Interests that fill my hours

I've sat two Vipassana courses, one in Hong Kong and one in Thailand. I practice it not as a technique but as a way of living, and it's the closest I've found to a steady, unforced contentment. Anicca, anicca, anicca. Everything is under the law of impermanence, and learning to feel that directly, moment to moment, is the whole practice.

The machine on my counter is a La Pavoni lever, which means it automates nothing. Pressure, temperature, timing: every variable is yours to hold, and it happily punishes inattention. That's the appeal. I tend to love tools with character more than the things they make, and this one has plenty.

The shelf rotates, but bottles I've owned, finished, and would buy again: Springbank 15, Ardbeg Uigeadail, Aberlour A'Bunadh, Kilkerran Heavily Peated, Kavalan Oloroso Sherry, Laphroaig Quarter Cask. (Price watch site in progress)