Valentine's Day - maybe posting about it a little too early

Recently my roommate sought my advice over the matter of Valentine’s Day cards. She has been in a relationship for a few months now and with the approach of Valentines decided a trip to Hallmark was in order. After browsing the aisles of Hallmark and reading one card after another, she quickly noticed a common theme: sugary, "I love you forever" mush.

This would be fitting if she knew she found her soul mate or was ready to give the "you are the one" message but due to the earliness of the relationship, isn’t such a message a little too much too soon? Nowhere did she find a neutral Valentine’s Day card. A card that preaches love or great like but with a lighter tone… do such cards exist?

I, myself, adore Victorian Valentine's Day cards.

Also nifty: Jones Soda introduces Valentine's Jones. (Even though it was probably cooler when the limited edition Jones were actually limited editions instead of the company deciding to put out limited edition products for every single holiday.)

In times of war

I am currently working on homework at Beaners coffee shop. I'm enjoying the quiet here... now I just need to study.

To the right is a cool coffee thermos I found inside Beaners. I like the idea it can be used in times of war and thanks to the camouflage, no one will notice you taking secret sips of coffee.

Toy envy

Okay, so I no longer play with toys. However, this doesn't stop me from enjoying them.

I love the Ice Bots by Kidrobot over at Urban Outfitters. In particular, I thought this guy to the right is very cute in his pink scarf. I have never seen these toys before but they look like mini elves to me... only stranger and more fashionable. I really like that they are each wearing a cool scarf.

Teeth have feelings, too

I finally found in visual form an accurate representation of how I feel. Actually, of how my teeth feel. Just looking at this guy makes me feel his pain. Ouch.

I wrote of my tooth pain in a previous post but haven't talked about it since then. Well, the verdict is: over my mid-Winter break I have a visit to the dentist planned and he will take care of me. My break is the first week of March. Until then, I wait. In pain. Ouch.

Birthday wishes

Twenty years ago today my good buddy, Nate, was born. My guess is he was a microscopic baby who cried continuously into the late hours of the night. Luckily, as a redhead he probably made all the females swoon (his mother, in particular, also a redhead) and thus, he was a keeper. I’ve seen early photos of Nate, and he would fit in perfectly as a member of the Weasley family. (Although he doesn’t take this as a compliment.)

For his birthday I gave him an odd assortment of gifts, including: toe warmers, Gerber baby food, bold flavor tic tacs, vanilla-mint chapstick, Ghirardelli chocolate with caramel, and a photo album. I enjoyed shopping for these items and I think he appreciated each one of them. Happy Birthday, Nate. Enjoy your special day.

Picture Book Animals stamp set

Although I am not a stamp collector I am always intrigued by new stamp designs. The majority of the time I think, “How boring,” but this month I am particularly pleased with the Picture Book Animals stamp set.

My favorite character featured? It's a toss between Wilbur or Olivia. The new stamps were issued on January 10, 2006.

Chinese food with kick

A week ago a coworker asked me if I knew of any good Chinese food restaurants in the area. I immediately gave the name of my local Chinese food spot.

A few days pass and I happen to come across an article in the newspaper on my previously recommended Chinese food place. It turns out, when inspected, they failed on several accounts of critical health code violations. My favorite, being, they were using a sock to store spices.

Hmm. Maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to give out recommendations. Of course, the newspaper did not mention if the sock was clean.

Starbucks features work from Lane Twitchell

Although I am not an advocate for Starbucks, I often enjoy some of the design work that emerges from the coffee giant. For example, Starbucks' new Kenya Kirinyaga coffee is designed by artist, Lane Twitchell. Twitchell’s work uses intricate paper folding and cutting to create his own patterns with paint applied. To get an idea of his work, go here.

Because it is snowing outside and I am very cold, I am enjoying this one very much.

Practices in language

Tonight at the coffee shop I noticed an Asian man with long, silky hair tucked away in the cafe corner. In his hands he held tiny note-cards and was slowly going over one and then onto the other. When I looked closer I noticed English phrases scribbled on the note-card. As if sensing my stare, the man looked over his shoulder and saw me, before turning back again. For some reason, I sensed that the man was embarrassed. I thought about saying something but didn’t think that was the right thing to do.

