Coffee Brewing Can Be Dangerous

Thursday I sprained my left pinkie finger at work. I was making some drinks in a blender and my little finger went under the counter while the rest of my hand went above AND in another direction. It hurt and swelled IMMEDIATELY! OUCH!!!!!

Naturally it was during the morning rush and we were quite busy. Everyone saw my reaction and knew that I was in pain. One customer told me to get it on ice right away. It was one of those incidents that makes you get goose bumps and a cold sweat as soon as it happens.

I iced for a few minutes and then got the medical tape from the first aid kit and taped the last two fingers together and that was how I worked the rest of my shift. Took a few ibuprofen and drank a few more shots of espresso.

Not much you can do with a sprained little finger, so after a few days of taping it, icing and resting it I am using the compression sleeve that John got for his injury in India. This keeps it in place and I don't have to worry about moving it or bumping it when I go back to work tomorrow.

Maybe this is God's way of paying me back for even thinking about going with Mixter & Guy!!

Camp Pics & Stories

Great weekend camping. Even though a big storm came through, and we came home early, there was still enough fun , relaxation, drinking and trail hiking to make it all worth setting up tents and getting fire wood.

It was quite warm Friday and Sue & I got there early to set up tents and wait for the rest of the group to arrive. I had brought along a nice chilled Pinot Grigio, a very good hot weather summer white, and she had vodka and something. between setting up tents and playing with poles and rain flys we would sit down and have some more beverage. I was sweating like crazy!! It was hot and humid.

Once we were all there we sat and talked while I was chopping peppers, red & yellow, along with onions to put in the foil meal with chicken, kielbasa and various seasoning. Sue had brought a large quantity of potatoes already wrapped and seasoned in foil. I put the five pound bag of charcoal into the fire pit and we sat to talk and drink some more while waiting for the fire to be ready.

An important lesson was to be learned at this point. I now know why drinking was not an option when I was with the Boy Scouts. You simply can not cook a decent meal when intoxicated!! The potatoes fell apart and we could not save them from the fire. The chicken foil meals were a mess! The chicken was burnt so black that we were able to get maybe two bites out of the centers and the sausage was more like small charcoal briquettes. Lucky for us that we were all smashed and laughed until we all cried.....then we went to the snack box and made it do for dinner.

About midnight I simply was done. I had finished my wine and was ready for serious sleep. I guess they all sat up a bit longer and my friend Vince took a night hike until three in the morning and then went to bed.


I was up first and knew I had to get some water on to make coffee! I brought my French Press and a really good coffee. If you have never had a press let me tell you that it is an excellent way to have your cup 'a Joe. The flavor is the best and it also will kick your caffeination butt!! There were still hot coals in the fire ring so I just got it going again and put the pot of water on to boil. Sue brought some Starbucks cups to use. They have a Bux in the hospital where she works. Just the ticket, along with some almond cookies, to take off the hangover edge!!

Then Vince and I hit a few trails before the storm arrived. How I love walking through the woods. Surrounded by all the green. The trees, the moss, the ferns....I could have gone for miles! We finally had some time to discuss various topics such as cap and trade, the Obama and military smoking debacle, as well as a book that he going to give me to read about the secret societies/religion/Catholic church/Freemasons and the beginnings of man and this country. I can not remember the title, but he says that it is a fascinating read! I am looking forward to reading it. Vince was a political science major so he really knows his stuff, but we rarely have time to talk at work except for a few snippets here and there.

Now I am home and already looking forward to an August weekend. John will be laid off by then and we'll be able to take the dog. It is just too much for me to do without him along. It was amazing how much mental cleansing just that short time was able to give me. I know that I will be able to carry that with me for at least several days now!!

God, Country & Caffeine Addiction

Looks like the south is loosing their standing with God as another staunch, southern, God - lovin' politician falls into the slimy, sex/love affair abyss.

