Tuesday TeaDay 12/30/08 Private TeaHouse?

[kymidwife]

it would just be a more secure place to do things like posting your real name and mailing address

not a good idea to post personal info such as numbers/addys, even if the forum section is "private."

+1... I don't think we should encourage posting of that stuff into any forum, public or private. That's what PM is for.

However, for posting alittle more profile info and general locations to help facilitate meet-ups and such, I think it would be fine. And while it would make more work (coughCHIPcough) for the mods, I think invitation shouldn't be automated, it should be after individual mod review of length of membership, frequency/consistency of logins and posts, and behavior. I've seen some rude jerks who post vocally and frequently... but not politely... on certain forums, but I dont think their behavior has earned them the right to such an invitation. So, basic criteria like duration of membership and number of posts is fine, but also moderator's discretion after personal review. Sorry if I am overthinking this.

In my cup, Rose Marzipan Delight black tea from the dreaded Teavana. Before that was a nice steaming cup of Adagio's Pouchong.

Sarah

[Katrina]

Not much to add since I've been absent for oh so long. Just thought I'd say a quick hi and that I've missed TeaChat. Life got a bit unbalanced of late and I just couldn't fit everything in. Sadly, this forum fell by the wayside. I'm going to at least try to lurk a little more often.

I hope all of you had a nice holiday.

Coconut Masala Chai today...Sadly lacking in coconut flavor, but a nice masala blend nevertheless.

[Salsero]

Always good to see you, Katrina!

[Chip]

I was lurking today. And having a great TeaDay in the process. I had a nice session of Yabe Organic Sencha from Japanese Green Tea Shop, then Sencha Premier from our host, and tonight my routine Mugi/Genmai home roast/blend.

Like I said, great TeaDay.

[Vulture]

There is no such thing as privacy on the web. The web is public and therefore there is no expectation of privacy. You may be able to walk off with small physical items stolen from a retail store for now but the creeping implementation of RFID will put a stop it, and the web is already light years beyond that.

haha no I understand this. Any security is only a deterrent. Anyone can get through with enough effort. When talked about retail security, I meant it as an example. I do not walk out of retail stores with items. I used to prevent that from happening in the stores I worked at.

While there is not much privacy on the internet, I would prefer not to broadcast the area I live, my pictures and such.

[olivierco]

Oh, I think Ippodo may have changed their matcha tins as well. (Not that it matters oh so much, but more an observation. The tins I received are not like the pictured tins, but rather a very short top. The stickers look to be made for the pictured tins with the perforation across the middle. But with the tin I got it sits across just the regular tin itself.

I just thought the other ones looked a bit nicer.

pics please?

This kind of tin (with a small lid) even for 20gr.

[Pentox]

Yup, that's the tin. The lid stops just before the slight bulge that you'll notice underneath the first char on the right column.

[Geekgirl]

is it a screwtop lid? The other tins were great, but they did tend to push out a little *poof* of matcha if you didn't keep them stable. Still, I quite liked them.

[Pentox]

Nope, it's just a push down lid. It's very much like the smaller sample tins that Chip seems to like. Except the base is 2 pieces (base + side) put together instead of a single piece. The seal isn't very strong on them.

I kinda wanted to see how nice the old tins were, I was expecting/hoping to get some of those.

[Rakuras]

As it's been said all around, personal usage and disclosure of information is dependent upon the users. I myself will not likely upload too much as I've been known to be an internet recluse of sorts, giving out my address to only two people in the last decade. My pictures are seldom seen and my location, even here in mild jest, is hidden from public view. I might not use the private section to its fullest though I'm certain some people will- though I've my own concerns to denote.

The first and foremost of my concerns is the limits most people should have with disclosure. The obvious ones such as not putting credit/money or social security numbers and the like online is a steady given. The second one to beware of would be a phone number for the sole reason experience has taught me: the internet is full of loons. A cell phone number posted could be abused and you suddenly receive a very large bill at the end of the month while a house phone might earn many pizza deliveries or international calls.

Of course I doubt many people here would be that immature and abusive with information so an address and pseudonym or like name to ship items to people is far safer than elsewhere. An email would likely be far safer posted here than elsewhere with the same note as you won't have to make a dummy email address here just to avoid being signed up for some form of adult literature news letter. Hopefully we won't find ourselves with some crazy Canadian leather addicts at our doorstep when this is all through and done, neh?

[brandon]

I have had several "old" 20g matcha tins, they are similar to yours I guess except the lid is taller. I will take a photo in a few minutes. I dont see them as keeping the matcha especially fresh.

[laran7]

Judging only by people's posts, Cape Cod and New England seem to have a lot of dedicated tea drinkers. I agree with the safety cautions - but it would be kind of fun to put faces behind the images of the avatars. " Talking" like this is kind of like being at a mascarade - and staying so long in disguise that you begin to believe in the fantasy. I'm ready for humans!

I've seen tea canisters at a local consignment shop - I tried to see if they were still there this morning - but the snow was so thick that I abandoned the idea after getting groceries. (But I want one , now!)

I'm experimenting with gyrokuro - times and temparatures. I like the cup I brewed at a higher temp - 180 degrees - ( it was rich and matcha like and "vegetal" but found it watery and bland when I tried it at 130 degrees.) I need a tea scale to be more consistant with amounts.

Darjeeling is my other tea, today.
Drive safely!

[Chip]

MMMMMMMMMMM, canisters.

[Pentox]

I have had several "old" 20g matcha tins, they are similar to yours I guess except the lid is taller. I will take a photo in a few minutes. I dont see them as keeping the matcha especially fresh.

The taller lid I suspect provides a better seal than the quite short lid of the new canister. That and I think the old ones have a classier look to them.

[Geekgirl]

I guess I'll find out when I get around to placing my order.