An excursion across the harbour

I've been meaning to go across the harbour to Dartmouth and visit my friend Zane for awhile now.  It's been almost four months since he opened Two if by Sea, and as busy as he's been, he's found time to stop by and see me at work.  


So this morning, Nate and I got the bus downtown and caught the ferry across the harbour to Dartmouth.  I doubt if we could have picked a nicer day for it.  The sun was shining and it wasn't all that cold out.  


We found the cafe, a short walk from the ferry terminal.  There was one free table and we snagged the four-seater, even though we were just two.  It wasn't long before Nate had his hands on the largest chocolate chip cookie I've ever seen.  How big was it?  Let's just say in the battle between Nate and cookie, the cookie came out on top.  Not everyday you see a kid defeated by a cookie.  I got a shot of espresso, followed by a macchiato, a cup of Kenya from the pour-over station, and another Kenya brewed in an Eva Solo.


Perhaps best of all though, was the fact that we got to meet people.  Nate made friends with a two year old girl, I got to chat with her and her mum, and I even helped out a customer with a home espresso problem.  I was reminded of when I first started going to JJ on Main, even before I started working there.  It was more than just a cafe, it felt like a community centre. 


Nate and I are hoping to make this a regular excursion.

A little bit of Vancouver

A Canpar Van pulled into the driveway this morning, just as Nate and I were stepping outside. The driver hopped out with a familiar looking box. It was the box of odds and ends we'd left with our old neighbours Cameron and Jacqui, just before we left Vancouver. Cameron drives for Canpar, and he'd helped us start our move by shipping some twenty boxes over to mum's. I had all but forgotten about this last box.

Nate could not wait to get it inside and see what was in it. It wasn't all that exciting really, but if he was disappointed he didn't show it. He wanted to know what everything was for, like the lint brushes and the small brush for applying hair dye.

Tucked in amongst all that, was this.

Sometimes, the little things mean so much.

Thanks to Cameron and Jacqui for getting the coffee and sending it with our stuff. And thanks to Amy and Justin #1 at Main Street for the hellos, and a big thank you to who ever it was who personalized the bag.

Last orders

Friday 13 February 2009. I worked my last shift at 3010 Main Street. It's been almost 4 years since I started my job with JJ Bean. What originally started as a short-term gig between jobs, turned into the second longest job I've ever held.

I've been trying to write about those 4 years for a few days now, but I'm failing miserably, so I'm just going to list some highlights.

• I started about 3 months after the store open. By the time I left, I was the only one left from the original crew.
  
• In the time I was there, I worked with five different managers.
  
• At the time there were 4 JJ Bean stores, now there are 7.
  
• We didn't have a son when I started, Nate is almost 3 now.
  
• I learned new things about myself, like I'm a much more social person than I ever thought I was.
  
• For most of the time I worked there, I was the oldest person on staff.
• I met so many people, and some of those people have become good friends.
  
• Working in the neighbourhood I live in, has connected me to this neighbourhood and made me feel part of a larger community.  
  
• I got to work with some amazing people. In many ways they are like family to me, and I will miss them terribly when we move.
  

When it finally came time to leave, I found I didn't want to at all.  

My thanks to all the people who made this the best job I have ever had.