Greetings Readers
The Ignorant Senor(ita)
Well, I happened to go to this blog the other day (that I use to follow off and on) and I see that he/she is almost in the same boat I am. Though a bit different. Blogging off and on, but he/she has some issues about coming out from his/her anonymity, maybe, again.
Fuck me Readers - That recent blog post on why, how come and what would - was like the terms and conditions on the back of the credit card statement! And talk about beating a dead horse - over and over! I get it. Your Readers get it. You obviously have issues about yourself and can not see them.
As Nike indicates - Just do it! Or shut the fuck up and move on.
Although, I do keep my friend's names classified. Those names are just as confidential as the nuclear missile arming codes. Although, I think I have posted a couple of pictures of my friends.
Anyway, he/she wrote a fucking epic post on why he/she keeps everything "secret" Believe me, I can understand and relate. But, then he/she wrote another epic post on what if he/she came out.
Though what I have read is no different from any other person's life and relationships. Your stories and relationships are not unique. But of course, other people's stories, lives, events are kind of interesting to read if you are looking for other things to learn, know, explore or just follow. Your friends are no different than my friends. I have friends that do not get along with certain other of my friends for what ever reason. I too have some cheap skate friends that do not tip 15%. I have friends that I desire. I have thought dirty thoughts about a couple of friends I have - come on who hasn't. I have friends who mean the world to me, but I never told them that.
I can write, spell, use big words, but I do not do that all the time. I mess up my sentence structures from time to time. I use the word their, when I should have used there. I try to type correctly and most of the time I will proof read my blog posts for grammatical errors. And I try to write more than a few sentences when posting. Though, I am not going to write a 3,000 word essay on every blog I post.
I do not think I have blogged about specifics of my sex life. I know I mentioned a couple of intimate desires, thoughts and things, but nothing about a specific sexual encounter I have had. I will admit that there is a desire to write about a sexual encounter I have had. Yet, that is personal. Excuse me Readers, I am smiling as I am typing this since I know that most likely will - I have planted (blogged) that thought and now that will probably bounce around until I do. And should I - I will tell you Readers - The aroma of her fragrance, the clothes she wore, what she was not wearing, her body, the way she looked, her lips... Whoa. I better stop.
I understand the Ignorant Senor(ita) being in their twenties, thinking they are more mature than they are. I will not argue. Matter of fact, I thought that way when I was in my twenties. I lived the life of a twenty something. I did all that. and more, I bet.
I also tell you Readers that I am flawed. I am an asshole. I am rude. I am pissed off. I was wrong. What he/she has not told his/her loyal Readers that he/she is none of that. He/She does not not say that.
I have told you Readers alot of myself, which if I knew you in person I would never tell you all of this. And if you know me and did Google me to find out what/who is Mr. Charley, I could care less. I know what I post is out there for everyone to see. You Readers have seen my nipple(s), probably seen a few butt cheeks, the type and color of some of the underwear I have. I am not embarrassed or ashamed. I blog like how I feel / act. My friends know that I blog and I have provided a few of them the link. I have told you Readers what turns me on about a woman and what not.
Again, the only thing I do keep secret is my events/interaction with certain friends. And yes Readers, the friends that I do write about on certain situations, I often give them their "codename" on my blog. They laugh and ask how did that name come up, but I really do not know. Bobbie Rae is Bobbie Rae, I actually believe if she was not who she is today - she would be a Bobbie Rae from the South. LaMont was used because of Sanford & Son - which me and friend just smile and laugh about since he is so not Lamont. hah hah. Pssst - yes Readers - he is so a Lamont.
What I do not do on this blog is gossip or talk shit about on my friends. It would be easy, I bet. But this blog is, and never, will be about that. I do gossip in my real life, yes I admit that, and do talk shit. We all "hate" or "dislike" someone else for whatever reason and I could blog about those people, but I feel that is wrong. But I do blog about the people I "hate" who ask me "what time is it" while waiting for the bus, while I have my earphones in, which he/she can clearly see.
Readers, I think this blog post is getting too long now. Anyway, I am not making a point, but this recent blog from the Ignorant Senor(ita) was about his/her secret identity, relationships and life. Again. Oh yes, again and again. In the beginning of his/her first blog was the reason why for the blog. Then, throughout he/she still has to bring up a few reasons why he/she can not divulge his/her identity and his/her friends. Matter of fact, his/her friend's names are not even fake names. An Example would be like, "The fuck up," "The Coffee Drinker" "The Canon Powershot picture taker" "The 5th time unemployed friend" etc. You get the idea Readers.
In closing, I could not read every word of his/her recent last post. It was the same story again. And the same analytical breakdown on why he/she can not come out from his/her secret blog. And once again too fucking long to read and think this is interesting (for the umpteenth time)
He/she has not blogged about about committing a crime. Well, he/she did blog about getting so drunk and passing out on a front lawn - so that would be the crime of public disorderly. He/she has not blogged about sleeping with a CEO/President that would / could create a scandal. I think he/she is worried about what his/her friends would truly think of him/her if his/her friends, that he/she does calls friends, could put a real person with the Ignorant Senor(ita) blog. Or he / she is really worried about all the things he/she said about her friends on the internet. Not down and out bad, but carefully written that he/she is better than everyone else in a nice condensing manner.
Sorry Readers, I can not stop typing - Again, that Tipping and the Ignorant Senor(ita) had with a couple of years ago. He/she has some serious issues about tipping. I do myself, but would not blatantly point that out who specifically did not tip 15 % on my blog with my friends. If he/she is worried about not meeting the 15% unwritten rule to tip (though not unwritten at some restaurants these days) after a friend's get together meal then leave extra. Yes, you should not have to, but shit happens. Some people do, some people don't - who are you to say that is wrong. And to make sure that you never have to leave extra tip do not go out with them again for a meal, except fast food (where we as a society do not generally tip fast food employees)
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Showing posts with label Tipping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tipping. Show all posts
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, January 26, 2009
Happy Chinese New Year 2009
Greetings Readers
Well, I guess I need to a re-cap of some the things that I have done this past week or so.
I did go to the National Western Stock Show a couple of Saturday’s ago. The weather was perfect and I decided to take a couple of buses down to the stock Show. I had thought about taking my bike down, but I wanted not to worry about my bike and what sort of clothes to wear. So, with that in my mind, I had to take a couple of buses and then walk about 8 blocks to the Stock Show through “the Barrio.” I walked tall, with confidence and perhaps more importantly - in the morning.
Soon I reached the Stock Show and I was getting my General admission ticket. Already there were long lines to the booth to purchase tickets.
The stock show was already packed at 11:00 AM in the morning. I knew where I wanted to go first, but I made a beeline to the booth that I usually get my Jack Daniels Lynchburg Lemonade. Sure enough there were the other Jack Daniels – Single Barrel, Gentleman’s Jack and just the regular Jack Daniels. And the only choice of pop was Pepsi. As I said last year that is just fucked up. No one should forced to be drink Jack and Pepsi when everyone knows that Jack only goes with Coca-Cola. Suffice to say I will not be ordering any Jack that I have to drink Pepsi with. So be it I can drink Lynchburg Lemonade and be okay with that.
