Someone needs to invent an anti-stupid machine.  Or maybe just a common-sense enhancer.

I know I'm not the sharpest tech guy out there.  And I also know that I make mistakes.  I get rushed to meet a deadline or I don't consider an important part of a specific part of a tech issue.

However, I take pride in the fact that I rely on my common sense and my ability to judge the overall effectiveness of a solution.  I also err on the side of caution when implementing new technology or testing a fix.  This approach has served me well in my career.

I wish others would follow it.  I have lost track of the times I have been working with a business partner or 3rd party provider and witnessed stupidity so overripe that it falls onto all of those involved. 

This is why I am awake at midnight for the second night in a row. 

No more coffee from The Anchor.  Ever.

BungoJungo readers should be familiar with my failures to procure a decent cup of coffee in the morning.

On a fine, crisp spring morning such as this I thought that some freshly brewed espresso swimming in chocolate and steamed whole milk would be tasty and delicious.  I suppose it would have been if I could have found one.  I'm beginning to think that it's a mythical substance; doesn't really exist.

I swung by The Anchor on Douglas again this morning.  It seemed a little more active than usual as it was not just me waiting on coffee.  It looked like they were completely replacing the keg lines underneath the bar, so there were several workmen in addition to barista dude.  There was also another person waiting for coffee.  I didn't have the heart to ask him how his tasted because he was actually drinking it at the bar in a glass mug.

Maybe barista dude was distracted by all the activity.  I think he either has ADD or a festering hatred against decent coffee.  I actually paid attention to him while he was making my coffee and now I know why it tastes like brackish boiling water poured over rancid hay stalks.

He didn't change the grounds.  He made the coffee for the guy ahead of me and then ran water over the same grounds to make my mocha.

Here is a picture of my punch card from The Anchor:

Here is a picture of me shredding my punch card from The Anchor:

I'd still go there for beers.  It seems like a nice atmosphere and they have a good selection.

But no more coffee. 

I don't mind paying for decent coffee.

I generally order a triple shot mocha because I like the fat, sugar, and chocolate that comes along in a nice caffeine kick.  I'm not an expert at choosing coffee, but I know what I like.

And, and a general rule of purchasing, I try to buy local.  I like to support local enterprise because I believe it is a sound choice from an economic standpoint.

I used  to frequent Java Nation on Douglas in Old Town.  The nice lady who owns the place made a decent cup of coffee and the scenery was pleasing.  The place is also conveniently located close to my place of employment.  However, she has apparently changed her hours of operation.  Java Nation (a COFFEE shop) is not open for business weekday MORNINGS.  Since I am no longer "hip", I don't really care to drink massive amounts of caffeine at 10:30 pm when, wonder or wonders, Java Nation IS open.

In light of this, I was forced to find another local place for coffee.  I was eating lunch at The Anchor (also on Douglas close to Old Town) and saw that they have an espresso bar.  So, a couple of weeks ago, I swung through and grabbed a mocha.  I was pleasantly surprised.  It was a nice balance between the espresso and the milk / chocolate.  In my advancing age I have noticed that if the coffee I drink isn't fresh or brewed properly I'll pay for it in stomach acid later.  The first mocha from The Anchor was very nice.  Plus they're open in the FREAKING MORNING!

This morning, I realized the I needed a swift caffeine kick in the ass.  I swung into The Anchor again and bellied up to the bar to order my triple shot mocha to go.  The same barista dude from the last time makes it for me.  I tip him a buck and cruise into work.  It tastes like they swept up the bar floor detritus, dumped the ashtrays into a Bunn and had some homeless people urinate into filter basket.  It is completely the opposite of the first one.

I drank it anyway.  I am not about to throw away all that stupidly spent money.  I'll probably give The Anchor another try sometime in the future.  I'm hoping it was just an off day for barista dude.

It's either that or Starbucks.  And Starbucks is way out of my way.

Supporting the local economy through sloth. 

I've consumed my fair share of fermented and distilled beverages.  And, more often than not,  I have enjoyed the experience.

During one of my forays into alcoholic consumption, I arrived at the following postulation:

Everyone has an evil liquor

The fundamental principle of this postulation is that every person who enjoys alcohol has a particular version of alcohol that is anathema to their very existence.

Mine is the spirit distilled from the following:

Seriously, why would any person with a shred of sanity pour something down their gullet what tasted like a Christmas Tree?

I have never been inebriated due to gin, and I hope I never am.