#justinotherteablog

[justinotherteablog]

Don’t Be Sad said the package. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Boxes topped with boxes my whole life inside these boxes. Goodbye Town. Goodbye State. Oh. Goodbye Pacific Ocean. Our family tree was westward bound but westward we’re no more. Heading East. Heading North. Driving further than I’ve ever. Seeking Peace. Shelter, Sleep. Following dreams, taking pleasures. Spokane, Bozeman, Glendive, Fargo. Twin Cities, Windy City. Oberlin, Ohio. Utica, near Syracuse, Where my mother was born and ran. I’ll pass through it for the first time. She’ll never go back again. Don’t Be Sad. New Horizons Brand new beaches Different places There’s a house called Ceremony Where I’ll sit and be served tea Touching down In my mind Is not the same as when it happens It’s like In trying to prepare myself I delude my self No end Don’t Be Sad. Larger leaf is coming with me All the way plus the kettle and the teaware and the stash And you, my friends 2019 “Don’t Be Sad” Huangpian from @bitterleafteas (by way of @grateful.tea.d ) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #bitterleafteas #huangpian #puerh #puerhtea #puerhaddict #puer #rawpuerh #rawpuer #shengpuerh #shengpuer #gaiwan #gaiwans #gongfucha #gongfu #gongfutea #gongfuteaware #teaware #teawares #teawareaddict #justinotherteablog #tea #teastagram #chinesetea #instatea #teareview #teablog #teajourney #teaspiration #teapoem (at Moving On) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgKWom8JR3A/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[justinotherteablog]

When it’s hot it hits sudden Like striking Like lightning A little time spent with a cricket Crawling backward Crawling forward Wings electric between two worlds Touching green Touching yellow Like gyokuro in the shade It uplifts I’m replenished But the cricket wants no part In my loping waltz with time As I wrestle with its pace As I settle in myself So it hops and makes a sound I find similar to freedom Then it leaves me by myself The way I came The way I’ll go ——————- Gyokuro for the sixth time in as many days. From @nio_japanese_green_tea . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oh my gosh. What? Im just burying some hashtags… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . : . . . . . It’s awkward to put ‘em up there. . . . : : . : : : : . . . : . : . . Also, imo, the first of the two W’s is akward… unnecessary even. . . . . . . . . . : . : . . . : . . . Well… phonetically it’s necessary. . . . . . . . . . . . : : . . : Wouldntwannaconfuseakwardwithakmak . . : : . : : . : . : : : . : . . . . . You know, like the cracker? . . : : : . : . : . Stone ground wheat. Two sesame seeds per square inch. Never goes stale. . . . : . . : : . . . : . . I’d rather have those spelled awkmak. . . : . : : : : . : : : . : : : : : : : : Btw. Being a bottomreader is not the same as being a bottomfeeder. . . . . . : : : : : : Welcome to my brain. . . : : : . : : . . . This is just where I put the lines that don’t go in the tea raps. . . . : . : : : . . JO. OUT. . . . : : : : : : : : : I said out. . . . : : : : : : : : . Nothing to see here. . . . : : : : : : . : : : : : : : : : : : . : : : : : : : : : : .: . . : : : : . C A N T A G U Y B U R Y S O M E H A S H T A G S I N P E A C E . . . . . : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : . : : . . : . . : : : : : : : : : : : : #justinotherteablog #greentea #gyokuro #gyokurotea #tea #tearitual #coldbrewtea #coldbrew #chaxi #ltheanine #teadrunk #teapoetry #teastagram #teaforlife #teaforone #umami #poetsofinstagram #teablog #teaporn #tealeaves (at Cricket Zone) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChM9eteOuEe/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[justinotherteablog]

