This is insane, but I had no idea how much I enjoy progressive bluegrass until Pandora.com. Please do check it out (hint: title/link click-age); it will adapt based on a few initial inputs and you merely "approving" or "disapproving" individual songs. As it turns out, jazz-grass is probably the best qualifying term for my taste.
No, it's not illegal.
Cheers,
Michael
30 April 2008
29 April 2008
Lapsang Souchong
When I finally opened the tin this afternoon, the smell reminded me of what I like best about a tea: ancient memories, robust attitude, earthy feel, natural appeal. I was sure that my lap would sing Souchong. But that is where it ended.
There is a famous story about how this tea is processed. Heroic soldiers in China, capturing a town; they wanted to put some tea they had stolen on the market, so to speak, but it was not yet dry and so they cast it over a raging fire, probably the one they had been using to consume the rest of the goods they could not have carried with them after destroying the village.
Well in my opinion, they should have never taken it off. The smell is fantastic, but I feel like I've bought pine-water. There's another, less old story about a dog, and Americans now have a certain saying from that story. You know that phrase about a dog that's not worth fearing? "All bark, and no bite"?
That's what this is.
All smell, no palate.
Joe says,
"I personally do like the Lapsang
by itself,
but most people probably would prefer it
in a blend
such as the Scottish Breakfast."
Very poetic, Joe is. He captures my soul with that. Kudos to Joe. Hey Joe, I'll trade ya. ;)
- Michael
P.S.-> As always, clicking on the link will show you the subject of the post. :)
There is a famous story about how this tea is processed. Heroic soldiers in China, capturing a town; they wanted to put some tea they had stolen on the market, so to speak, but it was not yet dry and so they cast it over a raging fire, probably the one they had been using to consume the rest of the goods they could not have carried with them after destroying the village.
Well in my opinion, they should have never taken it off. The smell is fantastic, but I feel like I've bought pine-water. There's another, less old story about a dog, and Americans now have a certain saying from that story. You know that phrase about a dog that's not worth fearing? "All bark, and no bite"?
That's what this is.
All smell, no palate.
Joe says,
"I personally do like the Lapsang
by itself,
but most people probably would prefer it
in a blend
such as the Scottish Breakfast."
Very poetic, Joe is. He captures my soul with that. Kudos to Joe. Hey Joe, I'll trade ya. ;)
- Michael
P.S.-> As always, clicking on the link will show you the subject of the post. :)
TJ's Organic Fair-Trade French
When I opened up my air-tight cannister this morning, the smell was still fresh and immediate. This I took as a good sign; I was correct. That same smell was smooth and as blackened butter.
Which made the first taste of the brew a bit surprising. It was acidic, pungent and even with a little bit of a spiced "kick" towards the end.
There was very little head on it after being pressed, which to me means that through the grinding process there exists not enough airation. So, this particular roast might be better with the usual drip-grind.
However, the nasal qualities that the beans themselves proved true after a few minutes of "breathing" after brewing. The brew was smooth, saturated just enough with oils, and full. In addition to this, the aftertaste contains hardly any comparative bitterness, leaving this particular bean juice to be quite a gentle refresher.
For the value, both to one's pocketbook and health, this roast is a solid one for the keeping. You can find it at Trader Joe's (for whom I do not work, don't worry), in a blue aluminum-lined can, at the weight of 13oz., and selling at the regular (not sale) price of $5.99 here in L.A.
Happy mornings!
-Michael
Which made the first taste of the brew a bit surprising. It was acidic, pungent and even with a little bit of a spiced "kick" towards the end.
There was very little head on it after being pressed, which to me means that through the grinding process there exists not enough airation. So, this particular roast might be better with the usual drip-grind.
However, the nasal qualities that the beans themselves proved true after a few minutes of "breathing" after brewing. The brew was smooth, saturated just enough with oils, and full. In addition to this, the aftertaste contains hardly any comparative bitterness, leaving this particular bean juice to be quite a gentle refresher.
For the value, both to one's pocketbook and health, this roast is a solid one for the keeping. You can find it at Trader Joe's (for whom I do not work, don't worry), in a blue aluminum-lined can, at the weight of 13oz., and selling at the regular (not sale) price of $5.99 here in L.A.
Happy mornings!
-Michael
28 April 2008
Trader Joe's... coffee?
