Last but not least of my reviews of local places in which I have spent work time, we have the Bayview location of Stone Creek Coffee.
Coffee:The coffee (by which I mean espresso) here seems a little more acidic than other places, but in mocha application, there is a good balance between espresso and chocolate. They use powder here as well and not too much of it. The latte specials are more varied, which I like because this means that I can try out new flavor combinations, Currently, they have a honey-cranberry latte which interests me, and a lavender latte which scares me. I have yet to try either, but this will likely change in the not-too-distant future.
Space: This place is not set up for studying. It has a few smaller tables, but the rest is bar/counter space. If you can get a table, it's great, but those are not always easy to come by. This is a coffee place, and is set up to reflect emphasis on the coffee as opposed to food or atmosphere.
Internet
and computer accessibility: The Wi-Fi here is unlimited, but the signal does not always work and can be slower. I have had trouble connecting to the Internet with a laptop in particular, but the computer works perfectly well at other coffee shops. Likewise, other devices have little trouble picking up and using the signal here. I'm not tech-savy enough to even speculate why this is. I can say though that because of the spatial set-up, there is limited access to plug-ins. I f you plan on settling in here for more than a few hours, you either need to be lucky in your seat, or have a really good battery at full charge.
Clientele:Because of the size, this shop tends to attract more people here by themselves or in smaller groups. People also seem more interested in the actual coffee than the hanging out. This isn't to say that book clubs or families don't come here; they do. However, when you come with a group of more than two, you have to get a little creative about seating, which can lead to customer interaction ('can we use this chair?' for example). This more interactive vibe is friendly and helps to counteract the more fragmented seating arrangements.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Off-Campus Workplaces continued
Places to Work Off-Campus (aka coffee shops) Review 2: Colectivo (formerly Alterra)
I did a lot of early reading, and some editing at the location on Prospect, and once the Bayview location opened, I spent time brainstorming, writing, and revising there. Unless otherwise specified, I will refer to collective attributes.
Coffee: As a reminder, I speak here exclusively of the espresso, particularly in mocha form. I believe that Colectivo also uses cocoa powder which is a plus, but they tend to use enough so that you can't taste the espresso. Their cup sizing takes a little getting used to as it is non-standard, but that's a minor point. As for the coffee itself, to me, it's better than Starbucks but it still has a more standardized taste to it than a small-batch roaster. This is likely because, although a local company, Colectivo has quite a few locations that depend on the same roasting center.
Space: The Prospect location is smaller with a more intimate feel, and although it has a fair amount of seating, the location does tend to get busy and seats get filled. The Bayview location is much bigger but it has about the same number of tables (at least it seems this way). This spot also shares space with the baking operations for the company, so it adds both something to watch and a lot of extra noise. If you want to work in quiet, Prospect is a better bet. Both have windowed sections, but both locations also have dark little corners. It's much easier in Colectivo to hide in plain sight, or in other words to isolate yourself.
Internet and computer accessibility: When it comes to Wi-Fi both of these locations (as far as I know) do not restrict time online. One thing I have noticed is that if you aren't actively working online but rather streaming music or similar, the system drops you after about 20 minutes (I never actually timed this), and you have to re-establish the connection. This factor is a little bit of a hassle if you don't like the radio choice or the bakery noise as the Bayview location. The biggest problem though has to do with plugs. Given the size of both places, there are not as many places to plug in as you might think. This can be problematic if you happen to be unsure about duration of stay or starting charge of your device. Prospect has added plugs at the big common table, which is nice but requires that you don't need-want your own space.
Clientele: The people who come to Colectivo seem to be mixed in that there is a range of ages and of student vs retirees vs business vs families. Colectivo does have an atmosphere of being hip, which is not exclusively the fault of the design of the locations or the coffee. The people often seem to exude a deliberate aura of 'coolness', although this may be due in part to the separations between tables, groups, and areas of the cafes. I think that this might also be related to the presence of branded merchandise beyond coffee. Other companies do this too, but it seems like Colectivo has a lot more of it.
