Diesel, and now Bloc11, has been a place where a few of us have grown up together. There are 3 people in particular that I can think of whose entire adult life has involved Diesel in some capacity, including me.
Patrick and I met when he was 19 and I was 21 in 2000. We were instantly bonded by the fact that we were both emotional Cancers who hated being in photographs. I know that posting this photo will undoubtedly make Patrick a little uncomfortable. While he and I are about as different as can be, the places where we do overlap and intersect are large and deep. We have worked together for almost nine full years and seen each other pretty much every day for 6 of those years.
About a year and a half ago, Patrick was ready to hang his hat as a shift lead, master barista, opener, closer, manager, and move into the position of our office manager. With 2 stores, we definintely needed the help shuffling papers, managing bills, and keeping me and Tucker organized. With the opening of a second store everyone’s jobs changed. Tucker and I were no longer the general managers of Diesel and the things that we used to do that seemed so simple on a daily basis felt overwhelming and impossible. I forgot, and still, forget at least a dozen things every day.
A few months ago, Patrick asked to meet with us to give his notice. He was ready to move on. And it made sense.
This past week was the first week that Patrick was not around, for the first time in years. Diesel and Bloc did not feel the same. And while I am probably getting more work done because one of my best friends is not sitting in the room next door, things do not feel the same without Patrick.
We all miss you terribly.
Love Always,
Parky