No news is scary news

I have no news about my scooter today. I worked too late to stop in at the shop, and I didn't get a call from the mechanic who said he'd call me if any problems or surprises came up.

So, either things are moving forward, or the guy didn't have the heart to call. Or.

I got a "we got your complaint" response from the Ministry of Government Services (that doesn't like a real thing), and it's been forwarded on to the Marketplace Standards and Services Branch, so we're plodding forward there.

I can already hear Goodhue, "Let's go give 'em hell"! A few of us had a girl's night at the Vegetarian Food Fair down at Harbourfront last weekend - lots of samples, lots of disturbing videos of animal abuse, and then lots of booze at the Rivoli. Boozy girls ranting about love, relationships and scooter-woes? Waiter! Another round of cosmos! Love it.

While at the food fair, I bought a half pound of green coffee beans (organic, fair trade, natch). Why green? Cause I'm crazy. Christy bought a half pound of fresh roasted beans, and I, to be a smart ass, said", "Well, I'd like the green beans! I'd like to roast them myself at home."

Well.

The coffee bean guys were thrilled. Ohhhh, did I ever hear a lot about the politics of the coffee industry. Did you know that coffee retains its peak flavour for only 5 days after roasting? And the coffee makers don't date their coffee, so you have no idea WHEN it was roasted. The coffee industry is sticking it to you, bitches! And don't even think freezing it does anything. Because it doesn't. You're only fooling yourself.
Meanwhile, green coffee beans can sit on the shelf for three YEARS.

If I want to spend $330, I can buy 27 pounds of coffee (I can take it in installments), and I'll get a free roaster. No, not a Kenny Roger's chicken. An actual machine that roasts your coffee. I guess just roasting it in the oven is ok for dabblers like myself. But if I want to get serious about my coffee, it's all about the home roaster.

I don't know how serious I want to be about my coffee. I mean, the guys in the booth were sweet, and all, but I don't know if I'm ready to be a total coffee zealot yet. I've still got some good "not a crazy cat lady" years left in me. I can't succumb to the weird coffee fixation at this point in my life. Maybe in ten years.

Roasting the beans in the oven was enough of a novelty for me. I never knew they'd jump around and pop. And the smell? It started out a little funky, but eventually it smelled like something good baking. I will mention that the smoke detector went off, but that's par for the course when it comes to me and the oven. I am my mother's daughter, after all.

The end result? Well, I think I burned them just a little bit, the first sip tasted a bit burnt, but after the initial burn flavour, it was smooth, and rich. I swirled it around in my mouth like wine. Or at least how I think I'd savour wine if I had any idea what I was doing. Really good flavour. I don't know if I'd roast daily, but I think it's great for weekends at home, curled up on the couch. I look forward to the chilly fall days (what? I like fall, sue me.) comfy sweater, home roasted coffee, Scooter Bing Bong curled up at my feet and some quiet peace. Otherwise known as peace and quiet. That's a lot to ask of a cup of coffee.

Not to change gears too quickly, but is it nerdy to admit that I'm digging "So you think you can dance?". I think it, and Rockstar: INXS are our generations Lawrence Welk show, just amped up to include competition. And Dave Navarro is Lawrence Welk.