Sold the Mercedes.
Zipcar works well.
It feels futuristic.
Their website shows what cars are available where and when.
Check one out and provide a return time (SMS message extensions are available if you're running late).
When you walk up to the car just put the proxcard next to the sensor and it unlocks.
The key is on a cable next to the ignition.
Drive as needed.
Return it to the original parking space and wave the proxcard at the sensor to lock it and check it in.
Car #1 - the Honda Civic Hybrid. Basically, it's a Civic which is worse to drive than the original in exchange for a few more MPG. Which is disappointing because the whole point of the Civic is a small car which drives well. (Given the vtec engine option and decent tires)
On the hybrid: between the regenerative brakes, battery assist and poor tires it makes for a hopelessly non-linear driving experience. Constant brake pressure produced inconsistent levels of braking depending on whether regeneration was working. Consistent accelerator pressure produced such poor acceleration that it didn't matter whether the batteries were working or not.
At least the interior build quality was good - no notable rattles or wear at 28k miles on this car.
Come to think of it, in the last year or so I've driven nearly every sub-15k-new sedan platform on the market. I'll use Flexcar to get to the last couple (Toyota/Scion and Subaru) and then come up with a list. Current leader is the Hyundai Elantra.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Light at the end of the tunnel? Is it the end or a headlight of the train engine.
NY Times article on the effects of the current recession on the city's notoriously consumerist culture ( http://nymag.com/news/features/56623/ ) has an advertisement for a $4000 watch on the sidebar. It's a flash add, the other options seem to be other gaudy jewelry.
I suppose it's a value option compared to a $15,000 Audemars Piguet or others...
I suppose it's a value option compared to a $15,000 Audemars Piguet or others...
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Hawaii
Supporting pictures here: http://maslows.net:12110/Site/Photos/Pages/Hawaii.html
I suppose Honolulu-Waikiki was what I expected out of Hawaii - a very tourist dependent economy with lower taxes than most states to make shopping 'friendlier' to visitors, fancy hotels and crowded beaches. A place for people to go who want to be seen, in a bikini. Basically like Los Angeles or some of the major Florida beaches. You don't initially see any reason to have travelled 5 hours to get here.
The interesting part of Honolulu was to find the small places where tourists weren't around. For instance the bento counter where the owner addressed a probable regular customer and her kids in Japanese, then when leaving her kids turned to the owner and said 'Good Bye' in English. (Good chicken with ponzu sauce and very properly done sticky white rice - chopstick friendly) Or the drive-in restaurant a dozen streets back from the beach which did not have a single rental car in the parking lot. There is normal city life there, it's just not obvious.
Going to the north shore of Oahu was a very quick and stark contrast - the beaches were nearly empty, and the only crowded places were the good restaurants in the small beach-y towns. It's a relaxing place. Only a half hour from all the conveniences of a major city, yet it might as well be an entirely different island.
However the vacation really started after leaving Oahu for the big island. Oahu, even on the north shore, seems 'normal' and 'American' - everything is familiar. Hilo and the volcano seem to represent Hawaii as it was when it was its own country - and it's infinitely more interesting for it.
- The Hilo airport doesn't have walls on all sides. There are comfortable padded lounge chairs in the main lobby area, which is not air conditioned - the breeze is comfortable even on an 80 degree day. In this era of making a grand show of security it's refreshing to see a chain link fence as the most formidable barrier.
- Even the main hotel area of Hilo, Banyan Drive, hasn't changed since it was built in the late 50's/early 60's. Hotels are family run, restaurants use locally grown or caught ingredients, the beach-y areas are filled with decidedly non-tourists - families setting up a tent and grill for the afternoon, children play on the rocks in the bay, so on. The local drive in menu is half American, half Polynesian. Quaint is the word I'm looking for, or a tropical version of Lake Woebegon(e), I suppose.
- The volcanic national park is a interesting geology 101 course - see how earth gets made - plate tectonics at work. And the miles of desolation caused by lava flows are beautifully alien to someone that is used to hiking in forests. Trees do provide shade though, which would have been appreciated, as it was hot.
------------------------
Rental cars:
- Chrysler Sebring convertible. This is the absolute worst car that I have driven. I was about to add 'except for any early 90's GM product' but even those didn't break during the rental period. Partial brake failure is one thing, falling-apart levels of quality at 20k miles is another.
- Hyundai Elantra. Perfect commuter car. Quiet, comfortable, good design. Mini-Lexus levels of fit and finish. Nice sound system. Just over 12 grand brand new - that's incredible value.
