Wednesday, April 29, 2009

A calm Wednsday evening

It's been so chilly and gloomy all day today. I woke up and then decided I didn't want to get out of bed. So I turned on the TV to watch ELLEN and there was a stupid news broadcast on this Swine Flu. Well that put me right back asleep. Until somewhere in the middle of The Price Is Right and my cell phone telling me I had a text, I woke up and chose to get my day going.

I did laundry. I cleaned my bathroom. I did grocery shopping and barely made it home under the weight of the bags. I vacuumed. I wrote. And thanks to a new website called pandora.com which is a free music internet radio, I found some music that made my creative juices just flow. It was great. I got a good rough draft done for my next assignment and even submitted something to a writing competition. And I also went to yoga. And then I walked home in the rain. Even with an umbrella all of me and my belongings are soaked. I was dressed warm enough, but still had wet toes and a wet yoga mat by the time I walked in my door.

Class tonight was very calming. We did a lot of long holds on poses and I really felt myself open into them after a while. I even did headstand again, without the support of the wall. I really like that one. I need to clear a wall space so I can practice that at home. Jane, my teacher says that she thinks I'm strong enough to do that pose with just supporting myself on my forearms. That makes me nervous, but I'll give it a go. Next time.

It's raining out. I like the rain. I just wish it was about 10 degrees warmer. I'm tired of having to wear a hat and scarf. But everything is getting so green and in just the last few days I've noticed that all the trees and plants are starting to bud. I love Spring. It's fresh and awakening. Right now I hear from outside and bunch of kids running around in the rain. I can almost see them if I stick my head out the window far enough. I used to love running around in the rain. I think I still do just haven't done it in a while. It doesn't rain much in the desert. I like hearing the cars drive through the puddles, and the rain plink against my window. And feeling a cool breeze blow in. Sigh.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Written with windows open

I've only had 8 blogs this month. Usually I average about one post every other day. This month, not so much. I don't know why. Ain't got much to say I guess.

WHAT?! I can hear you all saying. Sarah never stops talking, Sarah has something to say about everything. Girl's opinionated.

All true. I don't deny a single thing.

Yet, I don't have much new right now. No news is good news right?

I got my writing assignment back and my instructor had all good things to say. I just need to complete the article now. I'm writing about the fact that if you do something you love, you'll never work a day a in you life/where do we go from loving what we do to having it be work. It's got a good Peter Pan theme too. I'm clever like that.

Gone With The Wind is a very easy read despite the fact that it is nearly 1500 pages. I only have 1354 more to go! Yeah me! I rarely read more than one book at a time, but with this one I might have to. Just so I don't feel like I only read one book in 6 months time. And I say 6 months because that is how long it's going to take me to read this one!

So spring is in the air, it's been raining, the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, it's pleasantly cool in the evening. And along with that love is in the air. I have a friend who is totally smitten with someone new, another friend who may be rekindling an old flame, and then there is me. For the past few days I've been repeating the phrase "He's so cute!" with a big grin on my face and my cheeks turning red. I have butterflies and can't hardly wait to see him again.

I usually don't blog about very personal things, and if I do it's more in a metaphor. And that is simply because this is public and anyone can read it. So that is all I'm going to say involving my new crush. Just know "He's so cute!"

I still don't have my bike. It's been over two weeks and they are just waiting on the wheel. I'm a little bummed, I want to ride my bike. But I can't if there is no wheel. I'm going to get a basket and a horn, I'll be like the Wicked Witch of the West, only a little nicer and a lot cuter.

OK. That is all I got. For now.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Customer service rant

I think everyone in the world needs to work in customer/food service at least once in their lives. I don't know what it is about customer service that makes other think they can walk all over you. And here's something brilliant, believe it or not, the customer is NOT always right. I know that when I am a customer I am not always right. Although I also don't go into a store, second guess what the people who work there tell me, and then demand my money back. Because my momma raised me with manners, thank you very much.

