17th..::*'``'*::..My Tea Party..::*'``'*::..

For I've finally rested a while and collected my thoughts a bit I figured now'd be a time most suitable for giving you my impression of a wonderful day with some pictures to boot. If you've decided to proceed to reading the whole thing I strongly recommend you make yourself a nice cup of tea and play some Chopin or Vivaldi in the background using your favourite music player - that is what we listened to just so you know. I on the other hand now know that I'm capable of stealing potential guests from other parties and with that in mind and the obvious fact that my parties are of higher class anyway I can safely say there's more to come - everybody fancies a cup of fine tea.
My guests were all superb and beautiful as expected - dressed fancily, well groomed and naturally well mannered. Including me there were ten of us even though some couldn't come this time and I am sure they'll certainly do the next time. Right about now I think I should thank Mirju 'Schwan' (That's a pun with the japanese honorific suffix chan and the german word for swan) for bringing her camera and taking all these pretty pictures. So should you, for you'd have nothing to look at if it wasn't for her delightful presence. You may enjoy her on the third picture from the top in whose background you can
also see Martin and Hanna: one engaged in his first ever chess battle against the mysterious man behind the curtain, the other attending to the fireplace - it seems that people had fun with that. Thus the weird discussions on the matter of divine logs I overheard at one point. I knew we'd come to religion and philosophy at one point in our discussions but I must admit I heard many a thing I did not expect to hear at all.
Anyway once more guests arrived the party took off in a jiffy with talk and laughter and tea starting with peppermint continuing on to rose with french vanilla, strawberry, tropic thunder, and white tea with

mandarin flavour. A lot of delicious cake and biscuits were had and later even some wine I quite liked.
Naturally our ballerinas managed to lead the discussion topic onto their playing field many a time in a row and tea was discussed quite often as well. Holding that thought - I remember Maret asking what the difference between vanilla and french vanilla was. Here is the answer I just googled for you darling: French vanilla is creamy and especially rich in flavour. Now...
I expect you've grown interested if you weren't there
and I can hardly blame you. Those who were there
know exactly what you've missed. Maybe you'll join

us another time. When, I'm not sure yet... hopefully soon. Honing your chess skills seems like a good idea as is drinking a lot of tea in between parties to grow accustomed to it. Because, my god, we know how to drink tea...
If nothing stops me nor you I think we'll gather again in October. Meanwhile I'll try to do my best to continue blogging about tea and tea-places. Perhaps I'll even return to blogging on elysiantimes.blogspot.com which would be my previous blog for those who don't know. Some liked it, maybe you will too. See you soon my lovely teacups.

16th...♠♣♠ Tea in Tsink Plekk Pang ♥♦♥ Tea in Shakespeare ♠♣♠...

Tis for thee the finest of company I am most grateful for and take pleasure in tea as we did afore erewhile this day we shall surely do erelong again.
Yes, I'm still into references...
Miss Merike, Mr. Martin... thank you for a wonderful tea-lover's night out and know that I very much appreciate that you both look so pretty.
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Tea in Tsink Plekk Pang

While the ever so popular Pang is no stunner and even a bit smelly at times, (smelly as in scent of that 'food'?-thing everyone's so clingy about) they can still make for a fine cup of tea and a pleasant atmosphere. And do not misjudge the slightly negative start of this review - I am just about done with everything negative I have to say about it.
If you are a tea lover like me and you've been to Pang I'm sure you know of its two ageless gems Ms. Butterfly and Forest Tale... Whichever tea you choose you will have served in a well-designed teapot with cups to match. Never ever as far as I know has the tea in Pang been too hot, cold or otherwise ill prepared even if they have a newcomer behind the counter... it seems they always do.
For I have almost, but not quite, managed to work on a method to apply when I declare my final judgement it may seem but a whim of mine when I deliver those cats to you. But trust me still if you have ever done so before - I choose my cats wisely by judging service, taste, comfort, aesthetics, variety and style. As for Pang, it gets the front half of these requirements right and deserves a neat:
3 cats out of 5.

