Yesterday marked the start of my second go at Starbucks.  I am re-entering a world of coffee, community, and great benefits.  The company is great to work for, which is part of the reason for going back.  Starbucks will be augmenting my current position at Crossroads, not replacing.

Why go back?  I actually have a couple reasons.  First and foremost is the fact they offer great benefits.  Christine and myself want to have good insurance.  And good insurance means bigger family… at least that is what we are hoping.  Hopefully we will not get surprised like Matt has in the recent months.  Plus, having a free pound of coffee every week is a great thing to receive.

Second, the community that a coffee shop creates is something I want to be a part of.  You really get to know the regulars and make friends with people you would otherwise not even meet.  Sometimes I wonder how we could create a similar community at Crossroads.  Starbucks tries to become the ‘third place,’ which pretty much means the third place someone goes other than work and home.  Someday we could have that kind of environment, but it will take lots of money and lots of planning to get there.

Hopefully this does not wear me down.  This will be my first time taking on two jobs at once (at least to this magnitude).  I have a feeling it will be much like when I was in college full-time while working 30+ hours a week.  Everything should go well, however, and I have little worries.

So if you are ever driving on Jefferson St. in Joliet, stop by and see if I am working.  I enjoy seeing people whom I all ready know.