COFFEE BEANS & BEINGS /TARIFFS COULD ADD 75 CENTS TO A $3 CUP OF COFFEE

This month's staff favorite: Classic architectural readaption of existing structure: Starbuck's, Dupont Circle, Washington DC.

GUEST BLOG / PillartoPost.org/ChatGPT4o--The recent implementation of tariffs under President Trump's administration is poised to significantly impact the cost of a single cup of coffee in the United States. These tariffs, part of a broader trade policy shift, introduce new financial pressures across the coffee supply chain, from importers to consumers. 

 ☕ The Tariff Breakdown As of April 2025, the U.S. has imposed a 10% base tariff on coffee imports, with higher rates for specific countries:

 • Vietnam: 46% 

• Indonesia: 32% 

• India: 26% 

• China: 54% (primarily affecting packaging materials). 

These tariffs are particularly impactful given that the U.S. imports approximately 99% of its coffee, with major suppliers including Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia .

 💸 From Bean to Brew: Cost Implications The added tariffs increase the cost of imported coffee beans, which, in turn, affects the retail price of coffee beverages. For instance, a coffee shop owner in Westminster, Colorado, anticipates a 25% increase in costs, translating to an additional 75 cents on a $3 cup of coffee. 

Similarly, in Colorado Springs, coffee businesses are raising prices by approximately 11% to offset the increased costs associated with the tariffs .

 🌍 Global Factors: Amplify the Impact Beyond tariffs, global issues such as climate change are exacerbating coffee price increases. Droughts in key coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam have led to reduced output, further driving up prices 

📈 Consumer Price Projections: The combination of tariffs and global supply challenges suggests that consumers can expect to pay more for their daily coffee. Estimates indicate that the price of coffee from Brazil could rise from $8.30 to $9.13 per pound due to the 10% tariff  

🛍️ Broader Economic Implications: These tariffs are not limited to coffee alone; they are part of a wider trade policy affecting various imported goods. The increased costs may lead to reduced product variety and higher prices across multiple sectors.

 🏁 Final Sip: In summary, the newly imposed tariffs are set to increase the cost of coffee in the U.S., affecting both businesses and consumers. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how the industry and consumers will adapt to these changes. Stay tuned.

FREEZE YOUR ASS FRIDAY / GOOD DAY, BAD DAY ATOP EVEREST

WHAT IT’S LIKE ATOP EVEREST ON A NICE DAY 

A feeling like no other.   

A clear day at the summit of Mount Everest is rare, but unforgettable. Above 29,000 feet, the so-called “Death Zone” becomes, for a fleeting window, almost serene. The sky turns a darker shade of blue than most have ever seen. Winds drop to a manageable hum. Oxygen tanks hiss steadily as climbers take in views stretching into Tibet and Nepal.   

On such days, you can see the shadow of Everest cast onto the Himalayas, a giant’s silhouette at dawn. Communication is clear, radios crackle with cheerful updates, and those few who reach the summit can afford a moment’s pause—for photos, flags, and stunned silence.   

The cold never leaves—temperatures hover around -10°F even on a “warm” day—but without gale-force winds, frostbite risk diminishes. The snow underfoot remains firm, the horizon endless. Helicopters are rare but possible for rescues or filming. 

And for those lucky climbers with the weather gods on their side, there’s the unshakable knowledge they’ve stood on top of the world in rare peace. 

WHEN EVEREST TURNS VICIOUS 

Same peak, different beast   

A storm atop Everest is brutal and unforgiving. 

Visibility drops to inches. 

Winds howl past 70 mph, slashing exposed skin and knocking climbers off balance. 

Temperatures plummet to -40°F or worse, freezing fingers, lungs, and resolve.   

Tents shred. 

Communication fails. 

Oxygen tanks ice over. 

Ice screws pop loose. 

Navigation becomes guesswork, and descents are blind survival plays. 

Avalanche risks spike, and frostbite sets in within minutes. 

Helicopters won’t fly in these conditions.   

The same summit that once offered awe now becomes a trap. 

On bad days, Everest doesn’t care who you are. It just wants you off the mountain—or not at all. 

A DIME OF NOIR BARS IN CALIFORNIA THAT STILL POUR IT RIGHT

GUEST BLOG / Holden DeMayo, PillartoPost.org Food & Booze Editor--California has always been a playground for the noir imagination. From San Francisco’s fog-choked alleys to Hollywood’s gilded shadows, there’s no better setting for danger and double-crosses. 

The right bar can feel like a Raymond Chandler paragraph—dark, bitter, with a twist. Here are nine joints where dames drink dry martinis, cops nurse regrets, and every barkeep looks like they’ve heard too much. 

These bars aren’t theme parks—they’re time machines. Pull up a stool, order something bitter, and watch the shadows crawl. Just remember: in these joints, everybody’s got a past. 

 1. John’s Grill — San Francisco Best Drink: Manhattan, stiff and sincere Why It’s Noir: The Maltese Falcon’s Sam Spade ate chops here. Still does if you squint. Dark wood, history, and a menu right out of 1930. Dashiell Hammett made this his watering hole. 

2. Musso & Frank Grill — Hollywood Best Drink: Classic dry martini, stirred with respect Why It’s Noir: It is noir. Bogart, Chandler, Faulkner, Fitzgerald. Red booths, waiters in tuxedos, a bar that hasn’t blinked since 1919. You can practically hear the Remingtons clacking in the back. 

 3. The Tower Bar — Sunset Strip, L.A. Best Drink: Negroni, bitter as a good backstory Why It’s Noir: Sunset Tower Hotel housed mobsters and movie stars alike. Now it’s hush-hush meetings in velvet booths overlooking the Strip. Trouble comes dressed in satin. 

 4. Vesuvio Café — San Francisco Best Drink: Bohemian Coffee (brandy-laced rebellion) Why It’s Noir: Across from City Lights Books, Kerouac drank here. Neon glows, sawdust floors, and Beat ghosts still mumble poetry in the corners. 

 

5. Bourbon & Branch — Left: San Francisco Best Drink: Old Cuban (dark rum, mint, champagne) Why It’s Noir: A speakeasy hidden behind a false bookshelf. Passwords, trap doors, and whispers. Feels like you’re five minutes from a deal going bad. Chandler would’ve approved. 

