Moka Pot
It has been over a year since this blog started, and I just noticed there has been no article about coffee! So I am writing about coffee gadgets I used at home.
First one is my espresso pot, aka moka pot.
It has 3 compartment; bottom water reservor, middle filter and top coffee reservor. This Youtube video explains well (better than a series of my pictures!)
I set the pot up with water and coffee inside on the night before so that I can just put it on fire when I wake up. My pot is a little larger than the one in the film and makes just enough for my portable cup, about 18oz.
Drawback of this pot is that you will have to wait for a while to cool down to wash. So if you are like my mother who can’t stand leaving dirty dishes home, do not use it right before you have to go out.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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First one is my espresso pot, aka moka pot.
It has 3 compartment; bottom water reservor, middle filter and top coffee reservor. This Youtube video explains well (better than a series of my pictures!)
I set the pot up with water and coffee inside on the night before so that I can just put it on fire when I wake up. My pot is a little larger than the one in the film and makes just enough for my portable cup, about 18oz.
Drawback of this pot is that you will have to wait for a while to cool down to wash. So if you are like my mother who can’t stand leaving dirty dishes home, do not use it right before you have to go out.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Another star
About a month ago, I wrote a blog entry about Star, an irreplaceable employee. On the day after, I was called to company president’s office at my work and was thanked for my contribution with a check. I was surprised as the amount was more than my weekly pay. I quickly decided to give some of them to the Star colleagues who report to me.
As I expected, the engineer guy was also called to the office later on the day. They wanted give him more responsibilities just like to me. Next day we talked about the meetings and responsibilities we both declined. Then I said, “Shane, you are a star.” First he did not understand what I meant, so I explained:
- You are irreplaceable. (If you say today you quit, the boss will say “wait!” instead of “okay.”)
- It is up to you on how you do your job.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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As I expected, the engineer guy was also called to the office later on the day. They wanted give him more responsibilities just like to me. Next day we talked about the meetings and responsibilities we both declined. Then I said, “Shane, you are a star.” First he did not understand what I meant, so I explained:
- You are irreplaceable. (If you say today you quit, the boss will say “wait!” instead of “okay.”)
- It is up to you on how you do your job.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
New Year's Eve
New year's eve events are being advertised already.
Ticket for this event is $60 until 11/30, and you have to purchase at least 3 tickets. Then the price will increase as the date comes closer. The poster or the web site does not yet say how much the ticket will be later.
December is a major active month for entertainment and hospitality businesses. By offering discount tickets earlier, the party producer can estimate the crowd size and therefore plan the event better.
What can Snappy's do in December next year, before wallets tighten up in January?
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Ticket for this event is $60 until 11/30, and you have to purchase at least 3 tickets. Then the price will increase as the date comes closer. The poster or the web site does not yet say how much the ticket will be later.
December is a major active month for entertainment and hospitality businesses. By offering discount tickets earlier, the party producer can estimate the crowd size and therefore plan the event better.
What can Snappy's do in December next year, before wallets tighten up in January?
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Coconut!
This vendor is an extension of small café inside the building. Julio, son of the café owner, cracks the coconut with a huge cleaver, pours juice into a cup, plies out and cuts the coconut meat within a couple of minutes. Visual presentation attracts more people, leading more sales. 
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Working nonstop
When I was getting the lecture in having to go for (another) vacation, I thought about Kiki I met at a grocery store about 2 years ago. Kiki owned a sushi franchise inside a supermarket and worked there EVERYDAY except for Christmas. I have made a mental note to go visit her soon.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Japanese version of this entry is here.
Another advise: "Disappear"
My mentor Mr. G emphasizes importance of breaks. I agree with him that I shall take one off day a week. Right now I am planning to start the store open 5 days a week. Saturday will be for running around and catching up for the store, and Sunday, hopefully, will be “taking care of Sky” day.
He also strongly recommends to “disappear” for few days before store opening. A few getaway destinations came to my mind as he rambled. I shall allocate some money and time and start planning for my “quiet time.”
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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He also strongly recommends to “disappear” for few days before store opening. A few getaway destinations came to my mind as he rambled. I shall allocate some money and time and start planning for my “quiet time.”
