Replacement 'Go' has arrived...now the learning can commence

after my not so great introduction to this model, the replacement arrived today...a little hiccup in that it had some air in the lines and took some massaging to get it to start to flow water, but all good now and it is behaving just as I had hoped. I now see how quickly you can burn through coffee!

I may have to try a lighter bean at some point, this is definitely strong. I do have a question for you all about time. I'm trying to start with a consistent 18g and shoot for around 30-35 seconds to get around 36g. my first couple were either side of that...

but then I heard something that I wasn't expecting in the tutorial video. She said that the time is from the moment you tap the brew button, NOT from the time espresso first hits your cup. (I thought that was the whole purpose of the scale under your cup! (I mean, besides weight!)

Anyway, running out to dinner. Excited to learn how to get this right!