A man having an affair would not really be that much of a big deal if his party and the religious conservatives didn't make such a deal out of the south and their "God fearing values" and all. They always stand on the party of, and with, family values and yet you have these politicians that seem to shun and disagree with their own party values. I am totally aware that it is common to both sides, but these guys are the ones who continue to claim such a close connection with their Lord and yet also continue to disregard said Lords pronouncements!

"Belcher says he has not conducted national polls since last year's election. "But at this point, when it comes to values, the Republican brand has deteriorated more, and their hopes of making gains in the coming midterms has to be dramatically undermined," he says. "My guess is that we've now gone from a tossup on values with the Republicans to [Democrats] having at least a 4- or 5-point advantage."

Sanford, who was considered a potential 2012 White House contender, has long been a darling of "pro-family" religious conservatives. In the 2008 election, Christian right activists who were unenthusiastic about the Republican presidential field tried unsuccessfully to draft him as a presidential candidate."

I think that this party needs to totally give up on the family values angle and look for other ways to capture their peoples interests. If the south is still yearning for the days of Andy and Aunt Bea in Mayberry then maybe they need to look at a calendar and realize that in 2009 those ideals are long gone!! Even the party of family values no longer values their long touted values.

By the way, if this is another lambasted political wife, who "stands by her man" I will personally drive down there and bitch slap her!!

My life has just taken a turn towards amazing! Looks like I have had the right idea all along, and job too!! Seems that coffee is now not only good for you, but GREAT!!

Finally, a time when I have been ahead of the curve and the crowd! I have been working hard at warding off diabetes, Parkinson's and liver cancer. I knew at some point in life I was going to be doing something right. Hell, the antioxidants and fiber are just a lovely extra that come with my 6 to 8 shots of espresso a shift. Maybe now, instead of worrying about that extra serving of vegetables a day I can have another tall non-fat latte!!

Taking the Plunge into a Double Tall Sugar Free Vanilla Non-Fat extra Whip Latte

This week, even while ill, I met with the muckity-mucks, the powers-that-be, my higher-ups with the coffee mega giant. I have decided to move my way up the corporate ladder.

Even though the economy is not yet recovering or moving in a strong manner there is still possibility for growth within the company. There are promoting from within and not looking for outside people. That is where I fit in.

After three years I have decided to go ahead and work on the promotion. I don't want to look for another teaching job and have to start off at the bottom of the ladder and face another job loss. I am invested in this job and have good benefits. With a promotion it would mean a VERY nice wage increase and even more PERKS! Yes, an intended pun.

They are accepting my offer to train and sending me to several necessary classes where I will learn more about business. Things that have been outside of my previous schooling such as profit and loss statements and various other business classes that I might require. Then my district manager will have some practice interviews with me to prepare for the panel that I will meet with before they give me the final/actual promotion. It could all be in place by the end of Aug. and I could actually stay in my current store. That would be my ideal.

I like wearing a simple "uniform" and not having to dress teacher-like and worry about what I look like daily. I am too advant-guarde to fit into a traditional school setting and have found that this job better suites my lifestyle and personality these days. It seems to be something that I could do for a good while.

Not to mention that we sell my favorite last legal drug!!

Coffee Cake Jesus or Maybe Wilson

Today at work a lady decided that she did not want this piece of blueberry coffee cake. After I took it out of the bag I saw what appeared to be a face! Was it that of a heavenly being? Like Jesus or Mary in a grilled cheese? In the wood grain of a door? No, it looked more like "Wilson" from the Tom Hanks movie where he was alone on that deserted island. So, we named him Wilson and took a few pictures of him around the coffee shop. I wonder how long we can keep him? I wonder if I should try and sell him on E-Bay or should I wrap him up in plastic for all time and eternity. All hail Wilson!!

This is the second time this weekend that I have gotten caught up in watching, "American Beauty". I just can not ever get passed it on the dial. I love that movie. So, I have basically done nothing but work and nap and eat a bit and watch this movie. Although there is no reason to feel badly...... I have learned to love these days of doing nothing of real consequence!! They are rejuvenating. There are plenty enough days to get things done and do those things that make us feel as if we have been "productive".

