A Review of the English Tea Store...by a British Tea Snob

I have a confession to make...  Ever since I visited London and Rome in the fall of 2017 as part of a study abroad program, I have grown a real lack of patience with the domestic teas readily available in the USA.  Having tried Twinings UK tea, I realized what a significant difference there is between what goes for tea here as opposed to there.  Take one of my favorite flavors of Twinings: Lady Grey.  If you compare the USA Lady Grey to the UK's Lady Grey, you notice immediately how much more bold and rich the UK tea's flavor is. In contrast, Twinings USA Lady Grey tastes more like ordinary grocery store tea--weak and lacking in those fragrant notes.

When I returned to the USA from across the pond, I learned that I could still buy great tea from Twinings UK, but the shipping was expensive and buying in pounds is not my preferred way to go online (even if my credit card thankfully doesn't charge foreign transaction fees).  Sometimes the packages would also arrive in pretty beat up condition, as if they had to be carefully snuck past the Red Coats in the dead of night by a one-eyed smuggler named Jack.  But I digress.

I could keep buying tea from Twinings UK, or I could consider driving to Portland for the some very good tea options, but it's sure simpler to find reliable online options that are faster and less expensive.  One such viable option is the English Tea Store.  It's not perfect, but it carries some great teas.  So far, I have ordered Twinings UK teas from them as well as some of their house blends.  The fact that they even have Keurig teas is a definite added bonus.  As long as one remembers not to use too much hot water and appropriate steeping time is allowed, I've been pleasantly surprised with the quality of their house blends.  I'd particularly recommend their Assam and Irish Breakfast teas.  The Assam is very similar to Twinings UK blend of the same name, and it is probably about as close as a cup of tea can truly come to an excellent cup of coffee: rich, bold, and dark.

So, what's the downside to the English Tea Store?  Here's a hint...

Over the course of a couple weeks, I had a few questions for the English Tea Store, but they were harder to reach than a one-eyed smuggler named Jack.  I tried reaching out via both e-mail and Twitter, but they never made any reply.   Compare that to the nearly immediate replies to any question from Twinings UK Tea, as seen below.  Clearly, Twinings UK has a much more professional approach to customer service.  That said, unless Twinings UK makes their high quality teas more readily available in the states, I'll probably stick with the English Tea Store for now.  Hope you can check them out too!

Hi there! We're expecting this to be back in stock very soon. If you enter your email address on our website & click the "Notify Me When In Stock" button, we'll send you a update as soon as it becomes available: https://t.co/8hs329uDsM Hope this helps! :)

— Twinings Tea (@TwiningsTeaUK) January 18, 2019

**UPDATE**

5% off your next order! Tea Bags Loose Leaf Teapots Accessories British Food Candy Twinings Variety Pack Tea K-Cups - 10 count    VERY GOOD. Assam Tea - Tea Bags Package Size: 25 Teabag Pouch  EXCELLENT. Irish Breakfast Tea - Tea Bags Package Size: 25 Teabag Pouch  EXCELLENT.            Highlander Blend Tea - Tea Bags Package Size: 5 Teabag Sampler  VERY GOOD. Variety Tea Sampler - 5 Tea Bags of 8 Delicious Different Flavor Teas VERY GOOD.  CURRANT TEA IS REMARKABLE.

Top Five Reminders About Kindle Formatting

Formatting eBooks can be a pain in the backside.  Here are some quick pointers for doing it right the first time.

1.  Don't double space after periods.  Use Find/Replace to correct this throughout your document.

2.  Select paragraph option from the top of the Word menu.  Delete paragraph symbols showing between paragraphs.

3.  Open the Normal stye pane in Word on the top right.  (You may wish to proceed a chapter at a time at this point.)  The settings are alignment - left, body text, and the rest are all at 0 values.

4.  Under Special, make first line 0.2, and enter line spacing at 1.5.

5.  Do a spell check again for your entire document.  Check for spacing errors, and be sure to use the Kindle preview option to see what your final document looks like.

A Facebook Departure

It's been an interesting week, but one thing that has struck me is the negative aspects of social media in personal relations.  So many of the people on Facebook are more along the lines of acquaintances rather than close friends.  Facebook, in particular, seems to have a way of bringing out the claws--even between relatively close friends.  (Reminds me of Lorde's song "The Love Club," which includes the line, "And the girls get their claws out...")  Reflecting on my own interactions, I'm definitely not blameless.  Of course, neither is the other person in this particular social media soap opera.

