Bitchin' Baristas: On Another Winter Morning.....

Before I begin I have to give the credit for the idea of this blog entry to one of my most inspirational teachers Patricia Ann McNair from the Interlochen writers retreat I attended in 2009. She teaches writing at Columbus College in Chicago and has just recently published a terrific book full of short stories entitled: "The Temple of Air." She has been posting journal prompts on her blog daily...I have decided to use these prompts, which were probably intended for personal journal uses, twist them around and use them as a way to look more deeply inside the Bitchin' Baristas.

The first prompt starts...On another winter morning....

Ella: On another winter morning Cliff would be walking in the snow with me. I never really bothered to ask him if he liked the snow or not and I'm not sure I would've gotten a straight answer anyway. He would've said that he liked to do whatever I liked to do. He once walked three miles in knee deep snow with me without making a fuss. Now, as I try to sop up the milk I had spilled all over my shirt, I watch Gabe-formely known to the other baristas as 6-Shot-Mocha-Latte-Guy swinging his new girlfriend around in the parking lot. She was so pretty, so petite and the two of them were smiling ear to ear. It is hard to believe that only 3 months ago his first marriage had ended. How did he get happy again so fast? How could I....?

Cindy: On another winter morning...if I wasn't still in bed... I would be driving Boring-Vanilla-Latte-Guy crazy as I flipped my hair and bent over so slightly to wipe down the tables, but for some reason predictable Boring-Vanilla-Latte-Guy didn't show up today and so I am forced to work with Pompous-Green-Tea-Man. The thought makes me throw-up in my mouth a little bit because Pompous-Green-Tea-Man spends his day here playing stocks on his computer, so he probably has a lot of money and yet he still wears dorky shorts and socks with his flip flops. I can just imagine he would keep his socks on and pulled up passed his ankles like that as we climbed into his bed, but no matter its worth a shot anyway...poor Boring-Vanilla-Latte-Guy he just doesn't know what he's going to miss.

Tiffany: On another winter morning the snow and ice may have been the most sparkliest thing in the world, but not this morning. This morning the most eye catching 2 karat sparkle is on my finger. I could barely stand to get out of his bed this morning after the night we had, but I have not escaped the daily grind just yet. Though I really should have been paying more attention to the grinds themselves because today as I ground the coffee beans they overflowed from the filter and right into where the diamond was set. Oh well, as soon as Penny and Rich leave I will simply use the milk wand to steam clean the ring and make sure it keeps shining as I punch the screen of the cash register.

Kay: On another winter morning I may have seen something besides splattered blood patterns in the snow. I may have seen red ribbons and sashes contrasting with the blanket of whiteness. There may have been flecks of silver and sparkles as bells rang in the distance. I would not be sitting here poking my finger with a needle in order to get the stimulation needed to forget the pain. The pain I cannot even bare to slap down on a page and call a poem. On another winter morning poems would not need to be called poems but instead they would be called vows. A winter morning is how I always pictured it anyway. I would not be sitting here freezing on a windowsill because I'm trying to freeze out the world and I would not be drawing patterns in the snow with my own blood just because I think it's pretty.

As always I am interested in your reactions and feedback!

Meet the Bitchin' Baristas

This post is a special post because in this post I am going to reveal the characters which narrate the Bitchin' Barista series!

The following is a description of each barista and a very rough sketch (please do not judge me on my drawing ability, I think you can still get a persona out of these sketches):

ELLA


Ella is the most down-to-Earth narrator in the series with a deep and passionate personality, on the other hand she struggles to overcome here timidness and let her true colors shine. Coming from the background of a broken home, she observes different relationships throughout the book always flashing back on her own and wondering, was she really ever in love? Is it possible? And what does it mean exactly?


CINDY

Cindy views the world completely opposite from her best friend Ella. She says and does whatever comes to her mind without giving it a second thought. She has no future plans and does not intend to create them. Yesterday she was a waitress, today she's a barista! Her philosophy on relationships is screw trying to figure them out, let's all just have fun and get laid. There isn't ONE man around that could keep up with her wild ways anyway! She stashes a tiny pink handgun, but where she keeps it exactly is a secret....


