Thursday, February 15, 2007
The search for good coffee
Thus far the only coffee I've had in Columbia was from the little shop we sad Derek Webb play at last year (I wasn't impressed. It was very weak. It tasted like water that had once sat near some coffee beans while both items were sealed in their own individual containers) and Atlanta Bread Company. I refuse to go to the $.
I haven't had ABCs coffee before so I figured that since there is one just a few blocks from the school I ought to try it out. I went in and ordered an americano. Now, ABC has an interesting setup since you aren't always talking to someone who even knows how to make your drink when you order it, they might just be the order taker. She had no idea what I meant and went on to describe to me their coffees (some horrid sounding banana nut flavour, among others...). I asked her again and she asked another person what it was and they knew.
So, I began speaking with that person, asked what size their short was. Their short is the $ and R. Gabriels' tall, or 12oz. (*$s has a short that is 8oz, R. Gabriels does not but they have adopted *$s naming standards.) I then asked how many shots of espresso came in a tall. That took a little bit of clarification (I should note, the ABC downtown seems to be family run by an Indian family so there is a slight language/accent barrier there) but I got that there is one shot in the tall. This is pretty much par for the course at most shops. R. Gabriels puts two shots in theirs.
I then asked for a small with an extra shot which she seemed to understand and I paid. What I got was the next size up (16oz) with two shots...
To those of you who do not know, an americano is espresso with hot water added. You get the flavour and freshness of espresso without having it be like a syrup of pure coffee. So if you have one shot of espresso and hot water to the top of a 12 oz up it will taste different than if you have two shots of espresso and water to the top of the same cup. It will also be different if you have two shots and water to the top of a 16oz cup, being somewhere in between the single and double in a 12oz cup. I wanted more. Oh well, the espresso had an acceptable flavour at least, not the greatest but better than some swill I've had (*$, Joe Mugs, Boarders...). If I can get them to make the drink properly it would be alright. I'd rather find a non-chain place. I'd love to find a self-roasting place, or at least someplace I can go in and say, "What coffee do you use?" and not get an answer along the lines of, "I don't know.. it comes in a bag..." or, "[insert some major brand like *$, seatle's best, dunkin donuts here]".
The search continues...
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Circus of Dispair
"This joyous, frightful circus romp is
emblematic of, and yet somehow transcends,
Unknown's entire body of work."
I also enjoy Dog and Think Again.
Gute morgan! At work right now, serving the uptown VA's caffeine and sugar needs!
Last night I was reminded of many drives to or from Oak Hill Baptist in Poplarville, MS where I was the minister of music for three years while in college (and just out of college). It was rainy and overcast when I left Columbia but things didn't look too bad.
About 5 miles down the interstate towards home I heard a tornado warning on the radio but it was concerning counties near North Carolina, the opposite direction from my heading and since I was tuned into the Aiken County public radio station I figured that the drive west would be fine.
About 15 miles into my drive this assumption was proven wrong as I hit a wall of water so thick I couldn't see the road, I was having to watch the reflector directly in front of me to tell where my lane was and the only way I could tell there were cars in front of me was because everyone had their hazard blinkers on. Then the wind started trying to push me off the road. Yep, definitely a thunderstorm that was capable of producing tornados. Just like I used to drive through often on the way to church back in the day.
By the time I got to a place that I could see clearly enough to pull off the worst was past so I went on home.
Of course in Mississippi I used to go to church in those storms and come back later that night and there would be a new swath of trees missing from the median or side of the road. I don't know if I'll see any missing trees come Thursday or not! :) Always a good way to get the adrenaline going!
And today marks Valentine's day number 27 that I am single. If one counts such things.
Klasinc&Loncar Duo (Just trying to help it get picked up by Google spiders, I maintain it for them)