chirp

I gotta say you really are an ass. Go to Happy Land and see how long you last or if you came from there...please return.

Cool. Lighter roasts (Cinnamon to City Roast)typically offer a slightly more acidic or "bright" aspect. Flavors are developed but not quite as full as "Full City" (chestnut brown). I enjoy the darker (not quite to espresso) roasts because you still have the delicate, volatile oils that define regional characteristics but you decrease the acidity and increase the carmelized sugars in the bean giving it a nice sweeter edge. With espresso and darker you burn off the volatile oils and shift the flavor focus to the "degree of the burn": Espresso - sweet and caramelly Italian - Bittersweet French - smoky and intense, light body But this is what makes it fun having a variety of roasters working their own magic!

I will step back from my statement after looking at it, obviously I am biased and that is bad of me I am way generalizing when I say that but your typical Md's, as well as most "fast food" or chain restaurants serve brew thats roasted very similarly to canned "folgers" type coffees. These days I believe they have caught on and now use a higher quality bean and pay attention to hold times and such. SBC is good stuff, just not as intense as a typical "classic" Starbucks CoD. I will agree with your last point tho MP; In the 18 years I have worked for Sbux, I have noticed a distinct decrease on bean/brew focus and an increase in "fufu" drinks and chasing the "other" demographic... that of the blended beverage. It's saddening, but with growth does come a decrease in quality and focus. But it pays the bills and buys the gear.

I can verify that "Seattles Best" is a Starbucks company, we just maintained their "light" roast style. My personal preference is something a bit closer to Full City or beyond and of an Indonesian persuasion. But hey, the people that typically enjoy a tasty McProduct, usually arent from the Starbucks demographic.

Essential 'quipment for car camping: Zassenhaus WooT! I still use mine Pope, thats a fond memory maker right there! Many a freezing morning at the campground with the grinding ritual and water boiling with frozen powerbars added to soften them up for a spesdy breakfast. mmm Only mistake I ever did was to wrap my coffee press in foam and duct tape...that smell just wasnt quite appealing. Oh yeah and the Zass is bomproof as well!

These two share little company. I was trying to be more ethnic. Sorry.

Two more, kinda polar opposite but I am like that.

I own 2 cats and 2 dogs, the lab gets along like magic with the cats, the Rott puts up with them but often gets grumpy. I say keep your dog, you have vested love in it, would be cruel and sad to get rid of it. Just keep it till it moves on and then consider getting another cat. No use putting a loved animal back into the system, esp since it has a record only you can know. If my Rott killed my cat I would be pissed and give it hell but I also realise they are animals that operate on an instinct level only the can truly recon with.

Sadly its all about the jesus freaks and pro life wannabes. Keep your spirit man, the dark (creative) side will win in the end...eventually. Got bless Mother earth.

From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava I just started reading this and being a dog owner and animal freak, I must say I am pretty stoked on it as a quality read. Even being written by an officer in the Marines it conveys some of the uselesness of the system and how it relates to something as simple as a puppy. Great book if anyone gets the chance to scope it out. Cheers Dave Jay Kopelmans page

Dude, Rising, his newest is amazing! Very cool stuff!

LOL np I figured you were plenty busy

I am switching it up these days and getting into some really cool Dark Ambient, retro progressive stuff, and Scandinavian/Death Metal. Currenty rotating thru: Lustmord Lull Raison d'Etre Breakout Porcupine Tree Camel Mahavishnu Orchestra Amon Amarth Blind Guardian Summoning

Thats actually a plaque describing the history of the Grand Canyon.

Oh Don...

Me too, I support ANY environmental closure. It's kind of a nice karmic heads up and a trade for having access to so many non "challenged" areas. Just like the Devils Tower June climbing ban "for native religous beliefs", I think its a reasonable deal in this day and age. If you disagree, please send me a PM and I will tell you you are an asshole.

Sad but true...crime does pay in the end.

Top out head "SE", do a short rap into a "cove", aim Eastish along rim towards the big waterfall left of the routes start. Look for the last possible tree just peeking above rim, its got rap slings on it...go down, some funkness.