/no /blush /XD
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Tea in Shakespeare

An elegant-ish place in a neat environment with a befitting name to boot. I may be rushing things but the aesthetics part they've gotten right or even perfect as long as you look in one direction. Also if you love candy then you will love this place for they give you some to go with your receipt. However, as for the tea selection and quality they lack both. Real leaf tea is a must in a really classy place that Shakespeare sadly fails to be and thus I've also got to cut cats for style.
(I love how I just said "cut cats for style" and it made sense.)
The service was impeccable - really fast. For I had two first class companions along, it seemed I had to wait naught. And I'd say it's also very comfortable in there where I to keep in mind that it is but me only who thinks it's hot everywhere.
My first impression of this place was quite a bit better than the one I've come to deliver to you now, but I think that bearing in mind my goal I've done rightly so. For a restaurant Shakespeare is really good - for a tea-place you should look elsewhere:
2 cats out of 5.

/floor /hihi

15th...=&..¤¤/%...Come out with your hands up..&¤¤#%¤..!!!

It has been a while again and I'm starting to think I am all but suited for blogging in general. Be that as it may - here's a post notwithstanding. The last couple of weeks I've mainly focused on designing props for Fyerellal and even so I have loads to do. I must reduce the amount of free time I have each day...
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Currently drinking:

Tropic Thunder
Sense of Tea and Coffee
infused 5min / cooled in the freezer
Personal rating: 7/10 However the its scent is a different story completely.

The faces of the people around me turned to look at me in an instant after I had opened the plastic bag in which the tea resided. And many days after one of my sisters guests had me open it for her for she wanted to be engulfed in the exotic wonder that is the fabulous scent of this tea.
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Although as much as I really like doing longer reviews - as suggested by Mr.Grim - and telling you about tea-places and tea, it really slips my grasp at times. Mr.Eisenschmidt had a visit in mind if I remember correctly and if so - I can hopefully bring you a second one soon.

I remember I got an excellent suggestion from Lady Hanna to try some teas by TESS. You were right in that I had noticed them before. The ones you suggested however I have not tried yet and I most definitely will in the near future. I also agree with your statement about the pretty and well-designed packaging - it was even more a pleasure to make tea than usual.

Last but by no means least - Miss Teacup, Lady Merike... thank you for ultimately making me write again - how can I not if it's a hostage situation. But I am most grateful to you and I hope we can start to work on that tea party soon. Enjoy your tea!

14th...=("#%&...Cannot sleep - Look like Zombie...="(#/)#"¤....

Today I'll probably start composing a melody for an antagonist in the Fyerellal setting. After that I might start building something for that game. And on Wednesday or so I'll get a car trip to some store where they sell building materials for I need some for Mona's katana and for my spear. I've already composed three dragon's songs and all in all there will be a lot of music it seems.
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Currently drinking:

Wild Raspberry tea
Hyson
inused 4min in Arkta
Personal rating: 8/10
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I bought many more a wonderful brand of tea yesterday so you've something to look forward to. I still must find time to throw a tea party. And I still must find time to visit tea places.

13th...,;;~*'´"`'*~;;,..."...but the tea was still subpar."...,;;~*'´"`'*~;;,...

I have still no new restaurants to tell you about; however, I most definitely will add many. The last days I've been figuring out the optimal way to design a pretty pillar for Fyerellal but I lack initiative. At least I have some time left for I also have to make a spear or a huge tessen, another monster and also a new katana for Mona. For those of you who do not know her - She is the girl who ultimately got me into game-mastering in the first place.
The game will be a blast, I'm sure. Some old faces I haven't seen for a while... _____________________________________________________________________

While I'm not having any tea right now, I'm still going to tell you about some I had earlier - yesterday actually. My thanks go to Mr.Grim who introduced this particular exemplar to me. Now I have to take back some bad words I've said about Lipton earlier, for their new plastic tea bags are of high quality and do not stain your tea. In fact many companies have started to use these in favour of the old paper ones. The new pyramid shape is also very popular nowadays for it effectively increases the space for the tea leaves to unfold. If you are interested I added a link here that can teach you more about tea bags. I found it highly interesting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_bag
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Also I'd love to give three huge "Thank you very much!"es to the three commentators from my last post.
I've sent a letter to Mr.Edgar and I hope he has received it. We've thus far talked in English only although we're both native Estonians if I'm not mistaken. Just something I thought about...

