MRL's Profile

There is probably a fair argument to be made that this violates Title VII, among other anti-discrimination laws. In job interviews, you cannot ask a persons marital status, sexual orientation, plans to have children, all based on anti-discrimination laws at the federal, state, and local level (I'm in Chicago,which has a pretty stringent anti-discrim. ordinance).

I would imagine that a decent employment attorney could argue that getting your private Facebook info is akin to asking all sorts of these types of questions. And, if you cannot ask directly, it doesn't seem kosher to "ask" indirectly.

This strikes me as one of those: you-don't-want-to-work-for-a-company-that-would-ask-this situations.

Nothing w/o wheels?

insert "[using] it EXCEPT" after "using" and before "AS" -- sorry.

The Intelligensia coffe shop in my building here in Chicago (downtown) has them for sale there if you cannot wait the 90 days.

No idea if they work or not. Looks a lot like the Handpresso -- except (IIRC) that doesn't require NO2.

Please, no.

One of the few things that i DON'T procrastinate about. That stuff FLIES out of the boxes. I HATE being packed up (which probably explains why the "natural" state is somewhat cluttered . . .

Tangentially relate to Matt's issue -- I'm not keen on the lack of visual voicemail -- tips on an "undo" process??

Need? Nah. but v. cool to have it. I love RunKeeper Free for GPSing my runs.

New "geek"/tech workout goodies are the computer hookups for my new Concept2 rower. Not just USB attachments for the PC, but also third party software permitting rowing against folks on the internet, against, your former selves, etc. all in a neat video game format!!

who makes that taupe-colored club chair in the center of the photo above?

I won't profess to be an expert knowing these things, but I'm more of an expert in knowing what I don't know.

What I DO know is that there is a pretty big difference in whether you want your machine to be "home use" / "fake espresso" or whether you want semi-pro barista quality.

My wife and I fall into the former category. We have a six or seven year old Saeco Classico -- super basic / solid / somewhat retro looking. But it is mostly designed to run w/o much thinking (e.g., its forgiving on the grind, its forgiving on the amount of coffee, and it runs on a PRESSURIZED PORTAFILTER -- which means you get "fake" crema, but that you don't have to be a barrista to make really, really, good espresso).

I didn't even know about the "fake crema" versus "real crema" until reading on "Coffee Geeks" and similar web sites, but there it is. My NON-ignorance is now NON-bliss. So, someday, I'll move up do a mondo expensive machine (in the 1k plus neighborhood) and make "real espresso."

Until then, I would VERY VERY highly recommend the Saeco Classico on looks, durability, and performance.

IIRC, we paid about $250 for it about six years ago. The "classico" looks like its been replaced by the "Aroma" and now runs for about $350.

PS, I second the comments above on the "Home Barrista" and "Coffee Geek" web sites.

Pro - tons of info. Con - tons of info.