TIFFANY

As an aspiring actress, Tiffany is bright and bubbly. She will never forget her cheerleading days in high school. Her sunny outlook on the world has a way of making people sick. She trusts everyone and no guy for her could ever be scum. She became a barista because she believes that prince charming will find her in the coffee shop and maybe he has. Tiffany is in love with Jared, a coffee shop regular with lots of money to spare...enough for an engagement ring perhaps?




KAY

Kay is dark. Kay is cynical. Kay wears ALOT of eye-liner and black clothing. In fact, the only color she has in her wardrobe are the ribbons that hang from her hair. She will not put on a fake face or smile for any customer, unless maybe the boss is around and threatens her job for it. However...there's this one customer that digs the queen of darkness and makes a game out of trying to make her smile. He may even present her with a diamond ring. His name is Jared...oh wait...could that be the same Jared as Tiffany's Jared....


There is one more barista that works with the four of these girls who does not do any hefty narrating...her name is Chinca...she loves caffeine and is constantly shaking from the hype of doing espresso shots straight from the machine.

There are many other characters to be seen in this series including their bosses, their boyfriends and regular customers that come into the coffee shop that is called "Smile in Your Cup Cafe."

But the four above are the ones telling the story...and we all know how important reliability of the narrator can be...

There will be more posts and writing prompts that develop these characters further. I am always open to feedback and suggestions left in the comments.

A Starbucks is a Starbucks....or is it?

On my list of coffee shops to explore there were 3 different Starbucks, however each Starbucks would contain the same drinks for the same prices, with the same type of ambiance. For this reason, instead of boring you by writing about each one I have put them all in one blog.

I will also admit right away that one of the most appealing things about Starbucks to me is the hours. Starbucks, even the ones that close at 11pm is open later than most coffee shops.

I will also tell you that the liberal hipster in me wants to not like Starbucks. I want to write it off as corporate, uninviting, unoriginal and not the slightest bit whimsical, but I just can't do it. I have never felt unwelcome at Starbucks, the lighting itself is soft and welcoming. The staff is friendly. Many coffee shops try to copy their drinks-I said many not all so please do not be offended.

The most important thing I like about Starbucks is the icon, the twin-tailed Mermaid. out of all the coffee shops I would say that this icon is the most whimsical of all. The mermaid that glows in the green light outside every Starbucks window or the green stamp on all the cups, always catch my attention. It fascinates me that this rare mythical creature is so widespread throughout the United States. This logo was actually chosen when the creators of Starbucks were studying coffee's sea faring origins. This image originally came from a 16th century Norse woodblock of a twin-tailed mermaid or siren. You can read about it here. If you never paid much attention to the mermaid, perhaps now you will...

As far as the different Starbucks locations go....there isn't a big difference.

The Arborland Location:

• Big plus is that they are open 24 hours, I have been here at all hours of the night and morning. It's nice to have a place to go when everywhere else is closed. Especially if a writing fit attacks you.
• It is located around many stores and restaurants and therefore makes a good place to hang out and chat after shopping or dining
• It is probably the best for people watching because there is always a diverse group of people
• I've been here many-a-times to do homework and there is a big table here to share with others. I've seen and been one of the complete strangers that lend homework support to each other as the night grows later and later.
• One of the biggest complaints that people have about this place and told me to mention upon finding out about my blog is the seating. It is always crowded and therefore I've come here often and not found a place to sit. However, they have remodeled several times to try and solve this problem and I was pleasantly surprised to not only be able to find a seat tonight, but also to see that they have added several more tables and chairs. Aside from adding on to the building I don't see what more could be done.
• There is outdoor seating and a fireplace that shares both the inside and outside. A big plus in my book, when it is not raining-as it is tonight I always try to sit outside by the fire. Even, when it is freezing cold. :)

The Carpenter Location:

• A less crowded smaller more quaint place. It is a newer location-and I use the term "newer" loosely as in a few years old- I feel like it is slightly more hidden than the other Starbucks never creating a problem with seating. The picture shows just about the WHOLE thing!
• I could see myself writing in the corner near the art and this specific light fixture...it also seemed whimsical to me...I don't know why, perhaps I've read to much Dr. Seuss in my life.

