Mexicali Summer Kickoff Party

Get your dancing shoes on and join us for the First Annual Summer Kickoff Party at Mexicali Fresh Prince's Wharf.

Get Out and Vote!

Hayden as Uncle Sam urges you to get out and vote - aided by his sidekick Dwight as Little Red Riding Hood. Once again our staff took to Halloween like ducks to water, even though it's not a huge holiday in NZ. We also hosted a very fun event on Halloween Eve for the American Club in Newmarket.

JB and I are preparing for our first joint trip to the States this weekend. We will break up the trip with 4 days in Honolulu, then on to Bend for a week, then to Carlsbad for Thanksgiving and a quick side trip to Palm Springs to visit with the snowbird friends we will miss in Oregon. We are so ready for a break, and I'm sure our wonderful crew will do quite well without us. Janet is well ensconced as keeper of the corporate purse strings, and Tyler and Conor have things under control.

While this will be the first election I have missed since I was able to vote (McGovern 1972) I am hopeful that the result is clear and decisive, and there are no recriminations over voting irregularities. Whatever your preference, please make your voice heard! The USA (or America as it is known to the rest of the world) is still the gold standard to which everyone aspires. When you vote, you are helping to set the path for the future of planet Earth.

From the Supreme Commander

I just wanted to catch up with everyone. What’s the problem man, I’ve only been absent for a year or so? After reading another wonderful blog entry my wife wrote, I realized that she’s always taking the photos, but she’s never in the picture.

We got together 24 years ago, we’ve lived together for 23 years, been married 20 years, tomorrow, and we’ve been in business together about two years. Who would believe that? We’ve seen our kids grow, move away and now we’re getting to be a small part of their success. How great is life?

You all know that whoever could put up with me all these years should be at the head of the line for Sainthood. TK, CJK and I realize the only reason we’re all together is because of “Miss Smarty”. Yea, I know restaurants, Tyler could charm the balls off Tiger Woods, Conor is magician in design, but Cindy ties the bows, herds the sheep and keeps EVERYONE on task. What we are trying to achieve requires all our skills and everyone has given 2000%, but thank God for CB.

You all know CB, you all know me. You all have wondered how we got along; you know we fight, we love, we grow, we explore, we have stupid ideas and do wild things. (Always have) Doing this project was never an issue. We did our homework, we all agreed on what we could do it and “with enough ignorance and confidence, success is guaranteed” (Mark Twain). If you ever doubted it, don’t. With CB on our team, no Kiwi has the kryptonite to stop us.

The future is looking pretty good right now. We are leaning towards franchising; using our organizational skills (CB), our systems (JB), franchisee development and recruitment (TK), marketing (CJK) and OPM (other’s peoples money). Franchising in NZ is considerably different than the US and a hell of a lot easier. With this concept, with our documentation, with NO competition and our desire to do it right, we should do well down here.

I miss everyone, I miss Bob and I miss what George Bush has taken away from all of us. See you all soon. I love you Cindy, thank you for 20 years.

Farewell Bobby

We lost our dear friend Bob Lindgren last month. He touched our family in so many ways, it seems inconceivable that we won't see him again when we got back to Bend in November. Bob's wife Lisa is one of my best friends, and a charter member of the GS club. JB and Bob spent many a wonderful day on the course at Bend G&CC and Broken Top. Tyler and Conor honed their slam dunk skills on Bob's new sport court on Rimrock Road, with Reggie cheering them on. Bob did Lasik and RK surgeries on me and JB, and lifted my eyelids when I was but 35. We will always remember our good times, and be thankful for the times we spent together.

This week marks 2 years since we all made the trip to Aotearoa to do the research for our impending adventure. It seems like a lifetime and a nanosecond all at once. What we didn't know then! I remember dropping the boys off at the airport on November 3 and turning on the radio to check the election results. Gobsmacked we were when we heard that Bush & Co. had won. JB had just crossed the US on his motorcycle trip and was certain that middle America had seen the light. I was ever the optimist and believed that the progressive movement would make their voices heard. Maybe next time, if people can tear themselves away from their prurient obsessions and focus on civil liberties.

