Decaf? Really??

You know there is caffeine in decaf, right?? To make sure your decaf is for real, use these test strips.

Trading Pit.

It is kinda like that...

Espresso Martini Recipe from Illy

Got this email from Illy. It looks good, doesn't it. Just don't tell Dr. Illy that he can't ice the espresso shots.

Happy New Year everybody!

May God have mercy on the bulls.

2008 has been a bad year, and the year 2009 is going to be even uglier. I am always a positive person, at least I am trying to be, but the thought of people suffering financially is not something I can take it lightly...God bless...

BTW, don't fall in love with the up side IF we rally up to SPX 1050 ~ 1100. Just be prepare for the down side until we see SPX around 600 level.

Lenta, Per Favore!

Riccardo Patrese is a former F1 driver. He took his wife for a spin on the race track at Jerez, Spain. You gotta love those Italian women...(3:14 mark)

FOX Business vs. I am CNBC.

I prefer FOX. They don't call CN-BS for nothing...

I can't find the "I am CNBC" clips on youtube, but you can watch them here..
http://www.cnbc.com/id/27893365/

Coffee Heist

It happened in just 3 minutes...120 lb of coffee, gone! Not good....

Can't Fight the Gravity.

Something like this...

Time to be silly, and time to be serious.

I hope you all have a good laugh. Now! There is a trader who I admire, has made some amazing calls since I started following him. I know he is up 300%+ so far this year (ok, some of you may sniff that meager 300%, but put it this way, 1 to 4 is 300%. 100 to 400 is 300%. This guy doesn't play with small chump change, so, you can imagine all those O's) is calling the Dow crashes to 5,000 ~ 5,500 in 2 months. I hope you guys can protect or hedge yourself financially. God bless...

Truth in 24.

For you auto racing fans..

The McDonald's McCafe latte: A review

"That tastes like a real latte." : )

Heel & Toe

"Heel and Toe" technique is performed as a driver downshifts through gears as he approaches a corner. It is an art, but it is pretty much invisible during 99.9999% of the telecast auto racing nowadays. I remembered watching a Formula One race years ago, and I was mesmerized by the skillful, effortless, and elegant movement in a very tight foot well of a single seated cockpit . It was incredible, but I can't find it anywhere on the web.

Need A Fat Font.

I had resisted to have a rosetta in my logo for some times, because I didn't want to be another "Me,too!" or a 3rd wave (I can't stand this term and for a very personal reason) establishment.

I simply wanted something that represents good in an unpretentious way. This pour belongs to Kyle Glanville, the 2008 USBC champ. It is simple and elegant. It is exactly how I like it.

This pic is still a sketch, but it doesn't need a lot of time to be polished. It is almost perfect with a little clean up and a color choice. Oh, and a font that is complementary to this cool pour.

How About This One?

"D" looks kinda like an "O" though.

Nessun Dorma vs. Nessun Dorma

VS.

BIG on personality...

He is good...I like him...

As for the guy below, FOX Business News, please yank this guy off the air. He is a clown with ADD (no pun), and the worst business show host.

French Press...Messy? Try this!

Videocast #2 - French Press Technique from James Hoffmann on Vimeo.

For all Jason Bourne's fans out there...

We may see # 4 in 2010!

Let The Battle Begins.

There were Coke vs. Pepsi. Mac vs. PC. Camero vs Mustang. Now, Dunkin Donuts is pick a fight with Starbucks.

Wanna Quit Smoking?

Suck on this!

The True Culprit For the Subprime Mess.

Blood On The Street.

It is brutal out there for some traders...Just look at these Sad Guys On the Trading Floors.

Come think of it, here is my favorite line from the movie "Trading Places":

Think big, think positive, never show any sign of weakness. Always go for the throat. Buy low, sell high. Fear? That's the other guy's problem. Nothing you have ever experienced will prepare you for the absolute carnage you are about to witness. Super Bowl, World Series - they don't know what pressure is. In this building, it's either kill or be killed. You make no friends in the pits and you take no prisoners. One minute you're up half a million in soybeans and the next, boom, your kids don't go to college and they've repossessed your Bentley. Are you with me?