The Washtenaw Location:

• I have been to this drive-thru many-a-times on my way to work in the morning and while the staff is very friendly, I warn you if you work a traditional 9-5 schedule like me, only do this if you have an extra fifteen minutes to spare in the morning. Yes, there is usually a line, but even if there isn't I would say I still spend over 7 minutes in line each time, but I am not supposed to be talking about that. I am supposed to tell you about this place as a writing space.
• I have had some seating issues here too, but none that have not been solved and result in me leaving (as I've had to do with the Arborland location in the past).
• Something about this location is not as homey as the other two. I wish, dear reader, that I could be more specific for you, but I just know this isn't the place for me. Perhaps, I have used it as a back-up location too much or perhaps I am just bitter about my morning coffee not being presented to me instantly, it could even be the fact that the building is not as architecturally pleasing to me as the other ones...which isn't Starbucks fault, but none-the-less this is not the place for me.

I don't want to worry about finding a place to sit when I arrive somewhere to write and for this reason I hesitate to make Starbucks a regular place for me to go, but looking at that mermaid I think she may have some tales to tell.

I am starting to believe that where something is written affects what is written...and although I do not feel like a novel would pour out of me at Starbucks, wondering what kind of novel would be written here might be a start.

DETOUR: To Sweetwaters Cafe

It looks like plot #2 from the last blog entry has won the vote! This elevates the idea of writing in a coffee shop as the appropriate atmosphere.

Today I am visiting a friend on the north side of Ann Arbor and so I have taken a detour away from the Ypsilanti coffee shop list to explore Sweetwaters. This means that this coffee shop will probably never be the one I choose to write at regularly, but I do work down the street from it and have thought about moving to this side of town, so you never know in the future it might be.

The walls separating the shop from the outside are all glass windows, which made taking pictures a challenge, but it does add a bit of romanticism to the place when you look outside and see a snowy scene like today. In fact, I'm kinda loving it here right now watching the snow fall on the tree branches as the street light blinks on the corner of Plymouth and Green road.

Also, there is a patio at the back corner of the Sweetwaters that allows customers to sit outside when the weather is nice. I always like to have the option of being outside, this probably comes from all the days I am stuck at work or was stuck in school and am unable to go outside.

I am sitting at a high top table near an outlet today, but there is four arm chairs in front of the fireplace that also look like they would've been a cozy place to become lost in thought.

The drinks taste good and are moderately priced. I ordered a small soy Chai latte for about $3.65, which seems about average for coffee shop drinks. Oh! But did I mention the sweets?! I wish it wasn't right after Christmas and I wasn't trying to be good or I would order what looks like one of the most delectable frosted cupcakes or cheesecake I have ever seen! They also have chocolate cake called "OMG! Chocolate cake," which can be ordered al a mode and looks so delicious it would probably take an entire year to burn off the calories.

As far as the corporate factor Sweetwaters is a corporation, but its a corporation that started out and is only located in Ann Arbor...so it doesn't seem as evil as some corporations which put the little guys out of business.

I also love these cute little tea pots that they have on display. My friend told me she bought one for her sister for Christmas and they pop just enough color in the room, where I can see why they would make a great happy little gift.

Let's Take a Vote: Which would you read?

I have had my car back for about two weeks now, but due
to the holiday season I have been a bit of a slacker on the blog front.

First of all, I want to cheer for my two new followers...yay!! I really appreciate your support and look forward to any comments you want to make in the future. If anyone else out there is reading regularly and wants to become a follower your support would be appreciated as well. :)

Anyway, I am completely prepared for the holiday season now and in just a few days things will be calming down with the light work week after the holidays before next semester starts. I will continue exploring coffee shops, but I want to select ONE writing project...instead of the many I have started now.

This is where you come in dear reader, please help me decide:



1. The Underwater Story- a young adult trilogy I started to create when I was in the fifth grade about two teens and their younger siblings that discover their past is connected to a magical underwater world.

2. The Bitchin' Baristas- A slightly older series of twenty-somethin' girls who work in a coffee shop posing as our modern day Cinderellas. There is romance, there is heartbreak and there are typical jerks for bosses as they struggle
to earn a living.




3. Entanglement- A play that demonstrates we are all connected in a way where we are "entangled" with each other and the people of our past trap us like a web.

4. The Fairy Godmother Business- After going through multiple unsuccessful careers and relationships Lola decides to convince her friend Trish to
start T he Fairy Godmother business- a top secret business dedicated to creating, preparing and helping women through the experience of the perfect "Cinderella" evening.

