February 16th, 2005 by 
Garrick Van Buren
Sam over at Afongen.com reminded me of something extremely important - How Long to Store Coffee:
“There is a marked decline in coffee’s flavor over the course of a week after roasting. If memory serves me correctly, something like 70% of the compounds responsible for coffee’s flavor are gone in that time, transformed into something far less pleasant.”
Here at First Crack central, we have 2 air-tight, light-proof containers. One for caff, one for decaf. Stored on the counter-top, never in the fridge.
This evening marks a week since I came down with that nasty something, and those containers haven’t been cracked open since. I’m a 100% - and a little nervous about the state of the beans.
Looks like I’m due for a trip to White Rock.
UPDATE: Yes, I can confirm the coffee in those containers is awful. Sour and sharp, Not refreshing and eye-opening.
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February 16th, 2005 by Garrick Van Buren
On the drive back from a Urban Hillbilly Quartet show, I interview Milo - the band’s washboard player, and his fiance (& my sister) Kari. You hear the history of his washboard playing, a washboard solo, what Kari does doing a show, and how to review a book in 5 words or less.
Listen to More Washboard, Less Cowbell [39 min]
Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1
Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast
Posted in Interviews, Music, Podcasts | No Comments »
February 12th, 2005 by Garrick Van Buren
Hi all. My apologies for the lack of updates. Some sort of virus put the smack down on me earlier this week (it’s going around). My head feels like a bowling ball and the thought of talking hurts. Worst of all - I haven’t had coffee since Tuesday. Tea. Lots of tea and lots of tasty Green Goodness juices.
Jen just listened to Jon Share His Geo, and she said she liked the format - me being between you and the interviewee. Less eavesdropping and more This American Life-esque. What do you think? 206-20-BEAN-1 or email.
Thanks for sticking around. I hope to bring you another heavily caffeinated episode early next week.
In the mean time, check out something else I’ve been working on: WishRSS - it turns Amazon WishLists into RSS feeds.
Alright. Time for more tea.
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February 6th, 2005 by Garrick Van Buren
Jon Steinhorst is a designer and film maker I’ve known for years. In part 2 of our conversation he describes his new journaling system, public v. private writing, his impressions of Chicago, and his new do-it-yourself car-share venture.
Listen to Jon Shares His Geo [18 min]
Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1
Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast
Posted in Interviews, Podcasts, Urban Living | No Comments »
February 6th, 2005 by Garrick Van Buren
Jon Steinhorst is a designer and film maker I’ve known for years. In part 1 of our conversation we talk about his history of film making, unofficial double features, and films worth watching.
A couple of notes:
Listen to the Movie Episode [21 min]
Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1
Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast
Posted in Interviews, Movies, Podcasts | No Comments »
February 3rd, 2005 by Garrick Van Buren
While I perform major editing surgery on the next two shows, you can get your First Crack fix from my interview - on the other side of the mic - with Rob Wahl @ Podcast411.com, listen here.
Listen to Special Announcement Feb 2005 [2 min]
Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1
Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast
Posted in Interviews, Podcasts | No Comments »