Are you Happy?

Have I posted this already?


It has been three weeks since we re-opened and it seems like we never closed! The environment has changed tremendously, yet it is still the Bean to me. Liz has walked out 4 times, called me numerous names I can't repeat,and yet still shows up for work everyday at 6:45 or 7 or there about! I have gone in as late as 4 and as early as 2:30. It seems that the work gets done no matter what time we get there, sometimes it is easier that others, getting to work on time helps this!! The responsibility of having a restaurant with matching silverware and chairs is incredible.

When a regular comes in and sees the difference the look of shock is always apparent. Wow this is... nice, beautiful,shiny, clean,different,bigger, smaller, the response is mostly positive. There is no denying that it is not the old Black Bean aesthetically. It is indeed really really nice. I have a hard time having all that I have there. The ability to breathe fresh air by opening a window is so great. The way the smoke just disappears through the hood when I burn something, or washing a load of dishes in under 3 minutes is mind boggling. The counter tops, the chairs, the flatware, the china, the grill, the list goes on and on.When seeing the new Black Bean many people have said Are you happy?

At firs I don't think that I really understood the question. Am I happy? When someone asks that I don't think am I happy now this instant I think am I happy in whole. Then I think why are you asking this, do I seem sad? This seems so silly, but I truly started to think about the whole question. Why would someone want to know if I was happy (with my life). Gosh there are so many things that I worry about and so many things that I would like to control and cannot, how could I possibly be happy. When I asked a few people the question most, if not all, said they were happy with their lives, content. Again I thought wow how could anyone be content with all that is going on in this world? The funny thing is I think of my self as someone who rarely takes anything seriously. Why then is this simple statement/question nagging at me? If I were to say that I was happy would I have to remain happy? Doesn't happiness come and go? Or if I said I was content would it all become boring?

Over the past 3 weeks I have come to view the question differently. "Are you happy" is not are you content, nor does it mean to encompass my life in its entirety. It is simply a question are you happy with... the change in your business? Duh, why would I think that the question had to have such poigancy? Maybe because I am so self centered and think that everyone wants to know about me? Three weeks ago I was in such a state of shock that I was not able to comprehend what was going on around me. So to answer the question, Phil are you happy (with the way it has all turned out? Yes!!Never in a million years would I have thought that I could bring to fruition such a place. It is definitely not the old Black Bean with the living room to lounge in. It is indeed a cafe/restaurant.

To be in the new place is truly refreshing. It is bright and the air flows through it. The counters and tables remind me of an era past. The new equipment makes it seem like I am playing. With all the newness around me it has been hard to remember where I am, at The Black Bean. A cafe we bought 5 years ago on a wing and a prayer. Where it would go we had no idea!! Through those years we did develop a plan. Over this past 6 months we were forced to put that plan into action. If we wanted to survive and continue we would have to change.

In all honesty I was unsure about the change. I miss the old Black Bean. I miss the relaxed atmosphere that it had. I miss the eclecticness of the place. I miss the two separate rooms, one for lounging and one for eating.I miss the peeling floors. I miss the colors. I miss the couch!! I am glad that I have so many Black Bean memories there. Like when my parents came up and blew up one of those giant snowmen in the living room, or Friday night dinners and game night(nor cross buns),open mic and potluck dinners.

I am happy. I am happy