Even in Seattle, teaching people how to throw stuff away takes time

Apparently, even in oh-so-correct Seattle, people take a while to figure out how to throw stuff away. The local Starbucks has undergone Howard Schultz's latest brainfart redesign (take out the ten foot display? Really, Howard? How did telling us what we were listening to distract us from buying your coffee?) and they've put in two different trash receptacles, one clearly labeled "garbarge" and the other "recycling." People are still throwing food-waste and used napkins in the recycling bin.

This is just as bad as Tully's, a local competing brand (the one not owned by Starbucks; Seattle's Best Coffee was bought in Starbuck's massive acquisition spree in 2006, along with Terrafazione). They have three receptacles: garbage, compostable, and recycling. People almost get it right-- the cups say "Compostable" right on the sides. But they always include the plastic lid.

I figure eventually people will figure it out. Pity the poor employee who has to deal with it until then.

Salting your coffee: negative result

So, following the hot new trend of putting a pinch of salt into your coffee to cancel the bitter taste, I have to say that I'm disappointed with the experiment. Either I tasted no difference, or the salt was sufficient that it distracted from the coffee taste, and I was unhappy with it either way.

Which is kind-of sad. When you blog, you want to be able to teach about something great, and I have nothing great to report. Salting coffee doesn't seem to do much for me. Then again, I may have a reason for that. See the next post.

I must be doing something right with my coffee...

I must do something very right with the coffee I brew at home. I don't know what it is, but it sure works. I use just any old bean (right now, I'm trying the Starbuck's Tribute blend), but I use a half-height French Press (two cups of coffee per batch) and let them sit for four minutes before pouring. I always prepare more water than the press will hold, and I use the remaining water to warm my cup. I alway pour quickly after pressing, and it's great, smooth and never bitter.

This morning, I had an opportunity to have some of Starbuck's Pike Place Market Roast, as brewed by Starbucks, and you know, it was very bitter. Even a four ounce cup couldn't be saved with a teaspoon of sugar, and I never use more than that at home. That may explain why the salting doesn't do much for me: I don't make coffee that needs saving.

Man, my third post in a row about coffee.

Lesson Learned: Always Grab The Great Deal

Yesterday, while taking Kouryou-chan to dance class, I stopped by the local second-hand store and spotted on the shelf a Nesco coffee home-roaster. It was only $49, a third of the mail-order price. I was tempted-- I have been known to roast coffee at home, but in a primitive homebrewed tower roaster hacked out of an old popcorn popper. A home roaster would be awesome.

I didn't buy it.

I mentioned it to Omaha and she said I should have bought it, since I love good coffee that much. I went back this morning and, sadly, it was already gone. Damn.

I just don't speak cat

Up in a tree(house)

Bosco has learned how to climb up into the treehouse. The other day, though, I was working in the garden and he got very vocal with me, meowing loudly. He seemed angry, or at the very least upset, at something, I don't know what.

I can just barely reach that ledge, so I tried petting him or coaxing him. He just meowed, seemingly still upset. I finally had to tell him that I was very sorry, but I don't speak cat.