Stay tuned for next time and a review of Stone Creek, Bayview.
I did a lot of early reading, and some editing at the location on Prospect, and once the Bayview location opened, I spent time brainstorming, writing, and revising there. Unless otherwise specified, I will refer to collective attributes.
Coffee: As a reminder, I speak here exclusively of the espresso, particularly in mocha form. I believe that Colectivo also uses cocoa powder which is a plus, but they tend to use enough so that you can't taste the espresso. Their cup sizing takes a little getting used to as it is non-standard, but that's a minor point. As for the coffee itself, to me, it's better than Starbucks but it still has a more standardized taste to it than a small-batch roaster. This is likely because, although a local company, Colectivo has quite a few locations that depend on the same roasting center.
Space: The Prospect location is smaller with a more intimate feel, and although it has a fair amount of seating, the location does tend to get busy and seats get filled. The Bayview location is much bigger but it has about the same number of tables (at least it seems this way). This spot also shares space with the baking operations for the company, so it adds both something to watch and a lot of extra noise. If you want to work in quiet, Prospect is a better bet. Both have windowed sections, but both locations also have dark little corners. It's much easier in Colectivo to hide in plain sight, or in other words to isolate yourself.
Internet and computer accessibility: When it comes to Wi-Fi both of these locations (as far as I know) do not restrict time online. One thing I have noticed is that if you aren't actively working online but rather streaming music or similar, the system drops you after about 20 minutes (I never actually timed this), and you have to re-establish the connection. This factor is a little bit of a hassle if you don't like the radio choice or the bakery noise as the Bayview location. The biggest problem though has to do with plugs. Given the size of both places, there are not as many places to plug in as you might think. This can be problematic if you happen to be unsure about duration of stay or starting charge of your device. Prospect has added plugs at the big common table, which is nice but requires that you don't need-want your own space.
Clientele: The people who come to Colectivo seem to be mixed in that there is a range of ages and of student vs retirees vs business vs families. Colectivo does have an atmosphere of being hip, which is not exclusively the fault of the design of the locations or the coffee. The people often seem to exude a deliberate aura of 'coolness', although this may be due in part to the separations between tables, groups, and areas of the cafes. I think that this might also be related to the presence of branded merchandise beyond coffee. Other companies do this too, but it seems like Colectivo has a lot more of it.
Stay tuned for next time and a review of Stone Creek, Bayview.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
The End part III, and Review of Off-Campus Workplaces 1
As it turns out, I did have to submit some slight formatting revisions. I missed the requirement for all headings to be triple spaced, and my cover page somehow got slightly misaligned. Those were fixed, and I got final approval within a few hours of resubmission. Official university work is now complete. I think/hope.
I have started on my pile of recreational reading, but it will take some time, especially since I keep finding new things to add (for this, let us blame-praise/blame Boswell Books). Goodreads is fun too, but in a way I'm glad I'm not reading quite the same things as most everyone I know, because this would only result in a maddening number of additional things that I would want to read. With all this stuff to read, my Netflix streaming cue, which has been neglected, may continue to see little attention. Then again, little is better than none.
Job hunting continues. In addition to the previously noted job board, MilwaukeeJobs.com and JobsInMinneapolis.com have a good set of listings. LinkedIn has not been as helpful as I would like so far, but we'll see. Over the past two weeks, I have sent out nearly 20 applications.No news other than submissions continue. We'll see. I hate this part (mostly the waiting).
Places to Work Off-Campus (aka coffee shops) Review 1: Anodyne
I'm pretty sure that I did between a third to half of my actual dissertation writing at the original Bayview location. I have never tried working at the new location, so comments here will be restricted to the Bayview cafe. I will say though that I miss having the roaster around.
I have decided to divide discussions into 4 categories: space, Internet and computer accessibility, coffee, and clientele.