6. Dobson’s — San Diego Best Drink: Mussel Bisque Martini (yes, really) Why It’s Noir: Built into the historic Spreckels Building with a secret passage to the theater. It’s where city hall types, journalists, and faded cops tell stories they can’t print. Dim booths, tall ceilings, and old ghosts. 

 7. House of Shields — San Francisco Why It’s Noir: Since 1908, it’s stood without a clock, because time forgets itself here. Dark mahogany, marble, and myth. Cops drank downstairs, politicians upstairs, and nobody asked questions. The chandeliers still flicker like secrets. Best Drink: Rye Old-Fashioned, neat with a glare 

 8. Tosca Café — North Beach, SF Best Drink: House cappuccino with a surprise (hint: brandy) Why It’s Noir: Red booths, jukebox arias, and a back room once used by opera-loving wiseguys. In the '50s, this was the unofficial HQ for cops, poets, and cons. Tosca keeps its secrets well. 

 9. Tom Bergin’s — Los Angeles Best Drink: Irish Coffee (served since the 1930s) Why It’s Noir: This old Irish pub predates noir itself. Horseshoe bar, shadowy regulars, and enough shamrocks with faded names to raise the dead. You come here to remember—or forget. 

 

10. Lobby Bar, Westgate Hotel — Above; San Diego Best Drink: French 75 in crystal stemware Why It’s Noir: The closest thing this side of the Atlantic to Harry’s Bar at the Ritz. Mirrors, chandeliers, and an atmosphere so lush even your alibi would crack. Best place in town to dress up and vanish. 

ART DECO CENTURY / THE TREE THAT ESCAPED THE CROWDED FOREST REAWAKENS

In a compelling twist of architectural fate, Frank Lloyd Wright’s only realized skyscraper—the iconic Price Tower (left) in Bartlesville, Oklahoma—has found new life under the stewardship of the Snyder family, renowned for their restoration of Tulsa’s historic Mayo Hotel.

The 19-story Art Deco-ish, Wright-ish tower, completed in 1956 and often dubbed “the tree that escaped the crowded forest,” was acquired on May 5, 2025, by McFarlin Building LLC for $1.4 million. 

This acquisition followed a tumultuous period marked by financial mismanagement, bankruptcy, and the controversial sale of protected artifacts. 

The previous owners, Copper Tree Inc. and Green Copper Holdings, had purchased the tower in 2023 for a nominal $10 but failed to fulfill their $10 million restoration commitment, leading to the building's closure and mounting debts exceeding $2 million 

The Snyder family, led by John Snyder and his daughter Macy Snyder-Amatucci, (pictured above in the lobby of the Price Tower) brings a proven track record in historic preservation. Their revitalization of the Mayo Hotel transformed a decaying Art Deco landmark into a vibrant boutique hotel and event space, catalyzing downtown Tulsa's resurgence. 

Their plans for Price Tower are equally ambitious, envisioning a $10 million investment to restore the building's structural integrity and revive its mixed-use functionality, including a boutique hotel, residences, and public cultural spaces 

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, which holds a preservation easement on Price Tower, has expressed optimism about the Snyder family's acquisition. The Conservancy is actively collaborating with the new owners to ensure the restoration respects Wright's original design and the building's historical significance 

 As the Snyder family embarks on this restoration journey, Price Tower stands poised to reclaim its status as a beacon of architectural innovation and cultural vitality on the Oklahoma prairie.

Sources: .Architect Magazine+10Designboom+10Artnet News+10Architectural Digest; Facebook+3Architectural Digest+3Designboom+3CoStar+1m.bartlesvilleradio.com+1;  Architect Magazine+10Architectural Digest+10Designboom+10News On 6+5Architectural Digest+5Wikipedia+5 and Wikipedia+6Designboom+6Designboom+6 

AMERICANA / OUTSIDE TRUMP'S NEWEST GULAG

GULAG TRUMP

Image by Tim Clary, AFP via  Getty Images 

THE CONTINUING COLLAPSE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM

Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark speaks to the press near ICE agents (wearing masks of shame) at a demonstration outside an immigrant detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The Mayor arrived at the gates of Delaney Hall to inspect the previously vacant prison that is being converted into an immigrant detention center. Delaney Hall has the ability to hold over a 1000 people, and the detention facility, privately owned by The GEO Group, holds a contract with the federal government to house people arrested by ICE. 

MEDIA MONDAY / INSIDE GULAG TRUMP

Image via PillartoPost.org from Internet

A PillartoPost.org researcher ran across the following post, an amazing effort by USA Today about a Harvard scientist Kseniia Petrova, who has been in ICE detention for three months. She is one of a growing number of non-criminal immigrants caught up and detained in...JUST ONE OF TRUMP'S GULAGS 

 GUEST BLOG / By Lauren Villagran--USA Today Reporter--Every night at midnight, Will Trim sits down to the piano in his Boston apartment and waits for lights out in the Louisiana ICE detention center where his best friend is being held. 

His cellphone rings. 

On the other end, Kseniia Petrova is silent. She leans against a brick wall in a freezing ward with 101 other women, cradling one of six working phones to her ear. She listens. Trim plays Bach or Chopin to calm her until the jail line clicks off at the 15-minute mark and she – a shy, 30-year-old Harvard scientist with no history of immigration violations or criminality – retreats to the bunk where she has slept for nearly three months in immigration detention. 

"I know he is very worried about me," Petrova told USA TODAY, using one of the phones. 

"Maybe I should be tougher," said Trim, a biologist, who works in a Harvard Medical School lab with Petrova, his colleague and roommate. "But even after three months, the music doesn’t sing anymore unless she calls and wants to hear it." 

Across the country, President Donald Trump's deportation campaign is ensnaring people of all sorts – not only immigrants with criminal backgrounds, as promised during the presidential campaign. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has detained international students, immigrants with valid green cards, immigrants with legal work permits; tourists, U.S. citizen children, and, in Petrova's case, top-tier scholars who work legally in the nation's prestigious research labs. 

A court hearing May 14 could decide her fate. 

Trim and Petrova met in the Harvard Medical School lab in Boston where they worked together on cutting-edge research on aging and longevity. In photos, he is blond and slender; she has shoulder-length black hair and a round face. He was a British post-doctoral student looking for a place to continue his research. 

Petrova, a computational scientist, arrived after fleeing Russia. She had been working for the Genome Russia project, mapping the genetic variation of humankind, until she ran afoul of Vladimir Putin's government for protesting Russia's war on Ukraine. 

