Being kind and growing up (I'm talking to you America)

As a foreward, I would like to mention that this is not your normal reading material on my blog. But it is something I care about so suck it up. I may or may not delete it as it doesn't quite mesh with the usual tone of my blog. Whatev, allow me to step onto my little soap box, I apologize for the length.

These days there are whole lot of bad vibes floating around. A whole lot of hatred. It's an election year, so of course the accusations and mud slinging is rampant, as usual. It brings out the worst in people. Sad, but not surprising.

At the moment, I would like to discuss one thing specifically, as it has been mentioned practically everywhere recently. The Chick-fil-a situation. You know what I'm talking about. And let's be real, it is honestly embarrassing.

I am not religious. I grew up without religion and I am just fine without it now. That doesn't mean that I feel negatively towards religion, in fact I feel the opposite. Religion is a powerful thing and, for the most part, a very good thing. It brings people together, it makes people happy, and it gives them direction in life. In some ways I am envious of those who have religion in their lives. I am envious of their faith and their trust in such a big idea. It truly must be comforting. But to me it is all a bunch of lovely ideas, not something I can believe in. And that's okay. I am open and tolerant to pretty much everything. I may not agree with something, but I try to see things from their perspective, try to understand how and why people feel one way (thank you anthropology!), even if it is not so nice. And I certainly do not go spouting off telling people how they should act. I respect everyone's beliefs, regardless of whether I agree with them. They are your thoughts and it is your life, not mine.

However this is the limit; when you hurt people. When you are mean. When you are intolerant to the point of hate (or unfortunately as often the case, violence). This happens across the board, across the world, between believers and nonbelievers of all sorts of things, and of course between believers of different ideas. Differences happen (that's what makes our world so interesting!) and you may disagree with what someone else is doing, but if it isn't hurting you or anyone else, do you have to open your mouth? Are you making the world a better place by telling them that what they are doing is wrong? That they are perhaps, damned? How cheerful! I personally feel that is unnecessary and usually downright rude. As my momma always said, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". TRUTH, y'all.

What we are discussing specifically of course, is Dan Cathy's rather public comments on same-sex marriage and the response to it. I think it is understood that I am all for anyone marrying anyone. If it makes you happy, do it. I am all for love of any kind, love is a good thing. Same-sex-marriage, bring it on (I mean really, it's about time)! BUT, although I don't agree, I understand why some people are against it. It's ingrained in their religion and lives, it is all they know. And that's fine. You don't have to agree with it. But why butt into other peoples lives? Why does it matter? If they're happy, then the world is a brighter place. Even if you believe they're going to hell.  More room for you in heaven then, eh?

I don't think that Chick-fil-a has officially said much about Cathy's statement, other than they are keeping personal beliefs out of business (obviously not) or something via facebook. And then they held a Chick-fil-a appreciation day. Chick-fil-a, really? You are a business. You sell chicken sandwiches. I know that you are baptist to the core and all, and I actually think it's lovely that you are closed on Sundays to give your employees a day to worship and rest, but you're out to make money. Not to take a stance on social issues. I mean, right?

It's disheartening. Although I'm no expert on their business (or anything about them really) I was very impressed by how they seemed to run their company previously. They have an excellent product (I mean, that nonsense is pretty yummy), excellent customer service, and it seemed like they took care of their employees. They were booming. You've seen the drive thru lines at lunch, that place is not hurting for business. They are thriving. So why get personal issues mixed up in the business world and possibly hurt your business? Or your guests? Or your employees? Just to be mean? To share your beliefs with the world? Trust me, we knew all knew your stance on things before you publicly made an ass out of yourself.

I mean seriously, it's a fried chicken place. It's fast food. Get real. Also, it is just one (rather close minded) dude's opinion. From a personal perspective, I think it's mean and really just unnecessary. From a business perspective I think it's idiotic. CHICK-FIL-A, YOU FOOLS (well, I guess Dan Cathy specifically), YOU HAD A GOOD THING GOING. And I'm sure it will continue. After all this settles down they may have lost a few thousand customers, but they will be just fine. They will continue on making yummy food, cute cow ads, and lots of money. But hopefully they can keep their personal beliefs out of the economic sphere from here on out and others (individuals and businesses) will learn from this situation.