Facebook is a strange animal in that it can facilitate the dismantling of good relationships while fostering superficial ones in their place. It also offers a strange dynamic regarding personal boundaries.  For instance, I may steer clear of constantly checking Facebook in the evening while other people do precisely that.  I may assume people avoid sleeping with their phone when, in fact, it's never out of reach--emitting its treasured tones all night.  This connectedness--or, really a lack thereof--creates a strange dynamic between friends, for instance, who use Facebook in different ways.  It also encourages a certain disregarding of the pleasantries that seems to have a way of directly going to a topic; this may come across as pushy or intense.

Anyway, it's not the first time I've voiced concerns about Facebook, but I think this time I've decided what to do about it.  I think my plan will also facilitate my planned professional move towards public affairs for the state.  After all, I've noticed that those within public affairs have less of a personal profile readily available to the public; I think I'm starting to see why.  So, my plan is to leave Facebook behind for a while.  I may be back next year--in time to discuss daughter's wedding, for instance.  We will see.

In my absence, Kimberly Erickson will be the lead on our Facebook page for the books and art.  Our Christmas sale, started initially as a way of helping to offset the costs of oral surgery, will likely stay up at least through January.  In fact, I'm thinking the photographs will stay available into 2019.  If you want to check out my newest release, you'll find Darkness and Fractured Shadows online.  While reviews are important, I think it's also critical that I write what I enjoy writing.  The genres I seem to enjoy writing the most these days are mystery, fantasy, and science fiction.  New releases will be shared on the website and/or Facebook page.  Also, don't forget me over on Twitter.

Of course, you can always reach me via e-mail too!  

UPDATE:

I found a good way of cutting my Facebook time was removing it from my iPhone.  This allows me to stay in contact with people, yet it feels a bit less personal than having it on my phone.

Oregon's Cascade Head, A Shorter Hike Option

Nature photography is particularly enjoyable when exploring new territory, but potential destinations are often made a little less attractive by the required hikes.  Sometimes it's helpful to learn the shortcuts to these beautiful spots, so that you're not quite as dead tired when you arrive!  Oregon's Cascade Head is a good case in point.

The first thing to bear in mind is that you can't really drive to Cascade Head proper.  GoogleMaps will show misleading driving directions, but you should just ignore that suggestion.  When I first tried to hike to Cascade Head--primarily to photograph ravens along the way--I mistakenly began the hike at about the lowest point I could have chosen.  Driving from Salem/Monmouth via Highway 18, I headed north at the Hwy 101 interchange towards Astoria.  After about a mile, I turned left on 3 Rocks Rd, and the trailhead was then an immediate left.  This was a gorgeous hike, but it was a bigger deal than I had anticipated.  After more than four miles of fairly steep hiking, I called it a day.  I did see some wonderful wildlife, including a family of distant ravens, but I didn't reach any ocean viewpoints by foot.  (The most popular route is apparently reached by continuing further west on 3 Rocks Rd.  This second trailhead offers a hike just over five miles one-way.)

I'd like to suggest, however, that you try a third option.  Again, driving from Salem/Monmouth via Highway 18, I headed north at the Hwy 101 interchange towards Astoria.  Rather than turning on 3 Rocks Rd, I continued up Hwy. 101's rising grade.  At about the 4-mile mark from the Hwy 18 interchange, you'll catch a Forest Service access road to the left.  (It comes up so quickly that I don't recommend trying to make a left turn from Hwy 101.  Instead, turn around at the next wide pull-out, and turn back around safely.)

At this point, you'll see the sign above.  Follow the gravel road carefully the three miles towards the Nature Conservancy Trail.  While the drive is a little bumpy, the scenery is as attractive as one would expect.  (Remember that traffic will suddenly appear heading the opposite direction, so be careful about taking your eyes off the road for more than a second or two.)

After three miles, you will see the trailhead sign pictured to the left.  From this point, the trail to Cascade Head is a fairly easy one mile hike.  Watch for birds and deer along the way and enjoy the peaceful and serene setting.  

A question I have for my readers concerns star-watching from Cascade Head.  Has anyone done this before?  From the signage to the left, it looks like one might risk being blocked by a closed gate at the end of the evening, but I don't know if this particular worry is valid.  (I've reached out to the Siuslaw Nat'l Forest.)

Enjoy your visit!

Verified account  

Pacific Northwest Art and Book Sale!

