Ambling in Africa: Over the top?

Sometimes I go too far..... but is that a bad thing?

I remember grade nine at Alberni District Secondary School with astonishing clarity. Maybe that's because at the tender age of 14, the world becomes a slightly different looking place as you try on the adult goggles of life for the first time. ...and while hormones of unknown intention are surging through your boy/man body, you end up going a little too far. Such was the case one rainy day indelibly etched in my mind.

It's really the only explanation I have for why I suddenly shouted out "I love you Cindy" during a lull in the band class on that infamous day. In my defence she was a the hottest girl in the school and it seemed that this kind of brave act would obviously lead her to the conclusion that I had to be her boyfriend immediately.What was going on in my head? What led me to the idea that indeed this was a good idea from a social engineering perspective remains a mystery to this day. I could feel the stare of my best friend sitting next to me in the trombone section. When I finally slowly looked over and met his eyes ..... it was a slow motion moment as his lips moved with the unmistakably meaning laden WHAT THE FUCK !!!!

Well - I now wonder if I have done the same with coffee. Is it a stretch? I don't think so. Imagine!! I get my beans from a special region in Kenya -- high on the plateau (think Ngong hills /Karen Blixen) that are hand selected by "my guy". He then takes them to his small roasting plant where he turns the little green berries into something of staggering beauty. Again thank you Musa Son.

And not content with a normal bean.. I take the peaberry. Pictured on the left, it's the case that in about 5% of coffee beans, one of the two halves dies off leaving a beautiful little round berry ... rather than the crescent shape to which we are accustomed. Those are on the right.

So - now -- when we roast -- the bean is more evenly cooked meaning that the edges are not cooked more than the center giving a burnt taste. So you can roast a little longer without fear of burning the edges. The result is a deeper richer taste and I think a bit fruitier flavor.

Now the bean needs to be lovingly ground to just the right consistency, measured just right, and put into an AeroPress vacuum press as shown on the left. Timing is critical as is water temp and making sure everything is clean. The press is about 14 seconds and making sure not to go to far and press the actual grinds. This leads to bitterness. Speaking of too far and bitterness ....am I shouting "I Love you Cindy" again? Hmmm - no idea.....

Jake and my good friend his Mom

I was fortunate to have Jake and his Mom come down from Kakumega to stay with me for the week. Having a baby around is a reminder of many things. Firstly - it's a reminder that anything is possible from these little beginnings. Is Jake the next Gandhi or President of Kenya? And what will come about in his life? Will he see a new Kenya and indeed a new world that is a more fair loving and thoughtful place?

I'm currently reading J D Vance's novel Hillbilly Elegy and in one beautifully written paragraph he talks about how we undersell ourselves in life. Coming up short of our potential again and again. I worry about the impact of social media and it's mind-numbing pop culture addictions. Is Social Media the new opiate of the masses?

And while I worry - I also celebrate unfettered access to useful and important information. Jake's cultural history is more available to him now than at any point in time as are the opportunities to learn skills.

As always if you would like to donate something to Jake and his Mom please let me know Laynemahon@live.com