- Chevrolet Corvette. Plasticky, garish, yellow, chrome, showy, extroverted... everything I don't like in a car. And yet - the ride is comfortable and the exhaust is quiet when cruising, the engine/automatic-transmission combination is perfect, and the handling is very easy to exploit. 2nd gear through a tunnel at 60mph is one of the better automotive experiences you can have. Tire smoking sliding exits from parking lots, with an automatic transmission no less, is another. Passing a car on a 2 lane road with a quick tap of the downshift button is a third. To drive it is as fun as my previous BMW 540 or Porsche. To be seen in... I just wouldn't fit. Maybe in dark grey or black, no stripes, no chrome, maybe.
I suppose Honolulu-Waikiki was what I expected out of Hawaii - a very tourist dependent economy with lower taxes than most states to make shopping 'friendlier' to visitors, fancy hotels and crowded beaches. A place for people to go who want to be seen, in a bikini. Basically like Los Angeles or some of the major Florida beaches. You don't initially see any reason to have travelled 5 hours to get here.
The interesting part of Honolulu was to find the small places where tourists weren't around. For instance the bento counter where the owner addressed a probable regular customer and her kids in Japanese, then when leaving her kids turned to the owner and said 'Good Bye' in English. (Good chicken with ponzu sauce and very properly done sticky white rice - chopstick friendly) Or the drive-in restaurant a dozen streets back from the beach which did not have a single rental car in the parking lot. There is normal city life there, it's just not obvious.
Going to the north shore of Oahu was a very quick and stark contrast - the beaches were nearly empty, and the only crowded places were the good restaurants in the small beach-y towns. It's a relaxing place. Only a half hour from all the conveniences of a major city, yet it might as well be an entirely different island.
However the vacation really started after leaving Oahu for the big island. Oahu, even on the north shore, seems 'normal' and 'American' - everything is familiar. Hilo and the volcano seem to represent Hawaii as it was when it was its own country - and it's infinitely more interesting for it.
- The Hilo airport doesn't have walls on all sides. There are comfortable padded lounge chairs in the main lobby area, which is not air conditioned - the breeze is comfortable even on an 80 degree day. In this era of making a grand show of security it's refreshing to see a chain link fence as the most formidable barrier.
- Even the main hotel area of Hilo, Banyan Drive, hasn't changed since it was built in the late 50's/early 60's. Hotels are family run, restaurants use locally grown or caught ingredients, the beach-y areas are filled with decidedly non-tourists - families setting up a tent and grill for the afternoon, children play on the rocks in the bay, so on. The local drive in menu is half American, half Polynesian. Quaint is the word I'm looking for, or a tropical version of Lake Woebegon(e), I suppose.
- The volcanic national park is a interesting geology 101 course - see how earth gets made - plate tectonics at work. And the miles of desolation caused by lava flows are beautifully alien to someone that is used to hiking in forests. Trees do provide shade though, which would have been appreciated, as it was hot.
------------------------
Rental cars:
- Chrysler Sebring convertible. This is the absolute worst car that I have driven. I was about to add 'except for any early 90's GM product' but even those didn't break during the rental period. Partial brake failure is one thing, falling-apart levels of quality at 20k miles is another.
- Hyundai Elantra. Perfect commuter car. Quiet, comfortable, good design. Mini-Lexus levels of fit and finish. Nice sound system. Just over 12 grand brand new - that's incredible value.
- Chevrolet Corvette. Plasticky, garish, yellow, chrome, showy, extroverted... everything I don't like in a car. And yet - the ride is comfortable and the exhaust is quiet when cruising, the engine/automatic-transmission combination is perfect, and the handling is very easy to exploit. 2nd gear through a tunnel at 60mph is one of the better automotive experiences you can have. Tire smoking sliding exits from parking lots, with an automatic transmission no less, is another. Passing a car on a 2 lane road with a quick tap of the downshift button is a third. To drive it is as fun as my previous BMW 540 or Porsche. To be seen in... I just wouldn't fit. Maybe in dark grey or black, no stripes, no chrome, maybe.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Quick update
It's been a busy couple weeks.
Hawaii - interesting. Especially Hilo. Oahu is a bit too touristy for my style of travel. Longer update to follow during downtime at work this week.
3 day workweeks should be standard.
Sold the car. Going car free at least until the move. If it goes well all the better, if not it's old Porsche time again. They're just too much fun.
Mt. Si is a good intro to climbing a mountain - steep hike (3600ft up in 4 miles of trail) followed by a very rocky summit area. Too many people though. Want a more remote route next time.
Sounders played to a draw with some really crappy refereeing and lots of missed chances.
Quiet week ahead.
