Enjoying The Fruits Of Other's Labors

Image source:  Google Images

I have always said that I "take" pictures, but I have heard people, mostly professional photographers, talk about "making" photographs.  And I like the way that sounds.

Saying you make a photo reminds me of back in the day when the skill not only came at the time of composing and photographing a subject, but also in the darkroom when you had to develop film in order to get your final result.  That in itself is an art.  My grandfather used to develop his own film.

These days, everyone's a photographer.  They buy a digital camera and hang out a shingle, taking pictures of everything from newborn babies to weddings to food to DIY projects.  And some people are really good at it.  Have you see Instagram lately?

For me, I am planning to make more photos in the future, and get a little better at doing it.  I know I will never master the true art of photography.  Not because I don't think I can, but because I know I won't apply myself in the way that's needed to learn and perfect the art.

I'll just stick with what I do for the blog, enjoy the lucky shots I get, keep adding to my Instagram feed, and continue to follow the work of the really amazing photographers I've found online.

I'll live vicariously.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: I'm Not Seeing It
2014: Searching For Après-Ski Attire
2013: They May Be Turkeys, But Their Goose Is Definitely Cooked
2012: Just In Case You've Run Out Of Ideas
2011: Getting Stoned In New York*
2010: I Used To Care But Now I Take A Pill For That
2009: Wet And Woodsy
2008: Bite Sized Yummy Goodness
2007: There’s A Time For Everything
2006: Colors Of The Barrio
2005: Puss In Breasts

Swirls Of Life Emerge From Hell's Kitchen

Ocean's Eye, 2014, by Nick Stavrides

The image above is a painting done by Nick Stavrides, a guy I went to high school with.

I wasn't friends with him, but I remember him being friendly.  And I remember him being cute.  I don't remember him being creative, although clearly that was something he always was.  We reconnected through Facebook several years ago when everyone in my high school class discovered social networking and started friending people willy-nilly.

He's an artist living in New York City now and does some really nice work.  Most of his work seemed to be paintings of fish, and when I started following him and learning about his work, I wondered why.  Then I came across the bio section of his website.

This is what it said:

"Nick Stavrides was born in Washington Heights in the late 60’s and resides in New York City/Hell’s Kitchen today. As a child, he would spend hours in the waters of Montauk, snorkeling and drifting among the fish. It was a place where he felt safe and is the inspiration for his fish series that’s consumed him for the last 10 years. A self-trained painter, Stavrides embraces the art of different tribes and cultures which gives his work a primitive quality. He also draws inspiration by observing New Yorkers in their daily rhythms on the streets and makes comparison between them and the schools of fish."

Makes complete sense now.

He paints other stuff too, but I am drawn to the fish.  I think the swirling schools of fish in the colors he uses are soothing.  And I really love the octopuses he's been doing, which you can see on his Instagram feed.

Check him out on NickStavrides.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

And if you want an octopus for your home, he's now taking orders for limited signed prints of these two, via his Instagram feed.  Perfect for Christmas!

A photo posted by Nick Stavrides (@nick_art67) on Dec 15, 2016 at 7:13am PST

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~2015: Taking My Faux Fur And Heading To Arizona

2014: The Place For Pajama Pants, Motor Oil, And Christmas Lights
2013: Christmas Cheer Comes With Antlers
2012: Think About It
2011: She Strikes Again

2010: The Frozen Tundra
2009: Your Tax Dollars Hard At Work
2008: What’s Next, Reporting Your Maid In The Middle Of Her Dusting The Living Room Tsochkes?
2007: Fashion Forwards
2006: Swimming Po
2005: Just Call Me Rosa

Early Warning

An ominous warning at a rest area in New Mexico.

I took this picture just as the sun was coming up.  I pulled in to do a quick load check and decided to get a shot of a warning sign I've seen many times - apparently the coiled up rattlesnake is enough to get the point across.