And because I can never ever say it enough,  BE NICE Y'ALL. I have seen some not nice things coming from a lot of people lately (on the ol' facebook particularly) that made me seriously question my respect for them. How is it so hard to be kind to one another? Even if you believe different things. This goes both ways. There has been hatred on both sides of this situation, and neither are productive. Just be nice. Treat others as you would like to be treated. It is so much easier that way.

Also, as a broad statement to all the naysayers and negative nancies out there, raining on peoples' parades, this is America, "the land of the free". It's 2012, not 1950, shouldn't we be beyond this issue by now? Everyone deserves happiness. If it's not your life butt out of it. I mean why not? Why shouldn't anyone be able to marry anyone? How does it affect you if two men marry each other? Two women? A man and a woman? We are all human and we should all have the same rights. What is the difference to you, how does it affect your daily life? It doesn't. Why are you so upset? Love is a good thing. Marriage is a good thing. Relax America. Please get it together and stop acting like a bunch of grade school kids, bulling your classmates. Show some tolerance. Show some love. And for the love of fried chicken, show some brains. Because I'm afraid the world is laughing at us.

Coffee life version 2.0

I am alive. I know you all thought I was dead (at least via the internet), but alas! I have just been living at work. I don't blog about work often for a couple reasons: putting your work biz on the internet is usually not professional, and it would probably be boring for you all to read about. BUT, since I have done pretty much nothing but work for the past couple weeks, allow me to shed a little light into my work life (work friends who read this blog, I apologize. I know you know what's up).

If you are new to this little blog (or just clueless about what I've been up to for the past year) I work at a coffee shop and I love my job. Seriously. I wont go into the details, but it's a blast and everyone I work with seems to suffer from awesomeness.

I started out with the company a little over a year ago as a barista right after we moved from Austin. I kind of went out on a limb taking the job and took a pretty significant pay cut from waiting tables, easily by half. BUT, I had a good feeling about it and it ended up being a great decision. In December I was promoted to a supervisor position and about a month ago I was promoted to assistant general manager opening a new store with a seriously great general manager (Roger, don't let that go to your head). From basically minimum wage to salary in a year? I'll take it, I worked my butt off!

Anyway, we officially opened the new store today! We are the 8th store in Texas and this is the second store I've helped open. I was originally hired to open the 6th store, so it has been so awesome to be able to open another store, this time as management. Opening a store is a lot of fun, but it is also a lot, I mean A LOT, of work. I have never worked so hard in my life. Ever. I can't remember my last day off. I am far and beyond exhausted, my feet (and body) are killing me, but it has all been a blast and so worth it.

So that's what I've been doing. And here are a few pictures of it all via my phone because who has time for a real camera these days? Not me.

The best part of opening a new store? Writing on everything. And labeling everything. And putting everything where you want it... okay there are a lot of good things.

I don't know what you know about espresso machines, but that bad boy is a beauty.

We have a chalk board wall. How cool is that? Of course I jumped all over that nonsense.

In case you're ever wondering what I look like 75% of my life.

Beautiful flowers my dad and step momma sent!

Last night we had a preview event and gave away a gazillion free drinks. It was so busy! But so fun! My mom and sister came all the way up to watch me run around like crazy, those sweeties. And I got to see all my homies (yes, homies) from other stores, you are all the best for coming and supporting us! 

Putting a store together is seriously rewarding, seeing it go from an empty shell to a fully stocked and functioning shop is surreal. And I am so fortunate to work for and with such fantastic (and FUN) people!

And for those in the know:

The biggest RAD order I've ever seen (although I've heard rumor of bigger). And... there was no invoice.

Little Legal Sister

Forgive me internet, I have been a bad blogger. My life has been absolutely insane lately, but in the best way. Life has been busy and work has been EXTRA busy. This deserves its own post later.

So here is one of the recent events in my busy but wonderful life, Thursday my baby sister Julie turned 21!! Can you believe it? I sure can't! But I'm glad she is legal, so now we can go for drinks!