I then made myself walk around the expo as opposed making a beeline to the Jack Daniel’s Merchandise booth. I knew where it was probably going to be and I brought enough money to buy anything I wanted to buy. Actually I have been saving all year for this one day of the year that I buy Jack Daniel’s merchandise.
I hate to say it was only about 30 minutes later when I reached the Jack Daniel’s Merchandise booth. Of course I was in awe. I saw a lot of stuff and I saw the same girl from last year that helped me when I was buying merchandise. She did not recognized me, which I am sure she would not since she probably sees thousands of people for three weeks each day. I would have to say that she kind of cute and would not mind knowing her, but my chances are so low it is not even worth trying.
In the end, I bought 4 Jack Daniel’s bar mats, a shirt, 2 Bandanna’s, 2 Jack Daniel’s caps and a Jack Daniel’s metal Jigger. I spent about $ 130.00, which was way under what I was expecting, but I think that was due to me not really buying anything new. I made small talk with her and told her that I remember her from last year. Nothing. And that was that.
I also went to the Coor’s Merchandise booth, but there was nothing really that caught my eye. Last year I bought a Coor’s wall Bottle opener and an Anklet for a future girl friend I decide to give this to.
I went to the PBR Merchandise booth near the main arena and bought a couple of large PBR stickers. Their selection was not even good, so I just bought those two PBR stickers and commented on how the selection was poor.
About 15 minutes later it was time to eat. I was thinking about going to the booth near the stockyards where I ate, but I wanted to try something new. I was thinking about the two booths between the main arena building and the expo building. One booth has barbeque of all sorts and the other offers pizza and a large sausage.
The barbeque was what I wanted, but the presentation that I saw did not look good. It looked like something from a cheap place that would serve that. The sauce looked watery and thin. Uh-huh. No way.
I walked to the Sausage place and decided I am going to have delicious looking large sausage. After all I love hot dogs from time to time and who does not like bratsworth sausage?
Five minutes later sitting on the stairs and munching on the sausage – it was not worth the eight dollars I spent. Yes, it was good sausage, but that was that. It was spicy, but only from the Jalapenos seeds that were in the sausage. I ate about 7/8 of the sausage, and then threw the rest away.
I decided to go and get my pork chop on a stick. After all, years ago I know that is something I enjoyed. Sure enough the pork chop was good and surprising enough I ate the whole thing, even after eating almost that large sausage.
I did take a picture of the area that I was sitting at while eating my pork chop. There was this guy
who job was to keep the regular people on the north side of the walkway and keep the south side of the walkway just for cattle that is being walked from the stock show area to the stockyards or vice versa. Some of you Readers would call me rude, but from what I saw for about 30 minutes there are ruder people than me. I lost count on how many people, young people, would walk under the rope that separates the walkway in half. Would I have done that? No. After being a part time cowboy and also a loyal National Western Stock Show supporter I have no reason to be rude and cross under the rope just to walk on the other side where you are not suppose to walk.
After that I took in a few free shows and walked underneath the expo to see the different cattle and then called it day.
I did have a great time. No great hot looking women caught my eye, but I saw a few with nice faces. Body wise, nothing to really write about.
Fast forward to this past Wednesday I bought a new bike. A new Mountain bike. GT Avalanche 2.0. I have named her Lily after the woman I lust for in the mornings on the show I try to watch each morning. Lily is blue with white here and there. Can you believe that I actually bought a Mountain bike?! Me? A Mountain bike. Who knew? Yet, I think it was because I enjoyed my $ 25.00 garage sale mountain bike from two years. Unfortunately, last year something stripped and I had to total out the bike since replacing the bike part would cost more than what I bought the bike for.
Now, days later and with some mud on the bike I can now see why Mountain Biking and mud all over you go hand in hand. Saturday I was able to ride in a park area that had mud. With the snow melting with the warm weather this past week I was riding in an area that was going to be muddy. At first I did not want to get Lily muddy, but then I thought what the fuck. Between Wednesday and Saturday I have been trying to keep Lily clean. After all she is brand new. But when I started riding through the muddy area a feeling came through. I was pretty excited about riding through mud. After all I cannot ride through mud especially on a road bike.
Getting muddy was a new experience for me and any bike I own. I smiled and then rode through some grass in order to get some of the mud off the tires. In the past few days I have rode off curbs and did jump some two-foot jumps. I also was able to ride up a side of a hill (and down) and also jump up from the street onto the sidewalk from the curb. Pretty fucking cool since I cannot do that on road bike.
The only thing right now that I hate is the small crank. I am not used to a 42 teeth crank. After all Readers, I ride in large crank ring and pushing the hard gear rings on a ride bike. With Lily I have been riding in the big ring, but I have not been able to ride the same way as I do on a road bike. I feel like I am doing twice, if not, three times the amount of pedaling on a Mountain bike as opposed to a road bike. I love the shocks. And I have to say I like the disc brakes on the Mountain bike. Although, I asked for the cost of disc brakes and it seems that is going to be an expensive part to replace when it goes out. The guy says a decent replacement is going to cost me $ 80.00 to begin with.
I have been riding Lily since Wednesday and I have to say right now I am really enjoying riding Lily. Did you know that I saw one of those hub cabs on the sidewalks and I rode over that hub cab on the sidewalk? If I was riding my road bike I would have ridden around the hub cab, but on the Mountain bike I rode over the hub cab and split the hubcap into three large pieces. I have to say that it felt good.
I am out of breath when I get to work and that is because of the extra pedal strokes I am doing. Do I mind? Yes, but I knew that this was expected so there is no reason to complain. After all having a Mountain bike you do Mountain bike riding and most likely need easy gears to do Mountain bike riding. Whether going up the mountain or down the mountain.
Oh Readers, I have won three bets in the past month and I was able finally to collect, even though I was no hurry. My friend and I made a trip to the liquor store this past Friday and I was able to cash in my winnings. 9 bottles of beers. Boo yah! I got a six-pack of victory beer and then three different bottles of beer at Lukas Liquors. And I also bought me a six-pack of Winterhook beer from Redhook. Let me tell you Readers, I had to leave some work clothes at work since I had no room in my backpack to take all the stuff I needed to take home. I thought about leaving some beer at work, but I have to admit I wanted to take the entire beer home. Fuck my clothes.
I did not get to see my Qdoba girl this past Friday. I have to admit that I had a couple of beers while going home and I knew that I was not going to repeat the incident I had a few months ago after consuming alcohol before seeing my Qdoba girl.
Oh Readers, on Thursday I saw Mike and he saw me. I asked what was up and he told me that he had twenty dollars. I knew that he probably wanted me to go to the store. With me being me and not “the rudest person ever known” I told Mike give me about 10 minutes and I can go to the store for him.
10 minutes later I arrived at his humble abode and he told me what he wanted – 8 piece chicken dinner, 3 Diet Mountain Dew two liters, 2 frozen Totino’s pizzas and 2 pop tarts. I said no problem. After all I may be rude sometimes, but at least I make up for it by helping out others in need. How many of Readers do that? Specifically, to the Readers that call me rudest person ever known. You never tell us Readers of your good deeds that help the needy. Helping out at the DNC is not really a good deed, so forget about mentioning that. You are helping out a “party” and not a person in need. If you can tell me of a good deed in the past week please tell me, otherwise look in the mirror and see if you can see inside yourself and decide whether or not you are selfish and call people “rude” when yourself you are ruder than me for not doing anything for anyone besides yourself.