Which are you most interested in reading? Vote on idea 1, 2, 3 or 4

Hanging Out in a Basement near a Church: The Common Cup

Starting tomorrow, I will be car-less indefinitely while it gets fixed at the collision shop, but don't worry I am fine. While it was parked in the street someone backed out of their driveway and hit it. Note to self: never park behind driveway EVER again.

Anyway, the reason I am telling you this is because it led me to the conclusion that even though I went coffee shop exploring last night, I decided to go again tonight and I ended up at the Common Cup on Washtenaw in Ann Arbor.

The Common Cup is hard to find because it is actually connected to a church building and the facade faces a church instead of the street. In fact, I think the only reason I was able to find it is I have been here in the daylight before with Carla about three and a half years ago. At that time, we knew where it was because her boyfriend worked here.

This also explains why I was not freaked out or lost when I walked in the doors that labeled the building only to find I must turn left and go down a small set of stairs in order to reach the coffee.

When I walked in I decided this may be my favorite place yet...everything a coffee shop should be....

The music is a bit loud, but it is mellow and seems to be drowning out other people's conversations. They have both comfortable chairs and tables, you just need to be a little careful about which one you sit at if you need an outlet to plug in your laptop. The lighting is just right, not fluorescent, but not too dark either. It is a warm soft lighting.

There is even a shelf of board games and a few books for visitors to enjoy, meaning this would be a good place to hang out with a group of friends or solitary. The internet took a minute to log on, but there was a flawless connection once I did. I lacked cell phone reception, I imagine this is because it is located in a basement, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing.

As you can see by the mug that they put my hot chocolate in (located at top of page) they are not skimpy with their drink portions..nor is it too expensive. I was able to get a hot chocolate and cookie for a little over four dollars! Plus, the barista served it to me at my table and don't you just love the classic chip on the left side of the dish?!

I think my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE thing about this place is that they exhibit the work of local artists and hang it on the wall as if it were being displayed at a museum! Other coffee shops such as The Plymouth Coffee Bean and The Ugly Mug display local artists work for sale, however the Common Cup is different because here there is an actual wall post about the artist and another one about the work they are exhibiting. The work is hung and lit on the wall in an arrangement that reminds me of a gallery.At first I saw all these pictures of crucifixes and was a little freaked out..."Well the coffee shop is connected to a church after all," I told myself as I silently vowed not to come here where crucifixes are judging me ever again. Then I saw the sign that said "40 Crucifixes" and the name of the artist, Mike Frieseman and realized it was not a hypercritical stare down of Jesus due to the place's location, but instead an aesthetically pleasing visual placed by a local artist.

The barista said they switch exhibits every month. A coffee shop mixed with a gallery? Am I in Heaven? What a very whimsical characteristic, don't you think?

As an article that hung on the wall here said, three years ago when I visited with Carla, the statement stands true: "There is nothing common about The Common Cup."

Perk and Brew: Where are you?

I ventured out to the next shop on my list tonight only to discover I might as well have been looking for the great pumpkin. The Perk and Brew does not exist...at least not that I could find.

The website I originally searched for coffee shops was a city search URL and the reason I was afraid that Perk and Brew did not exist was because there was no attached website. It turns out my suspicions were true.

I followed their directions to the tee...turn down Pine View Dr. off of Textile, then Madrona, then Eagle Crest Ct. Nothing was there. In fact, if to you these street names sound like neighborhood streets...it's because they are.

It was actually a very nice neighborhood though with big colonial style houses that I would not imagine existed in Ypsi, but I guess that is what you get when you go on adventures. You find out there is different sides to the places you are exploring.

The neighborhood was called Pine View Estates and a golf course intertwined between the houses...why is it neighborhoods that surround golf courses always seem to be the biggest in the city?

Anyway, there must have been a Perk and Brew coffee shop at some point for the city search to list it. Did the map and directions just lead me astray? Does anyone have any information on this? Does anyone know where it could be? If so please pass your knowledge along to me.

After looking up the hours to The Common Cup which closes at 5pm on Saturdays, I have found myself at the Starbucks on Washtenaw. I am going to wait and let you know about all the Starbucks in one blog, because after all a Starbucks is a Starbucks....or is it?