Mr.Eisenschmidt led me to a fantastic song: Shelter by The XX. I listen to it every night now - smooth as silk, very easy to listen to. I think I'll also mention how great this song once in his blog as well.

And lady Merike, first I'd like to thank you for that tea suggestion. Hyson's Wild Rasberry tea - I'll find it and drink it! Secondly (for I had some technical difficulties commenting in her blog) I'll state here that I really enjoy her work, her poems... I suggest you look it up. Her blog "Postkaadrid" is in my blog list to the right. Her "Sirelivaras" reminds me of Edgar Degas - because of the lighting mainly. And I sure hope she will do more of those poetry reading videos.

12th..%);,.ˇ...Tea in Pierre...,.:£.=..::,,.,.

For a couple of reasons I couldn't start what I wanted to start last week. However, a plan is a plan and now I want to share with you: my Monday...

Quite unexpectedly and to my great delight I received a phone call from Annika. For those of you who do not know her: She is my beautiful dancing-partner back from when we were performing The Seven Deadly Sins.
Anyway, our goal was to have some wine in some place she suggested and talk about the world, yet unluckily that place was closed. We decided to have some Noir wine instead and enjoyed it quite a bit. After that we had some coffe and tea in Pierre. ____________________________________________________________________

Now comes the important part of it all - Tea in Pierre.

Pierre is a cafe of unmatched beauty as far as my currently available experience is concerned. Mostly it was the scenery that delighted me - both inside and outside - where else can such 'Frenchness' be found?
The boasted a wide variety of Tea to offer and that was true - for green and black tea. I can understand why they would neglect others but, as far as you and me are concerned: it is a tea place without Red, White, Oolong etc.
I liked my cup of randomly selected green tea quite a bit. The water was quite fine, the tea, the slice of lemon and the syrup were to my liking and even the cup was easy to hold besides being pretty as well. So as far as tea was concerned they did pretty well. My only critique is that they may have added slightly too much syrup perhaps which gave my tea a bit too much of an oily taste. Actually the infuser was pretty old and beat up but I won't judge them for that. Everything else was fine: the seats, the tables, service.

As for now I'll give it a hearty 5 cats out of 5.

/omg/please/blur/wahaha/bye

I'll definitely visit it another time...

11th...€.:,;..This title is not related to the post below in any way shape or form..:, ;..)..]

After a while now since I stopped working on my last blog I finally came upon a good idea for my inevitable departure, leaving for the unliving. It must be beautiful, as I've said many times before, and I have a feeling it will be. Aaanyway...

...if my wish comes true I'll be all happy and cheerful the next week visiting cafes and restaurants. Taali seemed delighted to join me and there is definitely many a wonderful tea place in the heart of our bloody airless and damp town - so that will be our starting point.

Oh cruel summer, why oh why must you be so bloody annoying...?

It is 4.44 in the morning and I decided I do not want to sleep - I'd rather have some tea instead.
Currently drinking: The last of my Dilmah Exceptional Rose tea...
I feel I am bound now to declare I love it even more than Lady Silver.
A 9/10 seems more of a score it deserves...
I'll raise my cup for a kitty who naps
in hopes of success and red dreams perhaps?
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Tea Tip of the Day!

If at all possible you should avoid using those small tea bags and favor infusers instead. Only if you are certain of a company that produces high-quality tea bags that don't leave glue, dust or some residue in your cup should you use them. Using tea leaves is better anyway but sometimes not convenient. A few companies that I trust are Tess, Dilmah and Greenfield. I recommend you avoid Lipton but bare in mind this is just my personal opinion.
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Oh my... I just noticed it's July...^^

10th...)(.-..;,Care to join me?..&..;:..;,,...