Hawaii - interesting. Especially Hilo. Oahu is a bit too touristy for my style of travel. Longer update to follow during downtime at work this week.
3 day workweeks should be standard.
Sold the car. Going car free at least until the move. If it goes well all the better, if not it's old Porsche time again. They're just too much fun.
Mt. Si is a good intro to climbing a mountain - steep hike (3600ft up in 4 miles of trail) followed by a very rocky summit area. Too many people though. Want a more remote route next time.
Sounders played to a draw with some really crappy refereeing and lots of missed chances.
Quiet week ahead.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Made in America
In the last year or so based on different well publicized events there has been a resurgence of the 'Buy American' mantra, whether it be kids toys, food, cars, so on.
The two main issues I see as worthy of discussion around this point are 1) quality control and 2) efficiency with a subcategory of environmental friendliness.
The times when 'Buy American' appears in the media it is usually implied that all American made products in that category are categorically better than the products being replaced. That American made toys won't contain lead, that American made food is more pure, or that American made cars are the foundation of our economy.
The questions that those proponents should be asking instead are:
- This toy was bought from an American owned store: how does that store choose their suppliers, and how much transparency does the store have to the suppliers' quality control process?
- Similar story for the candy. How did the end retailer choose which candy brand to purchase and do they have any accountability from a quality standpoint for that brand's supply chain?
- What makes a car American in the present day anyway? If a brand with headquarters in Detroit builds a car in Mexico, how American is that car compared to a car built by a brand headquartered in Guanma, Japan yet built in Indiana? And if a foreign automobile producer does so more efficiently with similar labor conditions and quality controls, is it not the best choice for the end driver to buy that car without regard to its country of origin? The missed sale opportunity for the runner up company should prompt them to study the more efficient process and modify their own accordingly.
The American way in this regard seems to be to have government boards establish minimum standards which are plausibly based more on safety than industry lobbyist pressure. (the definition of what can be sold as 'Chocolate' vs. 'Chocolatey' or crash test standards on cars, for instance)
Stores here can then import whatever meets that minimum standard and attempt to sell it. Sounds easy enough.
It would take more than random musings on a blog to figure, statistically, what percentage of products which fall afoul of the minimum standards are Made in the USA vs. Made Elsewhere, though I can think of many well publicized quality control failures of American products as well as foreign ones.
So, for retailed goods, is 'Buy American' anything more than blind patriotism? Maybe, sometimes.
Example 1) Textile goods.
- The US is statistically both a major grower and consumer of cotton. So why are so many cotton-goods made overseas presently? Cheaper labor. It surprises me that this cost savings will offset the costs of shipping the material and finished goods around the world, but apparently it does. Are overseas labor/relative standard of living pay conditions substandard compared to those in the US? Probably lower overall, but not in every case.
Given two functionally identical jackets/shirts/bags/etc of the same price, one made in the US, one made elsewhere, is it any more economically efficient to purchase one over the other? I'd propose yes since a smaller percentage of the cost of the product goes to transportation costs, meaning more money goes to the people involved rather than the process involved. It may take a small bit more research on the purchaser end to find the brands which are made in the US, but from my experiences it's possible to get competitive quality at an equal or lower price from US manufacturers in many goods. (Suit, Pea coat, camera bag, duffel bag)
Example 2) Food.
This is easy - the shorter supply chain the better. That said I do like bananas, and the term banana republic exists for a historically valid reason.
--------------------
Over the years I've held my own prejudices with regard to country of origin (German cars for instance) but understand that's mostly a stylistic choice rather than a statistically backed choice. If everyone bought cars based on total cost of ownership they'd end up with a Hyundai or lightly used Toyota.
The two main issues I see as worthy of discussion around this point are 1) quality control and 2) efficiency with a subcategory of environmental friendliness.
The times when 'Buy American' appears in the media it is usually implied that all American made products in that category are categorically better than the products being replaced. That American made toys won't contain lead, that American made food is more pure, or that American made cars are the foundation of our economy.
The questions that those proponents should be asking instead are:
- This toy was bought from an American owned store: how does that store choose their suppliers, and how much transparency does the store have to the suppliers' quality control process?
- Similar story for the candy. How did the end retailer choose which candy brand to purchase and do they have any accountability from a quality standpoint for that brand's supply chain?
- What makes a car American in the present day anyway? If a brand with headquarters in Detroit builds a car in Mexico, how American is that car compared to a car built by a brand headquartered in Guanma, Japan yet built in Indiana? And if a foreign automobile producer does so more efficiently with similar labor conditions and quality controls, is it not the best choice for the end driver to buy that car without regard to its country of origin? The missed sale opportunity for the runner up company should prompt them to study the more efficient process and modify their own accordingly.