Then, I thought, “What is the good of reciting English phrases from text when saying the words out-loud and having someone with you to speak the language is what really makes the difference?”

I considered approaching the man and saying, “Look, I speak English. I even plan on teaching English one day. If you want, I can help you. I can speak English with you.”

Sadly, this story did not end with the young barista befriending a foreigner and teaching him how to communicate and make his way in the snowy state that is Michigan. I did notice the man stayed at his practice until the cafe finally closed. Perhaps he will become a regular. Perhaps he already has a brilliant tutor and is well onto his path for success.

A cup of Kopi Luwak

Although I rarely drink straight coffee, I am fascinated by the coffee known as Kopi Luwak. I've put this drink on my "must drink before I die" list. Unfortunately, the coffee is extremely rare and expensive... with good reason.

The above illustration can be found here in animated form and will give you some idea of how Kopi Luwak is created.

What is Kopi Luwak?

"In Indonesia, an animal called a palm civet or civet cat—locally, called a luwak—eats coffee (kopi) fruit, then excretes out the undigested beans. These beans are then picked from the droppings and washed off. Arguably, the greatest aspect of note to this coffee is its unusual origin, not its taste.

A recent study, Composition and properties of Indonesian palm civet coffee (Kopi Luwak) and Ethiopian civet coffee (Massimo F. Marcone, Food Research International, Volume 37, Issue 9, 2004, Pages 901-912), found that the beans undergo physical and chemical changes as a result of digestion.They become harder and more brittle, with an extremely finely perforated outer surface, and had a lower protein content, theoretically resulting in a less-bitter cup. Blind taste tests from professional cuppers, however, have not borne out the theory.

Yearly production figures are unreliable, and range anywhere from eighty to three hundred pounds. The price per pound ranges as high as US $300. The Food Reseach article found that "electronic nose analysis" was able to detect differences between kopi luwak and undigested coffees, which may help confirm a particular batch's authenticity."

source: the coffee faq

I know for some this coffee may sound entirely gross. I guess I'm interested because I live for trying new products and Kopi Luwak is considered one of the rarest of coffees in the world.

A regular at the coffee shop I work at informs me this method of processing coffee beans is being attempted using other animals. As long as no animals are harmed in the process, I see nothing wrong with experimentation.

At the ERC

I am using wireless at Espresso Royale and feeling quite bummed. I ordered an iced caramel latte and I feel like I might as well be drinking dish water. Also, I can see grounds in the bottom of my clear cup. Yuck. This is not how I planned on starting out the day.

I'm still trying to figure out how my oldest sister loves ERC so. Are her drink experiences totally different from mine? When she walks in do the baristas suddenly "take it up another notch" (as Emeril would say) and devote themselves to perfection? Or, perhaps our tastebuds are very different...

Tea inspiration

After browsing The Republic of Tea online I came across a tea inspired by the film, Memoirs of a Geisha. Spring Cherry Green tea. Mmmm. Sounds refreshing. The description of the tea is as follows:

"Japanese sencha green tea leaves scented with cherry essence and blended with rose petals and white paklum blossoms (downy, white tea buds)."

I really love the design of this tea as well. I haven't been able to find this tea in stores but will be keeping a special eye out for it. Good tea is worth every penny.

Incognito

I’ve heard of top food critics in New York City who have to resort to carefully disguising themselves when dining on the town. If news of their appearance reaches those in the restaurant, alarm bells will go off and the restaurant staff will immediately put on their finest presentation and tailor everything just so.

I can only imagine how such savvy food critiques go about their disguises. Do they adopt false wigs or Jackie O sunglasses? Do fake moustaches come into play? What about accents? Do they suddenly switch over to cockney English?

Although not in New York, I live in a city where coffee shops are plentiful. Because I have worked at several coffee shops now and am a wee bit obsessed, when I enter a new coffee shop I feel like those savvy food critiques. Only the staff has no idea that I am watching (and partially spying). What kind of syrups do they use? Did them steam the milk properly? If I ordered a drink with a sauce added to it, did they stir? Who is their coffee supplier? What kind of care and attention to detail are they giving to each drink? After I finish the drink, will I find stray coffee grounds at the bottom of it? This is just a sample of the kind of questions that enter my head.

