My Java Journal

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The Afghanistan Ritual

In the military, coffee is one of those commodities that can raise spirits immediately. At times it can be the only tangible manifestation of comfort in otherwise cold and dreary circumstances. Rations can often be eaten cold and the chill that sets never quite leaves the bones and joints. With long periods of standing and …

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Go West Young Man

It was a typical migration, the one that many an Ontario student embarked upon after high school – Go west young man. Usually it was to Whistler, or maybe Tofino, but mine was into the heart of Vancouver. I hadn’t yet discovered my love of skiing, or mountain biking, and surfing eluded me then as …

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Becoming Barista

The Craft story-line will be a more visual thread to share what I learn as I develop as a barista. It will showcase my developing skills in the barista art. I have invested in a remarkable espresso machine and grinder; a beautiful setup to assist in my education. I have only attended one class to …

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Building a Business

With the Business thread you will learn that the first Business Plan for my coffeehouse was drawn up in 2005. More a sketch than a full picture, but conceptually that first draft is still reflected in, and influences the work I do now. Under the working name Jagged Peaks it was a design that focused …

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Chasing a Dream

This Dream of mine, to open a coffeehouse, goes back some 14 years now. It is the result of several convergent factors and it has stood the test of time. Truthfully, it likely goes back even further than that but the epiphany, that moment where I thought I need to open a coffeehouse, was about …

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my java journal early success rosette craft

“Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” – Lewis Carroll

So how do I find myself walking away from the stability of a steady paycheck and walking towards the risky prospects of a start-up? This Experience story-line is where I will share my tales and overall experiences with coffee; those stories spanning the past 25+ years that have nurtured my love of the coffeehouse experience. …

“Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” – Lewis Carroll Read More »