The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Alan Bradley

Unless some sweetness at the bottom lie,
Who cares for all the crinkling of the pie?
– William King, The Art of Cookery (1708)

#3, “Recommended by KCLS Staff”

KCLS blog recommends a book and tea pairing between The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and Assam.

Nothing would go better with the tale of amateur sleuth and aspiring chemist Flavia de Luce than a cup of rich Assam tea and a slice of custard pie. In quick succession, eleven-year-old Flavia finds a dead bird with a postage stamp stuck to its beak and hears the last words of a dying man. Armed with a keen mind, an encyclopedic knowledge of poisons, and a trusty bicycle named Gladys, Flavia sets out to solve a most peculiar mystery.

All I can say is, I think Flavia is excellent; I wish I was like her when I was eleven. For the philately tidbits and the role it played in the story, my appreciation goes also. Cheers all around!

All Things Bright and Strange - James Markert

#6, “Book with a Title Longer Than 4 Words”

I finished All Things Bright and Strange a while ago but am now just getting around to putting my thoughts about it into words. I think I intended for this to be my “KCLS Recommended Book,” having picked it off the featured shelf at my local library, but I’m counting it as the book with more than 4 words in the title instead.

I’m not sure what to make of the story. At first it read like a Christian historical novel about the healing power of prayer, but then slowly turned into a story of a ragged band of heroes who happen to be archangels, not coincidentally fighting against an incarnation of Satan. Honestly, that sounds pretty awesome, but for some reason it fell between boring and “just readable enough to finish” for me. Story was just too slow to develop. This was one of those books where symbolism may have been too heavy-handed. If four main characters are archangels, the bad guy is Satan, then are all the others representing someone/something as well in the mythos of Christianity?

The following are from the Archangel entry in Wikipedia, from the Eastern Orthodox Tradition.

Michael: Michael in the Hebrew language means “Who is like God?” or “Who is equal to God?” Michael has been depicted from earliest Christian times as a commander, who holds in his right hand a spear with which he attacks Lucifer/Satan, and in his left hand a green palm branch. At the top of the spear, there is a linen ribbon with a red cross. The Archangel Michael is especially considered to be the Guardian of the Orthodox Faith and a fighter against heresies.

Gabriel: Gabriel means “God is my strength” or “Might of God”. He is the herald of the mysteries of God, especially the Incarnation of God and all other mysteries related to it. He is depicted as follows: In his right hand, he holds a lantern with a lighted taper inside, and in his left hand, a mirror of green jasper. The mirror signifies the wisdom of God as a hidden mystery.

Raphael: Raphael means “It is God who heals” or “God Heals”. Raphael is depicted leading Tobit (who is carrying a fish caught in the Tigris) with his right hand and holding a physician’s alabaster jar in his left hand.

Uriel: Uriel means “God is my light”, or “Light of God” (II Esdras 4:1, 5:20). He is depicted holding a sword against the Persians in his right hand, and a flame in his left.

Coffeeneuring challenge 2018: complete

As is my tradition, here’s a summary post of my 2018 completion of the annual coffeeneuring challenge.

1: Tonnemakers farm stand: 8.6 miles
2: Potbelly (South Lake Washington loop): 24.1 miles
3: Café Happy: 5.1 miles
4: Starbucks: 2.9 miles
5: Subway & TJ’s: 12.3 miles
6: Around the new neighborhood: 2.6 miles
7: Costco: 3.1 miles

I rode seven times in seven weeks to seven different locations to enjoy a coffee or other treat/beverage, traveling a total distance of 58.7 miles on bike!

October through November tends to be dark and rainy, and 2018 has also been a pretty busy year for me in terms of work and other things. So, I failed to plan my rides this year, never mind thinking of a good theme.

I’m just so glad that all seven rides happened regardless of my other obligations. It’s always been worth it to get out and exercise, and have a hot drink or treat waiting at the end of the ride.

Previous challenges: 2017, 2015

Coffeeneuring no. 7

Sunday, November 25, 2018

It’s not raining today?
It’s not raining!!

Quick, jump on the bike and get that final ride in for the coffeeneuring podium!!!

Today was the final day of the challenge, and blessedly not raining. Regardless of the weather, I was going to get out no matter what!

This time, it was a quick 3.1 mile jaunt to Costco via Slater Ave. I encountered only one car on my way there, and discovered a dead end road with a convenient pedestrian/bicycle path that led directly to the Costco lot.

With Costco being closed, I again resorted to the apartment Keurig for my coffee fix. This cup in particular had a “wild mountain blueberry” aroma. Great way to finish this year’s challenge!

Coffeeneuring no. 6

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Moving apartments and being busy with classes, meant I didn’t have much time to devote to researching coffeeneuring destinations. With a few days left to go in the challenge, I decided to wake up on Thanksgiving day, hop on my bike without any research beforehand, and see where it took me.

Roads were practically abandoned, shiny and slick from the previous day’s rain. The air felt moist and fresh. I caught a glimpse of this rainbow through the clouds.