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Majestic words
YOU HAVE TWO SHOULDERS AND TWO HANDS. USE ONE OF YOUR HANDS TO HELP OTHERS, AND THREE HANDS WILL COME TO HELP YOU.
Said Mr. G while giving me more advices on my cafe operation. I thought that was a great philosophy and does describe Mr. G very well. Words mean a lot especially when they are directly spoken to me.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Said Mr. G while giving me more advices on my cafe operation. I thought that was a great philosophy and does describe Mr. G very well. Words mean a lot especially when they are directly spoken to me.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Interior designing (Part 3)
Went to Parkmead Product, a tiny store with a bunch of surface material samples on its walls.
At the meeting with my architect and contractor last week, I could not agree with the counter side wall material Mr. B the architect chose. They were too shiny to my taste.
I met Akko, who helped me to choose straight light tracks a few days ago, met me at the store, and we chose a few samples similar to Mr. B's choice.
Two samples on the top row are Mr. B's choices, of which I like the right one (copper color). My choices are bottom 5 and are similar to the copper but less shiny. The paper underneath is a copy of Mr. B's choices and floor material (right side).
Mari, the store staff was very helpful and explained different brands to us well. Two metalic ones are from Chemetal brand and are expensive. They are made by chemically treating metal and then coating and are expensive ($18-20/sq. ft.). They are easier to get scratched and difficult to maintain clean.
Bottom 5 are from different brands but are all around $4/sq. ft. They do not have the metalic 'shine' but are easy to clean. So I chose the far right one on the bottom row.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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At the meeting with my architect and contractor last week, I could not agree with the counter side wall material Mr. B the architect chose. They were too shiny to my taste.
I met Akko, who helped me to choose straight light tracks a few days ago, met me at the store, and we chose a few samples similar to Mr. B's choice.
Two samples on the top row are Mr. B's choices, of which I like the right one (copper color). My choices are bottom 5 and are similar to the copper but less shiny. The paper underneath is a copy of Mr. B's choices and floor material (right side).
Mari, the store staff was very helpful and explained different brands to us well. Two metalic ones are from Chemetal brand and are expensive. They are made by chemically treating metal and then coating and are expensive ($18-20/sq. ft.). They are easier to get scratched and difficult to maintain clean.
Bottom 5 are from different brands but are all around $4/sq. ft. They do not have the metalic 'shine' but are easy to clean. So I chose the far right one on the bottom row.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Latte art
Neighborhood 3
Near the elementary school, at the end of my favorite street is an Amtrak station.
Amtrak is a long-distance train running all over the continental US. Many of its metropolitan stations have several platforms and are crowded. But in small towns, Amtrak is not an everyday-thing for many people. This station in Snappy's town is not even attended, just with a train schedule board and a ticket machine.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Amtrak is a long-distance train running all over the continental US. Many of its metropolitan stations have several platforms and are crowded. But in small towns, Amtrak is not an everyday-thing for many people. This station in Snappy's town is not even attended, just with a train schedule board and a ticket machine.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Interior designing (Part 2)
(Continued from Part 1)
Choosing light fixtures was tough. I found out that wavy light track Mr. B has suggested about year ago was custom-made and therefore more expensive than straight track readily available at hardware stores. Curvy track, however, gives unique look and provides more choices on pendant and spot lights.
I could not decide if it is worth spending more on the track at a coffee shop whose main business will be conducted day time. On the day after the meeting, I talked to my friend Akko who has studied architecture and design. She advised me that all lights on the same track maybe controlled by one switch. I then decided to go with straight track and be creative with choices and placement of lights.
Straight track at Snappy's will be something like this:
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Choosing light fixtures was tough. I found out that wavy light track Mr. B has suggested about year ago was custom-made and therefore more expensive than straight track readily available at hardware stores. Curvy track, however, gives unique look and provides more choices on pendant and spot lights.
I could not decide if it is worth spending more on the track at a coffee shop whose main business will be conducted day time. On the day after the meeting, I talked to my friend Akko who has studied architecture and design. She advised me that all lights on the same track maybe controlled by one switch. I then decided to go with straight track and be creative with choices and placement of lights.
Straight track at Snappy's will be something like this:
Japanese version of this entry is here.