"She didn’t compromise," Trim said, with awe. "She stood up for what she believed in." 

In mid-February, Petrova was returning to Boston from France when U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped her at baggage claim. She had gone to Paris to visit friends and see the concert of a Hungarian pianist she adored. Before she departed, she stopped by a sister laboratory to pick up a package of non-hazardous biological samples to bring back to Harvard, at the request of her boss. 

The last time they tried to ship the samples they went bad before arriving. Customs officers alleged Petrova didn't properly declare the samples, which included "loose vials of frog cells... without proper permits," the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. "She knowingly broke the law and took deliberate steps to evade it," according to the statement, which criticized media coverage of "noteworthy individuals," including Petrova. 

The customs officers could have withheld the samples and issued a fine, her attorney said; instead, they canceled her J-1 scholar visa and detained her. She was turned over to ICE, sent to a processing center in Vermont and then transferred to the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana. 

Harvard scientist Kensiia Petrova in happier times.

And Petrova and Trim, like many others, began to learn the sometimes cruel idiosyncrasies of the U.S. immigration system. How foreigners can be held without charge. How immigration detention isn't supposed to be punishing, even though detention centers look, feel and often were, in the past, prisons. 

 Trim has made the trek from Boston to Monroe – population 46,616 – three times, with a fourth visit planned. Each time, guards shepherd him to a prison wing beyond a double-barbed wire fence, to a room where Petrova waits. They are allowed a quick embrace at the beginning of their two-hour allotment. They sit at the short ends of a long table. They are allowed another quick hug at the end. The first time he asked, "Are you okay?" 

"The guard sat at a table right behind her," Trim said. "I don’t know if he was taking notes. She was in a jumpsuit, a green prison outfit which was kind of sad, especially for someone who has done nothing wrong. She was reserved about what to say." "I miss everything," Petrova told USA TODAY. "To work, to read articles, to discuss with my colleagues, to make experiments, to do science." 

Trim sends her books direct from Amazon, per detention center rules. Petrova is reading his latest gift: Transformer, by Nick Lane, a book on biochemistry whose central question is: "What brings the Earth to life, and our own lives to an end?" Petrova looks less well each time he sees her, Trim said, by scientific observation. 

"My masters degree is in nutritional biochemistry," he said. "I noticed very specific things in her eyes, hair and skin and fingernails. He sends her money for commissary. "She buys multivitamins but it’s not doing enough." 

They both miss the freedoms they took for granted. Chatting about the day's research on the six-minute walk from their apartment near Fenway Park to the Harvard lab. 

Boldly trying new recipes for dinner though neither knows how to cook. Sitting on the floor listening to classical music every night. "I’m not sure why we sat on the floor," Trim said, laughing. Petrova would invariably ask if he'd like some "Russian" tea, maybe while he played the piano? 

He'd jokingly remind her the tea package was labeled "London." He'd sit down to the piano. "I like listening to his playing very much," Petrova said. "I would even prefer to listening to some professional. The music isn’t about technique; it’s about feelings." 

"She was always shy about asking me to play," he said. "I'm not very good but she genuinely liked hearing it. It’s all those little things. We would cook, have tea, play music and talk. And then in the morning we’d start again." On weekends, she made cappuccinos. "She has a way to use a French press to froth milk," Trim said. "It's stupid, but I watched a video on YouTube," she said, giggling. "Don't tell him." 

Most nights now, Trim can't stand to be in the apartment alone, so he walks the streets of Boston until late. Until the clock nears midnight by him, 11 p.m. and lights out by her. 

He plays the piano. 

She listens. 

Eventually, an automated voice from the Gulag, interrupts the phone call: "You have one minute remaining on this call." 

He plays a few measures more. 

The line clicks off. 

###

PillartoPost believes the article you just read is deserving of a Pulitzer Prize.

SUNDAY REVIEW / A POEM FROM THE MIDDLE AGES

By Ibn al-Farid from his work "The Khamriyyah." 

 Translated from the Arabic by Leonard Chalmers-Hunt. 

 i There is a vineyard planted by the Lord, ’Tis nigh to all who dwell in sweet accord— Who drink the Cup of Blessings manifold, The Living Wine by Prophecy foretold. 

 ii A Parable of Life doth crown the Vine, Each purple cluster forms a mystic sign, The Passion-flower doth yield in that fair Land Blossoms of comfort for the Pilgrim band. 

 iii As when the ruby in the Crystal Cup Glows with encrimson’d light when lifted up While th’ attendant with obsequious hand, Pours out a measure at the guest’s command. 

 iv So doth the sun that bathes the world in light Shed paler glory on the moon at night. Whose crescent is the symbol of man’s birth, Whose Fulness marks his Zenith on the earth. 

 v Imperial knowledge shines with visions bright When it is worship of the Infinite, Like water mix’d with wine, some understand And reach like children for their Father’s hand. 

 vi Like an Oasis in far desert land, Its Tavern by spice-laden breezes fann’d, That guide the grateful trav’ller when astray, As they have guided me, tho’ far away. 

vii Or, when grey shadows of Night’s Last Watch fly Ere Dawn’s pale flush illumes the Orient sky, So doth heart feel, and fervent impulse glow, With loveliest imagery that thought can know. 

 viii For in that hallow’d Vintage lies the sense! That brings the wayfarer his recompense, No vain imaginings could e’er have found, The Source that giveth Light to all around. 

 ix E’en as the essence of the Lotus-flower That philters thro’ the gardens hour by hour In ancient Egypt—Lo! it’s quick’ning breath Makes wise the meek, and triumphs over Death. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Ibn al-Fāriḍ (1181–1235) was a celebrated Arab poet and mystic, widely regarded as one of the greatest Sufi poets in Islamic literature. Born in Cairo, Egypt, his most famous works include the "Wine Ode" (Khamriyya) and "The Poem of the Sufi Way" (Nazm al-Sulūk), which explore themes of divine love, spiritual intoxication, and union with God. Ibn al-Fāriḍ’s poetry is known for its emotional intensity, rich symbolism, and metaphysical depth, making him a cornerstone of classical Arabic poetry and mystical literature to this day.  

