Diversions • (2) Comments • Permalink

Not too long ago I heard Joffrey’s Coffee was offering samples for bloggers to try. As someone who is powered by coffee, I couldn’t resist to take them up on their offer.

Shortly after signing up on their Web site I received a sample pouch of Jamaican Me Crazy, a flavored coffee. For the sake of full disclosure, the darker and more robust the coffee is the better it is for me. A couple of my favorite coffees are Trader Joe’s Bay Blend and whatever is roasting when I am at Costco – seriously! I brewed the pouch of pre-ground coffee in my Cuisinart Grind and Brew with the thermal carafe.

My verdict – I liked it. Though a flavored coffee, it did not taste like there was syrup poured into regular coffee, as some flavored coffees taste to me. It was a mild blend, but had a good flavor. Plus there was no noticeable difference in my performance that day!

On Joffrey’s Web site they offer a huge variety of coffees, and I will eventually get through the extensive list. I like to keep milder coffees on hand for visitors, and I will look into their bolder and darker coffees as well.

Business • Diversions • (5) Comments • Permalink

To keep well-rounded, I try to read both business books and anything else. One book on my list was The Girl From Farris’s by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Set in Chicago in the early part of the last century, it is the story of a young woman who tries to go on the straight and narrow after a career as a prostitute, and the people who try to help and hinder her. My original intent on reading it was due to the references to Chicago’s Loop. And like anything about life, I found takeaways from the book.

My greatest takeaway is that you must follow your dreams, no matter how hard they are. The heroin of the book, Maggie (who’s real name is June), makes the decision to go on the straight and narrow, get a job and make a life for herself. She is lured back to her old ways and as well encounters people who try to help her but are more furthering their own causes. But Maggie persists, moving forward but not forgetting where she came from.

Another takeaway was that it’s a small world. Maggie repeatedly encounters people from her past throughout the story, under varying circumstances. And this was in the day of the manual typewriter! Keeping this is mind will help you in dealing with people you may never want to encounter again the next time you see them.

The Girl From Farris’s is short and enjoyable story, packed with plot twist throughout. If you’re looking for a book for a cross-country flight, allow me to recommend this one.

Book Take-Aways • Diversions • (0) Comments • Permalink

Looptopia is in a matter of hours! Chicago’s overnight cultural festival is tonight, despite the rain.

This is the second year where indoor and outdoor cultural events will be going on, from comedy and improv to performance art. The details are available on the official Looptopia Web site and this Looptopia guide on the Chicago Tribune’s Web site.

This year the event organizers will be distributing wristbands for those who plan to be out all night. I am assuming this is for crowd control, namely as last year there was nearly double the anticipated crowd. Hopefully the rain won’t keep people away or dampen the spirits of those performing outdoors.

Look for photos and videos soon from the event on my personal fan site, Looptopia Memories.

I attended a similar event in Amsterdam a few years back called Museumnacht or Museum Night. There was also a mix of indoor and outdoor events scattered throughout the city, and free canal boat rides tied it all together. Well, when the boats actually arrived, but I digress. And if my memory is correct, that night was a little cool and damp as well. I am looking forward to it being a successful event, and I hope it continues and grows.

Diversions • (1) Comments • Permalink

Diversions • (1) Comments • Permalink