The American way in this regard seems to be to have government boards establish minimum standards which are plausibly based more on safety than industry lobbyist pressure. (the definition of what can be sold as 'Chocolate' vs. 'Chocolatey' or crash test standards on cars, for instance)
Stores here can then import whatever meets that minimum standard and attempt to sell it. Sounds easy enough.
It would take more than random musings on a blog to figure, statistically, what percentage of products which fall afoul of the minimum standards are Made in the USA vs. Made Elsewhere, though I can think of many well publicized quality control failures of American products as well as foreign ones.
So, for retailed goods, is 'Buy American' anything more than blind patriotism? Maybe, sometimes.
Example 1) Textile goods.
- The US is statistically both a major grower and consumer of cotton. So why are so many cotton-goods made overseas presently? Cheaper labor. It surprises me that this cost savings will offset the costs of shipping the material and finished goods around the world, but apparently it does. Are overseas labor/relative standard of living pay conditions substandard compared to those in the US? Probably lower overall, but not in every case.
Given two functionally identical jackets/shirts/bags/etc of the same price, one made in the US, one made elsewhere, is it any more economically efficient to purchase one over the other? I'd propose yes since a smaller percentage of the cost of the product goes to transportation costs, meaning more money goes to the people involved rather than the process involved. It may take a small bit more research on the purchaser end to find the brands which are made in the US, but from my experiences it's possible to get competitive quality at an equal or lower price from US manufacturers in many goods. (Suit, Pea coat, camera bag, duffel bag)
Example 2) Food.
This is easy - the shorter supply chain the better. That said I do like bananas, and the term banana republic exists for a historically valid reason.
--------------------
Over the years I've held my own prejudices with regard to country of origin (German cars for instance) but understand that's mostly a stylistic choice rather than a statistically backed choice. If everyone bought cars based on total cost of ownership they'd end up with a Hyundai or lightly used Toyota.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Interesting Discoveries
St. Germain elderflower eau de vie
http://www.stgermain.fr/index2.php
1-2oz of the liqueur + 5-6oz of sparkling mineral water or club soda = refreshing and tasty beverage.
It's light in both alcohol and sweetness and tastes like a particularly herby or spicy honey sweetened soda.
Other elderflower drink sources: Ikea sells a non alcoholic elderflower/simple syrup concentrate as well as a pre-diluted tetrapak'ed drink. It is also by accounts the defining characteristic of British sparkling wines, which I have yet to find or try.
Also,
Absinthe - it's showing up in liquor stores locally. Picked up a bottle of Pernod (their Absinthe, not Pastis) and after a few tastings, it is far more like alcoholic licorice candy than the complicated herby beverage I've had from other brands that are not imported to the US. Still interesting - the green to white louche effect is present and never gets old, but I'll have to try some of the other brands for the correct taste.
http://www.stgermain.fr/index2.php
1-2oz of the liqueur + 5-6oz of sparkling mineral water or club soda = refreshing and tasty beverage.
It's light in both alcohol and sweetness and tastes like a particularly herby or spicy honey sweetened soda.
Other elderflower drink sources: Ikea sells a non alcoholic elderflower/simple syrup concentrate as well as a pre-diluted tetrapak'ed drink. It is also by accounts the defining characteristic of British sparkling wines, which I have yet to find or try.
Also,
Absinthe - it's showing up in liquor stores locally. Picked up a bottle of Pernod (their Absinthe, not Pastis) and after a few tastings, it is far more like alcoholic licorice candy than the complicated herby beverage I've had from other brands that are not imported to the US. Still interesting - the green to white louche effect is present and never gets old, but I'll have to try some of the other brands for the correct taste.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Carrying stuff.
Travel in the modern era is a great exercise in efficiency and minimalism. Especially flying. My recent experiences at airports indicate there are two prevailing modes of thought here:
- The business traveller who carries a roll-on suitcase that is precisely 1" too big in every dimension to fit in the overhead bin, and a laptop, and a (man)purse, and a jacket.
- The family vacation which checks 2 bags per person, then when they get on the plane realizes they checked the thing that keeps the baby from screaming for the next 5 hours.
I endeavor to break this cycle. Just out of college I swapped out a falling-apart backpack for a nice Victorinox roll-on suitcase. It fit everything, it was bright red. Generally a good piece of equipment. Except that 1) it was awkward to carry and 2) I walk a lot and don't want to click a rolling suitcase down the sidewalk of a major city, for many blocks... it draws attention.
So the Victorinox was sold on ebay.
