I love 2nd Moon

Posted by blainegarrett

May 9, 2008

I love 2nd moon. I telecommute and seasonally go work at the 2nd Moon (I don’t like to leave the house in the winter unless there is specific stuff to do like concerts or get-togethers). I started going there again regularly this week. And while my friend Veronica joking called me an egomaniac for being there a lot lately (since my paintings are up), I really is a humble atmosphere. Granted around mid-afternoon all the college kids come in to study, which usually adds a bit to the pretentious vibe that is stereotypical of urban coffeeshops. However, the majority of the time, it is people from the chill Seward neighborhood and lends itself to a very pleasant atmosphere reminiscent of my great homeland of Northern ‘Skani.

I came in today around 10 and was greeted by name by the owner Cindy. She asked me about how my opening went and I thanked her again for letting me hang my work. We talked a bit about the reactions people have had, which she said were mostly positive. Awesome.

As I sat outside and smoked, I did a bit of people watching of the characters strolling about Franklin Ave at 11:30 on a Friday. There were the gutter punk Luce cooks out smoking across the street, some ancient looking fellas carrying rickety cases on their way to the guitar shop, some lovely hipster looking women on their way to the salon upstairs, and a couple of older guys I see a lot around here who came and sat down to share a smoke break. Most everyone (save for the hipster women) said “hello” - if not to me, to others passing by. Finally, as I was finishing my break, one of the baristas walked in to start her shift and said a friendly hello by name.

I really like the “by name” bit. It says a lot about people I think. When I am at the coffee shop, I am usually working and deep in thought. As such, I am not overly aware of my surroundings and/or not focusing on being friendly with staff and customers. However, people who address you by name mean that they took the effort to remember your name, are showing a level of engagement/kindness rather than pretentiousness like at other coffee shops.

Sadly, this used to be the case for me at Cliquoet Cafe as well, however, through staff changes and hard times that place has turned considerably less friendly. At least, the food is good.

Reflection