AMERICANA / GEEZ, WE THOUGHT THE MALIBU FIRES WERE BAD

Illustration Michael Ramirez, Las Vegas Review-Journal

WHY HIGHER TARIFFS ARE BAD FOR HOLLYWOOD-CENTRIC FILMMAKING

1. Increased Production Costs Tariffs on imported film equipment, costumes, set materials, or post-production tech (especially VFX software/hardware from abroad) can inflate budgets—particularly for mid-tier or indie productions already walking a tightrope. 

2. Disruption of Global Supply Chains Hollywood’s moviemaking machine is global. Camera gear from Germany, lighting from China, props from Mexico, animation work outsourced to Canada or India—tariffs choke the arteries of that system, slowing projects and raising costs. 

3. Foreign Retaliation = Lost Markets If the U.S. imposes tariffs, other countries often retaliate. That means foreign governments may restrict or tax American films, cutting into box office revenue abroad—especially in massive markets like China, Brazil, or the EU. 

4. Less Diversity in Storytelling Global co-productions thrive on free trade. Tariffs discourage partnerships with foreign studios and talent. That can limit the range of authentic international stories told through a Hollywood lens and reduce creative richness. 

5. Harm to Indie Filmmakers and Smaller Studios The big studios may absorb cost increases. But independents relying on tight budgets and international gear rentals or FX services could be priced out of completing or even starting their films. 

6. Reduced Export Competitiveness If U.S. films are more expensive to produce and face tariffs abroad, they become less competitive versus cheaper, local content. That can open the door for other countries’ film industries to eat into Hollywood’s dominance. 

7. Undermines Streaming Globalization Streamers like Netflix, Apple TV, and Amazon rely on Hollywood’s global appeal. Tariffs disrupt not just movie production but the distribution and delivery pipeline, weakening the streaming economy’s international reach. 

8. Job Loss in Domestic Post-Production and FX If costs rise too much domestically due to retaliatory tariffs or pricing wars, foreign studios may bypass Hollywood altogether. Jobs in California and New York post-production houses could dry up. 

9. Reduces Innovation and Tech Exchange Tariffs slow down the import of cutting-edge filmmaking tech—whether it's drones, cameras, or motion-capture rigs. Hollywood thrives on pushing the envelope, and tariffs dull its sharpest tools. 

10. Cinema Is (and Should Be) Borderless At its core, Hollywood filmmaking is a global art form. Tariffs reintroduce artificial barriers in a medium that depends on creative fluidity, international markets, and cultural cross-pollination.

 

COFFEE BEANS & BEINGS / WHY ARE THE MUSES UP SO DAMN EARLY?

 

EARLY RISERS, INDEED

The Muses are nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (the goddess of memory) in Greek mythology, each presiding over a different art or science: from epic poetry and history to music and dance. They were said to inspire artists, poets, and thinkers, whispering ideas and verse into mortal ears.

Writers have long clung to the notion of “a Muse” because it captures the elusive magic of creativity—the sudden spark at dawn, the phrase that writes itself, the plot twist that arrives unbidden. In truth, the Muse is less a divine being and more a metaphor for discipline, curiosity, and early-morning clarity.

So why are they up so early? Maybe because inspiration keeps the same hours as bakers and baristas. Before the day crowds in, before doubt and noise, that’s when the Muse slips through.

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY / EFT PRIMER FOR TAPPING AWAY STRESS

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping: A Beginner’s Primer 

Imagine easing anxiety or stress by gently tapping your fingertips on your forehead or chest. It may sound unusual, but this practice – known as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or tapping – has been gaining attention in wellness circles. EFT tapping is a mind-body method that involves tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on an emotional issue. Advocates say it can help calm the mind and even alleviate physical tension in minutes. Here’s a journalistic-style primer to introduce you to EFT, its origins, how it works, and how you can try it yourself. 

What Is EFT Tapping and Where Did It Come From? 

EFT tapping is often described as a form of “psychological acupressure” that aims to reduce stress and emotional pain (medicalnewstoday.com). In practice, a person taps on a sequence of points on the face and upper body – similar to acupuncture points – while acknowledging an issue they'd like to resolve (medicalnewstoday.com healthy.kaiserpermanente.org). 

The technique was first introduced in the early 1990s by Gary Craig, a Stanford-trained engineer and personal coach, who built on the work of psychologist Dr. Roger Callahan (webmd.com) . 

Callahan had developed a precursor called Thought Field Therapy in the 1980s to help patients overcome phobias by tapping on meridian points (webmd.com). Craig simplified those methods into a uniform tapping routine that anyone could learn, coining it “Emotional Freedom Techniques” and making it widely available as a self-help practice (webmd.com). 

Today EFT is simply known as tapping for its distinctive tapping process, and it’s used by people around the world to manage stress, fear, cravings, and more. 

Gary Craig founder of EFT taps on specific acupressure points (mainly on the face, head, and torso) while focusing on an emotional issue or stressor. 

How Does Tapping Support Emotional & Physical Wellness? 

EFT tapping draws on concepts from both Eastern medicine and psychology to promote wellness. The method targets the same energy meridian points described in traditional Chinese medicine – the pathways along which vital energy (“Qi”) flows [medicalnewstoday.com]. 

By tapping on these points with one’s fingertips (rather than using needles, as in acupuncture), EFT practitioners believe they can restore balance to the body’s energy flow and relieve negative emotions or pain [medicalnewstoday.com healthline.com]. 

Proponents say the tapping sends calming signals to the brain’s stress center, essentially telling the body it’s safe to relax [healthline.com]. 

At the same time, EFT incorporates elements of modern psychology. While tapping, individuals maintain focus on a specific problem or feeling and often repeat a reassuring phrase. This process can resemble a brief mindfulness or exposure exercise: you acknowledge a distressing feeling but pair it with a calming physical stimulus. 

According to EFT developer Gary Craig, this combination helps “balance the energy” around the issue, reducing its emotional charge [medicalnewstoday.com]. 

Some researchers note that tapping may also work by distracting the mind and inducing a relaxation response, similar to meditation or deep breathing [medicalnewstoday.com]. 

In essence, EFT provides a structured way to confront an emotional issue while simultaneously soothing your nervous system. 

Potential Benefits of EFT Tapping 

People turn to EFT tapping for a variety of emotional and even physical concerns. Although research is still emerging, many individuals report meaningful benefits from this technique. 