47 hours. That’s how long the stolen ebike lasted before the battery finally kicked. I wouldn’t call myself anti-tourist. I grew up in a tourist town, I live in a tourist town, I’ve been a tourist enough times to allow empathy and understanding to permeate any lasting sense of frustration, judgement, or impatience. When an app-controlled-pedal-assist ebike is left running tho.. the hike to the peak of Mt Moral High Ground appears further in the distance the closer I get. I rode down the steep hill to the river. Then, with an unexpected lack of exertion, I rode back up. Then, off to the studio. —- Whisky is a good dog. Deaf, scraggily, with a permanent expression that seems to scream: “get off my lawn.” Because Whisky can’t hear me approach, I have to be careful in my greeting. Today though, everything was clicking. Whisky lifted a front paw and exposed the under-scratched under-belly. My pots in the adjoining room continued drying, waiting to be trimmed. For all I cared, they could turn to dust. I’d get to them when Whisky and I had finished communing. I went into the makerspace, ready to work. Before I knew what had hit me a yellow lab bounded to my side. I had already calibrated my energy to “canine”. Arthur pressed his hip against my leg, the firm presence lowering my blood pressure. After fifteen minutes of paying particular attention behind the ears and underneath the collar, I was ready to begin. And thus the tone was set as I trimmed and buffed and signed and glazed. Pooh-like, I hummed a little hum throughout. The bustle of a community studio housing over fifty members dwindled as dinner time approached. As the pinks and golds of sunset pressed through the windows, I stirred from my trance-like state. The needle tool I’d been using to remove masking tape from the filter holes of my teapots came to a rest, returning to my apron pocket. My quiet breathing and beating heart carried down the hallway. I was alone. The quiet night greeted me as I entered the code in the lockbox. A faint glow in the sky lit my path. The bike was untouched. I hopped on and headed home. #clayart #stoneware #gaiwan #teaware #justinotherteablog #gongfucha #clay (at Ebike) https://www.instagram.com/p/CetinrvOaHZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[justinotherteablog]

2020 man zhuan from @puerist.co by way of @onerainyseasoninyunnan 1️⃣often when I get a sample I’ll pull out the chunk and save it while I gather what remains in the bottom for the initial impression. 2️⃣I really like close ups. 3️⃣no waiting for it to open up. All aboard the qi train from the jump 🚂 4️⃣this is that moment. That moment when it hits and I couldn’t really say what I’ve been doing or what I’ve been thinking about or anything. I know it’s worry free tho. Feelin’ like I l just just found found the pearl pearl in the shellshellfishfish —-kinda vibes. 5️⃣I take 4 back. This, THIS is the moment. (The moment what? You ask…) I’m getting there, I’m getting there… this is where I just want to be close to the tea. I want to inhale from closer proximity. Is that redundant? That’s redundant. You know what else is redundant? Back to back photos of the same damn soup with the second photo just zoomed in more with an old iPhone SE camera that wouldn’t know a Macro lens if it got hit in the SIM card with one. Where was I? Actually, I wish to revise that query to something more pertinent. Where I am? Ah yes… now we’re getting somewhere. This is that moment. The moment when I begin to question my own susceptibility to influence. Here’s a mini epiphany: I let the wrapper influence my feelings about a tea. The wrapper. The freaking wrapper. It wasn’t until my mid-twenties that I started appreciating Jazz. Listening to the cacophonous dissonance, the mind-boggling piano runs, the conversational nature of relationship between drums, bass, keys. After years of listening and loving the most blatant subtlety is no longer lost on me whereas before, it all sounded the same. @puerist.co wrappers all look the same to me. The Etsy shop has fifty four cakes. No samples available without a dm to request a sample pack. The write ups are clear but lacking artistic license and pizzazz. And thusly, I’ve always turned a blind eye. Marketing to design-junkie-westerners is one thing. Sourcing and producing phenomenal tea is another. 6️⃣twigs and twine baby. That’s how you know its good. #puerh #puerhaddict #justinotherteablog #tea #gongfucha #cha (at ᴇᴘɪᴘʜᴀɴʏ) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeeWi0Zu_d1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[justinotherteablog]

