It's love/hate.

Bridgehead Coffee
http://www.bridgehead.ca/

I love that it's local. I love that it's fair trade. I do have one complaint though- if you accidentally order in a "Starbucks size" like say, "tall," for example, they make an issue out of it. Usually it's something like "Sorry what size was that? I just don't understand those Starbucks sizes. I don't really get them." Declared in a super condescending way.

I'm not exaggerating either when I tell you this exact phrase has been said to me on FOUR separate occasions. Actually, when I brought an out-of-town friend there last time, I provided her with the caveat. Then, I happened to be flustered and forgetful as I dropped my keys while ordering and accidentally asked for a "grande." As if on cue, the barista repeated the above phrase. My friend later, after a "wow. you weren't kidding." suggested that perhaps they're trained to do so. I hate that it happens though because seriously, I'm here supporting your local business, don't make me feel like an asshole for making a mistake. If you're really so 'unfamiliar' with those Starbucks terms, maybe you should wander into one. There's at least THREE between here and the next Bridgehead. NOT to mention, I did my time as a barista at a local chain (What up Seattle Coffee House in Thunder Bay!) and guess what! We used "tall" and "grande" too. So there goes your pretentious street cred Bridgehead. Maybe you need to refine your arrogantly minimal coffee lexicon and focus on not fucking up my latte.

I actually set out to write this post in praise of a coffeehouse that I've started to frequent but it seems to have mutated into a complaint of customer service and general etiquette. I guess that really does prove the effectiveness of forcing yourself to articulate your thoughts; sometimes they may lead you someplace unexpected.

Eddie Izzard, Watch Out!

I made up a joke today. It's awesome, if I do say so myself.

A lady went to the grocery store after making the decision to cook healthier food for her family. Still new at the healthy eating game, she wasn't always sure which products would be best to replace her standard fare. She decided to bring her buggy to the checkout and ask the young lad at the till. She held up canned fruit and a fresh orange and he replied "the orange of course!" Then she held up two loaves of bread. "The whole wheat, no question!" he said. Finally she picked up a stick of butter and a tub of Becel. After thinking for a second the employee pointed to the container and stated "That one, but only margarine-ally."

Am I a comedic genius? I'd venture to say yes! Bahahah!

aaahhhhkkk-werd!

Today I noticed that a girl at work and I are on the same pee schedule. After three run-ins in the washroom, I told her so. I didn't think it was that weird of something to point out. She, apparently, disagreed. Our conversation went something like this:
Me: (enter washroom and notice co worker washing hands)
"Hey! We're on the same pee schedule!"
Co-worker: (with confusion and discomfort)
"yeah..."
Then she left. Now, maybe I'm just way too easily amused but if someone had pointed that out to me I would have reacted more "hey really? That's so hilarious! Well, enjoy your pee! See you here in bit!" But that's just me.

Big Soup Sunday

An old roommate, and very dear friend, made a cameo appearance in my life this week. It was lovely getting to spend a few precious moments catching up- with only mild revertigo! My favourite part of the visit however, was bringing over our Fredericton-based tradition to introduce to some new friends here in O-Town. That tradition (pause for dramatic effect) is Big Soup Sunday.

It started a few years ago when I noticed a ginormous, family sized -no, make that ARMY sized- can of Campbell's soup rolling around in the back seat of my friend's car. The few of us riding along were both confused, curious, and mildly disgusted about the what and why of this soup. Turns out, it was just a big can of soup, given to him by another friend. The fun part of this story is the epic tradition that emerged following that first Sunday when a few of us got together to eat a big can of soup.

Loving any excuse for dinner parties, Big Soup Sunday quickly became a regular occurrence during my undergrad days. For me it was about more than just getting to cook with and for my very best friends. It allowed for the stretching of culinary muscles, since we NEVER make the same soup twice. It was also about relaxing. Big Soup Sundays were afternoons without homework or studying. They were about chopping, talking, stirring, laughing, dipping, slurping, and loving. And GIANT pots.

A couple of us were static as head chefs. The sous chefs varied, depending on what jobs there were to be done. The guest list was always the same: everyone welcome, just bring a couple of dollars or an ingredient. Some of the masterpieces that emerged ranged from simple and traditional like clam chowder, or minestrone, to a few outside-the-box creations like red lentil and spicy sausage, or Asian carrot.

I go back for visits during the summer and at Christmas and Big Soup is always incorporated. Although Big Soup here will never be the same as it was, it's nice that a couple of us were able to introduce the tradition to a few others. As I write this though, I'm torn because it makes me sad to think about the possibility of people making Big Soup without me. I want to share the love, but Big Soup Sunday is also about being just a LITTLE big selfish. Everyone wants that last ladle full.

So, the O-Town version of Big Soup Sunday featured corn chowder, spicy Asian vegetable, and won-ton. I made the mistake of buying frozen, pre-made wontons (SHAME ON ME!) and they tasted like a barn smells. It was disgusting. Stupid barn soup! The others, however, were a hit. My favourite was the corn chowder. We added two shredded zucchinis, red pepper, and bacon to enhance the colour and add variety of texture and flavour to an othewise ordinary soup. Also, with only a splash of cream at the end, I love how we were able to achieve a creamy texture so naturally without the added fat. Mmmm...I wish Big Soup Sunday could be every day.

Internshit

So I applied for an internship with this slightly sketch bag publishing house just cause I need some experience badly. You see you cannot get a job in this industry without first suffering your way through an internship. So I got an interview, which I thought went very well and thought my chances were pretty good. Then I received an e-mail letting me know that they had chosen another person who had more experience and had done several other internships previously. Now I am not sure if this is just me being crazy but is an internship not designed to allow noobs (please excuse my gaming terminology) to get some experience and then get a real job?
So if this person has done 3 or 4 internships previously shouldn't they maybe have enough know how at this point to get a real job that pays more than $10 an hour? I thought so.

So to the internship junkie that can't get enough of doing mediocre work for even more mediocre pay I say....get a life, get a real job, and please give someone else a chance.

To the jackasses that labeled this employment opportunity an "internship", lets just call it what it is shall we.....a really shitty paying job that involves a lot of work for someone that refuses to move on to bigger and better things.

In conclusion, I guess I will need to get an internship to get an internship to get an intership....you just can't win.