Countdown sequence...

I thought I'd take a moment and check in with my dear reader(s). Things have been extremely stressful and hectic regarding the opening of the Courthouse Corner Cafe'. If ever there was a food business focused on the correct concerns prior to an opening, it is this one.

Everything has been revolving around keeping the quality as high as absolutely possible, while maintaining an appropriately projected cash flow. Though it often times leads to verbal blows between Sis, Dirt and myself, the balance seems to be working as we all have contributions, views and concerns from different angles. Our skins get thicker and we trudge forward toward the dream.

Tonight has me in a different work-mode. Usually after my regular job in the evenings, I do research, crunch numbers, make orders and generally stress out. Sis has been keeping up with the test-kitchen and recipe side of things, which has been a God-Send! (Can I get a mu-fuckin' GAWD BOMB here?!! Laws yes!) I haven't had to do shit with the testing up to now... This evening, I had to break down my chili recipe, alter it some for regular people to eat (as opposed to those like my brother and I who like a little chili with our helping of hot sauces and spicing), and then ... (AHH!)... write it down.

Yeah! I had to write down how I make chili. Its usually one of those meals that is made different every time... So this was tough for me. (Especially making a mild recipe.) However, it was quickly done, and easier than I thought. It was also a nice break from the regular evening of figures and fretting.

There was an interesting side-incident that took place today that involved the arrival of the commercial Panini grill... It involved burning off the bees wax coating that is on the grill surface. I fired the bad-boy up and it was soon smoking like crazy. It was smoking like... well... like a commercial Panini grill with a shit load of bees wax on it.

Now not having a venting system... The entire cafe was soon engulfed in its own fog. I guess, in retrospect, after reading this as I type it, its really not that interesting. It was, however, GAWD awful funny at the time. Especially watching Sis and Dirt try to concentrate on a food order while I pranced around the cafe ever filling with fumes.

So, here we are, with about a week to go before the opening.

I feel I shall pee myself.

Can a brutha' get a mu-fuckin' Gawd-Bomb for peeing himself?! Laws yes!

Naa... No pics today... Gotta go play w. my chili now... So... Go on...

Shoo.

Licenses! Paperwork! ... Those sudden zoning costs!!!

I've read a couple books, talked to people, did a large amount of online research in order to prepare for the current adventure I'm sort of chronicling here.

The latest surprise was my quote for a monthly fee from the accountant.

$500.00 - per month.

Yeah. It even deserved its own paragraph. It is times such as that when one realizes the meaning of cliches such as "falling out of his chair" and "like a strike to the head" and the growing line, "He fell dead right there in front of the lady who just told him $500.00 per month."

It is at these sickening (for they truly are gut-wrenching, sickening moments) times that I wonder and become amazed at how perfectly and thoroughly the government and supporting businesses (undoubtedly driven by the same operation costs) suck you as dry as humanly possible as you try to succeed.

As one may view their journal, I hope to some day look or think back to this entry, and realize how silly I was being, or how weak I was. I've surpassed points where in the past I would have fled back into comfort, but I feel out of my element and quite defensive. (Yes, more than I usually am.)

Now this is strange too, as I think I'm on the verge of discovering (perhaps rediscovering is the correct word) what a positive attitude and approach to things is like, even in the face of anything to the contrary. I'm not there yet, and at times I feel it pulling my fucking head apart, but there is something happening upstairs in the noodle factory.

So with all that in mind (as I hadn't planned on rambling about my head), I now turn back toward those sudden accounting fees. I gave a shout out to Sis who should be able to take care of most of the accounting, and feel a little more comfortable that some medium ground can be had, and that the business will not have to fork out that ridiculous amount each month. A business that only has, really, one full time fucking employee, and that person is my sister, the co-owner! COME ONNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!

So I should be heading over to the cafe' shortly to meet up w. Sis and Dirt to do some more work on the place. I think I enjoy those times most. When I can just do some work and see something physical getting done, instead of writing checks and filling out forms and not seeing a goddamn thing for it.

So here was are reader(s). We're in the waning days before an actual opening. Things are starting to move quickly. Stress is rising as is some excitement. I will try to keep you (all) posted on the progression.

...K... ... ... go-on...

Piss off.

Painting Drum Beat On Walls

No, its not an attempt at a clever title. It is what me, the Snowboyz and Heir (put number here) spent the evening working on.

The cafe needed a little more pizazz so the administration decided to get a color close to the counter tops. It was a no-brainer when the color "Drum Beat" was discovered to be close enough.

"Drum Beat" is also the most unforgiving color I have ever worked with in my life. I was hoping that today it would look much better then it did last night. However, its in bad shape. It will take another coat or two (which I'm planning to work on tomorrow night). Overall you can already see how much warmer and inviting the place is. So I don't regret the decision.

The past couple of days saw some major advances. Here's the quick run down (as we continue to document the ups and DOWNS.... DOWNS DOWNS DOWNS... DOWNY DOWN DOWN... Morrrton DOWNey Jr.... DOWNsyndrom!... DOWNNNNN town, things'll be great when you're DOWNNN town!... ... ... there's been a lot of DOWNS!)...but ah!.. the runDOWN:
-FEIN comes in.
-Last major banking transaction takes place.
-Application in and paid to health dept.
-Nice, beautiful, new restaurant equipment ordered (via Dirtman, aka Dirtymon!) (this also being the most exciting shit so far!)
-New coat of paint and a slightly new look (almost).
-Inventory completed.