What do I miss after nearly 2 years of self-imposed exile in an island nation in the South Pacific? Costco and Target, of course. Real broadband and ketchup. Dryer sheets. Tylenol PM (although you can buy codeine without a prescription). Jon Stewart. My friends. My sisters. And I'd give anything for an In-n-Out burger.

What's better? LAMB! Juicy, succulent and very cheap. Kumara and spring onions (puts our green onions to shame). The view from our beach house. All Blacks rugby. A truly egalitarian society. The continued success of Maoridom and its lessons for the rest of the world. Bro Town and Outrageous Fortune. Seeing my husband succeed again as only he can, and watching my boys come into their own using the skills they didn't really know they had.

For me, I am in awe of what we have accomplished in such a short time. We had so many strikes against us: starting a new business in an industry where 97% fail in the first year, in a country where quesadilla and tomatillo was not part of the lexicon, and as a family business no less. Oh My!

As JB and I approach our 20th wedding anniversary tomorrow, we contemplated a quick trip to Aussie for some golf in the "lucky land." However, we decided we could not ever find a nicer place to spend some quality time than right here, watching the ferries go by, looking out at the Southern Cross, and lifting a glass to our friend Bob.

New Camera at Last!

After much careful consideration, Conor and I have settled on a new camera. Canon PowerShot - can't read the instructions because they are in Japanese, but the photos are awesome. See new album on the right called Newmarket Spring 06.

Maria Juanita Mexicali 

Preopening Album

Check out the preopening album for Newmarket - we have managed to scrounge these images off of our tired camera. This should give you an idea of how cool it looks. Stay tuned for images of the 30-foot virgin.

Newmarket is Open!

Let's see, what day is this? It's been such a whirlwind the last few days none of us knows! We finally got open at 5pm on Saturday - even though the plumbers were still setting the drains for the salsa bar and the Pepsi guy hadn't hooked up the water or the CO2. The doors opened, the customers flooded in, and we've been rocking ever since. Our digital camera is broken so I have to find time to get another one so I can post photos.

This is by far the most amazing restaurant we have ever opened. We have taken bits from all of the others, and Conor has added his design talents to produce something that we can truly say is "vintage urban industrial LA." We did have a minor point of contention on the graffiti art - I said no virgins or crucifixes - and we got a virgin. Not just a small virgin either, but one about 30 feet tall. Tyler assures me she's not a virgin, but the overtones are there nonetheless. JB and I have realized we are well and truly into middle age because we just don't get it. But our target market loves the art, loves the music (argh and we've already blown a speaker), loves the food. Even our American ex-pat friends agree this is very cholo. I keep expecting Cheech to roar up in a low rider and do a few bounces out in front.

Now, the bills. Photos to come, as soon as I can get to the store.

Cheers!

Keri's NZ Adventures

I have posted a photo album of Keri's adventures in NZ. The pictures are just awesome! She says she could have stayed in Raglan forever in the little tran cars.

Sunday Before Opening

I have posted a photo album on the right to show progress over the past week. We are ready to get the equipment & signage delivered and installed on Monday, food & bev, point of sale and digital menu board on Tuesday and furniture & smallwares on Wednesday. Employees are hired and training at Prince's Wharf, and what a great crew AGAIN! We will be ready for our "friends and family" night on Wednesday. Just wish we had more family here to share it with.

My cousin's daughter, Keri, has been visiting the past two weeks. We haven't been able to spend much time with her, but she's quite the fearless adventurer. She rented a car and toured the north of the north surf spots, hitting Lang's Beach and Shipwreck Bay. Then back to Auckland for a brief respite before she took off again for world-famous surfing at Raglan and then over to the Coromandel. We are expecting her back in this afternoon, then we will hit Mexicali for the farewell meal. I don't envy her flight tomorrow with all of the commotion going on. Air New Zealand is taking all of the expected precautions for flights to the US. However, if you choose to go to Tonga or Australia, you can take your shampoo with you!

8 Days and Counting!

An old one from the archives courtesy of Grandma. Both Tony and Tyler are a little older! 

Stranger in a Strange Land

It comes as no surprise to any of you that I have never supported the Bush cabal and their hubristic invasion of Iraq. I join many of us in the expat community in denouncing most American foreign policy whenever the topic arises. After all, the US has severed relations with New Zealand because this country has declared itself a nuclear-free zone, yet condemns Iran for continuing to develop it's nuclear program (or is that nuke-yoo-lar?) Go figure.

