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Confessions of a Coffeeholic

I have a confession: I love coffee.

I don’t remember when I had my first sip of coffee, but I certainly remember my best. I was in a small cafe in Bordeaux, France. It was an espresso, in a small eggshell white cup. I dropped in a cube of sugar, stirred it and sipped it while I talked with a close friend. Even now my senses are erupting with the bitter-sweet flavors. Since then, I’ve come to appreciate coffee as more than just a caffeine boost; although, I do call it RobotFuel (that’s more of a corporate zombie joke). I don’t claim to make the best coffee, or even to know where it’s at. I’m certain that Starbucks doesn’t make it, and that Seattle’s Best isn’t quite so.

There are plenty of ways to make coffee and perhaps endless ways to serve and consume. I’d like to discuss a few of the ways I have been doing coffee. To me, coffee is an experience. You eat food and drink water to live. You drink coffee to live well.

Slow Coffee

I have a small Bodum french press I was given from a friend in Seattle for the weekends and when I have a little extra time. I prefer to press the coffee because I think it leaves a fuller and smoother flavor. I usually top it off with a shot of Monin syrup. I prefer the Vanilla or the Maple, but they have a great line up. I’ve been told, by many a signature barista in Bend, Eugene and Portland, OR, that the trick to coffee is in the grind and filter. I’m sure there are better authorities, but there are a few things the people of the Pacific Northwest do as good as any others: coffee, craft beer, cycle and mountain climb. Accept it.

I always grind the coffee the day I make it and clean the filter. I don’t use bottled water, since Bend water is so great. I do have a Cusinart grinder, with variable speeds and grinds that my fiancé gave me last year for my birthday. I really didn’t know what I was missing until then. Other than that, I keep it pretty simple.

RobotFuel for the Work Week

When I’m pressed for time and getting up in the morning, I like to program my coffee maker to do all the work. It’s nice to have a hot cup of coffee waiting for you after a brisk morning run. I usually grind up some Stumptown coffee, from Portland, Oregon, or something new at Starbucks if I haven’t been in Oregon for a while. I set my coffee maker the night before and add some creamer when I finish my run.

I have a Hamilton Beach 10-cup coffee maker, not for any particular reason, I picked up for my apartment. I did discover some great features later though. This particular model, shown below, has a ten-cup thermal craft that’s safe for road trips or vacations in the cabin. I don’t have to worry about setting on the floor of the car and burning a whole through the carpet like that acidy spit from the movie Aliens. Plus, it keeps warm for a pretty fair amount of time.

When I don’t require refuels, there is a “cup” mode that allows me to use one or two cups. That’s great for the morning self-brew. I can just pick up the cup and head right out the door. It’s a home run. I’m not saying you should through out your coffee maker, but if you’re in the market for a new one. This one has my vote.

Form and Function

Good coffee is great. Great coffee is better. Either one without a bad ass mug is under appreciated. I don’t know why, but I tend to pick up my mugs from World Market. It’s probably their cheeky line-up and inexpensive prices. No, that’s exactly what it is. I picked up the stackable mugs shown below for $10 and $15 bucks. I have one for coffee and one for cereal. They save a lot of space in an apartment and add a little color to the counter. The same goes for my bad ass Einstein coffee mug that was gifted to me by my little sister. I can’t say for certain that a good mug makes coffee taste better, but it sure makes you feel better when starting the day.

I mean, I need all the people in my corner I can get in the mornings. I constantly looking for a better cup and new experiences. Currently, I’m thinking about the Italian style press. I don’t think I’ll stop until I get back to France. Beep.

Peanut butter coffee time...

Posted by Blog3PO | August 20, 2011 | Categories: Coffee, health, Review | Tags: bend, Bodum, Bordeaux, coffee, coffee beans, coffee grounds, Cuisinart, Espresso, eugene, France, french press, grind, grounds, hamilton beach, mug, mugs, portland, press, Seattle's Best, stackable mugs, starbucks, stumptown, stumptown coffee, stumptown roasters, thump, thump coffee, vero, vero espresso, World Market | Leave A Comment »

Summer Playlist: Cut Copy Taste

Summer Playlist: Cut, Copt, Taste

Well, summer’s in full swing, and I’ve found that I’ve created an accidental summer soundtrack. I’m sure that there are some familiar names and sounds on here; although, I don’t know that I’ve heard any of the songs take off. I really like these musical ensemble, and I know that anyone of them could take off anytime. So, here are some musical accompaniments for your next jog, hookah session, road trip or camp fire. Enjoy…

You can listen to this mix HERE. I used 8tracks, which I found via Mashable.com, to upload and create this mix: HERE…

Bibio’s “Take Off Your Shirt” on their Mind Bokeh.

