Thursday, February 22, 2007

    Rain, and the Art of Pulling a Perfect Shot of Espresso

    rain and more rain and more rain.If I had thought of it earlier, I would have "given up" RAIN for LENT this year.

    After giving it (exactly three seconds) more thought, I realize that forty days (and forty nights) WITHOUT rain could cause a paradox in some alternate version of my world...

    That, and, well-- I think the drastic change in scenery would throw my incredibly redundant life into a whirlwind. Instead I gave up
  • pessimism (I am presently failing miserably with it - BUT I am having a great time trying!)

  • insomnia - (while I am off to a good start, I do not yet know how this will turn out... but you never know).

  • fast food - Although I am not considering a SALAD as fast food - (it's convenient healthy food that is already made).
    • I am keeping my caffiene, thank you very much for asking.

    About a year ago (I forget when exactly), I purchased an Espresso machine, with delusions of grandure in regards to how much money I would save by making my own Espressso, Cappucino, and Latte beverages.

    The machine was purchasd for around $300 -$400. According to my calculations at the time, two large gourmet drinks cost somewhere around $8 US. Multiplied by an average of three times a week... that is about $24 a week... (times 52 weeks in a year... I don't think I have to keep doing the math to know I spend too much money on fancy coffee.

    Taking the longer route to get the point: I don't eat at restaurants very often. The reason is, it is expensive, and generally I find that the food quality and service sub-standard. I enjoy cooking. Most of my friends can attest to the fact that I am even pretty good at it. (cheating to add more words - by PLUGGING MY RECIPE link on the right- check them out.)

    More math: Good food (less money) divided by time I don't mind spending in the kitchen = GOOD DEAL.

    Back to the point I was making... Many times, I have tried to make my own Espressso, Cappucino, and Latte beverages, with aspirations of achieving BARISTA quality results. Many times, I have fallen short of my own expectations.
    Less Money x crappy drink + ten minutes wasted failing at making said drink = BAD DEAL.

    I know that with time and practice, my Cappu-Latte-presso skills would become fine tuned. I know that witih my high standards and attention to detail, my coffee beverages would reign supreme among my peers.

    I simply lack the patience to keep trying.

    I have used the machine about six times. Making the twelve drinks I have attempted with it (but didn't necessarily enjoy AS MUCH as the REAL THING)... cost somewhere around (I am not so great at math in my head)... $30 ?

    I often fall short of reaching goals, at least, the goals that don't affect anyone adversely. Nobody's life is at stake, so my goal of 50,000 words in the month of February -- might never be met.

    Failing.... But I'm happy to be here, and having a great time!
    - 479 words in this post...
    48,932 to go...

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    pero      @ 7:52 PM | œ | 0 comments

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