Dance Party

Yesterday at work, I implemented a new concept. When I suddenly and very loudly call out, "dance Party,"  everybody, I mean all of us, pauses  whatever else  they're doing for a second or two and DANCES! 
Today  I called a sudden dance party,and  I am pleased to announce that we achieved 100% participation.  Yeah!
Some other happenings in the 'hood-Wizzie was grumpy, but brought me a huge bag of veggies from her garden! She eventually snapped out of her funk and we had so much fun.
Zippy was flyin' because her cabana boy woke up early with her this morning and she got her espresso on. 
Dallas just returned from her weekend and was in a very happy place
There were a few choruses of, "b*tch, ...PLease!"  We've got to keep those people in line somehow. 
On a more serious note, Oatmael Jim is in the hospital.  Jim  has a dear friend that lives here in town, but no immediate family members. So, after work, we three piled into Wizzie's car to go visit him in the ICU.  Remembering as we were approaching the entrance to the hospital, that often times relatives are the only visitors allowed in the ICU, I told the girls that they should let me do the talking. They laughed and agreed that it was a good idea.  After we checked in at the information booth, we proceeded to the third floor ICU nurse's station.  Once again, I reminded everybody to let me do the talking.  The first person we encountered, a nice man whose name I cannot recall, greeted us then asked the magic question, "are you relatives?" We three stood side by side before him-Wiz with her very tall,slim and leggy showgirl physique, pale skin and blue eyes; me, with my medium rather stocky build, hazel brown eyes and 29" inseem; and Zippy-pale blue-green eyes, soccer-star build and the tiniest hint of her strawberry blonde Irish hair starting to emerge from her frershly shorn scalp.  We couldn't have looked  more different if we'd tried. 
Without skipping a beat, I answered him- "yes, we're his neices."  Nice man picked up the phone and called Oatmeal Jim's room, "his three neices are here to visit." A procedure was taking place, so we were instructed to wait in the (very nice) lounge for family members of ICU patients. We were, after all, his neices.  
After waiting a  while, I went to check in again at the nurse's station.  Once more someone, a different person,  asks the question... "are you family members?"  And once again, my answer-"Yes, we're his neices." While it seemed to be an important bit of information everyone we encountered wanted, no one looked at identification or asked for details,specifics,  etc.  They seemed eager, even happy to help us. As it turns out,  the procedure took longer than we were able to wait.  We left the hospital with a plan to return, and ideas for gifts for our dear "uncle." 
I think he'll get a kick out of this story when he eventually hears it.  
Oh, did I mention that our uncle, Oatmeal Jim, is  dark, handsome and also very hispanic? 
I like the fact that our world is changing and families come in all different shapes, colors and sizes these days.

As The Counter Turns

Some tidbits from yesterday...
Customer who just ordered and received a combo plate from me, when I asked which bread she wanted with her lunch, "no bread, thanks, that way I can go have ( she glances over her shoulder quickly before saying this, puts her hand up to hide her mouth then whispers) beer!" I think that sounds fabulous, I say. "I would head to Kulshan," mentioning a local and very popular watering hole. They don't serve food, so it's ok to bring your own.
The customer tells me that's where she's headed next. Happily she heads out with her lunch to go have her beer. The next person I serve has been standing patiently with the rest of the huge and hungry crowd, waiting. I recognize him as a regular, but I don't know his name. He's a really friendly guy, sort of slightly built and very youthful looking, but with a grown up mustache and bright blue eyes. I'm guessing he is probably actually around forty years old. Anyway, this guy is smiling because he's overheard the dialogue I'd just had with the beer-loving woman. He tells me that he loves that idea as well. So, we expand on this and both talk about how lovely it would be to be able to have a little beer or wine on our lunch breaks. I even say that I don't think it would be such a bad thing for us to be able to imbibe a little while we were actually working. He's smiling even bigger now, and completely agreeing with me. It's a great idea, he says. We're going back and forth about this fabulous idea of ours and how our country and workplaces should lighten up a bit, not be so uptight, etc. I finish packing up his food for him to take back to work, then I ask the magic question, eyes big and full of anticipation, "so...do YOU want bread with your lunch today?" I'm thinking that after our exchange, especially with his eagerness to implement this beer or wine while we work idea, that he may skip his bread and head to Kulshan himself. No, he'll take his bread today. Then, out of curiosity, as I hand him his food, I just have to inquire, "so, where Do you work???"
"I'm a mental health counselor in a locked down psychiatric facility."
Of course he is. We look at each other and burst into a knowing laughter.
I then start to think of how very similar our jobs are, but that's another story all together.

Love Letter To Senor Cafe

A little love letter I wrote the other morning. While on my break. Drinking tea... My Dearest, I have not forgotten you. I know that our breakup is only temporary. I wasn't prepared, though, for how much I would miss you while you were away-your warm, dark and sexy good looks, as you greet me in the morning, your intoxicating scent, and the way that only you can make my heart beat faster. I am but a shadow of myself without you. I also underestimated the effect you have on my personality; I find that I am witty, chatty and sharp while under your influence. Not so much since we've been apart. I'm so looking forward to your return next week, señor Café, mi Corazon. Love, Kristin

Cast Of Characters

Day number six without coffee, today, was rather surreal. I've had my yerba mate, my green tea, etc. I was not aware, however, how very specific to coffee my addiction is. The day passed as though I was in a bit of a blur. My head had a dull throb, and I felt very dialed down, even dare I say it... quiet, introspective. My coworkers have known about this detox I've been planning on doing for a while. I gave them all an adequate heads up so they could be prepared for what may come about. Several people-Wizzy, Zippy and Malice, informed me that they would be on vacation during this time. Coincidence? Methinks not. Wiz' vacay was over a few days ago, so it turns out that she IS here to experience this with me! Yay! Today I worked with her, Sparrow, and a new employee, Jennifer. I suppose the day went fairly well, all things considered. I left an hour early. Some of my favorite custies-Mark,the vegetarian who always wants a sample of the bacon cheddar scramble, Spandex Man,who needs no further description, Tall Northwest Man,who is sure that I will not be able to correctly cut him the amount of salmon he has asked for on the first try(I usually do), and Muffy, who wears sparkle eye shadow, always dresses in pink, and usually has a little dog in tow, just to name a few. Muffy used to be rather aggressive and quite snappy, but she has mellowed out a lot, and has even become kind of friendly and less impatient.I recently stopped to consider the cast of characters, some of the big personalities that frequent our establishment, our regulars. If I don't know someone by name, then I usually have a secret nickname for them.Off the top of my head,we have Tina who is vegan and works at an animal hospital, D.Jan, who is seventy years old and skydives, hikes, and knows what she wants, Barb, who wants lots of foam, and William, who really gets a soy cappuccino, but asks for a macchiato; Dan The Man, with his everpresent kombucha, Jim, The Oatmeal Man, Gluten free Karen, and Pinky with her love of our peanut butter cups. I could go on and on, but these are some of the current

main players. I'm going to post some stories of some of my encounters with these people and more through the years. But, for now I am tired. No caffeine, no sugar, no cheese and no bread make Kristin a very dull (but healthy) girl. Until next time...