The Veronicas’ “Untouched” from the Untouched album.

Abandon’s “Feel it in Your Heart” on the Control Albulm.

Holy Ghost!’s “Say My Name” on their self titled album.

Beth Ditto’s “I Wrote the Book” on Beth Ditto’s self titled EP.

Mac Miller’s “On and On” from the On and On Single LP.

Dj Boul’s “Freaky I Iz” single, feat. Kevin McCall, Swizz Beatz, Diesel and Chis Brown.

Auburn’s “La, La, La” single feat. Iyaz.

Patrick Stump’s “This City (Radio Edit)” single feat. Lupe Fiasco.

Good Old War’s “That’s Some Dream” of their self titled albulm.

Owl City’s “Deer In the Headlights” single.

Two Door Cinema Club’s “What You Know” on the Tourist History Album

Timothy Bloom’s “‘Til the End of Time” single feat. V.

Cut Copy’s “Need You Now” on the Zonoscope album, the bonus version.

Say Hi’s “Dots on the Map” on the Uh, Uh Oh albulm.

La Vida Boheme’s “Radio Capital” single.

Full Discolsure: The last one’s in spanish. ENJOY ANOTHER CULTURE! Try it. Do it. Beep.

Posted by Blog3PO | August 18, 2011 | Categories: music, Summer | 2 Comments »

More Coaching on the Nike+ Site

My Top Four Features for the Nike+ Site

Last post, I explained some of the features of Nike+ and walked through how I use it to push my runs and extract info-graphics. Perhaps the only running coach that would be more effective might look something like Joe Pesci on a segue with a bull horn. I’m not going to kill you with such a lengthy post, plus the Nike+ people have some great tutorials built in to their site. Instead, here are my top four Nike+ online features:

1. Community Heat Map

Nike + Community Map

The Nike+ community heat map shows the areas of the country with the higher amounts of logged runs that glow. These glowing areas of the “heat” map indicate the highest use areas with red, as seen in this picture. The Nike+ diamonds with the numbers in them indicate “Top Routes” that users have shared into this community. These shared runs are for the community to explore. I like this feature when I’m traveling and am not sure where to catch a great run. You can read the bio online and look at the distance to get a feel for the run.

When I was staying down in San Diego, it was fun to see the separate districts that flared up. I spent most of my time running the Pacific Beach portion of San Diego, but then I noticed some great runs more inland, near Balboa park and, of course, Coronado Island. This is pretty handy for travel, but it’s just plain fun to see where your neighbors are running, and where they are not. I mean, if you’re running with a six-hundred-dollar phone on your arm, you might want to stay on well lit paths with other people.

2. Seeing Your Routes

My Nike+ Running Routes

I’m a sucker for some info-graphics. Maybe that’s a nerd thing. Maybe that’s a millennial thing. I don’t know, and I don’t care. I do know that I love to look at the graphs of my runs to see the relative distances and times in accordance to the months. I think it’s fascinating to see the data, draw conclusions and then to try and tweak the variables next month. For instance, I need to run more in the spring.

Here in this photo, you will see a set of orange bars that represent the relative distance of a run and its corresponding date. On the map, you will see the Nike + diamonds that illustrate how many routes you have in those respective regions.

3. Runalytics

Nike+ Runalytics

This feature is, perhaps, the most fun to look at. Nike takes your run, pulls out the pace and elevation, and they plot it in a graph with your distance splits. If you weren’t running for a team with a country for a title, I don’t know why you would need this data. That being said, I’ll take it! Who else is going to tell me that it took me two and half more minutes to run up a 420ft incline? No one. Most of this data speaks for itself. I probably should have used a more flattering run, but LOOK AT THE ELEVATION! C’mon.

4. Pace Data

Nike+ Pace Data

The last sick feature on the Nike+ site is the pace data they provide. The blue pace line from the last graphic are placed on this google map image and set by color to indicate changes in pace during the run. On the bottom of the page, you can see the color key indicating speed (where red is the slowest). On the map, you can also see the long swatch of red that is the visualization of me getting my butt kicked by a 420ft incline. On flatter runs and if you have enough data sets, you can see where you tire out on some runs.

I’m sure there is no lack of information you could derive from the Nike+ graphs. I don’t even know if it’s particularly useful for people that don’t run distances that require a K. I do know that I get a kick out of it and it doesn’t cost you anything to use.

