Charlotte SCAA Reflections

The first of what I hope will be a few blog-entries from our pf.net team on the 2006 SCAA C&E from the weekend.

My favorite memories:
- Spending quality-time with some of my murky team
- Spending quality-time with our Intelly friends, including dinner on Monday, celebrating Matt's championship
- Spending quality-time with our Zoka friends, including getting Mr. B on Podcast 29
- Counter Culture Booth. Word.
- Spending q-t with some of the great souls in our community, notably Alistair, Tonx, Kyle G., Andrew B., Aida Battle (interview on podcast #34 coming soon), Ric Rinehart, Mike Ebert, Geoff Watts, Doug Zell, Michelle Campbell, Mark Prince, Ken Olson, and many more.
- Seeing our entire (minus one) pf.net blogging crew: Bronwen, Ellie, Trish, PeterG, Alistair, and Andy Schecter.
- I got to high-five Ted Lingle
- USBC, USBC, USBC

A few more stream of consciousness thoughts:
- This USBC was the best ever on pretty much every level. From the judges certifications, to the A/V, to, most importantly, the highest level of competition ever (did everyone notice that NOBODY went over 17 mins for a DQ? That's AMAZING!!!)
- It's an honor and a privilege to have the role that I do in our community. Lots of love and shout-outs our way this weekend, and folks took time out to acknowledge the podcast and the site. Thanks right back at y'all, and know that we wouldn't do any of this shit if you folks weren't totally worth it.
- Matt Riddle rocked it out. A little misconception I'd like to clear up though: Matt is the graphic designer and 'web guy' for Intelligentsia right now, but he WAS a full-time barista, and was, as you'll hear Ellie mention on the upcoming podcast #33, part of the original Intelligentsia Training Team. Some folks/bloggers make it sound like Matt was never a full-time barista.

As far as upcoming podcasts, we'll release these a bit slower (about one every 3-5 days?) after the initial onslaught. A quick teaser:
Podcast 32: 'More Show Floor With The Hardcore' - On Sunday afternoon - more walking the floor, but this time with Tonx, Kyle Glanville, and Alistair. Some VERY interesting stuff, especially chats with Ken Davids from CoffeeReview.com, Kim Easson from Transfair, Dr. Joseph Johns from Josuma Coffee Company, Terry Davis from Ambex, and many, many more. Listen VERY carefully to this one... there are some very subtle moments that are, frankly, pretty revealing.
Podcast 33: 'Barista Bash Party' - Sunday night - A virtual orgy of coffee people, live from the Buckhead Saloon for the 'Barista Bash' hosted by Monin, ESI, and Caffe, d'Amore.
Podcast 34: 'Aida' - Monday night - From the Fox and Hound, for the Roasters Guild party, hosted by Roast Magazine... an amazing chat with Aida Battle, coffee producer from El Salvador, notably Finca Kilimanjaro, #1 winner of the 2003 El Salvador Cup of Excellence. Also on the mic, Peter Giuliano and Geoff Watts. This is a special one for sure, and a great way to close out the barrage of podcasts from the Charlotte SCAA.

Thanks again for all of the love shared in Charlotte, and keep on sending us emails at podcast@portafilter.net.