"Bare-istas"?

Just when I thought that my job was hard enough...... another coffee shop has come out with a gimmick that may give us a run for our money. I sure hope our CO doesn't decide to give it a try!

What am I talking about? Why the topless baristas of course! Yes, I said topless. Seems that a coffee shop in Maine has gone topless and over 18 only. The town council put the issue through because they say there is a recession and it is a way for the town to make money. Good luck to them, but I know how hot that steaming milk can get....I hope they have aprons on! Tough times bring on creativity.

A Nice Diversion

As I typr this I have my earphones in and this is what I am listening to...."Sweetheart". An eclectic collection of love type songs re-done by current artists. Katy Perry, Death Cab for Cutie and Rouge Wave to name a few. One the rare cd's that we had at the coffee mega giant that I actually liked. My girlfriend bought it and several of us, at work, copied it. I have now burned it to my mp3 and plan to give John the cd.

I have never been a fan of Bruce Springsteen, but there is a version of his song,"I'm on Fire", which is the most I have ever liked this song. The girl that sings it is Kate Tucker. She is part of an indie rock band called Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden. It was the song that first drew me to the cd. I loved the girls voice and then I realized what words she was singing.

All the songs are great re-makes. Nicely done. If you have a chance to pick it up, or as in my case, download/burn a copy I highly recommend it.

Another One Bites the Dust

The other shoe is still falling. So is the ax. In the district that I work in all, but one, of the assistant managers were told that they could either be fired/let go or take a demotion and keep their job. This affects me in several ways.

1. The girl that is our asst. mgr. is also a friend. Someone that I really like and enjoy working with. We spend time together outside of work.

2. If she decides to leave then I will pick up most of her hours since I have the most seniority in my position. That would give me good hours, near 40 a week, and I would not have to get a part time job. I would also not have to worry about having enough hours every quarter to keep my health benefits.

3. If she stays, and takes the demotion, we will be on the same level and this is where it gets sticky. She will need hours and then the rest will trickle down to the rest of us. She will, obviously top my seniority, and I will have just enough. Then I will have to get that part time job. Our GM is trying to set up a meeting so she and I and the other supervisor in line after me can discuss what we would be willing to give up, in hours, and what we would need.

I am conflicted. I do not relish the idea of working another job, at night, after working all day, especially after serving the public all day!! I will do what I have to do, but I was, and am, kind of hoping that she might take the severance package. Is that bad of me? Especially since I like her so much, or is this what this economic situation has brought us to? Dog eat dog.

More and more of us have become so disillusioned with this company. I know that many of them are letting people go and it is quite common right now, so I am no different than others. Of course it is always different when it is happening to you.

I guess I am going to get my mind set straight and plan to look and see what I can find that might be part time. Obama said that this year was going to be a bad year. It's only February and I am not liking it very much.

Someone Saved My Life Tonight

Everyone knows that the coffee mega giant has been taking the hit for some time now. Stock prices falling, other places coming up with similar products at a lower price etc. All of this after the owner/CEO announced that he was taking the company "back to basics" meaning he wanted the focus to be on coffee and the coffee experience.

Well, let me tell you..... we all began to doubt his veracity and then along came the corporate jet. Then with the closing of the stores and the layoffs things began to get scary for many of us. Recently I told you about the cuts in our vacation benefits and hours earned.

Two days ago a guy shows up and he says that he is there to measure our store for the new warming ovens. Warming ovens!! That means food stuff with eggs and cheese and the like. We are all perplexed. In the financial times that we find ourselves in how can the chaps at the top find a reasonable excuse to purchase new equipment and have extra product sitting on shelves and in freezers?

