Category: status

It’s Stan Freberg Day, and the Banks are Closed

Posted onAuthorcahwyguyLeave a comment

In 1961, the humorist Stan Freberg issued Volume 1 of The United States of America, a musical telling of the founding of America through the Battle of Yorktown (Volume 2 goes through the end of World War I (“They’ll never be another war…”)). The first scene on Volume 1 relates the story of how the Native Americans discovered Columbus. Although many things have changed since 1961 when this was recorded — Columbus is no longer held in the same regard, the portrayal of the Native American would be very different — there are still points that ring true, especially the exchange:

Columbus: Alright. Hello there. Hello there. We white man. Other side of ocean. My name, Christopher Columbus.
Chief: Oh, you over here on a Fulbright?
Columbus: No, no. I’m over here on an Isabella, as a matter of fact. Which reminds me. I want to take a few of you guys back on the boat to prove I discovered you.
Chief: What you mean discover us? We discover you.
Columbus: You discovered us?
Chief: Certainly, we discover you on beach here. Is all how you look at it.

Over 15 years ago, I started posting this particular scene from The United States of America every year on Indigenous People Day (nee Columbus Day). I do it as a celebration of Stan Freberg, who died in 2015 at age 88, one of the best satirists America has seen. Although it is clearly dated, every time I hear it I find new references and insights. It is always Stan Freberg day for me.  It is a day when we celebrate the story of how Native Americans discovered a Italian sailor, and the world was never the same. Just look at all he brought us: “real food: starches, spaghetti, cholesterol, … all the better things. That’s called progress.” It is a day when we celebrate how the inhabitants of Miami Beach discovered an illegal boat person on their shore, and made the gigantic mistake of offering him and the others on his boat asylum… and look at what happened. It’s a day that highlights the arrogance of Columbus and his party, just taking land and pushing aside the Native Americans. Or, just perhaps, it is a day that celebrates a city in Ohio for reason no one really knows, other than we needed to give bankers a 3-day weekend in October, because we all know they need the respite.

In any case, the banks are still closed.

I present a transcription of the scene, just as it happened. If you would like to listen to it, here’s the YouTube of the track:

NARR: 1492, Madrid. The Queen of Spain grants an audience to an obscure Italian sailor. There, in her chambers, plans are made destined to change the course of history.
COLUMBUS (CC): Alright, we’ll go over it once again. First you hock the jewels, you give me the money and I buy the ships. Then I discover the new world, you dump the king, and I’ll send for you.
QUEEN ISABELLA (QI): You say you’ll send for me, dahling, but will you?
CC: Look, we’ve been all through this before.
QI: I know, but really, you’re such a dreamer. You’ll go out there and sail right off the end of the world.
CC: I will not!
QI: You’re such a charming boy, dahling. Why don’t you forget all this? I’ll set you up with a nice little Fiat agency over in West Barcelona.
CC: I don’t want a Fiat agency!
QI: Then why don’t you go to art school like your friend, Da Vinci? I’ll put you through.
CC: If Lenny wants to starve to death, that’s up to Lenny. Me, I want to discover the new world, carry out my dream. (trumpet fanfare)

ANNOUNCE: His Majesty, King Ferdinand.

QI: (gasp) The King.
CC: Oh, sure, he’ll be at the inquisition all afternoon.
QI: Time just slipped away. Quickly, take the jewels and go, over the balcony. (door opens)
CC: Too late.

QI: Good afternoon dear. How was the inquisition? Amusing?
KING FERDINAND (KF): Dullsville. Same old… say, who’s that?
QI: You remember Christopher Columbus.
KF: You mean old “round, round world”. (laughs). You and your Bohemian friends.
QI: He’s not Bohemian, he’s Italian.
KF: Italian, Bohemian. Look at him in that hat. Is that a crazy sailor?

QI: Crazy? I’ll tell you how crazy. He’s a man with a dream, a vision. A vision of a new world, whose alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears. With purple mountains magestied above the 2 cents plain
CC & KF: (fruited)
QI: Fruited. He holds these griefs to be self-evident, this “round, round world” with Indians and justice for all. Let us then go forward together toward Miami Beach, so that the dream of this crazy Italian boy, indivisible, should not perish from the map. (cheers from crowd)

CC: Is that moving? Was that a great bit?
KF: I always said this girl had a lot of…Wait a minute! I ask a simple question, I get a pageant. Why should Spain sponsor you? Why don’t you go to Portugal?

CC: I did—they bought “The Price is Right”
KF: Oh.

CC: Then I have your permission to sail?
KF: Have you had your shots?
CC: I have.
KF: Permission granted.
CC: Gracias. Areva Derchi
KF: Hasta La Vista
QI: Adios (Mariachi band: Adios Muchachos, Compañareros)

KF: Would you get out of here? (footsteps) Strange, he left by the balcony.
QI: Force of habit I guess.
KF: Yeah, yeah, how’s that again.
QI: Nothing.
KF: Isabella? When are you going to quit fooling around with these nuts?

(on ship) 1st Mate: Admiral Columbus, sir. The men are weary, on the point of madness.
CC: Well, that’s the trouble with labor today. Don’t they realize we’re going to discover the New World?
KF: You’ve been saying that for the last 57 days.
CC: Nobody forced you to come along, your Majesty.
KF: My doctor told me I should go to Florida for the winter.

KF: I still can’t see what you needed three ships for?
CC: I got a better deal on the fleet rate.
KF: I’ll accept that. But we better sight land soon, there’s rumblings of mutiny.
CC: Really?
KF: Come over here and listen

Crew: Rumble. Rumble. Rumble. Mutiny. Mutiny. Mutiny.

CC: I see what you mean. I’ll jump up here on the rigging and speak to them.
KF: You mean on top of everything else this ship is rigged?

CC: Now hear this! This is the Admiral speaking. I know the going has been rough, but if you can just hold out a little while.
Crew: (rumble rumble)
CC: Stop that rumbling down there.
KF: Who can blame them! The whole thing is madness! I don’t like the way the crew is acting!
CC: You’re overplaying it a little bit yourself there.
KF: I tell you the world is flat, and that’s that!
CC: It’s round as your hat!
KF: It’s flat as your head!
CC: It’s round!
KF: It’s flat!

