James Simpson joined Stone Soup, all the way from Oklahoma, USA. He is not just a game developer, who studied Entrepreneurship at the University of Oklahoma, but he also has his own company named Goldfire! He explains that he started his company to develop his own ideas, and for the last 10 years he’s been doing just that. His team includes developers, engineers,3D artists and voice actors, and he has employees from many different parts of the world.
Life as a Digital Nomad: The Journey has just begun
James was ready to explore the world when the Pandemic hit, so he had to postpone his plans a bit, but, maybe finally being out of quarantine gave him an extra push to pursue his dreams: He and his wife began their journey in Portugal, just a couple of months ago. There, James finally got to meet a colleague he’s been working with for the last 2 years, but had never seen in person! His year-long plan continued with his arrival in Athens, where he plans on staying for 4-6 weeks.
Welcome to the Mediterranean, James
Coming from Oklahoma, the differences between his home and the countries he’s visited so far are hard to miss. Both Greek and Portuguese people seem open, friendly and approachable, and the landscape of the two countries is similar as well. But what made James choose Athens as his second destination? Well, for one thing the history: James even got a permit to take drone pictures of the Parthenon, as drone photography is one of his favorite hobbies. The city’s weather and mediterranean lifestyle sure helped, and James is excited to meet Athens’ culture and people.
Game on!
James’ newest game is titled “Arctic Awakening”, and it’s gonna be set in the snowy landscapes of Alaska. This sci-fi mystery game invites players to explore the frozen scenery. Since this is his first game where he’s building a snowy landscape, James sure faced some challenges, but Goldfire has always been very open to their audience: As you can see in their website, they post news about the process of each project, while making sure their audience can partake in the whole process.
(Co)Work-Life balance
James, who sure has a lot of responsibilities, is definitely a planner when it comes to his work. In his personal life, however, he prefers to go with the flow. He likes his work and home environment to be separate, so, coworking spaces are ideal for him.
Plus, Working with professionals from different backgrounds helps him focus on his own thing, while also giving him the opportunity to get out of his shell and socialize.
https://www.stonesoup.io/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/lets-meet-james.jpg6281200Commoperationshttps://www.stonesoup.io/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ssl300x300.pngCommoperations2022-12-15 16:22:242024-04-17 12:55:38James: This Game Dev is on (Gold)fire!
Hey Stonesoupers! We know you love our office spaces and coworking areas, but The neighborhood has so much to offer besides convenient commuting. Being in the heart of the city, we are around so many places where you can eat, drink and have fun. So here are some of our tried and true options for good food and good times around Stone Soup!
Breakfast food for every mood
A good breakfast can surely boost your productivity! Black Salami Sandwich, the meta-bakery of our neighborhood, has the best warm sandwiches and focaccia. Fancy a traditional greek pie? Spinach, cheese, mushroom or zucchini, you name it! Bakeries like Artiston or Starata will offer plenty of options.Alternatively, you can boost your day with a freshly squeezed juice or healthy smoothie at Up Kittariki Threpsi.
Let’s grab a coffee!
Need a pick-me-up? For some fine blends, we recommend Banca cafe just across the street. Bayard Cafe has a wide range of drinks, snacks and the famous Area 51 Coffee, which makes it the right place for a break. Behold theman is a small boutique coffee shop which serves specialty 5th wave coffee and cold-pressed juices. Just around the corner from Stone Soup, you’ll find a small espresso bar called Foyer, that makes simple, high quality coffee and amazing cold brew. Samba has rightfully earned its cult status among coffee lovers, plus, you can buy some of their specialty beans for home, or maybe to share with your coworkers.
Hungry for more?
So you’ve worked all morning, and you’re starving! We get the feeling… We have some great options for every craving you may have, and more! If you love pasta, then Alex Pasta Bar is the right destination for hearty, delicious dishes. Wanna try a traditional greek “Souvlaki” instead? How about some ewe meat wrapped in a warm pita? Then, Prigkripas is the place for you. Fancy a huge steak? Then head to Prodorpion. Maybe you’ve been craving some noodles, and Microulee will satisfy that need with its value for money options.
