Cosby vs Huxtable

The conviction of Bill Cosby is painful and for many it has left them with a huge sense of loss- the loss of a dear character who not only entertained, but educated, and provided a role model for many young African American men.

To all those who are feeling this loss I say- do not confuse Dr. Huxtable for Bill Cosby. Dr. Huxtable cherished and respected his family and would never have misused his position of power and influence to abuse a woman. So keep your eye on the character and do not let the actor overpower its charm.

Yes the conviction of Bill Cosby is painful and in many ways it is a time to mourn- but it is also a time to rejoice. Rejoice in the knowledge that justice was served, a woman's voice was heard and the truth was victorious. Today Bill Cosby maybe in jail but the spirit of Dr. Huxtable and his family lives on- and that is what should inspire the next generation of men.

60 Degrees

So what can a sixty degree day mean? If the opportunity is ceased, a sixty degree day can mean an evening of shooting hoops, idol chatting, a walk in the park, and story telling. It was a wonderful half hour in the park with my favorite guy and the weather was perfect for it.

This sort of an impromptu break can cleanse the soul and rejuvenate your energy. So I vow to do this more often as the weather turns and hopefully by the time winter comes around again (because come it will) I would have stored away my treasure of sunshine for those dark bleak days.

Thank God for spring. Thanks God for sixty degree days!

Elevate

Just last week I met someone at the newly opened coffee shop in town. Surrounded by the heady aroma of the brew and the morning hum drum of lattes and mochas, I was struck by how packaging and branding had elevated something as simple as coffee. Coming from a region of India where most people still start the day with warm milk or tea prepared in the humble home kitchen, the rise of the coffee to such international fame still manages to amaze me.

The lesson to be learnt here is that there is money to be made when something can be made complex, branded, packaged and mystified. Twenty years ago there was just coffee and then came decaf, today your morning cuppa is as complex as you want it to be and your relationship with your barista  something to be thoughtful of.

Drinking coffee is no longer about getting your morning caffeine. It is now a whole experience and a statement of who you are. If you favor Starbucks you are playing it safe and willing to pay a premium for the guarantee of predictable taste. But if you are a true pioneer, you will be seen frequenting the one off boutique coffee shop in town run by the local couple who use burlap at every chance they can, probably diffuse essential oils at home, and in the name of being local have taken on a lifelong struggle.

Whatever your passion or style, coffee is no longer just coffee. When you order that non-fat, extra hot latte with soy milk and stevia leaf sweetener and refill your battered travel cup, you are buying something that appeals as much to your soul as to your taste buds.