CC: It’s a round, round world
It’s a round, round world

I contend it’s round,
and it’s gonna be found
When all the results are in
It’s a round world now and it’s always been

KF: Flat Flat world
It’s a flat, flat world
I insist it’s flat as a welcoming mat
And he’s sailing off the end
How about our crazy Itralian friend?

CC: Friend, Get hip
Would I climb aboard this ship
If I didn’t have odds the earth was highly spherical

KF: It’s a miracle if it is

CC: Square, square king
You’re a square, square king
If you don’t believe
You’re gonna receive
The shock of your royal life
When the ship pulls in at Miami…

Crew: Yo, ho, ho and a Dramamine
We are loyal subjects of the king and queen
But what kind of nut would you have to be
To borrow a ship and put out to sea
When you don’t know what’s on the other side

[Simultaneously:]

KF: All week long on a hardtack bun
Brother, who said getting there is half the fun
Give up my throne for one Navy Bean
No wonder I’m turning three shades of green
How could I go on such a loony trip

CC: Round, round world
It’s a round, round world
I contend it’s round
And it’s gonna be found
When all the results are in
It’s a round world now
And it’s always been

[Simultaneously:]

Crew: Crazy kind of scheme
It’s a cockamamie dream
If we don’t sight land we’re gonna scream

CC: Get hip
Would I climb aboard this ship
If I didn’t have odds
The earth was highly spherical

KF: It’s a miracle if it is

[Simultaneously:]

Crew: Yo, ho, ho through the wind and rain
There’s a typhoon coming up
But where’s John Wayne?

CC: Square, square crew
You’re a square, square crew

[Simultaneously:]

CC: If you don’t believe
You’re gonna receive
The shock of your salty lives
When I take command in the name of…

KF: I feel like a red witch having a wake
How much of the ocean bit do you think I can take
Claim that land in the name of…

CC: Isabella and Ferdinand
KF: That’s Ferdinand and Isabella:

Both: New rulers of this round, round world
Crew: Crazy kind of scheme, It’s a cockamamie dream, but we hope that’s its a round, round world.

KF: Well, for all our sakes, I hope that…
Lookout: Land Ho! (horn fanfare)

KF: What was that?
CC: French horns.
KF: No, before that.
CC: It was the lookout, he sighted land.

Crew: Hurray

CC: Quickly, hand me the glass.
KF: Alright.
CC: No, no, the other one.
KF: Oh? (pause) Oh. (sound of wine pouring)
CC: To the New World!
KF: Likewise (clink)

KF: Alright, alright, give the kid top billing.
CC: I claim this land in the name of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain.
Chief: How?
CC: Well, first I stick the flag in the sand, and then I…
KF: Watch yourself Admiral. Natives. They may be hostile.
CC: Well, we’re all a little hostile now and then. Some of us are able to sublimate. Others can’t adjust. You know how it is.
KF: I know, but you better try to talk to him.
CC: Alright. Hello there. Hello there. We white man. Other side of ocean. My name, Christopher Columbus.
Chief: Oh, you over here on a Fulbright?
CC: No, no. I’m over here on an Isabella, as a matter of fact. Which reminds me. I want to take a few of you guys back on the boat to prove I discovered you.
Chief: What you mean discover us? We discover you.
CC: You discovered us?
Chief: Certainly, we discover you on beach here. Is all how you look at it.
CC: Yeah, I suppose. (pause) Well, my men and I were wondering if you could spare a little food.
Chief: What kind num-nums you want?
CC: What is that strange looking plant you’re holding there, with the little yellow kernels?
Chief: You mean this? (trumpet fanfare)
CC: Yes, what is that?
Chief: French horns.

CC: No, no, what you’re holding in your hand.
Chief: Oh, corn.
CC: That’s what I thought it was. What else you got to eat around here?
Chief: Berries, herbs, natural fruits, and organically grown vegetables.
CC: Just as I suspected. What kind of a diet is that! That’s why I’ve come here, to fulfill my dream.

Chief: You have a dream?
CC: Yes I do.
Chief: Would you like to talk about it?
CC: I certainly would. My dream is to open the first Italian restaurant in your country. Give you some real
food: starches, spaghetti, cholesterol, … all the better things. That’s called progress.
Chief: Hmmm.

CC: Now right here would be a good location for the restaurant, ocean view and all that. Is there room for a parking lot?
Chief: You kidding? Whole country is parking lot.

CC: I suppose. Well, I’d like to put a little deposit down on the property, here…
Chief: OK
CC: …I only have a few dubloons on me, so if you direct me to the nearest bank, I’ll get a check cashed.

Chief: You out of luck today. Banks closed.
CC: Oh, why?
Chief: Columbus Day.
CC: Oh, yeah. (pauses) We going out on that joke?
Chief: No, we do reprise of song, that help.
CC & IC: But not much… no…

Simultaneously:

CC: Round, round world
It’s a new found world
And the land looks good
Like a continent should
Complete with a flag unfurled

Native Americans: Yo, ho, ho and a buckskin sleeve
Now the white man’s here I guess
It’s time to leave
But why go to war and fight like a jerk
Perhaps we can pick up some kind of work

Native Americans: In an Indian extravaganza
Wyatt Earp or Bonanza

CC: Please don’t call us, we’ll call you

KF: Step aside pal, meet the new
Both: Big cheeses of this round, round world!

Share

Timeshares and Time Travel

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy1 Comment

The WhalerBack when I was in high school, my parents bought a timeshare in Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii. I visited a lot when I was in high school and my first years in college. After that, it was mostly my parents place (and, for the longest time, they rented out the two weeks to friends of theirs). For the longest time, the last time we were there was right after our wedding, in 1985. After my folks passed on, the unit and interval passed to me. We would go occasionally, but usually we just deposited the interval with Interval International, and just went somewhere in driving distance of Los Angeles. In other words: Las Vegas (in the summer), Scottsdale (in the summer), Tucson (in the summer), Palm Desert (in the summer), and occasionally, Escondido (in the summer). We were last in Maui for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2015. This year, being our 40th, we had the occasion to visit again.

