When I Grow Up...

A little over a year ago I started this blog as part of a university project. One that literally forced me to take on a project I had wanted to start for a long time I just never had the confidence or (as I thought) the subject matter to write about. Over the past year I've learnt that there are a few challenges that come with writing blogs:

1) What am I going to write about? 
Once I decided the subject matter of this particular blog I felt like it only took a few posts to summarize the main comedic difficulties and the rewards that come with working in retail. However, as anyone knows there are always new challenges and new rewards daily. Which brings me to the next challenge.

2) Will I remember what I wanted to write about?
"Inspiration" surrounds me on a daily basis. However, would it stick with me after working eight hours, going to class for another three, and after completing homework? Well, as you may have guessed - since my last post was over three months ago, the answer is no.

3) Will I make time to write?
Our lives are busy. I don't care who you are, there is a constant hustle and bustle to keep up with work, school, friends, family, news, etc. Clearly I neglected this last option. Or when I did finally sit down to write, the situation didn't seem relevant anymore.

4) Will anyone read what I write?
Just because I write it doesn't mean anyone will read it. Unfortunately the claim in  Field of Dreams, "if you build it, he will come" may only apply to baseball diamonds. So how do you attract a crowd, how do you keep one interested, how do you inspire loyalty, how do you expect to grow - especially if you're only posting every three months.

With these in mind I took the time this holiday season to go back and re-read all the posts I had written in the last year - yes all TWELVE of them, I write sarcastically, and I'm reminded of the best parts of my job.

Bitching and complaining and putting a comedic spin on stupidity is something I love to do. It makes the stressful days and the "are you kidding me right now" moments tolerable. However, I am reminded that for the past four and a half years I have learnt a lot about people in general from my role as a barista. There are some customers that I have served, loyally, every morning for the past four and a half years. When some customers do not come in in the mornings, we worry that something is wrong. It is the same customers, in the same order, every morning. We may be busy or we may be grumpy or we may be sick - yet these people keep coming back. I always joke that I see some of these guys more than I see my own family. But in all honesty I probably do.

On top of the majority of great customers I encounter daily, I also manage an amazing group of young people that as they learn more and more about the job they do what they can to make my life easier. Sure, over the last couple years we've "lost a lot of good 'men' out there" (Wedding Crashers) but we've also gained some great ones as well.

In honour of the holiday season and in hopes of another year of The Chronicles of A Coffee Kiosk, I would like to formally thank those customers and staff that, in a world where each day is a battle, make each one survivable. When I grow up, I can only hope that I become a regular somewhere that treats me with such respect and individuality as my team treats you.

In closing I would like to offer a quick reminder: if you go somewhere, anywhere, and they are out of what you wanted to buy or something you were looking for is discontinued or the place is closed, etc. REMEMBER: if this is the worst thing in your life, you're life is looking pretty darn good.

Thank you customers and thank you Team. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.

"A general is just as good or just as bad as the troops under his command make him."

- General Douglas MacArthur

*Keep your eyes open for some new projects coming your way in 2013. You won't want to miss them.*