Yeah, your next machine will be one of these:
Chris Coffee Service - NEW Alex Duetto II by Izzo
Or it's descendant.
I had some cute little espresso machines like yours once. They're fun, until you grow up.
My Alex is all of that AND a bag of chips. Dual boiler, both PID controlled, with the E61 grouphead.... the coffee is perfect EVERY time. Yup.
But, yeah, cool story bro.
Dan