I bring this up because this timeshare is different than most of the timeshares we visit. Other timeshare—the Grand Chateau Marriott in Las Vegas, the numerous Marriott complexes in Palm Desert in Scottsdale or Palm Desert, the Welk Resort in Escondido—they all feel like glorified hotel rooms (because they are). There is no sense of other owners; no sense of the folks with whom you share the space. The closest we came was many years ago when we exchanged for the Palm Springs Golf and Tennis Club.

Here, it is different. There is a closet shared with the owners of the other intervals. Each interval leaves a box of (non-perishable) stuff for their next visit. The box is a timecard of your last visit. Mine still has 3 sets of playing cards that my parents used, together with stationary and envelopes. We’ll add more for our next visit: dry measure cups and kitchen supplies and such.

People leave appliances for other owners. We’ve found, at the top of shelves, rice cookers and french presses, and thermal mugs and all such. You pass it forward instead of being possessive and shipping it back. People do the same with beach supplies. Interval owners are a family—I remember that there used to be mixers during each interval for the owners to meet each other. I didn’t see one scheduled when we were there; perhaps they have passed by the wayside.

The people here are a family. We get a weekly newsletter about what is happening with the TIO (Time Interval Owners) and the AOAO (Apartment Owners Association). We know the staff. We see the constant upkeep of the grounds. We learn what is happening in the community. This doesn’t happen with those timeshares where you just buy points to use somewhere else; where the point is just to get some timeshare to get into the system. This isn’t the type of timeshare where people want to sell. This is family.

Way in the back of a cabinet where people leave games and puzzles, I found a notebook: The people of XXX (where XXX is our unit). This was clearly something my dad had put together for each interval to put pictures of their family, perhaps their address. People put in menus and comments on them (and my dad’s distinctive handwriting was all over the place—he really was the outgoing people person). I was probably buried back there, and none of the owners have updated it perhaps since the 1990s. But there was a picture of my parents in there, as well as a picture of my dad and his next wife (my stepmother who just passed away). It was this remarkable time capsule of my parents; a bit of time travel that brought back memories of summer on Maui as a teen. Remember—this was 50 years ago!

Finding that notebook reminded me how special this place is. Perhaps, now that I’m retired, we’ll brave the 5+ hour flight to come out here more years.

Share

Farewell to the Ranch

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy5 Comments

Circle A A1 in the 1990sAbout a month ago, I wrote about my upcoming retirement and why I was retiring. This last week was filled with both trepidation and anticipation. Last Wednesday, I was treated to a wonderful “farewell” party where I heard such kind words and reminisced about my career at Circle A. I also received a lovely signed photoboard that included a picture of the only building that deserved the title of A1 (unlike A9, which is really A1′). Friday, my penultimate day, cemented the fact that although the people would love me to stay, the universe thinks it is time to go. I got to work only to find that someone had moved into the space I had reserved for hoteling; in fact, that space which I had reserved for Friday and Monday as no longer available for hoteling. So I decamped to my old office (A1/3034) and was able to work there, and reserved the only hoteling space on the 2nd floor for my last day. The traffic in both directions made the commute even worse. The universe was saying, “it’s time. You gotta get out of this place.”

There’s a whiteboard outside the 3rd floor elevators in A1′ (nee A9) where people add their “song of the day”. Most of the songs I didn’t recognize, although someone early on added Frank Mill’s Music Box Dancer. Friday I added two songs to the list: (1) The Animal’s We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, and (2) So Long, Farewell from The Sound of Music. The juxtaposition of “We gotta get out of this place / If it’s the last thing we ever do” with “So long, farewell / Auf Wiederseh’n, goodnight / I hate to go / And miss this pretty sight” truly expresses my feelings. I wonder if any of the “kids” will get it, or will have even heard from these two songs that were popular in 1965.

Which brings us to today, Monday, June 30, 2025. Today I retire from Circle A Ranch. Thoughts and memories have been running through my head over the last week, and I wanted to get them down on virtual paper. This is (essentially) the close of a 40+ year career in cybersecurity, although I’ll still be involved through ACSAC for a few more years, and might be back as a retiree casual in 2026 (as long as they don’t require a substantial on-campus presence, and primarily to support my long-term unclass project).

Read More …

Share

T-30 or The R Word Gets Closer

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy7 Comments

As I post this, it is now approximately 30 days until I retire from Circle A, and start the “life of leisure” (which with all of my hobbies, isn’t all that leisurely). I enter this new stage of my life with a mix of hope and fear.

First, why am I retiring? There are a number of reasons, but the primary one is that the fun has gone out of work, because….

