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...Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations, performed by cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, along with the Berlin Philharmonic under the direction of Herbert von Karajan.

Lots to do at work today, but I like being kept busy. What is it that idleness breeds again? Probably something to do with blogging and coffeegeek browsing... For lunch, I went out with some coworkers to Oberweis for a nice square meal of dulce de leche ice cream. Well, nice at the time, since I'll probably wake up with a pound of excess fat tomorrow.

I also got some slightly lighter-roasted Rwanda today, which I decided to (finger quotes) cup along with the one from last thursday. So, as soon as I get home, I print out the cupping-for-dummies guide from CG, get my cups ready, figure out what level corresponds to exactly 6.5 oz, measure out 12 g of beans from each sampl...wait, I smell something. Something nasty. Something a lot like really strong 3 molar acetic acid. Cue mom, stage left: walks in with a huge red bucket and mop to let me know that she thought today would be a good day to wipe down the hardwood floor with vinegar. Cue shoulders: droop. Anyhoo, it was a pretty nice evening, so I took my stuff outside and resumed cupping. The new beans have more acidity, of course, and this other taste that I couldn't really put my finger. I think "assam tea" is close. More later.

Now this next part I hesitate to post because it's kind of...what's the word...meta-something (not to mention gauche) to talk about someone who reads your blog. But I have bad judgment and, hey, this thing -is- ostensibly about coffee, so I'll do it anyway. So, someone who works for Intelligentsia (one of the best specialty roaster/cafes in the country) saw some stuff I wrote online and took pity on me...emails/calls were exchanged...and now I'm going to meet him this coming Tuesday to "talk shop"! *sigh* Yes, I know I'm lame. But man am I psyched :o)

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Btw, if you are a Home-Barista member, be sure to vote for my story! And if you have taste buds, be sure to avoid Cafe Pamplona. And read this; it's funny.