Have you ever tried French Tacos? Well, there’s a first time for everything, and Le Panam is the place! If you’re up for some Greek comfort foods you can try Tivoli, a family run restaurant with many traditional options, Mageireuto Sti Gastra, or, if you’d like a buffet option, Kimatothraustes. Don’t forget to pay a visit at Fata Morgana! This cozy little place, just steps away from Stone Soup, takes you on a delicious culinary journey that brings together the comfort of homemade food with contemporary twists. Crete also has its own cuisine, and the best places to sample it are the Cretan taverns Nikiforos and I Kriti.
Craving a burger? Talking Breads has some of the juiciest burgers in town, and a lamb sandwich that reminds us of Greek easter! Falafellas is so good it often has a queue, but it’s definitely worth the wait. Were you looking for some Italian pizza or amazing lasagna? Visit Granello, we’re sure you won’t regret it. Finally for traditional greek “meze”with a modern twist, and some beautiful garden seating, head to Ama Lachei.
Vegan? We got you covered
We know Greece may not seem like the easiest place to enjoy food as a vegan, but don’t be fooled. Many traditional greek foods just happen to be vegan, and the traditional restaurants mentioned above will have some options for you! But we do also have some special places in mind: Magic Kitchen has some amazing handmade vegan food (we recommend the veggie meatballs). To revithaki has some middle eastern options, and people can’t stop hyping their homemade hummus.
Of course, you can’t leave Athens without trying some gyros and souvlaki! So,head to Cookoomela Grill and try the vegan version of these iconic greek dishes. Have you ever tried savory doughnuts? If you are looking for some fast food, or some excellent vegan ice cream, then Keenkies is the answer. Ap’allou serves some high quality vegan and vegetarian food (make sure you try their falafel).Finally Bamboo Vegan has some great snacks, the best matcha latte we’ve ever tried, and even a small deli section.
For your sweet tooth
Are your energy levels starting to drop? Maybe a sugary treat will do the trick! If you love cookies, cakes and brownies you must try I Cake You. Au Grand Zinc is probably the most authentic creperie around Stone Soup. You should taste the delicious “built-to-order” crepes while listening to some jazz and enjoying the ambience.
Portatif is an elegant cafe with delicious pastries near Stone Soup. We do love profiteroles in this office, and we are in disagreement about the best in town: Some say it’s Choureal, while others prefer Sorolop, so you may have to try both and help us decide.
Have a drink (…or two)
After a long day of work, a drink may be necessary. If you don’t feel like walking for more than 2 minutes, Red Lotus has good vibes, affordable drinks and uplifting music. You’ll rarely see this place empty, even after hours. The Black Cat is preferred by locals for its chill atmosphere and cool, jazzy music, while Barley Cargo has a huge selection of beers, with many local labels to choose from, and new additions almost every week. The Clumsies is the place to go for cocktails in a multi-room bar with a warm,cozy atmosphere.
Is wine your drink of choice? Head to Cinque Wine & Deli Bar for amazing greek wines and charcuterie boards full of local products. Lulu is a stylish little bar with great food options, while Kobra is an amazing option for any time of the day.Is it too late? Think all the bars are closed? Walk towards the commercial triangle to find the Dude bar and get a real taste of the Athenian nightlife. Closer to Syntagma, 7 Jokers is a quirky little bar with great cocktails, and it’s going to be open until the early hours of the morning.
Last but not least, don’t forget about our monthly meet & drink events. This is the perfect opportunity for you to socialise with fellow coworkers and like-minded individuals. It’s a chance to unwind, network, and engage in thought-provoking conversations while enjoying some well-deserved relaxation and fun!
While you’re at Stone Soup, look around you! There’s so many great options, and we couldn’t possibly include them all, but that’s what our community is all about: Ask your coworkers for tips, try new spots together, and don’t hesitate to ask us for suggestions or information. What makes Stone Soup thrive, after all, is the things we do together! So, whether you’re exploring the culinary delights of the area or joining us for our lively meet & drink, there’s always something exciting happening around Stone Soup.
https://www.stonesoup.io/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/around-Stone-Soup-1200-×-628-px.jpg6271200Commoperationshttps://www.stonesoup.io/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ssl300x300.pngCommoperations2022-12-09 18:27:132023-05-17 13:48:13Around Stone Soup: Food, Drinks and Good Times
Lately there is a buzz around food sustainability. But what exactly does the term mean? Simply put, food sustainability is all about producing food in a way that protects the environment, makes efficient use of natural resources, ensures that farmers can support themselves, and enhances the quality of life in communities that produce food.