  • The technology has advanced beyond my expertise. I grew up in the era of monolithic systems, waterfall models, and the TCSEC. Today, the kids blabber on about Kubernetes, containers, agile development, model-based system engineering, DevSecOps, and more. I feel that fundamental notions of assurance and understanding of fundamental design are being lost. I’m also increasingly lost in the low level minutæ of cryptography and transmission protocols. I can’t add value when I don’t understand the details to know what is wrong.
  • The work friction has been increasing. By this, I refer to things such as return-to-office and changes in the office. Pre-COVID, I had a vanpool and could sleep on the way in, and only drive sometimes on the way back. Now? The commute has always been bad, but without the vanpool (which died during COVID), it is unbearable: 60+ minutes to get in; 90-120 to get home. I no longer have the patience for it. Combine that with a push to return to the office, and I no longer want to waste the time in traffic.
  • The office space situation is also changing in a direction I don’t like. We’ve also gone from private offices at work to cubicles, and now they are talking flow, and commons, and caves, and people having only shared spaces, with having to move to a “telephone booth” to have a private Teams meeting. That might be great when you are coding, but when you are dealing with proprietary meetings and attempting to deeply review documents, it doesn’t work. Management increasingly believes that issues such as the commute or the work environment can be compensated for with emotional support puppies, food trucks, sleep pods, and plants. Perhaps for the “kids” that don’t have lives. For the older folks, it isn’t all that attractive. Oh, and the kicker? The remodeling for this new space starts … June 20. When do I retire? June 30. When I mentioned this, the response was “Now you get to pack up your office 10 days earlier”. Sigh. So, my last 10 days I’ll be working from home or hoteling.
  • Laptops. My work laptop is nearing end of life. When I got it, we could still have admin privileges on laptops, meaning I could easily install all the software I needed to do what I do at work. With a new laptop, I’m going to have to go through the IT support people to get lots of software approved (perl, HTML editors, emacs, mariaDB, PaintShop Pro), and that is pain I no longer want to deal with.
  • Performance reviews. I will be ecstatic when I no longer have to face annual performance reviews. This is not to say I get bad reviews (I get glowing reviews), but there is an increasing emphasis on setting goals, and — even more annoying — the assumption that everyone wants to be a leader or a manager. I’m sorry, but some of us just want to be technical experts sitting in our corner: the person people go to when they need help in specialized areas. We used to have a separate technical track for that, but that seems to have been refocused on technical leadership (i.e., bringing in project funds).
  • I’m also tired of the need to be a salesman. I have a coworker who has a wonderful tool they’ve been developing, and they have the skills to market this tool to leadership well. They’ve tended to develop it in isolation, and so while it touches on my specialty, they haven’t been working with me to ensure that area is correct. On the other hand, I have a tool I’ve been developing since 2009, and I’m not a salesman. It has been a continual fight to get funding for the development of this tool, and I’m just tired of it. People like the tool and what it does, but not enough to provide steady funding for its development.
  • Having a clearance is increasingly stressful. There’s the standard friction of travel restrictions and not talking about the specifics of what one does at the office. With the current administration, there are increasing worries about taking positions that disagree with 47. I just don’t want that sword hanging over me.
  • Then there is the current administration. We have an administration that doesn’t care about science, that is in the “do it fast and break things” mold. They may care about space, but they see it as an unrealistic toy. Further, this administration only wants “wins”, and they don’t necessarily like organizations that provide honest assessments of mission success. And while I did agree with the creation of Space Force (one of the few things Trump did right), what we really need is a Cyber Force. But this administration has no commitment to cybersecurity, based on what they’ve done to CISA, NSF, and how they talk about the RMF. They really don’t care if someone attacks our systems. Given how I care about cybersecurity, I really don’t want to have to work in that environment. Further, I sense some rocky times ahead for the Ranch, even though they might not see it yet.
  • Lastly, I find that it is harder to keep focus when I’m reviewing work documents. I can do a page or three, and then have to do something else for a few minutes. However, when I’m doing my highway research, I can be focused and fall into the rabbit hole of research and history for hours. I find I want to do that more: fall into historical rabbit holes and do that research. That, more than anything else, tells me it is time: I don’t want the last third of my life being spent doing something that isn’t fun and engaging.

So I think it is time to retire. I think I have enough to keep me busy in retirement, from increasing the research on the highway pages, getting more involved with my synagogue’s men’s club, running the conference and other activities, plus picking up some activities I’ve dropped, such as genealogical research. I also want/need to get back into mall and community walking, which stopped after a bout of plantar fasciitis and my wife’s leg injury.

What’s scary about retirement is all of the planning: both insurance-related and financial. I’ve been trying to figure out all of the insurance, and I think I’m just about there. We’ll have retiree medical (which is an Anthem Medicare Plus PPO with Senior Rx Plus plan that folks seem to like well, and we’ve been using the Anthem PPO for years), and I’m arranging for AARP Dental. Medicare is confusing: but we’ve finally got acknowledgments that Part B will be effective 07/01/2025 for both of us.  The retiree medical (monthly) will be the two Medicare Premiums  ($185) plus approx. $225, and it looks like the Dental is about $110.

Finances originally looked good, but then Trump started his tariff games. I won’t give specific numbers on a public forum, but I’m lucky to have a full pension from work. We’ve turned on Social Security for my wife; we’ll turn on mine after I reach 67. We’ve got investments: Roth 401(k), 403(b), IRAs, and normal investment accounts, all of which have been hammered by this administration. So I’m less confident on the investment front than I was originally. We should also start out with a nice chuck of funds from accrued vacation I haven’t used (over 300 hours). I may also, after the required 6-month period, return to Circle A as a Retiree Casual, which provides up to 500 hours a year, no benefit. It could be a useful supplement, and I could still support a specific program that needs my experience.

They make it appear as if retirement is a simple decision. You decide to retire, you pack your desk, and you go home to enjoy your sunset years, driving your RV across the country. The reality is that there are so many decisions you need to make (and often, the time to make them is well before you retire). Where you work, and how long you stay there? Is there a pension plan? Where should you invest, and what type of investment account? Medicare timing, and Medicare parts A, B, C, D, G, N, J. What order do you draw funds from retirement accounts in order to minimize tax? IRMAA, which is an income limit, based on your income two years ago that impacts your Medicare premiums? Will my income keep up with the cost of living?

While working, you don’t realize the simplicity of a weekly paycheck and employer provided healthcare. When you retire, you have multiple income streams, all with different amounts, some of which you need to determine how much to withdraw. It clearly isn’t simple.

Complicating everything here is the 47 administration, which keeps threatening Social Security and Medicare. Even if they don’t do anything, the fear they induce is confusing. But, of course, you know they are going to do something that makes things worse (we’ve already seen this with the SSA and Medicare websites). Then, of course, are their tariff games and tax games, which destroy predictability and tank the markets. Investing was good and strong under Biden. Trump 47 has spooked the market and brought us to the edge of recession. For those who will be depending on investments for income, this is a really bad thing.

I know I want/need to retire. But there is fear that comes with it.

So, I’m entering this last month with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Wish me luck.

