Can someone help me with this?

When I worked for a large Italian company in the U.S., they had Lavazza espresso machines that used individual pods. Definitely check them out. They were obviously good enough for Italians who regularly drank real espresso at home. I don't drink coffee, but that shit was addictive. I still feel cravings for espresso when I pass a coffee shop.

 

I have a nespresso and LOVE IT. Is it as good as a good espresso from a fancy schmancy coffee shop? Absolutely not. But I feel like it does pretty well at finding a balance between cost, quality and convenience.

 

My sons birthday was last week and I bought him the new NBA2k13. I didnt know you had to pre-order to get a code for the All-Star contest stuff. The only reason we upgraded was to get the Dunk Contest.

Any idea where I can get an Xbox code to unlock the DLC? Im not looking for illegal/free just legitimate/safe.

Thanks!

 

My friends love their CBTL, and they are kind of snobby about such things.

 

Late to the party, I realize, but I saw this on Gizmodo today: Breville Infuser - $462. While I'm admittedly unfamiliar with consumer grade espresso machines, the specs and reviews of this machine look pretty fantastic. It has a PID controller, which regulates temperature at the group head, which seems to be uncommon for home machines at this price point.

You mentioned being interested in a pod system, which I'd like to discourage. Coffee is best between 24 hrs and 1 week after roasting, and the simple fact is pods aren't usually that fresh by definition. Locally buying small quantities of fresh beans, and grinding immediately before use is going to be the biggest impact on the taste of your espresso, much moreso than any fancy schmancy espresso gadget.

Or, you know, just take your powerball winnings and get a La Marzocco GS/3

 

I heard through the grapevine (ie: his girlfriend to my fiance) that one of my best friends is going to be hunting for an engagement ring soon, if he hasn't already started down the rabbit hole. Problem is, I'm also hearing that he's completely fucking lost when it comes to this stuff, and he's stressing out about it--which, for him, is a big deal because he's got a permanent poker face about everything.

I want to reach out and see if he'd like some help or guidance, but the fiance isn't so sure it's a good idea without being solicited for it. He's not the kind of person who reaches out for help though, so I figure that a quick, "Heard you were looking, if you need help, want some decent, non-Zales stores to look at, or want someone to go along, let me know. Definitely no pressure" text would be fine. If he wants my help, in any capacity, great. If he doesn't, that's fine too.

I had a great time picking out the ring I gave my fiance and I want him to as well. I just don't want to overstep any boundaries or embarrass him if he doesn't know that I'm aware of what's going on.

Your thoughts?

 

My view is that you would be limiting yourself to the machine's brand of pods or possibly pods in general.
Sure pods have an element of convenience and less mess but by going for a non-pod machine you can buy and try ANY type of coffee bean.

 

While it's not necessarily a secret, it's also not public knowledge among our close-knit group of friends (even though we've all known that's where they're headed for a long time now). Part of that might be because he's just in the very beginning stages of figuring out what his girl might want and isn't known to reach out for help. But the other part might be that our other good friend is with a girl who has thrown so many ultimatums at him that he needs a missle defense system, and my buddy (looking for the ring) doesn't want to make our other friend's life more miserable (another story altogether).

A group of us are going into the city on Saturday for a Brisket Lab night, so I might try to feel out the situation and talk to him then.

 

So I have a linoleum tile floor in one of my bathrooms that has a tile that has come loose.

Can someone recommend what type of adhesive I need to glue it back down?
Is using super glue completely wrong?

 

Go to your local hardware store and buy linoleum glue. Something like this

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.truevalue.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=23369&parentCategoryId=3&categoryId=187&subCategoryId=1643&type=product&cid=gooshop&source=google_pla&9gtype=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.truevalue.com/catalog/produc ... la&9gtype=</a>

 

I know we have a couple pharmacists on the board, but I kind of... forgot who they were so I don't want to pester anybody. I just have a quick question, nothing serious, so if one of you fine folk could send me a PM, I'd be greatful.

 

I'm pretty good at gift giving...except when it comes to children. Does anyone have any great gift ideas for an 18 month old boy? I'm not extremely close with my brother, so I have no idea what my nephew really likes/needs/doesn't have already. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I'm not a parent, but I've spent a whole lot of time with toddlers as a nanny/daycare provider, so I'll weigh in.

1. Don't buy anything that makes noise that you wouldn't want to hear over and over (and over and over and over) again.

2. Read any books before you buy them. There are some books I read 100 times and still like (e.g. Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, Sandra Boynton, Mem Fox) and others that I LOATHE reading. I could kill Strawberry Shortcake with zero remorse.

3. IKEA sells a kid-sized easel for $15 (I think), and all 3 toddlers I've given one to have LOVED it. And now there are dry erase crayons (that are super awesome) to use on the white board side of the easel.

4. When in doubt, go for something train-related.

 

Gifts I've given to my brother's first born included:
Drums.
A puppy (my sister-in-law is a cat person).
BB gun.

I got the benefit of being the really cool uncle and pissing off my brother and his wife at the same time. Sound economics.

Have you tried asking your nephew what he asked Santa to bring him? Then just coordinate with your brother so the same gift isn't given twice.

 

If you want the kid to enjoy it, get something tactile.
If you want the parents to enjoy it, get something quiet and tactile.

If you want peace in the household, get Robitussin and whiskey. Distribute as needed.

 

I'm putting in my two weeks tomorrow morning but the new new job would like me right away. How do I go about telling my current boss "Here is my two weeks but I'd really like to leave now"?

I could just be an asshole and do that, but I've worked for the guy for 11 years and don't want to burn a bridge like that.


Thanks.

 

I don't think that you can. Unless he wants to let you out of your two weeks notice of course. When I started my new job, they wanted me in two weeks, my job wanted me to stay through the holidays (about 8 weeks), we compromised with 5, the new job understood. I can't see a new employer getting upset with you for doing the right thing by your last employer, as it says something about your character. As you said, after 11 years of employment, you at least owe them a fair notice.

 

A huge stuffed animal is always good. Especially if you stick it in a huge box. Then the kid gets two things that he can play with in a manner that was not intended. At 18 months my boys just wanted shit they could throw around and clambor over. As others have said just make sure whatever you get is quiet. Most noisy toys get "lost" pretty quickly while the parents plan murder on whichever ass hat gifted it.

 

Exactly this.

Doing the right thing with your old employer definitely reflects upon your character.