However, something happened the other day that really shook me to the core. There was another demonstration down Queen Street over the Israel-Lebanon situation. The crowd of 300 (that's pretty big by NZ standards) marched from Aotea Square to the American consulate. All in all, a pretty peaceful but powerful statement. Then someone climbed the building and brought down the American flag to set it on fire. I can't describe the emotions - I felt so personally wounded by the idea that all our country stands for could be dismissed and diminished by such an act, with a crowd cheering in approval. People in other parts of the world savor the American dream, but they judge us by the actions of a few people. It's one thing to see the American flag burned by American students in the US (something I remember from the Vietnam era), but it's quite another thing to see it happen in another country. Here's the story:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3741353a10,00.html

The Times They Are a Changing

Yes, we are still alive and well here in Kiwi-land. Things have been so hectic that I haven't had a spare minute to update this blog. JB and I are taking a little down time today to play golf - first time in months. Between the weather, the new project, and fine-tuning our operations we are all in hyper-drive 24/7.

After 25 years, we have sold the Mexicali Rose property at the corner of 3rd & Franklin to a couple from Hawaii. They will be opening a Hawaiian plate lunch restaurant similar to one they had in Kailua-Kona for several years. Their new life in Oregon was marred by tragedy last week when a family member drowned while they were rafting on the Deschutes in downtown Bend. Our hearts go out to them.

Conor has been in the States for the past couple of weeks on a much-needed holiday. He spent a wonderful 4th of July weekend with his University of Oregon mates and is now in Bend enjoying the good life at Casa de Buell. He'll be returning on Wednesday in time to supervise the final signage and design details for Newmarket.

Ashley left at the beginning of July to take her dream job - head coach for her high school volleyball team. She will be returning after the season is over. We all wish her well and are so proud of her for taking this big step. Before she left, she and Tyler took JB and me to their favorite restaurant in Auckland - Gina's. Wow. A restaurant full of Italians and wonderful food. They were insane with the World Cup. Our waiter was on the news three nights running waving the Italian flag and screaming Viva Italia in his very expressive style.

Tyler has carefully filled two of our key positions for expansion - another Kitchen Manager and another Duty Manager. Both are excellent choices and will help us hit the ground running in mid-August. Once Conor returns, it's Tyler's time to take a break. He plans to fly to Queenstown and do a little skiing, then go on to Christchurch to visit childhood friend Brett Miller who is living there with his Kiwi wife. His plans are pretty fluid right now, but will include some backpacking and exploring as he makes his was back up to the North Island and Auckland.

We are having some setbacks with our fitout as the Auckland City Council has been holding Westfield's feet to the fire over a flood plain issue. The street in front of our building has been torn up for a week so our workers are not able to access the site with equipment and materials. We should still be on track for a mid-August opening, but it has caused considerable stress for JB and Brett (our contractor, the amazing Kiwi Rennaissance Man).

It's tough to get good photos inside the new store since we still just have big spotlights and the place is so big, but I have posted a few so you can get a sense of our progress.

June Album Posted

I never realized how many people read this blog until now. It's been a couple of months since I posted a photo album, and I have had lots of people ask when the next one is coming. Well, here it is - a few images from April and May, then Tyler's 30th Birthday. We are beginning construction in Newmarket today, so I will post progress pics over the next 6 weeks. Brrr, it's cold here. Global warming, bah!

My uh Space

Well, it was bound to happen. Technology has finally passed me by. When Newsweek does a story on MySpace and Rupert Murdoch buys it, you know it's finally gone mainstream. The problem is I - as a here-to-fore early adopter - don't quite get it. Conor has linked us up and is making good use of this as a social networking tool. We have three bands who have put us on their albums and he has linked to their music space. Cousins and college friends use it to stay connected or to reconnect. Meanwhile, I still rely on this lil ole blog. Connect, investigate and enjoy. If you are under 30 you probably already have a MySpace account. If you're an old bag like me you just might want to check it out. www.myspace.com/mexicalifresh

Birthday Boys

June is always an exciting month for us with both JB and Tyler celebrating birthdays. JB's was the prelude to the "Big One" so we played it safe this year with a quiet dinner at home and some good fun with the boys and Ashley. Since this is his last year in the 50s, JB's saving up his energy for the big blowout in 2007.