Posted by Blog3PO | August 13, 2011 | Categories: iPhone, Nike, Running, Sports, Tech | Tags: 5K, community, data, elevation, Google, Google earth, Google Maps, GPS runs, graphics, info graphics, infographics, maps, millennials, Nike, Nike Plus, Nike running, Nike+ GPS, pace, routes, run, running, running coach, running tips, runs, splits, top routes | Leave A Comment »

Digital Running Coach with Nike+

Get Fast: Nike+ App

What most runner don’t know they need.

Nike+

I consider myself to be an avid runner. I try to run at least three multiple-mile runs a week. I run to stay in shape, to keep my ticker running smoothly, to maintain my ability to eat things I should’t and to de-stress some first-world-issues.

I’m 27-years-old. I’m not going to the Olympics. Yet, that doesn’t mean that I don’t want a coach running behind me with a cattle prod pushing me to run faster. Besides the possible legal ramifications for the aforementioned crime, I don’t know anyone that wants to run in the Yuma sun at 6 or 7 in the morning. Instead, I turned to Nike+ for running support.

I use the Nike+ GPS (downloadable here) running application on my iPhone 4; although, you can use it Nano or Touch with the purchase of a Nike+ sensor for $20. I suppose you could probably use an iPad as well, but there are obvious reasons why you might refrain.

The sensor has to link up via bluetooth if your device has it, or to an attachment you can buy in a pack for $30, which includes the sensor. Now, you can buy some Nike+ shoes with spaces in the heel for sensors, or you can buy an external pouch that attaches to your laces. I use the Nike+ GPS, so my phone has the sensor already. Also notable: Polar Wearlink offers a heart-rate monitor that links with the system and retails for $70. I’m not this obsessed. I do recommend a good arm band. Make sure you pull on it to make sure it’s durable though.

How it works, with you.

Nike+ history function

I run in the mornings for at least two miles, which means I run for at least 10 minutes. Usually more like 14 or 16 depending on the heat and motivational variables. I like to lace up, throw in some ear buds and hit the track, so to speak. The best thing about running with my iPhone is that I can select my running playlist, “C Bry Run” (a play on C Dos Run, if your old enough to get that). There are the “basic,” “time,” and “distance” running options. I like to free run on basic, but the other two functions are pretty helpful. These are the coach from Rocky options.

You can select a “time” interval from 5 to 60 minutes and the App will give you minute splits to push you. The “distance” intervals range from 1k to 5k, with a “half-marathon,” “marathon,” and “custom.” This is a feature I really like. I’ve used the distance “5k” interval to push training before timed running events. I especially like the mid run split updates and time updates that you can toggle.

If you need the motivation, you can also turn on cheers. Cheers is a feature in the App that gives you positive feedback after a run in the form of a celebrity/sports star congratulatory praise. You will get them for personal bests in time, speed, rate and for out running previous weeks. I mostly just like to hear my splits after a hard run.

The Tunes and Power Song Options

Nike+ mapping data

Another awesome feature on the App, is that you can skip songs with a really simple GUI interface they display while you run. BTW, the interface has a left arm and right arm function that pretty useful if you like to keep your heart rate up and spend less time staring at your arm. You can use the interface, or the standard iPhone headphones to toggle forward and backwards through your playlist for just the right soundtrack.

If that soundtrack happens to be you getting your butt kicked by 2% incline, well there is also a “power song” option. When you need that little extra motivation to finish a hill, you can play songs you previously selected as power songs to start playing in sequence. I usually use this option when my running coach tells me that I have a couple hundred meters left in a run. It’s like a NOS button to my brain to get my legs in gear.

The Feedback Factor

One of my favorite features on the Nike+ App is that I can mess around with the data. I run a lot, but I work a lot too. I like that my phone stores my running data so that I can access it later. I keep a running journal to log all my miles, some for bragging rights, so that I can graph the data and see how much I run in certain months and over the course of the year. Plus, it’s nice to have a hard copy of my runs, plus the ones that I do when my phone is dead and charging or out of GPS range.

Disclosure: I set out to run 365 miles this year, one for every day. I didn’t know how far I’d get, especially with work, but I’ve logged in over a 150 miles so far this year and were over half way. Maybe next year.

It’s also nice that the App keeps and maps your running routes on them. I like this data because I LOVE to change up my routes. I get really bored watching the same block after block. I use the map data on the online site to plan new routes in previously unexplored housing tracks and trails to tailor new runs. You can also pull up runs individually to check splits and mile times. Nerd disclosure: I have a graph for this data too.

