Chocolate tasting

I hosted my first "chocolate tasting" last night. I had a friend and his wife come over last night and Carrie, Naomi, and I hosted them through a mystical journey of delicious Criollo and Trinitario from Ecuador, Venezuela, Madagascar, Bali, Jamaica, and Trinidad. I think that when I go to that chocolate class next month I will have a whole caravan of interested people. Caputo's is going to love me.

Viva Cioccolato!

Close-minded

Who decided that close- or narrow-mindedness should have a direction and a meaning? Who decided that if you agree with a certain vocal group about a given issue such as "gay rights," unintelligent design, or what have you, obviously you are an ignorant fool? Who decided that if you have a moral code that aligns with an organization on any sort of level, certainly you have been brainwashed?

Who decided that if you can't or don't articulate intricate arguments about every issue with bleeding heart passion, you are a simpleton? Who decided that guaranteed rights in the Constitution are mere suggestions unless they fit perfectly with a given ethos?

I am disturbed by the crap hitting the fan with Proposition 8's fallout. People opposing are demanding that there be a recant of the vote because the quiet majority disagreed with them. Religious groups are being attacked as brainwashing centers of ignorant bigots, and Mormons are the bullseye in the target. Mormons tend to disagree with some issues, so they are wrong, evil, and infathomably stupid?

This is truly a phenomenal time in our history. I mean "phenomenon." Apparently some gay rights activists are trying to make connections with the civil rights movement in the 60's, except no one is stopping them from being jerks, let alone civilly responsible. Minorities before 1964 couldn't bring their issues to court barring such fiascoes as Brown vs. Board of Education Topeka, Kansas. Here, the issue was brought to a referendum. The hate was directed by the minority at the groups who ended up on the majority side. Weird twist, huh?

Now in Colorado, someone burned a Book of Mormon at the temple and the act is being investigated as a hate crime, and that is blowing people's mind's? How can you have a hate crime against the majority? Who cares about the majority? They clearly can be lumped into a large, handy group and are all doing just fine.

I will lay out my beliefs. Some people are gay. I don't know why or where it comes from. I am not thinking we should try to "fix" anybody. I think that people in relationships should be able to visit each other in the hospital. I think marriage is one man and one woman. That is what I believe. I have thought about it. I don't take anything like this on any one else's word. I have my own brain that I have been involved in developing. I think for myself, and I disagree with the very vocal people crying foul and brainwashed and stupid and bigot. I feel there is an important need for being able to discuss even very difficult topics civilly and diplomatically. But I may not change my opinion, and I may disagree forever. And some people may just have to learn to deal with that, and some may agree with me. Basically, we all need to be nice. My mom taught me that.

Pictures...of the cars

From 2008

From 2008

Music Therapy

I thought, up until relatively recently, that I was a weirdo for the following observation. I have found that when I am frustrated or angry, soft or chill music seems to piss me off. Why? I had no clue until recently. I have found that when I am feeling aggressive, matching music chills me out pretty quickly.

A few months ago I mentioned this to a friend/coworker. He said he understood and agreed that the same worked for him. I thought perhaps he and I are freaks together, but I have learned better. 

I have have come to understand that trying to change my emotions is pointless and a little stupid. However, if I accept that I am feeling whatever it is that I am feeling and just identify it and with it, it will pass to be replaced by the next one. Carrie has caught on to this, and there are times when some typically Utah idiot does something completely stupid on the road or something and I get all worked up. When this happens, I will ask Carrie for a particular CD to listen to for 3 songs or so. Then I am all relaxed and ready to continue. Carrie has even picked up that I like to just focus on the song and sing along or think about the music or the guitar part in particular, and she lets me zone for a few minutes, and then I am generally just fine.

