Espresso Enthusiasts

[mobilehaathi]

I still fail here and there with the mokas, even though I've got the correct method down to a tee. Very fickle, very easy to do but also easy to do wrong. However, when done right, it's incredibly entertaining to see the liquid flow up like you've struck black oil, albeit amber in color.

By the way, enjoying that Pullman book? Have to admit, I've become interested in reading the series after your commentary on it the other evening. Unfortunately, I had to send back my copy, which means I'll have to purchase it alongside the prior books.

I've recently found myself exploring some science fiction and fantasy. Two genres I blew off whenever given the chance. While I'm ashamed to admit being a massive fan of the PotC films, I figured they have some fantasy entwined and it wouldn't hurt to read something out of my normal genres. Plus, I enjoyed Pullman's prose.

It's quite enjoyable. It really is not disappointing at all. However, I am taking my time; I could easily blow through this, but I'm going to savor it a bit. Besides, the next two weeks will be unusually busy for me, so I'm not sure I'll have much downtime anyway.

I just finished a mug of Ethiopian Yrgaceffe Kela Kochore. This one is a regular on my order list---a must-buy when it is in stock. I may have to go for a second before I head to the airport.
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I really loved Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series - it is brilliant and a classic of fantasy.

An earlier quartet of his which is also well worth reading is the "Sally Lockhart" series.

Ah, you know, I've been meaning to read the Sally Lockhart books. You've enjoyed them then?

 

[Lioness~]

Just enjoying some Italian Lavazza made in my trusty Bialetti. Working at home this morning may go into the office this PM.

2017 has generally not been a good year, although there have been some very bright spots.

Bit of a long post but I need to vent now. All my former colleagues complain of a very bad atmosphere at my former employer and I am glad to be out of there!

What sort of the delicious Lavazza, if I may ask? I too enjoy that brand

The bad times is simply a cleansing & preparation for much better times to come. Hang in there

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It's quite enjoyable. It really is not disappointing at all. However, I am taking my time; I could easily blow through this, but I'm going to savor it a bit. Besides, the next two weeks will be unusually busy for me, so I'm not sure I'll have much downtime anyway.

I just finished a mug of Ethiopian Yrgaceffe Kela Kochore. This one is a regular on my order list---a must-buy when it is in stock. I may have to go for a second before I head to the airport.
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Ah, you know, I've been meaning to read the Sally Lockhart books. You've enjoyed them then?

Yes, I did.

They are shorter - and not as complex - as His Dark Materials, - but are a wonderful 'alternative' 1870s-1880s London (the first three books, that is - the fourth is a wonderful take on a sort of Ruritania) with a terrific heroine - the eponymous Sally Lockhart who plays a leading role in the first three books (and a minor role in the fourth), a great cast, and a rollicking story with an interesting historical backdrop.

Thoroughly enjoyed them.

But, I am a huge fan of Philip Pullman anyway; his stories are intelligent and gripping, plus his heroines are intelligent, (and gutsy, and brave), and he thoughtfully questions the sort of matters that need to be questioned.

 

[decafjava]

My sympathies and commiserations.

Actually, I loathe young "cool" people, of the sort that you describe.

And yes, I, too, will admit to being something of an aficionado of the Bialetti, though I don't use mine half often enough when I am home.

Today, I had a rather nice espresso. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks, funny part is this gentleman is actually only slightly younger than me, 49 to my 51. Young compared to his retiring predecessor. I truly can't understand priorities, that organisation spent a bundle of money to move to an impressive new building but forgot to invest in its staff. Oh and they bought expensive nespresso machines.

What sort of the delicious Lavazza, if I may ask? I too enjoy that brand

The bad times is simply a cleansing & preparation for much better times to come. Hang in there

Just Qualita Rossa which is the standard. But you really can't go wrong. I do prefer a well made espresso or lungo at my preferred coffee shop as I don't have the space for proper equipment but at last can use my Bialetti or make occasionally turkish coffee as well.

Oh and thank you for the kind wishes Lioness, I do hope that but it's hard to remember the dawn will come in the middle of a stormy night. Especially regarding the family illness. It helps that our students at my new job are for the most part very motivated, bright and intelligent (several outstanding in fact).

As one great author (by all accounts not read him yet) Philip Pullman has been mentioned might as well mention another Tolkien - speaking through a great character and one of the real heroes of LOTR.

"But in the end it’s only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass." Samwise Gamgee

 

[JamesMike]

Enjoying a nice cup of Costa Rican coffee with honey and hot milk.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Thanks, funny part is this gentleman is actually only slightly younger than me, 49 to my 51. Young compared to his retiring predecessor. I truly can't understand priorities, that organisation spent a bundle of money to move to an impressive new building but forgot to invest in its staff. Oh and they bought expensive nespresso machines.



