Got my work cut out for me

We had a Weavolution dev team meeting today, the gist of which is that we’re behind schedule.  We figured out how to parcel out the work so we don’t all trip over each other, so I’m going to roll up my sleeves and get to work on implementation.  With an additional person I think we’ll make much faster progress.

So I’m going to be researching, defining, and building the advertising component of the website.  Fortunately there is a Drupal module that does most of the stuff for me; but of course you have to learn how to use, configure, etc. it, not to mention document it so others can use it simply and easily.

So that will be a good chunk of work.

Fortunately cycling training season is mostly over – B. and I went for a short, 28-mile ride today (about two hours and fifteen minutes on the bike) and I’ll probably continue doing 20 and 30 milers on the weekends, but that will free up a lot of time for chocolates and Weavolution.

This afternoon I plan to do two things: (1) work on figuring out some Weavolution stuff, and (2) start trialing chocolate flavors.  I went to a fine wines-and-spirits store in Menlo Park (Beltramo’s) today and spent, um, way too much money on two fine Armagnacs and two fine Cognacs.  (If you’re wondering about the difference between Armagnac and Cognac, they are both brandies, but cognacs are grown in the Cognac region in France and are double-distilled; Armagnacs are grown in the Armagnac region and are single distilled and usually aged in oak.  At least that’s my understanding.)  Also got some small bottles of Chambord (which is divine in truffles) and Frangelico (for the gianduja (hazelnut) chocolates).

I have also, with my usual over-ambitious curiosity, added a few more flavors to the list of Things I Must Try: quince, guava, and tamarind.  I plan to make 1-2 steeped flavors per day, mix them with the added flavors, and taste-test them after a day or so of aging at room temperature.  I hate to toss them out afterwards but there’s not much choice, unless I want to down a pint of ganache per day.  Maybe I can find some hapless friends to foist the results of my testing on.

In liquors, I now have four Armagnacs and two Cognacs to taste-test.  I also am getting seven or eight Scotches courtesy of a friend who collects Scotch.  This should keep me busy for a few days.  I also bought some fresh (!) lavender which I am going to trial with (1) honey and (2) bergamot syrup.  I will probably strip off some of the flowers and freeze them for use in November.

Anyway, it’s off for a shower (we just got home from the bike ride) and then it’s time to launch into CHOCOLATE!!