Occupy Montevideo

How's that for a headline grabber! I'm not sure of the connection, but GO EVERYONE!

No posts and now this.
I'll be tweeting before long. KMN.

I'd much prefer to set up a slide show of the completely finished project, complete with an endearing soundtrack (btw don't rule this out), but the reality is that it may never be finished. Completely.
Anyway, what is?

The finishing touches are the most fun and when I can find time to snap a photo, I'm doin' it.

I'm finding my stride as the designer here, but I try to stay aware of my influences.


I am a fan of HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire' not only because of the great drama, actors and scripts, but my dearest friend (and Coffee Shop underwriter) Holly 'Hollywood' J. Moore will be back working on all those impressive sets for next season.


It's a long way from a good idea in your head to nailing it up, but seeing that good work and Holly's approach to it make for some serious inspiration.

Where's my painting?



I am clearly unqualified to stretch these signs, but I'm heading back with our hair dryer. Show that freakin' sign what-for.

I don't know how ready we will be on Monday, but HereinUruguay tm it's not the biggest deal.  Everybody is way mellow, but it seems they are hungry. People stop in all day long. I worry that I won't be able to feed all who come (who are we the Red Cross?), but I'm hedging our bets, banking on a cautious exploration by the neighborhood.

After we kill 'em with Janine's great food, then we can start worrying about not having it together.

I should have the signs finished this weekend and we plan to cook a lot. We can only make things for a few days; it has to be fresh. So we can practice on friends and ourselves and work on our systems.

No, we don't actually have a system. Eh.

I'm using a calculator you can buy from a vending machine: compare with phone.

Segafredo, evil or benign?

Ready to pull the trigger

It's done..............

or is it?

I still have some things to do, original and necessary things, but they can wait.
We are stocking, testing (yum) and trying to come up with a system.

It's been fun to make a replica of a coffee shop, but where's the manual?

Ok, have a look then.  I can't take a decent picture with this camera.

In fact, any defects you notice are entirely the fault of the camera.

Harsh lighting, needs work.

 We're still working out the placement of things.
Our first menu needs some attention too.

It's readier every day.
The latest: Monday looks good. Vamos aver.

Ya llegamos

"you don't have to tell me, I know I look tired"
- Louden Wainwright III

The kitchen? Put it right here.

 I get that a lot and yes, I am tired.

I also get some not-too-subtle hints that I could have/should have gone faster. I know that too, but you see I didn't know how.

I hired or asked for help whenever I thought it could fit. This is telling; is it me or here that makes the 'fit' problematic?

Fully formed companies and Uruguayan versions of myself (contractors) were priced too high when I dared to even check.

Friends, family and favors made up what help we did have. For the most part, we did everything ourselves.

Our niece Ximena, turned my drawings into blue prints and officially filed them. So many good ideas and recomendations came from her. We can never thank her enough, but thanks Xime!

My friend Antonio (Chero) Carambula helped with carpentry part-time for a dozen weeks more or less. He was a big help and is always patient with me. I don't know how I would have managed someone without some English and an appreciation (or fear) of my expectations regarding accuarcy.  Alas, in the end even he found my overbearing presence too much.

Another pal, Gonzalo (Mono) Gutierrez was there on and off for most of the project, usually part-time. Apparently I don't know anyone who can work a full week, at least not for the meager pay I offer.  Actually the pay wasn't too terrible, but keeping a steady roster is fraught with difficulties.
He helped transport, translate and was there to listen as I figured things out aloud. We demo'd walls, scraped, mixed cement together and when finishing time came, his painting skills saved the day.
A big part was of his help (or sometimes just visits) was the much needed company. Yeah, I'm island, but a visitor now and again doesn't hurt.

WiFi installation, yeah!

Our biggest local booster is my sister-in-law Cecilia. She opted to diminished her official role, not being ready to run a busy day-to-day business, but that has allowed her to 'unofficially' be there for the really important stuff. She's financed, co-signed and used her considerable connections to make sure we weren't pushed around. She loves nothing more than a dust up when her loved ones are under fire.

bench appearance

When decorating time came around, her secret craft skills (who knew?) and design sense were unvailed to everyone's delight.


My parents came through when the chips were down.
No way we'd have made it without their help. I only wish they could be here to see the results in person. Maybe someday. Thanks for your sacrifices.

There are more to thank. I will do my best to aknowledge everyone who helped, supported and cheered us on.


So now it's time to make the donuts. Well, that's one of the few things we are actually buying already made. I'll explain Pangiorno another time, but we've got some baking to do.

There are still a few minor details to finish and we are not fully stocked yet. The sign and the last few things should all be here this week.

Opening day? I dunno, you tell me.