The Senseo was the first machine I’d seen to use this process, but since then I have seen that Mr. Coffee has also jumped on the bandwagon with their Home Cafe machine. I’m sure that more manufacturers will start producing more models soon enough.

Espresso machines use a high burst of pressure to drive water through the ground coffee, and typical drip machines don’t really use any pressure at all. These new coffee makers fall in the middle with a low level of pressure to speed up the brewing process. Here’s how they work:

The boiler of the machine rapidly heats the water and drives it through the coffee grounds. In order to maintain the preceise amount of pressure and water flow through the coffee, pre-packed coffee pods are used. This ensures that the coffee is packed to the proper level for optimum brewing. Besides, using pods is quick and mess-free. You brew one cup at a time, and the whole process takes less than two minutes from when you turn on the machine, to when you can drink your fresh coffee. I know my old drip machine never managed that. You just flip open the machine, place in a pod, close it and hit the brew button.

Besides the quick brewing, another side-effect of the pressurized system, is the creation of a thick foamy layer on the top of your coffee. Not quite the crema you get on espresso, but pretty darn close.

With a new baby in the house, my wife and keep unpredictable hours. We no longer have to settle for stale coffee sitting on the warming plate, nor do we have to sit and wait for a pot to brew. This new style of coffee maker is perfect for our lifestyle right now. I highly recommend this new breed of coffee maker to anyone. You will have to buy your coffee in pod form, though. The machines I have seen so far all use pods. They are getting to be more popular and can be found in many supermarkets these days.

Before the most important part begins, Favre and the Vikings can enjoy a welcome intermission. The later-than-usual break in the schedule comes at an ideal time, providing this veteran team the annual chance to recuperate as close to the stretch run as possible. “Hopefully everybody will come back full and ready to go,” defensive end Ray Edwards said.

This is the latest bye Minnesota has had in 10 years. Sometimes a week off can squelch momentum, but the opportunity to return from the rest period refreshed mentally and physically is probably more critical for a 7-1 team.

“Fresh bodies. Fresh minds. Fresh brains, as you go forward,” coach Brad Childress said.

Plus, after the intensity of Sunday’s 38-26 victory over the Packers in Favre’s emotional return to Green Bay, a few days away from football seems appropriate.

“If the league ever comes to us and says: `Look guys, it’s time,’ and makes the case, then we’ve got to listen,” Leaf general manager Brian Burke said. “You’ve got to make the case.

“It’s no different from when people have said: `We’d like another team in Winnipeg.’ So would we. Quebec City? Great, make the case. Show me that you have a building that can generate NHL economics. In this case here, show me the team works here without unduly harming the two existing teams (Toronto and Buffalo).’”

How do you ever find a way to show them that another team would be good for them?

Oh yea! MAKE them do a better job of delivering to their loyal fan base because another team offers a better product to go see.

Sure, the Indianapolis Colts ripped through the first half of their schedule for the fourth time in five seasons, and the New England Patriots are dominating the AFC East. Yes, Adrian Peterson is running away from defences and the New Orleans Saints are passing over them. The Pittsburgh Steelers are their usual stingy selves and the Lions as incompetent as ever.

Still, this has been a year of disparity and uncertainty.HALFWAY TO MVP: Drew Brees, Andre Johnson, Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, Cedric Benson.

NOT HALF BAD, ROOK: Texans rookie linebacker Brian Cushing’s 66 tackles and the Vikes’ Percy Harvin’s 28 catches.

HALFWAY TO MY TURKEYS OF THE YEAR LIST: Raiders tight end Jeremy Brigham is being investigated for an altercation after a peewee football practice.

HALFWAY TO SWEEPING THE AFC EAST: The Dolphins, as weird as that sounds.

HALFHEARTED: What Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell sounds like every time he lines up under center.