List: 'The Lure of Lists'

Today’s ‘List Friday’. Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar. It’s been called ‘A Melbourne institution’ [1]. I’ve written that I rate its coffee 10 out of 10 [2]. I’ve also written of my Ottawa friend Mark (who’s affectionately called ‘Canadian Idle’ because he’s a tenured professor who’s been known to put in a few days of work each decade – between sabbaticals [3]. Years ago, I don’t recall how many – he and I had a bet. Nor can I recall what the bet was about. (No doubt when he reads this, CI’ll refresh my memory.) But I do recall the bet’s prize: the loser buys the winner a Pellegrini’s cappuccino. To date, CI and I haven’t been in Melbourne concurrently. Ten days ago, he emailed me a link to a list. In the Economist and titled ‘The Lure of Lists’, it’s an essay about a Columbia University professor’s addiction to lists, and especially ‘top 1001 things you must’ lists [4]. True to form it includes its own list: five reasons explaining the allure of both top 1001 lists (and other lists). These reasons make sense to me as a List Man. And I’ve noted the essay’s in the Economist’s ‘More Intelligent Life’ section’. As a List Man, I rest my case. Oh yes: CI emailed me again, telling me I don’t mention him much on Farmdoc’s Blog; and if I mention him more, he’ll consider foregoing the aforementioned Pellegrini’s cappuccino. As you know, I’m a parsimonious fellow [5, 6]. So, thanks for the link to today’s list, CI. CI. CI. CI. CI. CI. CI. CI. CI. Ho hum.

Insanity, coffee and pedantry

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been concerned about going mad. Every pen, fork or sock I can’t find feels like a harbinger of the inevitable. So in an effort to stave off madness (be it insanity or dementia), I try hard to shelter my brain from chemicals. Thus for me it’s no recreational drugs, no smoking, no alcohol, and only one cup of a hot caffeinated drink per day (and decaf for the others). When I’m here in Mole Creek alone, my caffeinated drink’s almost invariably instant coffee. So Sweetheart Vivienne thinks I’m a coffee heathen. Guilty as charged, your honour. Which is not to say I don’t enjoy good coffee. Whenever we’re out together drinking coffee, Sweetheart Vivienne and I rate its quality on a scale from 1 (Devonport Airport) to 10 (which for me is Pellegrini's [1], but I think she’s moved on from there though I’m unsure where to). Her coffee’s always a latte [2]. I drink cappuccino [3] before midday and latte after midday – because I read somewhere that’s what they do in Italy; and I’m ever the pedantic purist. Though today’s not List Friday, numbers 2 and 10 in the ‘Ten Commandments of Il Culto del Caffe’ in this Age article last week [4], are relevant to my coffee ritual. I’ve been wrong for years. But it’s never too late to repent. Ho hum.

P.S. If both latte and cappuccino are morning drinks only, what does one drink after midday?