I've never seen a snake at a rest area and hope I never will.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Palm Trees And Ocean
2014: Good Morning, Newport
2013: One Very Happy Sloth
2012: Overnight In Ohio
2011: If It Ain’t Sweet, It Ain’t Southern Made
2010: Portland Bound
2009: Dear Blog Santa
2008: The Trees Help Guide The Way
2007: Just In Time For The Holidays
2006: Eddie Leans On A Barrio Door Friday
2005: Glowing Reminders

Ladies Of Leisure

Art pillows at the Mystery Castle in Phoenix, Arizona.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Represent Cuba
2014: Where To Go For Pig And Eggs
2013: My Memory Goes Way Way Back
2012: Remember One, Remember All
2011: History Still Standing
2010: Stay Home: TV And Hot Chocolate Is The Only Way To Make It Through
2009: A Rainy Rainbow
2008: Be Wary Of Women Wearing Skull Panties
2007: Holiday Sparkle
2006: Arizona Sunset
2005: Before And After The Chops

The Price Of American Made

Photo courtesy of NewBalance.com

In four days, I'm going to walk in a 5K.  I needed new sneakers.

I haven't bought sneakers in years.  And the Skechers I have, although comfortable, aren't really great for walking long distances.  They're more a comfy running-around shoe.

I first went to Famous Footwear in the mall because they have tons of shoes and lots of different brands - Nike, Converse, Adidas, New Balance, ASICS, Reebok, Saucony - I was bound to find something I liked.

Can you believe I didn't find anything?  I tried on at least 20 pairs of sneakers and couldn't find one that felt comfortable.  They were too tight in the toe, binding across the top, slipping off the heel.  I was losing hope, and by the end of trying them all on I was sweating and pissed off.  My feet have been killing me lately and I really wanted something that was going to make my feet feel better.  

So I decided to go to Alan's Shoes because they specialize in orthopedic shoes and I knew if they carried sneakers, they'd know which would be good for my feet.  I walked into the store and told the salesman that I need fat-girl sneakers.  That I was planning on walking a 5K, that I wanted to be more comfortable doing it, and I needed something that was going to cushion all the weight coming down on my tootsies.

He measured both feet - length and width - suggested a pair, got my size, and added an ortho-insert. There's something to be said about a full-service shoe store with a clerk who knows his product inside and out.  It reminded me of shoe shopping as a kid, when we went to a real shoe store, with people who pampered you and made the shoe shopping trip an experience that ended with the right shoes for growing feet.  True customer service.

So after the salesman told me about how the shoe was made, the materials it was made of, and why this shoe was good for a heavier person (something to do with denser rubber for fatties), he slipped them on, I did a few laps around the store, and then sat down and told him I was sold.  They were perfect.

They were also $164.95.  Plus $60.00 for the inserts.

My mother, who was shopping with me, was shocked at the price.  My best friend called me a moron. And Ed said, "I run several times a week, miles at a time, and I've never bought a running shoe that expensive."

And?

I know they're expensive, but I need my feet to feel good.  They hold up my whole entire being.

Personally, I think it has something to do with the shoes being Made in America. The Made in America slogan was proudly displayed on the advertising in the store, the shoe box, and embroidered on a tag ON the shoe itself. People should get used to this, though, because if we start fucking with China and all the other countries that make cheap products for us, everyone is going to be paying more for everything.  I guess that means my shoes make me a patriot.  Hmmm.

But really, I haven't bought sneakers in at least ten to twelve years.  It's unlikely I'll ever wear them out, and if I divide the cost by the numbers of times I'll be wearing them over the years, they'll probably cost me less than twenty-five cents a wear.

