Confessions of a Tea Addict...

I'm a tea addict. Yes, it's true. I blame it on an old landlord of mine who used to import tea from around the world and was something of a connosieur. Tea is a way of life for me. I start every day (except weekends, which are reserved for coffee) with a bowl of matcha. Matcha is powdered green tea of the highest order, and is the tea of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. The rich flavour, colour and preparation of matcha is a great way to start the day. Plus, it does give a nice lift without the jitters or irritation of coffee!

Some of my other green favorites are Japanese Sencha, Gyokuro, and Genmai-cha. I also enjoy Chinese Dragon Well, Spring Snail, and Peony White Needle (premium white tea).

As far as black (fermented teas) are concerned, I love a nice cup of English Breakfast, Orange Pekoe, Earl Grey, Jasmine, richly spiced Indian Chai, anything...you name it!

Then there is Rooibos (roy-bus), which is South African Redbush - a bush with needles, that when fermented, make a wonderful, relaxing brew.

For me, Tea is a relaxation/conversation drink that transcends indulgent. Further, it is a drink, that when brewed loose-leaf, brings one closer to our own attachment to this earth. Tea's beginnings are steeped in the history of mankind. There is something so attractive, theraputic and basic about throwing dried leaves into hot water. In today's world, many of us can enjoy every day what only the ultra rich of the past could afford - a cup of tea.

Just wait until I get started on coffee...but that's for another time!

My latest read...

Is The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. It's actually a great book, though I'm only part way through it. I really enjoy her writing style, which is succinct, yet descriptive enough to bring you into the lives of the characters and really 'feel' what is going on. Once I'm finished, I'll review it more completely. (However, my track record lately isn't very good. The last book I read was The Kite Runner, which is a GREAT book. The only reason I think I managed to finish it is because I was on holidays...!)

Although I used to read mostly fantasy books when I was young, I have branched out to the point where I will read almost anything. The problem is that I read so much for work, the last thing I tend to associate with relaxing is reading...but I'm working on it.

What are you reading right now...?

Ahhh Sundays

Such a strange day. The day before work. (For those of us with so-called Monday to Friday jobs, that is. Although technically I fall into this class, I've spent a few hours working today.) The last day of the weekend. The pull of trying to make as much as you can of your 'own' time prior to falling into another full week of work, yet already beginning to think about work and what 'needs' to be done.

I have always liked Sundays, but find that as I get older, I like them less and less. This is because it is harder to relax on a Sunday with Monday looming so close on the horizon.

There seems to be only one answer. Make the weekends 3 days long and defer this feeling to Monday!

What do you like to do with your Sundays??? Let me know!

My Buddy in Norway...Liquidlizard

Am on the phone with my buddy in Norway. We grew up together. He's an aspiring music producer, who went to school in London, UK to learn production, etc...check him out. www.myspace.com/liquidlizard He's just trying to get on his feet. Has a few interesting gigs, but is looking for something more steady.

Two of the Best Beers in England

Ok, so I'm on an English kick. I'm a little homesick, so I shall entertain you with a comparison of two of my favorite beers, Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Black Sheep Bitter. Both are real ales, meaning that the yeast in the brew is still active when the beer is delivered to the pub. The yeast, being a living organism, does what it does best - takes sugars and converts them to alcohol. This means that the beer has a shelf life, as over time, and with exposure to air, it will gradually be converted into a vinegar-like substance, not nice at all! Anyways, enough about the science of brewing.

Landlords
...this award-winning beer comes from the Timothy Taylor & Co. brewery in Keighley, West Yorkshire. The words of the maker perhaps say it best:

"A Classic Strong Pale Ale, Landlord has won more awards
nationally than any other beer: This includes four times as Champion at the
Brewers' International Exhibition and four times as CAMRA’s beer of the
year.
Refreshingly reliable, nationaly renowned, this full drinking Pale Ale
with a complex and hoppy aroma has real "Pulling Power" and stands out in any
bar as the ideal regular." (source: www.timothy-taylor.co.uk)

This is a wonderful beer. When properly kept it has the most amazing hoppy bitterness with a slight floral aroma.