This is rather counter to everything my parents tried teaching me my whole life - everything pretty much everyone has told me my whole life. It is funny, because my family is not one to harness and/or embrace emotions, but instead we tend to denigrate emotions we deem unfit or unworthy. It is dumb because, like it or not, everyone has emotions of all kinds. Trying to unnaturally prevent or sabotage them just breeds conflict and confusion and unrest. Thus, a little Soundgarden or Deftones or Chevelle can do a lot people a lot of good. I would love to hear people's thoughts.

TRUE LOVE

So - Last week Carrie facilitated me in doing some things that were, in a word, awesome. Thursday, she was supportive of me going to watch a movie a rich dude's place so I could see and sit in his Lamborghini Murcielago Spider, and watch Iron Man on a home theater that would blow any mere mortal away. Full Stadium seating, a 20' wide screen, electrically reclining seats with personal blankets. Awesome.



Then, Friday, she took to a chocolate expo at the expo center in Sandy. There was a lot of crappiness there, but that did not overshadow the two really awesome exhibitors. One is a store in Salt Lake called Caputo's that sells southern European foods including a huge variety of high-end chocolates. They had some truffles made by the guy who makes the truffles for the French Laundry - the most acclaimed restaurant in the country. I had a pumpkin chocolate truffle that blew me away.

Then they had this wall of amazing chocolates with chocolate experts and samples. I learned about the varieties of cacao beans and the differing qualities based on location and growing practices. Then I got to sample them for myself like Chuao by Amadei - widely considered the best chocolate in the world several years running. It is from a bean grown in a specific location in Venezuela. I had some chocolate from (bean source - the chocolate makers were primarily European) Jakarta, Bali, Madagascar, Trinidad, Ecuador, Grenada, etc. We bought some chocolate from them and what we have had so far is incredible. For those who don't like typical really dark chocolate (~70% or so from Lindt or others), you may have a different reaction to the high end stuff.

The other great exhibitor is Amano - an Orem based chocolate maker who is making the best chocolate in the country right now. They source their beans from specific plantations and make one-source bars. I bought a couple regional bars from them (we spent a pretty penny on awesome chocolates), but have not eaten (I "taste" - I don't merely consume) them yet. I had samples and got one each of Carrie's and my favorites.

Caputo's has a chocolate tasting class that I plan to attend when I can. I am very excited about that. I have decided that I will be a connossieur of chocolates. It is a relatively new thing (70% bars have only been showing up since the mid 80's), and it isn't that expensive, and it isn't alcoholic. Wine is ridiculous with the price and complexity and whatnot, and it is evil. Pure evil. Chocolate is goodness in a bar. Love the chocolate.

My point in all this is to say that Carrie knows me, and I love that she does stuff like this for me. It makes me feel all special and loved. Also, it allowed me to get a bunch of world-class chocolate, and there is no going wrong with that.

Various

So . . . 

Morgan (my brother-in-law - just in case there is another person reading this besides him and Carrie) read my last post, and he commented saying that he actually liked my pretending to be a motorcycle writer. Naturally, I was encouraged when I read that. Perhaps I will write more than once every other month or so. 

There is a writer for Automobile magazine who is my favorite writer in the world with J. K. Rowlings coming in second. His name: Ezra Dyer, and he has his own column entitled "Dyer Consequences" that is just fantastic. I commonly force Carrie to read it, and I even got my mom chuckling reading it while she was out here. My mom chuckling about a guy driving a Lamborghini - truly a testament that Ezra Dyer is more than a car writer. I don't know my point in saying this other than to subliminally persuade you all to read his stuff.

Anyway, at the times when I get all write-y, I would love some good blasting feedback from the snobs among you to develop my writing chops. Please understand this going in (if it is not painfully clear by simply knowing me): I am sarcastic and/or joking at all times. But Carrie, Chanda, Jennifer, Morgan (that is the complete list of people I know have looked at my blog), if you like anything, or especially hate anything, I would be jiggled to hear about it.