And I'm worth it.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Sunset In The Brick City
2014: The King Of Light
2013: The End Of WiFi???
2012: Through A Canopy Of Oaks
2011: Clap Your Hands
2010: Wishing For A Blizzard But Will Settle For Flakes
2009: A Hideous Thief Exposed
2008: Southwest Sunset
2007: Subtlety Is SO Not His Middle Name
2006: Bridging Chicago
2005: Oxymoronic Holiday

A Witch, A Geek, And A Brazilian Bombshell Walk Into A Party

Today is my friend Mike Goldenberg's 52nd birthday.  We've been friends for more than 24 years. He lives across the country from me now, but we still keep in touch regularly - mostly phone calls, sometimes texts.

We worked together at the Westin La Paloma resort in Tucson.  He was my boss, and according to him, I was the best employee he's ever had.

This photo was obviously taken at a Halloween party.  His house, 1993.  My friend Tami is the witch on the left, he's in the middle yukking it up, and I'm the one on the right dressed as a very convincing Carmen Miranda.  I was 26, Mike was 28.  No one at the party knew who I was supposed to be her, they all thought I was the Chiquita Banana lady.

I made that costume by hand, without a pattern.  The top, the skirt, the giant (very heavy!) fruit hat. To date, it's the best costume I've ever created.  At the hotel, strangers stopped me and asked if they could take a picture with me.  I was famous for a night!

Oh, those were  days.  Such fun!!  And so many memories made with my friend Mike.

Happy Birthday, Goldie!!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: The Eternal Voice
2014: Crack O' Dawn
2013: Oh No You Didn't
2012: Nothing Is More Memorable Than A Day At The Lake
2011: The Champion Of Our Cause, The Protector Of Our Dreams
2010: Shuttin’ Down The Operation
2009: Rolling Out The Holiday Films
2008: No Rig Too Big
2007: Go Dasher, Go Dancer, Go Prancer, Go Vixen
2006: Untitled
2005: Unawarrior

The Last Mile

Even though we only work three days a week, I am always happy to be heading home.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Off Season Surf Shop
2014: Two Full Weeks Of Shopping Left
2013: Team Daily Rant Makes A Pitstop In Florida
2012: An Apple A Day
2011: California Sunshine
2010: A Star (Or Two) Is Born
2009: Modern Road Warriors And Their Weapons 
2008: Holsteins On Display
2007: Listening And LOVING
2006: Unfortunately Synonymous
2005: The Gays Are The Ritziest

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Catmas

Blue, enjoying a roll in the poinsettias.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015:The Waffle King Of Ozark
2014: Chocolate Covered Memory
2013: I Found A Few Gifts To Flip For
2012: Barely Surviving
2011: In And Out In A Peachy Keen Flash
2010: Yo, I’m All Over The Place!
2009: Morning On The Willamette
2008: Stupidity Threat Level: Orange*
2007: It’s Like Playing A Record Backwards To Hear The “Real” Meaning
2006: In The Desert, The Clouds Look Like Cotton Candy
2005: Chinky By The Ramada

Purgatory

A piece of pottery displayed in a room called Purgatory - because it was situated between the chapel and the bar - at The Mystery Castle in Phoenix.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Happy Little Machinery
2014: Yo, Brooklyn!
2013: ALL Weather Is Tarping Weather Now
2012: 132" Of Christmas

2011: Breakdown = Extra Nap Time
2010: Dr. Lettera Said The Very Same Thing, She Just Wasn’t Qualified To Write The Prescription
2009: The First Snow I’ve Seen This Season
2008: Not That There’s Any Reason To Park Here
2007: A Game You Wouldn’t Want To Play If You Were Say, IN The Witness Protection Program
2006: Companionship Is Just A Phone Call Away. Beauty Is Another Story.
2005: Who Stole My Cheese?

Man Meets Cactus

Ed took this photo of Gary, who was meeting a saguaro cactus for the first time.

He was very interested in some of the facts about these giant plants.  Their form is so tied to the image of the desert region of Southern Arizona that it's probably what most people think of when you mention the wild west.  Well, after cowboys and indians!

