Blog

What I'm Watching: Death in Paradise

  • Death in Paradise: Dorkiest of all dorky English dork DIs Dick Poole is sent to a Carribean island to solve the weekly mystery murders with sexy local DI Camille Bordey and goofy island cops (Dwayne is Danny John-Jules, Cat of Red Dwarf fame!). Too perfectly fit puzzles, no random craziness, but good comfort watching.

    [Update 2018-03-07] S3 replaces Dick with Humphrey Dogood or some such, hapless and disorganized, almost a parody of a detective, and many eps use repetitive flashbacks, and people standing next to people monologuing, rather than conversations. The supposed screenwriter in one ep is writing a script full of novel-like editorializing, rather than an actual script, which suggests to me they fired all the writers and hired amateurs. Looking at the list of episodes backs that up; eps not written by Robert Thorogood are mostly dire. The appearance of Clarke Peters (Lester Freamon!) is a nice surprise. I miss '80s TV shows that would recycle actors constantly.

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Many Coffee Machines on Ix. New Machines.

My new coffee buddy, Ninja CF087. I can't be trusted to make french press first thing in the morning. 4 size settings by 4 brew densities, and a timer, for $99 at Bed Space Above & Beyond. Also, comes with a milk frother and a 135-page book of recipes for coffee drinks and foods. That's a dangerous way to feed my habit.

First half-pot on "rich" is only ★★★½☆, drinkable and strong but not the tastiest, but that's as much because I'm at the tail end of a bag of beans. I think it'll be better with new beans.

It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.
It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed,
The hands acquire shakes,
The shakes become a warning,
It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.
—Mentat scribe Mark Stein

☕️

Transformation Wednesday Music

Slate Star Codex

There were more shouts and another frenzy for attention. General Washington banged his gavel. “The chair recognizes Alexander Hamilton.”

“Yo,” said Hamilton. “The institutions of our Constitution, give a clear solution to this persecution. The Revolution…”

“The chair unrecognizes Representative Hamilton, and offers the floor to anyone who does not speak in rap.”

Rave On Monday Music

What I'm Drinking

  • Space Goat Pale Ale by Big Sky Brewing. Bought for the awesome name/label, and I like Moose Drool, their flagship brew. Cap says "LESS PANTS MORE BANJO", which is at least half good advice. Initial flavor/aroma was almost skunky, extremely unpleasant. Settled after a few minutes and became a slightly too hoppy, too watery ale, only 5% ABV. I've had better lagers for half the price. Sadly would not recommend this. ★★☆☆☆

  • Pacific Rain by Ninkasi Brewing. This is fabulous. "Northwest Pale", light but not watery, a little bit fruity. Only 5.4% ABV which is light for Ninkasi, not a challenging beer (no Arrogant Bastard-ness here) but one of the nicest beers ever. ★★★★★

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