Today there was a customer who shushed us. OK. First off, for all those that know me, don't F-ing shush me. EVER. Tell me to shut the hell up, shut your trap, be quiet, but don't shush me. So that just got the whole ordeal off on the wrong foot. This jerk ordered a small coffee, shushed us again, because the first time wasn't good enough I guess. And we apologized. And he said "Are you really sorry? The customer is always right, you know." Well that did me in. I responded with "I'm sorry we bothered you, Sir, but this is also not a library." So he wanted to return his coffee and take his business elsewhere. Fine with me. Here is your $1.71 back in cash, have a nice day.

I have to say that yes, we can be loud and boisterous at my work but that is just because we are enjoying our day. So I am sorry we were bothering him. That is never anything we want to do. But he could have handled it like an adult and said "I'm trying to work, would you mind being a little quieter?" And absolutely we would have. But the fact that he treated us like children and servants with very little respect right off the bat, just sends me into a frenzy. My job requirements are no where near being treated like shit because I am serving you coffee.

As he left he said "Stay in school now." What the hell is that supposed to mean?! I wanted so badly to follow him out there and say to him with more dignity than he would ever give to me "Excuse me sir, I am sorry we were disturbing you and I am sorry you left upset. But if you had treated us like equals and not assumed that we are uneducated lazy people, we both might have enjoyed your visit a little more. I'll have you know that everyone I work with is in school, applying themselves and working at the same time. I also have a degree, am salaried and I enjoy my job and my co-workers more than you could ever hope for. Have a nice day."

But instead I fumed for 20 minutes about what a dick this guy was. And then I realized he's not worth my time anymore.

He is worth a blog post though. Note to all those that don't work customer service, be nice. We want to make you happy and make your short stay in our business enjoyable. But if you go down that road of assuming we are imbeciles, or assuming that our whole purpose at work is to piss you off, then yes we will join you. We will give you decaf, we will burn your milk, we will talk to you like you talk to us - loud, rude, and like we are stupid children. Every time we greet you with a smile, offer something to eat, and tell you to enjoy the day. And we mean it. We enjoy the majority of our day every time we work and hope that other people do the same. When we tell you we can't do something, it's not to watch you get all angry and flustered, it's because we can't do it. It's policy, or literally we and our machines can't make that happen. If you are polite and courteous like we are to you, then we'll get along fine. But believe me, if you come back, we remember the people who treated us like crap.

On a good note I adore Patty, Tammy, Jim, Laura, Charlie, Charles, John, Kevin, Peter, Becky, Amy, Jerry, Mark, Mr. Lotsof, Dawn, Jennifer, Mr. Estamba, even crazy "As Usual" Susan. Those are some of my regulars (whose drinks I know by heart) who come in every day, share witty banter with us, and tell us to have a good day too. Thank you to them and the ones who's names I don't know for always making my day a bit more joyful. They can keep coming back.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

After hours

It is nearly 1am and I don't feel like going to sleep. What the hell? I can fall asleep almost anywhere in a matter of minutes if given the opportunity. But tonight I just don't feel like it.

I already drank the 2 beers I had in my house, I've watched several hours of FRIENDS, have even read a chapter of my book. And alas, I'm still up.

So.... I'll blog a bit.

Now would be a good time to do some actual writing, not just this stream-of-conscious stuff, but work on my up coming assignment. But no. I don't feel like it. Or perhaps I'm just doing something I'm really good at, procrastination.

I'm reading Gone With The Wind. My mom has been trying to get me to read it for years. Years. And I just haven't wanted to. Well that isn't entirely true. I tried once, it wasn't what I felt like reading at the time. But mostly it's the fact that it is such a big book. It's intimidating to pick up a book so long, you think "Holy crap I'll never finish 1000 plus pages!" But she gave it to me for Christmas, and seeing as how I claim to be such a book lover, and this surly falls under the classic category, I figured now is as good a time as any. I'm 50 pages in and am truly enjoying it. I'm looking forward to all the parts I love from the movie. And I really like the writing. The descriptions of the scenery and characters is just beautiful. If I can get past the fact that this book is so big, I know I'm going to love it!

Work is starting to get really busy. When it's nice out, everyone downtown leaves the office for lunch and we get slammed. I don't mind though, makes the hours go by much faster. Every day I have people I want to blog about, like the guy who wanted a refund because we put a lid on his drink and that wasn't environmentally sound. But at the end of the day, I couldn't care less about those types of people. They are just a wrinkle in my day full of laughter and great people watching.

