Just Say Indifference

I am exhausted from work today. It beyond baffles me why we seem to have only so few people working daily. Is it to cut labor costs? If so, it is extremely frustrating to be one of those deployed on the floor to be expected to be very quick (either on register or on bar), grab pastries, heat pastries AND sandwiches, and constantly switch and brew Pike Place, all the while smiling and connecting with customers. On top of that, I found out that two of my co-workers, whom I am very close with, are leaving by the end of the holiday season. It is extremely disheartening because these two are very knowledgeable and great with what they do. But they are also getting tired of the daily grind of our store and it has seriously questioned my future here also. They have their reasons and they are quite valid, but there is a sense of responsibility I feel to commit to the store now that we are going to lose two valuable assets. I am getting very indifferent about my Starbucks experience and only so few things are keeping me going at this point. Work has become tiresome rather than fulfilling and rewarding. Every time I correct someone or suggest something to a customer or a co-worker, I feel a little more demoralized because I am really in the wrong and "Thanks, but I don't want your advice". Why do I even bother when the other people I work with don't give a crap about doing things right? Why should I even contribute? Something has to change, either internally or with the store, otherwise my days as an (ethnic) barista are numbered.

Chaos! ...Another Part of that Starbucks Experience

Okay, I have not blogged in a couple of days, but the past couple of times last week were chaotic in the store. Much to the surprise of everyone, including Bossman, we are getting new tiling in the back room...and the work started over the past night! The previous condition of the floor was beyond hideous and likely a multiple offender of state health codes, so a change was necessary...but we certainly did not think it would come this week. So with that, everything in the back had to be moved to the floor. Yes, the floor. So basically we aired out our dirty laundry for all our regulars and visitors to see. The back room was basically a hazard zone because of all the dust and what have you from the goings on the night before. On top of that, the air condition went out during the morning shift. And I kid you not, it was hotter inside than it was outside (easily in the mid 80s). While intermittently wiping sweat from my head with my apron behind the pastry case, I could see beads of sweat dripping on the faces of customers as well! It was all very amusing for about a second and then turned annoying the rest of the shift. During the shift changeover, the look on Shift 143****'s face as she gazed upon the towering metros in the lobby, by the door and condiment bar, was priceless. She was not a happy camper at all. The next day, the floor was still not done but certainly progress had been made. The a.c. was still out and the only relieved partner was the one who worked bar because she had a small fan all to herself. When I came in, I witnessed some flooding from our lovely broken ice machine. I worked a full 8 hour shift and let's just say I was thrilled to finally go home at the end of it.

Had a great, relaxing weekend, if you wanted to know, thanks.

Way to be advantageous

Got the chance today to go to Costco and take advantage of their lucrative deal: 5 $20 Starbucks cards for the price of 4. We never sell any of our gift cards below their face value, so it saved me a pretty penny. With a couple of them going toward Christmas gift giving, I am keeping the rest in anticipation of their usage during partner shopping week.

Had a Bad Day

I was an epic failure at work today. Things seemed to go incredibly wrong.

Anyway, I was the primary partner on bar and committed two terrible things before 9 a.m.

First, I broke an espresso shot glass by accidentally knocking it to the ground while I was propping a drink cup under the shot spouts and it just shattered everywhere. Later while opening the back bar refrigerator, a pitcher of Creme base accidentally falls all over my apron, shorts, legs, and onto the floor mats! It was terribly gross, the most traumatic thing a barista on bar during a rush could endure. I had to run to the back to get cleaned up and not cause any more headaches...and sanitize all the floor mats.

Boss man tried to console me but I was one more ill-fitting dome lid away from about breaking down.

In the words of Daniel Powter, I had a bad day. And yes, I tried working at a smile, after all you can't let your customers know you're down.

Here or there: New hair, they're aware!

Filled in for a partner who called in sick today. First thing several of my co-workers (who have not seen me until today) noticed was my newly shorn hair! I spent my day off Monday getting it cut and have gotten very positive comments about it.

Tuesday was my first day with the new 'do and my SM just returned from New Orleans and responded surprisingly well to it. Even regular customers, like Lady D, noticed and handed me compliments. More often than not, my hair is usually in terrible shape. I think for a large part of my teen years, I've been cursed with bedhead and don't care enough to fuss with it.