Enter the 1 compartment, 1 zipper, 1 carrying handle, duffel bag. Many companies make ones which are sized approximately to the airline carry on specifications. The goal was to find one that is fairly priced, made with exacting attention to detail from suitably durable material, and not 'precious'.
(defined loosely as something I could set on the floor of a bus/throw onto a boat/etc and not care if it gets dirty/wet - closely tied to the 'fairly priced' argument)
Filson, Barbour, Tumi, Victorinox, North Face were all eliminated due to high price and/or complexity of design. Many others were eliminated for feeling too cheap or unfinished.
Two contenders emerged - the RedOxx Small Aviator bag: http://www.redoxx.com/product_categories/8/products/22-small-aviator-bag
And the Mills Canvas Shelter Island: http://shop.millscanvas.com/theduffelbags.html
Being indecisive and with a vacation pending, I ordered one of each.
Both are made in the USA and guaranteed as long as the company stays in business. Mills has been around over 120 years - safe bet there. RedOxx - only 20 thus far.
Both use the same nearly-comically-large YKK zipper - good sign. RedOxx has two opposing pulls though - nice touch. And the monkey's fist knot zipper pulls are well done.
Both are finished very nicely - no exposed fabric edges to fray, all seams are finished very nicely.
The main difference is in the material. RedOxx uses heavier Cordura nylon, Mills a surprisingly soft canvas cotton cloth.
Initial signs are good in each case. The cost differential is striking for how similar they are though.
The RedOxx bag is the same price as, if not cheaper than, any similar size bag you'd find at a big box store. Having examined many of those, the RedOxx is far superior in design and construction.
The Mills bag is nice and I like the navy cotton cloth - it's nearly stylish. But it is pricey in comparison to the RedOxx for what appears to be similar build quality, space and function.
I'll use both extensively in the next year and see if anything breaks.
- The business traveller who carries a roll-on suitcase that is precisely 1" too big in every dimension to fit in the overhead bin, and a laptop, and a (man)purse, and a jacket.
- The family vacation which checks 2 bags per person, then when they get on the plane realizes they checked the thing that keeps the baby from screaming for the next 5 hours.
I endeavor to break this cycle. Just out of college I swapped out a falling-apart backpack for a nice Victorinox roll-on suitcase. It fit everything, it was bright red. Generally a good piece of equipment. Except that 1) it was awkward to carry and 2) I walk a lot and don't want to click a rolling suitcase down the sidewalk of a major city, for many blocks... it draws attention.
So the Victorinox was sold on ebay.
Enter the 1 compartment, 1 zipper, 1 carrying handle, duffel bag. Many companies make ones which are sized approximately to the airline carry on specifications. The goal was to find one that is fairly priced, made with exacting attention to detail from suitably durable material, and not 'precious'.
(defined loosely as something I could set on the floor of a bus/throw onto a boat/etc and not care if it gets dirty/wet - closely tied to the 'fairly priced' argument)
Filson, Barbour, Tumi, Victorinox, North Face were all eliminated due to high price and/or complexity of design. Many others were eliminated for feeling too cheap or unfinished.
Two contenders emerged - the RedOxx Small Aviator bag: http://www.redoxx.com/product_categories/8/products/22-small-aviator-bag
And the Mills Canvas Shelter Island: http://shop.millscanvas.com/theduffelbags.html
Being indecisive and with a vacation pending, I ordered one of each.
Both are made in the USA and guaranteed as long as the company stays in business. Mills has been around over 120 years - safe bet there. RedOxx - only 20 thus far.
Both use the same nearly-comically-large YKK zipper - good sign. RedOxx has two opposing pulls though - nice touch. And the monkey's fist knot zipper pulls are well done.
Both are finished very nicely - no exposed fabric edges to fray, all seams are finished very nicely.
The main difference is in the material. RedOxx uses heavier Cordura nylon, Mills a surprisingly soft canvas cotton cloth.
Initial signs are good in each case. The cost differential is striking for how similar they are though.
The RedOxx bag is the same price as, if not cheaper than, any similar size bag you'd find at a big box store. Having examined many of those, the RedOxx is far superior in design and construction.
The Mills bag is nice and I like the navy cotton cloth - it's nearly stylish. But it is pricey in comparison to the RedOxx for what appears to be similar build quality, space and function.
I'll use both extensively in the next year and see if anything breaks.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Coffee Nerding
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2262016/watch_the_clover_coffee_machine_in_action/
Finally went to a Starbucks which had one of these interesting machines. It's basically an inverse French press with more precise temperature control. They offer 5 single country of origin coffees (Kona, Sumatra, Kenya, Ecuador, and another one) spanning the range from medium to extra dark roast.