Here are some of the potential benefits: 

• Stress and Anxiety Relief: Tapping is perhaps best known for its ability to rapidly reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Users say it helps them calm down quickly in tense moments webmd.com . In fact, studies have found that after an EFT session, participants had lower heart rates, lower blood pressure, and even reduced levels of cortisol – a stress hormone webmd.com . This physiological shift corresponds with a sense of relaxation. Health providers note that EFT may help if you’re feeling overwhelmed, angry, or worried, serving as a handy tool to dial down acute stress healthy.kaiserpermanente.org . 

• Emotional Regulation and Trauma Support: EFT is used to cope with difficult emotions ranging from everyday sadness to more serious trauma. Tapping has been applied for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with promising results medicalnewstoday.com . For example, in one study with war veterans, a course of EFT coaching significantly reduced PTSD symptoms – over half of those who tried tapping no longer met the clinical criteria for PTSD afterward healthline.com . Therapists have integrated EFT alongside conventional treatments to help people process grief, phobias, and past traumas in a gentle, self-empowering way. While experts caution that EFT isn’t a standalone cure for serious trauma, it appears to be a useful complementary technique for emotional regulation healthy.kaiserpermanente.org . 

• Personal Growth and Positive Mindset: Because EFT involves self-affirmation and release of negative feelings, many people use it as a personal development tool. Tapping practitioners often speak of “clearing emotional blocks” that hold one back. By reducing stress and fear, EFT might help individuals move past limiting beliefs or habits. Some anecdotal reports and small studies suggest tapping can boost self-esteem and confidence – for instance, a 2022 study found EFT tapping increased nurses’ self-esteem while lowering their work stress healthline.com . Others use it to overcome performance anxieties: public speakers, athletes, and even creative artists have tapped to find a calmer, more focused state before high-pressure events. In short, EFT can serve as a quick emotional reset, potentially allowing for improved focus, creativity, and overall mindset purdue.edu . 

• Physical Well-Being: Interestingly, the mind-body approach of EFT may carry over into physical symptoms that are stress-related. There is evidence (and plenty of user testimony) that tapping can help diminish stress-related aches and pains – such as tension headaches, muscle knots, or the physical aspects of anxiety [purdue.edu]. 

Some individuals use EFT to curb cravings or unwanted urges; by tapping through the anxiety or emotion driving the craving, they find the urge lessens purdue.edu . Other reported benefits include better sleep and even support in weight loss journeys by reducing emotional eating triggers [purdue.edu]. 

While more scientific research is needed to confirm these outcomes, the existing studies suggest a broad range of potential uses for tapping, with minimal downside. Experts note that EFT has no significant known side effects and you can use it alongside standard medical or psychological care – though it shouldn’t replace professional help for serious conditions healthy [kaiserpermanente.org . 

How to Do EFT Tapping: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide 

One reason EFT has grown in popularity is that it’s easy to learn and do on your own. A basic tapping routine only takes a few minutes. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to try EFT tapping for yourself: 

1. Identify the Issue: Choose one specific problem, emotion, or stressful memory to focus on. It could be anything from “an upcoming presentation” to “feeling hurt by a comment.” Narrow it down to a single issue for the session (EFT works best when you tackle one feeling at a time) medicalnewstoday.com . 

2. Rate the Intensity: Before tapping, take a moment to measure how much this issue is bothering you right now. Give it a subjective intensity score from 0 to 10, where 0 means no distress and 10 means extremely upsetting medicalnewstoday.com . For example, you might rate your current anxiety about the presentation as a 7 out of 10. This step establishes a baseline so you can compare your feelings after tapping. 

3. Create a Setup Statement: Come up with a simple phrase that acknowledges the problem and affirms self-acceptance despite it. The classic EFT setup statement is: “Even though I have this [problem], I deeply and completely accept myself.” medicalnewstoday.com Insert your own issue into the phrase. For instance: “Even though I’m nervous about this presentation, I deeply and completely accept myself.” Say this statement out loud while tapping the karate chop point – the outer edge of your hand (along the fleshy side of your palm below the little finger) [medicalnewstoday.com]. Repeat the statement 2-3 times. This helps “set” your intention and tune your mind into the issue. 

4. Tap the Sequence of Points: Next, you will tap a series of key points on your body, using two or three fingertips. Use a firm but gentle pressure – enough to feel it, but not painful. Tap each point about 5–7 times. As you tap on each spot, you can say a short reminder phrase to keep your focus on the issue (for example, “this nervous feeling” or “anxious about the talk”). The main EFT tapping points, in order, are: top of the head, beginning of the eyebrow (inner eyebrow near the bridge of the nose), side of the eye (on the bone outside the eye), under the eye (on the bone below the eye), under the nose (between the nose and upper lip), chin (the crease between lower lip and chin), collarbone (just below the collarbone notch), and under the arm (side of torso about 4 inches below the armpit) healthy.kaiserpermanente.org . You can tap on one side of the body (since the points mirror on both sides) or even use both hands tapping each side. Maintain a steady breath as you go through the sequence. (If it feels a bit awkward at first, that’s normal – with practice the sequence becomes more natural.) 

5. Assess the Intensity Again: After one round of tapping, pause and rate your emotional intensity on the 0–10 scale again healthy.kaiserpermanente.org . How do you feel now when you think about the issue? Many people notice the feeling has decreased — for example, the anxiety might have dropped from 7/10 to 4/10. If there’s still discomfort (say your rating is not down to 0 or 1 yet), you can do another round of tapping on the same points using the same reminder phrase. It’s common to do 2–4 rounds, slightly adjusting the wording as needed, until you experience significant relief or a shift in perspective [medicalnewstoday.com]. 

Once your distress rating has substantially lowered, you can finish by taking a deep breath and acknowledging the change. 

Congratulations, you’ve just done an EFT tapping session! (Tip: If new emotions or thoughts came up during tapping, you can repeat the process focusing on those aspects. EFT is a flexible technique – you can experiment with different wording or tapping additional points, but the basic above sequence is a great starting template.) 

Growing Popularity and Recent Insights 

What began as a niche therapy has steadily entered the mainstream wellness arena. In the last decade, EFT tapping has attracted a wide following – from psychotherapists and life coaches to everyday people seeking self-help tools [thetappingsolution.com]. 

There are now books, workshops, and even smartphone apps dedicated to tapping; for example, the Tapping Solution app offers guided EFT sessions and has brought the practice to users’ fingertips globally [thetappingsolution.com purdue.edu]. 

Key figures in the self-help world have also embraced EFT. 

