Andy Ciordia

At the beginning of last year I could not have seen what was to transpire this year. As I grow each year seems more so like that. Maybe it’s due to the embracing of chaos and knowing I can only manifest a few variables, or maybe it is just additive wisdom of the years behind me.

This year had it’s ups and downs. We transfered our ideas from building a coffee shop to working for the past 8mos on a web application. We lost our dear friend Tyson, but gained a number of new people friends. I’ve explored inwardly to the friendly skies. We’ve looked into America’s food chain (or the lacking there of) and dived right in to the Slow Food community. Knowing your farmer is gratifying. At this point we source somewhere around 80% of our foodstuffs outside the grocery store and I feel better for it.

I was good early on about working on my writing and drawing but in the last quarter lost some of my steam. I think I can revitalize my efforts at least until something hemorrhages.

It’s been another neat year exploring coffee, the community, the industry, and the strange things that exist around it all. Thanks to all those that try and make it a better place but don’t ever sit on your laurels as “cool can turn to brittle” (as a friend said) overnight.

• More confirmation that we can have indomitable spirits.
• Psychology & Neurology are built by what you think, and those who have inputs in to you. Be careful who you let influence you for the impact is farther reaching than you realize.
• Amazing gratification at the acceptance of who I am, and who I am to become.
  Business
• Building a retail coffee shop in Charlotte is a challenge when the rent factor is so high it makes profitability a serious issue.
• You are what you do and you will not change that unless your actions start following that.
• Enablers continue crooked systems to exist. Bad leadership would not exist were it for kind souls who believe and invest their energies.
• Ideas are worth a nickel, execution is worth billions.
• The long-tail exists.
• People follow if you lead.

• Building new relationships takes a lot of time and energy.
• Maintaining relationships takes a lot of time and energy.
• Take care of your friends for you will have few who will be there when you really need them.
• Finding friends you can love is rare and special.

• Herding cats
• Need effective passionate people in groups or the group will not move.
• Sustained momentum might require a paid position.

We will continue to evolve and shape the things to come. With passion and vigor I think this year will be grand. Like I keep preaching let’s all try and find solutions to what ills us rather than allow the debate to consume our emotional resources.

Here’s to you all!

-a

Many fronts, many things tackled, much more to go.

This year was a year of ups and downs. Robin and I went to Italy for a kind of anniversary belated Honeymoon. That was fantastic. We saved, we thought, we laid flexible plans, we learned the language, and we had a blast.

On the work side the day job is in irons and our Caffe Nuance plans while we thought had great velocity/momentum at the end of the year hit a tripple score of blockades which have pushed us back to a location drawing board. The roads been traveled once now, so repetition just gets faster.

We’re looking forward to 2006. It’s a time of change, a time of pushing forward, a time to get into a better orbit.

The very first time I met Andy was long, long ago, on a dial-up bulletin board system (BBS). Yeah, we’re old-school.

Anyways, I had a friend over at my house. Andy sent me his yearbook picture, which had somehow been scanned, and at 13, that is just asking for trouble.

Before long, my friend and I had drawn green booger goo all over poor Andy’s picture, and animated it coming out of his nose using Grasp into a .gl file that we sent back.

Who could’ve guessed that would spark the friendship it has? ;)

SERBC (South Eastern Barista Competition) was the first time I have met Nick. Didn’t have much time to hash but I have a feeling we’ll be running around the same circuit so getting to know this witty guy is just a matter of time.

Like a bloodhound when fixated, like the wind when not. Jeff has an amazing well of potential that when he shapes into an action is honed as sharp as any harpoon. He is both best friend and business partner.

Charlotte Latin Highschool, back in 93-94. He gave a speech to the class and then tour’d many classrooms including my own. He was/is a masterful orator and has great presence. I would like to meet him again someday.

Charlotte Shout, 2004 Culinary event in Charlotte NC. He as always is down to earth and fun to watch on stage or signing books.