Servant of Chaos

Coffee in January

The good people at Sydney's Single Origin are taking a well-earned break through to January 19. Well, it's a break with some work thrown in -- apparently they are renovating, to make more space for coffee machines and folks like you and me. This means that we may have to find an alternative venue for the next couple of Friday mornings. I will keep you posted.

However, for those who have yet to experience the bizarre, enthusiastic and envigorating world of the Single Origin coffee experience, my friend, Scott Drummond has put together a great video that gives some sense of what goes on. In fact, the footage was taken just before the holiday break -- the last social media coffee morning for the year ...

Driving down the street I could see people spread out across the road. I knew it was going to be "special". And as I got close, I could hear music -- live music. There was a band perched on the kerb opposite the cafe, serenading the morning coffee crowd and spreading a joyous vibe through the neighbourhood. It was just another example of the GREAT customer experience that Single Origin provides. Now, I just can't wait to get back for one of those famous long black coffees! Roll on the 19th!

Single Origin Gypsy Friday from Scott Drummond on Vimeo.

Oh, and here's a challenge ... how many people do you recognise in the video? The sharpest eyes will win coffee and banana bread on me ;)

Come to Sydney Coffee Mornings on Fridays

If you have been reading my blog for a while, then you will know that a bunch of local bloggers and marketing types get together each Friday for coffee. From 8am we rock up to Single Origin in Reservoir Street, Surry Hills for some of the best coffee and conversation in the city. In case you were wondering what these coffee mornings are like, here is a video that Tim Longhurst took recently.

Can you identify those in attendance? Ten points for each person you can recognise.

Coffee Morning - February 8, 2008

Single Origin
Originally uploaded by cityofsound

If you happen to be in Sydney and can make it to Surry Hills, it would be great to see you tomorrow morning around 8am. We will be there drinking coffee and discussing ideas.

You are more than welcome to join us -- and it is a great chance to meet luminaries such as Katie, Emily, Stig and Gregg (isn't 2008 the year of the blog, Gregg?).

Single Origin Cafe
60-64 Reservoir Street
(Cnr Reservoir Street and Hands Lane)
Surry Hills

Sydney Coffee Morning

coffee as art
Originally uploaded by katjung.

OK ... I am getting up EXTRA early to make it this week!

Friday, February 2nd at 8 am at ...

10 Buck Alley
Cnr of Williams & Bourke
East Sydney

Blog Eyed

tired eyes
Originally uploaded by SlipStreamJC.

Wow ... what a week!

There have been emails galore, some great thinking (and beautiful writing) from Paul, provocative and cool new cars to gawk at, new blogs to read and enjoy, coffee morning around the world and even a touch of halloween.

Speaking of coffee, the Sydney group met again today, this time at Milson's Point. Great discussion and new faces. Sebastian tells us that he has setup his blog, but is being coy about providing the address. Emily also ran us through a presentation she give in Singapore on Tuesday. It really is nice to meet up with people face to face.

Oh ... and some great input on how to kick along the KarmaCredits concept -- together with an idea for our first small (very small) project.

No wonder I feel a little blog eyed!

S.

Coffee on Friday

coffee
Originally uploaded by TomlOS.

As promised, coffee is happening in Sydney again on Friday at 11am.

Vando suggested the Lounge Cafe at 70 Alfred Street in Milson’s Point, opposite the train station. Come one, come all.

Oh, and CK and Paul, you better hop a plane quicksmart or you'll miss out!

Coffee Morning Sydney

Coffee
Originally uploaded by E Welthorpe.

I must admit to feeling rather envious of those who live close enough to be able to make it to Russell's regular coffee mornings. So I was very pleased to be able to join up with a couple of other locals last Friday.

Blogging can be a very solitary activity ... especially in the early days when it is unclear whether anyone is reading your writing (and even then, when you think they are ... why are there no comments?). Also, in reading blogs, you begin to build up a sense of the writer without the blindness of meeting -- if you are careful, you can read between the lines, get a sense of their history and process of thinking and also see who they respect, admire or (even) dislike. In this way you are able to get a sense of who your blog buddies are before you meet them in person (and hey, sometimes we never get to meet).

It is interesting, that much of what passes for "authenticity" online, is directly based on never having met. I think it is something to do with the way that we listen/read blogs. It is also linked very closely with action -- we are judged not ONLY by what we say/write, but by the promises we make and whether we follow through on them. And on the web ... it is relatively easy to find out whether you DO as you SAY.

So actually turning up to a coffee morning can be more nerve wracking than making your first comment on Russell's blog. Well perhaps NOT nerve wracking ... but strange. To start with ... what do bloggers look like? Then ... what will we talk about? Will we all get along? What happens next? Will more people come next time?

As I said here, we did have a pretty good time ... some great conversation, some ideas ... a little of basic getting to know you. But there were a few suggestions that sounded really good -- like performance blogging (thanks to Sebastian) and the challenges of creative teamwork in Sydney (again thanks Sebastian).

NEXT WEEK (3 November) will be the next coffee morning in Sydney -- and all are invited to come along. This time I promise to take my own photos (and business cards). I think Vando nominated The Lounge in Milsons Point -- I will need to track it down and confirm.