Jacob Grier

At this time last year I put up a “Year in Review” post going over what I’d done in 2003 and what I expected of 2004. I suppose it’s a good practice to do that again and make a tradition of it. So, without further ado…

Above all else, 2004 was a year of renounced ambitions. It began with my reluctant return to the land of Ugg boots and comfortable apathy that is Vanderbilt University and ends with me contently serving coffee to the residents of Clarendon. Rather than tell the complicated (and perhaps not even true) story of how that came to be, I’ll just hit the highlights:

Vanderbilt — The spring of 2004 was my final semester at Vandy and I was determined to make the most of it. Unlike in previous years, when “making the most of it” meant doing things like starting my own magazine, spearheading café-philo, writing intelligent papers, winning fellowships, and landing an internship at a highly regarded think tank, in 2004 I focused on just two things: tossing the Aerobie and hanging out at J-J’s.

That may not seem like much, but by semester’s end I’d become quite adept at both. Daylight hours were dedicated to the former, evenings to the latter. If I happened to have any class work, I’d think about getting to it by the time midnight rolled around. And I really do mean think about it. Often times I’d just let it wait till morning.

Despite my belated attempts at becoming a slacker, I nonetheless ended the year on two notes of accomplishment: the Alexander Award for outstanding student journalism and Summa Cum Laude honors at graduation. I tried not to let it get me down.

Washington, D.C. — In last year’s review I noted that there was a 40% chance I’d return to D.C., 40% I’d move to Boston, and 20% I’d go somewhere else entirely. An excellent roommate, an ideal apartment, and the opportunity for employment enticed me to settle on D.C. No regrets about that. The Clarendon neighborhood beats the pants off of Rosslyn and I’m glad to be here. That said, it’s far from certain I’ll be staying through the summer.

The Institute for Humane Studies — After immensely enjoying two of their seminars while I was a student, I joined them as an intern of sorts for the summer. The job took me to Brown, Georgetown, and Seattle University. Working these seminars was, as expected, the best part of being with IHS. By day two of sitting at a desk, however, I knew that it was not going to turn into long-term employment. I’ve learned that working 9-5 in an office, even for organizations like Cato and IHS, just isn’t the life for me.

TAOM — In September I headed back to Houston to attend the annual convention of the Texas Association of Magicians. After a two year hiatus from the world of magic, this was just the inspiration I needed to get back into it.

murky coffee — If there’s one question I’ve heard more than any other in the latter part of this year, it’s “And what do you really want to do?” That’s the usual response I get to telling people I’m a barista. That is, if they know what a barista does. If they don’t, “What do you really want to do?” is the second question they ask.

Odd as it may sound, making espresso is what I really want to do right now. In part that’s because of the people I meet. Working “in the movement” I always felt disconnected from the community around me. Now I’m in constant touch with ordinary people, from a friendly freelance handyman to the guy who brings in handpicked apples every day. Even the whack job customers (and believe me, we get a few) add a sense of color to the job.

I also love it for what I’m learning about espresso. When I applied to murky, I had no idea how lucky I would be having it as my first barista gig. Unlike many independent coffee shops, it doesn’t rely solely on atmosphere to bring in customers. And unlike Starbucks, it doesn’t focus so intently on efficiency that the barista is reduced to near robotic motions. Instead I get to learn on a state of the art espresso machine from a guy who’s passionate about what he does. That’s an opportunity I wouldn’t have at many other places.

Of course, the job does have its downsides. Working 6:30 am opening shifts, closing the store on weekends, and cleaning the occasional bathroom is hardly the stuff dreams are made of. But it’s worth it. Suffice it to say that while I’ve always thought about owning a shop of my own, entering the barista world has shifted that goal to sooner rather than later. I don’t mean immediately — I still have much to learn — but if an opportunity comes along within the next few years, I’ll think very seriously about taking it.

2005 — My 2005 year in review will hopefully be not quite as unambitious. Such was the right attitude for 2004, and I do appreciate the distance it’s allowed me to have from the policy world, but I’m finally starting to feel entrepreneurial again. Only time will tell where that leads and I’m not making predictions.

Still reading this far down? Then Happy New Year to you, from me and this blog’s 2004 mascot, Mr. Blobby.