Poor Buttercup....

All this time I've been feeling like I drive a tank....she, however, is no match for a Penske truck.



The truck was making a very wide right turn....there was Buttercup, parked legally on the street, minding her own business. And he hit her. Then just pushed her out of the way. Not nice. Thankfully, Jay Morel saw everything. He even got a partial tag. You know, in Law and Order they always have the tag run through the system in no time. Not so much the same here. I can't even get anyone to answer the phone at the Atlanta Police Department. In the end, however, I feel happy that I wasn't sitting in the driver's seat when it happened.

Now...another car photo. This dude was at Restaurant Depot for the day. I suppose until he gets to heaven, this "Gee" enjoys a good bargain on bulk restaurants supplies.

Tell Me a Story

"Tell me a story." Did you ask that a lot when you were little? I know I did. I loved to hear my dad tell the same stories over and over. And if no one was around to tell me a story I would make up my own or read my favorites...My life was full of stories about Dorrie the Good Witch, Amelia Bedelia, Petunia-- she was a goose-- and, of course the usual suspects (Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, etc.). One of my favorites was about a group of children on vacation with their parents. They discover a magical fairyland behind a waterfall...sort of like Narnia, but different. To this day, there is a space in me hoping for something else beyond a waterfall. I've been thinking a lot about stories lately.

I think that we like to hear stories as children because the world is so full of possibilities. I wondered if I would find a magical place....if I would be in peril and someone would rescue me...if I could save someone else from danger...if I had a story…..and if I did, how did these stories relate to it. Did they? I wanted to be part of something bigger.

So what happens? When do we stop asking someone to tell us a story? Perhaps more importantly, why do we stop asking? Are we too busy? Have we decided that these tales have no place in our "real" world of adulthood? Are we so concerned with our own story that we have no room for anyone else's? Maybe it's hard for us to hear the stories of others because we can't get away from either comparing our lives to theirs (and wishing they were more similar than different) or judging the way their lives should go. And if I'm spending my energy on that, I'm losing myself.

Frankly, that's what I've been doing lately. Spending time thinking about how other people could act to make my life better or easier. However, the past few days have brought some meaningful conversations that have helped my focus. See...this whole culinary school, cooking experience has been crazy. And, when I'm really stressed, I think "maybe I should go back to a job that uses my graduate degrees, and pays me well, and lets me consume more things...." For some reason, that seems like the responsible thing to do. As I write this, I realize that "consuming more things" is rarely responsible. However, before I've made any rash decisions, I am quieted. For the past few years, I have been pulled along, following a path because my heart told me I had to. It almost felt like I didn't have a choice. I had to go to school, I had to go to Switzerland. There were relationships to start, and a heart to be broken and healed. There were realizations about true family and friends….and how thankful I am to have both. This invisible tether keeps pulling me along a path. It doesn't feel out of control like a ship on rough water....though I don't feel in control either. I feel propelled and pulled in this direction. Paying attention to your heart doesn't always feel good. Opening ourselves up to realizing our deepest need and then going in that direction in a positive way doesn't always feel great or even make sense on paper. But I want to live the story that I'm meant to live. Even though I don't know how it's going to look or what it all means. When I'm old, I want to be able to say that--even though it took me a minute, I said yes to my story. The “yes” is sometimes tired and sometimes bold. But I want to always say “yes.”

We all have a story-- one that belongs to just us. And I think that we deeply want someone to listen to it. Sharing our stories and our lives with each other allows us to realize that we share a larger connection with humanity. The more I become aware of the larger story of humanity, the more I am in touch with my own. So....tell me a story.

Well...it turns out the "hard drive coma" was indeed a hard drive crash. Within three days my laptop died, and I lost my cell phone. So...all my somewhat superior attitude of "I'm so not dependent on technology...e-mailing and texting won't replace real human relationship...." I'm such a liar!! Now I have her back, and I feel very happy about it. So...prepare yourself readers....you're in for a long ride on this post.

ATL Kicks...We raised cash for CoffeeKids and got some kick-ass shoes out of it. Here are some of my faves.

Jason Kelly tattooed these beauties. Scroll down further and you can see some of his latest work on me...


The other side....


Pierre from Radical did these...


Look what Alfredo did with shoes!!!


CoffeeFest was the first weekend in June. People from all over descended on Cobb Galleria...Brian Ludviksen might be my new favorite person at CounterCulture. We're going to have our own radio show. We find ourselves so entertaining, I'm sure others will too. So many fun people....Peter, Brett, Brent, Brian, Tim, Rich, Mark, Phillip Search, Danger Dan, David from Clover and more. We got everyone going on Friday night at Octane with lots of free coffee, free beer and lots of playing on the LaMarzocco. Little did our regular customers know that some of the best baristas from around the country were putting extra love in the lattes. Saturday night, David LaMont and Chris put together a great southern style party at the training center. BBQ, Krispy Kreme, Moon Pies...and, of course, beer. The late night latte art throwdown saw Danger walking away with $157. Go him.
Meanwhile, we're getting lots of yummy coffee in at Octane. We're cupping at CounterCulture's training center at King Plow on Fridays. And M'lissa is putting together Monday night cuppings to be held at the shop. We'll not only cup coffee, but also other things...tasting chocolate, colas, and whatever else we can come up with! She is the best CoffeeBoss ever! Also, we've got two baristas (Danielle and JT) that are 1/3 Octane Barista certifies. This is very exciting....I'm nervous about the test, but I want to do it. I've been practicing dosing consistently. So far, I'm pretty consistent. Consistently under, that is. That half gram in the portafilter is super important!

Lately I've been drinking the Kenya Gitare auction lot....Rwanda Humure....and today, the Sumatra Aceh Gayo. So yummy....sweet, with some very subtle savory undertones. Also, my new best friend Troy from Portland, had his wife bring some Stumptown beans to try. We're trying to make the 6 months he has in Atlanta not too painful.

At Octane, we're re-doing our menu. We'll be improving the food, and I'll make some desserts! I'm super excited about all of it. When we're done with this, the food will be worthy of our coffees. I'll update the blog with the menu when it's finalized. Also, Chris and I have some dessert experimentation to do. I'll let you know how that turns out.

I mentioned some of Jason's work earlier in this post. Check out my culinary tattoos--a cupcake and a chef's knife. It was really fun. But when I realized it had been 14 years since my last tattoo, I got a little nervous. Jason was great, though. If you want work done, you can find him at Timeless Tattoo on Cheshire Bridge.



As you know, this week was America's Birthday. I joined Shannon, Doug, Shelia, the Jimmey and Bao at Cafe Lily in Decatur. Some of my favorite people and one of my favorite restaurants. Anthony consistently puts out fresh, easy to eat fare from his kitchen. I like it there. Happy Birthday, America!

Bao and me....he makes a mean Tiramisu. One day we might take over the world. Desserts and bread. Don't say you weren't warned.


Sheila (a) is not impressed (b) cannot believe that the person at the end of her gaze is for real (c) is over it.


Sexy Shannon...


Ok, kids. That's it for now. Thanks for keeping up! More later.