I've thought a little about making something like a "Tea-drinker's guide to Tartu". It would be a longer project which follows me and perhaps you through town and all the better tea-places it has to offer. But I'll need someone to accompany me when I do decide to go...
Is somebody interested in having a cup of tea with me?

Leave a comment or tell me...

And now in jest I'll claim it'll be -
from bad to better, from better to best -
a glamorous tea-drinking grind fest!

9th...¤....)(::..A poem pr'haps?...=..??+.....

This will be a shortish post about how I lack time for one. 

For a host I am, I never sleep - admittedly I am pretty booked this week. 

But not to worry - I'll find time! If nothing more than that I promise - 

I can manage this at least. Lest I die I will never cease 

to grant your wishes, 

serve your tea.

8th.../..^..I have a right to snobbery, do not judge me..=...\..

Why is it, that modern guests do not know their place anymore? I do not see myself as master of the house - yet - having strangers stroll about without a care and disregarding any need for etiquette seems outright outrageous to me. Admittedly this is to be expected when I live alongside other members of my age-group. Day on and out Like Jacks in the box random strangers appear here where I live. I'm sure they must have been horribly deceived by someone, for "Make yourself at home" does not really mean it is their home now. Such backstabbers! How dare they impose actions on me and repeatedly insist I deny myself the right to have a say in the matter. Kind stranger, you must be hallucinating... Have some of my tea, out of spite...
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Currenlty drinking:

Earl Grey
Twinings
infused 4min in Arkta (I like this brand of water for my tea)
Personal rating: 6/10


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Today will probably include serious bloodshed and furious laughter. By the way: I've got a pretty good feeling about my musical now. It'll be a bit French Fairy-tale and a bit Tim Burton-ish. But now I'm going to prepare my basement for MY guests who are far superior to certain other ones.
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Tea Tip of the Day!

Guests always get tea, even if they do not deserve it...
"I hope it doesn't taste bitter, kind guest of mine..."
"Why would it?"
"Oh.. well.. I made it with love, you see..."

7th...³..µ....My head is aching so I talk nonsense...¶..-..-

Today, as I was preparing for my daily shower, I noticed I was being watched by three pairs of eyes. I know what you're thinking... this must be another spider joke. Admittedly, it is but this spider was a pervert and deserved death like no other.
So I grabbed a shampoo bottle, dashed forward and delivered a quick sneak attack. The spider dodged the initial impact but couldn't quite avoid the AoE damage. As it was running I chased it down and managed to hit it twice with my auto-attack. He fled behind some cover but died seconds later to my DoT passive.
Morale of the story - I need more CC. He needs some health pots and a resurrection shrine.
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Currently drinking:

Coffe
The machine makes it for me
It grinds beans for it.
Makes noise but delivers quickly.
Personal rating: Nom
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Tea Tip of the Day!

Bottled water boils much much faster than tap water. Admittedly this is only useful if you are in a hurry to have some tea or regularly when you are just a really impatient one.
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For some reason Blogger won't let me add any pictures today. I must try again later.

6th... +..¥...If people annoy you have some tea..¦...-..§...

It is pretty difficult to concentrate on blogging when an annoying little madcap won't shut up about his work ethics... "A good worker is a live worker - paid to live and work. A bad worker is a dead worker, and vice-versa. Don't be a bad worker! Bad workers are slaves... and dead! Payday for good workers is postponed... indefinitely. Payday for bad workers is cancelled."
I'd love if my PC was a bit better... Alice:(

On another note:
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Currently drinking:

Lady Silver 
Dilmah
infused 3min in Bonaqua
Personal rating: 9/10 (I've always loved this blend so I am biased)


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I was to help out with some things in the kitchen today. Doing work is all good and fine but I can't stand hollow chitchat with annoying people. I played some Corelli and Vivaldi in the background to help matters. It didn't help. I should have chosen Metal music - good and loud.
Anyway I'm all healed up now thanks to Lady Silver.
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Tea Tip of the Day!