And tipping a waiter or barrister at Starbucks is not a good deed in my book, unless you tipped more than 25 percent, then perhaps I will accept that as a good deed.
Today is the start of the Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox. I did buy some stamps of the New Year and they are, in my ex-co-workers words, “just so awesome.” You faithful Readers know that I collect and follow the Chinese New Year Stamps that are issued each year. I guess, I can take a picture and show you Readers the new commemorative stamp offered by the USPS.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Well, I guess I need to a re-cap of some the things that I have done this past week or so.
I did go to the National Western Stock Show a couple of Saturday’s ago. The weather was perfect and I decided to take a couple of buses down to the stock Show. I had thought about taking my bike down, but I wanted not to worry about my bike and what sort of clothes to wear. So, with that in my mind, I had to take a couple of buses and then walk about 8 blocks to the Stock Show through “the Barrio.” I walked tall, with confidence and perhaps more importantly - in the morning.
Soon I reached the Stock Show and I was getting my General admission ticket. Already there were long lines to the booth to purchase tickets.
The stock show was already packed at 11:00 AM in the morning. I knew where I wanted to go first, but I made a beeline to the booth that I usually get my Jack Daniels Lynchburg Lemonade. Sure enough there were the other Jack Daniels – Single Barrel, Gentleman’s Jack and just the regular Jack Daniels. And the only choice of pop was Pepsi. As I said last year that is just fucked up. No one should forced to be drink Jack and Pepsi when everyone knows that Jack only goes with Coca-Cola. Suffice to say I will not be ordering any Jack that I have to drink Pepsi with. So be it I can drink Lynchburg Lemonade and be okay with that.
I then made myself walk around the expo as opposed making a beeline to the Jack Daniel’s Merchandise booth. I knew where it was probably going to be and I brought enough money to buy anything I wanted to buy. Actually I have been saving all year for this one day of the year that I buy Jack Daniel’s merchandise.
I hate to say it was only about 30 minutes later when I reached the Jack Daniel’s Merchandise booth. Of course I was in awe. I saw a lot of stuff and I saw the same girl from last year that helped me when I was buying merchandise. She did not recognized me, which I am sure she would not since she probably sees thousands of people for three weeks each day. I would have to say that she kind of cute and would not mind knowing her, but my chances are so low it is not even worth trying.In the end, I bought 4 Jack Daniel’s bar mats, a shirt, 2 Bandanna’s, 2 Jack Daniel’s caps and a Jack Daniel’s metal Jigger. I spent about $ 130.00, which was way under what I was expecting, but I think that was due to me not really buying anything new. I made small talk with her and told her that I remember her from last year. Nothing. And that was that.
I also went to the Coor’s Merchandise booth, but there was nothing really that caught my eye. Last year I bought a Coor’s wall Bottle opener and an Anklet for a future girl friend I decide to give this to.I went to the PBR Merchandise booth near the main arena and bought a couple of large PBR stickers. Their selection was not even good, so I just bought those two PBR stickers and commented on how the selection was poor.
About 15 minutes later it was time to eat. I was thinking about going to the booth near the stockyards where I ate, but I wanted to try something new. I was thinking about the two booths between the main arena building and the expo building. One booth has barbeque of all sorts and the other offers pizza and a large sausage.
The barbeque was what I wanted, but the presentation that I saw did not look good. It looked like something from a cheap place that would serve that. The sauce looked watery and thin. Uh-huh. No way.
I walked to the Sausage place and decided I am going to have delicious looking large sausage. After all I love hot dogs from time to time and who does not like bratsworth sausage?Five minutes later sitting on the stairs and munching on the sausage – it was not worth the eight dollars I spent. Yes, it was good sausage, but that was that. It was spicy, but only from the Jalapenos seeds that were in the sausage. I ate about 7/8 of the sausage, and then threw the rest away.
I decided to go and get my pork chop on a stick. After all, years ago I know that is something I enjoyed. Sure enough the pork chop was good and surprising enough I ate the whole thing, even after eating almost that large sausage.
I did take a picture of the area that I was sitting at while eating my pork chop. There was this guy
who job was to keep the regular people on the north side of the walkway and keep the south side of the walkway just for cattle that is being walked from the stock show area to the stockyards or vice versa. Some of you Readers would call me rude, but from what I saw for about 30 minutes there are ruder people than me. I lost count on how many people, young people, would walk under the rope that separates the walkway in half. Would I have done that? No. After being a part time cowboy and also a loyal National Western Stock Show supporter I have no reason to be rude and cross under the rope just to walk on the other side where you are not suppose to walk.After that I took in a few free shows and walked underneath the expo to see the different cattle and then called it day.
I did have a great time. No great hot looking women caught my eye, but I saw a few with nice faces. Body wise, nothing to really write about.
Fast forward to this past Wednesday I bought a new bike. A new Mountain bike. GT Avalanche 2.0. I have named her Lily after the woman I lust for in the mornings on the show I try to watch each morning. Lily is blue with white here and there. Can you believe that I actually bought a Mountain bike?! Me? A Mountain bike. Who knew? Yet, I think it was because I enjoyed my $ 25.00 garage sale mountain bike from two years. Unfortunately, last year something stripped and I had to total out the bike since replacing the bike part would cost more than what I bought the bike for.
Now, days later and with some mud on the bike I can now see why Mountain Biking and mud all over you go hand in hand. Saturday I was able to ride in a park area that had mud. With the snow melting with the warm weather this past week I was riding in an area that was going to be muddy. At first I did not want to get Lily muddy, but then I thought what the fuck. Between Wednesday and Saturday I have been trying to keep Lily clean. After all she is brand new. But when I started riding through the muddy area a feeling came through. I was pretty excited about riding through mud. After all I cannot ride through mud especially on a road bike.
Getting muddy was a new experience for me and any bike I own. I smiled and then rode through some grass in order to get some of the mud off the tires. In the past few days I have rode off curbs and did jump some two-foot jumps. I also was able to ride up a side of a hill (and down) and also jump up from the street onto the sidewalk from the curb. Pretty fucking cool since I cannot do that on road bike.
The only thing right now that I hate is the small crank. I am not used to a 42 teeth crank. After all Readers, I ride in large crank ring and pushing the hard gear rings on a ride bike. With Lily I have been riding in the big ring, but I have not been able to ride the same way as I do on a road bike. I feel like I am doing twice, if not, three times the amount of pedaling on a Mountain bike as opposed to a road bike. I love the shocks. And I have to say I like the disc brakes on the Mountain bike. Although, I asked for the cost of disc brakes and it seems that is going to be an expensive part to replace when it goes out. The guy says a decent replacement is going to cost me $ 80.00 to begin with.I have been riding Lily since Wednesday and I have to say right now I am really enjoying riding Lily. Did you know that I saw one of those hub cabs on the sidewalks and I rode over that hub cab on the sidewalk? If I was riding my road bike I would have ridden around the hub cab, but on the Mountain bike I rode over the hub cab and split the hubcap into three large pieces. I have to say that it felt good.
I am out of breath when I get to work and that is because of the extra pedal strokes I am doing. Do I mind? Yes, but I knew that this was expected so there is no reason to complain. After all having a Mountain bike you do Mountain bike riding and most likely need easy gears to do Mountain bike riding. Whether going up the mountain or down the mountain.