Needless to say the company seems to be in a bit of a PR jam. So they trot out an old "feel good" story and try to get public sympathy back on their side. This story was first aired in 2007!! The book came out well over a year ago and when it did we didn't even sell it!! Now, when we need some feel good news about the company they bring it out again.

Now, it is a good book and a great story, but nothing that is current news! I bought and read the book, and even blogged about it way back,but we all know that there is no reason to bring it back out. It seems very cheesy and tacky and for most people I doubt that it is going to make much difference in public perception.

They Take Away More

The memo came down that we are going to be accruing less vacation time for every hour that we work. Half as much to be exact. We will have to hit four and five years of employment to earn back the amount that we have been earning thus far. We are no longer able to have a personal day each six months. Only the salaried employees can have those. Also, new employees can only begin to earn vacation hours after a year. Any time requested must be done a minimum of 30 days in advance and NO time may be turned in for pay. You MUST actually take the time off. Some people have had a financial need and have turned it in to make ends meet and now that is not an option.

They told us that they figured we would rather give up vacation perks rather than health insurance. They are right about that, but here it is coming down to them holding the health benefits over our heads. They know how important the health care issue is to many of their employees and they are going to make the most of it. We know it is only a matter of time before they ask us to pay more for our benefits. There is a limit to how high I will go. At some point it will not make sense to stay there if it becomes more feasible to take John's insurance.

Many of us that rely on the insurance plan are worried. Each week it seems as if there is a new cut and a new memo. All the management is nervous about getting the axe. It is hard to maintain a good attitude and still smile and serve the public when you do not hold your own company with much regard.

Also Loving Life

Like my good pal Mixter I too am just loving life right now. This morning it might be -27 with the windchill, I have a stack of bills waiting for an envelope and stamp, trying to plan for Max's open house/graduation party/going away party... the list never ends, but I am loving life right now!! Thanks for making me think about this Mix!!

Yesterday I was enjoying a new beverage that was recently brought to my attention. A few girls, from work, took me out for my birthday. They bought a bottle of a Belgian beer that is infused with fruit, a Lambic, raspberries in this case. It can also be made with peaches, black cherries and apples.

Now, I am not a beer lover at all, but it looked really pretty. An awesome pink color with cool foam similar to champagne. I tried it and LOVED it! A bit sweet, but not too sweet and tasted NOTHING like beer. Only $11.00 for a big bottle. Low alcohol content so nothing that will really mess you up.

As my blogging buddy has stated, she has not been able to find anything pissy to blog about, I too have been having the same thoughts with the exception maybe the Starbucks corporate jet. I understand the timeline of purchasing one and that it is not something that just happens overnight, BUT..... when you are asking your employees to take large cuts in hours, 401K matching is coming to an end, amid lay-offs and closings...... it can tend to piss one off.

When you state that the company is going back to basics and you never get there and then you end up with a jet, in these economic times, you are just begging to piss people off. Your smiling, happy partners are going to tend to get a bit cranky and smile much less. Most of us need to keep our jobs, since they still are giving us health insurance, and tolerate the crap. We are only hopeful that it will get better soon.

If that is all I can find to complain about then I am doing well. Like Mix I am seemingly very happy right now. Strangely nice and wonderful things are going on in my life and that of my family. I am meeting and making some really great new friends, counting Mixter among them, and I seem to be finding less and less to complain about. Granted there are days that seem to go awry, but far less often and when they do I seem to have much more ability to deal with them. One thing that may be contributing is watching less news. I am reading things that are much more enriching rather than debilitating. That has made the biggest difference.

John and I are watching this excellent calming show in the mornings. We Tivo them and watch them over and over. Sunrise Earth on the Discovery channel. They are exactly w3hat you might expect, sunrises in various parts of the world. nothing but nature and water and quiet, calming sunrise. A fantastic way to start your day. Look for it if you can on your cable. You will not be disappointed. A great way to start your day with a cup of coffee.

Thanks again Mixter for getting me to acknowledge my gratitude and recognize how good my life is. It is good to be alive.