Monday, September 15, 2008

Why?

I'm trying to stress less and stop being such a worrywart, but what's a 4-cup-a-day-girl to do when her coffeemaker goes on the fritz?

I only discovered that coffeemakers require 'descaling' a few weeks ago when my espresso machine began sputtering and I turned to the user's manual to find the answers. I grew up in a soft-water area, so this ultra-hard-water nonsense is frustrating.

I'm currently "running" descaling solution through both the espresso maker and the coffeepot, unfortunately my 12-cup coffeemaker has only made it halfway to the 10-cup line in an hour.
(A kind Starbucks barrista took pity on my decaff-induced glassy eyes and gave me a packet of solution this morning when I left the apartment to purchase a cup.)

It might be a slight understatement to say that panic has set in.

11 comments:

Jenny Beattie said...

Oh dear, I would be suffering under the strain of no tea, so I can imagine the pain you're in.

Hard water is the work of the devil. We have replaced our boiler twice in the UK!

Angie said...

JJ, I'm already worried about tomorrow morning!
After a big descaling effort this evening, it's fair to say the coffeepot is dead when only a trace of water passed in three hours, so I'm letting Husband have his fun and take it apart. :)
I'm learning the hard water lesson the hard (hardy har) way. I never knew!
p.s. Re: my website - I posted about it awhile ago and added the link then, but I think you may have been travelling at the time. Thanks for the lovely comment. xx

Lane Mathias said...

I hope hubby knows how to put it together again and the coffee is flowing freely again soon:-)

I feel your pain. No coffee is just not an option:-)

Kristen @ frostingandfroth.com said...

Let me know if you need me to kidnap you for a Peet's or Starbucks run. I'm a good friend so, you know, I'd be willing to make the sacrifice. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Wonder what a “worrywart” is and if you truly are one?

The job of worry is to anticipate danger before it arises and identify possible perils, to come up with ways to lessen the risks, and to rehearse what you plan to do. Worrywarts get stuck in identifying danger as they immerse themselves in the dread associated with the threat, which may be real or, more likely, imagined. They spin out an endless loop of melodrama, blowing everything out of proportion. "What if I have a heart attack?" "What if there is an earthquake?" "What if someone breaks in when I'm asleep?"
While worrywarts insist worrying is helpful, little is solved. Stuck in thinking ruts, they stop living in the here and now--the present moment. Worrywarting is torment--a kind of self-imposed purgatory that makes you feel bad, stresses you out, and wastes precious moments of your life.
Worse yet, worry begets more worry, setting into motion a vicious circle of frightening thoughts and anxious response. It is self-perpetuating, pushing into greater anxiety and more worry. Allowed to continue unchecked, chronic worry can evolve into panic attacks and, in extreme cases, agoraphobia, which is a paralyzing fear of having a panic attack, especially in public. It can be so severe that, in the worst cases, the sufferer can't leave home.

Coffee - caffine - promotes worrywarting. ONe way to reduce worry is to reduce coffee/coke consumption.
For how to stop worrywarting and start worrying smart, visit my site.

Angie said...

Lane, sadly, husband's skills were no help. The problem was inside the pump, and since it was glued on, it would've been ruined if he took it off.

It's French press coffee for me this morning. :( Glad I kept that press now...

Kristen, I think I could schedule a kidnapping for Friday. I'm gonna need it by then! Thanks for being so selfless. ;)

Dr Beverly, thanks for visiting.
Well, I suppose by your definition I'm not a true worrywart. Maybe it's a phrase I use too lightly, but I meant it (partly) in jest, although it's safe to say I am a worrier.
Unfortunately caffeine=my drug of choice and I have no plans of giving it up. I drink in moderation (mostly) and enjoy it immensely. No coke for me, just coffee or tea.

Kat W said...

At least you've got the coffee press and Starbucks- phew!

And in a late response to your last post......I get like you about my writing. At the moment I am full of doubt and anxiety about the book I've written despite the fact that I was originally so enthused by it. I am also a perfectionist and so never reach the standard I want to be. Unachievable targets and all that! My theory is that us 'creative types' are prone to worrying and anxiety. But I guess without that sensitive side to us, we'd be unable to connect with our writing in the same way.

Not sure if I made any sense, I'm a bit sleepy.

Hugs, Kat :-)

Unknown said...

No coffee? Noooooooooooooooooo!

Angie said...

Kat, true! SO glad coffeeshops exist.

I think you're right that it's a normal problem for creative types. Have you read The Courage to Write? It's a fab book and really helped me when I read it. Of course, the perfectionist self-doubts linger now and then.
(You made perfect sense.)

Chad, that's what I'm talking about!

Helen said...

I'm just catching up. I hope you are ok now and your worries are getting smaller. I wish I could clean when worried, unfortunately that is the last thing I do! x

Angie said...

Helen, it's good to see you on the blogs again. I love your new place!
I'm okay, I just continue to worry about the fact that I'm not 'working' while I write. It's an old issue for me and some days are worse than others.
Guess the cleaning is one good side effect of my worrying! ;)