Oh Readers, I have won three bets in the past month and I was able finally to collect, even though I was no hurry. My friend and I made a trip to the liquor store this past Friday and I was able to cash in my winnings. 9 bottles of beers. Boo yah! I got a six-pack of victory beer and then three different bottles of beer at Lukas Liquors. And I also bought me a six-pack of Winterhook beer from Redhook. Let me tell you Readers, I had to leave some work clothes at work since I had no room in my backpack to take all the stuff I needed to take home. I thought about leaving some beer at work, but I have to admit I wanted to take the entire beer home. Fuck my clothes.
I did not get to see my Qdoba girl this past Friday. I have to admit that I had a couple of beers while going home and I knew that I was not going to repeat the incident I had a few months ago after consuming alcohol before seeing my Qdoba girl.Oh Readers, on Thursday I saw Mike and he saw me. I asked what was up and he told me that he had twenty dollars. I knew that he probably wanted me to go to the store. With me being me and not “the rudest person ever known” I told Mike give me about 10 minutes and I can go to the store for him.
10 minutes later I arrived at his humble abode and he told me what he wanted – 8 piece chicken dinner, 3 Diet Mountain Dew two liters, 2 frozen Totino’s pizzas and 2 pop tarts. I said no problem. After all I may be rude sometimes, but at least I make up for it by helping out others in need. How many of Readers do that? Specifically, to the Readers that call me rudest person ever known. You never tell us Readers of your good deeds that help the needy. Helping out at the DNC is not really a good deed, so forget about mentioning that. You are helping out a “party” and not a person in need. If you can tell me of a good deed in the past week please tell me, otherwise look in the mirror and see if you can see inside yourself and decide whether or not you are selfish and call people “rude” when yourself you are ruder than me for not doing anything for anyone besides yourself.
And tipping a waiter or barrister at Starbucks is not a good deed in my book, unless you tipped more than 25 percent, then perhaps I will accept that as a good deed.
Today is the start of the Lunar New Year – Year of the Ox. I did buy some stamps of the New Year and they are, in my ex-co-workers words, “just so awesome.” You faithful Readers know that I collect and follow the Chinese New Year Stamps that are issued each year. I guess, I can take a picture and show you Readers the new commemorative stamp offered by the USPS.Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Spring Morning Sun
Greetings Readers
Holy Shit! I can not believe that I got blinded this morning by the morning sun. Nope - I was not blinded by Science.
With the time change (Daylight Savings Time) the past week and me leaving a bit late this morning I experienced riding directly into the bright rising sun.
I was actually like Gizmo - "Bright light! Bright Light!"
I guess with the sun rising earlier in the morning each day and the sun shining more and more in the Northern Hemisphere as well I just can not remember the last time that I saw the sun in this position early in the morning. This picture shows the morning sunrise is now rising on one of the routes that I bike to work on. The sun is now shining directly in front of me as opposed to the far far right
I could not look straight ahead at all. I actually had to look down about 3 feet in front of me so I would not see sun spots on my retinas. What was even worse my Oakleys were dirty and have a few smudges and water spots on the lens. Urgh. Though I did stick to the sidewalks since I knew I fairly handicapped by the morning rays of the sun. I was riding slow and not looking ahead, which was called for on this particular morning. And yes I did readers, I made sure to look ahead every now and then to make sure that no one was coming towards me. I was all over the sidewalk - as it should be. Maniacal laughter.
I also wore my bike short only (no long bike pants) and I wore my Star Wars - A New Hope bike jersey to work today. I was actually alright. The initial start of the ride was a bit cold, but after getting the blood flowing in my thighs I was alright. I love it when I do not have to wear a jacket or the long bike pants. Just more clothes to put on and take off. Also, less weight that I have to haul around. I know I know - how much does my jacket weight? How much does my long bike pants weight? Nothing really, but I just want to wear, carry, be as light as possible for riding back and forth from work.
Then, the other picture is a better, close up picture of my Star Wars - Return of the Jedi bike jersey. I know that the other picture that I posted was a bit small and I also was wearing the bike jersey.
In closing, something was on the local FOX news this morning and I was unable to watch what the "problem" was specifically about. Apparently, it was about tipping and Starbucks. And you faithful readers know my stance on this particular topic and how I feel. Anyway, let me do some investigating and see what's "Rotten in Denmark." Once I find that out - let me decide if this is something that I need to touch upon once more.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Holy Shit! I can not believe that I got blinded this morning by the morning sun. Nope - I was not blinded by Science.
With the time change (Daylight Savings Time) the past week and me leaving a bit late this morning I experienced riding directly into the bright rising sun.
I was actually like Gizmo - "Bright light! Bright Light!"
I guess with the sun rising earlier in the morning each day and the sun shining more and more in the Northern Hemisphere as well I just can not remember the last time that I saw the sun in this position early in the morning. This picture shows the morning sunrise is now rising on one of the routes that I bike to work on. The sun is now shining directly in front of me as opposed to the far far right
I could not look straight ahead at all. I actually had to look down about 3 feet in front of me so I would not see sun spots on my retinas. What was even worse my Oakleys were dirty and have a few smudges and water spots on the lens. Urgh. Though I did stick to the sidewalks since I knew I fairly handicapped by the morning rays of the sun. I was riding slow and not looking ahead, which was called for on this particular morning. And yes I did readers, I made sure to look ahead every now and then to make sure that no one was coming towards me. I was all over the sidewalk - as it should be. Maniacal laughter.
I also wore my bike short only (no long bike pants) and I wore my Star Wars - A New Hope bike jersey to work today. I was actually alright. The initial start of the ride was a bit cold, but after getting the blood flowing in my thighs I was alright. I love it when I do not have to wear a jacket or the long bike pants. Just more clothes to put on and take off. Also, less weight that I have to haul around. I know I know - how much does my jacket weight? How much does my long bike pants weight? Nothing really, but I just want to wear, carry, be as light as possible for riding back and forth from work.
Then, the other picture is a better, close up picture of my Star Wars - Return of the Jedi bike jersey. I know that the other picture that I posted was a bit small and I also was wearing the bike jersey.In closing, something was on the local FOX news this morning and I was unable to watch what the "problem" was specifically about. Apparently, it was about tipping and Starbucks. And you faithful readers know my stance on this particular topic and how I feel. Anyway, let me do some investigating and see what's "Rotten in Denmark." Once I find that out - let me decide if this is something that I need to touch upon once more.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Saturday, October 20, 2007
The Tipping - Continued
Greetings Readers
Where did I leave off...
Oh yes.
... the blogger posted that 20% tip is the "regulation tip" now. There is no regulation on tipping. Period.
As I listed on my blog post a couple of days ago I put in a graph showing the standard 15%,the 18% (that is my standard tip) and 20% tip calculations on the bill that caused the blogger to post this incident for everyone to read. Once more I think the author is trying to get sympathy. Get the fuck out of here.
The as the post goes on the author realizes the friend is part of the "bad tippers" The author was bent of shape for paying more than their share of the dinner and the tip, but what put the author "over the top" was the friend perpetuating the ever-oh-so bad tipping.
Excuse me. The friend "Perpetuating bad tipping?" I can not tell you readers if the author meant this was related to this one particular incident or just in overall with going out with the friend over a period of time. I do not know.