Spring has sprung here and it's gorgeous outside! I'm waiting for the first spring rain, I love that smell. And the sound it makes, and the way everything seems a bit more fresh afterward. It's time for flip-flops and cute shirts again!

Tomorrow is Sunday. I love Sundays, not really sure why at the moment. But for the past few weeks my Sundays have been good for no particular reason. I guess the karma gods are liking me lately. I hope I just didn't j-i-n-x myself there.

All right. Maybe if I just turn off the lights, lay down, and listen to the late-night sounds of the city which is my favorite kind of white noise, I'll drift away to dreamland.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

I like this

"There is a jewel-colored afghan draped over the back of an old sofa, books neatly lined up in the cases along the walls, plants along the top shelf. She has a lot of books. I can see from here that they're nearly all paperbacks so they don't look quite as pretty as what you see in magazine pictures, but they do they job just fine, which is to make you feel satisfied. It's a cozy thing to know you have so many books, that you can at any moment walk over and browse in your own house."

That is from the book Joy School by Elizabeth Berg. I found it quite a lovely description.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Heres a good one

Q: What is worse than walking the streets of downtown during rush hour with a 12 pack of toilet paper in your arms?

A: Walking back to your apartment, after dark, carrying a plunger.

Yep, you heard it here, folks. I don't think I need to tell ya'll why the need for this device has come about. It happens to the best and worst of us, and to the best of us at the worst times.

Oh and you better believe I was that person who bought at least one more thing to make the purchase of that one embarrassing thing a little less obvious. And we all know that doesn't really work. I will say though that the chocolate candy bar did help a little bit.

But man, talk about swallowing your pride.

That was my "good grief" moment for the day.

Monday, April 13, 2009

A case of the Mondays

Today sucks. SUCKS. I'm going to piss and moan here, so if that isn't your cup of tea for the moment, please turn away.

It wasn't anything specific, just got off on the wrong foot and then everything from then on pissed me off. Please note, the cafes in Barnes and Noble stores is NOT A STARBUCKS!!! The sign clearly says "Barnes and Noble Cafe serving Starbucks coffee." Having to tell people that fact is going to kill me. I'm going to open my mouth one day to tell them that we can't take Starbucks gift cards because we are a Barnes and Noble Cafe and I'm going to fall over dead.

My tombstone is going to say "Was killed by Starbucks, oh no wait... Barnes and Noble!!"

I need a hug and a happy hour. But right now Friends and day-old Diet Coke is going to have to do.

Here is hoping tomorrow is better. But here is even more hoping that tonight will pick up.

Friday, April 10, 2009

A movie night and a few more thoughts.

I just watch the movie The Pursuit of Happyness for the first time tonight. And tears were streaming down my face, nose was running, and I wished someone was around to hug. What an amazing story. I ain't got nothing to complain about, with a job that I enjoy and a place to call my own. Plus, I'm happy. Genuinely happy and pleased with where I am. It was a well-told reminder to be grateful, understand and appreciate where you came from, and hold onto those you love.

I love you, Mom.

On a few other notes...

I went to Target today hoping to buy something for myself that I didn't need but that just screamed "Buy me! I'm cute and I'd look cute with you!" And nothing spoke. Not even a whisper. I'm disappointed in you Target, you always pull through for me on unless junk that I NEED to have. I left with a boring black shirt for work, not even a cute pink one for the spring. And some essential food items. Dull. The shoes are unappealing, the bags are all too big. And that is saying something, I like big bags.

However, on the up side I saved a good chunk of money buy not spending it on stupid things I don't need. So perhaps I need to turn this into a thank you to Target. By that store having nothing that appeals to me, I am actually going to save money. Whoopee! Never thought Target would help me save rather then spend.

I am going to fix up my bike tomorrow. I have an old Schwinn that a family friend is giving me. It's electric blue, with sparkely handles and the old Schwinn seat. I am so excited! The bike is very ME. It just needs a new rear wheel. And I need a helmet, a lock and a horn. You better believe I'm going to put a little horn on the front of my bike! I'll put up a picture when it's all clean and shiny. I'm hoping to ride this new bike to many of the places I need to go this summer. It's going to need a name too.