Oatmeal Latte

Oatmeal latte—espresso with oatmeal on the bottom. I don't like to criticize, but this is where I draw the line...Haha...

Barista As A Career.

Italians have no problems with it, why should we?

Sooo 80's...And Loving It!

This Guy Cracks Me Up!

I don’t mean to be funny…Where did Fox Business find this guy?

Check your TV schedule and judge for yourself , or watch an old clip here.

Puck On Fox?

My cable company just added FOX Business News to the regular channel lineup. As I watched one of its programs called, “Happy Hour”, I had a double take on one of the show’s hosts, I thought he was Puck from MTV’s Real World San Francisco! LOL!

Douchebag

I can’t stand negative people, especially this douchebag for the occasion. Perhaps they all are constipated and frustrated chumps…

Cubs Clinch!

Funny...

CincyAve misc images
Originally uploaded by PimpMyKicks.

Another Caffeine Pusher Coming...

Dunn Bros Coffee
241 Genesis Drive,
North Aurora, IL

Grand Opening; September 12-14

guests will receive:
free brewed coffee, or specials for $1.00 specialty beverages, and $3.00 half-pounds of freshly roasted coffee beans.

Coffee Talk

9th Street Espresso, NYC
Originally uploaded by ukespresso.

Ninth street espresso owner engages in a little Coffee Talk. Pretty good stuff!

The Story.

Perhaps some of you know this already. There has been a GM commercial played during the 2008 Summer Olympics, and the song is, The Story, by Brandi Carlile. I thought the song is great.

The artist's video embedding feature was disabled, so just a link here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ_3bYXAsmM

Just Playing Around.

Let me know what you think...Good or bad..

One More Reason To Visit NYC.

Dang! Those lucky New Yorkers!!

C'mon, I Know This Song!

There is a cut of one song being playing between points at the Olympic Beach Volleyball matches which has been eluding me. It drives me nuts to remember the name of that song. The light bulb just goes on in my head...Cool, now I can relax and don't look constipated...It is at 2:09 mark. Ladies, enjoy it.

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

The attention grabbing start, filled with actions, yet it leaves time for the sensory overloaded brains to catch up. My kind of movie!

Espresso Freddo

Espresso Freddo
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

Inspired by this beauty and curious of this controversy, I went ahead and make one myself.

I cooled down the espresso (2 doubles) by pulled them straight into the room temp simple syrup, then into a martini shaker with ice. Shake it and serve. It was pretty good. No funny taste…

Cops and Free Coffee

Another cop got in trouble for demanding free coffee...

One got busted a month ago, and this month with the Chicago's finest.

I.O.U.S.A.

Scary, isn’t it??

Meet The New Champ!

Impressive, no?? I can handle 2 cups at a time. (One in each hand...)

You can read the article here for free. It is even better if you can sign up for the subscription.

Red espresso

No, this is not coffee...
http://www.redespresso.com/red_athome_join.php

Holy Cow, Batman!

Holy Cow, Batman!
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

Unless you have been living in the cave lately, the buzz for this summer movie is Christopher Nolan’ second Batman film, “The Dark Knight”.

The Dark Knight, like its predecessor, the Batman Begins, was filmed in Chicago. It was quite of an event for us Chicagoan to have a huge Hollywood film production to camp out here. I’ve always been keen to any movie that was filmed in Chicago, although I am not a fan of the super hero movies, I am willing to take a crack at it .

Before I go see The Dark Knight, I have to see the Batman Begins first. It just happens that my brother has a copy, and I watched it last night. The Batman Begins started out slow (I like those movies that grab the viewers’ attention from the get go, a near vertical roller coaster drop openings like 007 and Bourne franchises).

I understand this movie wants to tell a story from the very beginning, but it was just too leisure for my taste. Suddenly the pace picked up when Bruce (Batman) returned to Gotham City. All the familiar locations and landmarks filled my screen. Excellent storyline and exciting action sequence. I wanted more when the movie ended. I want to see The Dark Knight! I am the new Batman fan!

