problem solved

i finally figured out what to do when i've reached the end of my espresso beans and there's too much for a double shot but too little for two (i never pull singles, haven't even tried once, i don't think - it's a double, a double ristretto, or a sink-shot).

use the La Marzocco triple filter that came with my crotchless portafilter!

yeah!

so i had just about enough for a triple. dose, tamp, lock, load, pull.

it was much mellower than the double i'd made a bit earlier. using SM's moka kadir leads to a potent cup, but this was smoothed out and understated. not bad, not great, but at least i didn't waste any beans!