Personal development gurus like Tony Robbins teach it in their seminars, and popular media have taken notice. Television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz once featured EFT tapping on his show, introducing it to a broad audience with practitioner Nick Ortner as a guest [inciteinspirations.com]. Even Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine ran a feature titled “Tapping Her Potential,” highlighting how tapping can help people overcome personal hurdles [inciteinspirations.com]. 

Such high-profile exposure has fueled curiosity and social media buzz, making EFT a trending topic in wellness communities. 

Beyond the anecdotes and celebrity endorsements, a growing body of research is examining EFT’s effectiveness. Recent clinical studies have started to back up some of the claims. For instance, a large 2020 trial found that people who used EFT tapping for anxiety had greater improvement than those who received conventional talk therapy or medication [webmd.com]. Other studies have reported significant reductions in anxiety and PTSD symptoms after a series of tapping sessions [webmd.com]. 

Researchers have documented physiological changes too, such as decreased cortisol levels and improved heart rate variability, suggesting a lowered stress response [webmd.com]. These findings are encouraging, and they help explain why some psychologists and health professionals are integrating tapping alongside standard treatments [webmd.com]. 

That said, experts emphasize that more research is needed. 

Some skeptics attribute benefits to a placebo effect or the therapeutic elements (like focused breathing and affirmations) rather than the tapping itself [webmd.com]. 

For now, the consensus is that while EFT is not a magic bullet, it can be a useful stress-reduction and self-soothing technique. 

From a personal growth perspective, EFT tapping’s rise in popularity speaks to a broader trend: people are looking for accessible, DIY methods to take charge of their emotional well-being. 

The appeal of EFT lies in its simplicity – anyone can learn the basics in minutes – and its empowering message that we have tools at our own fingertips to help heal emotional stress. 

It’s free, portable, and can be done virtually anywhere, anytime you need it [thetappingsolution.com]. 

In wellness circles, you’ll hear many first-hand stories of “tapping” bringing relief during difficult times, whether it’s a working professional using a quick tapping break to dissipate work stress, or a trauma survivor using EFT techniques to ease a flashback. 

Not every story is scientific data, of course, but the accumulating positive experiences are part of why EFT’s reputation has grown by word of mouth. 

In summary, Emotional Freedom Technique is an unconventional yet intriguing approach to emotional wellness and personal development. It blends ancient acupressure concepts with modern psychological strategies in a way that’s easy to try for yourself. 

While skeptics call for further evidence, many beginners find that a few minutes of tapping helps them feel noticeably calmer, more centered, and “free” from the intensity of whatever emotion was weighing them down. 

If you’re curious, it may be worth giving EFT tapping a shot – with an open mind and a bit of practice, you just might tap into a new sense of emotional freedom [thetappingsolution.com]. 

Sources for this article: • Gary Craig’s introduction of EFT and its origins webmd.com thetappingsolution.com 

• Description of EFT tapping technique and theory medicalnewstoday.com healthline.com 

• How EFT relates to acupuncture points and energy meridians medicalnewstoday.com webmd.com • Claims on stress relief and physiological effects (cortisol, etc.) webmd.com thetappingsolution.com 

• Uses of EFT for anxiety, PTSD, cravings, and other issues medicalnewstoday.com purdue.edu • Kaiser Permanente on using EFT for managing emotions and stress healthy.kaiserpermanente.org healthy.kaiserpermanente.org 

• Step-by-step EFT tapping guide adapted from clinical sources medicalnewstoday.com healthy.kaiserpermanente.org 

• Research findings and expert opinions on EFT’s effectiveness healthline.com webmd.com • Examples of growing popularity and mainstream exposure inciteinspirations.com purdue.edu 

HABEMUS PAPAM

Moments after stepping from behind the curtain, Robert Prevost—an Augustinian bishop and Cardinal, who once celebrated Mass for students at St. Augustine High School in San Diego—is introduced to the world as the 267th Pope, spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.

The conclave to choose a successor to Pope Francis began Wednesday May 7, 2025 and ended today. The 133 cardinal electors taking part in the process prayed together and took a vow of secrecy before the doors closed and the first round of votes were cast. 

As night fell yesterday, black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel's chimney, indicating they had not yet agreed on a choice. 

 Thursday morning, the 133 cardinals resumed the process for Day 2 and, yet again, before lunch time in Rome, black smoke signaled no decisive outcome from the morning's round of two votes. 

At least 89 votes were needed to mark the successor to Pope Francis. 

Then things changed rapidly. At 6:07 pm Vatican time. White smoke rose.  Shortly there after:

Habemus Papam! 

His name: Robert Prevost (order of St. Augustine) is now Pope Leo XIV. 

He is the 267 Pope of the Holy Roman Catholic Church and the first from the United States. 

Viva il Papa! 

Like recent history, conclaves have tended to only last a couple of days. Today fell in line. Some past conclaves, however, dragged on much longer. The longest one ever, in the 13th century, took almost three years to choose Pope Gregory X. 

The shortest conclave on record, in 1503, took just 10 hours to choose Pope Pius III. The conclave that elected Pope Francis began on March 12, 2013, and he was announced as pope the next day, after five ballots. 

The conclave that elected his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, began on April 18, 2005. Benedict was announced as pope the next day after four ballots. 

LOCAL ANGLE IMAGE:

Saints Scene, the school monthly newsletter published the photo below in its December 2023 edition.  It reflects new Pope XIV, then Bishop Robert Prevost being tapped a Cardinal by the late Pope Francis.  As Bishop Prevost, he officiated Mass at St. Augustine High School on several occasions.  The headline captured the moment and a flash into the future.

LOCAL / HOPHEADS TASTING TOURS BEGIN

Beer tasting image from Girl with Beer @Melislimes

History and Beer Buffs Pub Crawl Today thru Friday 

History buffs and hopheads, rejoice: San Diego Crawling is serving up a two-for-one special that pairs rich local lore with equally flavorful local beer. 

Running daily in San Diego’s iconic Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego History Tour Pub Crawl is a spirited stroll through time—with a pint in hand. 

Operating multiple times a day (12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.), this 2-hour and 15-minute walking tour starts at 400 Fifth Avenue, right in the heart of downtown. 

Guests are guided through the Gaslamp’s boozy backstory—where bootleggers, brothels, and brave pioneers once roamed—by a knowledgeable (and often witty) local guide. 

