Random Act of Kindness
Recently i read blog postings by Roxgirl and Suzoates about having the great fortune of getting something for nothing. The only incident I could think of was sitting in the drive through at Tim Hortons and after approaching the window, I was told by the lady that the gentlman in front of me had already paid for my Iced Cap and Muffin. It simply blew my socks off. I'm not used to getting something for nothing. That was probably 3 years ago and it always sticks out in my mind. Today something very pleasant happened to me and I'm going to go through a convoluted path to tell you about it.
a couple weeks ago I asked Mr. Island for a new coffee pot, after this baby arrives i will be wanting some Good quality coffee, and LOTS of it. I had seen advertisments on TV (and read some blogs too) about the new 'pressure brew' coffee makers that used 'pods' and brew one cup at a time. They claim it's like having a coffee house in your kitchen or something like that.
So you see, in this house, All a person need do is mention these things to my husband and not too long after you'll have the afore mentioned item in-hand. He went out for a cup and came home with the entire pot. Black and decker to be exact. We preped the machine, tried it, tried it again, changed some things, and tried it again. The coffee was HORRIBLE. It was worse than horrible actually. It was weak, and had absolutely no aroma to speak of, not to mention the plastic/styrofoam aftertaste it left in my mouth. NOT IMPRESSED, we returned the machine.
I hopped on the net and started searching out coffee pots to find out if those pressure pots are really all they are cracked up to be. After reading several reviews (coffeegeek.com & coffeecrew.com) I found out that the preferred method of home brewing is actually the vacuum pot. I did more research and found out that I can order the pot at several websites but they would only ship to the states. Frustrated, I emailed Colin- one of the reviewers of the Bodum Vac pot for Coffeecrew.com to ask him where I could purchase the pot in Canada. He emailed me back with a few names of retailers that I could look into. I thanked him and set off on my quest. This is where my story comes to the 'Random act of kindness' Point.
This morning he emailed me again and offerred me his test pot, that he has used ONCE, for FREE. Can you believe it??
It turns out that the guy actually lives on the island, somewhere nearby and was willing to meet me somewhere to give me the machine!! This is an expensive machine so I offered him 50 dollars just so I wouldn't feel like such a shlep. I am pinching myself at my good fortune.
Good things Do happen to good people.
~jen
posted by: Dariana (reply)
post date: 11.24.04 (1:00 pm)
What a wonderful story! Have a great Thanksgiving. :-)
posted by: islandArtist (reply)
post date: 11.24.04 (1:11 pm)
Thank you!
I already had a great thanksgiving (canadian) but I'm thankful for my new free coffee pot!
You have a great thanksgiving too!! Eat a large slice of punkin pie for me.
posted by: Roxgirl (reply)
post date: 11.24.04 (2:23 pm)
Pumskin Pie... HA HA
Yeah, Good Job Jenny!!! Free Coffee Pot, nice!!!
But what I got, is still better ;)
posted by: pursejunkie (reply)
post date: 11.24.04 (3:27 pm)
Seee.... You are a good person!! He he he... I'm happy you'll have some good java for after you pop!! What a nice guy... he must really like the coffee company he works for... or you were just really nice!! But you always were/are a sweetie pie... take care of yourself Jenny Jen!! And great blog... thanx for sharing :o)
posted by: islandArtist (reply)
post date: 11.24.04 (3:43 pm)
Reply to: Roxgirl
What did you get? I forget now, and you didn't mention it in your blog...
ANYTHING is better than a kick in the teeth I always say.
posted by: islandArtist (reply)
post date: 11.24.04 (3:44 pm)
Reply to: pursejunkie
Yes, that guy is super nice. He is also The CEO of coffee works and he told me he gets a different coffee/esspresso machine to test every month or so so he has plenty to give away. I'm so happy- I can't wait to sip my first mug from the pot. Yahoo!
posted by: lynne (reply)
post date: 11.24.04 (4:12 pm)
That is so cool. And yes, good things *do* happen to good people. But even more importantly, good things are done by good people. I have found that whenever I send some good out into the world, I usually get some good back eventually...which just makes me want to do something nice all over again. Isnt it cool?
and now for the subject of coffee...my favorite method is to use a press pot. It makes some strong coffee though!
posted by: islandArtist (reply)
post date: 11.24.04 (4:20 pm)
Reply to: lynne
I plan on passing this good deed on... soon!
The press pot is the ultimate coffee pot for the conniseur (sp) the vacuum pot works similar with the exception of less sediment in the coffee.
See?? I did my research!!
posted by: lynne (reply)
post date: 11.24.04 (4:30 pm)
Reply to: islandArtist
Haha. I like the sediment though. I call it "coffee you can chew"
posted by: islandArtist (reply)
post date: 11.24.04 (7:12 pm)
Reply to: lynne
I like my chewable coffee to be coated in chocolate... ha ha! of course I secretly wish EVERTHING i chewed on was coated in chocolate.
posted by: NurseNancy (reply)
post date: 11.25.04 (12:30 am)
I have also found that judicious complaining about products reaps freebies as well. For years I would just throw out something that just wasn't right. Now I say " no way" and call the 800 number on the package, I get all kinds of coupons for free product. Of course, this is only good if the complaint is legit.
posted by: islandArtist (reply)
post date: 11.25.04 (12:50 am)
Reply to: NurseNancy
Sometimes calling the 800 numbers to give praise gets you in for free stuff too, I've done this before. I probably should complain more though, most times the only people that hear my complaints are you bloggers!!
posted by: El Destructo (reply)
post date: 11.25.04 (7:34 am)
make sure you give us a full description of the flavor , and compare to timmys:)
posted by: islandArtist (reply)
post date: 11.25.04 (9:02 am)
Reply to: El
There will be many blogs worth of info coming out of that coffee pot, I'm sure!
posted by: KarenMcP (reply)
post date: 11.25.04 (11:08 am)
that is so awesome! Thank you for bringing a little light into my dismal day
posted by: NurseNancy (reply)
post date: 11.25.04 (11:55 am)
Reply to: islandArtist
well, I must try the compliment route as well!!
posted by: ScubaDiva (reply)
post date: 11.25.04 (12:03 pm)
Is he single and cute????? Do some research!!!!
posted by: ehansen (reply)
post date: 11.26.04 (6:22 am)
Awesome! Hope you enjoy the new cofee pot :) What a nice person!
posted by: islandArtist (reply)
post date: 12.15.04 (11:51 am)
Reply to: aliciarose
Yes I'm so behind too!! I completely understand. Yes caffine is no good... I'm drinking decaffinated. And I only drink one cup a day (hence the need for a thermos, to keep it warm for hubby)
Only unleaded for this baby.