Coffee: Over the years I have devised a theory/test. If one plans on frequenting the same sort of establishment (such as a coffee shop) but not necessarily the same place, there should be a standard order that one uses to judge the place upon first visiting. For me at coffee shops, this is a medium skim mocha. Anodyne's is the best espresso and, and best mocha of the three places (the other two being Stone Creek and Colectivo which will forever be known as Alterra-no-wait-not-anymore-now-its-Colectivo) in my head). I think the espresso win has to do with the advantage of having a very local roaster that operates for only one (now towo) shops. The mocha here also uses powdered cocoa, which I think pairs better with the taste of coffee; using chocolate syrup of bits of chocolate only covers up the espresso.
Space: Anodyne falls in the middle in terms of space size. I think it's the best in terms of tables since it has many small ones and two long ones, and lots of natural light. Combine these two elements, and you get a friendly but still semi-private area to work.
Internet-computer accessibility. Anodyne is the only place to place a wi-fi restriction on users in terms of time. You have to make a purchase for every two hours of internet use. This was never a problem for me, but if you wanted to do some serious web-based research or read web-based texts it could prove problematic. Being able to plug in a laptop is also important, since I don't always keep track of where the charge level on mine is. Although it's best if you can get a seat right next to a plug, all seats in the main area can be reached with a standard cord. The newer seating area (left by the removal of hte roasting equipment) has less access to plugs.
Clientele: Anodyne has the least pretentious atmosphere and clientele. There is a pretty good mix of families, students, business, and regulars (those who come to hang out; often retirees). There is a buzz of conversation but most people appear mindful that they are in a public place and do their best to keep the sound of conversations, electronics, and children under a reasonable degree of control. Sadly the buzz of the roaster is no more, but the radio background is also pretty decent background stuff, although depending on the station, sometimes you do have to pause and listen.
I have started on my pile of recreational reading, but it will take some time, especially since I keep finding new things to add (for this, let us blame-praise/blame Boswell Books). Goodreads is fun too, but in a way I'm glad I'm not reading quite the same things as most everyone I know, because this would only result in a maddening number of additional things that I would want to read. With all this stuff to read, my Netflix streaming cue, which has been neglected, may continue to see little attention. Then again, little is better than none.
Job hunting continues. In addition to the previously noted job board, MilwaukeeJobs.com and JobsInMinneapolis.com have a good set of listings. LinkedIn has not been as helpful as I would like so far, but we'll see. Over the past two weeks, I have sent out nearly 20 applications.No news other than submissions continue. We'll see. I hate this part (mostly the waiting).
Places to Work Off-Campus (aka coffee shops) Review 1: Anodyne
I'm pretty sure that I did between a third to half of my actual dissertation writing at the original Bayview location. I have never tried working at the new location, so comments here will be restricted to the Bayview cafe. I will say though that I miss having the roaster around.
I have decided to divide discussions into 4 categories: space, Internet and computer accessibility, coffee, and clientele.
Coffee: Over the years I have devised a theory/test. If one plans on frequenting the same sort of establishment (such as a coffee shop) but not necessarily the same place, there should be a standard order that one uses to judge the place upon first visiting. For me at coffee shops, this is a medium skim mocha. Anodyne's is the best espresso and, and best mocha of the three places (the other two being Stone Creek and Colectivo which will forever be known as Alterra-no-wait-not-anymore-now-its-Colectivo) in my head). I think the espresso win has to do with the advantage of having a very local roaster that operates for only one (now towo) shops. The mocha here also uses powdered cocoa, which I think pairs better with the taste of coffee; using chocolate syrup of bits of chocolate only covers up the espresso.
Space: Anodyne falls in the middle in terms of space size. I think it's the best in terms of tables since it has many small ones and two long ones, and lots of natural light. Combine these two elements, and you get a friendly but still semi-private area to work.
Internet-computer accessibility. Anodyne is the only place to place a wi-fi restriction on users in terms of time. You have to make a purchase for every two hours of internet use. This was never a problem for me, but if you wanted to do some serious web-based research or read web-based texts it could prove problematic. Being able to plug in a laptop is also important, since I don't always keep track of where the charge level on mine is. Although it's best if you can get a seat right next to a plug, all seats in the main area can be reached with a standard cord. The newer seating area (left by the removal of hte roasting equipment) has less access to plugs.