Joe’s contribution to a greener economy
Joe, one of our newest Stone Soupers, explains how sustainability can help us build a greener future. During our conversation, we found out what fascinates him about Athens, and, in return,we got some advice on how we can minimize food waste at home or in the office.
Joe was studying in the University of Cambridge, when a Greek friend shared some intriguing stories about life in Athens. Years later, he jumped on the opportunity to take a long break from life in London, and explore the city he’d heard so much about. Joe’s pursuit for new, sunnier experiences, brought him to Athens, and Stone Soup.
Warmer weather… Warmer people?
Even in winter, Joe still seems excited about the climate of our city. One of the things he’s been enjoying in Athens is that although it’s a vibrant and busy metropolis, people are much more relaxed and easy-going compared to Londoners. He also seems a bit intrigued by the many cafés in Athens that offer sidewalk seating, which, to him, makes the urban landscape seem more welcoming and warm.
Sustainability: The only way forward
Joe follows the entire food production process, from the first stages of farming until it finally reaches our table. He actually is the one who makes sure that the right choices are made so that a greener approach is guaranteed.
Since the field is relatively new and frequently confusing, Joe was happy to clarify some terms: He explained that his duties are mostly pertinent to data gathering and analysis. That way, he can ensure that all kinds of waste (energy, resource or produce), are minimized.
Sharing really is caring!
An interesting link between food sustainability and the mentality of co-working spaces emerged while talking to Joe. At first they may not seem that relevant but a closer look highlights a common goal: They both focus on ways to reduce waste.
Co-working spaces offer shared spaces, energy and resources: They clearly value the importance of waste reduction! So, since we also care about the issue at hand, we asked the expert: Joe shared some hacks and tips on how we can decrease food waste in our own kitchen. We already tried some of them, and if you do too, you can share your experience with us, and make Joe proud with your sustainable cooking skills!
https://www.stonesoup.io/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2.jpg9502400Commoperationshttps://www.stonesoup.io/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ssl300x300.pngCommoperations2022-12-07 13:00:002024-04-17 13:06:24Food Sustainability: What’s all the hype about?
Coworking spaces have established themselves as the “new normal” and their fundamental characteristic is a sense of “community” and “collaboration”. Coworking communities are a transformed version of the traditional workplaces which are slowly decreasing in size as an aftermath of the pandemic crisis.
The coworking space is a new type of workplace: heterogeneous professionals, in terms of employment, their field of work, organizational status, and relationships, work all together in the same space.
This broad definition is due to the fact that there is no common interpretation of coworking in the academic literature. It is not a coherent phenomenon but a “new normal” based on the values of collaboration, openness, community, accessibility and sustainability, which each organization interprets ad hoc.
Uda’s (2013) definition of coworking spaces is a widely accepted one and goes as follows: “it is a way of working in which individuals gather in a space to create value while sharing information and knowledge through communication and collaborating under conditions of their choosing”.
We all agree that the practice of coworking in a space is a hybrid of remote working and working from a flexible office that does not commit you to anything!
The importance of co-creative work
Co-creative work is linked to the concept of “hubs”. Their structure and content can take various forms, such as coworking spaces, studios, clusters, incubators, accelerators etc. Often the boundaries between these are blurred and there are no clear definitions.
Co-creative work is a manifestation of affective creative labor and its essential ingredients are proximity and co-location. These two characteristics, together with inclusivity, are usually necessary to bring out a complete profile of a coworking space.
The importance of informality as a component of openness is also in the core of coworking. Informal relationships are truly motivating. When it comes to joining coworking spaces such as Stone Soup, we are proud of our coziness!
https://www.stonesoup.io/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/415220238_18371754268076265_3924472535649762582_n.jpg10801440Community Managerhttps://www.stonesoup.io/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ssl300x300.pngCommunity Manager2022-11-18 13:22:232024-04-17 12:58:04Ingredients for a tasty coworking experience
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