Fall weather is spittin' down on us. It's time to start thinking about which sweaters to get out!

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Happy one week Birthday Filter!!

Tomorrow is the official one-week birthday of Filter Coffeehouse & Espresso Bar, located smack dab in the heart of Dupont Circle in DC. Its been a very interesting week. Can't really make too many predictions except that people LOVE! Filter. Truly, I think people love independent coffee shops and Filter is a great one. 

The comments we've heard this week go something like this: 

are you going to get tables and chairs outside?

I am so excited you guys are here!

Grande skim, oh I mean 16 oz. skim latte please.

You know what, surprise me.

You guys need a sign out-front.

This is great! Thanks. 

I'll tell all my friends. 

and my personal favorite customer moment of all week:

Three Aussie women walk in and all order Flat-whites. They sit down and at a quiet moment we begin to chat, as we do with just about all our customers who aren't perusing their blackberry's intently. Turns out they've been on, essentially, a round the US tour the last couple of months. So far, they said, Filter had won the award for the best coffeehouse they had been to. The drinks, ambiance, and community feel kept them coming back three mornings in a row. Today was their last stop in and I have to say, it kind of feels like a good group of friends just moved out of the neighborhood. 

As far a traveling goes, there is nothing I'd want more than someone who is familiar with, in fact, lives in, the place I'm visiting takes it upon themselves to treat me like someone who is included in their community. Takes the time to recommend a good pizza spot (owner Rasheed's fav is Paradiso) or Thai restaurant. We chat about their travels the coolest things they've seen. To me, that is the goal of a coffeehouse. Through our customers our goals are realized. So, come on in folks. Introduce yourself to someone you see at Filter all the time. See what they are up to. Ask interesting questions. You will find out so much more than you ever thought was there, than was possible. 

I think besides pulling some bad-ass shots and making some bad ass drinks, that is the best part of my job. 

check out the reviews on 

yelp and urban daddy.

Book Review: Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

When Hurricane Katrina was barreling down on New Orleans in August, 2005 a prosperous businessman, married with 4 children, Abdulrahman Zeitoun, was preparing to stay and ride out the storm. His wife and kids left to Baton Rouge to weather the storm safely with family. Somewhere along the seemingly simple story of survival and heartbreaking destruction, Zeitoun ends up being held without bail and a phone call charged with a crime he did not commit. His wife and family are completely cut off from any contact with him and assume him dead. Oh and yeah, he's a Syrian Muslim in a post 911 world.

Zeitoun takes you through the harrowing tale of a man who feels like he was put on earth by God to help people. He takes that job seriously during the aftermath of Katrina saving residents of his neighborhood and feeding dogs abandoned by their owners. Then somehow through the fear and mismanagement of a post-apocalyptic Katrina scenario, Zeitoun is wrongfully seen as criminal, even a terrorist.

The Rumpus has a long interview with Eggers about Zeitoun.

I highly suggest this book. All proceeds of this book go to a fund set up by Eggers, Zeitoun, and the publishing company to help victims of Katrina, racial profiling and human rights injustices, and New Orleans Islamic faith organizations.

I've realized what frustrates me so much about politicians: Talking Points

"A talking point is a neologism for an idea which may or may not be factual, usually compiled in a short list with summaries of a speaker's agenda for public or private engagements. Public relations professionals, for example, sometimes prepare "talking points memos" for their clients to help them more effectively conform public presentations with this advice.

A political think tank will strategize the most effective informational attack on a target topic and launch talking points from media personalities to saturate discourse in order to frame a debate in their favor, standardizing the responses of sympathizers to their unique cause while simultaneously co-opting the language used by those discussing the specific subject. When used politically in this way, the typical purpose of a talking point is to propagandize, specifically using the technique of argumentum ad nauseam, i.e. continuous repetition within media outlets until accepted as fact. "

Highlighted comments scare me. 

Got this definition from, where else, Wikipedia. I was wondering why politicians and news outlets all get caught on these phrases and sayings, "death- panels", "weapons of mass destruction", and "the bridge to nowhere" to name a few. I always feel smothered with a facade of what a politician wants me to think is really happening with an issue when I hear these talking points. Every time I hear a politician sticking to his/her talking points I feel like a child being misguided by my parent because they think I can't understand the issue myself and their synthesis is in my best interest. I would love to be able to formulate my own opinion about all these issues but the fact that everyone uses these talking points makes it very difficult to get truthful information. On Thursday's The Daily Show, Jon Stewart talks to Democratic Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina about this very topic. He asks an amazing question, 'At lunch do the talking points stop and people talk normally? After the cameras are off and the doors are closed do the talking points stop?'

Why don't we the people get a glimpse of the real opinions of our representatives and the real facts on the issues? Healthcare for example. All I know for sure, is that I don't have it and I need it. I'm ready for politicians to figure something out, and so far, I don't want to scrap it and start all over again. 

Lots of people, young and old, know this is happening and it is likely the cause for all the apathy towards just about everything political. In my opinion right now, the only political show worth watching is The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I know what category this puts me in. But I appreciate his sense of humor, his disapproval of the contradictions and idiocy, and his general clear headedness. I think he presents a balanced perspective, but yes, leans way left. If Obama, or another democrat, really botched something up he would let you know. 

Back to Talking Points, I use them too. In fact, if I hear a fact that I find particularly interesting I have been known to repeat it again, even if I can't remember the details. Lots of folks will make sure they get things right with Talking Points, but not me. I go for the gist. So, I can understand why they are used. I feel like sitting down in a room and talking freely is more what I want to see of my elected representatives. Also I do read the Talking Points Memo blog. I feel like TPM is generally on to something. If there is a happening, they will generally have a good take in it. 

So politicians, have another one of those summits. And please, leave behind the Talking Points. 

Image of the day: Erosion

@ the opening of filter! place is hoppin. come on down. 20th & S st. NW, Dupont.