It is interesting that they don't use any of the 'normal' Starbucks blends in the Clover. I may go during a quiet time of the day and ask to try it to see if the usual acidity found in Starbucks coffee comes from the beans or normal brewing method.
After trying the two lightest roast beans (Kona and Kenya) I have to say it was without qualification a very good cup of coffee. Nice, mellow nutty coffee flavor with no acidity or 'burnt' taste at all. Allison and I agreed that it compared very well with our (and everyone that has tried it) unanimous favorite coffee - Dilettante Cafe Hapsburg (Medium) roast.
The downside- $2 cup of coffee. But if you ever are in the mood for a perfect cup, the Clover can make it.
Yeah, this has been more Starbucks pimping after the Via mini-review, but I get a pretty regular string of Starbucks gift cards as part of a micro-bonus system at work, so they actually compete for my attention with some of the excellent independent cafes in Seattle. Having used many of their locations their problem isn't product or concept, but consistency. If the barista knows what they're doing, you can get excellent coffee/espresso. In the downtown Seattle area locations, good is more common than not. In the suburbs or other states, it's hit or miss at best, and at that point it ends up being not worth the cost. If anything the Clover seems to be a nearly foolproof way to make a consistently perfect cup of coffee, so I applaud the innovation and hope it makes its way across the country. (And thus decreases the cost through economies of scale)
Finally went to a Starbucks which had one of these interesting machines. It's basically an inverse French press with more precise temperature control. They offer 5 single country of origin coffees (Kona, Sumatra, Kenya, Ecuador, and another one) spanning the range from medium to extra dark roast.
It is interesting that they don't use any of the 'normal' Starbucks blends in the Clover. I may go during a quiet time of the day and ask to try it to see if the usual acidity found in Starbucks coffee comes from the beans or normal brewing method.
After trying the two lightest roast beans (Kona and Kenya) I have to say it was without qualification a very good cup of coffee. Nice, mellow nutty coffee flavor with no acidity or 'burnt' taste at all. Allison and I agreed that it compared very well with our (and everyone that has tried it) unanimous favorite coffee - Dilettante Cafe Hapsburg (Medium) roast.
The downside- $2 cup of coffee. But if you ever are in the mood for a perfect cup, the Clover can make it.
Yeah, this has been more Starbucks pimping after the Via mini-review, but I get a pretty regular string of Starbucks gift cards as part of a micro-bonus system at work, so they actually compete for my attention with some of the excellent independent cafes in Seattle. Having used many of their locations their problem isn't product or concept, but consistency. If the barista knows what they're doing, you can get excellent coffee/espresso. In the downtown Seattle area locations, good is more common than not. In the suburbs or other states, it's hit or miss at best, and at that point it ends up being not worth the cost. If anything the Clover seems to be a nearly foolproof way to make a consistently perfect cup of coffee, so I applaud the innovation and hope it makes its way across the country. (And thus decreases the cost through economies of scale)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Short notes
Interesting things:
Starbucks Via (their new instant coffee - this was the Extra Bold version, not the lighter Columbian) - got a free sample last week - finally got around to trying it. Surprisingly, it's drinkable decent coffee. The overall impression is of an Americano or Turkish preparation (where there are usually grounds on the bottom of the cup anyway) using day old beans. Less flavor than a good real coffee, but it's definitely not acidic or offensive in any way.
The first thought I had was - this is the perfect camping coffee. Single serving package, decent flavor, mixes easily into hot water.
At nearly $1 per serving though full retail price, it costs nearly as much as real coffee, which is possible to get any number of places in this city.
Overall - decent. If in the middle of nowhere - excellent.
-------------------------------------
At lunch yesterday I walked over to the waterfront sculpture park and sat (with a real cappuccino in hand) and stared across the water at the mountains. It was a brilliant sunny and warm spring day, and I had this odd feeling of contentment - that of all the places in the world to be at that time, I'd choose here over about anywhere else.
--------------------------------------
Tweed jackets. Excellent for the 'it is marginally cool' temperature days at the beginning and end of winter.
---------------------------------------
Headed to Portland this weekend for more urban wandering. Will be good to have a change of scenery from Seattle - it's been a couple months without going anywhere else - that's too long imo.
---------------------------------------
British Airways has some great deals for flights to London around Thanksgiving - sounds like a fine second vacation for the year. And then the Eurostar to Paris for a few days as well. Anyone want to meet us there?
Onward!