What a treat. I got this suggestion from Joe, because I was looking for a cheaper, more eco-friendly deal for coffee. Well, guess what. Trader Joe's not only has coffee, it's pretty good. They have all kinds of fair-trade, organic, shade-grown coffee roasts. They do have one localized variety: Ethiopian. I bought the organic fair-trade French.
When I opened the can, to put it in my clear container... wow. Rich smells, extremely dark color (as it should look), and oiled. There's still oil on the beans! Wowee. Exciting times. I'll let you know how it tastes soon.
All the best,
Michael
When I opened the can, to put it in my clear container... wow. Rich smells, extremely dark color (as it should look), and oiled. There's still oil on the beans! Wowee. Exciting times. I'll let you know how it tastes soon.
All the best,
Michael
24 April 2008
23 April 2008
This Is Completely Off-Topic
Why are my Levi's (a.k.a.: first-ever maker of solid jeans), from San Francisco, being made in China? Even the Lee's are made in Mexico; but at least they're nice enough to make sure the cotton is American.
OK; thank you. Now resuming on-topic material.
OK; thank you. Now resuming on-topic material.
Weekending
This weekend, I traveled a great distance for my sister's wedding. It was beautiful, woodsy and rough-and-tumble. She's happy, and so is everyone else.
During this weekend, I tried two kinds of coffee. One was from my good friend, and fellow author here, Joseph. Since he and his wife Lauren (also a good friend) had some time to visit me while staying over in Pacifica, we went to dinner and enjoyed the rest of the evening in their quaint apartment. Joe gave me a half-pound of something freshly roasted; I believe it had been roasted that day, or the day prior. The beans came from the Blue Bottle Coffee Company. The roast is somewhat light, compared to my usual fare, but the taste this morning was smooth and easy to enjoy. A bit naturally sweet, it reminds me of dry almonds and toffee. And what really makes this brew notable is the light finish. Unlike most of my other cups when I buy beans at a store, the bottom of this cup had bits of the beans still there without any trace of oversaturated fine grounds. All in all, quite enjoyable. I am unsure about the particular roast or bean, but I would venture to guess that Blue Bottle is worth trusting, given the quality of these beans.
The other coffee I had was Starbucks' straight Ethiopian, which is my favorite from them, and Sumatra from the same company, but through a campy institutional maker. Completely acceptable, but not particularly distinguishable. :)
During this weekend, I tried two kinds of coffee. One was from my good friend, and fellow author here, Joseph. Since he and his wife Lauren (also a good friend) had some time to visit me while staying over in Pacifica, we went to dinner and enjoyed the rest of the evening in their quaint apartment. Joe gave me a half-pound of something freshly roasted; I believe it had been roasted that day, or the day prior. The beans came from the Blue Bottle Coffee Company. The roast is somewhat light, compared to my usual fare, but the taste this morning was smooth and easy to enjoy. A bit naturally sweet, it reminds me of dry almonds and toffee. And what really makes this brew notable is the light finish. Unlike most of my other cups when I buy beans at a store, the bottom of this cup had bits of the beans still there without any trace of oversaturated fine grounds. All in all, quite enjoyable. I am unsure about the particular roast or bean, but I would venture to guess that Blue Bottle is worth trusting, given the quality of these beans.
The other coffee I had was Starbucks' straight Ethiopian, which is my favorite from them, and Sumatra from the same company, but through a campy institutional maker. Completely acceptable, but not particularly distinguishable. :)
17 April 2008
Po' Boy Mochas
My drink of choice today is for the ill-at-ease about "suped up" coffee, and for those who enjoy something novel, yet good.
It basically consists of 2TBSP of chocolate syrup added to your normal coffee cup. You may find it smoother to add the chocolate before pouring in the coffee, for consistency and dispersion's sake, but that's all there is to the practice. However, and this is a big condition, your coffee must be of a dark roast.
Even for Peet's lovers, "Major Dickason's Blend" won't do for this, because even though it is usually darker than the other brands' mid-roasts, it is not itself a dark roast. By "dark", I mean "you so crazy". Or, "I might get fired for this." Or even, "What a slut." In other words: Ethiopian, Italian/French Roast, or anything else that someone might consider "extra bold".
The reason why I suggest this as such is because if the roast is darker, then it is usually more complimentary to receiving a sweet additive, even though the chocolate is another rich flavor.
