Comments on: The perfect Espresso (and how handy is Podscope?) http://miriamparkinson.com/2007/01/the-perfect-espresso-and-how-handy-is-podscope/ Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:03:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: miriam http://miriamparkinson.com/2007/01/the-perfect-espresso-and-how-handy-is-podscope/comment-page-1/#comment-175 miriam Sun, 28 Jan 2007 23:42:00 +0000 http://mparkinson.wordpress.com/2007/01/28/the-perfect-espresso-and-how-handy-is-podscope/#comment-175 See unfortunately I like to be the best at everything I do or at the least the best possible for the equipment at hand. If I can't make a perfect coffee at least I might manage an above average one. Plus I don't have the attention span to spend that much money on one endeavor. <br /><br />The lone woman among engineers thing was actually a lot easier than I expected. I sometimes get asked by other girls how I get taken seriously and its hard coming up with anything more useful than 'I dunno... I just do I guess'. <br /><br />As far as certifiably insane. There have been plenty of periods in my life when I might have been committed. Fortuntely I'm now on the eccentric side of crazy but I wasn't always. See unfortunately I like to be the best at everything I do or at the least the best possible for the equipment at hand. If I can’t make a perfect coffee at least I might manage an above average one. Plus I don’t have the attention span to spend that much money on one endeavor.

The lone woman among engineers thing was actually a lot easier than I expected. I sometimes get asked by other girls how I get taken seriously and its hard coming up with anything more useful than ‘I dunno… I just do I guess’.

As far as certifiably insane. There have been plenty of periods in my life when I might have been committed. Fortuntely I’m now on the eccentric side of crazy but I wasn’t always.

]]> By: Greg http://miriamparkinson.com/2007/01/the-perfect-espresso-and-how-handy-is-podscope/comment-page-1/#comment-174 Greg Sun, 28 Jan 2007 18:02:00 +0000 http://mparkinson.wordpress.com/2007/01/28/the-perfect-espresso-and-how-handy-is-podscope/#comment-174 From one snob to a budding one: turn back! Quit as soon as you can! That is, unless you have a nice trust fund.<br /><br />Seriously, making great coffee can be an ever-more expensive endeavor without end. But guessing where you are at, you probably can go so far with moderately fresh beans. But chances are that your machine, and more importantly your grinder, aren't up to the task. You won't be able to regularly create a nice crema, let alone good microfoam, without equipment that unfortunately costs a bit more than the average coffee drinker is willing to invest in.<br /><br />Well, I didn't intend to make this sound so discouraging... so how about switching gears?<br /><br />Ah, the lone woman among engineers thing. I really think they deserve a lot more recognition than they get ... I think it's great stuff. And, IMO, the good news is that if you're pretty good, you're going to stand out that much more. Good luck sticking with it.<br /><br />Now about that "certifiably insane thing" is another story. Why is it that rational, capable people often want to associate themselves as "insane" like bad morning disc jockeys? The truly insane are the ones who don't even know it... so it's a good thing you're not. From one snob to a budding one: turn back! Quit as soon as you can! That is, unless you have a nice trust fund.

Seriously, making great coffee can be an ever-more expensive endeavor without end. But guessing where you are at, you probably can go so far with moderately fresh beans. But chances are that your machine, and more importantly your grinder, aren’t up to the task. You won’t be able to regularly create a nice crema, let alone good microfoam, without equipment that unfortunately costs a bit more than the average coffee drinker is willing to invest in.

Well, I didn’t intend to make this sound so discouraging… so how about switching gears?

Ah, the lone woman among engineers thing. I really think they deserve a lot more recognition than they get … I think it’s great stuff. And, IMO, the good news is that if you’re pretty good, you’re going to stand out that much more. Good luck sticking with it.

Now about that “certifiably insane thing” is another story. Why is it that rational, capable people often want to associate themselves as “insane” like bad morning disc jockeys? The truly insane are the ones who don’t even know it… so it’s a good thing you’re not.

]]>