Monthly Archive for March, 2007

Rough

Published on March 31, 2007 in Biking and Life. 0 Comments

Haha, this is going to be a funny post following yesterday’s…

I had another Ridiculous Edmonton weather encounter today.  It was already going to be a really screwed up day that was supposed to start with an early rise, breakfast, ride, lunch, work, sleep.  I slept through the Juventus club ride start, deciding that at this point sleep was more important.  But when I woke up, I still had time and had a good breakfast….img_4730.jpg

Oh dang, it’s snowing.  It’s cold.  Can anybody cover my shift?  Nope.  Dang.  MOM!!!  Aaaahhh.  I don’t want to ride my bike.  Shaun, you are an athlete, go ride your bike!  Aaaahhh.  Ok, fine.

img_4729.jpgUnfortunately it was still ridiculously cold and I froze.  But I did ride a good 2.5 hours.  It wasn’t 4 and I was dying on the way home.  I almost called for a ride like 4 times.  But when Jamiroquai’s Little L came on my creative, I couldn’t help but smile.  It has now been inducted into the S Club 11.   Enjoy.

cophc.JPG::SA

[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJbmgx0iDxk"]

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Professional

Published on March 30, 2007 in Thoughts. 3 Comments

I recently read an article in the March issue of Fresh Cup magazine. It was about the professional barista and how it can really be a career and not the time-passing, money-making job that many people see it to be. The article just talks about how the professional barista can and should be considered a culinary art. Many people see professional chefs and professional bartenders, and that can be considered a decent career choice, so why not the professional barista?

The article goes on to explain that the professional must be able to make more money. To be able to do this the barista must be able to perform the work to make the money. The professional often must do the work that 2 or 3 non-professionals could or would do. The professional is also always looking to gain knowledge, improve skills, and be a friendly, hard-working person.

I just thought it was an interesting article. And as I grow and mature in my life, I like to think I am approaching and try to approach everything I do in a professional manner. The way I dress, the way I act, the way I ride my bike, the way I do my job, the way I talk to my friends, the way I talk to my elders, and the way I approach my job. It can be hard, being only 21, not many people expect and/or demand such professionalism.

Anyhow… I’m at work, so I better go be a professional and quit writing this post!

Superman logo::SA

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S Club 11: Song and Wine

Published on March 28, 2007 in Flavas. 0 Comments

A classic track came into my ears through my mp3 player today and it just made me wanna go real hard:

Eric Prydz – Call on Me

You know I will Eric, because this is an amazing classic track!

And a new wine is added to my list…  after the last Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon I had, I decided to try and get a few of those and see what I really liked and maybe get a case of that to save and age on my own.  The latest is:

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dona Paula Estate

A great, full, spicy, fruity, woody flavour!

Superman logo::SA

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Happy? Birthday!

Published on March 27, 2007 in Life. 1 Comment

183, 960 hours into my life and now I can do anything, anywhere!  I had a good sleep and woke up to a new lululemon hoodie on the counter!  Thanks mom!

Off to work for 6:30, a pretty standard day.  It was looking grim all day, but still completely reasonable.  Until it was ride time and then it started snowing/raining and got mighty cold.  I thought to myself, this is what you have to do to get fast though Shaun.  I think crossed the tough line into stupid though.  I came home 2.5 hours later absolutely soaked and frozen.  I couldn’t even undress myself.

I put a few calories in me and jumped in the shower/bath to try and warm up.  I was pretty successful.  Then I got dressed and Ashley picked me up to go out for dinner with a few friends from work.  Tasty Tomato’s was a great little restaurant.  And I didn’t have to pay!  Great!  Marble Slab for dessert… good thing I rode 2.5 hours today, eh!

Sounds like a great birthday to me!

More of the same tomorrow… eat, ride, work, eat, work, ride, eat, sleep… 183, 984 hours…

Superman logo::SA

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Wisdom to live by

Published on March 26, 2007 in Thoughts. 1 Comment
  • Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
  • Marry someone you love to talk to.  As you get old their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
  • Don’t believe all you hear, spend all your money, or sleep all you want.
  • When you say, “I love you,” mean it.
  • When you say, “I’m sorry,” look the person in the eye.
  • Be engaged for at least six months before you’re married.
  • Believe in love at first sight.
  • Never laugh at anyone’s dreams.  People who don’t have dreams don’t have much.
  • Don’t judge people by their relatives.
  • Talk slowly but think quickly.
  • When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, “Why do you want to know?”
  • Remember that greater love and great achievements involve greater risk.
  • When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
  • Remember the three R’s:  Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for all your actions.
  • Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship
  • When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
  • Smile when picking up the phone.  The caller will hear it in your voice.
  • Spend time alone.

