Coffee Talk

As I mentioned in last night's entry, yesterday wasn't a great day. Between working, being in the play and everyday life stuff like grocery shopping, cleaning and laundry, I am running myself a little bit ragged these days. Yes, it's all what I signed up for, but after working from home and having ample time for everything over the past eight months, it's been a difficult transition back to the real world.

Today, though, I was determined to make better than yesterday. Despite not sleeping well last night, I got up, got ready, and left for work with a smile on my face -- or, at least, an expression other than a frown. I stopped at the Starbucks down the street from my house to pick up a little energy boost, feeling good that the day was starting out so well.

I received a greeting I did not expect. A woman, waiting for her drink and obviously in the midst of telling a funny story, turned to the door and yelled (with a smile) "BITCHEEESSSSSSS!" just as I was walking in. I smiled to myself, and maybe to her a little bit, as if to say: "I don't know what that was about, but it was a mildly amusing moment." She must have felt bad, though, because as I passed her, she said, "not you, ma'am." I laughed and responded, something about it being a nice way to start my day. Whatever I said, it didn't make much sense and probably sounded a bit mean. I didn't intend it that way, but come on, I hadn't even ordered my coffee yet, let alone consumed it.

The woman's friend, or coworker, or whatever he was, smiled at me and said, "you're a lovely person," to which I smiled, and before the pair left, the guy told me to have a nice day, and the lady said the same.

I have to admit, I'm curious what the woman's story was about. She was wearing what looked like a security guard uniform; perhaps she was telling of something that happened at work. But if the universe has a sense of humor, I like to think she was talking about her friend Steve, who works at the expensive gym, and some of the people he has to call.

It's Just a Matter of Good Manners and Good Nature

When I was little, I had a Paddington Bear record, and on that record, there was a song about the importance of good manners. 


"If you've got good manners and good nature, you really will get along. For with those good manners and good nature, everyone will shake your paw and say, 'glad to see ya and have a good day,'" went the song. I couldn't help but think of those lyrics while mulling over a phone call I got earlier this evening.

Note: I tried to find the song online to link to here, but alas, it was not to be. Which means that I actually remember the lyrics from a quarter century ago. Not bad, eh?


Anyway, backing up...I had a really stressful day. I have a lot going on this week, I've been really stressed out, and leaving for work today was sort of like coming to the top of the rollercoaster hill and seeing how scary the ride down will be.


By the time I got to play rehearsal this evening, I was ready to go off on someone for no good reason. But lucky for my castmates, that's when the phone rang.


It was Steve at the expensive gym, so often mentioned on this blog. He was wondering if I might be interested in joining. Rehearsal was starting, but I couldn't resist returning his call right away.


"Hey, Erika! How ya feelin'?" he answered.


It took everything in me to be nice. I mean, I was annoyed that he'd called me yet again, but he didn't deserve the full force of my frustration. So I firmly, yet politely, told him that I've already told him I am not interested in a membership and asked him to please take me out of the system at the gym.


And that's when Steve pulled out his Paddington good manners and good nature.


"Well, all I can say to that is, God bless you, and have a good night," he said.


I'm sure that when he hung up, he added, "you big fat fatty," but given the things I've written about him on this blog, I think he probably owes me an insult or two.