Starbucks Via (their new instant coffee - this was the Extra Bold version, not the lighter Columbian) - got a free sample last week - finally got around to trying it. Surprisingly, it's drinkable decent coffee. The overall impression is of an Americano or Turkish preparation (where there are usually grounds on the bottom of the cup anyway) using day old beans. Less flavor than a good real coffee, but it's definitely not acidic or offensive in any way.
The first thought I had was - this is the perfect camping coffee. Single serving package, decent flavor, mixes easily into hot water.
At nearly $1 per serving though full retail price, it costs nearly as much as real coffee, which is possible to get any number of places in this city.
Overall - decent. If in the middle of nowhere - excellent.
-------------------------------------
At lunch yesterday I walked over to the waterfront sculpture park and sat (with a real cappuccino in hand) and stared across the water at the mountains. It was a brilliant sunny and warm spring day, and I had this odd feeling of contentment - that of all the places in the world to be at that time, I'd choose here over about anywhere else.
--------------------------------------
Tweed jackets. Excellent for the 'it is marginally cool' temperature days at the beginning and end of winter.
---------------------------------------
Headed to Portland this weekend for more urban wandering. Will be good to have a change of scenery from Seattle - it's been a couple months without going anywhere else - that's too long imo.
---------------------------------------
British Airways has some great deals for flights to London around Thanksgiving - sounds like a fine second vacation for the year. And then the Eurostar to Paris for a few days as well. Anyone want to meet us there?
Onward!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Disparity
The daily walk down 1st or 2nd Ave and along the waterfront makes clear some of the odd, well, disparities, about living in this city.
Within a half dozen blocks:
There are multiple stores where people can buy organic food and chemical free bedding - for their pets.
vs.
There are also people, either homeless or just hungry, who ask for food, or money for food.
There are multiple million dollar high rise residences which are in some cases second residences based on the lack of lights on at night.
vs.
There are people sleeping on cardboard boxes on the doorsteps of those buildings.
People will put on hundreds of dollars of clothing on a Saturday night to spend a fair fraction of that on drinks and dancing.
vs.
People will beg those same people for change while walking between bars.
---------
These are the two extremes I admit. The majority of life along these streets are normal people working normal jobs living in normal looking apartments.
These disparities will always exist, and will exist everywhere. There are some cities that try mightily to create two different worlds for the two extremes, there are others which are more open about it. Any place I've lived there have been agencies that have worked to try to bridge the gap between the two extremes, and I've worked with a variety of them over the years, but is there a good answer other than to carry on in that manner?
I found it odd that I would get asked for change when in college (loans for tuition and a part time job for spending money), and that was just Raleigh.
I now don't know what to think when I get asked. I presently have some amount of money expressed as electrons in a database somewhere. I don't exactly carry a lot of it around. There are multiple shelters/soup kitchens within a couple miles of where I'd get asked for money which by all public accounts are not overburdened.
No notable conclusion or remark here - just some observations on the day.
----------
That said, it is brilliantly sunny here - so it's time to go for a walk.
Within a half dozen blocks:
There are multiple stores where people can buy organic food and chemical free bedding - for their pets.
vs.
There are also people, either homeless or just hungry, who ask for food, or money for food.
There are multiple million dollar high rise residences which are in some cases second residences based on the lack of lights on at night.
vs.
There are people sleeping on cardboard boxes on the doorsteps of those buildings.
People will put on hundreds of dollars of clothing on a Saturday night to spend a fair fraction of that on drinks and dancing.
vs.
People will beg those same people for change while walking between bars.
---------
These are the two extremes I admit. The majority of life along these streets are normal people working normal jobs living in normal looking apartments.
These disparities will always exist, and will exist everywhere. There are some cities that try mightily to create two different worlds for the two extremes, there are others which are more open about it. Any place I've lived there have been agencies that have worked to try to bridge the gap between the two extremes, and I've worked with a variety of them over the years, but is there a good answer other than to carry on in that manner?
I found it odd that I would get asked for change when in college (loans for tuition and a part time job for spending money), and that was just Raleigh.
I now don't know what to think when I get asked. I presently have some amount of money expressed as electrons in a database somewhere. I don't exactly carry a lot of it around. There are multiple shelters/soup kitchens within a couple miles of where I'd get asked for money which by all public accounts are not overburdened.
No notable conclusion or remark here - just some observations on the day.
----------
That said, it is brilliantly sunny here - so it's time to go for a walk.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
A new record
2 months to the day - the time it took to wear through the sole of a pair of shoes (Clarks).
The previous pair (Born) survived 8 months. Time to put a pair of Ecco to the test now.
Having a walking commute yet still wanting to appear somewhat professional takes more of shoe budget than I'd previously considered normal. Still cheaper than gas.
The previous pair (Born) survived 8 months. Time to put a pair of Ecco to the test now.