They got along splendidly.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Joy Delivery
2014: All Huddled Together
2013: Me And My Shadow
2012: Weekend Update
2011: Midway To A Haven Of Triple X Activity
2010: The Cowboy And I
2009: Christmas In OKC
2008: Ain’t Nuthin’ But A Lizard Pimp
2007: After The Storm
2006: Border Town
2005: Easily Amused

Looking Out Over The Valley Of The Sun

Ed at Lookout Point at South Mountain Park in Phoenix.

According to Wikipedia, South Mountain Park, at 16,283 acres, is the largest municipal park in the United States and one of the largest urban parks in North American and the world.  It was created in 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge sold its initial 13,000 acres to the city of Phoenix for $17,000.

The lookout rises 1,000 feet above the desert floor.  You can see Phoenix sprawled out in the background, behind Ed.

I can only imagine how amazing the view must be at night.  



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Eastern Shore
2014: Sunday Elixirs
2013: Getting Robbed On The Way OUT Of New York
2012: Not Everyone Learns In The Same Manner
2011: Just Another Day In New York
2010: Practicing For The Retirement Home
2009: United Parcel Servant
2008: Whizzing Through Dallas
2007: Eddie With The Luscious Kisser Friday
2006: ’Tis The Season To Be Tweety
2005: Cat Fiiiiiight!!!

Sandwiches Fit For A King

The Torta del Rey

While cruising around Phoenix trying to decide on a place for lunch, I checked my TV Food Maps app.  It's a great little tool because it tells me the places the Food Network stars have been.  And if it's good enough for Adam Richman of Man vs. Food, it's good enough for me!

The app led me to this ratty looking place (Gary's favorite kind!) on a busy street.  The first sign that it might actually be pretty good was the fact that the parking lot was packed.  Usually a good indicator.

The restaurant is called Los Reyes de la Torta.

The Torta Del Rey is their specialty, and the one Adam Rich had.  It's also the one Ed ordered, pictured above.  The Torta Del Rey has ham, melted cheese, pork sirloin, breaded beef, an egg omelet, sausage, and Mexican sausage, with tomato, onions, avocado, chipotle sauce, and a smear of refried beans.  Ruffles potato chips are served on the side.

I ordered the Mexicana:  Grilled steak mixed with onions and jalapeños, melted cheese, pico de gallo, avocado, and a smear of refried beans.  It was servied with a deconstructed salad on the side -  shredded lettuce, cucumber slices, radish slices, a grilled onion, and a grilled jalapeño.  My sandwich was great.  The bread was amaaaazing.

And below, we have Gary, filled with joy at the sight of his sandwich - the Norteña de Pollo:  Grilled chicken breast mixed with onions and jalapeños,  chipotle sauce, melted cheese, tomato, avocado, chipotle dressing, and a smear of refried beans.  It was also served wtih a deconstructed salad on the side.

Gary loved it.

This is just the kind of place Gary seeks out when he's on the road - a dive joint with great food.  I've found quite a few of those places too, but I don't actively seek them out.  I am SO glad we decided to try it.  It was so worth it.

And Gary treated us, so it was a total score!  Thanks, Gary!

I'd definitely go back.  And if you're in the area, I urge you to give it a try.  



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Rollin' With A Little Christmas
2014: Waterfront Biz
2013: My Boy And I Love Us Some Cheese
2012: A Visit To The Island Plantation of Hibernia
2011: Now They Are Heard And Not Just Seen
2010: By Request
2009: The Reason My Ass Is Not Getting Any Smaller
2008: Out Of This World Outport Life
2007: Max Says To Go Placidly, As It Is Still A Beautiful World
2006: Dangerous Beauty
2005: Big Bad Cherry Peppers

Uh, The Patio Was Nice

Photo of Pizzeria Bianco by Ed

Last night Ed and I had dinner with our friend Gary at the famous Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix.

It got rave reviews from The New York Times and the chef won a James Beard Best Regional Chef award in 2003.  It's been called "the best pizza in America".