Clientele: Anodyne has the least pretentious atmosphere and clientele. There is a pretty good mix of families, students, business, and regulars (those who come to hang out; often retirees). There is a buzz of conversation but most people appear mindful that they are in a public place and do their best to keep the sound of conversations, electronics, and children under a reasonable degree of control. Sadly the buzz of the roaster is no more, but the radio background is also pretty decent background stuff, although depending on the station, sometimes you do have to pause and listen.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
The End, Part II
I have now managed to submit my dissertation to the university. The instructions for this are not at all straightforward, but I haven't heard that I need to fix anything yet, and it's been 24 hours. We'll have to wait and see.
The 'now what am I going to do with myself' part of the semester has started.
Priority 1: Job hunting. HigherEdJobs.com seems promising.Applications have been and will continue to be submitted.
Priority 2: Making a dent in the pile of 'fun reading' books that has piled up (literally). I intend to document this via Goodreads. I put off signing up because I knew that I would not be posting anything for some time. Now, it is time to start.
Priority 3: Catching up on domestic chores like house cleaning that have been sorely neglected until now. This weekend there will be cleaning off of the desk and table surfaces and vacuuming. This has not been done in an embarrassingly long time. I wait until this weekend because it will take me that long to return all of the library books that have been decorating my floor.
Stay tuned for coffee shop reviews and other final notes about this past year.
The 'now what am I going to do with myself' part of the semester has started.
Priority 1: Job hunting. HigherEdJobs.com seems promising.Applications have been and will continue to be submitted.
Priority 2: Making a dent in the pile of 'fun reading' books that has piled up (literally). I intend to document this via Goodreads. I put off signing up because I knew that I would not be posting anything for some time. Now, it is time to start.
Priority 3: Catching up on domestic chores like house cleaning that have been sorely neglected until now. This weekend there will be cleaning off of the desk and table surfaces and vacuuming. This has not been done in an embarrassingly long time. I wait until this weekend because it will take me that long to return all of the library books that have been decorating my floor.
Stay tuned for coffee shop reviews and other final notes about this past year.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
The End Part I
I've decided to finish this year-long blog with a multi-part conclusion. Today's will cover what happens just before and after the defense. Next, there will be the submission to the university process (I still have to do that). Lastly, will be 'What's Next' (which I'm still working on).
Before the defense: Once I had the paperwork all submitted to the university, and a 'defense draft' to the committee, I spent the next six weeks reviewing and revising the entire 300-page dissertation. If anyone's wondering, yes, that's long for a dissertation in the MU English department. Looking up some other recent ones for formatting, I noticed that they were under 200 pages. Oh well.
As I reviewed and edited the actual text, I added a lot of commentary with notes, extra information, extended references and quotations, and possible defense questions in the margins. I think adding and considering possible questions was really helpful. To those who have yet to defend, pay attention to questions and comments on previous drafts as these can (and will) come up in your defense.
The actual defense was not as stressful as I would have guessed. As one of the readers pointed out to the audience (and to me in an email a few days beforehand), these things are designed to make the 'defendant' look good and show what they have learned. I think what really nailed it for me was when I answered a committee member with (this is a paraphrase) "I think I was not quite right in the original proposal. As the project progressed, I realized that a better way to frame the entire project was not as a 'definition' but as a 'framework for discussion'. " Those present will remember that this reader did not have too many questions after that. My point here is that admitting that something in the original proposal may have changed is a good thing.
Lesson: You are not defending your DQE proposal again. You are defending something entirely new.
Immediately after the defense: I spent the rest of the week checking a few final details and one reader's notes (mostly grammar related). On Monday, I will review the formatting and attempt to submit the final document to the university. We shall see how that goes.