Brendon and I headed down to San Marcos Thursday evening to celebrate with her and my momma. We had tacos (always a good idea) at a little place on the square and then went to the coolest bar ever, Zelick's. This place was awesome. I wish it was in Austin, because I would be there all the time. Not that I drink a lot (because I don't, at all, excluding this night, which I will discuss soon), but that the atmosphere was just great. It was all outdoors with lots of seating, it was super cute, and there were all kinds of yard games. We played bean bags! Turns out Brendon is pretty good, and the rest of us are not. I loved that place and plan to return!

So here are some scenes from the evening, but first, a warning. As I stated before, I don't really drink. I used to do so quite a bit, but I just can't hang anymore. The last time I was drunk (before Thursday night) was last November. I enjoy beer and will have one or two, but I don't get drunk. BUT, I did on my sister's birthday. Not like a hot mess or anything, but drunk enough to feel pretty crummy the next day and remind me why I stopped drinking. I blame the shots. If you see me with a shot, slap it out of my hands and tell me to go home.

Continuing on.

Julie and one of her presents, a map! And check out that sweet dress she's wearing. Guess who made it. You're right, it was me! Clever readers you are. I made this dress basically in one night. Like I said, life has been cray, and I am an excellent procrastinator, so of course I had to crank it out in an evening. And I did! I was beyond exhausted when I started and I don't really remember finishing it, so I'm not sure how I managed to knock it out successfully (minus one pocket a little awkwardly placed), but I'm a big fan of it. It's the seersucker dress pattern I made before just slightly shortened and with an added collar. Julie picked out all the fabric and I love the way it turned out. It's so retro and adorable. And of course, because everything does, it looks great on her!

What's going on with my hand? At the taco place with drinks that are mostly not ours.

Sorry Jules, I don't think professional bean bag tossing is in your future.

 Defining "paleness".

 My mom is cooler than I am. By a lot.

Shots were a bad choice. I took two. Julie's friends Anthony and Ryan came to hang out. They were fun!

 

????

Did I marry that man?

It was a really great night. It was super relaxing and super fun, and pretty much worth the slight terribleness in the morning. Hanging out with my mom and sister was wonderful! Julie continued onwards after we called it a night (because we are old farts), and I hope she enjoyed the rest of the evening! I had a blast on her birthday and I hope she did too!

And as seems to be customary, I will leave you with a photographic gem:

I love you Jules. Thank you for beings so fun, sweet, and for making that dress look so good.

Let them eat cake

I love baking. The end product is yummy, the batter is yummy, and it makes your house smell yummy. My newest obsession seems to be cakes. With berries. It's a summer thing I guess. I made this most recent cake for a friend's birthday today and I have to say, it came out pretty good. This is the second cake I've made from scratch. It's a little more time consuming than one out of a box, but there's no preservatives and they're damn good! Plus you can improvise way more. Although boxed cakes are good too.

This little baby was just two plain white layers with strawberries and blackberries pureed with a little fresh orange juice in the middle. The icing was my favorite part. It was cream cheese icing (yummy by it's self, I'll have to share the recipe sometime) but I added a little (okay, maybe a lot) of orange zest. WIN. It was delish. Threw some berries on top and it was done.

I'm a fan of baking cakes. And eating them.

The pretty version of us

A couple weeks ago (on the hottest day of the year) we met up with the adorable Jenni from Story of My Life on South Congress and she took some pretty pictures of us. And I mean real pretty. We don't look this good in real life y'all, girlfriend has skills. She is super sweet, hilarious, and a bad ass with a camera. Thank you for being a rockstar and sweating it out with us Jenni, we had a blast!

   

We did this shoot just for fun, I wanted some more recent photos of us and I mean who doesn't love having their picture taken? (Brendon.) We ladies love it. And nice to have these pictures to look back on, so when we're all old and wrinkly we can say, "hey we were young once, see!".

Of course all these lovely photos are courtesy of Jenni, and you can see more of our faces on her blog! She's super awesome and I highly recommend her if you are in the Austin area and in need of a photographer. She'll make you laugh and look good, bonus!