The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzo

Back sometime in 2004 on one of our White Mountains trips I picked up this book in a clearance bin for $4.98. We were browsing in my favorite book store in Lincoln, NH (the Innisfree Bookshop, inside of the old Mill building on the Kanc Highway, near Loon Mountain) and I caught the low price, neat pictures, and interesting topic. Upon further scrutiny I noticed that inside of the book jacket it was noted that the author read this story first aloud at Isabella Stewart Gardner's salon in 1906. I used to spend a lot of time at the Gardner Museum when I was at Simmons (it being right next door, and me getting free admission as a Simmons student) and it holds a kind of magical place in my heart for various reasons, so the book appealed to me even more.

I'm definitely a big tea drinker that tends to do my best thinking when sitting with a cup, pondering the simplicity of the ritual. I'm also interested in learning of different religions and of history (and, history of religions) which the book also touches on. I finally 2 years later, got around to reading the thing!

( Read more... )

I just thought some of you may be interested in reading. I may lend to a co-worker that's a big tea and history buff, but if you think you may be interested in borrowing let me know (and I can give to you in the future).

Car dorkiness

Today's is Hedwig's first service since I've owned her - an oil change. I'm bringing her to Saturn since I've loved their service (can't argue with honest work and a free wash and vacum each time) and rates, and from all I can tell my warranty should be honored there (I need to discuss with them in person tonight more specifically how to get things paid if/when the time comes).

I love my car. Its the first car that's been me since I sold my old 84 Cadillac Fleetwood to one of Brian's old co-workers. They promptly took out the windows, welded a steel chair to the roof, strapped a huge teddy bear into said chair, and raced it in a demo derby on the Cape somewhere (apparently, Betsy did quite well in the heats)! I'm glad to have a car again that I have fun driving, am comfy and confident in, and want to go cruising Hampton Beach with (the latter is most important!). In the nicer weather I'll get the requisite airbrushed license plate for the front at said beach (I'm thinking, one with blue flames that reads "Dancer" in bright pink, my steering wheel cover has blue flames on it, and the car is this fabulous peacocky blue color). See, I'm an old MA green plate owner (phear my l33t wheels), so I can stick something fun on the front rather than the second boring red and white license plate.

Anyway, I finally got around to registering on http://www.carfax.com/ . I've now learned that my car's original owner was actually Enterprise Auto (who I bought her from) and the only logged repair was some electrical work back in the fall of 2004 (she came out in spring of 2004). Based on this, I'm guessing she's been very well maintained (that's less than I can say for my old Saturn, the original owner beat the crap out of it, which I found out much too late). I've also signed up for an account on https://www.mygmlink.com/ so I can track service, get information on recalls and scheduled maintenance, and get the detailed owner's manual and the other free goodies they offer. I guess this goes along with the recent Autozone frequent buyers club that a cashier pawned on me (though, I was getting things for Brian's Xmas gift at that point - not for myself).

God I'm such a dork! Still, I'm a happy dork with a happy set of wheels to drive around in :)