Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Bearista

Okay! So you haven't seen me around here since longer than forever! I know, I know! Too much is going on....

...part of which is that I am now a barista at a nearby Starbucks, trying to get the hang of making coffee the real way.

It's a long story but part of it is that Starbucks happens to be one of the only companies that offers health insurance after 90 days to part-timers. What I will end up paying will be way under $100/month, as opposed to the around $900/month through Donica's company. It's a no-brainer.

For now, hold your breath with me that after 3 1/2 years of retirement, I'll actually remember how to work again...and not forget the days of the week! Today is Tuesday, I think. I got up at 3:30a to be at work by the 4:45a opening for which I was scheduled. Tomorrow I get to sleep in, getting to work at 6:30. :)

Sigh! Such is life.

23 comments:

  1. One of my best friends works at the Starbuck at the University of Floirda, I know it can get crazy there with college students and their dependence on caffine! I hope you enjoy working again and at least you will get to be around a lot of people!

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  2. i just love that little bearista! i know you will be a wonderful bearista. i will have to figure out which Starbucks drink has the lowest calories....so i can keep stopping by to see you at work!

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  3. Oh wow - You know that is a great idea, health insurance within 90 days.. Maybe I should apply.. lol

    What a cute bear! And I know those early mornings, good luck with them and hope you are having a fun time!

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  4. One of these days I hope to visit you and have a grande nonfat misto no foam. :)

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  5. Oh Ginnie, Finally I AM rewarded! I look every day and today what do we get? An adorable Atlanta Bearista. He's so cute. You'll probably be running things before you know it. All the best - I know you're doing a great job!

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  6. YES! I think this is wonderful - well, maybe not the getting up at 3:30 a.m., but the rest of it. :-) I guess it's all part of a new challenge in your life and I'll know you'll pass the test with flying colours. In fact I'm quite sure with your people skills you'll be the best barista they've ever had.

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  7. P.S. I just got a "mail delivery failure" notifcation saying that my comment couldn't be delivered to your old mindspring e mail address, obviously because you're not using it any more, but do you need to change your Blogger settings so the messages get sent to your new e mail or were they just playing with my mind??

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  8. Katy: I'm in my third week and can see how much I've already learned!!! It's a good company. Thanks for commenting, BTW. That means a lot. :)

    Donica: We'll have to do the research, I guess! You can always ask for a "skinny"--non-fat and sugar-free! :)

    ET: The health insurance seals the deal! :)

    Mad: I'll serve it right up! That will be the day! :)

    Judy: Yup. Here I am, Judy. And God have mercy...I do NOT want to supervise anyone! HA! That's where I'll put my foot down, no matter how much money they offer. As Donica says, the $.25+/hour more would NOT be worth it! :(

    Christina: I'm glad I'm a morning person...and so far so good, as long as I can get to sleep the night before. I do have the people skills, so I feel lucky. BTW, I changed my e-mail address in my profile and couldn't understand why it didn't work. Your next comment reminded me that there is also a settings tab, where I fixed the address issue. Thank you!

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  9. Ginnie I AM SO PROUD OF YOU,your hours are worse than mine.
    You must be exhausted at times...
    You have to find time to chill and relax to recoup all those early starts.
    To come out of retirement too, that takes alot of courage, of which I know you have in abundance mijn vriend.
    You are a true Musketeer :)Keep smiling!! :)

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  10. Now that's early - even for me! Cute bear, and you must be a cute barista. I remember so many stories Lesley told when she was one through high school and beyond. I think she worked at Cappucino Cafe for 3 years!

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  11. I think that's GREAT, Ginnie! Congratulations. I know you'll be mastering the art of making the perfect coffee/espresso/latte in no time. You'll be the best Bearista they ever had! :)

    PS: Does that mean you'll be travelling less to Europe, or could you fix that with the manager?

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  12. Are you making Amsterdam coffee lattes or Atlanta coffee lattes? And if it's Atlanta can I call in for an extra grande when I'm on the way to Florida in a couple of weeks?

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  13. Lurch: Courage, smiling...all of that, Tracy! We do what we have to do, no matter how old we are or against what odds. Hmmm. Now I'm sounding philosophical in my old age! :)

    Ruth: 3 years is a long time and, yes, I remember seeing her at work there when D and I visited her. I had forgotten all about that! I'm not sure I feel very cute, however. :|

    CS: It's getting easier and easier and it's beginning to all make sense, even though I keep learning new things every day. Most of the stuff is repetition and starts to become second nature...I think and I hope. :) Right now I am not traveling to Europe till the end of the year. Kind of a hiatus of sorts!

    Sham: I think it's more American coffee lattes, not European or Atlantan. To be honest, I much prefer what I get in Europe. Stuff here is way too sweet, with all the flavorings. But I'm sure there are some drinks that are similar. I just don't test them all out.

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  14. My daughter was a barista for a small coffee store when she was in high school....I think you will love this! I loved the way she smelled when she came home...of coffee beans!!! Good luck!

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  15. Ginnie don't get addicted to coffee! Wish I could see the bear. Pics still arent loading on the ship. Best of luck with the Barista job! I would be delighted to run into you in a Starbucks anywhere in the world!

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  16. hope you enjoy it......do you take pics of your customers too ;DDD

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  17. Neva: I'm not sure I smell like anything when I come home but I'll have to ask Donica. That's a smell I would not mind smelling at home, for sure. :)

    RD: I still don't drink caffeine, Stacey, believe it or not! Nor have I been tempted to try all their drinks. I have sampled several, however, and have fun doing that. But most of them are way to sweet for me!

    Moi: Ha! They'd all love that, I'm sure. :)

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  18. Good luck - I'm sure you can make - wish I could be served coffee from you - one day maybe I can serve you coffee in our Norwegian kitchen :-)

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  19. lol, good for you, Ginnie! I can see the picture now, from ashore in Bar Harbor. Cute Bear!

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  20. Wow! That does sound like it must be quite an adjustment although I have heard that Starbucks is a great company to work for as long as one doesn't need to earn megabucks.

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  21. Ok "girlfriends", having been journeymates with the both of you during the last 3 months...think of today this way, the both of you and the stock market rocketed beyond expectations!! Woo Hoo.
    So...while Donica is back in Amsterdam on those plush expense accounts, and Ginnie, you and I are grazing over the Jason's soft ice cream bar, you'll have to let me in on a food plan for those Starbucks Frappucinos. I used to have them all the time with the floor sign saying "low fat", until I read the nutritional brochure reporting they are 877 calories per cup. Low fat, right! Maybe nutitionally, but not on my waistline.
    As Donica said, you can be a good barista Ginnie, but you can be off site too, right? (I just love its slippers!) I love teddy bears, where can I get him, hmmm, its got to be a him. ;-)

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  22. Renny: My Bearista job was short-lived, so the best deal will be when you can serve me YOUR coffee in your Norwegian kitchen. That will be the day!

    RD: Good for you, Stacey. Gotta love Bar Harbor. I can picture exactly where you were!

    Tim: Exactly! They're probably best known for their excellent health insurance (if you work for them, that is) and lots of very nice perks! :)

    Bob: I should have thought of you when I listened to the news tonight and heard the stock market had its biggest gain ever! YAY! Hopefully it'll continue to get better for the whole world. And yes, you gotta watch the calories everywhere you go. You can always ask for nonfat, sugar-free drinks, which helps!

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  23. Ginnie, The "nonfat" means "non-flavor". Great in principle but short in reality. You've got to do better than that or I'll smoosh the Jason's ice cream cone on you! Will that Tarot book you've got for me have any enlightment on the subject? I know, wishful thinking. {grinning}

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