Share

Tea Time 2024

Posted onAuthorcahwyguyLeave a comment

It’s been a while, hasn’t it. It looks like I did my last major order tea post back in 2019, but I know I’ve done some major orders since then*. Part of the reason for the break was the pandemic, combined with going to Las Vegas on business and discovering the wonder Sheffield Tea and Spices over on Eastern near St. Rose and picking up a bunch of teas there (there’s also great Cuban and Steak near there). But now the black tea and flavored black tea portion of the tea cabinet is getting low; we’re pretty much down to a bunch of teas we picked up at Point Loma Tea,  plus a few tins we’re finishing from Upton and Sheffield. We’re still pretty good on green, herbal, and chai teas.

So what’s on the order board this time? Note that prices in [ ] are the 2019 prices, for comparison.

First, from Upton tea:

  • TP12: Premium China Keemun.  Often called the burgundy of China teas, this North China Congou is rich, flavorful and appropriate for any time of day. We offer this as our basic Keemun, although it is in the middle range of the standard series. $7.50 [$7.00] / 125g.
  • TA20: Tippy Orthodox FBOP Assam. A uniform, broken-leaf tea with bold character and strong, malty flavor. This tea is a great choice for breakfast and throughout the day. $7.75 [$7.00] / 100g.
  • TB86: Richmond Park Blend. A mellow, whole-leaf blend of Keemun, Ceylon, and Darjeeling. An exceptional tea which is smooth enough for drinking plain, and sturdy enough to take milk or lemon. From our London blender. $9.50 [$8.75] /100g.
  • TB14: Scottish Breakfast Blend. Blended to appeal to those who favor an eye-opening experience in the morning, this tea yields a cup with a round, full flavor, malty notes, and brisk character. A perfect choice to start the day. $7.75 [$6.75] / 125g.
  • TB15: Java BOP Blend.  A rich breakfast blend especially suited for those who enjoy a powerful cup in the morning. This also is a great choice for iced tea. Java teas are never expensive, so you get the best produced for a few cents a cup. $7.25 [$6.25] / 125g.
  • TB02: Leadenhall Street Breakfast Blend.  A tribute to the famous London tea auctions, our Leadenhall Street Breakfast Blend is a blend of two classic British teas: a brisk Ceylon and a thick, malty Assam. The result is a flavorful mixture which lends itself to the addition of milk. 8.50 [$7.00] / 125g.
  • NF90 Naturally Flavored Vanilla Tea.  This naturally flavored, whole-leaf black tea is smooth and rich with creamy vanilla flavor. The aroma is fragrant with notes of sweet vanilla bean. Enjoy this decadent treat any time of day. Note: What works really well is to mix either this or the Caramel Tea half-and-half with Lapsang Souchong or the Baker Street Blend.  $12.50 [$10.50] / 100g.
  • NT01 Naturally Flavored Earl Grey Creme Vanilla.  This naturally flavored black tea selection provides a wonderful balance of a classic Earl Grey with creamy vanilla notes. The rich cup is smooth and satisfying. Note: This is a close approximation to Monks Blend.  $10.25 [$9.00] / 100g.
  • TB49: Darjeeling-Ceylon Iced Tea Blend. Half whole-leaf Darjeeling and half OP Ceylon. A great hot tea as well! The brewing information provided is for making an iced tea concentrate. $10.00 [$7.50] / 125g.
  • ZG20: First Grade Gunpowder Green. Superior grade of green tea in the style of gunpowder teas (tightly rolled tea leaves resembling gunpowder pellets). $6.75 [$5.75]/125g.
  • TB30: Kensington Breakfast Blend.  A bit lighter than our River Shannon Blend, this English Breakfast style tea is a rich blend of Assam, Ceylon, and Keemun. Best with milk. $8.75 [$7.50] / 125g
  • TB75: Baker Street Afternoon Blend.  A bit of Lapsang Souchong is blended with Keemun and Darjeeling, yielding a mildly smoky tea. Perfect for an afternoon uplift. Another special (whole-leaf) blend from our London source of fine teas. $10.00 [$8.75] / 125g.
  • TF92 Naturally Flavored Tropical Black Tea.  A melange of dried papaya, passion fruit and pineapple, blended with a rich black tea, creates a decadent tropical fruit experience. Fragrant and sweet, this tea is wonderful hot or iced. $8.00 [$7.25] / 125g.
  • TD06: Darjeeling BOP Blend. The best value in Darjeeling tea. Broken leaf Darjeeling is often overlooked, either because the price is so reasonable or because too much value is placed on a more stylish leaf. This flavorful BOP blend offers a great cup at a very attractive price. $14.75 [$12.75] / 125g.
  • TC20: Bimbula BOP. This smooth, mellow cup of tea offers classic full-bodied Ceylon flavor. Enjoy it hot or iced. $8.75 / 125g.

From Sheffield Tea, we’re ordering the following. This is our first time doing this by mail; normally we do it in-store. But we don’t have any trips to Vegas planned for a while.

