Starbucks' Via

There's a lot of buzz about Starbucks' new instant coffee, Via.  The SB in the building I work in has had this stuff for a long time, it seems.  Too bad the national press has to be such idiots about how they present the product.  It's been put in taste tests against "coffee" drinks that are less coffee than sugar, "creamer" and flavoring... of course the average slob is going to prefer some iced mocha McLatte BS to a plain cup of instant.   If these folks wanted to do a fair test, it would have been a blind taste test of just coffee.  Make sugar, honey, cream, milk and that powder shit available.  Even better, have the somellier's of the coffee world gather to give it a blind test of just black coffee.   I drink my coffee black, two sugars.  I prefer to grind it by hand with a conical burr grinder set as coarse as it will go without leaving large chunks of bean.  I press my coffee. I put five scoops (2Tbs each) of grounds in my 32 oz bodum.  I heat my filtered water to boiling, take off the heat and allow 10 seconds (I watch my watch) before pouring just enough to cover the grounds.  I allow the grounds to soak for 30 seconds before pouring the rest of the water and then give another three minutes.  I stir in teh sugar with a wood chopstick so as to not impart a metallic taste.    Unless I'm in a hurry- then I've been known to pull out a Via packet and mix with 8oz hot water (I know the instructions say 6oz, but I find it too strong).  The Colombian is very very close to the Colombian Narino Supremo that's only offered once a year (I won't bother buying three extra pounds again because my wife will grind it to dust in an electric grinder and then use it in a paper-filter coffee pot when I'm not looking- like she did this year).   So go forth and buy Via.  The per-cup price isn't bad and it's convenient.  My only suggestion is that you cut the top off the packet instead of tearing so you get all of the powder.  Be sure to mix with something made of wood.

Fw: Jones Soda D&D Spell Casting Pack,

Hahahaha. Yet another who underestimates nerds' eagerness to buy merch that has been branded for their favorite game. If they're only a week back, that's not too bad, given their 3 day printing, bottling and packing process. Jokes on him though, I doubt anyone will be drinking these. I probably won't. (EDIT: I did drink one of the root beers. But, I won't be drinking the green apple- nasty). --- On Thu, 9/24/09, Steve Capurro <redacted> wrote: From: Steve Capurro <redacted> Subject: Jones Soda D&D Spell Casting Pack, Shipping Info about your order. To: "Steve Capurro" <redacted> Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009, 10:49 AM Dear Jones Soda and D&D fans: We are very excited about our partnership with Wizards of the Coast and the opportunity it has given us to offer specialty Jones Soda D&D cases. We knew there were many D&D fans in North America, but didn't anticipate just how great of a response we received from you. Upon the release of the cases, the volume of orders has been much larger than expected. These cases are not mass-produced, they are handmade in a process that lasts three days. Due to the production time involved and the high volume of orders, we have overwhelmed our production facility. They are working hard to catch up, but we ask for your patience and understanding at this time. Currently, it appears that orders placed last week will ship out this week and this week's order will ship next week. Rest assured, we are doing our utmost to process your orders quickly and will ship them as soon as possible as we realize how eager everyone is to receive and enjoy their new sodas. Thank you for your orders. We truly appreciate your business. Sincerely, Jones Soda Interactive Department. Seattle, WA 98109 206-

Why Bother?

The office I work in allows people to take available window seats based on seniority. I had one for about two years before I took my leave last year. The lady who sat on the other side of the wall from me insisted on keeping her blind open 6" from the bottom- mostly so she could use the window ledge as a shelf. Sometime last week while I was out sick the people in my row started keeping the shades half drawn. Why bother having windows if you're just going to keep the blinds closed? More importantly, why not give up the coveted seats and allow people who WANT the ambient light to have it? It's not like Seattle gets a lot of bright sunny days, so when there's a sun break, it's nice to see it. As it is now, it's pretty depressing on my row.

stress is a moquito repellent?

From: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204660604574378933761528214.html?mod=yhoofront#printMode

Some of the chemicals researchers identified [as repellents] are believed to be related to stress, Dr. Logan says. Previous research has shown that these particular chemicals could be converted from certain other molecules and this could be as a result of oxidation in the body at times of stress, he says.

Bullshit. I'm stressed to the point of breaking and last year I was bitten 63 times in one day. It was so bad that the bites started to hive. Then I was bitten MORE the next day and I was totally stressed out about having already been bitten. So to hell with your "stress is a natural repellent" line. I'll stick with my critter neurotoxins like permethrin.