Archive for the ‘family’ Category

Surprise!

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

I just read a short story about throwing a surprise birthday party on a train. It made me so happy that my eyes watered and I wanted to share it with you too. The idea of strangers in a small room like a train carriage reminded me of Urban Grind – Paddington and West End. I am going to suggest it before you do. Urban Grind on a train carriage could be very cool. Anyway, one of the things I always tried to do at Urban Grind was to start conversations. My best Urban Grind days were the ones where I could stand back and look at the room and everyone was so engrossed in conversation that it was noisy and I didn’t matter. And honestly the worst days were the ones where the room would be full but virtually silent – uncomfortable. No energy, lifeless.

Surprise! by Improv Everywhere. Well worth the read.

Posted in design, family, friends, funny, inspiring, local community, peace, personal, urban grind | No Comments »

Happy New Year 2010

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

For a long time now I have been very proud that Urban Grind has been successful but for longer than many might realise I have also been aware that Urban Grind has been unsustainable. In retrospect only, that would seem like things for Urban Grind are not good but in fact they are better than ever. Urban Grind is in my heart and if you know me well enough you will know that it has been a personal journey for me, not just a business. And it’s not over yet.

So as you might be aware by now Urban Grind New Farm closed it’s doors at the end of 2009 and will not be re-opening at the beggining of 2010. It’s time for a break and a regrouping. In simple terms this is not the end of Urban Grind. It is going to take us a little while to regroup but we are working on our return and will be back better than ever.

I have learnt a lot from my mistakes over the years and along the way I have discovered other directions in which I want to take Urban Grind. I can’t wait to re-open Urban Grind and show you what I am talking about. In the meantime I will keep this website/blog going. I will also be working at the Di Bella Factory which is going to be great. Obviously I love Di Bella coffee as I have been serving it for about 8 years now. I also have a good friendship and a great respect for Philip Di Bella so I look forward to working more closely with him.

For me Urban Grind is more than just trying to make great coffee. Of course that is really important as anything less would be just embarrassing, but for me Urban Grind is a way of life and an experience that I want to keep having. Only one thing has made this experience as wonderful as it has been and that is people, and the amazing relationships we were able to have with them. From the single moments with a stranger that have taught me life lessons, to the life long friends we made, Urban Grind has been about the interaction of people – community. To all in this community I am most grateful for your help, your willingness to interact, your bravery to be yourselves and to challenge yourselves. There would not be enough pixels on this computer to properly thank everyone that has meant something to me over these years. But to Rachel my loving partner, Urban Grind would have never been without you. To Adz, Brendan, Carl, my brother Dan & Sophie, in particular – Thank you. To so many more – Thank you.

Now in looking forward, lets keep in touch.
twitter
facebook
blog rss/email
mailing list
0408 10 11 40
email – it’s in the picture

Posted in customers, family, friends, local community, personal, urban grind | 11 Comments »

Education Quality

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Education is important and as my son will be starting his school-based education in a little over a year I find myself with a keen eye for discussion on the topic of education quality. I was lucky enough to leave school thinking that school failed me but those not so lucky more often leave school feeling like they failed school and this belief one way or another can set you up for life.

So if you too find the topic interesting I recommend having a read of this short blog post by Max Wind-Cowie of the Demos Think-Tank blog: Education is a high-stakes game

This TEDtalk from Bill Gates is also very interesting. I think it is in the second half where he talks about quality of education.

Posted in alternative media, family, politics | 5 Comments »

An Awesome Book

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Our friends at map magazine first alerted us to this book as one of them there, in particular Carl Lindgren is very big on reminding us all to dream. I have lots of fun readying this with my son Oscar and every night as he is going to bed we all ask each other what we are going to dream about. We will continue to teach him to dream as he gets older and remind him that he can do anything if he ever forgets (he is pretty sure that he can already do anything that he wants).

So check out the Awesome Book. Buy it for you kids, as a gift or just for yourself. Find whatever excuse you need, cause for every book that you buy one gets given to a child for free. Get more details at the Awesome World Foundation. The video is well worth watching.

Posted in alternative media, art, design, family, inspiring | No Comments »

The Lost Generation

Friday, March 13th, 2009

I found this on a day when I really needed it.