To maximize taste, it is preferable to brew tea leaves in loose form rather than using a small tea ball or infuser (yet these accessories are popular, convenient, and yield tasty brews). This allows the leaves to fully open and release all their flavor.

Use 1 teaspoon of whole leaf tea for each cup you are brewing. This is the standard for compact blends. If you are brewing tea that has a lot of volume, consider using up to two tablespoons per serving.

If you want the convenience of using a tea bag or sachet, simply use one for every cup of tea you are making. The key to good tasting brew is to make sure your tea bags are always fresh.

The tea in commercially produced bags is typically comprised of small pieces of leaves or fannings that are susceptible to becoming stale faster than the well-stored loose leaf variety.

5th...♠...♥..;..Still alive, but barely..+...?..

In the morning the weather was fine enough for me to wear my new favourite striped jacket. I hope I looked good in it for I met many people. After the ceremony I traded words with Taali. For those of you who do not know her: She is skinny and cute and probably the only girl from my old school who wasn't bloody annoying. She will most likely be at the Tea party!
After I had left home for town - unsuspecting as I was - all of a sudden that bloody happily-annoying shinycake of a sun made a cameo appearance! "Oh great, well that's bloody sublime!" My neck hurts!
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Currenlty drinking:

Mango Delight
Greenfield
infused 7min in Bonaqua
Personal rating 7/10 (The exquisite taste of mango was heavenly once sweetened)

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As delightful as the tea was - I am in a state of annoyed-yet-strangely-sarcastically-happy. I might even change my ringtone to: "Still Alive"...... I think I'll write two posts today as well.
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Tea Tip of the Day!

The time it takes to brew tea correlates to the size of the leaf in your blend.
This means the larger the leaf the longer the brewing time.

Black:
Water Temp: 205-212 F
Steeping Time: 3-5 minutes

Oolong:
Water Temp: 185-200 F
Steeping Time: 3-5 minutes

Green:
Water Temp: 165-185 F
Steeping Time: 3-5 minutes

White:
Water Temp: 160-175 F
Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes

Herbal/Tisanes:
Water Temp: 205-212 F
Steeping Time: 5-7 minutes

4th...¤..+;..What a lovely day..½..~~~...

I am really looking forward to that tea party now and I am but trying to stop pondering on who will show up. I wonder what music we are likely to play. And now that I've been granted blessing by a Tea Queen it can only be a successful one. I mean.. you wouldn't really be able to say no to my tea party now, would you? Could you resist... It surely will be wonderful.. could you? Naturally you possibly could not, ever...
Keep waiting for the invitation...

I did my shopping for today and it was a triumph. I'm making a note here: Huge Success!
I yielded three boxes of good tea and a little something for my sister as well. I cannot risk describing that little something any further before after the public ceremony tomorrow at noon. I hope she'll come to like it. But more about the yield now:
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Currently drinking:

"Pina Colada" Green tea with mango, pineapple and other fruits.
Tess
infused 3min in Bonaqua
Personal rating: 6/10 (although its scent was unbelievably good 10/10)
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The beautiful fan in the picture that you surely noticed was a gift from Birgit. For those of you who don't know her: Well... tough luck.. I mean.. look at the fan!^^

It seems to me that I am also running out of those little signs and weird shapes that I can add with my number buttons. I must study and find their brethren for me to use... And I decided I had better add numbers to my posts - for easier tracking I guess.

3rd...}..".....I need to shop....-..!..:p

I started the morning with a long shower not because I really needed one but for the sole reason that everybody is so furiously inactive at 5am Eastern European Standard Time. Must you people be so annoying, must you really? Now 6 hours later ♫ everybody is rushing ♫ to continue sleeping for an extended period of time. Got the pop-culture reference there? Being bored out of my mind I had another cup'o cocoa and then some more of that wonderful Ceylon with Rose and French Vanilla - ultimately leading me to re-rating it to an 8 out of 10. I had a total of six sizable cups of beverages the other day and... today, it seems increasingly likely, I will top that - thus effectively doubling commonly desired daily water intake.