Just Qualita Rossa which is the standard. But you really can't go wrong. I do prefer a well made espresso or lungo at my preferred coffee shop as I don't have the space for proper equipment but at last can use my Bialetti or make occasionally turkish coffee as well.

Oh and thank you for the kind wishes Lioness, I do hope that but it's hard to remember the dawn will come in the middle of a stormy night. Especially regarding the family illness. It helps that our students at my new job are for the most part very motivated, bright and intelligent (several outstanding in fact).

As one great author (by all accounts not read him yet) Philip Pullman has been mentioned might as well mention another Tolkien - speaking through a great character and one of the real heroes of LOTR.

Not too go too OT, but Tolkien had a gift for inventing detailed and engaging worlds, but he had lots of trouble writing any female characters.

Pullman has managed to do both, at least as far as my experience has shown (and the illustrious Scribe seems to concur).

But I have to say that there's something almost subversive about settling into an armchair, late at night, and sipping on a piping hot mug of coffee with the intent of immersing oneself into a good book.

Of course, a nice beer, glass of wine, or---dare I say---an ancient port works well in this capacity too, although the willful consumption of a stimulant at night really underscores one's intentions.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Not too go too OT, but Tolkien had a gift for inventing detailed and engaging worlds, but he had lots of trouble writing any female characters.

Pullman has managed to do both, at least as far as my experience has shown (and the illustrious Scribe seems to concur).

But I have to say that there's something almost subversive about settling into an armchair, late at night, and sipping on a piping hot mug of coffee with the intent of immersing oneself into a good book.

Of course, a nice beer, glass of wine, or---dare I say---an ancient port works well in this capacity too, although the willful consumption of a stimulant at night really underscores one's intentions.

Agree completely; Tolkien's women were so risibly poorly conceived (and sketched) that to refer to them as one-dimensional does that one dimension a disservice.

Agree, too, re his capacity for comprehensive world building (superlative), but I think Philip Pullman manages to do both, superbly. His female characters are brilliant - precisely because they are imagined as human beings - flawed human beings - first, who happen to be female.

And, I cannot but agree about the wonderful pleasure (which I miss when abroad) of being able to sink into an armchair, with book in hand, and port/coffee/wine or beer settled on a coaster nearby, ready to be sipped and savoured as you lose yourself in this wonderful work. Few pleasures compete.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Have just sent the best part of an hour sipping, savouring and thoroughly enjoying a most divine latte, prepared with what can only be described as tender, loving, attentive care........

 

[decafjava]

Agree completely; Tolkien's women were so risibly poorly conceived (and sketched) that to refer to them as one-dimensional does that one dimension a disservice.

Agree, too, re his capacity for comprehensive world building (superlative), but I think Philip Pullman manages to do both, superbly. His female characters are brilliant - precisely because they are imagined as human beings - flawed human beings - first, who happen to be female.

And, I cannot but agree about the wonderful pleasure (which I miss when abroad) of being able to sink into an armchair, with book in hand, and port/coffee/wine or beer settled on a coaster nearby, ready to be sipped and savoured as you lose yourself in this wonderful work. Few pleasures compete.

Well this makes me want to read Pullman - as for Tolkien this is one place the films shined better (the first LOTR trilogy by Peter Jackson) the women characters again while playing minor roles compared to the men were played very well y their respective actresses.

Makes me think that this thread is truly a modern version of the Parisian or London coffeehouses, intellectual discussion and discourse. Thank you Ethiopian goatherder!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well this makes me want to read Pullman - as for Tolkien this is one place the films shined better (the first LOTR trilogy by Peter Jackson) the women characters again while playing minor roles compared to the men were played very well y their respective actresses.

Makes me think that this thread is truly a modern version of the Parisian or London coffeehouses, intellectual discussion and discourse. Thank you Ethiopian goatherder!

There are some in that part of the world who will argue that their goat was - or is - perfectly capable of writing something on a par with Shakespeare, never mind Philip Pullman, or J R R Tolkien.

Indeed, the going rate for accidentally running over a goat is said to be around $1,000. Goat-herding is considered a rather respectable - not to mention - somewhat remunerative (at times) profession, you know.

But, I will grant you that the coffee is superlative.

 

[0388631]

Near triple-digit weather today. Though it feels cooler than yesterday. Possibly because of the windy weather, which isn't great for my allergies or my eyes when outside. No hot drinks today. Though I may make a cold brew of coffee using some leftover beans that wouldn't suffice for a proper espresso.