  • Dark Chocolate Black Tea. Remember stealing the chocolate cookies when your mom was baking cookies? Our Dark Chocolate Black Tea will bring back fond memories. We aren’t sure when chocolate was first added to tea or who was responsible for doing it. But we are sure of one thing – thank the gods he or she did it. With each tasting we are consistently impressed by the way the natural chocolate flavoring blends with our Ceylon tea. Heavenly with a dash of milk and a little sugar. $15.90 / 4oz.
  • Berry Tango. Berry Tango is the berry-flavored tea you must have if you can only have one fruity black tea. The raspberry and blueberry flavors dance around in a beautiful performance, bringing strawberries, red currants and other flavors into this choreographed artistic work we call Berry Tango. The lighter nuances of all these fruits when blended with a high quality black tea allows all the flavors to come through. $13.90 / 4oz
  • Blood Orange Tea. Blood Orange Tea has an intense orange flavor, yet has sweetness notes, reminding you of freshly squeezed oranges. A blood orange has some raspberry-like notes, giving it a flavor beyond a traditional orange. We know this tea will be appreciated by our friends who like not just orange flavored teas, but for anyone who appreciates citrus flavors in any tea. To complete the flavor, our blender only uses high grown teas from the top 3 tea growing regions of Sri Lanka – Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula and Uva. The result is a tea worthy of any tea cup when looking for an orange or citrus-flavored black tea. $13.90 / 4oz
  • Chestnut Grove Tea. Chestnut Grove Black Tea was personal favorite from our first sip. It also became an instant hit with our friends from the day we placed it on our shelf, and it continues to be one of top selling teas. We still keep a tin of it at home. Chestnut Grove is unlike any other tea in our store, with it’s unique chestnut flavor. It’s like a hazelnut type flavor with a caramel finish, while using a mellow English Breakfast Tea. It is blended with premium black tea from Sri Lanka flavored with roasted chestnut, with hints of caramel even though it has none. It also has what we characterize a Hazelnut-like finish. The result is a roasty, smooth and full bodied black tea with pleasant dryness.  $15.90 / 4oz
  • Chocolate Mint Black Tea. Chocolate Mint Black Tea is an invigorating cup of creamy chocolate with refreshing mint. Everything and everybody needs a special day right? Well, according to the National Confectioners Association, February 19th is Chocolate Mint Day. Mmmm. That’s a good day. Now we need a Chocolate Mint Tea Day. $15.90 / 4oz
  • Icewine Tea. Our Icewine Tea has the same, grapey flavor you have in a glass of Icewine, just not in a glass. If you are familiar with Icewine, then you know the sweet flavor of which I speak. For this Icewine Tea, our blender uses several black and white teas, Ontario Icewine, Currants and natural flavors. The flavor is complex with nuances of the grapey icewine, pears and berries. Very unique in the tea world and very unique on your tea shelf. You should add a touch of sugar to enhance the flavors. $13.90 / 4oz
  • Monk’s Blend Black Tea. Monk’s Blend Black Tea is one of our most flavorful teas. The dramatic combination of vanilla and grenadine ensures a particular satisfying cup. We’ve had Monk’s Blend since we opened. It’s one of those classic teas, along with Earl Grey, and several others whose history as a flavor goes way back, and has many versions. Regardless of the version you believe, it’s a tea you need to sip, and our version is as good as it gets. $13.90 / 4oz
  • Salty Caramel Black Tea. Salty Caramel Black Tea tastes as good as it sounds. The popularity of Salted Caramel has now extended to tea, and our blender has done a fine job of creating a black tea and capturing the flavor we all love. The smooth caramel flavor is finished with a hint of salt. To further accent the caramel, almond and brittle pieces are added to support the profile. $17.90 / 4oz
  • Samovar Tea. Samovar Tea is our version of what traditionally has been known as Russian Caravan Tea, or just Caravan Tea.  The common tea is Lapsang Souchong, a smoked tea from the Fujian Provence. High quality Lapsang teas have a very distinct smokiness created by drying the tea leaves over pine wood fires. Lapsang provides a base tea and flavor for Caravan teas. We craft our Samovar by starting with our luxury Lapsang Souchong base tea. We blend in Assam from the Assam Valley of India for boldness and to reduce the level of smokiness. We then blend in Formosa Oolong to further moderate the smokiness and add a smoothness. $13.90 / 4oz
  • Vietnamese Black Tea. Yes, a Vietnamese Black Tea. When we decided to expand our teas into additional countries and regions, we looked to Vietnam since we heard so many good reports about the flavor, the aroma and everything we look for in a cup of tea ourselves. They are the 7th largest producer of tea in the world. Most tea drinkers never knew Vietnam even grew tea, let alone a major player, but they are. They produce some of the most delightful teas we have found and at very reasonable prices. This one could be one of your “regular”, daily teas. We found this Vietnam OP tea to sit along side of our Ceylon, Indian, Sri Lanka and other black teas. As far as appearance and color are concerned, a thoroughly processed leaf tea from Vietnam does not differ at all from the far more popular sorts from China. In taste, however, it is far spicier. Not spicy like chile pepper spicy, just a brighter, more lively flavor when compared to your standard English Breakfast tea. This results from the particular fermentation and drying process. Therefore, the quality we offer may rather be compared to a Ceylonese highland type and is, thus, particularly interesting for tea drinkers who like a mild and, at the same time, fully aromatic tea. $13.90 / 4oz
  • Yorkshire Gold Loose Tea. Yorkshire Gold Loose Tea is one of the most popular teas in Britain. Their slogan is “A Proper Brew”. A nation of tea drinkers, and they take their tea seriously. Taylors of Harrogate is a family-owned tea company based in Yorkshire in the rolling countryside. They have been family-owned from it’s founding over 100 years ago. We carry Yorkshire Gold Tea because we have so many British customers who either live in the Las Vegas area, or visit us while in town. Taylors of Harrogate considers Yorkshire Gold their finest blend. They choose teas from the best tea gardens in three origins: Assam, Kenya and Rwanda. They are known for paying more than market for the tea to secure the best teas in the best tea gardens in those countries. This consistent blend produces a very robust, yet very smooth cup of tea. The color is bright and coppery. $13.90 / 4oz
  • Tahitian Breeze. Our Tahitian Breeze is like fruit from the tropics. This fruity flavor evokes a warm breeze through the palms while walking with sand between your toes. Pineapple, Papaya, Apricot and other luxurious flavors will make you yearn for a sandy tropical beach, with a hot or cold cup of Tahitian Breeze in your hand. To highlight the delicious tropical flavors, many will add a dash of sugar. $15.90 / 4oz
  • Blackberry Tea. We have had so many requests for a Blackberry Tea, we had to find one which was worthy of our friends. We feel that we were able to find one which has an outstanding taste and scent to please the most discriminating blackberry lover. We find that as the tea cools a bit, the blackberry flavor develops more. We also found that it makes a great iced tea. $13.90 / 4oz
  • Citrus Green Tea. Our Citrus Green Tea is blended with green tea from China with the delicate flavors of lemon and lime. The clean vegetal notes of the green tea blend seamlessly with the citrus crispness. It is delightfully sweet, lifted by the freshness of the lemon-lime. Not too dry or too citrusy, it is the perfect hot or iced. In fact, it is one of our more popular green teas, especially when steeped then chilled as iced tea. If you like light, citrusy teas or a green tea but with a delicate lemony flavor, then this might become your preferred tea. $15.90 / 4oz
  • Lemon Basil Oolong Tea. Lemon Basil Oolong Tea is a multi-faceted treat. The Oolong tea provides a very smooth flavor as a base. Then our blender adds enough lemon and basil in the right amounts to get your tastebud’s attention. Both flavors are distinctive, but neither is overpowering. The sweet lemony touch and light peppery basil balance is just right. The marigold blossoms highlight the tea and add a bit of color. Tea is a visual experience as well. One sip and you could be hooked, even if you haven’t been an Oolong fan before. We have a lot of requests lemon-flavor teas, so when we found and tasted this Lemon Basil Oolong, we knew we had to offer it to our friends. Lemon and basil are paired in many cuisines around the world, and the combination is no different in a tea…if crafted just right. $19.90 / 4oz