Of course, this kind of investigating doesn’t always bring its own reward. If I know all the errors being made along the way and watch it take place in front of me, I don’t exactly feel better if it is my drink and I’m the one who has to drink it. Also, although some may assume I’m a “coffee snob” I have great trouble sending back poorly made drinks.

Really.

Remembering a recent coffee conversation with my Dad

ME: “The blend uses El Savador Pacamara beans blended with beans from Sumatra… and I don’t have to tell you about beans from Sumatra. You know all about Sumatran coffee beans, right?”
DAD: “Yes, I do. They use beans.”

Odd finds on the first day of the semester

I have made two interesting discoveries today.

First, I walked past a vending machine devoted to serving out energy drinks. Vending machines are clearly branching out.

Second, I walked past a classroom and saw written on the chalkboard:

FIND GOD

I wondered for a second if he/she had left such a message? I later concluded it must have been a message left over from the Crusades.

How much wood can a wood-chuck chuck, and does he have dental to cover that?

After feeling like my teeth were on strike against me for days, I scheduled a dentist appointment. Soon after scheduling the appointment my tooth pain began to mellow but I attended the appointment anyway because with tooth matters you can never be too careful.

As a new patient, I was asked a series of questions. The question repeated every five seconds seemed to be, “Do you have dental insurance?”

My replies ranged from “No,” to the more lengthy: “No, I’m a college student and was under my parent’s insurance but they no longer have dental insurance.” Regardless of my answers the question did not go away. I was almost reassured when the dentist told me in her soft Indian accent, “Don’t worry, we will take care of you.” Then, I wondered, “How? Because unless you are footing the bill…”

I was incredibly frightened when the dentist looked into my mouth and immediately began pointing out cavities. Not one or two, but several cavities. Granted, I haven’t seen a dentist in years and I’m not a cheerleader for flossing, but little did I know my entire mouth is a breeding ground for decay.

As the new dentist looked further I stared dumbly at the wall in front of me. I am always interested in the kinds of things dentist offices plaster on their walls. The most common trend seems to be scenery and in this case I was staring at three framed photos of flowers. I immediately noticed the spacing between each frame was uneven. This bothered me more than I thought it would. How could I relax when all I wanted to do was correct the uneven photo presentation? I considered pointing it out but wondered how I would even phrase such a statement.

This is what I wanted to say but would never say in a million years:

“Excuse me… you may have an eye for pointing out tooth decay but you don’t have an eye for art presentation. Your framed photos are terribly uneven. How am I suppose to relax under these conditions?”

I let the error go and decided it was best to not offend an individual who uses sharp pointy objects in my mouth. After all, I don’t have dental and don’t suppose the coverage will fall out of the sky anytime soon.

Like in the movies

While working at the coffee shop today a male customer approached me ever so hesitantly. He wore faded flannel and when he spoke I noticed several teeth missing.

“Hi, I was wondering if you could help me… I’ve never been to one of these places. I’ve seen these kind of places in the movies but I’ve never been inside one. I wanted to order one of those drinks… but I don’t know what to order.”

I recommended a mocha for this first-timer. Chocolate and espresso, how can anyone refuse that combination? Also, a mocha is a classic and thus, a great introduction to the world of coffee specialty drinks.

I wonder if his visit to the coffee shop matched his movie-based expectations?

A new year, a new reason to blog

Back in the fall of 2001 I first took a go at blogging. This period of blogging lasted for a few years until I decided I needed a break and simply didn’t have the time for blogging anymore.

Since then, I’ve brainstormed possible new blog ideas. Finally, I decided to start a new blog based on my experiences as a coffee barista and lover of the coffee bean. This blog is the end result.

Happy 2006.

More about me

Hello and welcome to this blog.

My name is Rachel. Over at flickr I am the wretched.

I live in Michigan, United States. I enjoy taking pictures and writing but not necessarily in that order. Also, I work in a coffee shop.

If you would like to contact me please do so via email: thislittlecat AT gmail DOT COM.

Last updated: May 2008.