The Karma Initiative

I kicked off the month of January with a week called the Karma Initiative. The idea was do one nice thing everyday for seven days.

Day 1: I bought a random guy's coffee.

I like to believe I do nice things for people for unselfish reasons, but after buying this coffee I received no "Thank You". This really irritated me. Here all this time I thought I required no reciprocation for just being a nice person but this made me think twice. In fact I felt kind of awful "Why did I start this project? Am I an appreciation whore?". Answer is maybe. But if I am in fact just yearning for acceptance or appreciation I suppose at least I am also giving back.

Day 2: Baked and brought cookies to my coworkers.

I just got a Kitchen Aid mixer from my husband for Christmas so I am not sure if this was so much for everyone else as it was an excuse to use my amazing mixer. Something about providing food for people just makes my heart flutter. I am a self proclaimed feminist, but man part of me just wants to wear high heels, perfectly pressed dresses, and frilly aprons as I cook dinner for everyone I know. If there is such a thing as past lives I have got to be the 50's housewife with a sassy side. Anyway day 2 a success, best damn cookies I have ever made.

Day 3: Gave a generous tip with dinner.

I am not going to lie this was a last ditch effort. I had planned to buy some coats for Coats for Kids when I discovered they were no longer accepting donations. Now, here is my question, at this point it was January 3rd, " Are kids only cold before Christmas?". Apparently so. I am going to make some suggestions to these Coats for Kids people, "Hey kids like being warm more than just 10 days of the winter so leave your little boxes out until after our thermometers are in the double digits .". So anyway I just decided that even though the gesture isn't quite as well planned Tom and I just tipped a waitress generously instead.

Day 4: Hooked up my favorite Shell station employee with a Starbucks cup.

We had some remaining seasonal cups left at work which I gave to my favorite Indian-Mexican at the Shell station. You might be wondering why I refer to him as Indian-Mexican. Well I believed he was Indian as the Shell is owned by an Indian family but then discovered that he only watches Spanish soap operas on shift. I also have been going there long enough that asking his name at this point would just be weird. So until told otherwise he is my favorite Indian-Mexican. He seemed very appreciative which made me happy.

Day 5: Attempted to buy the drink for the woman behind me in line.

As I offered to buy her a drink she seemed both confused and offended. As my friend witnessed it was an extremely awkward situation. This project has taught me that people are incredibly bizarre, often ungrateful, but some like Indian-Mexican are kind and appreciative. So back to the point after me all but begging to pay for her she said no. So my deed went unreceived.

Day 6: Gave to Wags to Riches

Wags to Riches helps locate homes for orphaned dogs and cats.

Day 7: Damnit!

It comes to my attention I did nothing on day 7 and I just now realized it. Um I call Sabbath.

Bye Black Angus!

You may have noticed that for the last week and a half or so I have been MIA. Well big changes have been happening in my life. I quit my job of five years at Black Angus. I have looked forward to the day when I snap, yell at who ever has pissed me off, and triumphantly quit on the spot. Oh but did I mention that I am too careful for all of that fun. So, what did I do? Discreetly get an interview with Starbucks, get hired, and then graciously give my two weeks. God, why can't I be awesome and impulsive. So anyway, after all of my complaining, griping, and dreaming of the day I quit I am sad and sentimental. I love all of my friends I have made and in a strange way I will even miss the drama.

I have always made Starbucks into the pinnacle of the minimum wage employment. As I am quickly learning it is just a job. Pedaling someone else's products again. Don't get me wrong I am thankful for my new job, but it has made me realize I have settled again. I have chosen to take the safe road again. I am a trained graphic designer and damned if I am going to waste my 20,000 dollars in school loans by occasionally using Photoshop. No, I have more to offer this world than a smile and the ability to use a cash register. After my first few days of training, I have a new found respect for Baristas there is so much crap to learn. Seriously, people take their coffee very seriously. People can take what was a latte and turn it into some sort of magical and elusive unicorn warmed to exactly 175 degrees. It is the perfect excuse for some people who yearn for control to do just that control. Fortunately most of my customers thus far have been very patient as I learn as I go.

I miss the fact that I could come to work and essentially could deal with any situation and now I am learning how to sweep the lobby the Starbucks way. Isn't there a job out there that just consists of being paid to be creative? Oh wait that is called being an Artist. Now how do I get people to pay me? So what is my end game plan? Writing or Design. I am still looking at going back to school for English. If I were to write a book what do you think I should do mystery, children's, or sattire?

My last days at the BA. . .












I will miss you guys!