We hope you can drop by our brand new Pacific Northwest Art and Book Sale!  While Kimberly is between galleries, we thought this was a perfect time to put out our biggest sale to date.  Besides Kimberly's fused glass and paintings, the sale also features my photographs.  John Carroll Collier, Kim's father, has also graciously donated the sketch seen above!

Hope you can check it out.  After all, Christmas is coming up fast!

Secular Humanism and Dimensions of Diversity & Inclusion

(This short essay was related to a question regarding my perspectives of diversity and inclusion within state and federal government.)

As an English major, I would first clarify that language and meanings of words change with time; they are not fixed like anchors into a seabed; words change and evolve with time. The word "diversity" evokes quite a different meaning today than it did a century or two ago, and its meaning is likely to change again in the coming years.  At present, diversity refers to the collection of people from different backgrounds and cultures.  Inclusion, on the other hand, describes the way these people are included or valued within an organization.  (In the past, the word "assimilated" might have been used, but today it has fallen out of favor as it suggests that members of unique groups must surrender a degree of their uniqueness in the process of belonging.) In one sense, however, inclusion or welcoming of diversity boils down to respect, courtesy, and a willingness to listen and try to understand members of different groups.

The second part of the question could be taken a few different ways.  For instance, the external nature of courtesy and respect has not changed so very much over time.  What has changed is a tendency in modern culture to try to re-package familiar concepts or ideas in such a way that we may sometimes fail to recognize them for what they are.  Be that as it may, I would suggest that diversity and inclusion hold a particular importance for the Modernization Unit due to the interaction of unit members with such a wide and varied audience of people--from external technicians and advisors to members of the legislature or internal staff.  If respect for others fails to exist, it could be damaging to the agency's reputation as well as the project's timeline towards completion.  

As a demonstration for my attentiveness for this area, I raised concerns years ago about serious OED failures in its communications with those for whom English represented a second language (ESL).  A number of us pointed out, for instance, that required letters for new employers were unavailable in Spanish or Russian.  I also raised concerns regarding a cultural perspective within Tax that believed ESL speakers could understand English "if they really wanted to do so." (A former Tax manager told this to me behind closed doors.)  Today, OED is a much more respectful place for minority business owners.  

Sounding a note of constructive criticism, however, I would suggest that some of the recent state training in this area is guilty of two primary errors.  First, the simplistic nature of the cultural differences section encourages racial stereotypes; this is hardly helpful.  Second, a concern has been raised among some that elements of the training seem to support something akin to a religious position concerning what could be described as secular humanism.  This is a complex discussion with philosophical, religious, and constitutional dimensions, and this is likely not the appropriate place to address these in significant depth--except to say that to fully understand these complicated issues one really needs to be a deep thinker rather than a follower of the crowd.  Be that as it may, though, for me diversity and inclusion really boil down to respect and courtesy, and these are behaviors I demonstrate each and every day of my life.

Small Business in Oregon: The LLC

This is an experimental public service post.  Depending upon feedback, the series may / may not continue.

Have you been thinking of starting an LLC in Oregon, but you didn't know quite where to start? This is one of my first small business themed post, but I hope you find the information offered helpful. Please note that this post is my personal work only, and it does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer. Visitor statistics and feedback will be reviewed later to see whether, or not, this will continue as a series. None of this information should replace the professional advice received from a reputable attorney or CPA.


As soon as you have met with your CPA and/or attorney, it's time for you to register your business name(s). This registration is done through the Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division's Business Information Center. Besides registering your business name, you can also register at this same time for your Business Identification Number--used for state tax reporting. Alternatively, you can also use the paper form of the Combined Employer Registration and fax the completed form in as instructed. Bear in mind, though, that using the paper form will create a significant processing delay for you. Completing the online form will result in you obtaining your Business Identification Number (BIN) much more efficiently, but the decision is yours. The Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) will issue the BIN, and the Oregon Employment Department (OED) will review and send a Notice of Determination (NOD) some time later. This explains how and when your company becomes subject to Oregon Unemployment Tax program. You don't need to wait for the NOD, however. As long as you have your BIN, you can file and pay your quarterly taxes. If you don't want to send checks, you can also pay using the DOR's EFT System.


You're already likely familiar with the federal taxes, but what about state taxes? What do you need to know? There are several different of categories of payroll taxes in Oregon, and it's possible that they won't all apply to you: Oregon State Withholding, Unemployment Tax, Workers Compensation, Tri-Met (Portland Metro), Lane Transit (Eugene Metro), and Canby Transit. Today, we're going to focus more on Unemployment Tax than the other tax programs. This may also be a good time to read the Oregon Business Guide.