In October, The New York Times did another article about this legendary pizza maker.

We started with the Spiedini - Fontina on a stick, wrapped in Organic Prosciutto, battered and fried. Served over a bed of lightly dressed baby arugula.

Then, we each ordered our own individual pizzas.

Gary had the Sonny Boy:  Tomato Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Salami, Olives.

Ed had the Wiseguy:  Wood-Roasted Onion, House Smoked Mozzarella, Fennel Sausage.

I had the Rosa:  Red Onion, Parmigiano Reggiano, Rosemary, Arizona Pistachios.

For dessert, Ed and Gary had the Tres Leches Cake, something Gary had been craving all day, and I had the Rice Pudding.

The desserts were good.  My rice pudding was amazing.  Creamy, nice sized rice grain.  I loved it.

But the rest?  I was not impressed.  And if it matters, neither was Gary or Ed.

To me, the Spiedini was just ham and cheese on a stick.  It was just okay.  Salty from the cheese and prosciutto, but really nothing special.

And the pizzas were not at all legendary.  I've made better "artisan" pizza in my own kitchen.  And one of the best New York style pizzas I've had here in Tucson - the kind where the crust is so crisp, it sticks straight out from outer edge to the pointy tip - comes from Brooklyn Pizza Company, down on 4th Avenue.


It definitely wasn't the best pizza in America.  Probably not even the best pizza in Phoenix.  It was disappointing because after I read the articles, I was pumped to try it out.  I was actually concerned there'd be a wait the way it was being talked about.

And although I thought pistachios on a pizza was interesting, and not bad taste-wise, we all agreed that not only would we never go back, but that we'd also never recommend the place to anyone.

So, don't waste your time.

And don't believe everything you read.

Unless I've written it, of course.




~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Ten Transcendent Tannenbaums
2014: Cascade Of Reading Material
2013: Easy Money
2012: Keeping Tabs On The Industry
2011: Trucker Love Notes
2010: We Need A Little Christmas Right This Very Minute
2009: Sorting Out The Details
2008: Eddie On A Cliff Friday
2007: Christmas Meme!
2006: ”O” My God
2005: Five Already???

Illuminated Mystery

A window in the chapel of The Mystery Castle in Phoenix, Arizona.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Getting In The Holiday Mood
2014: A Door To Another World
2013: Beaver Exploitation In Texas
2012: Perfected And Built By Italians
2011: So THIS Is What We Look Like!
2010: Just Because
2009: Plastic Is A Sure Thing
2008: The All Purpose Swab
2007: Jump The Weeds
2006: Forty Dollars A Gallon
2005: Off With Their Heads!

A Perfect Companion

Meet the newest addition to the family - Blue.

Named for her icy blue eyes, this snowy white beauty is now part of our lives.  All white with a smudge of creamy orange on her nose, tail, and tips of her ears, the woman we bought her from said she's part Siamese.  The coloring seems consistent with that.

She's eight weeks old and teeny tiny.  I love them when they're small like this.

We introduced her to the WOWs today, and like they did with Maezy, they showered her with oohs and aahs.

We are sad about losing Maezy, and the memory of her cute face and unique antics - she loved "high fives", and got excited at the mere mention of string - will live on.  But now we have Blue, and she's already delivered a sliver of joy.

We look forward to cuddling, playing, and watching her grow.

“Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.”
~ Colette, French novelist

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: A Tony In The Making
2014: Collecting America
2013: Approaching Flag
2012: He Didn't Even Need Duct Tape
2011: The Epitome Of Desolation
2010: Eddie Lobster On The Brain, Listening Skills Disengaged Friday
2009: Privacy Issues
2008: It’s Crazy That I’m Crazy For Keanu
2007: Gifts That Keep On Giving
2006: Classic Las Vegas
2005: Off With Their Heads!