Black Sheep Bitter

...brewed by Paul Theakston of the famed Theakston brewing family. Paul comes up with a winner in his standard pub bitter. This is a great "working man's" beer - comparatively low in alcohol, and high in flavour, three pints of this slide down after a hard day - and that's just the beginning. It also has a strong hoppy bitterness that is a pleasure to behold. Brewed in Masham, North Yorkshire, in "Yorkshire Squares" - special fermentation vats that are crucial to this beer's taste. Here is what the brewers have to say:

"A well hopped, light golden session bitter with a distinctive, dry,
refreshing taste enjoyed through a rich creamy head.Brewed in traditional cast
iron and copper vessels using the finest ingredients.
ABV 3.8%" (source: www.blacksheepbrewery.com)

This is another favourite. Great with Roast Beef on a Sunday, after a long walk through the Dales...
Anyone else out there care to share their faves with the Wonderer? I have many others that I will bore you with along the way!

The Best Pub in all of England

Is the One-Eyed Rat in Ripon, North Yorkshire. This little place is a gem...however I have not been there in about a year and I've heard that it is under new management. All that I can say is that I hope that the great tradition carries on...imagine a traditional pub: wooden floors, worn smooth from many feet, a coal fire blazing in the front of the bar to greet you on those damp winter nights, and a warm welcome from the staff behind the low bar, which serves a GREAT variety of real ales, all kept to perfection. The bar serves no food other than pickled eggs, crisps, and nuts, and there is NO music OR electronic gaming machines! The place buzzes with conversation and laughter, unadulterated with the sounds of our modern madness. It's like stepping back into a slower, more welcoming time, and for any who appreciate a good pub and great beer...I hope to see you at the 'rat.

Pho

This stuff is fabulous. I swear I could eat it almost every day. If you ever want an inexpensive, filling and extremely tasty meal, head to the nearest Vietnamese restaurant and order a bowl of Pho. Add the fresh basil leaves, squeeze in the lime, and toss in the bean sprouts...then dive in!
For those of you who have never done Pho, I STRONGLY reccomend you try it (and everything else in a Vietnamese restaurant for that matter). The cuisines of the world generally are at our fingertips in North America, and most of us never even experiment. Food is one of the most important things in life, and one really gets a sense for a culture and a way of life through the food of the people. Go Pho!

Why Blog?

Ever wondered what it is that makes us want to reach out and share our thoughts with the 'world'? Why do we get a feeling of satisfaction? Why do we want to share (or inflict) our thoughts and beliefs and randomness with others? More importantly, what is it about us that REALLY wants others to respond to our randomness?

For me, it's a chance to tap into other people's minds to see how they view the world around them, and the chance to meet people who may or may not think like I do.

I'd like to hear what you think....

Uninteresting?

Like many of us, I work. A lot. One thing I've been very cognizant of is that the more you work, the less you delve into self interested pursuits, thoughts, and hobbies, and ultimately, the less varied a person you are...and the more uninteresting you become.

I seriously question why most professions look for 'well rounded' candidates with a wide variety of life experience, depth of character, and love of life only to have them worked to the nub and dulled to the world...surely there are more singular-minded, less well rounded individuals out there who would fit the bill better and reduce employee turnover...

Nonetheless, I'm learning. Bits of my 'old' self are finding ways of creeping back in, like grass through the cracks in the sidewalk. I'm not uninteresting, yet...but I think I'm on the road. I'm hoping this blog may help keep that side of me kindled that the world is trying to snuff out.

The first step...

Well, this is something new, for me at least. What I hope to do is foster some thought in others, ranging from the serious to the utterly laughable and absurd! For those who visit, I hope you will be intrigued and entertained.

My goal is to create a blog where people can view the world through different eyes and perhaps voice their own opinions...and perhaps answer such burning questions as "Why Cheese?" and "Who are "they", anyways?"