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'Bitter Barista' blog loses author his job

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Published: Feb. 13, 2013 at 4:19 PM

SEATTLE, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A Seattle barista who lost his job after being outed as the author of the snarky "Bitter Barista" blog said his online postings were meant to be satirical.

Matt Watson, 30, said the blog he started two weeks ago was supposed to be a satirical way to highlight some of the problems faced by employees of the All City Cafe in Georgetown as well as baristas at other, similar businesses.

"I would remember your usual drink if you were a more memorable person," one post reads.

The blog also took aim at Watson's boss.

"I like to use a lot of big words when I tweet, that way if my boss ever finds my twitter account, he won't understand any of it," he wrote.

The blog was anonymous and didn't mention Watson's place of employment, but a couple of bloggers uncovered his identity when the blog went viral and revealed his identity.

Watson said he sent his boss, Seth Levy, explaining the satirical nature of the blog, but he was still fired.

"He was writing about his boss during business hours. I represent the business, the customers and the staff. I can't endorse what he was saying, whether humorous or not. It puts me in a difficult position, where if I don't respond that means I endorse what he's saying," Levy said.

However, Watson said the publicity has resulted in several new job offers and he is planning a "Bitter Barista" coffee table book.

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