Posted in alternative media, environment, family, inspiring, peace | 2 Comments »

I want one of everything.

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

We have a wonderful son Oscar that just turned 3 and this year he got mostly wooden toys from the Plan Toys toy company. Plan toys are made from renewable timbers and use non-toxic glues and paints. The quality and detail makes the adults want to play too. Each box comes with a little catalogue and I kid you not, the adults were fighting over it as they announced their wish-lists. There might be other toy shops that stock these but we have been getting ours from Crackerjack For Good Toys Balmoral, Shop 3/208- 216 Riding Rd 07 3399 4444.

We are keen to remove plastic toys from our lives and have been exploring things like Plan Toys. Oscar also has a fair bit of LEGO, but my research is have trouble concluding whether LEGO is toxic or not. If anyone can help me work this out that would be great. Thanks.

Posted in design, environment, family, local community, personal | 3 Comments »

Winner map readers choice awards

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

As you can see we did pretty well this year in the map readers choice awards. I am a big fan of map so it is very cool that map readers and everyone else I spammed with email took the time to vote for us. Thank you everyone that voted for us. I really do appreciate it. With so much email, sms, twitter, etc these days I am very grateful that you could still find some time for little old Urban Grind. See all the winners here for some great places to check out around Brisbane. This is like you good food dining guide to Brisbane for the next 12 months.

Posted in alternative media, customers, family, friends, local community, staff | No Comments »

Happy Holidays Xmas 08

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

So today was the first day of my 2 weeks holiday. Pancakes for breakfast and the beach for the rest of the day because my son has been asking us everyday for over a month. Rock climbing with mates at Boonah on the 24th and Xmas day with family then house sitting another mates place near Byron for a week. So excited. The downside of this though, might be for you. I am sorry if you are missing out on your coffee, but I have started to function like a toy with batteries that are running flat. I need to recharge big time.

Urban Grind will reopen on the 5th of Jan at 7am. I wish you all a happy and safe holiday period.

It has been a huge year for Urban Grind, the Urban Grind team and my family. We had to leave the Paddington community and miss them dearly. The last half of the year has been harder without your support, but we did what we felt was right. I had to say goodbye to one of Urban Grind’s best teams yet. Sophie, Candice, Amy, Karen & Shea, you were all outstanding and your now employers are very lucky. You became friends that I miss having in my life everyday. As did so many in Paddington become friends that we miss so much. Thank you to all of you.

Thank you to New Farm for embracing us. I don’t feel like we have quite built up the same community yet, but I am meeting some amazing and inspiring people and having fun. I look forward to more of that in the new year. Thank you for keeping Urban Grind alive.

And thank you to my friends who continue to visit me even if I never get the chance to visit them. Love you all.

Again, everyone have a happy and safe holiday period, and as we head into 09, which is likely to be a tough year for many, let us all remember that there is more to life than money. There is each other and the environment and both are going to need our attention.

Posted in customers, environment, family, friends, local community, urban grind | No Comments »

Changed opening hours

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

Hello all. Just a quick note to let you know that we are now opening from 8am on Sundays for Summer, but on the flip side we will be closing early at Midday on both Saturday and Sunday till the end of Summer too. Also did you know that we have Fruit Toast now, a wicked Chai Tea and Iced Coffee made from fresh espresso. Now you do. Thanks

Posted in family, friends, general, urban grind | No Comments »

Help us Win

Monday, October 13th, 2008

Last year Urban Grind was runner up to The 3 Monkeys for best coffee in Brisbane. This year we need your help to make sure that doesn’t happen again. It’s not that I don’t love The 3 Monkeys but I would rather we won that category. So if you do love your Urban Grind coffee please be kind enough to support us buy voting in the map village 2008/2009 Eat/Drink ‘best place’ awards.

We are actually nominated in 4 categories. Look for categories numbered 4, 7, 10 & 20. I guess we don’t have to win them all but it would be nice. Oh, and by entering you stand the chance to win something too. Click here to start voting now! Thanks heaps! Morgs.

Posted in customers, family, friends, local community, urban grind | 1 Comment »

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