I could have gone further hunting for the shop, but decided to turn around when the rain clouds unleashed in a downpour – good thing I recently relubed the chain!

Coffee shop downstairs was closed due to the holiday. Luckily the new apartment has a Keurig carousel downstairs, with some apple cider cups. 2.6 miles.

Bonus picture from our Thanksgiving feast later that night!

Coffeeneuring no. 5

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Leaves, leaves everywhere on the ground. It was a little slick from yesterday’s rain but still a good opportunity to catch the sunshine and roll out for a leisurely ride to lunch.

Without a particular destination in mind, we ended up at Redmond Town Center, for which the Sammamish River Trail is like a red carpet. For some reason, every place feels new when you get there by bike. Subway for lunch, and even a little coffee (across the street at Trader Joe’s).

Then the first raindrop fell. Just in time to catch the bus back!

12.3 miles.

Coffeeneuring no. 4

Friday, November 2, 2018

Finally, it’s my day off, and that means coffeeneuring! The weather hasn’t held up the past few days in the Seattle area, and Kirkland was no exception. Thunderstorms were forecast for today and the morning was a rainy mess. Around early noon the rain let up a bit and I seized the chance to pedal my bike over to Starbucks for an advertised holiday deal (today only) – a reusable red cup with the purchase of any holiday drink. Actually, I visited three different Starbucks on my route today, and was surprised to see they were out of the red cups in the first two stores. I was running out of hope but decided to duck into the Starbucks right outside my home. Yay, a tall stack of the red cups at the counter! This was an excellent deal since I got to use my last Starbucks reward on my favorite drink, the signature hot chocolate, and receive a reusable cup at the same time.

  

If you use the red cup for a future holiday drink order, you will get a $0.50 discount. It may make a reappearance in future coffeeneuring rides.

2.9 miles.

Prisoner of the State - Zhao Ziyang

#4, “Banned Book”

Zhao Zhiyang was a leading party member of the CPC, responsible for economic reform after the election of Deng Xiaoping and following the disaster of Mao’s Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution. After he dissented during the decision to call in a military crackdown on student protesters in Tiananmen Square, he was put under permanent house arrest, and was monitored by the government he was once a part of. He remained there until his death.

This book is the result of Zhao’s secret recordings while under house arrest. Zhao disguised his illicit journal by recording over his childrens’ cassette tapes, which were smuggled out of his home by close friends and relatives and committed to text. The edition I read was translated and edited by Bao Pu, Renee Chiang, and Adi Ignatius. I chose it after reading an article in NYT about Hong Kong booksellers being kidnapped by China’s government for carrying books banned by the CPC.

I would call this an enlightening book because it forced me to read up on the history of the government in China, their fundamental ideology, and how they’ve evolved into modern day. I’ve always heard about the June 4th incident (Tiananmen Square protests of 1989) without much knowledge as to what the event actually was – the rise of a tyrannical government masquerading itself as “for the people.” After reading the account of Zhao I have sad feelings for the fundamental injustice against what was essentially a patriotic, peaceful student body; and unfortunately, pessimism about the direction the rulling party has gone in since then.

While it was tedious to read, I think the true value of the book was as a gateway view into this secretive world of Chinese politics.

Read more

Coffeeneuring no. 3

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Today is a short, spur-of-the-moment 5.1 miles up and over the local hill into downtown Kirkland and back. According to Strava, the hill is about 5-6% grade with a maximum 8% (!) grade. But at least I can climb it now without stopping! (Not huffing and puffing is another story.)

There’s a vegetarian Taiwanese restaurant downtown called Café Happy. They carry bubble tea, and surprisingly I’ve never tried it. I opted for the large matcha milk tea with no customizations.

Coffeeneuring no. 2

Saturday, October 20, 2018

This time was a long one around the southern half of Lake Washington, via the I-90 trail. There are some differences between this route and the north half. One, it’s shorter and slightly less hilly, and two, portions of it are on roads (albeit bike-friendly ones).

First we rode across the bridge, pausing to admire the view and catch our breaths after the biggest hill of the route.

We continued into Seattle, but stopped to walk at about the 2/3 mark entering Renton, when my friend hit a groove between the road and the curb, resulting in a scraped knee (the bike was unharmed aside from some torn handlebar tape). Luckily there was a business close by which generously allowed us to use their first aid kit. We then took a welcomed break at Potbelly Sandwich shop for lunch, which included this chocolate chip cookie brownie.

Our injured friend was able to find a ride home, so the rest of us continued north back towards the start point. At this part of the route we joined with the interim Eastside Rail Corridor Trail. This is a lightly graveled trail which will eventually be paved, connecting with I-90 trail (which is already connected with the Sammamish River Trail and Burke Gilman). At that point, a bicyclist will be able to ride nonstop on separated trails from Seattle to the Eastside, and continue all the way south to Renton. I would love to be around to experience that some day.

Today’s route was 24.1 miles.