AFF Jump 1: Free & Clear

AFF Jump 1: Free & Clear
Originally uploaded by ciordia9.

Andy, my Coffee-Flickr-Future Coffee Shop Owner buddy in Charlotte, NC, made his maiden and solo sky dive yesterday. He made it looks so easy in the video, it sure was a nice day to jump off a perfectly flying airplane..

Road to USBC 2007.

USBC Edition Syrup
Originally uploaded by ThaRiddla.

Nick Cho of Murky Coffee won the season opener as the champion of the Southeast Regional Barista Competition last weekend. Here is the list for the upcoming regional competitions. Who will be on the next Da Vinci Gourmet syrup bottle? I hope to see Matt doing a repeat. Then again, I like to see Amber from Intelligentsia or Steve Fritzen of Coffee Hound representing US in WBC.

Congratulations to Rob and Chris.

Rob and Chris are my favorite CGs, and both of whom can pour some killer latte art (Rob taught me how to pour latte art). Rob and Chris won the Latte Art Contest in two different categories that was sponsored by Whole Latte Love. Pretty awesome, eh?

Just one coffee related news...

Ghetto latte. This is nothing new, but it is funny to see people (cheap people) always trying to beat the system...

Elton John - The One

I was listening to this song on an old "tape" while driving yesterday, and I kept hitting repeat after the song was over...

Espesso, The Coffee You Can Eat.

I read this from the Tuesday’s Chicago Sun-Times. I had tried Lavazza’s espresso once before and I was not impressed at all (except for the posters of hot Italian women hung on the wall and its friendly staff), but this news report and my curiosity got the best of me. I was going to try it after work on that day, but I had something more important to do.

Fast forward and 2 days later…I went over to the Lavazza next to Chicago Board of Trade on Jackson Blvd, and bought myself one. This solid espresso supposed to be silky and creamy as suggested by the picture and the video clip on Lavazza’s website. The texture of mine was more like a mashed espresso flavored Jell-O. I think it is interesting, and I would like it more if I can substitute with my favorite espresso blends. Like how Jay would put it, “Is it good? Sure, because it is “not” bad…”

Go West!

Go West!
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

I think it is okay for me to mention what has been out in the public already. I am extremely excited for the people who will be involved in the new venture!

Sumatra Lake Tawar

I came across this newbie from a professional forum about 2 weeks ago. They argued passionately and quickly compared it to the sweetie, Miss Esmeralda from Panama. Then, a few days ago, I saw it on the shelf while in line for my weekly supply of Black Cat Espresso Blend at Intelly. I will try to see if Intelly serves it on Clover. At $14.95 a pound, it is a great bargain, given that the pros put it in the same sentence with the perfect Miss Esmeralda.

Two for the road...

For all Chicagoans, ABC 7 has a special segment on the thin crust pizza with the true Italian style. If you like wood burning thin crust pizza, go check them out...

It was supposed to be for the employee’s families and friends. Starbucks’ “free iced coffee” coupon fiasco caused the company to stop honoring its coupons. If you somehow have this controversial coupon, the Moose will be gladly to give away its iced coffee.