Music Monday

Did you know that coffee beans are roasted at a very specific temperature? Did you know that when they reach too high of a temperature they start to burn producing a bitter, burnt flavor? Did you know that boiling water exceeds the temperature that coffee burns at? Tea drinkers don't scoff because its the exact same for green tea.

Do you have a french press? If you do or you plan on getting one try this out. Take your beans and grind them. Sometimes grinders cause the beans to heat up: I do short bursts and count to 10 between. Once they are ground place them in the french press. You can heat up your water while you are grinding. When the temperature of the water is 200 degrees Fahrenheit (94 Centigrade) pour it in the press, put the cover on and set the timer for 3 minutes. When there are 20 seconds left on the timer commence the plunging sequence! Plunging should be done slowly and take 20 seconds. Immediately pour the coffee out of the press (never leave it in) and enjoy! You will note that your coffee has a sweet why-the-deuce-did-I-drink-it-any-other-way type flavor to it. The flavors that the bag states your beans taste like will suddenly be present and there should be no burnt bean type flavor. You will also notice that you no longer need milk or sugar for you coffee (though you can add it if you like) and you just might exclaim your thanks to me out loud... in your kitchen... alone. No one will think you're weird.

If you are a green tea drinker you can do the same process with or without a french press* and you will notice the same sweet flavor instead of burnt. If you happen to stop in at our house I will gladly make you either one of these beverages and you can thank me in person without looking foolish alone in your kitchen.

While you are drinking your coffee or tea you can enjoy this song conveniently called "Coffee" by Sylvan Esso


Until next time, keep your beans unburnt.

EO

*If you try it without a french press make sure it is in some type of container and not resting in a hot puddle on your counter.

Music Monday!

Well hello there. Guess what... its Music Monday! I've been neglecting you, I'm sorry. I've had songs picked out for the past few weeks but when it came to Monday I just... didn't... post. What's wrong with me? I'll sum it up for you: I'm afraid that I'm losing my resilience when it comes to school anxiousness. I was way up there very early this quarter. Strangely, at the same time, I feel more confident in my abilities, organization, and abilities. Of course that can change on a whim but I'll take it intermittently. I've got three more papers to complete in four weeks and I am only looking forward to one of them.

Here is a bit of a school update. This quarter I have two new courses; Psycho-pharmacology and psychopathology and Brief Therapy models. Both of these courses have been very intriguing and helpful. In psycho-pharmacology we've been running through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 5. It is interesting to see what actually goes into a proper diagnosis and the requirements that symptoms have to meet before they are considered a disorder. It is also interesting to hear that the DSM was created to unify the language that Psychiatrists use when talking about mental illness. The most important thing I think that I've learned is that the DSM is a tool that, when used properly, is helpful in naming mental illness and how to be helpful to someone who is diagnosed. Unfortunately we sometimes think that the only tool we need in a tool belt is a hammer and when that happens everyone starts to look like a nail (somebody important said that, its a quote...).

Brief therapy models are also interesting. The most important thing that I've learned is that focusing on the problem someone is facing may not be all that helpful. We are constantly facing problems and constantly creating solutions to them. We are actively engaged in problem solving every day and often we need to be reminded of that. It is important to understand how we are already solving a problem and do more of that. Cool stuff really.

Here's a weird one today. This one is dedicated to Mon Capitan MP. Mostly because its performed in a fishing boat but also because of the volume of problems to solve in Alaska in only a 3 week period.  This is Cosmo Sheldrake with "The Fly"


Until next time, are you a happy fly? If you live or if you die?

EO

Music Monday

Hello Everyone. It is Monday and I am knee deep in research articles about medication non-adherence.

So far it is a fascinating topic and a big one in psychiatry. The gist is that roughly 60% of individuals prescribed medications for psychiatric disorders to not take their medications appropriately. Some individuals take too much, some too little. Some individuals are forgetful, others are defiant. Either way the side effects and risks of taking these medications alone are frightful. To me it seems that non-adherence is like a prescription for side effects without feeling any of the intended benefit. Non-adherence is a significant problem and it has many factors.

Also this quarter I get to read the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders as my text book. After 40 pages of reading about ADHD I was ready to self diagnose. Most disorders require someone to meet 5 out of 8 diagnostic criteria which seems somewhat easy to do... at least for me. I wonder if hypochondria is coming up soon?

Here's an oldie that is stuck in my head this week. I heard it while I was out and about somewhere and haven't stopped listening to it since.

This is Once in a lifetime by the Talking Heads


Until next time, keep it the same as it ever was.

EO

Music Monday

My stars I've dropped the ball on this for a few Mondays. For this I apologize, it was due to a mix of unexpected events and not having any musical inspiration in the past few weeks. There have been no songs old or new that have been on my mind, until now.

Here's an older song that still retains its wonder and inspirational setting. I am pretty sure I love everything about this song: trumpet, clarinet, drums, keyboard, guitar, bass, vocals. Check check check. Love it all. Laid back but driven.

This is Brasstronaut with their song Hearts Trompet.


Until next time, take the only road you know...

EDO

Music Monday

Hi.

I've really slowed down my music intake lately. There is a time for everything I assume.

I am also aware that I have absolutely nothing to say today. No thoughts or words come to mind only the noises of a quiet afternoon.

This is Uppermost with their song Beautiful Light:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1DvVzKXktY

Until next time...

EO

Music Monday

Time to pause a moment and say: I love spring! This of course is qualified by the fact that I also love summer, fall and winter. The difference is that spring is just beginning and winter is losing its preferential treatment in the northern hemisphere. I love the precedence of constant change set by the earth and I find it interesting that human beings (at least some of us) believe that it is strange to not be consistent, unchanging in mood, appetite, motivation, or ability.

I recently received some good advice from a professor. I asked him how he managed to balance his family, professional, and scholarly careers. He informed me that, to maintain balance, for every one thing I add in to life I must also take one thing out. Its funny how good advice sometimes takes a while to sink in. Its funny how difficult it is to change even though it is necessary.

Its been a while since I've posted anything from Tunng but today seems like a fine day for it.

This is Tunng with "So Far From Here"


Until next time, feel like lions.

EDO

Music Monday

I finished another quarter at school and I am greatly enjoying the time I have. After last quarter I felt tired and unmotivated for a long time after the quarter ended. This time around I am hoping for the exact opposite. At the moment I am basking in the springtime sunshine. It may get warmer and it may get colder but right now the sun is shining and I am enjoying it.

Here's a pretty thing. When I'm writing papers I often enjoy music with no words. I'll look for ambient music and music mixes online and I've found some things I greatly enjoy. For instance Rob Viktum's album "Progress: An audio tribute to the Cambodian people." I know nothing of Rob Viktum other than he makes hip/hoppy type music but I found the songs pleasant and interesting and I think a tribute to the Cambodian people is a great way to make an album.

Without further ado here are two songs by Rob Viktum: "4/17/1975" and "Siem Pang"


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Until next time keep your progress audio...?

eO