Paw Prints On Our Heart

So, a little bad news and a little good.

First, the bad.

On Monday, my mother's cat Maezy escaped from the porch.  She's an indoor cat and doesn't really venture out.  We always joked that she was afraid of dirt.  Probably more so after my mother tried to "walk" her with a leash but ultimately wound up dragging her through the dirt because the cat didn't want to walk.  On a leash.  Uh, hello.  Who does that?

Anyway...it was a harrowing few days not knowing where she was.  And it was freezing.  One of those times in Tucson where it gets below thirty degrees at night.  All week it's been cold.

Well, late Thursday afternoon we found her.  Frozen.  Less than 80 feet from the house.  It was sad, and weird.  She was so close to the house.  My mother left the doors open and the porch light on.  We just couldn't understand why she didn't make it home.  She was untouched - I checked her whole body - no bites, no blood, no scrapes, no cactus needles, nothing.  She was in a sleeping position, on the ground, just frozen.  Heartbreaking.

My mother was so very upset.  And Ed and I were sad, also.  Maezy was one of the best cats we've ever had.  Ed's been around for 13 years now, so he's seen a few of them and deemed Maze the best. And I've had cats my entire life, so I know a good one when I see it, too.

I am relieved that we know what happened.  Wondering if she was out there, lost, in another person's house, eaten by an animal, all of that was worse.  Now we know where she is and have closure.

Now the good news.

My mother found another cat that we went to pick up today.  It was a total fluke. Unexpected. And my mother says, an answer to her prayer.

You'll meet her tomorrow.

“Sometimes losing a pet is more painful than losing a human because
in the case of the pet, you were not pretending to love it.”
~ Amy Sedaris, Comedian

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: The Incredible Portable Egg
2014: Bric-à-brac
2013: Bidding Adieu
2012: Rushing To The Mine 
2011: Ari-Snowna
2010: It’s In The Air
2009: Wish List
2008: He Must Have Learned It From TV
2007: When Pizza Is Involved, Jesus Is Always In Charge
2006: Sexier Than The Rockettes
2005: $3.99 A Minute

Testing Ed's Giant Brain

Eddie is my Vanna White.  He has been more than cooperative in helping me display many of the items I showcase here on the blog.

Today I want to share with you the Good Job, Brain! book.

I listen to the podcast, which I've written about in the past, and I've also written about the book, before it became available.

I was asked earlier this year if I was interested in receiving a copy of the book since I had written about and was a fan of the podcast.  Uh, helloooooo?  Yeah.  I was all over that offer and told them in return for their generosity, I'd tell my readers all about it.

I've been reading it on my own for a while, but I also broke it out on Thankgsiving and shared a few tidbits with my family and friends.  Ed is pretty good with trivia, so he was into answering the questions I probed his brain with - like Extreme Animals, he knew most of them.  We had several laughs, too, with some of the more interesting trivia.

There are things like the mnemonic way to remember all the Canadian Provinces and Territories.  And a section called On Your Marks, which go over a bunch or diacritics (Google that!), marks, accents, etc.  It'll tell you what that little squigly thing - like the n in señor or the a in São Paulo - is called.

There are puzzles and crosswords too, but to me it's definitely a book with info to share with people.  By the end of it, you should feel a little bit like a know-it-all.

And you may even be a star if you ever participate in actual pub trivia.


“This is a sponsored blog post. While the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by Ulysses Press to review this product.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Practically A Cardinal Red Sin
2014: Drink And A Movie?
2013: Leaving The Blue Skies Behind
2012: One Special Request
2011: Body Language
2010: Move Along, Not Much To Read Here
2009: My Favorite Geek Scores Two Bargains In One Day
2008: Your Beating Heart
2007: All I Want For Christmas Are My Two Front Teeth
2006: Eddie Opens An Eye In Vegas Friday
2005: You’re Giving Me Agida

Look, Ma! No Hands!