So, not a bad few days progress-wise. Most of the time I don't feel this way, but this evening all is cool.

So kiddies, thats it in our series that may be titled: Why To Stay The Fuck Away From Starting Your Own Business, but would rather see: This Is The Reason I Listened To The Few Positive People In My Life.

Give you da' business...

After taking a week longer than it should have, I literally sat with our business' accountant today for an hour while she called our wonderful federal government. Everything administrational has been on hold waiting for one stupid number that now carries the weight of a deity. The FEIN number. (Cue the chorus of fuckin' angels here. Because when that number arrives... Its the mutha'lovin' second coming, baby! Mu'fuckin' Glory-To-Gawd-AwMighty accompanies that fuckin' set of digits!!!)

You would think that the IRS would have better customer service in this day and age. Especially since we're trying to jump start our economy... Ya know? Little help here? Can't a brutha get a table dance?! Answer the fuckin' phone maybe?!!! Mope recorded message (once navigating the menu that rivaled Columbus' first crossing) said there was an approximate 15 minute wait. The wait was approximately 40 minutes (+/- 2 mins). After the accountant spoke with the agent for several minutes, I was put on the phone. Then I was put on hold for 10 more minutes.

BUT!... (a hush came over the entire Romney valley area) ...
The number was revealed. I'm pretty sure it was God himself who uttered the number.
Laws yes... God his self!

So lady and/or gentleman, this is but a wee speed bump in all the hootin' fuckin' hoopla-o-fun... FUN!... that we've been experiencing at Courthouse Corner Cafe' ... LLC ... With HONORS!

No pics today... Now... Go away!

When next you see...

Another landmark today. I figure that there will be many now (landmark events), coming and going frequently.

Today was pretty exciting from a business standpoint, and from a gringo in entrepreneurship.

The view above was actually taken by my partner from CID, when the family and I viewed the establishment for the first time. (My office is just on the other side of the courthouse you see outside the window.) Its really exciting to think that next week we'll be inside getting things ready, and soon there will be a new logo on those large windows. Our logo.

... and there will be soup... Laws yes! There will be soup!

Coffee n' Gruel

I debated a small bit about writing about the behind the scenes look at opening a small business. If for nothing else, to vent a little and have a little fun. So I’ll give it a shot.

It seems that I have come to a point in my life where I’ve noticed things becoming stagnant, and more alarming, that I have started to become comfortable with the daily doldrums of absolute gray.

What remnants are left of my family, I have come to realize, mean a lot to me, and, frankly (I can’t believe I’m saying this because those of the Darkgarden need no one!) I like the fact that I need them. As whacked out as a bunch we all are individually, when we join together, … we become... umm... well... a GROUP of whacked out people.

I realize now that I could actually lapse into a completely different blog entry here… on (GAK!) family and … oh… no… fogetaboutit!... Mushy shit. Stuff that those of the Darkgarden do not speak of because we’re dark, messed up people who dwell in the darkness within.

Right.

I thought it might be a good time to start up a small business (something I’ve been wanting to do for years), and what is better, I now have the opportunity to have it family operated. Sis and Dirt will be coming on board. The Snowboyz will be joining in some, as well as one of the Heirs. (I don’t know which number. I can’t keep ‘em straight!) There were rumors of Johnboy making appearances, however, I believe, if you’re lucky, on some lonely night, you may see him daintily sipping a glass of fine wine through the large bistro window; sitting by himself…scooping spoonfuls of gruel into a wet, sopping mouth, occasionally looking up slightly from side to side, only to return to his steaming bowl (and we don’t even serve gruel). “Where did you get that gruel, Art?!” we would ask. “Go away!” he would reply gruffly… (Wow! That vision changed drastically in the scope of one sentence.)

I digress.

The plan is to open a café on the corner of the main street in the quaint county seat where I reside: The Courthouse Corner Café. Specialized coffees and affordable eats. Consistent hours and quality food in a comfortable atmosphere or for take-out.

It all sounds great, and it IS great. What I didn’t realize was the administrational aspect of getting such a project underway. I researched such an endeavor many times through the years, but until you actually take the plunge you never appreciate the weight of everything involved.

I ran a sole proprietorship business once, and did my own finances, but at this level I need the assistance of an attorney and accountant. Applications, licenses and forms abound. Forming a corporation and setting up accounts comprises the daunting part of it all. You get a real clear idea where and how the various levels of government want their share.

At this point in time, we are about to close the deal on purchasing the establishment. So tension is high.

This evening, however, I’m taking a break from everything and allowing myself to be happy and dream about the moment that will soon come, when we all gather quietly after some hard hours of our first day of preparation, and open a bottle of champagne to toast the successful future we are about to embark on.

This simple event will signify a lot (to me at least). It’s a turn-around point in life where we will finally take some control, together, and produce something positive. You know, I think it’s even ok now to wonder where all this may lead us, and actually believe it will be forward and upward.
So from here, I’ll try to drop in and give whatever reader(s) may also still be dropping by a status report.

I guess the big question is: What would Billy Zane charge to conduct the ribbon cutting and grand opening?

A Warm Welcome!!!

I hope you will all join me in officially welcoming our newest member of the back yard clan. It was touch and go for awhile, but he's finally joined up with the rest of our whacky crew.