3 Things

I need to cut back on the Starbucks.  I actually don't go that much, but when I walked in this morning, I stepped up to the reg to order (and there were no other customers around, so the baristas were just standing around) and said, "Grande..." and one of the baristas said, "Oh, don't take her order..." and I kept on ordering "...Iced nonfat sweetened decaf LATTE" and the barista said, "WHAT?  You want a latte?  What are you doing?  That's not your normal drink!"  Yes, I am apparently now a regular at the Starbucks closest to my job.  And then, after I ordered, the baristas were asking me why I was making a change (the caffeine might be keeping me from sleeping) and did I think it would be from now on (Yes, probably) and is the sleeping problem THAT bad (Yes, enough to make me renew my vow to avoid caffeine everywhere)?  Honestly, I've never talked that much to the people making my coffee, so it was a little weird.  I guess that's what a change to a regular order can do?  I mean, yeah, every single other time I've gone to that location I've ordered the same thing, but I didn't think I was going THAT much.  Still, I must've been.  Yikes. 

*****

Holy string, batman.  I finished a cross-stitch last night, and in my quest to finish another before Christmas, I immediately began another.  This new one is a kit, however, and so before I could begin actually sewing, I had to sort the thread out for it.  It's a Dimensions Gold Collection Kit, and oh. my. god.  It took me about 30 min to just sort one half of the thread I'll need for the thing.  I couldn't believe it.  It is SUCH a pain in the ass.  It makes me never want to work with a stupid kit again.  Honestly, Mom, I do not know how you sat and did the thread for two kits without a break.  I needed a break after doing half of one kit.  I know after work today, too, I have to go home and sort the rest of the thread, which is a definite mood killer.  Also, it's slightly daunting to know that I only have a finite amount of thread to work with, because let me tell you, I am a BIG thread waster.  Normally, when not working from a kit, I just have to buy skeins of thread--and they're a quarter each.  Wasting 5 inches of thread won't kill me.  A knot won't be a problem, because I can just write off the entire length of thread and start another.  Not so with this kit thing, because the thread also isn't standard DMC floss--it's proprietary to Dimensions.  If I need more, I have to call them and order it.  Another pain in the ass.  Still, I am committed to this project.  I only need to get going on it--finish that damn thread sorting and begin the sewing--and I'll feel better about it, I'm sure.  If only it wasn't so...complicated.  I'll be sewing like a banshee to finish it before Xmas.  I can see full days of cross-stitch gaping in front of me.  Football...and cross-stitch.  They go together like...peas in a pod.  Yeah. 

*****

I feel like I want to say something about work, but I'm trying to be really, really careful, because I think it's possible that someone from my work is reading this.  I'm not certain, but I can't remember if I gave him the blog address or not, and if I did, I can't know for sure if he's reading.  Hence, all the uncertainty.  Anyway, let me repeat what I always say about this--I don't want to be dooced.  But this thing has become almost a diary, and I hate not being able to say what I'm feeling about something because I'm afraid.  Also, in a very technical sense, the big boss here doesn't believe in firing people.  Which leaves me in a quandary, because while I could probably type almost anything I want here and even if work people saw it, there would be no consequences, I'm not sure I'm prepared to be that open with my workplace.  Suffice it to say, weird things are going on here, and I'm very uncomfortable in this workplace right now, and again feel like I'm being punished for being very on top of my job.  As I've said before, I simply can't manufacture work for myself, and it's not my fault I'm so quick.  It's also not in me to slack or put off work that can be done.  I don't do crossword puzzles at work while the work is piling up around me.  I need a boss that's going to understand that things are in tip-top shape in my department, even if it looks like all I do is read and do crosswords.  I do not, and I don't know how to make that clear.

Also, I am medically concerned about one of my co-workers.  I'm not even annoyed by the...erm...lack of...uh....proficiency she exhibits, because I'm so worried about her.  I don't know what else to say, except that other members of the staff share my concern, and shared it before I said how I was feeling.  These other members of staff expressed their concern BEFORE I expressed mine, and so I know I'm not alone in worrying.  I don't know what's going on, exactly, but I suspect it has to do with aging and the um, lapse of mental facility that can come with the aging process.  It's very...weird to work with someone who seems to not be all there.  It's also a very strange situation.  I'm glad I'm not the boss in this situation, because it's rather a delicate thing to confront someone about.  I mean, how do you start that conversation?  Thank you jesus, I don't have to. 

So yeah.  Things at work are...not great.  Here's to hoping they get better before I end up truly miserable.

Comments

[Rita]

As a former Barista, I can tell you that it doesn't take much for the people at Starbucks to know who you are. Anyone who comes in on any sort of regular basis - even if it is just once a week - you remember their face and their drink. Especially if you tip. Also, Starbucks really strives for that - to make people feel like they are known. They train the baristas to remember people and their drinks. They'll probably be a little chatty the next time you go in, too, unless it's busy.

It's interesting to me that them remembering you makes you feel uncomfortable instead of welcomed. I feel like I should already be a regular at one Starbucks, and they never remember me. It makes me a little sad. As a whole, Starbucks is cutting back on training, so it is rare to find a store with baristas who are good, and these sound friendly.