With that I can not say that the author needs not to go out with this person. Whether or not this person wants to leave a tip or not - it is their American Right. More importantly, the consumer's right to leave a tip or not.
Yes, in this age being a server, waiter, or a waitress is probably tough. I too,was once a waiter back in the early nineties.
I digress... back to the story... the author then brings up the point that the friend makes more money than the author. And the author also posts that the author could not get four dollars for a tip from the friend.
How much who makes is irrelevant to tipping. I know that I tip on service and the whoever the server is. I have a set "regulation" I personally go by. How the server starts service. And from that point on - It's On. I am careful not to judge the food promptness/lateness nor the food's quality in the restaurant.
Yet, I am critical. In most restaurants, spoons are not included nor on the table when you first sit down. So, when I order an Iced Tea I politely ask for a spoon when I get my Iced Tea. The spoon does not have to be an Iced Tea spoon, but I better get a spoon. Period. I am not going to stick my finger in my drink in order to stir my sugar. And it will be cold day in hell before I use my fork as a spoon. But. I will use my knife as a spoon - as a last resort. Also, that is "the signal", my signal, that the waiter/waitress has fucked up. You make think this is some small, but I like my Iced tea Sweeten. And when I add sugar to my Iced Tea I want to have a spoon to stir up that sweetness I am about to taste. It is not proper table manners to use a knife as a stirring spoon.
If the waiter/waitress noticed that I am using my knife or I state "I am still waiting for my spoon" and the waiter/waitress politely laughs or says sorry - I will not laugh or smile back. I will let them see how they just fucked up with me.
Sure there are times I will drink Iced Tea without sugar, but not many. Asking for a spoon when there is not a spoon on the table is something very simple. I know that the wait station can not be more than 10 yards away from the dining table which means there should be no problem in bringing me a spoon for my Iced Tea. If the waiter/waitress has a bus boy then he/she can ask to bring me one. Or the waiter/waitress can ask another waiter/waitress to bring me a spoon. Just do not forget my fucking Iced Tea Spoon.
Yes readers - this is a hot topic for me every time that I go to a restaurant and order an Iced Tea. My experience is really based on whether or not that the waiter/waitress can remember to bring the spoon.
Oops, I digressed again.
The blogger post that in the future the the author will be wary of splitting checks with the friend. Again, get the fuck out of here. The author stated that the server fucked up the the bill and the friend meal got put on the author and partner's bill. The author also states that the friend left a dollar tip on the meal the friend had. According to the author the friend's meal was about twenty dollars (but the author thinks that she rounded down)
Rounded down? Rounded down from what $ 21.00? 24.00? 27.00?
I know that a dollar tip on $ 20.00 is 10% percent. My personal opinion is - that is also wrong, but who am I to say to you or anyone else on how you tip the waitress/waiter. I am not your father, your husband, your lover, your boss. I have no right to tell you readers on how to tip.
I have been in that situation many times, and I have learned from the first time that has happened. I make up the difference without telling you on how to tip, nor do I give you any bad looks on your portion of the bill. I paid/provide the rest of the money and move on.
I agree with the author there are "bad tippers" out there, but it is life and there is no way that is going to change. Back when I was waiting tables I was making 2.10 an hour. I had a goal every time I waited and that was 18%. Hence, that is why I tip 18% myself. I made that goal almost every time, if I remember correctly.
I could perhaps pass on some information that I used when at a restaurant, since most of us readers do not carry calculators. I use the $ 2.00 for every $ 10.00 dollars of the bill method. I know that is 20%, but that is a start point and much easier to add/subtract/multiple in your head at the dining table. Of course that would $ 1.00 for every $ 5.00 of the meal.
These views and opinions were based upon what I read in the author's blog post and there are other things I have questions about. There are other factors that would change certain things I have stated myself, but of course I will not know unless I ask the author. Not going to happen. The author's blog post was about the tipping, but was the service good? Sorry readers, the blogger did not mention one iota about the service/waitressing at all. Leaving a bit more than 18% is justifiable given that they all waiting for 15 minutes or so for the waitress to come and get the bill. And the waitress still did not show. I think the difference from 20% to what was left $ 88.00, is perfect.
I still can not get over that 15 minutes. 15 Minutes of waiting - get the fuck out of here!
Where did I leave off...
Oh yes.
... the blogger posted that 20% tip is the "regulation tip" now. There is no regulation on tipping. Period.
As I listed on my blog post a couple of days ago I put in a graph showing the standard 15%,the 18% (that is my standard tip) and 20% tip calculations on the bill that caused the blogger to post this incident for everyone to read. Once more I think the author is trying to get sympathy. Get the fuck out of here.
The as the post goes on the author realizes the friend is part of the "bad tippers" The author was bent of shape for paying more than their share of the dinner and the tip, but what put the author "over the top" was the friend perpetuating the ever-oh-so bad tipping.
Excuse me. The friend "Perpetuating bad tipping?" I can not tell you readers if the author meant this was related to this one particular incident or just in overall with going out with the friend over a period of time. I do not know.
With that I can not say that the author needs not to go out with this person. Whether or not this person wants to leave a tip or not - it is their American Right. More importantly, the consumer's right to leave a tip or not.
Yes, in this age being a server, waiter, or a waitress is probably tough. I too,was once a waiter back in the early nineties.
I digress... back to the story... the author then brings up the point that the friend makes more money than the author. And the author also posts that the author could not get four dollars for a tip from the friend.
How much who makes is irrelevant to tipping. I know that I tip on service and the whoever the server is. I have a set "regulation" I personally go by. How the server starts service. And from that point on - It's On. I am careful not to judge the food promptness/lateness nor the food's quality in the restaurant.
Yet, I am critical. In most restaurants, spoons are not included nor on the table when you first sit down. So, when I order an Iced Tea I politely ask for a spoon when I get my Iced Tea. The spoon does not have to be an Iced Tea spoon, but I better get a spoon. Period. I am not going to stick my finger in my drink in order to stir my sugar. And it will be cold day in hell before I use my fork as a spoon. But. I will use my knife as a spoon - as a last resort. Also, that is "the signal", my signal, that the waiter/waitress has fucked up. You make think this is some small, but I like my Iced tea Sweeten. And when I add sugar to my Iced Tea I want to have a spoon to stir up that sweetness I am about to taste. It is not proper table manners to use a knife as a stirring spoon.
If the waiter/waitress noticed that I am using my knife or I state "I am still waiting for my spoon" and the waiter/waitress politely laughs or says sorry - I will not laugh or smile back. I will let them see how they just fucked up with me.
Sure there are times I will drink Iced Tea without sugar, but not many. Asking for a spoon when there is not a spoon on the table is something very simple. I know that the wait station can not be more than 10 yards away from the dining table which means there should be no problem in bringing me a spoon for my Iced Tea. If the waiter/waitress has a bus boy then he/she can ask to bring me one. Or the waiter/waitress can ask another waiter/waitress to bring me a spoon. Just do not forget my fucking Iced Tea Spoon.
Yes readers - this is a hot topic for me every time that I go to a restaurant and order an Iced Tea. My experience is really based on whether or not that the waiter/waitress can remember to bring the spoon.
Oops, I digressed again.