In all, I absolutely love this app and stand firmly behind it. I’ve been running with it for at least two years now and have tried several other very disappointing applications. I do understand that some of you may not want to spend the money on a new Apple product, or you may already have a different cell manufacturer, but let’s face it: If you read this far, you probably already have an iPhone.

Posted by Blog3PO | August 11, 2011 | Categories: health, iPhone, Nike, Review, Running, Sports, Tech | Tags: 5K, apple, GPS, heart rate monitor, iPad, iPhone, iPhone 4, iPod, iTunes, jogging, marathon, mile, nano, Nike, Nike running, Nike+ GPS, running, running coach, running tips, tips, touch, tutorial | Leave A Comment »

Rant: A Cable Dilema/Best Advice?

Ashton Kutcher dispenses credit advice to teens. Photo: Getty

Let’s preface this conversation by admitting two things. One. I don’t care for cable TV. I think television is a waste of time – at least, for me it is. It never seems to end. With the exception of Local news, I’d rather watch a movie that I really want to see for one dollar at the Redbox, than to sit and watch 5 hours of mindless programming. Also, I would rather read an article or a book instead. I find it more stimulating and less asymmetric.

For some reason, cable TV always turns into a snowballing effect of cheap consumerism and an infinite loop of similar formatting. What? Law an Order was a hit? Well, let’s make three more. Then comes CSI, and CSI, and CSI, and NCIS, and Bones, and Cold Case, and so on, and so on…

In fact, I’m now going to describe a show that will debut sometime next year with a hundred percent accuracy: Some form of law enforcement stitches together a crime using minute details and an ensemble of would be motives, peppered with one-liner quips, and it all culminates in a twisty ending of resolution. Maybe I should head out to Hollywood and write pilots and scripts? No thank you. I don’t think there is parking for high horses in Hollywood. Wait, what am I saying? Of course there is.

Which brings us to our next admittedly, embarrassing guilty point. Two. While flicking between two local news stations last night, I happened to watch, for a whole hour, the Teen Choice Awards. I know, I know. Enough said. I said I felt guilty already.

So, I was watching the Teen Choice Awards long enough to learn that Will I Am will stick anything on his head, and that Ashton Kutcher poked some congressional ribs with the guise of shelling out the ‘best advice he ever received’ to the teens present and viewing. Ashton Kutcher said, “Don’t ever charge anything on a credit card if you don’t already have the money in the bank to pay for it.”

Having studied journalism and PR, I instantly started to think about the venue and delivery of the message. After overanalyzing the bit, I came to an understanding. Although I would ‘generally’ — emphasis on the generality — agree that this information is sound advice. Seeing as how we are a consumeristic society, I’d say that’s great advice to hand out to teens coming into the marketplace and, most notably, this economy. I’d also say that, like most generalities, that was a really simplistic view. I’d say that there is some merit to responsible borrowing. I think there are plenty of lawyers, doctors and mortgage holders (assuming they were given prime rates and realistic lending) that could prove that point.

Seeing as how the average credit debt among card holders is $6,500 a year, and that 46-percent of American carry a balance and 13-percent cary a balance over 10,000, that seems to be sound advice (although, most statistics I’ve seen, even surveys, place this estimate at ‘very conservative’). So, this ‘sound,’ if not overly simple, advice seems to be receiving a welcome, or at least tacit, reception from what I’ve read online. I would, however, ask why no one cares that it comes from someone who doesn’t really ever need to borrow money and who’s sole deserving function of that merit is screen acting. And, of course, the big question:

What does it mean when American teenagers are receiving their credit advice from a wealthy-elite actor who has been selected to replace ‘resident bad boy’ Charlie Sheen on “Two and Half Men”?

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike Ashton Kutcher. In fact, I like his acting. In all accounts, he seems like a smart and likable guy. I didn’t watch “No Strings Attached,” but I’m one of the few people that loved and still like “The Butterfly Effect.” I’d still rather live in a world where actors didn’t have to deliver apparently-not-so-common-sense to teens and politicians could sort out America’s issues without the decorum of a kindergarden name calling match… Beep.

Posted by Blog3PO | August 8, 2011 | Categories: Rant | Tags: Ashton, Ashton Kutcher, Bones, cable, Cold Case, consumerism, credit, credit cards, credit debt, CSI, journalism, Law and Order, NCIS, public relations, red box, spending, teen choice, teen choice awards, television, tv, Will I. Am | Leave A Comment »

Unprecedented Ducks. U of O Football Ranks 3rd

Photo: Bryan Longoria's iPhone

University of Oregon Ducks Rank 3rd

The University of Oregon’s football program ranked No. 3 in the USA Today coaches poll released yesterday. This is the highest preseason ranking ever in Ducks’ history. The Ducks, generally known for their 1,280 possible uniform selections (not including throwbacks), received a lot of attention last year when a couple of students and avid Duck enthusiast, titled Supwitchugurl, achieved local pop stardom with catchy Duck Football songs.