I'll probably tear down what I can of the machines and clean it alongside everything else.

Sally Lockhart

You keep bringing this up. Last night I went to Amazon's site and read the first passage from the first book in the series. I enjoyed how blunt Pullman was with the character. I ended up ordering the series.

 

[JamesMike]

Enjoy a quit time with a good cup of Kenyan.

 

[0388631]

Kenya AA

Positively aching for coffee.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

An excellent café latte, which I am pretty certain was made with Ugandan coffee.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Thoroughly enjoyed a latte this morning, made with Ugandan coffee and much tender loving care.

 

[0388631]

Hot chocolate with a shot of Kenya AA espresso.


@Scepticalscribe There is a new miniseries from the Beeb called Gunpowder, starring Kit Harrington, and it's about the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot. And, if I've read correctly, Harrington is a direct descendant of Robert Catesby. The miniseries began on the 21st and runs through November 4. I finished the first episode earlier and enjoyed it. I should warn you that there is a particularly gruesome execution scene in the first episode that may be too vile.

I'm not sure about the historical accuracy of the miniseries. English history wasn't ever my forte.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Hot chocolate with a shot of Kenya AA espresso.


@Scepticalscribe There is a new miniseries from the Beeb called Gunpowder, starring Kit Harrington, and it's about the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot. And, if I've read correctly, Harrington is a direct descendant of Robert Catesby. The miniseries began on the 21st and runs through November 4. I finished the first episode earlier and enjoyed it. I should warn you that there is a particularly gruesome execution scene in the first episode that may be too vile.

I'm not sure about the historical accuracy of the miniseries. English history wasn't ever my forte.

English history is one of my fortes - a party piece of mine is being able to recite the Kings & Queens of England plus dates - from 1066-to-now - and I will trust British television to get the history right (more or less).

I'm abroad at the moment, and so am unable to watch it. However, it did receive superb reviews, so I shall have to keep an eye out for it.

When I was an academic, among other matters, I used to teach medieval, Renaissance, Reformation & Counter-Reformation history - so, as a scholar, I do get that public executions weren't just gruesome, but, in addition, they were a form of public entertainment that appealed to something visceral and repellant in human nature.

And, since being lured from the Groves of Academe, I have worked in a number of the sort of places the Chinese might describe as "interesting".

 

[AVBeatMan]

Just about to enjoy this latte I’ve made.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Just about to enjoy this latte I’ve made.

A lovely latte, and a Mont Blanc pen, too?

What can I say? Clearly, a gentleman of rare taste and refinement......

Enjoy your latte.

 

[AVBeatMan]

A lovely latte, and a Mont Blanc pen, too?

What can I say? Clearly, a gentleman of rare taste and refinement......

Enjoy your latte.

Thanks you. Let’s just say I try my best! As for my Mont Blanc, I love it and use it every single day, at home and at work. One of the best things I’ve bought. I’ve considered buying another, larger one but cannot imagine anything better than this meisterstuck. Think it’s a 144. Small but not the smallest.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Thanks you. Let’s just say I try my best! As for my Mont Blanc, I love it and use it every single day, at home and at work. One of the best things I’ve bought. I’ve considered buying another, larger one but cannot imagine anything better than this meisterstuck. Think it’s a 144. Small but not the smallest.

Ah, I have the 144 - actually, I have two of them, and yes, I agree with you, it is brilliant, and is one of the best things I have ever bought as well. And, as it happens, mine is also used daily for quite a lot of writing - yes, at home and at work.

I love the size of the 144, it fits perfectly in my hand; the 145 is okay, but not quite as comfortable. The 146 is too big for me.

Anyway, enjoy both your latte - which looks wonderful - and your Mont Blanc.

 

[Tapiture]

I’m thinking of getting the DeLonghi Inissia on Amazon. Does anyone have this machine and what do you think of it?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I’m thinking of getting the DeLonghi Inissia on Amazon. Does anyone have this machine and what do you think of it?

No, I don't, but I would start by reading reviews of those who have bought it.

DeLonghi make great kettles, - I have one at home and it is excellent - and have a pretty good reputation.

 

[AVBeatMan]

3rd cup today. This time a smaller drink with one shot of espresso. Finding I’m preferring a smaller, stronger drink these days. Bought a smaller mid-size le creuset as seen in this pic.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

3rd cup today. This time a smaller drink with one shot of espresso. Finding I’m preferring a smaller, stronger drink these days. Bought a smaller mid-size le creuset as seen in this pic.

Yes, I must say that I am rather partial to the Le Creuset mugs, and the coffee looks (and, more importantly, tastes) wonderful when sipping from them.