That should last us a while. Sheffield seems to be about twice the price of Upton, perhaps because they are more of a retail location. But they have quite a few unique blends (and they are the only place I find Monks Blend these days). I particular, the Chestnut Blend, the Salty Caramel, and the Lemon Basic Oolong are wonderful and very unique.

Read More …

Share

🍏🍯🍎🍯 L’Shanah Tovah – Happy New Year – 5784

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy

Apple in Honeyuserpic=tallitRosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starts at sundown Friday night, September 15th. Thus, it’s time for my annual New Years message for my family, my real-life, Blog,  Facebook, Universeodon, Dreamwidth, Tumblr, Twitter/X, and AARoads friends (including all the new ones I have made this year), and all other readers of my journal:
(* Yes, it is an old picture. I still find it funny.)

L’Shana Tovah. Happy New Year 5784. May you be written and inscribed for a very happy, sweet, and healthy new year.

For those curious about Jewish customs at this time: There are a number of things you will see. The first is an abundance of sweet foods. Apples dipped in honey. Honey cakes. The sweet foods remind us of the sweet year to come. Apples in honey, specifically, express our hopes for a sweet and fruitful year. Apples were selected because in ancient times they became a symbol of the Jewish people in relationship to God. In Song of Songs, we read, “As the apple is rare and unique among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved [Israel] amongst the maidens [nations] of the world.” In medieval times, writes Patti Shosteck in A Lexicon of Jewish Cooking, apples were considered so special that individuals would use a sharp utensil or their nails to hand-carve their personal hopes and prayers into the apple skins before they were eaten. And the Zohar, a 13th-century Jewish mystical text, states that beauty – represented by God – “diffuses itself in the world as an apple.” With respect to the honey: honey – whether from dates, figs, or apiaries – was the most prevalent sweetener in the Jewish world and was the most available “sweet” for dipping purposes. And as for the biblical description of Israel as a land flowing with “milk and honey,” the Torah is alluding to a paste made from overripe dates, not honey from beehives. Still, enjoying honey at Rosh HaShanah reminds us of our historic connection with the Holy Land. Although the tradition is not in the Torah or Talmud, even as early as the 7th century, it was customary to wish someone, “Shana Tova Umetukah” (A Good and Sweet Year).
(Source: Reform Judaism Website)

Rosh Hashanah ImagesAnother traditional food is a round challah. Some say they it represents a crown that reflects our coronating God as the Ruler of the world. Others suggest that the circular shape points to the cyclical nature of the year. The Hebrew word for year is “shana,” which comes from the Hebrew word “repeat.” Perhaps the circle illustrates how the years just go round and round. But Rosh Hashana challahs are not really circles; they are spirals… The word “shana” has a double meaning as well. In addition to “repeat,” it also means “change”. As the year goes go round and round, repeating the same seasons and holidays as the year before, we are presented with a choice: Do we want this shana (year) to be a repetition, or do we want to make a change (shinui)? Hopefully, each year we make choices for change that are positive, and each year we will climb higher and higher, creating a spiritual spiral. The shape of the Rosh Hashana challah reminds us that this is the time of year to make those decisions. This is the time to engage in the creative spiritual process that lifts us out of the repetitive cycle, and directs our energies toward a higher end.
(Source: Aish Ha’Torah)

There are also apologies, for during the ten days starting Saturday evening, Jews examine their lives and see how they can do better. On Yom Kippur (starting the evening of September 24th), Jews apologize to G-d for their misdeeds during the past year. However, for an action against another person, one must apologize to that person.

So, in that spirit:

If I have offended any of you, in any way, shape, manner, or form, real or imagined, then I apologize and beg forgiveness. If I have done anything to hurt, demean, or otherwise injure you, I apologize and beg forgiveness. If I have done or said over the past year that has upset, or otherwise bothered you, I sincerely apologize, and will do my best to ensure it won’t happen again.

If you have done something in the above categories, don’t worry. I know it wasn’t intentional, and I would accept any apology you would make.

May all my blog readers and all my friends have a very happy, healthy, and meaningful new year. May you find in this year what you need to find in life.

Share

🍏🍯🍎🍯 L’Shanah Tovah – Happy New Year – 5783

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy

Apple in Honeyuserpic=tallitRosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starts at sundown Sunday night, September 25th. Thus, it’s time for my annual New Years message for my family, my real-life, Blog,  Dreamwidth, Google+, Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook friends (including all the new ones I have made this year), and all other readers of my journal:
(* Yes, it is an old picture. I still find it funny.)

L’Shana Tovah. Happy New Year 5783. May you be written and inscribed for a very happy, sweet, and healthy new year.