Anyhow, try that out sometime; it costs maybe $.10 extra per cup, $.05 if you get the "Family Size" bottle.
Pax Arabica,
Michael
----------------
Now playing: Dave Matthews Band - Raven
via FoxyTunes
It basically consists of 2TBSP of chocolate syrup added to your normal coffee cup. You may find it smoother to add the chocolate before pouring in the coffee, for consistency and dispersion's sake, but that's all there is to the practice. However, and this is a big condition, your coffee must be of a dark roast.
Even for Peet's lovers, "Major Dickason's Blend" won't do for this, because even though it is usually darker than the other brands' mid-roasts, it is not itself a dark roast. By "dark", I mean "you so crazy". Or, "I might get fired for this." Or even, "What a slut." In other words: Ethiopian, Italian/French Roast, or anything else that someone might consider "extra bold".
The reason why I suggest this as such is because if the roast is darker, then it is usually more complimentary to receiving a sweet additive, even though the chocolate is another rich flavor.
Anyhow, try that out sometime; it costs maybe $.10 extra per cup, $.05 if you get the "Family Size" bottle.
Pax Arabica,
Michael
----------------
Now playing: Dave Matthews Band - Raven
via FoxyTunes
16 April 2008
More Changes
A quick note, though I must admit you would already have noticed if you had come back here by now:
The title and the url location have changed to be more "inclusive" of our habits. ;)
-Michael
----------------
Now playing: Dave Matthews Band - Captain
via FoxyTunes
The title and the url location have changed to be more "inclusive" of our habits. ;)
-Michael
----------------
Now playing: Dave Matthews Band - Captain
via FoxyTunes
Starbucks' Latest
Good morning, all!
Since coffee is the beverage for me today in the wee hours, and I randomly added something irrational last night, it seemed good to add something rational about coffee. :)
Perhaps you have noticed Starbucks putting out new advertisements recently; if one is even a minor coffee aficionado, the ads' target is obvious: get those Peet's lovers over here and disperse the mass commercial exodus. Why? The ads proclaim a "coffee for coffee lovers" called "Pike Place Roast". The name is based off of the first location of Starbucks, at Pike's Place in Washington. The problem: The alliteration and words sound awfully familiar to the name of their nearest competitor, and those who go to Peet's often say that they find the coffee there existing in purer form.
Now, I don't blame Starbucks for competing. Competition is what drives the economy. But I do have a few issues with this new "campaigning":
a) I don't much like people or companies who negate competition; it seems much more prudent and secure a notion to offer something in which you are especially different and proficient. By acknowledging competition it implies that the competition is worth your attention, which wouldn't be true if you believed you had a better, or more authentic, product. The ads therefore implicitly acknowledge that the competition (namely, Peet's) is already far better.
b) The ad also implies that Starbucks has not previously had "coffee for coffee lovers". In other words, the ad acknowledges not just that Peet's is better, but that they have become better because Starbucks has failed to offer a good product. If I were a previous Starbucks regular, boy would I feel ripped off. This is not to mention how invalidated or humiliated I might be if I thought their bean juice was better bean juice, or even a better product, prior to these ads showing up.
In my opinion, Starbucks just accelerated their fall from stardom's graces. Expect a stock share plummet, if it hasn't already finished.
-Michael
Since coffee is the beverage for me today in the wee hours, and I randomly added something irrational last night, it seemed good to add something rational about coffee. :)
Perhaps you have noticed Starbucks putting out new advertisements recently; if one is even a minor coffee aficionado, the ads' target is obvious: get those Peet's lovers over here and disperse the mass commercial exodus. Why? The ads proclaim a "coffee for coffee lovers" called "Pike Place Roast". The name is based off of the first location of Starbucks, at Pike's Place in Washington. The problem: The alliteration and words sound awfully familiar to the name of their nearest competitor, and those who go to Peet's often say that they find the coffee there existing in purer form.
Now, I don't blame Starbucks for competing. Competition is what drives the economy. But I do have a few issues with this new "campaigning":
a) I don't much like people or companies who negate competition; it seems much more prudent and secure a notion to offer something in which you are especially different and proficient. By acknowledging competition it implies that the competition is worth your attention, which wouldn't be true if you believed you had a better, or more authentic, product. The ads therefore implicitly acknowledge that the competition (namely, Peet's) is already far better.
b) The ad also implies that Starbucks has not previously had "coffee for coffee lovers". In other words, the ad acknowledges not just that Peet's is better, but that they have become better because Starbucks has failed to offer a good product. If I were a previous Starbucks regular, boy would I feel ripped off. This is not to mention how invalidated or humiliated I might be if I thought their bean juice was better bean juice, or even a better product, prior to these ads showing up.
