What is in your cup?

[ProfCrash]

More Pu Erh. I need to add some more to the Christmas List. Love my tea. Ohhhh good stocking stuffer. Since the Little Man is going to have a stocking this year (can we say toy cars) Mommy and Daddy get one too. Tea in the stocking. Very cool.

[dreams]

Stockings were always the most fun. I still do stockings with him and there are three little things that have always been put in his stocking. When he was older, I would wrap a treasure hunt clue in his gift from me. He would have a blast searching to find each of the other clues before he found the "treasure" (his Christmas gift). It was a great way to extend the excitement when we were not able to travel down to be with family.

Don Francisco's Butterscotch Toffee coffee in my cup. It always makes the house smell so good too.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

More Pu Erh. I need to add some more to the Christmas List. Love my tea. Ohhhh good stocking stuffer. Since the Little Man is going to have a stocking this year (can we say toy cars) Mommy and Daddy get one too. Tea in the stocking. Very cool.

Hmmm, that could get a little wet. Of course, since it's in honour of LM, that's probably appropriate. <g,d,rvvf>

I brought home a second mug, just for tea. In a nice lilac colour. This one will be for tea only. Save the older one for cold drinks.

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Hmmm, that could get a little wet. Of course, since it's in honour of LM, that's probably appropriate. <g,d,rvvf>

I brought home a second mug, just for tea. In a nice lilac colour. This one will be for tea only. Save the older one for cold drinks.

Do you have any trouble keeping the lid clean? Or with the seal (or whatever) on the lid wearing out? Several commenters on amazon mention having to buy new lids due to them beginning to leak.

[CRussel]

Well, I've had this one for at least 3 years, and it hasn't leaked yet. And that with carbonated drinks, which I would expect to be more of a problem.

I don't use the cup for anything that has sugar or milk in it, which I'm sure helps the lifespan. And I don't bleach it to clean it. Basically I just rinse it out with scalding hot water, running a bit through the spout.

[Stitchawl]

Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin' high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
"We'll meet on edges soon" said I
Proud 'neath heated brow
Ahh, but I was so much older then
I'm younger than that, now.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZwncQfvaKk )

Can it be true?

Good morning, everyone! Today is the day I find out...
There is East India Company's "Royal Breakfast" tea in my mug, good Thai food (I haven't a clue what it is, but it's delicious!) in my bowl, and I'm getting ready for something that I've been wanting for many, many years... Today I'll take sword in hand for the first time in 25 years, and meet an opponent on the Fencing piste! I was an avid fencer since high school, later to be Fencing Master of two different Fencing societies, professional competitive fencer holding titles in all three weapons of the sport, but once I moved to Asia I was never able to find a fencing club anywhere near me. But last week I discovered, quite by accident, that there is a fencing club right here in Chiang Mai. It wasn't established the last time we lived here, only opening 2 years ago.

Fencing is the only full-contact combat sport in which no one gets hurt. It's all the thrill of one-on-one fighting, all the mental concentration of a chess game without the endless waiting between moves, all the discipline of any martial art, and incredible exercise! It's a moving chess game. It's all the tactics and strategy of a war, but without the casualties. You don't need to be a super athlete; you need to be a good tactition.
I AM SO EXCITED I ALMOST CAN'T EAT!!!!!! Now... the question is, am I still 35 years old, or really 67? Will my knees hold up? I went out yesterday and bought a knee brace just in case... Walking 10k a day should have put me into fair condition for this, but fencing is exerting. Here I go...........


Stitchawl

[cromag]

My knees wish you good luck!

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin' high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
"We'll meet on edges soon" said I
Proud 'neath heated brow
Ahh, but I was so much older then
I'm younger than that, now.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZwncQfvaKk )

Can it be true?

Good morning, everyone! Today is the day I find out...
There is East India Company's "Royal Breakfast" tea in my mug, good Thai food (I haven't a clue what it is, but it's delicious!) in my bowl, and I'm getting ready for something that I've been wanting for many, many years... Today I'll take sword in hand for the first time in 25 years, and meet an opponent on the Fencing piste! I was an avid fencer since high school, later to be Fencing Master of two different Fencing societies, professional competitive fencer holding titles in all three weapons of the sport, but once I moved to Asia I was never able to find a fencing club anywhere near me. But last week I discovered, quite by accident, that there is a fencing club right here in Chiang Mai. It wasn't established the last time we lived here, only opening 2 years ago.

Fencing is the only full-contact combat sport in which no one gets hurt. It's all the thrill of one-on-one fighting, all the mental concentration of a chess game without the endless waiting between moves, all the discipline of any martial art, and incredible exercise! It's a moving chess game. It's all the tactics and strategy of a war, but without the casualties. You don't need to be a super athlete; you need to be a good tactition.
I AM SO EXCITED I ALMOST CAN'T EAT!!!!!! Now... the question is, am I still 35 years old, or really 67? Will my knees hold up? I went out yesterday and bought a knee brace just in case... Walking 10k a day should have put me into fair condition for this, but fencing is exerting. Here I go...........


Stitchawl

Good luck stitchy. I tried to fence again last year, but a) my knee really barked at me which Iwould have gutted out, and b) the sport has changed a lot!!!! All the hand/wrist exercises and focus? Gone! Very different style and approach now

[Stitchawl]

Zorro is alive and well and living in Chiang Mai! I guess I'm still young, after all! And celebrating with a glass of Bombay Sapphire (to quiet the muscle pain in places I didn't even remember having...)