Wow! I just found out Christian Bale is that British kid from "Empire of the Sun", no wonder he looks familiar...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spinnaker007/sets/72157601514691317/
http://spnakr007.blogspot.com/2007/08/batman-dark-knight_17.html

Just For Fun!

I clicked 86 times in 30 seconds which indicates my caffeine level somewhat moderate - Chipper & Perky. I guess it is quite true, because I've only had a double cappuccino since this morning.
.

Created by OnePlusYou

Barista Barista!

Oh man, this is going to be interesting. I wonder which former barista champions will be included in this Xbox360 game.

Like Wine? Here Is A Movie For You.

The trailer looks pretty good!

No Iced Espresso For You!

A customer walked in a coffee shop and ordered an iced espresso. He was denied, and all hell broke loose...Right or wrong, certainly both parties have their points. I would never try to impose my preference onto others because we all have different tastes...

McDonald's rolls out coffee bar concept

Ronald has set in motion to roll out McCafe in the 1st half of 2009, and his initial test market is in Louisville, KY??

No Venti!

Intelligentsia will no longer selling those big cups.. I have never had one of those 20 oz-ers. That is a lot of coffee!

Bold Coffee For Connoisseurs?

Oh, c'mon, those hardcore coffee people do not have any high praises for it.

American Express Gold Card.

Nick from portafilter.net spotted this AXP commercial on youtube. Go Doug!

Oh No!

Vivace
Originally uploaded by tonx.

I can't believe this place will be closed soon and that is a shame...

2008 World Barista Championship

Video clips hosted by Ustream
I am sitting here watching Stephen’s round. I like the way he tamps, and pulling two doubles at the same time. His action is swift and precise. Although he was surprised with a little setback while making his sig drinks, he quickly recovered and moved on. He moved on alright, to the final six!

The Danes, Kings of Coffee

http://topics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/the-danes-kings-of-coffee/?ref=dining

American Express, Don't Leave Home Without It.

I saw Luc from Intelly Downtown store today. He said that American Express is making a commercial with Doug and the crew at the downtown store. I have to guess it is the Plum card. Pretty cool!

Dog Whisperer

If you have National Geographic on your cable lineup, then you are not a stranger to Cesar Millan - - The Dog Whisperer. I like watching that show, but this one is funnier!

Or watch its entirety here.

In Today's Tribune.

Like it or not, this is the coffee scene in Chicago.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/explore/chi-071108coffeedetails,0,4730534,full.story

How Do You Like Your Coffee?

I drink my coffee black, but, at the same time, I don't judge how you drink yours. Whatever floats your boat. http://topics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/coffee-pollutant-no-1-cream/?ref=dining

Das Auto.

Is it just me that the voice sounds like an old Chinese guy with the funny accent??

Barista Confession: Bronwen Serna

I think she is awesome. Too bad that I never had a chance to meet her nor the old and famous Hines Public Market Coffee during my second visit to Seattle.

The Fall

Beautiful cinematography, exotic locations, and that little girl is just adorable and amazing! Here is the official website and the movie trailer.

Back To The Basics

SBUX is going back to the semi-auto espresso machines.

Japanese TV

My brother told me about these clips, I don't think you need to know Japanese to understand them.

Slutbucks??

What is the big fuss?? The naked half naked mermaid was SBUX's original logo. People got way too much free time on their hands...

Creature Comforts

A new compilation (some old and some new). It is way too funny, and I can't get enough of it...Too bad CBS cancelled this show last year.

KLF. Oh Yeaaah!

Spring break, long, long time ago...

What Time Is Love lyrics - KLF lyrics

What Time Is Love Video - KLF Music Videos

Music Videos by VideoCure

Justified And Ancient lyrics - KLF lyrics

Justified And Ancient Video - KLF Music Videos

Music Videos by VideoCure

Last Train To Trancentral lyrics - KLF lyrics

Last Train To Trancentral Video - KLF Music Videos

Music Videos by VideoCure

Three A.M. Eternal lyrics - KLF lyrics

Three A.M. Eternal Video - KLF Music Videos

Music Videos by VideoCure