Friday, January 16, 2009

Judith Hoffberg has passed away. She started
the magazine above. Through the first issue I ever
saw, I met Picasso Gaglione and other fine mailart
people. It's an amazing, creative crowd of people.

You can read back issues online if interested:

Umbrella

Bars and coffeehouses in San Francisco and

New York's "Little Italy" catered to the

Beat Generation. Writers , musicians and

artists, passionately drank their strong,

dark coffee while formulating and

developing revolutions in art and literature.

1950s




24 comments:

Crazy Ass Beastard said...

I knew that there had to be good reasons for the connections between strong coffee and writing.

I asked you right about the time you began having computer problems why I have never been able to find anything taste worthy when it comes to mixing coffee and tea. Either my taste buds go into hibernation or else I have never had the right concoction. Any suggestions that I might find tasty?

Congrats on blog of note.

Immodesty Blaze said...

So we should just ignore that thing that Dorothea Brande says about not getting addicted to caffeine, right?

But as a psychologist, I have to say that of course coffee has mild antidepressant properties, so maybe it energises us to write better.

Stumbled across your blog after seeing it was noted, I do quite like it!

tut-tut said...

Wish I were in Greenwich Village at this very moment, fomenting . . . something.

Avid Reader said...

I can't imagine a writer without coffee or tea!

Megan said...

Gregory Corso once wrote a poem to my mother's eyebrows. But it was on the back of a napkin, and did not survive...

Dot-Com said...

I could do with a cup of strong, good coffee right now. It would keep me awake all night, but it would be lovely. Maybe I'll make a cup...

Colette Amelia said...

I am always delighted to see all the great images and tid bits of wisdom when I pop in!

hope the weather and the computer are cooperating now!

congrats on the award!

need4trth said...

I'm with you, I love coffee especially Peets coffee 'arabian mocha java'. I love it. I know coffee is addictive but if drank in moderation it is safe. I don't drink it everyday, just twice a week. I think tha'ts safe. Hooray for Peet's.....

Joanne said...

Nice thought, I wonder what picture would define today's artists/writers formulating revolutions in art and literature. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Kurt said...

What's an Air Jordan.

What always surprised me was how unpretentious Caffe Trieste is, even after becoming so famous.

Unknown said...

Yep! As I think you know, I’m awed by the Beats! Thanks!

ratatouille's archives said...

Hi!C.M.
What a nice coffee poster, but of course!...Being an artist, I too
drink coffee, but much "weaker" with cream ( My coffee is usually a light brown colour) while formulating and "developing" "revolutions" in the art world.

Tks,
Darkcitydame ;-)

dennis said...

Dennis wonders if beatnick coffeehouses had other names besides coffeehouses.

Coffee Messiah said...

simstone: Sorry I forgot about your asking that ? I never mix coffee & tea ; )

But, a tea that is smoky that I like if I want a stronger tea is Lapsang Souchang. There's a milder smokey LS and am waiting to try it. Otherwise, email me with specifics. And Thanks for the BON mention, although I do usually stay away from crowds, if ya know what I mean.

dl: Thanks for stopping by. Although I do drink different types of coffee, I am not addicted. Its a simple pleasure, just as reading books also. Yes, there are people who have addictions, but in my estimation, sometimes we as humans use words as excuses for not taking responsibility for our actions. I have gone long periods without coffee and have tea instead, but am addicted to neither. Although, you might as well say I'm addicted to water, as I drink more of that than anything else ; )

t & t: I'm sorry I never strayed from SF back then ; (

ar: True on both counts.

megan: I had the orginal Jefferson Airplane signatures on a sweatshirt from an early concert at Winterland.
Sadly, my mom washed it and it never survived ; (

dc: Tea at night is our beverage of choice.

colette: Thanks as always, but am not too sure about the BON ; (

n4t: Peets is good, much better than anything you can get at sb.
Thanks 4 stopping by.

joanne: I've not seen anything myself and have wondered also. Maybe it's simply not the same anymore?

kurt: They're real, simple people and have stayed that way. Did you know Mary, who opened the store back in the 80s?

nick: Thanks and Thanks 4 the cat-toon. Sorry I never got back to you but was appreciated ; )

dcd: Hello and Thanks ; )

dennis: I've never seen them called anything else.

Ruth said...

Howdy fellow BON-er. :)

I came to visit when you got the notice, and I really liked what you do here.

So things will settle down quickly, yes?

billie said...

neat- i think i will check it out online. thanks :)

Squirrel said...

Thnks for the link to Umbrella. Haven't seen a copy in ages. Have you seen the recent study that says coffee intake slows down the possible onset of dementia?

Tess Kincaid said...

I'm intrigued by Umbrella and am off to visit the link. Thank you...

Coffee Messiah said...

ruth: Thanks for stopping by. Yes, luckily it does, at least with the comments. Lurkers still abound ; )

marco c: I will stop by when time allows and Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

betmo: Hey, Thanks for stopping by and hope all is well.

squirrel: Of course, hoping it's true ; )

willow: Thanks for stopping by!

Private said...

I love the first color. The colors are beautiful. Nice blog!

http://racheteapaintersdiary.blogspot.com/

tony said...

That's Ian Mathews isnt it? Wow.It's a long time since I thought about him (seen him twice Live once with Fairports & once,solo in London around 1980........)I didnt even realise He was known in The States.Nice Voice.I wonder what became of him?

Coffee Messiah said...

rachete: Thanks for stopping by.

tony: He's still around and sells his own music on his own site, or at least he did last time around I looked.

Michael John Westerman said...

I appreciate the style of imagery upon your blog. The 16 Jan 09 image in particular, however I would prefer the text to be in French as opposed to prefacing it with the adjective. (if you dig French films, check out "District B13", it is an ill flick, just watched it today, and dammit mehn, use the original French audio track) Keep on keepin' on, I share the common affinity for caffeine without doubt. Rock and roll.

Coffee Messiah said...

mjw: Thanks for that and 4 stopping by!