My first bout was with the Fencing Master of the club. I was worried I'd really embarrass myself... But the score was 4-4 when we ran out the clock. We were into double overtime when he scored the winning point... I am quite satisfied with that! I guess fencing is like riding a bicycle!

The knee brace worked like a charm so there was no knee pain, but I really felt like a tree stump, not moving nearly enough, relying on reflex and counter-attacks to protect myself, instead of backing up as I should have done.

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

Good luck stitchy. I tried to fence again last year, but a) my knee really barked at me which Iwould have gutted out, and b) the sport has changed a lot!!!! All the hand/wrist exercises and focus? Gone! Very different style and approach now

It has... but...
When I fenced in the US before moving to Japan, I was getting pretty pissed off at the college team over-aggressive style that so many fencers were taking up. More of the massive Russian or German pistol-griped foils and epees utilizing a sledge hammer or whip approach, rather than delicate finesse/point control fencing and French or Spanish grips and the hand and wrist movements you spoke of. They were turning the sport into a power play rather than a thinking game. And it was painful too! Getting whipped with an epee in the hands of an over-zealous 19 year old was like getting beaten with a car antenna! Many times I came home from tournaments with stripes on my arms or legs. On the plus side, finesse almost always beats power, so they were easy to defeat. Fortunately, the people in the Chiang Mai club all seem to be finesse fencers. The only sting I received today was my own doing, pulling my opponent's blade down on my leg when I parried his attack when foil fencing. Had it been epee, that would have scored a point for him. As it was foil, it was simply an 'off target for him and a ouch for me.

Excuse me while I refill my glass...


Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Zorro is alive and well and living in Chiang Mai! I guess I'm still young, after all! And celebrating with a glass of Bombay Sapphire (to quiet the muscle pain in places I didn't even remember having...)

My first bout was with the Fencing Master of the club. I was worried I'd really embarrass myself... But the score was 4-4 when we ran out the clock. We were into double overtime when he scored the winning point... I am quite satisfied with that! I guess fencing is like riding a bicycle!

The knee brace worked like a charm so there was no knee pain, but I really felt like a tree stump, not moving nearly enough, relying on reflex and counter-attacks to protect myself, instead of backing up as I should have done.



It has... but...
When I fenced in the US before moving to Japan, I was getting pretty pissed off at the college team over-aggressive style that so many fencers were taking up. More of the massive Russian or German pistol-griped foils and epees utilizing a sledge hammer or whip approach, rather than delicate finesse/point control fencing and French or Spanish grips and the hand and wrist movements you spoke of. They were turning the sport into a power play rather than a thinking game. And it was painful too! Getting whipped with an epee in the hands of an over-zealous 19 year old was like getting beaten with a car antenna! Many times I came home from tournaments with stripes on my arms or legs. On the plus side, finesse almost always beats power, so they were easy to defeat. Fortunately, the people in the Chiang Mai club all seem to be finesse fencers. The only sting I received today was my own doing, pulling my opponent's blade down on my leg when I parried his attack when foil fencing. Had it been epee, that would have scored a point for him. As it was foil, it was simply an 'off target for him and a ouch for me.

Excuse me while I refill my glass...


Stitchawl

Yeah, the master I was taking lessons from was one of those power fencers, and it just didn't grok with me

[cromag]

Finishing tea #3.

[poohbear_nc]

Guinness ... reward for finishing today's yard work ... and laundry ...

[Stitchawl]

When I was thirty-five
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for blue-blooded girls
Of independent means
Wed ride in limousines
Their chauffeurs would drive
When I was thirty-five

But now the days grow short
I'm in the autumn of the year
And now I think of my life as vintage wine
from fine old kegs
from the brim to the dregs
And it poured sweet and clear
It was a very good year

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emAe6IClGys )

Oh... do I ache... Please pass the TigerBalm!

Good morning, everyone! It's a bright and beautiful day, and unfortunately I was so tired I missed what may have been a beautiful sunrise... There isn't a part of me that doesn't hurt... especially my right thigh and left shoulder. These are the ones that really took a beating yesterday. It's going to take a long, long walk today to get everything loosened up again. So I've got Ahmad's "English Breakfast" tea in my cup, more of the same in a thermos to take with me, and down the road we go!

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

Yeah, the master I was taking lessons from was one of those power fencers, and it just didn't grok with me

I hear that! One of my biggest fears when I learned that there was a fencing club here was that they were going to be power fencers. It just isn't fun! One of the things that spawned the rise of that style was the introduction of electric scoring. All that was needed was to whip the point in for a momentary contact, and the light would go on scoring a point. You'd see fencers starting their move with blades pointing to the sky so they could whip them down to score. The bigger the pistol grip (German, Russian, Cetrulo, etc.) the more power they could apply in whipping force. Fortunately, rules have changed, and now there needs to be a longer contact time before the scoreboard lights up. They have outlawed some of the grips too! This has led to a return of the old styles. New fencers are once again learning not to rely upon the power whips, bringing back the 'grace' of fencing. It's a beautiful sport, full of elegance and style. It shouldn't be a hammer fight.


Stitchawl

[poohbear_nc]

Harviestoun's Old Engine Oil Porter - an impulse buy - wonderful velvet smooth mouth feel, toasted/roasted/burnt dark chocolate taste - and quite a kick!

[the website recommends making an ice cream float with it - I think it would make a wonderful 'Black Cow' - I've often noticed how well very dark porters & ales pair with sweet foods]

[Michael Ten]

I have two cups next to me. One has water in it. The other has a bit of Jameson whiskey in it.