Previously, Oregon’s highest ranking was that of 8th place in 2001. Oregon’s recent jettison into NCAA prominence comes after a back-to-back bowl games, one for the BCS title, and a 12-0 regular season where the Ducks held the number one spot for eight consecutive weeks.

Oklahoma came in with a commanding 42 ’1st ranked’ votes out of the 59 coaches, with Alabama – Roll Tide – taking 13 of the votes. Oregon, ranked 3rd, and LSU, ranked 4th, took two votes each. Coincidentally, Oregon will have a chance to battle it out with LSU in their week 1 season opener. That game will take place on Saturday, Sept. 3rd in Arlington, Texas.(Also, it is notable that the Ducks have already included the Pac-12 Championship Game on their 2011 football schedule with a location “TBD”)

Stanford takes a notable No. 6 ranking as the only other Pac10 team of the top-25 listed. Other PAC 10 mentions include Arizona State with 158 votes, Arizona with 28, Oregon State with 4 and Washington with 3. This is certainly going to be another exciting season for Duck fans. I’m interested in seeing how Stanford does, they were a real sleeper last year… Beep.

Posted by Blog3PO | August 5, 2011 | Categories: Go Ducks!, Nike, Sports | Tags: Alabama, Arizona, ASU, Autzen, BCS, BCS ranking, Beavers, blog, Cougers, Ducks, Ducks Football, ESPN, football, Huskies, LSU, NCAA, Nike, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon Ducks, PAC 10, PAC10, Roll Tide, Sooners, sports, Stanford, Sun Devils, supwitchugurl, University of Oregon, USA Today | Leave A Comment »

Picture much? iPhone 4 camera lenses?

Photo: Steven Sande of Tuaw.

Own a private investigation firm? Work for TMZ? Do you just want straight up better shot options from your cell phone? Well, the people at Photojojo have several new lenses, seen here with an iPhone 4, to attach to your cell phone.

The three lenses modify the image to make 1. fishlens, 2. telescopic (2X) and 3. wide angle effects. Steven Sande, Tuaw’s features editor, illustrates the lenses respective capabilities with intimate voyer shots into his beautiful backyard. You can catch his play-by-play analysis and photographs here.

Sande explains several key issues you could guess by looking at the lenses. 1. There is no magical mounts for add-on attachments. There is a sticky adhesive ring on the back to attach to your camera, but who wants sticky adhesive on their iPhone or case? Plus, you aren’t going to want that lens in your pocket or purse, and you would lose the ability to hot swap. You know, because now you are going to want to take feverish photo sessions with your cat.

2. These are not going to deliver digital SLR camera pixel rates. But then again, they aren’t going to deliver digital camera lens rates as well. That’s right, now you can spruce up for a date that doesn’t require plastic trays and the option to upgrade your drink.

You can pick up these lenses for $49 as a set, or purchase them individual: $25 for the Fisheye, $20 for the telescopic and $20 for the wide-angle. Check out more products Photojojo, keep up to date by following Steven Sande‘s blog, and stay tuned for more blog posts… Beep.

Posted by Blog3PO | August 5, 2011 | Categories: iPhone, Tech | Tags: apple, blog, camera, camera lenses, Canon, capture, cell, cell phone, digital SLR, EOS, iPhone, iPhone 4, lenses, Mac, Nikkon, Nikon, photo, photojojo, pics, picture, pictures, SLR, steven sande, technology, tuaw.com | 1 Comment »

Hello world!

Welcome to Blog3PO

Like ‘Threepio”

Welcome to Blog3PO! I used to write a PR related blog, called SoupKnife, but I kind of lost interest when school ended and work picked up. I may go back to writing that blog, but in the interest of continuing to write and flex my creative muscle, I’ve decided to write about things I really enjoy on this site. Actually, that may be the only continuity in the posts at all – things I like! So, expect some tech, some movies and books, some nerd stuff and whole lot of outdoors stuff. There may be some podcasts, some product recommendations, some great places and good people. Let’s keep it tentative. So for now, ‘Look Sir, Droids.” Beep.

Posted by Blog3PO | April 3, 2011 | Categories: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Blog3PO A twenty-something blog about nothing.