Along the route, you’ll visit three of the district’s best bars, sipping on craft beers while learning how San Diego grew from a dusty military town into a West Coast metropolis. 

Expect stories about conquistadors, scandalous mayoral campaigns, and San Diego’s unlikely role in aviation history—all shared with the kind of detail only a local would know. 

Tickets range from $25 to $65, depending on whether you want beers included or prefer the “buy as you go” option. Either way, you'll walk away a bit wiser and, quite possibly, a bit wobbly. 

Pro tips: 

– Must be 21+ to attend 

– Wheelchair accessible 

– Advance ticket purchase required 

– Look for the guide holding a San Diego Crawling sign featuring their baby-on-the-move logo 

– Each crawl ends within a short walk of the starting point 

Whether you're a visitor or a local, this tour is a great way to dive into San Diego’s colorful past—and maybe discover a new favorite beer along the way. 🗓 

Upcoming Dates: 

• Wednesday, May 7 – Friday, May 9, 2025 (3:00pm – 5:15pm) 

• More dates available at: www.sandiegocrawling.com 

📍 Starting point: 400 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 

📩 Questions? Email: info@sandiegocrawling.com 

ONE PICTURE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS / GREECE

Orthodox Christian Father Spyridon walks at the
Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa as the Aegean Sea is seen on the right, in Amorgos island, Greece,
(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

MEDIA MONDAYS / THE GREAT GOOD-BYES

Walter Cronkite photograph by Yousuf Karsh

Sign-off lines from iconic and current broadcasters: 

Gold Standard:

• Walter Cronkite (CBS News) Sign-off: “And that’s the way it is.” Context: Always followed by the date, e.g., “Friday, March 6, 1981.” His sign-off remains the gold standard. 

Also rans:

• Tom Brokaw (NBC Nightly News) 

Sign-off: “I’m Tom Brokaw, NBC News.” 

Context: A direct and dignified close that emphasized journalistic presence. 

• Anderson Cooper (CNN) 

Sign-off: “Thanks for watching. I'm Anderson Cooper. Good night.” 

Context: Cooper maintains a clean, direct sign-off. Occasionally includes heartfelt notes depending on news content. 

• Katie Couric (CBS Evening News) 

Sign-off: “And that’s the way it is.” 

Context: A respectful nod to Walter Cronkite, used on occasion to anchor legacy. •

Linda Ellerbee (NBC News Overnight / Nick News) 

Sign-off: “And so it goes.” 

Context: Wry and reflective, this became her trademark closing, echoing Vonnegut’s sentiment. 

• Lester Holt (NBC Nightly News)

Sign-off: “Please take care of yourself—and each other. Good night.” 

Context: Became his signature line during the pandemic and has remained a nightly staple. 

• Chet Huntley (NBC, Huntley–Brinkley Report) 

Sign-off: “Good night, David.” 

Context: Part of a nightly exchange with David Brinkley that became iconic during their co-anchorship. 

• Peter Jennings (ABC World News Tonight) 

Sign-off: “Good night.” 

Context: Unscripted, calm, and consistent with his understated authority. 

• Ted Koppel (ABC Nightline) 

Sign-off: “For all of us here at Nightline, I’m Ted Koppel. Good night.” 

Context: Professional, inclusive, and immediately recognizable. 

• Hoda Kotb (NBC Today Show) 

Sign-off: “From the bottom of my heart, thank you.” 

Context: Delivered tearfully during her final week as co-anchor in 2025; daily sign-offs were usually brief and warm. 

• Rachel Maddow (MSNBC) Sign-off: “That’s our show for tonight. We’ll see you again soon.” 

Context: A casual, personable line fitting her conversational broadcast tone. 

• Andrea Mitchell (MSNBC) 

Sign-off: “Thank you for watching. I’ll see you next time.” 

Context: Used in her March 2025 departure and often at the close of daily programs. 

• David Muir (ABC World News Tonight) Sign-off: “I’m David Muir. I hope to see you right back here tomorrow.” 

Context: While not fixed, this friendly phrase has become Muir’s habitual close. •

Edward R. Murrow (CBS) Sign-off: “Good night, and good luck.”

Context: Immortalized by Murrow during his historic broadcasts confronting McCarthyism. 

• Norah O’Donnell (CBS Evening News) 

Sign-off: “That’s tonight’s CBS Evening News. I owe it all to everyone I work with. Good night.” 

Context: Used in her final 2025 broadcast; typically signed off with a short note of thanks. 

• Dan Rather (CBS) 

Sign-off: “Courage.” 

Context: Used most often during national crises and moments requiring solemnity. 

• Barbara Walters (ABC’s 20/20) 

Sign-off: “We’re in touch, so you be in touch.” 

Context: Often closed 20/20 with this memorable phrase, encouraging viewer connection. Alternate: “We thank you for watching. This is 20/20.” (used with co-anchors) 

Brian Williams (NBC Nightly News) 

Sign-off: “Thank you for being with us. Good night.” 

Context: A respectful and understated closing that reflected Williams’ signature tone. 

SUNDAY REVIEW / SALINGER & MUNRO

 

The Comet and the Sun: A Study in Nine Stories 

Essay by Thomas Shess exclusive to PillartoPost.org, a daily online magazine. 

“In comparing two collections of nine stories each—Alice Munro’s and J.D. Salinger’s—the experience feels remarkably like a thoughtful wine pairing. The grapes, so to speak, are drawn from the everyday: ordinary characters, quiet plots. But in the hands of these literary vintners, the result is anything but common. What begins as a comparison becomes a revelation. You’re no longer just sampling two authors—you’re tasting the creation of an entirely new vintage, unexpected in its depth, memorable in its aftertaste.”  

Literary comparisons are often either too obvious or too abstract to matter. But once in a while, two bodies of work—separated by time, temperament, and geography—invite close reading, not because of their similarities, but because of the subtle light they cast on each other.  

So it is with J.D. Salinger’s Nine Stories (1953) and Alice Munro’s Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage (2001). 

Both contain nine stories. Both center ordinary characters and quiet plots. Both are now considered landmark works in short fiction. But their purposes, their tones, and their gravitational pull could not be more distinct.  This comparative reading proposes not a ranking, but a kind of literary tasting—like a pairing of two fine vintages. 

Salinger: 1919-2010
The comet, arrives with brilliance and fragility. 

Munro: 1931-2024
 The sun, illuminates long-forgotten corridors of daily life. 

