Hello, Newman

ah, the beauty of RSS feeds (be sure to check out the righthand column for more great syndicated content)...

courtesy of Notes From Newman: HNFE Research & Resources (Rebecca Kate Miller you are awesome! Please keep disseminating great information! Check out more of her frequent, timely, and often humorous dispatches here.)

"More Big News: Study Cafe NOW OPEN!

Yes, that's right--the Newman Library Study Cafe is NOW OPEN!  The first floor door is open, as well, which means that you can enter the library directly on the first floor, and head right on over to Greenberry's, the cafe vendor.  View a drink menu here!

In addition to coffee and other beverages, the study cafe has hot and cold sandwiches, pastries, salads, and other food.  Greenberry's takes all kinds of payment except meal plans; cash, credit card, check, and Hokie dollars are all accepted. 

I, in fact, am drinking a Greenberry's beverage right now, as I write this post.  I swung by the study cafe on my way to Wallace Office Hours (where I'll be until 3:30 today) and picked up a tall (which is the smallest size drink) light roast.  Delicious, and kept me nice and warm on the rainy walk over here.

Be sure to stop by Newman Library today and check out the new cafe!"

gentlemen and the essence of cycling

In the event that the new über team - Leopard Trek - fails to win as expected (and let's be realistic, their coterie of supercyclists must be considered protagonists in every race the team enters), they are at the very least doing wonders for the image of cyclists (professional and otherwise). With an effortless grace these gentlemen achieve what so many others feign and posture to convey.* All of the panache with none of the pretension. I for one am excited to watch Cancellara, Voigt, Fuglsang, the Schleck brothers, and the rest of "true racing" Leopard-Trek animate races throughout 2011. Kudos to you gentlemen.

Team Leopard Trek stop for a mid-ride coffee somewhere on the beautiful

island of Mallorca (photo courtesy of Robert Wagner @ http://twitpic.com/3o5gv8).

* Whereas another group of far more demoniacal and diabolical cheaters (not to name names or place blame, but use your imagination [or the internet] to scour doping headlines from the past few years) just don't give a damn, sullying the sport and embarrassing its advocates.

Giving Thanks

As we prepare for the annual celebration surrounding the fall harvest, tradition encourages us pause, reflect, and gives thanks for those people, places, and things that we so dearly appreciate. Although the sentiment is not given voice as often as it should, I am forever thankful for my wonderful family and dear friends. Each of you is sincerely inspirational.  Surrounded by such compassionate and intelligent people, I consider myself incalculably fortunate. I also wish to express my thanks for bike rides full of sun complimented by a light breeze, Alterra Coffee, epic soccer matches, gourmet picnics, and Danny MacAskill. MacAskill's "Way Back Home" is perhaps the most impressive trials video since Hans Rey's old stuff for GT (and its in Scotland!). Thanks to (and for) you all. Happy Thanksgiving.

the best part of waking up

Coffee is important. There truly is something magical about the first morning cup or a mid-day pick me up. Whilst living in Kuwait, I have been enjoying the simplicity of the caffeine carrying coffee product known as NESCAFÉ. Used around the world, NESCAFÉ's instant coffee is a well respected alternative for regular beans and a more traditional brewing method.

With no intention of disrespecting NESCAFÉ, for they have done an admirable job crystalizing coffee while still maintaining traces of true coffee flavor (truly a remarkable feat), I must clear my coffee-consuming conscience. This granular product (as well as coffee products from nearly any other company) and the just pour hot water and stir brewing method are poor substitutes for my revered roaster. Lacking proper brewing equipment and prohibited by geography, NESCAFÉ and I have been forging a friendship (occasionally moonlighting with Starbucks) over the summer.