I have a friend. His name is Ian. He is a man of slender build. Tall, six foot three, maybe six four. He wears glasses and a dad hat even though he doesn’t have any children. He has bright red hair and a big bushy red beard. His wife’s name is Allison, but she isn’t really a part of this story. When it comes to playing volleyball, Ian is a monster. He hits the ball so hard that even the most disciplined of defensive specialists cover their faces. Off the top of my head, I can only think of one player who hits the ball harder than Ian. Josh. Josh is Ian’s brother. Last Saturday, Josh hit the ball so hard that Ian didn’t have time to cover his face. His “sports” glasses exploded like an M80. It was a bit of a bloody affair. Luckily, Ian seemed ok. Today, I got proof. This afternoon, around 2pm, bounding up my stairs came Ian. Rather unexpectedly since he doesn’t know where I live. It took me a moment to process the telltale signs of a mail carrier, but they were all there. How could I have missed them before? Legs built for uniform shorts. Broad shoulders perfect for a single-strap shoulder bag. A quiet intensity that radiates the ability to handle aggravated guard dogs. I should have known. He seemed as surprised to see me as I was to see him. He handed me the package, turned, then walked away. Off my porch, and out of this story. @the_tea_time_shop_ and @bmllarz recently collaborated on a giveaway. And yeah, I freakin’ won. Gotta say, did not expect to feel such a strong craving for cheese puffs while rummaging through the top layers of packing peanuts. Also, like, who the F includes chocolate in tea mail? I’ve gotten a lot of tea mail. I have NEVER gotten chocolate. Almond toffee. Wow. Please let this become a trend. I liked the write up on the package of Zhen Qu Black Tea: “curly black leaves with an abundance of gold accents throughout giving it a shimmering shine.” I tried to capture said accents, but I’m a tea drunkard not a photographer. For a puhead like me. This curly shimmering magic was just the ticket. Oh, and they sent a lollipop. #blacktea #teareview #justinotherteablog #chinesetea #gongfucha #tea #teatime #cha (at Happiness is free) https://www.instagram.com/p/CePhgVQOYX-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[justinotherteablog]

Announcing the new collaborative album… Cha. After sending the request into the interverse, tea heads from all over the world sent audio talking about what tea means to them. Some spoke briefly. Some took their time. Some sentiments were whimsical, some theatric, some sleepy, some humorous, some deeply vulnerable. Others still were in languages different from my own, offering perspective in native tongues ranging from Portuguese to Mandarin. Japanese to German. For me, I spent time listening. Hearing the words and feeling through the tones and the timbre, the essential role that tea plays in the lives of so many. I wanted to make an album suitable for a great session. Background, foreground. Headphones, Bluetooth speakers. Solo session or with a group. This is an album made by tea lovers for tea lovers. Enjoy. Album drops 4/28 on Spotify and Apple Music and is available on bandcamp now. Special thanks to the voices. @justingoboom @themadhatterteareview @meong.cha @enter.the.dragon @tealady_leafyteas @beeleetea @lazyliteratus @onerainyseasoninyunnan @jtmorissette @gongfu.ma @shiftingsenses / @rongembraces @theoolongdrunk @grateful.tea.d @ajpfilms_etc @ethan_likes.tea @brucharia_ @kata_and_her_tea #nationalteaday #cha #🍵 #justinotherteablog #teasongs #teapoem #tea #té #tealover #tealovers #tealoversofinstagram #tealoversunite #chinesetea #chaqi #chaqi #teaislife #teaislove #teaisalwaysagoodidea #teamoments #teaismedicine #tealife #tealive #tealife🍃 #teaistheanswer (at The New Album) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcooYYuuWS8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[justinotherteablog]