So - I went to SEMA last week. SEMA is the Specialty Equipment and Marketing Association which is basically the organization of the makers of absolutely everything a person can buy for their car or truck after they buy the car or truck. It would have been hellish torture for people who have even a mild interest in cars, but euthanasia for most of my relatives. Seriously, if almost any of my siblings, in-laws, or parents were very sick but did not feel comfortable with pulling life support or taking a more pro-active approach, I could take them to the SEMA show under the guise of bonding at the end, and upon sight of the Las Vegas Convention Center bedecked with truckloads of car-ish paraphernalia, the eyes would close for the last time, and the last breath would be an indignant, frustrated sigh. I would get past it quickly, though, because they have Lamborghinis there!!!

Anyway, the show is not merely a show to say - look! new cars! It has companies that make fast cars faster, slow trucks slower and stupider, and mundane things eye-blindingly flashy. Sometimes, a booth like Pirelli tires will have some race cars and maybe a Lamborghini Reventon just to say "We make tires that people put on these. Imagine how much awesomeness will rub off on you if you put our crappy all-season tires on your Corolla." For the perceptive among you, Lamborghini is a oddly long and Italian name prevalent today. Seeing the Reventon was hard-hitting.

There was some seriously awesome machinery and products there, but it turns out that actually cool things are the diamond in the rough. For every functional turbo kit, there was a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe convertible on some 24" wheels. For every real piece of aerodynamic coolness, there was a Hummer on 32" or bigger wheels. I got a picture of a 42" wheel!!! That is 3 1/2 feet of metal hoop waiting to rupture the kidneys and herniate the spinal discs of the fool who puts a set of wheels like that on their car.

Slammed old hot rods and brightly painted supercars with ridiculous wheels, and scandalous "models" were everywhere. Luckily, there was enough rough to provide plenty of Diamonds. I saw a Ducati Desmosedici RR motorcycle ($72,000 for the most awesome/extreme road-going bike on the planet), some cool new Hyundais (past me wants to reach forward in time and pimp slap future me - but they are cool and good cars now - some of them), a Formula1 car, Travis Pastrana's Rally America car, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Corvettes (including 1 of the new ZR1's - the most expensive and extreme Corvette e er), Aston Martins, Daytona Prototype Race cars, Nissan GTRs, etc. 

When it comes down to it, though, I was wanting more. I am not sure what else I wanted, but I could have handled some seat time with it, I suppose. Maybe I was just disgusted with the wretched bling excess. Maybe I wanted to meet some of my racing or tuning heroes from recent times or past glory days. Or maybe, I just wanted to see my ultimate dream car: the McLaren F1. There is no substitute - forget that Porsche propaganda. I loved that Lambo, though. I should have some pictures at some point soon.

Well, this has been scatterbrained and a little fun. Enjoy!

Motorcycle mania

So, Adam (my youngest brother at 19) made it into the MTC this week without significant drama, and we had fun with my mom staying with us this week. She even made bread! I came home for lunch one day kind of randomly, and several loaves and a pan of rolls still warm from the oven awaited - it was awesome.

Anyway, my mom was asking what my ideal job would be after school since now the end is in sight. I had a few fun ideas including designing race cars, high performance OE cars, et cetera. Then the real ideal hit me - automotive/motorcycle/guitar journalist. And honestly, writing about guitars ranks far behind the other two, though I would still take it.

So yesterday was fun for me at least. First, after sending Mom off to the airport, I went to play guitar with friends Austin and Erik. It was my first time to play with a drummer. A few weeks from now our betrothed bassist will join us when his senior film project is wrapped up. It was cool, but I saw a lot of need for improvement for me. I am certainly the weakest link in our fledgeling "band." My concept for starting the band is to play whatever sort of music strikes any of us from, as I tell people, bluegrass to metal to house/trance. 

Side note - Carrie is playing with the girls in a traditionally me fashion - laying on the floor as they swarm over her. This sounds bad, but I am much better at being trampled than her. I respond coolly to the tortuous subjections of my daughters so they stay cheerful at least, if not calm. Carrie worries a bit more which lends some tension to the girls. There is something I do "better" as a parent! Yea! I have a niche!