For those curious about Jewish customs at this time: There are a number of things you will see. The first is an abundance of sweet foods. Apples dipped in honey. Honey cakes. The sweet foods remind us of the sweet year to come. Apples in honey, specifically, express our hopes for a sweet and fruitful year. Apples were selected because in ancient times they became a symbol of the Jewish people in relationship to God. In Song of Songs, we read, “As the apple is rare and unique among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved [Israel] amongst the maidens [nations] of the world.” In medieval times, writes Patti Shosteck in A Lexicon of Jewish Cooking, apples were considered so special that individuals would use a sharp utensil or their nails to hand-carve their personal hopes and prayers into the apple skins before they were eaten. And the Zohar, a 13th-century Jewish mystical text, states that beauty – represented by God – “diffuses itself in the world as an apple.” With respect to the honey: honey – whether from dates, figs, or apiaries – was the most prevalent sweetener in the Jewish world and was the most available “sweet” for dipping purposes. And as for the biblical description of Israel as a land flowing with “milk and honey,” the Torah is alluding to a paste made from overripe dates, not honey from beehives. Still, enjoying honey at Rosh HaShanah reminds us of our historic connection with the Holy Land. Although the tradition is not in the Torah or Talmud, even as early as the 7th century, it was customary to wish someone, “Shana Tova Umetukah” (A Good and Sweet Year).
(Source: Reform Judaism Website)

Rosh Hashanah ImagesAnother traditional food is a round challah. Some say they it represents a crown that reflects our coronating God as the Ruler of the world. Others suggest that the circular shape points to the cyclical nature of the year. The Hebrew word for year is “shana,” which comes from the Hebrew word “repeat.” Perhaps the circle illustrates how the years just go round and round. But Rosh Hashana challahs are not really circles; they are spirals… The word “shana” has a double meaning as well. In addition to “repeat,” it also means “change”. As the year goes go round and round, repeating the same seasons and holidays as the year before, we are presented with a choice: Do we want this shana (year) to be a repetition, or do we want to make a change (shinui)? Hopefully, each year we make choices for change that are positive, and each year we will climb higher and higher, creating a spiritual spiral. The shape of the Rosh Hashana challah reminds us that this is the time of year to make those decisions. This is the time to engage in the creative spiritual process that lifts us out of the repetitive cycle, and directs our energies toward a higher end.
(Source: Aish Ha’Torah)

There are also apologies, for during the ten days starting Tuesday evening, Jews examine their lives and see how they can do better. On Yom Kippur (starting the evening of October 4th), Jews apologize to G-d for their misdeeds during the past year. However, for an action against another person, one must apologize to that person.

So, in that spirit:

If I have offended any of you, in any way, shape, manner, or form, real or imagined, then I apologize and beg forgiveness. If I have done anything to hurt, demean, or otherwise injure you, I apologize and beg forgiveness. If I have done or said over the past year that has upset, or otherwise bothered you, I sincerely apologize, and will do my best to ensure it won’t happen again.

If you have done something in the above categories, don’t worry. I know it wasn’t intentional, and I would accept any apology you would make.

May all my blog readers and all my friends have a very happy, healthy, and meaningful new year. May you find in this year what you need to find in life.

Share

🍏🍯🍎🍯 L’Shanah Tovah – Happy New Year – 5782

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy

Apple in Honeyuserpic=tallitRosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starts at sundown tomorrow (Tuesday) night, September 7th. Thus, it’s time for my annual New Years message for my family, my real-life, Blog,  Dreamwidth, Google+, Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook friends (including all the new ones I have made this year), and all other readers of my journal:

L’Shana Tovah. Happy New Year 5782. May you be written and inscribed for a very happy, sweet, and healthy new year.

For those curious about Jewish customs at this time: There are a number of things you will see. The first is an abundance of sweet foods. Apples dipped in honey. Honey cakes. The sweet foods remind us of the sweet year to come. Apples in honey, specifically, express our hopes for a sweet and fruitful year. Apples were selected because in ancient times they became a symbol of the Jewish people in relationship to God. In Song of Songs, we read, “As the apple is rare and unique among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved [Israel] amongst the maidens [nations] of the world.” In medieval times, writes Patti Shosteck in A Lexicon of Jewish Cooking, apples were considered so special that individuals would use a sharp utensil or their nails to hand-carve their personal hopes and prayers into the apple skins before they were eaten. And the Zohar, a 13th-century Jewish mystical text, states that beauty – represented by God – “diffuses itself in the world as an apple.” With respect to the honey: honey – whether from dates, figs, or apiaries – was the most prevalent sweetener in the Jewish world and was the most available “sweet” for dipping purposes. And as for the biblical description of Israel as a land flowing with “milk and honey,” the Torah is alluding to a paste made from overripe dates, not honey from beehives. Still, enjoying honey at Rosh HaShanah reminds us of our historic connection with the Holy Land. Although the tradition is not in the Torah or Talmud, even as early as the 7th century, it was customary to wish someone, “Shana Tova Umetukah” (A Good and Sweet Year).
(Source: Reform Judaism Website)

Rosh Hashanah ImagesAnother traditional food is a round challah. Some say they it represents a crown that reflects our coronating God as the Ruler of the world. Others suggest that the circular shape points to the cyclical nature of the year. The Hebrew word for year is “shana,” which comes from the Hebrew word “repeat.” Perhaps the circle illustrates how the years just go round and round. But Rosh Hashana challahs are not really circles; they are spirals… The word “shana” has a double meaning as well. In addition to “repeat,” it also means “change”. As the year goes go round and round, repeating the same seasons and holidays as the year before, we are presented with a choice: Do we want this shana (year) to be a repetition, or do we want to make a change (shinui)? Hopefully, each year we make choices for change that are positive, and each year we will climb higher and higher, creating a spiritual spiral. The shape of the Rosh Hashana challah reminds us that this is the time of year to make those decisions. This is the time to engage in the creative spiritual process that lifts us out of the repetitive cycle, and directs our energies toward a higher end.
(Source: Aish Ha’Torah)

There are also apologies, for during the ten days starting Tuesday evening, Jews examine their lives and see how they can do better. On Yom Kippur (starting the evening of September 15th), Jews apologize to G-d for their misdeeds during the past year. However, for an action against another person, one must apologize to that person.

So, in that spirit:

If I have offended any of you, in any way, shape, manner, or form, real or imagined, then I apologize and beg forgiveness. If I have done anything to hurt, demean, or otherwise injure you, I apologize and beg forgiveness. If I have done or said over the past year that has upset, or otherwise bothered you, I sincerely apologize, and will do my best to ensure it won’t happen again.

If you have done something in the above categories, don’t worry. I know it wasn’t intentional, and I would accept any apology you would make.

May all my blog readers and all my friends have a very happy, healthy, and meaningful new year. May you find in this year what you need to find in life.

Share