Dear Amber,

I woke up to a phone call today requesting my presence at the Mercury because one of our beloved barista's was not feeling quite himself. I raced down here knowing that a delicious cup of of Bali Paradise Valley and it's peanut buttery goodness would be waiting for me here, with you as well. In no time, (well more like an exciting 18mins) I got down here but alas, no blond bombshell was anywhere in sight. A handsome, young, upstart, instead, was here to greet me (as well as the morning horde) as I proceeded to begin my morning, the same way I ended my night last night. Perhaps we'll meet again in an espresso bar out west, when we're both too tired to make it all the way east. Maybe we'll cross paths when the sun's smile is visible, the bird's singing can be heard, and the buds on the trees start peaking out. I'll be waiting on a green, plastic patio chair with a cold one waiting for us on the table, behind the delivery truck, right by the main road where we used to sit and make fun of the folks that saunter by, oblivious to the fact they're being laughed at. I can almost see it.

~missed connection #1269389~

I think it is perfectly reasonable, and in fact natural, to want to hang out with a monkey. Our close cousins have much to teach us. So I will pose the age old question, one which has plagued humankind for centuries. Great minds: philosophers, mathematicians, astrologers, anthropologists, have all weighed in on the matter and now it's your turn.
Would you rather spend one hour with three hired priests OR spend three hours with a hired monkey?
An inside tip puts a hired monkey at a rate of $1500.00 an hour. "Sure is a lot of money" you say, but in retrospect the New Yorker with a dirty little secret paid $2500.00 more per hour for his lady than he would have for a monkey. "How does this relate to coffee?" you ask -- boy you sure are an inquisitive little fellow aren't you!-- Nothing! it has nothing to do with coffee. But one of the benifits of going to a coffee house is to get out of the house and socialize. So here it is. We're making it very easy for you. Come down. Join the rest of us, forget the hustle and bustle, and sit down and practice the art of conversation.
As you sit you have a plethora of options when it comes to a tasty beverage.
ON PRESS- we've got the Cruz del Sur (Peru) and the Flecha Roja (Costa Rica).
FEATURE LATTE- The wondrous Bali is back. Bali Paradise Valley * a noise which suggests salivation. (Or salvation, depending on how strongly you feel about beans).
BARISTA- Neil, Damien, and Alice (soon joined by Alex). What's not to like?

Batman & Robin
Starring Alice Berg and Neil Rankin.

SYPHON? More like SY-PHUN! Or...FUN! SY-FUN!

So, yes I am talking about syphons. Why, I hear you all asking out from behind your laptops in your respective homes, well I'll tell you why. It's because some of you may have seen Matt "experimenting" with some Bunsen burners and syphons recently. Don't worry, we're not planning on blowing anything up...it's really nothing like that, we're just trying to bring you the best cup of coffee possible and that takes a little experimentation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkOCKbEj-vQ&feature=related

For further information on this fascinating subject of coffee syphoning stop on by and ask one of us friendly baristas we'll gladly tell you about it. Matthew and i are thinking about taking our chances with the Yirgacheffe and brewing up a batch this afternoon. If you're here we'll share. Promise.

You're so suave.

Oh, don't be so modest, you know you are.

Alice and I were just talking about you. You really ought to come in more, and tell us about what you're doing these days. You're always up to such cool stuff.

I wish you came to our party on Saturday. It's always so much fun when you come-- we laugh and laugh and laugh... I remember that party you threw back in '86-- when you hired that magician to dress up like Brett 'The Hit Man' Hart? I cherish that memory, and to this day, I have retained a napkin to better recall the experience:

I guess what they say is true-- you'll always have the memories. And in my case I also have the tattoo. People say I'm crazy, but I say "it's worth it!"

Well I'm just taking it easy these days. Real Slow. Nice and Lazy. Don't care much for show boatin' around town. Can you believe we got Mercury T-Shirts?! Brown or Army Green. It says 'I care about coffee but i also care about fashion' in a 'i haven't lost my cool' sorta way. Yeah, and at $20.00 a pop that's pretty much all I'm wearing these days. Other shirts- who needs 'em, you know. I like to just sit around in my Merc shirt and drink the Feature Ethiopia Yirgacheffe. Gets ya going in a chocolaty rich comforting sort of way. Precious like a kitten.

So why not come by? The first one's on me (But then we're gonna gouge ya).

So Mercury celebrated it's 2nd year on Saturday and boy did I get some shots.

Of course what's a birthday without cake.
Or a few friendly faces...




Even a dog wanted to get in on the action.

Our Baristas were hard at work.




Now we enter the terrible twos.


Some couldn't get it quite right.


Doug had enough of all the goofing around.

Ah what the heck?

Everyone went back to doing what they do best. Thanks to Graham, Adrian, Cameron, and Kurt for the musical treats!

Jakey and Trish say, "See you around!"