So anyway, on to later yesterday. Last week, I went to the local Aprilia store to test ride a Shiver 750SL with my friend Will. It was a fun, fast and comfortable bike, but it left me feeling a bit cold. The steering was a bit heavy, and something was missing. I just didn't love it. I certainly liked it, but it was not a striking machine. That said, I rode a Tuono R (998 cc 60 degree V-Twin) yesterday, and aside from an ever-so-slightly less comfortable riding position due to the higher pegs, I liked everything else about it more than the Shiver. Also, aside from the cost. The Tuono starts at about $5500 more. 

Getting on the Tuono with the engine running was exhilarating before even putting the stand up. The engine is raspy and crisp. It revs quickly, and the revs fell just as soon as I released the throttle. The bike is essentially a Mille RSV sport bike shorn of its full fairing and given a single-piece handlebar raised a few inches. The chassis is largely the same, and the peg position is virtually the same. I will admit being a little nervous and shaky as I put my helmet and gloves on, putting the stand up, and kicking that sweet shifter down into gear.

As I throttled away, it pulled smoothly with the engine behaving itself at low speeds with a gentle on/off throttle transition. Tooling my way out of the parking lot saw me noticing the nice dash and learning the basic controls like the turn signals and horn - which would have been better to notice before rolling off. Pulling on to the street, the power came on smoothly and easily. Going slow is doable and natural, but a quick flick of the wrist leaves speed limit signs feeling unloved in a hurry.

I only stalled once, and I still feel like a man because the clutch is a bit more than I am used to with my bike having 1/4 the engine. So I should qualify that: I still feel like a man with a 250. I could stand having a gear position indicator so I don't have to count like most other 2-wheeling plebians out there. I feel confident I am above such banalities. When I got to my second stop sign, I made my right and saw a bit of no one in front of me and thought it a good time to feel the power of a Rotax twin. I saw a healthy multiple of the speed limit (which is certainly too low - Utah is conservative in many ways) fast. The brakes work great, too.

As I approached my first and only roundabout in my test loop, I wondered how much speed I dared carry. I stayed conservative - the bike isn't mine. Further, I want to stay married, and buying a wrecked Italian exotic could strain that status. The Tuono stayed incredibly composed and stable, but I was going slow. As I got to the underpopulated side of the freeway, I felt the urge to open a gap between me and the car ahead. So I stopped. Then I promptly closed that gap. I have read of the bike's propensity to go one-wheeled, so I leaned forward and kept it sticky side down, expensive side up. And the bike rips. When I start talking to myself aloud in my helmet, that generally means that I am liking what is going on. I was bordering on schizophrenic.

The next while was spent following other cars in light traffic, and it gave me time to notice that it is quite easy to miss the turn signal switch and honk Turret's style at random houses I passed. Turning back on to the major thoroughfare I discovered a trait I had not noticed before in the articles I have read - low RPM in higher gears and big throttle movements are not welcome here - downshift necessary. Back on the throttle, and the smile again masticized over more and more of my face. I turned back off the major road to hit a few more corners before I returned the bike to safety. The bike leans and corners with incredible composure - it feels like gravity changes direction temporarily the way it maintains stability even at healthy lean angles. That said, I had a lot more lean clearance to explore, but again, public roads and tester bike. I had a little more time in regular traffic, and I was surprised by a lack of apparent reaction from my fellow roadsharers. The bike just plain behaves and is comfortable. I has having visions of commuting, road-tripping, and canyon-blasting in sublime serenity and comfort. 

Upon returning, I was happy and sad. Happiness is obvious in this particular situation to most people with a pulse, but the sadness was that I won't be able to buy one for a while. The used prices are going down, and it sounds like even the early models have comparable performance, comfort and features which is easy to understand given the model's relatively short life thus far.

Now I will need to try the Speed Triple from Triumph before I pass final judgement on my dream future bike. As of now, I want to go Italian.