Jun 22, 2003, 11:25pm

Lately, I've been really, really down on myself for putting way too much on my plate, thinking I could handle it, when in fact I couldn't.

We accepted way too many machines for the Detailed Review process over at CoffeeGeek. I'm so behind on them, it depresses the crap out of me.

I've taken on the sometimes monumental task of being a Committee member over the SCAA, organizing the even more monumental task of introducing a new membership category to the organization - the consumer member.

I've become deeply and passionately involved in promoting, encouraging and participating in Barista competitions in Canada and the US. I really want to elevate the role and position of the Barista to an art form and a respected, honoured position with the cafe culture that is blosoming in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

I've been struggling to roll out a new company developing software applications for mobile platforms.

I've been trying to roll out a new version of the CoffeeGeek site.

Hell, I've been trying to spend some time with Jeanette.

In the past several months, I've been trying hard to be everyman - answering the nearly 100 emails a day I get from people seeking answers to coffee and espresso related questions; finding the appropriate (read: non-insulting) amount of time to stay and chat with individuals at trade shows; trying desperately not to give the "brush off" feel to anyone I talk to, and often failing; trying to get our local Baristi totally in tune with what it takes to be a world competitor, to the point where I sacrifice my entire weekends to them, as we go through the routine in the lab downstairs; getting in all my conference calls, all my calls to partners on the CoffeeGeek site, returning calls, initiating calls that I forgot to do the week before; remembering who I promised what; trying to remember that person's name and this person's wife's name (I am extremely bad at names - always have been); just trying to get a gulp of air once in a while.

Anyway, I'm getting a handle on it. But I also bought something last week. I won't say what it is, because I'm slightly embarrased to say (no, it's nothing embarrasing in a red faced way - more like a price way). It's something I've wanted since 1995, but could never justify buying. But the justification came last week, late last week, in the form of a very selfish reason, but also an incentive reason.

The selfish reason: I felt I needed a little (or not so little) reward for all the stuff I've tried to do over the past many moons.

The incentive reason? It's a tool I've given myself to redouble my efforts, become more productive, and spend more time with Jeanette. Think of the "string tied around your finger" to remind you of what you gotta do, because you committed to do it. Except this is a hella expensive string (and no, it's not some high technology thing - I got enough of those toys :)

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Mixelania

Photos from Algonquin Park
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Making Snow for the Fortress
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Webiffied

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Fiddlers Green by The Tragically Hip

Around The Bend by Pearl Jam

Here With Me (Rollo's Chillin' With the Family Mix) by Dido

With arms open wide by Creed

truffle pigs by Matthew Good Band

In the News

Burundi and Beyond - NY Times
Great article by Peter Meehan - provided some background.

St. Petersburg Times
Side mention in an article about good machines

AP Story on Espresso
Background and information provided

NY Times - Grinders Article
Especially proud of this one - got the reporter to focus on grinders

Globe and Mail
LOL - showing bad reporting, dude says I'm an American-based site!

The Olympian, WA
Talks about my love for the El Sal Siberia Pacamara

Seattle Times - Clover
Interviewed for comments on the Clover brewer

NY Times - How it Works
Background and information for various espresso machines

Time Mag Article
Just a brief mention, article about roasting beans.

NY Times
Front page article about consumers getting into specialty coffee.

Washington Monthly
Quoted reference to what I wrote in an article at CoffeeGeek.

USA Today - Barista Jam
Intereviewed for my thoughts on what the epitome of espresso is.

WSJ Article
The Wall Street Journal has interviewed me 3 times. This is the first time my name got in a story.

Reuters Interview
Interview with Reuters, Jan 2 - this is the USA Today version.

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CoffeeGeek
Launched Dec 22, 2001, this is THE online community for espresso and coffee fanatics.

CoffeeKid Website
It's all new, as of March, 2002. My personal coffee obsession site.

WebMotif Services
My company's site - needs an update!

Amazon WishList
Hey, if you feel the need to buy me something, check here!

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enGadget
Great gadget site run by the guy who used to do Gizmodo.

Google News
This is how I get my daily news fix.

DPReview Forums`
The most active forums for digital photography online today.

Daily Zen
Need my Daily Zen fix!

Jalopnik
A blog about car stuff. Vroom Vroom.

MoCo Loco
An industrial design blog. Very cool stuff.

Friends and Family Plan

Beata Blog
Beata's got her own blog! She updates it most days.

Riddla on Flickr
Matt Riddle's flickr account, updated regularly

Irdy Photos
Irdy, my friend from Jakharta, on Flickr

Recent Acquisitions

Canon EF 24-105 f4 L Lens
The best lens I've ever owned. Super sharp and quick.

Canon 5D
A full frame dSLR, with luscious colour reproduction.

Alzo Digital Lights
Some amazing florescent cold lights for product photography

Canon Xsi dSLR
Amazing technology and image quality in a tiny package.

Canon 40D
Latest prosumer camera from Canon - a much better upgrade than the 30D

Fujitsu P1610
Great 2.2lb computer that does most of my travel / writing needs

28mm f1.8 Lens
A great lens for closeup work and full picture photography

Foodsaver Advanced
Finally got the right tools for freezing green coffee.

Canon 50mm 1.4
Most amazing lens I've ever owned. Produces stellar photos.

Canon 10-22mm
Super wide angle (full frame fisheye) zoom for my Canon 20D