Oregon LLCs


Did you know that, unless they elect to be covered, LLC members are excluded from Unemployment Tax by default? (See ORS 657.044(c) and Corporations and Limited Liability Companiesflyer.) This means, of course, that if it's only llc members working, you should not be reporting or paying Unemployment Tax. Leave column A blank; don't include zeros, or this will delay return processing at OED. Reporting correctly as an llc will save you a considerable amount of money each year, and it will also ensure that your reports are processed much more quickly and efficiently, because manual corrections won't be required.  


LLCs and the Federal Election

One other thing to remember concerns the federal election of the llc, since the limited liability company is a disregarded entity for IRS purposes.  This federal election has no bearing on how the OED recognizes your company.  In other words, it's like the IRS looks at the llc and sees a corporation, partnership, etc. (whatever you have elected), but Oregon looks at the llc...and sees an llc.  Since corporate officers are reportable employees in Oregon, this is a really important distinction for you to clearly understand.  The LLC is always an LLC with regards to the UI Tax program.  (DOR will recognize the entity the same as the IRS.)


A Few Word About Independent Contractors


One of the most confusing areas for new businesses is making the distinction between employee/employer or independent contractor. Making a mistake here can be expensive and time-consuming to correct. In order for someone to be correctly classified as an independent contractor in Oregon, the person must represent an independent and established business within the same industry in which they are providing services. If the potential "independent contractor," is just a fellow off the street, then you're likely looking at a relationship better categorized as employer/employee.



Ministers and Oregon Independent Contractor Law 

Because of this being an area of special interest, I am adding it here. As religious organizations would not usually be llcs, this may appear again if this series continues.

A Quick History Lesson

Before the Oregon Supreme Court’s decision in 2000 (See Newport Church of the Nazarene v. Gordon Hensley and the Oregon Employment Department.), ministers were excluded from Unemployment Tax, making ministers ineligible for unemployment benefits. A key part of the court’s decision is provided below.

In sum, we conclude that, in purporting to draw a distinction between church ministers and leaders of other religious organizations, ORS 657.072(1)(b) violates Article I, sections 2, 3, and 20, of the Oregon Constitution. In light of that conclusion, and in accordance with Salem College and Rogue Valley, we construe the statute consistently with OAR 471-031-0090 (1996) to include both ministers and leaders of other religious organizations in Oregon's unemployment compensation program…

Are Ministers Independent Contractors?

Since the above court decision, there’s frequently confusion when it comes to reporting ministers. The first thing to bear in mind is that ministers are no longer automatically excluded; that’s the result of the Oregon Supreme Court decision. If their compensation is to be excluded from unemployment tax at all, it would hinge on whether, or not, they are indeed independent contractors in accordance to ORS 670.600.

When it comes to ministers, however, it may prove difficult to establish that they are truly independent and free from direction and control in the services they perform. While the independent contractor flyer is an excellent reference, these services often require a more detailed review. Frequently, for example, most churches and religious organizations have doctrinal positions that are defined and established. The pastor who decides on a whim to preach counter to the established doctrinal beliefs of his denomination may risk censure or termination.

On the other end of the religious spectrum, some denominations may assert that their ministers are free to preach any teaching at all. Even for universalists, however, the acceptance of all pathways leading to the same spiritual end is a position which excludes other religious beliefs and positions. In other words, even if an organization were to make the argument that they have no particular set of core beliefs, that they’re open to considering all other faiths and religions, this lack of adherence to a central doctrine becomes (in effect) their doctrine. It’s also difficult to say that you are accepting of everything, because many faiths and traditions are inherently contradictory in nature. In short, then, it’s not an easy thing to establish complete freedom from direction and control for ministers. It may not be readily apparent, but there are almost always either defined or undefined expectations to consider.

What about housing allowances, stipends, and reimbursements?

For UI Tax purposes, housing allowance payments will always be subject. Even if the parsonage was owned by the church and the minister was simply allowed to live there rent free, the fair market value of the rent should be reported as wages for UI Tax.

Stipends are considered subject wages and should always be reported. Honorariums paid to the minister directly are subject if paid by the church or employing enterprise.

Actual reimbursements are excluded as long as there is a valid and written accountable plan, which is consistently followed.

The IRS’ Minister Audit Technique Guide may be of some use, but bear in mind that federal income tax rules often are different from state unemployment tax rules.