Having a walking commute yet still wanting to appear somewhat professional takes more of shoe budget than I'd previously considered normal. Still cheaper than gas.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Home Alone
So, Allison went back to NC for the week to visit her family. This leaves me with lots of time to finally catch up on reading and computer games - two things I have less time for when she's around.
We had a good weekend though - went out to dinner on Friday night to what I consider is what American food should be right now: a place like Quinn's up on Capitol Hill. Seasonal local greens salad, wild boar sloppy-joe style sandwich, well made fries made fresh from real potatoes. Basic recipes, executed well using quality local ingredients at a fair price... satisfying.
Our Valentine's day dinner was Mama's Mexican - to continue the trend of not going anywhere remotely fancy or romantic on Valentine's day. The place was surprisingly busy. (well, not really surprising - their shredded beef for the burritos is great - and dinner for two is ~$25 including a beer and margarita)
And then Allison made a marionberry cobbler though, which was tasty.
----
Quick gripe on how the present administration is trying to 'sell' its national bailout plan. From http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123471581432090221.html one of the objectives is:
"raising home values that have been plummeting"
Ok - remind me how we got into this mess in the first place. Oh right - home values which rose faster than wages.
Which goes back to my inflation/deflation thoughts last year. Will wages be inflated to match home prices (trying to keep the average income/average home price ratio to the historical under 4, not over 5 as in recent years)? I'm betting not, by choice. Perhaps by default in 3-30 years or whenever we have to start paying back the mountains t-bills that other countries have been buying from us so that we can pay off bank debts.
What is the solution? I still tend to think bankruptcy is a valid option for any insolvent institution - too big to fail should be too big to exist. Let those companies that didn't over-leverage pick up the pieces and grow based on sound and sober leadership.
We had a good weekend though - went out to dinner on Friday night to what I consider is what American food should be right now: a place like Quinn's up on Capitol Hill. Seasonal local greens salad, wild boar sloppy-joe style sandwich, well made fries made fresh from real potatoes. Basic recipes, executed well using quality local ingredients at a fair price... satisfying.
Our Valentine's day dinner was Mama's Mexican - to continue the trend of not going anywhere remotely fancy or romantic on Valentine's day. The place was surprisingly busy. (well, not really surprising - their shredded beef for the burritos is great - and dinner for two is ~$25 including a beer and margarita)
And then Allison made a marionberry cobbler though, which was tasty.
----
Quick gripe on how the present administration is trying to 'sell' its national bailout plan. From http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123471581432090221.html one of the objectives is:
"raising home values that have been plummeting"
Ok - remind me how we got into this mess in the first place. Oh right - home values which rose faster than wages.
Which goes back to my inflation/deflation thoughts last year. Will wages be inflated to match home prices (trying to keep the average income/average home price ratio to the historical under 4, not over 5 as in recent years)? I'm betting not, by choice. Perhaps by default in 3-30 years or whenever we have to start paying back the mountains t-bills that other countries have been buying from us so that we can pay off bank debts.
What is the solution? I still tend to think bankruptcy is a valid option for any insolvent institution - too big to fail should be too big to exist. Let those companies that didn't over-leverage pick up the pieces and grow based on sound and sober leadership.
Monday, February 9, 2009
More clothing oddities.
Pre-owned but very good shape 100% cotton oxford cloth button shirt at Goodwill: $8
One trip to the dry cleaners to 'start from scratch' with said shirt: $2.50
Brand new 100% cotton oxford cloth button shirt at Martin/Osa: $12.99 (on sale from $60)
Nearly cheaper to buy new than to buy used for clothes these days.
One trip to the dry cleaners to 'start from scratch' with said shirt: $2.50
Brand new 100% cotton oxford cloth button shirt at Martin/Osa: $12.99 (on sale from $60)
Nearly cheaper to buy new than to buy used for clothes these days.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Spring Cleaning
Random Finds and Observations:
Apart from some pre-Euro-denomination money that Allison had, we have a combined foreign currency reserves of:
2 Mexican Pesos
50 Jamaican Cents
1.66 Euros
1.10 Swiss Franc
60 Czech Haleru (Koruna Cents)
1.88 British Pounds
1 Yen
Need to go to these places (again in most cases). And then buy a soda.
Apart from some pre-Euro-denomination money that Allison had, we have a combined foreign currency reserves of:
2 Mexican Pesos
50 Jamaican Cents
1.66 Euros
1.10 Swiss Franc
60 Czech Haleru (Koruna Cents)
1.88 British Pounds
1 Yen
Need to go to these places (again in most cases). And then buy a soda.
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