Like the mysterious performance artist from Tom Robbins’ Skinny Legs and All Mora continues to appear to mend. She’s more herself for longer periods before she fades a little and goes back to some secure spot to sleep.

For anybody unfamiliar, Turn Around Norman was a performance artist who, in the course of a day, would revolve, I believe, 360 degrees. He did it so slowly as to make his actual movement imperceptible. But if you saw him on your way to work, then saw him again at lunch, he would indeed have rotated some amount. Thus it is with Mora’s recovery. 

In other news Annette and I are currently without the lovely espresso machine Annette purchased for our anniversary in August. But it’s all good, listen:

Shortly after i unpacked the wonderful Breville Dual Boiler espresso machine and started experimenting with dosing and pre-infusion pressure and grind fine-tuning and tamping, i noticed there was water leaking from somewhere under the machine. It wasn’t just plain water, it contained coffee grounds and actual coffee. It had to be from the drip tray.

Over the course of the next few weeks i lazily looked for the source of the leak. The drip tray had no cracks i could see, nor did the underside of the machine. The design of the drip tray does make it possible to slosh water into where the drip tray sits, but i never let the tray get that full and would like to believe i’m careful pulling the tray out when time to empty.

At at loss i emailed Breville customer service. Imagine my surprise when a CSR got back to me within about 15 minutes. He asked for more information regarding what i was seeing along with the serial number, date and location of the purchase, and any photos or other supporting evidence i might have.

I checked the machine and there was indeed water in the usual places, so i took some photos, retrieved the serial number, noted the date and location of the purchase and sent it all to my new buddy at Breville.

Less than one hour later i got an email and voice mail stating the machine’s performance was unacceptable and that a new, 2013 model, Dual Boiler machine would be dispatched at no cost to me. All i needed to do was print the prepaid Fedex label that came with the email, box up the old unit and drop it at Fedex.

Now that is what i call good customer service. Combined with the fact Breville produces one nifty line of kitchen implements that take their industrial design inspiration from Jonny Ive, they just gained a brand evangelist and customer for life.