One of the groups that share the building with Engineering was trying out a different supplier for their group coffee service this morning, they sent out a memo that the supplier was demonstrating by giving free samples of coffee and doughnut holes. I normally drink one cup of coffee in the morning, at home, so I normally don’t use the coffee services but I decided to give it a try. They had samples of two different coffees, Euro and regular. I don’t enjoy my coffee particularly strong (I joke that one co-worker likes his coffee like he likes his women… Strong and bitter lol) but the “regular” tasted too much like decaf for me. I tried a cup of the Euro blend and I liked the flavor but it was just a bit too strong. I noted in my feedback that if I drank it regularly I’d probably mix a cup of coffee half and half, Euro and regular. One reason I never drank much coffee when I was a teen and in college was that I grew up on the Mississippi Gulf coast and since we had a large population of immigrants (mostly Acadian or “Cajun” French, Mediterranean, and eastern European) the normal strength for coffee was European strength. And coffee in that area was often blended with chicory for lower cost and more full-body flavor, so I didn’t really acquire a taste for it.
Growing up on the Mississippi coast was almost like growing up in New England as far as knowing the proper pronunciation of European surnames, due to the immigration. I grew up knowing how to properly (or at least the proper Cajun way to) pronounce “Gautier”, “Thibodeaux”, “Saucier”, and “Cirlot” as well as “Marthaler”, “Delcambre”, “Voividich”, “Khiyet”, and “Versiga”. Come to think of it, I bet the current generation of Cirlots probably write their surname in the Hip-Hop style, “C-Lo” lol!
I had to replace the battery in the GTO this week. Evidently the battery required to turn over a high compression V-8 engine isn't stocked anywhere, Wal-Mart didn't even list a battery to fit my car and all the other places had to get it from the warehouse. I ended up buying the NAPA part, it was a direct OEM replacement and it was over 2 pounds heavier than the Auto Zone and Advance Auto battery according to the published specs. Two additional pounds of lead and electrolyte make for a much more powerful and durable battery, in my experience. I did notice some corrosion getting started in the battery tray, I need to order some rust neutralizing coating and brush it into the tray as part of my maintenance next time I'm under the hood. |