute launched the new Flavor Wheel. Peter Giuliano took a group of 100 attendees through the fascinating world of professional cupping. The combination of lecture and tastings allowed for a clear understanding of characteristics in fragrance/aroma, acidity, body and flavor. A team of seven volunteers and Gold Cup Curtis batch brewers cranked out a total of four different coffees of distinct origins and processes. These included a washed Colombia from Nariño, a natural Colombia from Huila, a washed Kenya and a Sumatra. The tasting exercise was followed by an interactive discussion on flavor notes. Thank you Peter for energizing us for the ride back home! 

[natgeocreative]

To breathe underwater

By Ashley Morton

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. – Jacques Cousteau

One week before leaving for Koh Lanta, Thailand, I reached out to some of our best underwater photographers seeking a little wisdom and encouragement. I would soon embark on my first SCUBA adventure, and my bad track record underwater was leaving me apprehensive. To my amazement all wrote back, and most within the hour; a testament to their enduring enthusiasm for the underwater experience.

Their insights, humor, and trusted advice carried me through my first open water dive.

David Doubilet suggested in-home practice runs:

Most important: remember to breathe. Seems obvious, right? Not always, and not to everyone.

Fill your tub. Put on your mask and snorkel. Lie back in the tub. Submerge and breathe. If you can do this, you can do anything.

Have your boyfriend read to you while you’re in the tub–better if you’re both naked. It will take your mind off the mask-thing.

Remember that our bodies are mostly water. Though it may feel alien for you to be there, the water is a totally supportive environment. It’s the closest thing to flying that you will ever experience.

Take deep breaths and exhale completely. Feel the water support you. Remember that you have everything you need.

When you watch the life around you, it becomes abundantly clear that we are just a small, small part of this divine natural world. There’s a whole ecosystem rocking and rolling below the surface, whether we are there to witness it or not. For me, the water is where I go to heal and rejuvenate. It’s where I’m at my best. It recharges all of my batteries. I’m better in it than out of it.

Brian Skerry offered an important reminder:

It’s ok to be scared. It’s actually a good thing that keeps us safe. But it’s also good to face our fears while managing risks. So take it slow. Do what is comfortable to you. Don’t push it, and have fun!

Ben Horton presented a simple and effective strategy:

. . . Learn how to compartmentalize fear between rational and irrational fear.

Paul Nicklen gave his trusted expertise:

Panic kills, while calmness allows for an amazing adventure. Spend as much time as you can in the water. Kill the little voices. Open your eyes. Breathe slowly, and enjoy the journey.

During my first dive off the islands of Koh Haa, I couldn’t take my mask off without inhaling water. I focused on the smiling eyes of my trusted instructor, Anka, and I “killed the little voices” as Paul suggested. After five attempts, I did it, and slowly descended into what can only be described as pure magic. Once I completed all of the course requirements and had no distractions, I was able to connect and enjoy the profound experience. The underwater world is rhythmic, meditative, harmonious, divine and thriving. It is also threatened, precious, and absolutely crucial to our existence. I have a deeper understanding of our photographer’s unyielding passion to explore and preserve our ocean planet – our life source. And I am completely riveted by it’s mystery, now that I too, breathe underwater.

If you want to know more, I’ll write you back within the hour.

Get inspired by these images bubbling with the magic of life underwater. And keep up with all Ashley's adventures by following her on Instagram.

[rowster-blog-blog]

Klatch Roasting Upland, California Antioquia, La Sierra Colombia Fragrance: mincemeat pie, copper = 2 Aroma: charred butter crust, pumpkin pie = 2 Flavor: intensely focused, thimbleberry, cocoa nibs = 7 Acidity: red juicy berry = 9 Body: firm, assertive, square structure, wrapped in silk and velvet = 8 Balance: intensity radiates from tip of tongue, smooths and fills palate = 7 
Aftertaste: clean, refreshing = 6 Cupper Points: 2 Final Score: 93 points Super stoked to finally get my hands on some Klatch. Motorcyle madman Mike Perry turned a small mom and pop into an internationally recongnized leader in the quality coffee movement when his daughter, Heather won the United States Barista Championship in 2003 and 2007 as well as numerous regional championships. Since she retired from competing she has been one of coffees most gracious and confident spokespersons, MC'ing barista competitions and helping to grow Klatch from a small town roaster to multi-store tour de-force. Anyone in coffee holds great admiration for this family. They have managed to stand for service, comfort and many of the values associated with the 2nd wave while pioneering the latest trends in sourcing, roasting and preparing great coffee. This coffee started out a little roasty with faint hints of charred butter crust. My concern was shattered the moment this coffee touched my tongue. Roasted expertly by pushing the heat as far as possible without scorching or tipping, pushing out a super bold, intense coffee flavor that was wrapped in sweet pumpkin and mincemeat pie spice notes with a beaming pillar of bright, juicy red berry acidity. Colombian coffees are 2nd in world only to Kenyan. And this lot from Jose Rueda proves that stupendously perfect coffee is no accident. Climate, altitude, shade, moisture, humidity, perfect agronomy, harvesting, sorting, processing, drying, storage, handling and finally roasting all must align like the planets to push out near perfection in the cup. There were some faint vegetal notes--pea soup, peanut--that added to the body and complexity but that were the only aspects preventing this coffee from scoring 100. It was THAT good. Hats off the the Perrys. Great work. You are an inspiration and your success keeps me going on dark days.

[photojojo]

For over a year, marine biologist turned photographer Heather Perry has been documenting her favorite beach in a special way. 

One day a month, she captures a panoramic photo from a specific vantage point, along with a collection of artifacts found on the beach. 

Panoramic Photos of a Photographer's Favorite Beach

via Wonderful Machine