So we’re approaching the end of the first week and I’ve cracked open the clock model. Immediately I realized I’d gotten more than I’d bargained for. I spent time building models as I grew up, but I usually broke the darn things before I ever got anywhere. The curse of poor dexterity and no patience. For thos of you who haven’t seen anything like this before. What you’re looking at is a box filled with cardboard sheets that require precise handing to cut each out without breaking it. Of course if you botch one gear the whole thing doesn’t work.

This clock required me to remove each and every individual piece of cardboard and then assemble, sand, and lacquer each of the gears. Finally, you get to actually put the clock together.  By the end of the first day I had barely gotten through a third of detaching the pieces. Then, I had to use scraps of post-it to ensure that no pieces were lost.

This is about half the pieces and as you can see it already has become a huge nightmare. I am now eating my meals on the far edge of my table because the pieces swarmed everything. Additionally, my coffee table  been cleared and even more pieces have filled that area. All told the are 456 pieces to this model clock and I am proud report that I don’t believe I have lost any one of the.

On the offhand chance that I’m wrong in that prediction I will post another blog entry entirel in wingdings and you can substitute whatever expletives you feel appropriate.

Still, just because I’m working on one project doesn’t mean I have to neglect others. The epresso has been flowing like clockwork each morning as I plan on learning how to do espresso art. First, things first,I need to master foaming milk in the first place. The coffee currently in use is Dillons coffee. Anyone who is familiar with my family know that we prefer Darte’ coffee, but  last thing any aspiring artist wants to do is spent 2,000 dollars on oil paints used by michelangelo while they’re ability would allow them to get the same potential from $2 finger paints. Notice the nice creme onop of the coffee though, that makes the foam art much easier I’m told.

And of course the foam art itself. Note that I use the term “art” rather loosely in this case. This is my best effort at a blob. Actually it was supposed to be a “rosette” but fate intervened. Note also the particularly poor foam quality. That is what happens when you don’t clack and swirl (yes clack and swirl is an artistic term. It is currently in use by at least one barista).

On the irony of the art I’ve chosen I think everyone should find it intersting that one who makes coffee is a barista, one who practices law is a barrister. Sexism anyone? Still I aim to become the world’s first barista barrister. So everyone wish me luck until then.

Until next time I have more sanding and lacquering to do. Upcoming events include salsa lessons which I have learned start in february so stay tuned.