The Greenhouse by Joost Baker

The Waste free cafe.

I had high expectations for this restaurant, with recycled products and organic food, an art project to promote environmentally friendly business.

My crew was very disappointed. The experience was comparable to entering a cafe run by a bunch of characters from “Pineapple Express”. After entering the cafe, waiting at the entrance for 10 minutes or so, it seemed that no employee could look us in the eye and acknowledge our presence. We finally had to walk to the opposite end (past the tables of unserved customers) and tap a waiter on the shoulder, pointing at an empty table that had just appeared and clearly had our names on it. She glared at us, as if we weren’t welcome and said:

“The kitchen is closed”
“Sorry?”
“The kitchen is closed, we’re only serving drinks, bread and donuts”
“What time did it open?”
“10”
“10? It’s 10:30. How can the kitchen be closed?” (long pause)
“Just is”

So we waited for about 30 minutes or so on the table with a spectacular harbor view. Where was our menu and service? We stood up, walked to the front desk again and asked for the menu? They said:

“Oh, you didn’t ask for it”

Can you believe that? At that point it was still kinda raining outside, and we were sick of the place. But we ordered a donut and coffee anyway, might as well try the food? No biggy, and we walked out $7 less rich. Having wasted our morning, except for the view of Sydney Harbor.

I appreciated the artistic concept and the environmentally friendly aspect of the project. But seriously, the Greenhouse reminded myself more of the Cityrail, then a funky container restaurant that will travel and stop off next at Milan. Considering the pristine location, the business is poorly managed and staffed. 

I’m all for recycling, re-using and reducing (I sleep listening to Jack Johnson). But the Greenhouse Cafe has made me almost feel inclined to pollute. So please. Can the real Greenhouse please stand up and show that a minimal carbon footprint can be a good thing? Thank you.

Note: Really funky thing was that jars for sauce or honey were re-used as glasses, metal pipes and scrap leather were sculpted into chairs and banners were re-designed into tablecloths. Jar lids for butter trays and re-used plywood for platters.

“Youth has no age” - Pablo Picasso

At what point in your life are you no longer young? 30.. 40.. 50.. 60.. 70+?? Is there an age? What are the signs? It’s a difficult prospect to consider, especially when you are “young”; because you can jump over a fence, pull an all-nighter or spend irresponsibly. But do these things make us “young”?

In our early adolescence I guess we fear limitation. Limitation physically, mentally and spiritually. We don’t want to be pinned down by life, in the sense that we can’t laugh at a rude joke or flirt or wake up when we feel like it or dream.

I think I can speak for most people in saying that, when we are developing/growing, we are constantly dreaming. But what happens when our dream comes true? Do we either:

1. Get another dream, 
2. Live our dream,
3. or Stop dreaming?

It’s hard to consider, but does achieving our dream mean we’re old? I don’t think it does. I think youth, is mental. For this reason, we can understand the wisdom of Pablo Picasso.

I believe. That our mental power affects how young we remain. Consider that some elderly individuals over the age of 80 (I’m not saying 80 year olds are “Old”, I’m merely dismissing the idea that age should be linked to youth). These people still run marathons, participate successfully in the stock market, run a small business, innovate and create as well as achieve a fitness above some teens. Do they feel “old”? I don’t think they do. They stay active and “Young” and constantly live.

My plan. My plan is to stay young forever, to the point where my beauty remains for eternity and death becomes obsolete (I have a lot of faith in future technology). I don’t want to do one degree, one job, retire and die in my sleep. I wanna have many jobs, do two degree’s, have infinite relationships (not lovers necessarily) and homes (Travel). I’m gonna stay active, constantly, mentally and physically. I’m gonna live.

I plan to appreciate every Sunrise.