In my opinion, Starbucks just accelerated their fall from stardom's graces. Expect a stock share plummet, if it hasn't already finished.
-Michael
15 April 2008
Note to Drivers
I usually don't post two entries in one day, but this I will, because it's amusing:
Upon driving my son back home this evening, a shipping truck cut me off just as I had finished switching lanes. Naturally, I was a bit upset. So, to be completely irrational: avoid Green Mountain Coffee Company. :)
-Michael
Upon driving my son back home this evening, a shipping truck cut me off just as I had finished switching lanes. Naturally, I was a bit upset. So, to be completely irrational: avoid Green Mountain Coffee Company. :)
-Michael
New Polls!
No links this time, kiddo. We got new polls on the page!
To the right there are questions about your favorites. Show the blog-world your preferences. ;)
----------------
Now playing: Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds - Cornbread
via FoxyTunes
To the right there are questions about your favorites. Show the blog-world your preferences. ;)
----------------
Now playing: Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds - Cornbread
via FoxyTunes
14 April 2008
History of U.S. Tea
Hello my fair friends! I am a fairly infrequent writer, it seems. :)
I apologize for the lack of tea-ness lately, but I went on a coffee kick. I drank so much that I ended up stopping for a certain period of time we in the Christian world refer to as "Lent". It was a good experience. In any case, I haven't the faintest idea why I've mentioned nothing of tea lately.
However the Fates would not be denied ("it was in the tea leaves", etc., etc.), and coming across a certain article provoked me to active writing. You can access it by simply clicking on the title of the entry.
The reasons for this provocation are threefold:
a) It's good to see it around;
b) I enjoy historical things;
c) it explains in greater detail what I mentioned in a previous entry about the problem of tea-drinking in America, namely how it seemed to be a subject of tacit disgust for so long.
Some things that I found particularly notable in the beginning of the article (for those who don't want to scour through its length and crude publishing quality):
- tea was introduced to America not by the British, but by the Dutch
- "Colony consumption of tea dwarfed that of the parent country England."
This makes very convincing the statement, "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater." As one can see, the rebellion against tea could indeed be an unnecessary hold-over of the rightful patriotism of we the people. The rebellion was against the tax on the tea, not because we ought to dislike the product or refuse the product's introducer to this country.
The moral of this entry: If you wish to rebel against the Dutch, by all means avoid thy tea consumption; however, if you want to be a true original Patriot, outdo the British and drink more tea than they. :)
More to follow, I promise...
All the best,
Michael
***
Quote For Pondering:
"I slipped you $50 of cash money." - Joe Morgan
I apologize for the lack of tea-ness lately, but I went on a coffee kick. I drank so much that I ended up stopping for a certain period of time we in the Christian world refer to as "Lent". It was a good experience. In any case, I haven't the faintest idea why I've mentioned nothing of tea lately.
However the Fates would not be denied ("it was in the tea leaves", etc., etc.), and coming across a certain article provoked me to active writing. You can access it by simply clicking on the title of the entry.
The reasons for this provocation are threefold:
a) It's good to see it around;
b) I enjoy historical things;
c) it explains in greater detail what I mentioned in a previous entry about the problem of tea-drinking in America, namely how it seemed to be a subject of tacit disgust for so long.
Some things that I found particularly notable in the beginning of the article (for those who don't want to scour through its length and crude publishing quality):
- tea was introduced to America not by the British, but by the Dutch
- "Colony consumption of tea dwarfed that of the parent country England."
This makes very convincing the statement, "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater." As one can see, the rebellion against tea could indeed be an unnecessary hold-over of the rightful patriotism of we the people. The rebellion was against the tax on the tea, not because we ought to dislike the product or refuse the product's introducer to this country.
The moral of this entry: If you wish to rebel against the Dutch, by all means avoid thy tea consumption; however, if you want to be a true original Patriot, outdo the British and drink more tea than they. :)
More to follow, I promise...
All the best,
Michael
***
Quote For Pondering:
"I slipped you $50 of cash money." - Joe Morgan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