Also, my hand is a dolphin!

Pardon...

I think it likely won't be long that I leave for town to buy more stuff (tea) proceeding - naturally - to take it easy and engage into a furious sip-fest of tasty awesomeness.

You know I really should throw a tea party - tell me if you are interested - anyone?

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Currently drinking:

Black Jack Tea with Lemon

Assam

infused 4min in normal tap water

(I run out of bottled water but it has a flavour strong enough to negate the ill effect it would normally have)

Personal rating: 4/10

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Tea utensils - I have plenty; however; I am rapidly running out of tables and cookies to take tea pictures with. Tragedy strikes upon me for I have no cookies nor tables. Chop chop, do some shopping and don't forget your boʔle of waʔer! My god that pronunciation...

Also:

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Tea Tip of the Day!

Since tea is comprised of 99% water, the type of water you use will affect the clarity and taste of your beverage. So if your water tastes good then your tea will taste good. The best type of water to use when brewing tea is filtered or bottled water that is free of chemicals and chlorine. If that isn’t available and you are using tap water, run your faucet for around ten seconds and until the tap water is cold before filling your tea kettle.

2nd...-..%...I r cat / Catz luv Matcha!...$...*...

I am still waiting for more pictures of me as a cat-boy-magus. Thus far I've come across but one and I must say I half-expect the other ones too will be... ill-charming. I hope my added cat ears look better on those... and that my tail is fluffy enough. In any case...if... I find a good one I will consider uploading it.
I've grown to like live action role play once again and it seems to fit well with my traits. Making swords and other martial killing-devices is as fun as making sunshades. I wonder if I can one day manage to turn a play into a musical - more so than Mirju even. For those of you who don't know her: She is a pretty and talented girl who also likes role-playing... and tea of course - for all the cool kids like tea.

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Currently drinking:

Sencha with Honey

Presto

infused 2min in Evian / re-cooled

Personal rating: 8/10

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Speaking of musicals ::: Liivi and I are finally about to engage into a discussion about one. Yet above all it will be a Matcha ice cream date. For those of you who don't know her: She appears to be a girl whereas in reality she is a cat - quite like Yoruichi all in all... And for those of you who do not know what Matcha ice cream is: Go find some, it is good! Like really good...

1st...+..#..Hello there you...'..*..=...

You see...

The biggest of issues a writer has to face, when scribbling a thing or two to blog every once in a while, is not nor has it ever been obtaining enough endurance on a day to day basis to put up with the time lost - for the whole idea behind writing is being well prepared!

"Do I have enough tea?" --- "Yes!" --- "Then I am well prepared!"

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Currently dinking:

Ceylon with Rose & French Vanilla

Dilmah Exceptional
infused 4min in Evian

Personal rating: 8/10 (re-rated)

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I take it you enjoy your tea good Sir, Madame...
If you do not I can but slightly blame you and ponder on what is wrong with your brain. Yet who am I to judge a heretic - but a member of The Clergy of Fine Tea, not more. Yes, quite true... Tea, the pastime I favour above all others. What is yours? Procrastination perhaps?

No, I am not angry with you - I am being so sincere right now.

Except for if you really love tea - then I actually am sincere.

In that case - Congratulations! Your brain is probably just fine.

I am really happy for you.

For those of you who have now realized failure in life and want to improve:

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Tea Tip of the Day!

Before making your tea, check to be sure your teapot and utensils are clean. While this seems obvious, kettles, teapots, cups, strainers and other tea accessories need to be gently washed on a regular basis with soap or baking soda (even if they are just used for boiling water or brewing tea). This helps to remove mineral deposits and old residue that can taint the flavor of your freshly made brew.

You really should have some tea right now, you know...

Just saying...