Dr. Merrill Cole enjoys writing poetry, teaching, translating, queer theorizing, and just being his authentic queer self. A total cat fanatic, he also loves his husband and their dog. He works as a Professor of English and is currently serving as the WIU Chapter President of University Professionals of Illinois, the union representing advisors, instructors, professors, and a host of other academic professionals. When not working—but also, while working—Merrill likes to ponder the ironies, paradoxes, and sharp claws of our off-kilter universe, all the while sipping a very strong latte, his favorite beverage.

M&L: What is your coffee order?

MC: My usual coffee order, unless I feel like I’m dangerously over-caffeinated already, is a five shot latte. At this time of the year, I like it to be hot, but I like the milk to be cold. So, basically, I’m wanting something that’s lukewarm. I know that’s gross to a lot of people, but it works for me in this kind of weather, because if I have ice in it, I am going to start getting cold. I can’t really handle hot drinks in the first place, but if it is winter and it is really cold outside, I’m gonna say, “can you make it 120 degrees?” That way it is warm, but it’s not going to scald my mouth, and I’ll be able to enjoy it. Plus, it’ll keep my hands warm if I’m not wearing gloves. I have also recently converted to oat milk. I tried it at a restaurant in Iowa City and it was so good, so I switched to oat milk. I like one pump of vanilla, just a little bit of sweetness, but not really sweet, just to take the bitter edge off of the coffee. 

M&L: What is your favorite coffee shop? 

MC: Here in Macomb we have a place called Sullivan Taylor, and it’s been here since before I got here eighteen years ago. Whenever I have a meeting that isn’t confidential, I would rather meet with people at Sullivan Taylor than in my office. It is just a nice place to be and the people that work there are very friendly. 

M&L: Who do you share coffee with? 

MC: My husband and I both drink coffee at home, but we don’t really do it together because we wake up at different times. I’m not a good person to be around before I’ve had my coffee, so I want to keep to myself. But, I do love having meetings with coffee. 

M&L: How is coffee part of your reading and writing life? 

MC: Coffee is my favorite drug, I basically run on coffee. Every day that you see me in class, I’m either fully caffeinated, or I bring a mug to class with me. The only downside to caffeine is if I drink too much too late, then I can’t sleep. The thing that I do sometimes is that I drink a lot of coffee and I forget to eat anything, so then I get the jitters. All I need to do is just have a sandwich or something, and I’m fine. It is very much a part of my life. The idea of waking up in the morning and not having access to coffee is terrifying for me. 

M&L: Describe your first sip of the day.

MC: I don’t think that I’m human yet before I start my coffee. I have a routine that I do where I’ve got to take care of the animals first, and then I start brewing my coffee. Then, I go and I put on my contact lenses, get the coffee, pour some oat milk in it, and then I sit at my dining room table, which is where I like to do work at home. I sit here and I open up my browser, and I start reading. I read a lot of news, so I start sipping my coffee and reading the news, and I don’t want anybody to bother me. Leave me alone, let me drink my coffee, and read. Then, after an hour, I’m like “okay, I’m ready for the world now.”