Tyler's, however, was another story. It was the big THREE-OH so Ashley organized a surprise party at the restaurant on Saturday night. JB and I made it for the first half-hour, but it was well past our bedtime by the time the party started rolling. I do believe there was very little beer in the reach-in and no tequila on the shelves by the time they were done celebrating. Conor and the "Goof Troop" were working that night, so they joined in the festivities. By about 3am Conor was picking up the pieces with the Goof Troop attempting to help but causing more harm than good. Poor guy had to open the next morning - ah, the things you will do for your bro. Once everyone ponies up with the photos I will put them together into an album and publish for you all to see.

We take possession of our new store in Newmarket on Thursday. All of the plans are drawn, contractors arranged, furniture chosen, designs sussed, and we are ready to rock. There is quite a buzz surrounding the Nuffield Street project in Auckland and it's starting to get exciting.

Last Monday the lights went out in Aotearoa (that's Maori for NZ and pronounced "ay-oh-tay-ah-row-ah) and we didn't get the restaurant open until 2pm. I was attending a training seminar to become an assessor for the national hospitality industry (more on that in another post) and it took us 2 hours for a trip that normally takes 20 minutes. All of the traffic lights were out! Seems there is one and only one power line into Auckland. There has been much hand-wringing and finger-pointing about who's to blame, and fears that we will be perceived as a 3rd World country if we cannot provide redundency for our power supplies. Hmmm, ya think? BTW, we now have extra flashlights in the restaurant.

Fashionista at the AWC

Reaching New Heights

Even though the summer tourist season is officially over, we continue to reach new heights at Mexicali Fresh. We now have one year's worth of info on our point-of-sale system, and regularly see "daily doubles" (sales doubled over same day last year). Our management staff has expanded to include Dwight and Nicky, who are preparing to move into Duty Manager positions when Newmarket opens in just 90 days. Everyone is taking their vacation time (except JB and me) over the next two months so that they are all fresh and rested for the grand opening in mid-August.

We have engaged the services of an architect to help us through the consent process with Auckland City Council. I met Deborah at the American Women's Club. She and her husband Robert have been here for 20 years, he's been a practicing architect. It so great to find someone who speaks the same language. Right, you say, don't they speak English in NZ? Well, yes. But it's still not the same language in so many ways. It's such a load off JB's brain to have someone take care of the details, and Conor is working with their designer to suss out the interior details. It's so great to have them in place when we take on our next project.

A fellow we got to know on our trip to Rarotonga in February has just made international news by being the first double-amputee to scale Mt. Everest. What an amazing triumph!

Keith Richards is lodged up the road from us in Remuera after recovering from brain surgery. He and his wife and kids had lunch in our little town of St. Heliers, but I missed the big event! St. Heliers is just down the hill from us . . . think Del Mar in 1960. I love this place and regularly visit the butcher and green-grocer after my walks on the beach.

The American Women's Club just had it's 64th Birthday Luncheon at the Tamaki Yacht Club, and I was in the fashion show. What a hoot! As soon as I get the pictures from our "official" photographer, I will post them for all to see. Ashley has asked me to be the model for her first hair colouring training session. Hmm, maybe a new career in the offing?

As they say here, toodle pip until next time.

Tsunami Warning . . . Not!

All of us learned of the impending tsunami from the earthquake in Tonga today by calls and text messages from those abroad. The New Zealand Civil Defence (yes, that's how they spell it) has egg of their face because they didn't forewarn the populace until the threat had been deemed non-existent. There's a flurry of blame and finger-pointing going on here in the South Pacific, but we are all alive and well. Tyler was prepared to wear his swim trunks to work this morning, but it turned out to be unnecessary.

The real tsunami is the government announcement that they have required Telecom NZ to unbundle their local loop. I like to think it's because of the well-reasoned flood of emails to the Communications Minister I have let fly over the past year, but I think it's because they have finally figured out that NZ's ranking at the bottom of the OEDC is due to the restrictive monopoly held by Telecom, something we in the US figured out in . . . oh, say 1990. Let's hope our broadband uptake can match Mexico's in the next few months.