It probably goes without saying that some immediate celebration would be in order. I took the rest of the day after the defense off. I went to yoga, and then to dinner. Group celebrating will come later this coming week (coinciding with my birthday, which times out well). Today, in honor of planning to submit the final dissertation, I finally signed up for Goodreads. I also started reading a novel that I purchased some time ago. The stack of 'things to read once I'm done' stands at around 10 novels, and a few manga volumes. I have tried to keep the pile of novels roughly in order of when purchased. On the top is Nick Harkman's "Angelmaker". I'm about 25 pages in, and I'm really enjoying it. Stay tuned to Goodreads for an eventual review :)
That's it for now. Stay tuned for some commentary on the submission process, the state of my Netflix cue, and reviews of the local Milwaukee coffee shops. Since I did the majority of my writing and reading in them, and I did the same for their UK counterparts, I figure this is a necessary thing to include in a chronicle of the final dissertation year.
PS- Who wants to guess how many times I misspelled 'defence' and had to go back and fix it in this post?
Before the defense: Once I had the paperwork all submitted to the university, and a 'defense draft' to the committee, I spent the next six weeks reviewing and revising the entire 300-page dissertation. If anyone's wondering, yes, that's long for a dissertation in the MU English department. Looking up some other recent ones for formatting, I noticed that they were under 200 pages. Oh well.
As I reviewed and edited the actual text, I added a lot of commentary with notes, extra information, extended references and quotations, and possible defense questions in the margins. I think adding and considering possible questions was really helpful. To those who have yet to defend, pay attention to questions and comments on previous drafts as these can (and will) come up in your defense.
The actual defense was not as stressful as I would have guessed. As one of the readers pointed out to the audience (and to me in an email a few days beforehand), these things are designed to make the 'defendant' look good and show what they have learned. I think what really nailed it for me was when I answered a committee member with (this is a paraphrase) "I think I was not quite right in the original proposal. As the project progressed, I realized that a better way to frame the entire project was not as a 'definition' but as a 'framework for discussion'. " Those present will remember that this reader did not have too many questions after that. My point here is that admitting that something in the original proposal may have changed is a good thing.
Lesson: You are not defending your DQE proposal again. You are defending something entirely new.
Immediately after the defense: I spent the rest of the week checking a few final details and one reader's notes (mostly grammar related). On Monday, I will review the formatting and attempt to submit the final document to the university. We shall see how that goes.
It probably goes without saying that some immediate celebration would be in order. I took the rest of the day after the defense off. I went to yoga, and then to dinner. Group celebrating will come later this coming week (coinciding with my birthday, which times out well). Today, in honor of planning to submit the final dissertation, I finally signed up for Goodreads. I also started reading a novel that I purchased some time ago. The stack of 'things to read once I'm done' stands at around 10 novels, and a few manga volumes. I have tried to keep the pile of novels roughly in order of when purchased. On the top is Nick Harkman's "Angelmaker". I'm about 25 pages in, and I'm really enjoying it. Stay tuned to Goodreads for an eventual review :)
That's it for now. Stay tuned for some commentary on the submission process, the state of my Netflix cue, and reviews of the local Milwaukee coffee shops. Since I did the majority of my writing and reading in them, and I did the same for their UK counterparts, I figure this is a necessary thing to include in a chronicle of the final dissertation year.
PS- Who wants to guess how many times I misspelled 'defence' and had to go back and fix it in this post?
Thursday, March 20, 2014
The End in Nigh
Defense is complete. What's Next is unknown. Stay tuned for a final post with some comments regarding the process overall, and probably some reviews of the best places to work.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
State of the Diss for 2014
The conclusion/introduction is the hardest part to write? We'll see. First draft of Chapter 5 is away, including the rather ingenious reference to Shel Silverstein's "The Little Boy and Old Man". I hope I can keep that bit. Chapters 1-3 need minor revisions, and Chapter 4 probably needs one more overhaul. I'm hoping one last bootcamp in the library will take care of most everything here. Once that's all done, then I just need to compile some appendices and submit the whole thing one (I hope) last time. Fingers crossed....
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