THREE PAIRINGS...

The following are three pairings that reveal how each author approaches themes of loss, connection, and the architecture of memory. 

1. “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” vs. “Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage”  Salinger’s story opens on a beach in Florida. Seymour Glass, recently returned from war, speaks with a precocious girl about bananafish—creatures that gorge themselves until they die. He then retreats to his hotel room and, in a few devastating lines, ends his life.  Munro’s title story follows Johanna, a housekeeper who receives forged love letters as part of a schoolgirl prank. Moved by their tenderness, she sets off to marry the letter’s supposed author. The prank becomes prophecy. The imagined romance turns real.  Where Salinger dwells in psychic collapse, Munro delivers emotional reinvention. Both explore what happens when people act on false premises: Seymour misreads the world, and can’t survive it; Johanna misreads a love letter, and builds a life. 

2. “For Esmé—with Love and Squalor” vs. “The Bear Came Over the Mountain”  In Salinger’s story, a soldier meets a girl named Esmé in an English tearoom. She is curious, sensitive, and odd. Her presence, and later her letter, provide solace during his mental unraveling after D-Day. The letter is never read aloud. We feel its power only through his emotional return.  

In Munro’s piece, a professor commits his wife to memory care. As she forgets their shared life, she forms an attachment to another man. The husband, once unfaithful himself, begins visiting regularly—not out of guilt, but love.  

Both stories are about the restoration of self—one through a child’s compassion, the other through an old man’s surrender. The emotional energy in each is restrained, yet unshakably humane. 

 3. “Teddy” vs. “Nettles”  Teddy is a ten-year-old mystic on a cruise ship. He speaks of death, reincarnation, and detachment with unnerving calm. Salinger leaves him on the brink of tragedy—maybe an accident, maybe fate, maybe enlightenment.  

In “Nettles,” a woman revisits a brief affair from her youth. The man appears, disappears, reappears—never quite attainable, never fully hers. The memory lingers, unresolved, poignant in its ordinariness.  

Both stories revolve around ambiguous endings. Teddy might die. The narrator of “Nettles” might never understand what that summer meant. They echo with what’s unsaid, trusting the reader to feel what the characters cannot express. 

In Closing  

Salinger wrote like someone fleeing a fire with a box of letters under his arm. His stories dazzle in fragments, radiant with youth, trauma, and yearning. 

Munro, by contrast, wrote with the stillness of long light across a kitchen floor. Her stories age with the reader.  

To compare these two authors is not to say one is greater. It is to place two distinct musical instruments beside each other and notice how they harmonize despite their differences. 

Salinger teaches us how loud silence can be. Munro shows us the contours of lives that never quite go right, but never fully fall apart.  

Literary & Wine Pairings

In both cases, the mundane is a stage for the sacred. That they do it in such different keys is not a contradiction, but a kind of gift. 

In comparing two collections of nine stories apiece between Alice Munro and J.D. Salinger the experience of that is very much like a wine pairing.. 

Certainly, the experience would be akin to taking common grapes and discern meaning from the winemakers (authors) and come away realizing you've experience the creation of a whole new vintage. 

COFFEE BEANS & BEINGS / A CENTURY OLD COFFEE HOUSE IN JAMES JOYCE’S TRIESTE

Beautiful interior of Caffe San Marcos, Trieste

Caffè San Marco is a historic art nouveau coffeehouse and bookstore in Trieste, Italy. Founded in 1914, it became famous as a rendezvous for literary and artistic types including Italo Svevo, Gustav Klimpt, James Joyce and Umberto Saba, a tradition that continues to date with Claudio Magris. A meeting point for Trieste's intellectuals, the café was destroyed by Austro-Hungarian troops during the first World War but was reopened when hostilities ended.

The interiors reflect the style of the Vienna Secession (Gustaf Klimpt was the first president of the group). A few of the frescos are attributed to Vito Timmel.

The café is owned by Italy's largest insurance company (also based in Trieste), Assicurazioni Generali.

Italians campaigned to save the historic cafe in 2013 and it has now been restored, incorporating the bookshop.

Address: Via Cesare Battisti, 18, 34125 Trieste TS, Italy

Caffe San Marcos Bookstore

In 1982, Anthony Burgess wrote a New York Times travel article “In the Footsteps of James Joyce Trieste.”  The following (in italics is from that article):

James Joyce statue on Via Roma bridge, as it crosses a Trieste canal.

“...As for James Joyce, you will find his stay celebrated in a street named for him - Viale Joyce. There's also a street named for the great Triestine novelist Italo Svevo, whom Joyce discovered and persuaded to publish. His best novel is ''Senilita,'' made into a fine Italian film, and Joyce provided the English title -''As a Man Grows Older.''

“When Joyce left Dublin in 1904 with Nora Barnacle, a Galway girl who bore his children and belatedly became his wife, he went first to Pola, which was then in Austria. It is now called Pulj and is in Yugoslavia.

When Pola became suspicious of foreigners, Joyce moved from the Berlitz School there, where he taught English, to the sister establishment in Trieste, which was also in Austria. He liked the place, which was a kind of Adriatic Dublin, only bigger. It was the chief seaport of Austria-Hungary, with its mouth open for the engorging of oriental trade. He found his English-language pupils chiefly among naval officers.

“Being full of sailors, Trieste was a convivial town, and Joyce drank more than he earned. It was full of Jews, who were more welcome there than in other cities of the empire, and Joyce was able to dream up a Leopold Bloom, the father-seeking-a-son of ''Ulysses,'' with an authentic Jewish background - difficult to do in Dublin, where the Jewish population was small (according to Mr. Deasy, in ''Ulysses,'' it is nonexistent). Leopold Bloom is more a Triestine figure than a Dublin one.

“It is useless to go tirelessly around Trieste seeking out the taverns from which Joyce emerged drunk and incapable, often spending the night in the gutter. He was in all of them, but some of them are no longer there. His various lodgings are still around - 3 Piazza Ponterosso, 31 Via San Nicolo, and 1 Via Giovanni Boccaccio.

“Ulysses, though completed and published in Paris, is a product of that huge culture whose center was Vienna but whose extremities touched the Adriatic. Ulysses may be about Ireland, but only turbulent and cosmopolitan Trieste could have given Joyce the impetus to start setting it down..."

Caffe San Marcos

Bar James Joyce at 3 Piazza Ponterosso.