Shift R, however, is one who never fails to offer a backhanded compliment, since he is an expert on hair maintenance and product, told me: "I don't like it (the hairstyle) but it's better than the hair you had before!"

What else is new? Oh! We rolled out Fall Phase 2 which means the return of the red holiday cups, Christmas gift sets, and the eggnog.

Today was especially chaotic because our store received its first freezer. Our store is going to be almost completely refurbished and redesigned with new color schemes and shelving in the coming months, so it's about time we have a freezer. Although, it does cut into our already cramped back room!

Because you don't get enough sugar already

Who says you have to drink hot coffee, iced coffee, or espresso to get your daily caffeine buzz? Now at the Bux, you can feed your (sweets) addiction with caffeine in chewable form. Part of the pre-holiday rollout includes the addition of chocolate (in various forms) on sale at the store.

Aside from the annual advent calendar, miniature chocolate bars are now on sale (dark chocolate, with and without coffee (Sumatra)), as well as chocolate covered coffee beans (Verona, apparently), espresso beans (personal favorite), and raspberries. Muy interesante.

Anyway, I bought a couple of the bars and the milk chocolate covered coffee beans (the espresso ones were out) and was initially stunned at the price-- $7.95. With one serving size at 40 pieces and about 3.5 total servings per package, it comes about to a little over a nickel per chocolate covered bean. Depending on your perspective, it may be a little too rich for you, or an investment in a high quality product. Fortunately, I have my discount to thank!

Mr. SM's New Orleans Gift

Mr. SM came back from the Leadership conference bearing gifts for the staff: were all recipients of a New Orleans city mug.

Mine was in a box and within a split second of grabbing it with my hands, the bottom of the box collapses open...

The cup drops to the ground, the handle breaks off, and a piece is chipped off the top.

Lovely.

History has been made

Approximately 30 minutes ago, at 6 p.m. local time, it was declared that Barack Hussein Obama, the Democratic party nominee, the new president-elect of the nation.

Obama, representing a multicultural heritage, all ethnicities and voices of the underrepresented or repressed, is the 44th president of the United States of America.

I was truly moved. I didn't expect it to result to a few tears, but they came. This is truly a milestone and evidence of the power and strength of our democratic process. At last, walls have fallen and we all have prevailed.

Early Bird for Turkey Blend: Thanksgiving Blend!

So it was my day off before the holiday launch (I know, I know it's way too early to even consider it the beginning of the holiday season), and wanted to grab a hold of Gazebo Blend before it completely runs out on my island. I grabbed my store's last bag of Gazebo (whole bean) for my markout last week and was in search for more...which lead me to the Borders Starbucks, which is one of the 600 stores scheduled to close.

It certainly didn't look like it was closing anytime soon, since the crew of three present were already doing holiday promo mid-day. I saw that the bountiful supply of Thanksgiving Blend, new tumblers, chocolates, and the advent calendar were readily available for purchase. I was particularly intrigued by the display of Thanksgiving Blend, which is technically supposed to be sold starting tomorrow, and its packaging (I admit, I am a sucker for SBUX marketing) and readily grabbed a bag for my weekly markout.

Thanksgiving Blend will only be sold for a limited time and will be the inaugural year for the Blend, which is reportedly a mix of Guatemala and Sumatra beans. It will serve as a prologue to this year's Christmas Blend.

One Vote = Tall Cup of Coffee

As a special promotion at all US stores this upcoming Tuesday, November 4, anyone who votes in the election will receive a complementary tall cup of brewed coffee that day.

I plan to vote after working an early morning shift that day.

I anticipate many, many coffee switches to keep up with the demand of free joe.

And who will I vote for? I will cast my ballot for the man who represents positivity and diversity, who will advocate for prosperity and inclusion, rather than the ugliness of fearmongering, racism, and division. Even though it is certain that my state's electoral votes will be gained by this person, there is an immense sense of pride I will feel when I enter that booth because my participation will be an extension of the hope (I hope) many Americans share for a better future.

Okay, enough of politics. Let's get back to coffee.