Jeff! My man. preciate you droppin’ in. Maybe it’s the frequent deliveries over the years, or the way everything changed once I upgraded to Prime, but I just feel like I know you. You know? Anyway Geoffrey, I know you like to spend Benji’s like Jackson’s.. [Ok, who am I kidding, you spend em’ like Lincoln’s] {Ok, who am I kidding, you spend em’ like Washington’s] Space must have been crazy amirite? Another time, another time. You and I both know that global domination and 2017 Old Bush Shui Xian are two TOTALLY different animals. What can I say Mr. B… it pays to play to your strengths. As far as this installment of advice goes, we’re only working with a single Benjamin, but don’t worry, as always it’s bangs for your bucks, trust me. At $92 for an 8 gram tin, this tea will take you there; personally, I count it among the best I’ve ever had. 4 grams is plenty so you can double down in a day or stretch it like the fabric of lint filled pockets when you’re double checkin’ for pesos. The choice is yours. Now that we have that covered, let’s do a little creative exploration about the final eight smackers. It’s common knowledge among us aficionados that Yancha on an empty stomach is not a great idea. At least for us humans. For the globe-domed extraterrestrial population it could be different. If you’re among the few that straddle the line between two worlds though, best to play it safe. I’m thinkin’ Chick-fil-A. Granted, price and availability vary by location, but to get a general idea I drew up a mock-order from my local pressure-cooked-in-one-hundred-percent-refined-peanut-oil franchise. Unfortunately, meal deals are out of the question due to their high cost [It’s a global supply chain issue, I imagine you’ve heard of it.] Still, that’s no problem. Not a problem at all. You don’t need the drink. You’ve got the drink. So let’s itemize and get you out of there on an eight dolla budget with a sandwich and a side. Spicy Chicken Sandwich: $5.25 Kale Crunch Side: $2.39 Total: $7.64 Tea and a bite taken care of. With plenty to leave in the tip jar. You’re welcome. #jeffbezos #teareview #justinotherteablog #teadrunk #oolong #tea (at PRIME LAND) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcDqI16JUsU/?utm_medium=tumblr

[justinotherteablog]

Recently I saw a meme on @tea_memery talking about forgetting how long the leaves have been steeping. Called it free-styling. Well, you see, I was working on these lofi beats and listening to the unique voices of all these delightful tea people and um, I tried some free-styling with Gas from @white2tea 4th or 5th infusion so plenty to give. I tipped my wrist. Out it came, not all that much darker than before. But, like, yo.. my face melted off. Maybe some of you have had your faces melted off in a good way. For me tho, it was not in a good way. It was in a bad way. I was in a bad way. I suppose I could have simply chucked that round. Poured it out for the homies or whatever. But I didn’t. Instead I - and if you choose to tap unfollow after this, by all means - I, I, I…. Filled a huge glass with ice. Then 2/3rds with water. Then I poured in ye olde strongbrew. You know, like a sweetened condensed iced chai latte concentrate from a box. I don’t know where I’m going with this. It was better. It was tolerable. I drank it all. I might use the hashtag #gongfu But my preparation skill is unvetted. Early on, I’m locked in. Then I start dreaming and day dreaming and humming little hums. Like I’m Winnie the Pooh but instead of honey it’s ten gram mega sessions of a tea called GAS. And, if I might add, for good reason. ——————————————————- I’m not always proud of or pleased with my blind cake buys, but this one - when prepared properly - is truly quite lovely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . Oh, please… scroll on for hashtags galore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . You might not know this about me, but every time I put in a period I say “boop” . . . . . . . . Like this: Boop Boop Boop Boop Boop Boop Boop Boop Boop Boop Boop In a past life I think I was a robot Boop Boop Boop Boop Boop Boop Actually, now that I see it, it works better as a sound. Looks weird all written out like that. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Try some gas if you get a chance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Just, like, i dunno, set a timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I’m out. Boop boop, tea lovers. Boop boop #justinotherteablog (at Gas Station) https://www.instagram.com/p/Caa2eOlPKEc/?utm_medium=tumblr