I think they call it writer’s block. In a period of two years I wrote nearly 70 songs and in the past year I have started a number of pieces — but finished none. I haven’t been in the right frame of mind and also have been a bit too busy. Anyone in a creative field knows when you take major time off from your medium you start to question if you can even do it again. My background in the early years was painting. I would paint canvas after canvas then often wouldn’t walk into the studio for months. When I finally did, I knew it was again time to express myself. I would start painting again with some trepidation and self-doubt, but usually these feelings went away in the first hour. To me, creativity is all about communicating on a more visceral level with the world.

This past week I wrote or finished seven new songs, one of which is posted here. The working title is "Maze-ment" and it is a bit over five minutes in length. I hope you enjoy it.

I wanted to produce all new music for the two World Barista Championships films we will be shooting and editing this summer. Covering over two hours of footage with music will require an incredible time commitment, so hopefully the creative juices will continue to flow.

I would like to thank everyone who has purchased B Music Volumes One and Two. This summer I will attempt to release one or two more CDs. Many of you have written or called saying this music works well for the ambiance of your shops, and I think the new music will too.

Matthew, who played in a number of bands (one opened for Joey Ramone), can play piano by ear and is also a natural music composer. Maybe I can twist his arm and get him to help me write a few songs — he is truly quite amazing and talented in many areas outside of coffee.

I am really excited to announce that Bellissimo has been awarded the opportunity to make a professional film of the 8th Annual World Barista Championship (WBC), hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan, July 31 to August 2, 2007 in Tokyo.

Doug Zell, president of Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters and the WBC, and Bellissimo worked hard over many months to get a game plan together that would allow the creation of this film, which the industry has needed for years. Bellissimo is ecstatic and honored to have the chance to put this amazing event on film and give those who are unable to attend the event in Japan the opportunity to witness the best baristas in the world in action.

Bellissimo will create a two-DVD set recording the event. The first DVD will be a documentary-style overview of the WBC competition that will include interviews, local color shots and footage of many of the competitors in action. The second DVD will feature the performances of the six finalists in their entirety.

I think it makes sense to split the project into two DVDs. The first DVD will document the full WBC experience and viewers will be able to see and feel the excitement generated by this competition as well as to hear from the participants, attendees and coffee professionals from all over the world. We hope to find small stories that will bring this documentary to life and show the passion of the competitors and the excitement generated in the venue.

The second DVD is for all the baristas out there who dream about competing or bettering their skills and who want to analyze every move these champions make. We plan to film this segment using two cameras, one to show wide shots of the barista in action and the other to show close-ups of particular techniques.

Baristas who have won sanctioned WBC competitions held around the world are illegible to compete for the title of world's best barista. Baristas are judged on artistry, presentation, technical skills and the quality of the beverages they prepare. In 2006, Denmark's Klaus Thomsen won the competition in a field of 39 competitors. Matt Riddle of the United States took third place.

If the DVDs are successful, Bellissimo has the option to film the WBC in Copenhagen in 2008 and Atlanta in 2009.

There’s even more great news. In addition to capturing the WBC on film, Bellissimo has been named a Silver Sponsor of the event, joining Bunn Brewing Systems, Clover Single-Cup Brewers, Compak Grinders, Probat Roasters, Monin Syrups and LaMarzocco Espresso Machines as supporters of this prestigious and high-profile event.

The Bellissimo Gang of Five is back from Long Beach and the SCAA Conference and Exhibition held last weekend. Kris, Matt, Jared, Christine and I went south for the good part of last week while Whitney stayed behind to hold down the phones. I must admit Southern California is cool for a few days, but I was happy to return to Portland and great weather, which is a real treat this time of year. After many twelve-hour days, we are now relaxing in the safe haven of our offices, doing business as usual.

The show was a success in terms of the number of attendees — at least that was the buzz. The floor was large and spread out, so to me it never seemed busy. I walked the show floor for two full days, and was able to talk to many dear friends, some of whom I only see once a year at the SCAA conference. For me, this show is about networking and socializing. Sales take a back seat here.

The Monin Cinco de Mayo party was very cool, featuring an all-woman mariachi band. At another event that same evening, the industry said goodbye to Umberto Terreni of General Espresso (pictured here). This was the last trade show of his career, and soon he will move to Italy to live permanently. Umberto and I go way back, and he has been very kind to me over the years. When I first started in the business, he brought me to many shows so I could explore new markets, often giving me half his booth. One year we did the bakery show together and another year the spirits show in Vegas. Umberto will be missed by many, and definitely by me.

Sunday night I attended a dinner on the Queen Mary to honor Ted Lingle, who has left his post as executive director of the SCAA to become the director of the Coffee Quality Institute. The event was definitely a who's who of the specialty coffee industry. The best part for me was seeing another side of Ted — one in which he was surrounded by his family and friends and touchingly honored in a multi-media slide show.

The party scene goes on and on at the SCAA show. Every night there were at least three or four receptions to attend. I took a lot of photos, most of them on the show floor. Check out the Friends of the Universe Gallery to get a pictorial overview of the event.

It’s hard to believe, but classes at ABC’s start on Monday. On Sunday, I will be driving down to Eugene to have a nice Mother’s Day brunch with mom. I will be glad to see June arrive since I still have two more long trips scheduled this month.

Watch for the next podcast. This time Sarah Allen, editor of Barista Magazine, will be in the studio.