That Holy Conduit
Posted by Sam at 2:04 PM | tags: coffee, life

The Quinnipiac cafeteria (known henceforth as the "QuinnCafe") ran out of fair trade coffee... during mid pour! What to do, what to do? I glanced briefly at the other selections that were available. My gaze passed from one to the next, with an equally jaded look of disapproval. Dark Roast, Hazelnut, Winter Blend... each more uninspiring than their predecessor. But at the end, all the way to the left, past the plastic lid dispenser, sat a lonely machine with the words, "hot cocoa" emblazoned on its facade.

Do I dare? Should I attempt the unthinkable? Once I venture down this road, will I be able to find my way home. Will I want to?

With an apparent hesitancy, my half full cup of fair trade brew found its way to the hot cocoa machine. My index finger, hovering over the button labeled "Push and Wait," trembled slightly. And then it was done. I had mashed the button and hot cocoa was spewing into my coffee! The machine gurgled and vibrated as the cocoa poured into my cup. "No," I thought, "I've erred in a tremendous way." And then it was done. My cup steamed and frothed. The mix of aromas was different, yet not altogether unpleasant. But the taste - the explosive flavor - was nothing I could have prepared myself for. There was coffee. There was chocolate. There was coffee and chocolate. Together (at long last!). It was a beautiful thing.

Now, I realize that I am not the first to discover the inherent majesty derived from the marriage of coffee and chocolate. But, this is a first for me. No... to be fair, I've consumed beverages of this sort before. I feel, however, that it did not really count until now. This semester has instilled within me, an appreciation... nay, a sustained and unwavering admiration for the good bean, all it does, and the very little it asks in return. Coffee, up until the commencement of this semester, has been an important, but secondary component in my life. Now, at the conclusion of my first semester as a graduate student, I realize that coffee is the primary staple of my livelihood.

I feel that my apprehension of coffee has ascended to a level of understanding that not many are even aware exists. I no longer drink coffee... I live coffee, I breathe coffee, I am one with coffee. I know, instinctually, what, where, and when, a particular strain of coffee is appropriate. And thus, today's amalgam of coffee and chocolate was not merely a happy accident (although it seemed so at first). No, it was an appropriate and necessary end to a semester's bitter toil. The sweet chocolate was a symbolic addition to the daily fuel... a celebratory addition. The semester has (mostly) concluded, and now it is time to revel in the sweetness that I so aptly deserve, channeled, of course, through that holy conduit of which I passionately know.

Comments: 4 | Post a Comment | Permalink

You're preachin now! Yes brother!

Comment By Jim on December 11, 2005 4:43 PM

Oh, the devine concoction that is 'mocha'...as a coffee and chocolate addict, there is nothing better! Amen.

Comment By nacho on December 11, 2005 5:21 PM

"The spice must flow!"yells Sam as he takes a hit of the spice essence, his blue-within-blue eyes shining in the moonlight.

Hey, at least I cast you as a Freman, and not a bloated, spice mutated Guild pilot.

Dood, even I will drink a mocha concoction. I did, about a month ago, and was wired for the next 6+ hours. I think I got to bed at 2 or so that night.

All hail king mocha.

Comment By Blackwatch on December 12, 2005 8:47 AM

Any post that spawns a DUNE allusion is a good post in my book!

Soon you will have the stained lips of the Mentat.

Comment By TheDarkLordDerfla on December 12, 2005 12:41 PM