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...