The Day The Espresso Machine Died

Don't worry, it's better now. 

I start the shift pulling espresso shots that look like decaf. Lukewarm, erratic, blonde-colored crap. The steam wand's still juicing, so the milk foam looks alright and the first nine drinks I make still taste good, which is either a testament to the bean blend we use for the espresso or how awesome I am. 

Next, as the espresso machine is gutted by the Australian repairman, Lucky looks down into the ice machine and says, "Just curious... How long has that thing not been draining?"

Long story short, the ice machine machinery is filthy and blotched with mold. Yep. Mold. Gross. Slimy and black and ugly. The plan goes like this: shovel out all the current ice, drain the machine, take it apart, clean it and then figure out why it's not draining. Since I'm basically jobless while the Australian's tinkering with the Marzoca and I take the task of saving the machine from mold like I'm Super Mario Sunshine cleaning Delfino Plaza. I'm successful. Sort of. The thing's still not draining but at least that mold is gone. For now. 

I ended my shift a little bleach-woozy. 

Anyway... 

Now that the negative stuff is out of the way, I should mention that the Fourth of July was goddamn awesome. I worked the morning shift with Jessica. Slow and steady stream of customers. We closed shop early. Jessica went home to change and I went home to see what Jenny needed help with. She'd already set up the slip-and-slide. We started filling water balloons and testing out the water-guns. I ran over to Grocery Outlet for ice and beer and a second slip-and-slide and, later, with Shaun, an inflatable turtle to ride the slide with. Then there was music. Then the guests started arriving.

In retrospect, it's almost impossible to convey how perfect and fun the event was. It was like the weekly bonfires, only stretched out for ten hours. There was a steady flow of guests coming and going, too many names to remember and some I've completely forgotten. Food on the grill. Drinks on ice. Face painting (Iven's American Flag face was a highlight). Music in the air. A small fire in the pit. Friends from all corners of our lives. We lit a few sparklers. We tye-dyed. We watched the sun go down and the Christmas lights turn on (good for any holiday). And when the night slowly arrived, six of us got into cars and rode out to the levee to watch the Cal Expo fireworks from afar with about a hundred other locals, everyone cheering, lighting sparklers, clapping for their favorites and having a great time. We finished the night at The Mercantile with a few games of pool, but everyone was shooting terribly and the drinks were too strong, so we made our way back to my house and cleaned up the yard a little, then people left for home. And that, in the end, was the best Fourth of July I could've asked for.

So as for the regular stuff, it's hotter than hell. I need to call the dentist. I paid rent. I've been writing. Jenny's trying to figure out Korea. She's doing good work with Healthy Cal. I found out Kelly has a blog. I am high off all the social interaction and already so happy with the way that summer has gone that it could end tomorrow and I'd be fulfilled. But there's so much more to do.

- Left to Fry