R.I.P. dear friend

We met only some four or five months ago but the time we've had together has been nothing short of wonderful.



Last week, my dubiously acquired FrancisFrancis! espresso machine shat the bed. It would appear that the heating element no longer wishes to heat and "cold press" espresso isn't exactly my thing. Repairs look to be prohibitively expensive (especially considering the "price" I paid for this brilliant machine -- a "King Lines" climbing DVD) as they would entail shipping the little life-giver off to NY and paying 65 papers an hour for inspection and repair, with a minimum charge of 130 papers not including parts.

I imagine that once the grieving process subsides I will find myself a new partner, perhaps of the same breed, perhaps something different. It's too soon to say.

Finally, I'd like to say a few words about this FrancisFrancis!'s history (at least that which is known to me). This machine was originally purchased by a local racer, Adam Bergman, some time ago. After a year or two of service under the aforementioned owner this machine was traded to PrimeTime for a used FSA crankset and other bicycle bits. PrimeTime and his wife used this machine until they purchased a dual-purpose coffee/espresso machine, at which point this FrancisFrancis! began it's stint in the shadows of PrimeTime's basement gathering dust. In the Fall of 2007 the machine was traded to me for a climbing DVD; I cleaned it, decalcified it, and put it to good use.

You have served me well, FrancisFrancis! -- I bid you a fond adieu.