The weather the past few days has been so wonderful. All week actually. Sunny, with a breeze, a sweater and a scarf do just fine. Spring is coming, I can feel it! I love spring and fall. The mid-seasons, when things are coming to life again, or going inward for a season of sleep. There are more people out in general, and more skin being shown. Only in Minnesota will you see short and flip flops in 48 degree weather. It doesn't faze us.

It is a Saturday night, and I had a movie night at home with a glass of wine by myself. Now I have Frank Sinatra playing and the window open, with the distant sound of the buses going buy.

I just had a very contented sigh.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Happiness is...

...good laughs, like almost-make-you-cry-pain-in-the-side laughs
...remembering someones birthday and wishing them a happy one
...seeing little girls playing dress-up on a front lawn and having a photo shoot in mom's old clothes and very large shoes
...dancing/walking to really good music, knowing you look like a fool and not caring who sees you
...singing to good music while walking and knowing anyone could be listening and again, not caring who hears you
...hearing a music lyric that reaffirms some decision you made. It makes it that much better when the decision is put to music
...sunshine. No matter the temp it's always a bit nicer when the sun shines.
...getting snail mail
...having your windows open, when spring is so close you can smell it on the breeze
...a good read whether it's People magazine, the Sunday funnies, or a Pulitzer Prize winning book
...knowing you are truly happy in the here and now, and appreciating the fact that it can only get better

And that was just today.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

A simple Sunday post

I haven't written in nearly 6 days. I don't have much to say. I can hear you thinking "Well that is nearly impossible. Sarah never shuts up." But I've noticed that when I'm settled and calm, and happy, I have less to say. Less to complain about, perhaps. But then again, why don't I write when things are good? Maybe I don't find a need to talk things out as much when things are good. Maybe.

I'm obsessed with the TV show Dexter right now. OBSESSED! It is so good, and I spent Friday evening and Saturday afternoon watching both discs that I had from Netflix. Seriously, this show is so suspenseful and now I have to wait until Tuesday or Wednesday when the next discs come. Who needs cable when I can watch 8 straight hours of the same show and be completely entertained?!

The weather has been questionable lately. I mean really, Mother Nature, it's April, let me put away my winter coat and hat. Scarves and sweater could stay for maybe another week. But after that, let it get into the 50's. You know us Minnesotans, you let it get in the 40's or 50's and we got shorts and flip flops on! Quit teasing us, and give us Spring!

I discovered what the deal is with the dogs around/in my apartment. (I don't remember if I've written anything about it, but my place doesn't alloy dogs, yet I've seen a few in and around the building.) According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if a person has a doctor's note saying that they need to dog to be healthy (or whatever. And yes I'm a bit bitter.) then the apartment has to let them have a dog no questions asked. And I'm sorry, can you really tell me that a Shitzu is a good "helper" dog?! I don't think so! I just need to find a doctor to say I need a dog for companionship and I'm in. Although that is bordering on crazy. Just a bit.

I am reading Michael J. Fox's newest book Always Looking Up, and it's good. I'm learning about Parkinsons and politics and about Michael himself. I love memoirs, but I usually don't read memoirs about already famous people. I have no desire to read Get Happy the book about Judy Garland, or anything on Princess Diana. But when I was watching Oprah (no cable, remember that) and Michael was on, he said some interesting and uplifting things and it made me want to read his book. It's a fast, informative, and touching read.

I'm going to the Twins home opener tomorrow! I love baseball! And it's the last year in the Metrodome, which is a bit sad for me seeing as how I've grown up with the Dome. But I'm not that emotionally attached to it to not be extremely excited for new outdoor stadium! I've been to one outside game, a Saints game a few years ago, but I didn't pay much attention and I missed the first few innings. I'm excited for tomorrow. Baseball is such an easy game to watch, laid back, plus all the people watching and food make it all that much better!

I'm hoping that I wake up tomorrow and get to leave my winter coat at home.