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Raising Coffee to a new level

Published on March 22, 2007 in Life. 0 Comments

transcend_logo_w.jpg

I started my new job today.  And I can say it is pretty good and I’m happy with my decision.  I spent most of the day with Andrew as Poul was roasting or gone most of the day.  We went through many, if not all, of the little things in and around the store and it’s daily operations.  I got the till down as I rang in all the drinks and coffee while I was there.  I made one drink for myself on bar, and it was definitely sub-par and I burned my hand… oops!  I guess I need my bar training; I’m starting that tomorrow.

I also read through some of Andrew’s training manual.  It is definitely a work in progress.  But he has some very good points.  Ones that apply to this shop and my philosophy and I think to life in general:

You cannot know too much.

Drink less, more often, [and better].

Learn more.

Walk before you run.

Move quickly and efficiently, but think jazz not punk.

Does it raise coffee to a new level? 

I can’t wait to start my bar training tomorrow and make some great drinks!  I already have signature drink ideas running through my brain.  Just like I have 16 dinner ideas pretty much every day!  Oh dang!

cup-of-coffee.JPG::SA

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Chef Shaun twists steak and potatoes

Published on March 22, 2007 in Flavas. 1 Comment

We have lots of food in our fridge.  So I went with one of our favourites that would create very few leftovers…

img_4728.jpg

I came up with a standard sirloin steak rubbed with a mixture of paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.  It was simple and yet delicious.  I boiled a parsnip in with about 3 yukon gold potatoes.  Started mashing them and mixed in some butter, milk, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper.  I topped the potatoes with some peas.  I’m not gonna lie.  It was delicious!  Potatoes that you really just want to eat… How could you go wrong?  A delicious, simple, and easy dinner!

chef-shaun.jpg::SA

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Good point…

Published on March 20, 2007 in Thoughts. 0 Comments

http://dead-apostle.blogs.com/transcendcoffee/2007/03/the_longest_nig.html

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$$$ Club 11

Published on March 20, 2007 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Last night I sacrificed any sort of a decent sleep to work at the Juventus casino. It wasn’t bad, not hard at all. The only drawback was a 3 hour sleep… yay! But we did get to count about $170 000!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!! I’ve never seen so much money in my life!!!! Hopefully that means we can have a good season this year.

There are also 2 new additions to the S Club 11 today. I decided I’m going to start announcing them so you all know when to check it out.

 

First is a new red wine. The 2006 CabernetSauvignon from Obikwa was great. It was also my first wine in a little while. I haven’t had a lot of Cab Sauv but it had a very good taste. Full and rich; intense, dark, and cherry. Mm mmm!

The other is a new song. And although it is not new. It is great! And I know some of you will make fun of me for this, but I like it. Who cares?!?!?? Michael Buble and his song Moondance can make any evening tea a restful, joyful, and calming experience!

Superman logo::SA

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Privilege

Published on March 19, 2007 in Biking and Thoughts. 0 Comments

It is a great joy and a great privilege to be an elite athlete. A couple weeks ago now I was really unmotivated due to a couple things. But I was looking at the fact that some people still seem to be doing the same thing with the same people all the time. In no way am I trying to offend these people or put them down. They are still great people. But it made me realize that it is a great privilege to be an elite athlete. We work hard, suffer, and enjoy it. I like to go to bed early and stay at home. I don’t like to eat McDonald’s and I live by the cyclist’s code — “Why stand when you can sit? Why sit when you can lie down?”

I am going to try and remind myself of this great privilege whenever I feel unmotivated again and to realize that I am extremely lucky to be doing what I am and to meet new people, see cool new places, and have the experiences of a lifetime!

As G put it to me, being an average professional cyclist for a living kind of sucks. But it’s better than the other option…

Have a great day! I love you all! And I hope all you elite athletes can stick to the privilege that we all share!

Superman logo::SA

ps. Training camp is over.  The training camp beard is gone.  I am almost fully rested up and have had the post-camp massage.  Life is good!

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