Espress Yourself

Rob and I have gradually increased our coffee intake to the point where we both drink an incredibly large mug in the moring (the equivalent of two or three small mugs), and then have to pee every hour for the next three hours.

Consequently, we have decided to start drinking espressos in order to reduce the overall intake volume.

We bought this Bialetti stovetop espresso machine (cost: approx. $38.00):

But does it really make espresso?

Short answer, no. It makes strong, "italian-style" coffee, which I like. But it doesn't have sufficient pressure to make the crema and flavor of an espresso made with a power machine.

What's a coffee geek to do? Buy an expensive espresso machine. We are researching brands and prices.

Don't Skip the Roux, People.

Julia Child would be proud of Sara Dickerman, who favors the traditional roux-based aproach to mac n' cheese.

"Crusty Macaroni and Cheese" - What's wrong with�the New York Times' weirdly popular recipe. By Sara Dickerman: "Moskin offers up the tantalizing possibility that delicious macaroni and cheese can be made without white sauce, or b�chamel, the butter/flour/milk goop that binds pasta and cheddar together in a traditional mac and cheese. For backup, she quotes a cranky John Thorne, the iconoclastic food writer, who calls white sauce 'a noxious paste of flour-thickened milk' that diminishes 'this dish flavored with a tiny grating of cheese.'"

Are Orange Aprons Next?

A public sector employee taking customer service seriously? Maybe they will adopt my idea of outfitting them in orange aprons.

HeraldNet: Librarians on the move

"A private-sector sales concept is improving service at public libraries in Lynnwood and Mukilteo.

On busy afternoons, a librarian walks around and is available to anyone who needs help, as opposed to having staff stationed at reference desks."

Out of the Cameras of Babes

This photo was taken by a five-year-old with my camera phone. She set up the books (Winnie the Pooh) just the way she wanted. I think it's pretty good.

"Please Keep Your Feet On A Floor"

This notice was photographed on an airport shuttle bus. It says, "Please keep your feet on a floor." I didn't know I had other floor options to choose from.

Tri-Anorak: IMAX Cycling Movie

Tri-Anorak posts:

IMAX Cycling Movie

The subject of the film is the amazing ability of the human brain to overcome adversity, accomplish the near-impossible, and power each of us to victory and success in life. The film will illustrate these various abilities by following cyclists racing in the Tour De France.