My Place.

I found it! Ok, I never actually lost it, but I've been looking for it for a while! Campus, George Street, north and south, rain and shine, on a boat and with a goat...
The place that I will call mine. That I will be a familiar face to. Like a local.

The short, perky, bright orange letters have attracted my gaze numerous times, and I've been waiting for just the right moment to go. This felt like just the right time. The clouds and chill have returned the last few days, and as I started off on a brisk walk to do some birthday shopping in town, I thought of my fuzzy, possum fur gloves sitting neatly on the ledge above my fireplace between The Penguin History of New Zealand and the card with the old ladies with crazy hair holding chickens that makes me bust out laughing every time I look at it (Melissa, a card that represents us better has never been made!). A hot drink in hand would be a nice substitute, I decided, so I rounded the corner onto Frederick St and assessed the scene in front of The Fix. One customer waiting. No flashy, long line of customers silently, snobbishly boasting of its lucrative business, but one young guy standing patiently at the window, suggesting a faithful following among the locals. I approached and was immediately greeted cheerfully by two guys with massive grins who were clearly having a grand time making coffee. I like people who like making coffee. I ordered a mocha. "Wouldja like to make it a double shot, simply so I can use up an extra shot?" Grin. Yes, these are my people. The pair were doing a lovely combination of joking, singing, steaming, brewing and serving each customer that came along in the most charming way possible. I found myself wishing I could be in there, working with them. After a short moment my cup was passed through the window and I delivered the thanks I've heard from a number of kiwi mouths, and just then prepared in my head. "Brilliant!" The warm reply: "Have a fantastic day!". Thank you--now, I am!