The blogger post that in the future the the author will be wary of splitting checks with the friend. Again, get the fuck out of here. The author stated that the server fucked up the the bill and the friend meal got put on the author and partner's bill. The author also states that the friend left a dollar tip on the meal the friend had. According to the author the friend's meal was about twenty dollars (but the author thinks that she rounded down)
Rounded down? Rounded down from what $ 21.00? 24.00? 27.00?
I know that a dollar tip on $ 20.00 is 10% percent. My personal opinion is - that is also wrong, but who am I to say to you or anyone else on how you tip the waitress/waiter. I am not your father, your husband, your lover, your boss. I have no right to tell you readers on how to tip.
I have been in that situation many times, and I have learned from the first time that has happened. I make up the difference without telling you on how to tip, nor do I give you any bad looks on your portion of the bill. I paid/provide the rest of the money and move on.
I agree with the author there are "bad tippers" out there, but it is life and there is no way that is going to change. Back when I was waiting tables I was making 2.10 an hour. I had a goal every time I waited and that was 18%. Hence, that is why I tip 18% myself. I made that goal almost every time, if I remember correctly.
I could perhaps pass on some information that I used when at a restaurant, since most of us readers do not carry calculators. I use the $ 2.00 for every $ 10.00 dollars of the bill method. I know that is 20%, but that is a start point and much easier to add/subtract/multiple in your head at the dining table. Of course that would $ 1.00 for every $ 5.00 of the meal.
These views and opinions were based upon what I read in the author's blog post and there are other things I have questions about. There are other factors that would change certain things I have stated myself, but of course I will not know unless I ask the author. Not going to happen. The author's blog post was about the tipping, but was the service good? Sorry readers, the blogger did not mention one iota about the service/waitressing at all. Leaving a bit more than 18% is justifiable given that they all waiting for 15 minutes or so for the waitress to come and get the bill. And the waitress still did not show. I think the difference from 20% to what was left $ 88.00, is perfect.
I still can not get over that 15 minutes. 15 Minutes of waiting - get the fuck out of here!
And Today's Blog picture was taken with my Digital Camera a couple of weeks ago. My pride and joy, currently.
Until the next timeDaryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Mid month of Octobre
Greetings Readers
I have something to say, but I am out of time so I think I should be able to post later today...
I have something to say, but I am out of time so I think I should be able to post later today...
... And I have returned. Here you go
There is a blog that I have been visiting off and on for the past month, I think. Some blogs catch my eye for the reasons that they would not catch your eye. So, I was about to give up on this blog when I see the author blogged about a birthday present and the "adventures" of the birthday present from point of origin until the present got picked up at the post office.
Ever since that blog post I have been paying attention to what this author was going to blog about. Now, a recent post has made me decide to blog about that author's post on my blog.
The Topic - Tipping. The author and partner when out with another couple to a restaurant. Long story short - When the bill came the bill was not split correctly. The author & partner and another person in their group got their dinner put all on the same bill.
The total bill came to 74.50
Readers I have done the math so nothing needs to be done by your TI calculator, the computer's calculator, the slide rule or the abacus.
I can even do the math even further for you the difference between the 15% and 18% tip is (2.23) and the difference between 15% and 20% tip is (3.73).
On the blog, the author states that the tip percentage would be about $ 15.00. Granted, I highly doubt that the author knew this at the restaurant. What? Why would I doubt this? The author is in the early 20's, and not the mathematical genius type. Believe me readers.
Now, when the author, partner and other person put the money together the total amount of cold hard cash they had among them was $ 88.00.
I have my graph, which I put in my blog, and you can see that the amount pooled together is above 18% tip marker and $ 1.40 below the 20 % tip amount.
But, oh no - the author blogged about the tip being not enough for the server. The author put all the money away and pulled out the debit card to pay for the dinner.
15 minutes later. Yes readers, 15 minutes later and those three are still waiting for the server to pick up the debit card to pay for dinner. 15 minutes! I could not believe this when I was reading this on the author's post. Damn. I get bent out of shape if the server is more than 5 minutes later with picking up the bill. There have been times that it has been longer than 5 minutes and at that point I get up and go find someone to find my server. I look for someone who looks like a manager, the hostess, or another server. Damn. 15 minutes! How fucked up is that for waiting that long and who in the fuck would wait that long in the first place?!
Oh yes readers, the author could not "see her" (her = the waitress) anywhere to wave her over to their table. Get the fuck out of here! The author nor the other three people in their party could not get out of their chairs. "So they sat. "Holy-Fucking-Shit! Yes readers, I quote the author's blog" So they sat" and the dinner party waited and talked. I am not sure if this sort of thing goes on with where the author lives, or the dinner party is ignorant, so to speak. I just do not know, except about the blogger and by the author's blog posts that I would expect this sort of thing from the author.
After waiting more than 15 minutes the author takes back the debit card gathers the cash back up and then leaves the cash on the table. The author felt she stiffed the server. Get the hell out of here. In closing of the author's blog, the author then mentions that one of the dinner guest was nagging for the past 15 minutes to leave the cash so they all could go...
To be Continued...
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Happy Birthday to Me
Greetings People
Happy Birthday to me.
Let me get right to the point of today's topic
“Something” has once again inflamed a passion in me to compose a blog about “something” I have addressed in the days of old. Nevertheless, I have to broach this subject every two or three years, basically whenever I get a new circle of friends. Or when someone discovers the other side of me.
Let us commence with an example that has inspired me to get my creative juices to ignite for 2007.
I am not sure how to initiate this blog, but let me embark on how all this transpired down in my hood of Englewood, Colorado.
As I stated in yesterday’s blog I at long last got around to utilizing the gift card that I acquired from RTD.
Well, I began the 10th day of January earlier than usual. Perhaps I was hoping to get a call from my mom, since I do not know when their day starts these past few weeks. We have had five newborn calfes in the past four weeks and my parents have been busy trying to keep those newborns alive – the cold, the snow, the ice chopping, feeding, etc. I have digressed so let me return to the story at hand.
I even left early for work with a little spring in my step. The morning temperature was cool, but not cold. A slight wind was blowing in from the North with the winter sun shining ever so brightly, but providing no warmth in the bitter beginning of the winter season that started on December 21.
This is where the story truly commences - I go into Starbucks with my own Starbucks “old school” coffee thermos in one hand and gift card in the other hand. There was no line for ordering, which is an amazing thing since that is very unusual for that Starbucks location. I walked up to the register and speak the line of dialogue I always say when ordering the only order I get at any Starbucks store.
“A large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my own container and that’s it.”
I spoke clear and slow, since I have encountered numerous incidents as the one I am going to recount to you faithful readers, here and now. So, while I was saying the above rehearsed sentence I reached out to the cash register woman operator (the young 20’s college student working at Starbucks so I have spending money) presenting my gift card, from RTD, as expenditure for the Mocha Frap I have been thinking about ever since obtaining the gift card.
“Would you like a scone or muffin?”
What the fuck I thought to myself. I know what I just previously said and I looked at her and reiterated what I said – word for word not fifteen seconds ago. Readers, I will recite myself in this sort of circumstance so the person who is serving/helping me does not have to inquire for a third time. If she/he then has to ask the exact question once more I will give that person the look of “I am not going to repeat myself so you better consider about getting off that pedestal that makes you one step closer to god than me because I have all the time in the world since you decided to challenge my initial request.” I was not going to repeat myself for a third time nor will I start a new line of discussion.
