So i had my first night of training at the Hard Bean Cafe last night.
A bit of background:
I practically lived there from some time in junior year til early this year.. February of 06 i think i was there like 21 days of that month? It's just the ONLY place in reading where there is a strong sense of community. It's kind of a hippy hotspot, though last year it was more of a scenester hotspot, and now it seems like there's just a general group of people. You can go there and always run into somebody who's friendly and talkative. It was my home away from home for a long time. I used to dream of working there... though i eventually forgot about that and moved on to bigger things.
But now it just kinda worked out that i could pick up a few shifts. i get free coffee.... I get paid to sit around in one of my favorite places in the world. It's the most super chill job ever. The girl training me spent the majority of the shift carving a giant maple branch - a prop for her future halloween costume as Pocahontas.
I've always loved going to the Hard Bean, and i always liked all the people there. But attribute it to my social anxiety or what-have-you, i never felt really accepted or like a part of that community. Last night was just so validating and wonderful.
People were like "Hey man. You work here now?"
"Yeah. It's my first day."
"That's awesome."
and there were folks who i've talked to on and off forever and all of sudden they started using my name. I know it sounds so childish, but it felt so good to have people say "Hey Dan, can i get cup of ...." I was like "You know my name? ... *tears come to eyes* They like me! They really like me!"
sorry for being such a dork. That was just special for me.
And oh yeah. All the free coffee i want.
edit:
If you haven't seen it already, you HAVE to check out Leilani's first set. I really think it is easily the best set i've seen since i joined. Stylistically it's different than Sean's work, so i wouldn't compare it, as his photography has been my favorite for a long time now. But yeah. Check it out and give that girl and Lavonne
A bit of background:
I practically lived there from some time in junior year til early this year.. February of 06 i think i was there like 21 days of that month? It's just the ONLY place in reading where there is a strong sense of community. It's kind of a hippy hotspot, though last year it was more of a scenester hotspot, and now it seems like there's just a general group of people. You can go there and always run into somebody who's friendly and talkative. It was my home away from home for a long time. I used to dream of working there... though i eventually forgot about that and moved on to bigger things.
But now it just kinda worked out that i could pick up a few shifts. i get free coffee.... I get paid to sit around in one of my favorite places in the world. It's the most super chill job ever. The girl training me spent the majority of the shift carving a giant maple branch - a prop for her future halloween costume as Pocahontas.
I've always loved going to the Hard Bean, and i always liked all the people there. But attribute it to my social anxiety or what-have-you, i never felt really accepted or like a part of that community. Last night was just so validating and wonderful.
People were like "Hey man. You work here now?"
"Yeah. It's my first day."
"That's awesome."
and there were folks who i've talked to on and off forever and all of sudden they started using my name. I know it sounds so childish, but it felt so good to have people say "Hey Dan, can i get cup of ...." I was like "You know my name? ... *tears come to eyes* They like me! They really like me!"
sorry for being such a dork. That was just special for me.
And oh yeah. All the free coffee i want.
edit:
If you haven't seen it already, you HAVE to check out Leilani's first set. I really think it is easily the best set i've seen since i joined. Stylistically it's different than Sean's work, so i wouldn't compare it, as his photography has been my favorite for a long time now. But yeah. Check it out and give that girl and Lavonne
osaka:
cuuuuute ^___^ and awesome