Daibō 🗞️ Slow News Day #16

Hey,

Bex sent me an article a little while back. It was written by Doi Emi, in 2019, for Nippon. It’s not extensive, it’s not detailed beyond belief, it’s a pleasant story told one drip at a time.

I won’t rehash it for you here; you can read the whole thing if you’d like to.

What I want to do here is focus on a few words Daibō Katsuji—the article’s hero—shared in their conversation.

“I think when we stop and take a moment out from life to relax with a cup of coffee, we’re really getting a taste of where we are in our lives. As well as tasting the enjoying the flavor of the coffee, we are savoring the condition of our lives and our inner selves at that particular moment.

Savouring the condition of our lives. I don’t think I’ve read a sentence that perfect for a while. I know that the coffee scene is ripe with pretentiousness and wankery, but I can’t help but enjoy it. I think I could substitute it for a bunch of other things, but coffee’s just where I’ve ended up placing my savour. I wasn’t totally sure why—or how—it had happened, but this article has helped me understand.

It’s meditation. It’s focus. It’s deliberateness. Drip by drip, the attentive process keeps me grounded and aware. I could rush a cup of instant coffee down my neck or I could take time to taste where I am in my life.

I guess that’s why I keep brewing on filter. I’ll be savouring each opportunity even more, now.

Slow down guide

Need a little help moving slower?

Ease your way out of Friday afternoon with this newsletter, a nice cup of something, and a little background music. Steal my setup if you aren't sure where to start.

After I press send, what else could I do but brew up something on filter? I mentioned the good people of Yallah Coffee a few weeks back and they’ll be my go-to this time again. I’ll open up a bag of their Toraja roast and stick the kettle on. I’ll let it bloom, I’ll start the slow and steady flow of water, and I’ll check in on where I am in my life.

As I’m putting it all together, I’ll press play on Charlie Cunningham’s Minimum. I’ve seen Charlie play twice—both times at End of the Road festival—and he’s a master of his craft. Haunting vocals, elegant Spanish-influenced guitar, and beautiful songwriting. One of our friends at Chateau Coliving would play some of his songs, which was a wonderful surprise, and it’s made his music even more lovely to me.

Warm ceramic in hand, I’ll savour where I’ve been, where I am, and wherever the next cup will take me.

Take it easy,