Readers, this is like a double-sided sword and there is only one side or the other side. There is no middle. One may say that this is a conundrum. However, for me this is a situation normal for me and I am willing to challenge my last word of conversation. Period.
As I touched upon before, even before getting to the door of Starbucks, I departed out my front door with a spring in my step. I even got up earlier than usual to have ample time to go to Starbucks this morning, so there was no “attitude” to begin with. In layman terms, nothing has yet to piss me off on this fogless morning. I had woken up with a layout of my morning’s agenda, feeling like a new man and no chip on my shoulder.
Now, back to the story… there was an awkward moment of silence for her. However, for me the taciturnity was nothing unknown and nor was I going to utter one more word of dialogue. You could parallel my stance to Rosa Parks saying those infamous words “I’m not moving.” Or as a “brutha” would say “Did I stutter fool?! I’m not moving. And if you choose to continue you will be taught what I learned from the school of hard knocks. For real.”
After that short moment of silence she starts to ring my order up and after a second or two she appeared, to me, that she was done ringing me up. What I noticed while she was ringing me up on the register she did not ring up my discount. Word. So, I say to her “Is that the total? I did not see my discount for bringing in my own thermos.”
She immediately knew I “got her” (busted her), but she indicated that she was not done and then depressed a few more buttons on the register and my new adjusted total came up, with the discount. Oh yeah, no smile came to my face, but oh how that lifted my getting “pissed off” mood. I mentally chalked this up as another win in my “Customer is always right” column and took my gift card back and dropped no money in the tip jar. I know the discount is only a dime, but she tried to fuck me out of a dime, when in fact she fucked herself and the barrister out of that dime, plus more when she had asked that million dollar question With me walking out my front door feeling like Jaci spent the night, I might have left a dollar tip on the Mocha Frap order. We will never know though nor will I give a second thought about what could have been.
Yes, that is what I wrote. I left no tip. She fucked that up when she asked if I wanted a scone when I had clearly stated…
“A large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my own container and that’s it.”
And she had the audacity to try and get me to say something more or answer her only question she asked.
And that, my friends, was the morning episode of my mother’s birthday in this brand new year of 2007. Now, when my mom says did I remember her birthday this year I can say “Hell yeah that was the day I went into Starbucks with my gift card from RTD to have my Mocha Frap with whipped cream.” Hah hah.
With my morning incident presented to you I am pretty sure I have gotten your attention. Whether for the good or bad I could care less. I am responsible for my actions, but more consequentiality, I am not the submissive person in this affair. I was the dominant person. I am not succumbing to “the man”, nor to a life partner, the wife, the children, the girlfriend or age. I have not become jaded to the world nor been oppressed by anyone else. I have not forgotten where I came from and where I stand with my morals and myself. Meaning, I will take no shit when I do not have to.
I am an equal opportunity person to everyone I meet, but there is always something that will either make me respect you or not give you the benefit of me, yet being only as cordial as I could be. There are a lot of things I wrote down that you readers would disagree with, but before you call the kettle black, meaning me. You better take a look at your own life before judging me by the stories I communicate to you readers.
Yes, I understand the cashier may be required to say “anything else?” or offer something else or it’s free according to their policy. Fine. But, I repeat, when I include in my conversation words such as “that’s it” or “I only want this” or “and that will be all” that means that. Do not ask me for anything else. Depending on the day I may be having I might be the sarcastic son of a bitch I am when I am on the bike and say something like “Did I ask you for your phone number? Well then, I guess you know the answer to both questions that have been asked in the past 15 seconds by both of us.” This customer is right and I dare you to try your luck with me, because I promise to give you my undivided attention of me getting up in yo face. Or if am pissed off/foul mood I will become like a bitch and give the old silent treatment. Silence is such a powerful tool for me and I will often implore this method.
You may be thinking to yourself “What a son of a bitch. Not leaving a tip.” Again I say, you better get off your high horse or you better get off that step that makes you one step closer to god, because I ask you readers how many of you tip a fast food joint worker? I am proud to say I do, but only the regular fast food joint I go to for a gallon of Sweet Tea – Chick-fil-A. In addition to tipping, I also managed to get the two I deal with a 10.00 gift certificate to Starbucks. I did this act out of the respect I get when I go in there for my gallon of Sweet Tea. These two employees immediately start my order and I do not have to say one word on what I want. That is service my friend and there is no need for tipping them since society deemed them not people to tip, only waiter/waitress, bartenders, etc. The day any of you readers tip a fast food worker then you will have earned my respect and my attention to any issues/concerns you may have about me. Otherwise you better recognize.
Note, I have never stiffed a waiter/waitress out of tip money. I will give 15 % percent no matter how bad of a service the waiter/waitress may have provided. I was a waiter back in the day and I know from experience firsthand on waiting and tipping. There are a lot of people who tip less than 15 %. The government requires that we account for 15% of income made. Back in the day, I was earning $ 2.01 an hour plus tips. I am not sure how much that has changed, but that is pretty rough if you can not wait tables. Me? I made 18 to 20 percent when I worked about 95 percent of the time. More and less other times.
The cashier girl, well young woman, at Starbucks provided a service by taking my order and ringing me up. However, she did not make my Mocha Frap. She only gave me about a minute of her services. After that my order was in the hands of the barrister for the rest of my visit. Should I have still left a tip in the jar? Fuck no. Do you let a puppy piss all over the house without acknowledge of how wrong that was. Fuck no! You exert dominance, as the dog whisperer Romero would voice. So, the next time they see my thermos, my face, and remember not to ask a fucking question when I state “that’s it” they have learned not to question this customer. You may think I am a face among thousands that visits that certain Starbucks, but alas I have a certain something that one can not help to forget. Character. Okay, okay, now I am full of it, but I do have that certain impression on most people.
You may be saying to yourself “ I should have apologized to her” Fuck that. I do not apologize for her not listening to me in the first place. She did not offer any apologies to me for asking a question she knew she asked nor saying “oops sorry, I was not listening to you”
Readers I will pause for now since this has already gotten pretty lengthy
until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Happy Birthday to me.
Let me get right to the point of today's topic
“Something” has once again inflamed a passion in me to compose a blog about “something” I have addressed in the days of old. Nevertheless, I have to broach this subject every two or three years, basically whenever I get a new circle of friends. Or when someone discovers the other side of me.
Let us commence with an example that has inspired me to get my creative juices to ignite for 2007.
I am not sure how to initiate this blog, but let me embark on how all this transpired down in my hood of Englewood, Colorado.
As I stated in yesterday’s blog I at long last got around to utilizing the gift card that I acquired from RTD.
Well, I began the 10th day of January earlier than usual. Perhaps I was hoping to get a call from my mom, since I do not know when their day starts these past few weeks. We have had five newborn calfes in the past four weeks and my parents have been busy trying to keep those newborns alive – the cold, the snow, the ice chopping, feeding, etc. I have digressed so let me return to the story at hand.
I even left early for work with a little spring in my step. The morning temperature was cool, but not cold. A slight wind was blowing in from the North with the winter sun shining ever so brightly, but providing no warmth in the bitter beginning of the winter season that started on December 21.