Here's one of the official photos of Ed riding in the 34th Annual El Tour de Tucson.

It was taken by Marathon Foto, and part of a package of shots we bought showing Ed at different locations along the route.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: My Counter Floweth Over
2014: Breakfast Served All Day
2013: A Peek At Mission Learning
2012: Pretty Yung Ting
2011: How To Get Kids To Eat Vegetables
2010: Back In The Saddle
2009: Logging Lots Of Miles
2008: Apples, Fudge And Homemade Jam
2007: Eddie Hick Runs Deep Friday
2006: If You Can’t Make It To France
2005: I’m Sleeping With Someone New

Greatness, One Cup At A Time

A couple of months ago I was asked to do a review of the Aerobie AeroPress Coffee Maker. As usual, I was more than happy to give my opinion on something.  About a month ago the product arrived and Ed and I got to work using it.

Just a little comment before I continue - I really need to start a food blog so people will start sending me edible items to review!  

Back to the AeroPress...

The zippered travel bag contains everything you need for a surprisingly good cup of coffee.  Seriously, you're going to be blown away by what you can do with hot water and a plunger.

The AeroPress Coffee Maker system comes with the following:  Funnel, Chamber (numbered with 1-4 on it), Plunger, Filters and filter holder, coffee scoop, stirrer, and filter cap.  

And to be honest, if you were to lose the funnel, scoop, stirrer and filter holder, you'd still be able to make liquid energy in a cup.

Over the last month, we've been carrying the zippered pouch in the truck with us.  We have a 4-cup coffee maker in the truck, but it's a pain in the ass to dig out and we don't have a lot of time on this run to set it up and make morning coffee.  With this, all that's needed is ground coffee and hot water.  And both in the house and the truck I have a hotpot that boils water in two minutes.  You can't even walk into the truck stop for a cup of coffee in that amount of time.

At night I usually make tea or my favorite General Foods International coffee drink, both of which require only hot water.  When Ed wants coffee - even though it's not as easy as dropping a tea bag in a cup - I will make him coffee with the Aerobie because I can't honestly tell him I don't want to take that one extra step to press water through a filter. He'd never buy that.  At least I don't have to wash out the coffee pot.

If I’m feeling like I need something especially decadent, I will make a latte for myself, using my Aerolatte milk frother to whip up some warmed milk or cream to complement the absolutely amazing cup of espresso the AeroPress makes.  Unlike other places I've had lattes (I'm looking at you, Starbucks), this cup of espresso is never bitter.

We've made coffee for guests with this product and they're always amazed at the flavor. Usually they say, "What kind of coffee do you use?"   It's not the coffee, my friend, it's the process.

Sure it helps to use good coffee, preferred brands or favorites.  But we've used this with regular run of the mill coffee and it still makes a great cup of joe.  And it always tastes more flavorful than what we get from our coffee maker.

With the Aerobie AeroPress, there's no reason to drink bad coffee.  This goes everywhere - camping, boating, traveling - any place hot water is available.  Easy to pack, easy to transport, easy to clean.

Here's a video of Ed making a cup of coffee with the AeroPress.  I'm not a videographer and Ed's not an actor, so cut us some slack while watching our little production, but feel free to partake in Ed's joy when he gets to the end of the process and sips his fabulous cup of coffee.

And, if you're really interested in owning an Aerobie, the inventor is selling the company.

Why, you ask?  No reason other than, "Because I'm 78 years old."

“This is a sponsored blog post. While the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by Aerobie, Inc. to review this product.”


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: Table For Two, Table With View
2014: Ready For The Himalayas
2013: The Lady In 7A
2012: No, Not Harry Potter. GRACE Potter.
2011: UPSide Down
2010: Gucci, Gucci, Gu
2009: Big Trucks + TV = Big Truck TV
2008: Insane In The Holiday Brain
2007: Umbrella-ella-ella-ella
2006: Dress Code
2005: And It Begins…