This is where the story truly commences - I go into Starbucks with my own Starbucks “old school” coffee thermos in one hand and gift card in the other hand. There was no line for ordering, which is an amazing thing since that is very unusual for that Starbucks location. I walked up to the register and speak the line of dialogue I always say when ordering the only order I get at any Starbucks store.
“A large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my own container and that’s it.”
I spoke clear and slow, since I have encountered numerous incidents as the one I am going to recount to you faithful readers, here and now. So, while I was saying the above rehearsed sentence I reached out to the cash register woman operator (the young 20’s college student working at Starbucks so I have spending money) presenting my gift card, from RTD, as expenditure for the Mocha Frap I have been thinking about ever since obtaining the gift card.
“Would you like a scone or muffin?”
What the fuck I thought to myself. I know what I just previously said and I looked at her and reiterated what I said – word for word not fifteen seconds ago. Readers, I will recite myself in this sort of circumstance so the person who is serving/helping me does not have to inquire for a third time. If she/he then has to ask the exact question once more I will give that person the look of “I am not going to repeat myself so you better consider about getting off that pedestal that makes you one step closer to god than me because I have all the time in the world since you decided to challenge my initial request.” I was not going to repeat myself for a third time nor will I start a new line of discussion.
Readers, this is like a double-sided sword and there is only one side or the other side. There is no middle. One may say that this is a conundrum. However, for me this is a situation normal for me and I am willing to challenge my last word of conversation. Period.
As I touched upon before, even before getting to the door of Starbucks, I departed out my front door with a spring in my step. I even got up earlier than usual to have ample time to go to Starbucks this morning, so there was no “attitude” to begin with. In layman terms, nothing has yet to piss me off on this fogless morning. I had woken up with a layout of my morning’s agenda, feeling like a new man and no chip on my shoulder.
Now, back to the story… there was an awkward moment of silence for her. However, for me the taciturnity was nothing unknown and nor was I going to utter one more word of dialogue. You could parallel my stance to Rosa Parks saying those infamous words “I’m not moving.” Or as a “brutha” would say “Did I stutter fool?! I’m not moving. And if you choose to continue you will be taught what I learned from the school of hard knocks. For real.”
After that short moment of silence she starts to ring my order up and after a second or two she appeared, to me, that she was done ringing me up. What I noticed while she was ringing me up on the register she did not ring up my discount. Word. So, I say to her “Is that the total? I did not see my discount for bringing in my own thermos.”
She immediately knew I “got her” (busted her), but she indicated that she was not done and then depressed a few more buttons on the register and my new adjusted total came up, with the discount. Oh yeah, no smile came to my face, but oh how that lifted my getting “pissed off” mood. I mentally chalked this up as another win in my “Customer is always right” column and took my gift card back and dropped no money in the tip jar. I know the discount is only a dime, but she tried to fuck me out of a dime, when in fact she fucked herself and the barrister out of that dime, plus more when she had asked that million dollar question With me walking out my front door feeling like Jaci spent the night, I might have left a dollar tip on the Mocha Frap order. We will never know though nor will I give a second thought about what could have been.
Yes, that is what I wrote. I left no tip. She fucked that up when she asked if I wanted a scone when I had clearly stated…
“A large Mocha Frap with whipped cream in my own container and that’s it.”
And she had the audacity to try and get me to say something more or answer her only question she asked.
And that, my friends, was the morning episode of my mother’s birthday in this brand new year of 2007. Now, when my mom says did I remember her birthday this year I can say “Hell yeah that was the day I went into Starbucks with my gift card from RTD to have my Mocha Frap with whipped cream.” Hah hah.
With my morning incident presented to you I am pretty sure I have gotten your attention. Whether for the good or bad I could care less. I am responsible for my actions, but more consequentiality, I am not the submissive person in this affair. I was the dominant person. I am not succumbing to “the man”, nor to a life partner, the wife, the children, the girlfriend or age. I have not become jaded to the world nor been oppressed by anyone else. I have not forgotten where I came from and where I stand with my morals and myself. Meaning, I will take no shit when I do not have to.
I am an equal opportunity person to everyone I meet, but there is always something that will either make me respect you or not give you the benefit of me, yet being only as cordial as I could be. There are a lot of things I wrote down that you readers would disagree with, but before you call the kettle black, meaning me. You better take a look at your own life before judging me by the stories I communicate to you readers.
Yes, I understand the cashier may be required to say “anything else?” or offer something else or it’s free according to their policy. Fine. But, I repeat, when I include in my conversation words such as “that’s it” or “I only want this” or “and that will be all” that means that. Do not ask me for anything else. Depending on the day I may be having I might be the sarcastic son of a bitch I am when I am on the bike and say something like “Did I ask you for your phone number? Well then, I guess you know the answer to both questions that have been asked in the past 15 seconds by both of us.” This customer is right and I dare you to try your luck with me, because I promise to give you my undivided attention of me getting up in yo face. Or if am pissed off/foul mood I will become like a bitch and give the old silent treatment. Silence is such a powerful tool for me and I will often implore this method.
You may be thinking to yourself “What a son of a bitch. Not leaving a tip.” Again I say, you better get off your high horse or you better get off that step that makes you one step closer to god, because I ask you readers how many of you tip a fast food joint worker? I am proud to say I do, but only the regular fast food joint I go to for a gallon of Sweet Tea – Chick-fil-A. In addition to tipping, I also managed to get the two I deal with a 10.00 gift certificate to Starbucks. I did this act out of the respect I get when I go in there for my gallon of Sweet Tea. These two employees immediately start my order and I do not have to say one word on what I want. That is service my friend and there is no need for tipping them since society deemed them not people to tip, only waiter/waitress, bartenders, etc. The day any of you readers tip a fast food worker then you will have earned my respect and my attention to any issues/concerns you may have about me. Otherwise you better recognize.
Note, I have never stiffed a waiter/waitress out of tip money. I will give 15 % percent no matter how bad of a service the waiter/waitress may have provided. I was a waiter back in the day and I know from experience firsthand on waiting and tipping. There are a lot of people who tip less than 15 %. The government requires that we account for 15% of income made. Back in the day, I was earning $ 2.01 an hour plus tips. I am not sure how much that has changed, but that is pretty rough if you can not wait tables. Me? I made 18 to 20 percent when I worked about 95 percent of the time. More and less other times.
The cashier girl, well young woman, at Starbucks provided a service by taking my order and ringing me up. However, she did not make my Mocha Frap. She only gave me about a minute of her services. After that my order was in the hands of the barrister for the rest of my visit. Should I have still left a tip in the jar? Fuck no. Do you let a puppy piss all over the house without acknowledge of how wrong that was. Fuck no! You exert dominance, as the dog whisperer Romero would voice. So, the next time they see my thermos, my face, and remember not to ask a fucking question when I state “that’s it” they have learned not to question this customer. You may think I am a face among thousands that visits that certain Starbucks, but alas I have a certain something that one can not help to forget. Character. Okay, okay, now I am full of it, but I do have that certain impression on most people.
You may be saying to yourself “ I should have apologized to her” Fuck that. I do not apologize for her not listening to me in the first place. She did not offer any apologies to me for asking a question she knew she asked nor saying “oops sorry, I was not listening to you”
Readers I will pause for now since this has already gotten pretty lengthy
until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
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