Showing posts with label Starbucks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Starbucks. Show all posts

things that kind of suck, but not really, and some helpful solutions 

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Problem: Starbucks ran out of soy milk
Why it kind of sucks: Milk makes you wheezy and irritable.
Solution: Buy a tea and complain loudly so they give you a free beverage coupon.

Problem: not being able to wear your clogs because they are getting repaired.
Why it kind of sucks: you are stuck wearing ugly running shoes. Clogs are much more stylish.
Solution: Socks and sandals (seriously, this is more stylish than my running shoes).

Problem: your prof wants to meet with you at Second Cup to discuss your paper topic.
Why it kind of sucks: Just plain awkward because it seems date-like.
Solution: sign up for a time in between migrating Sean and Quiet Craig, so the awkwardness of meeting the prof is outweighed by the awkwardness of encountering both of these two outside of a classroom setting.

Problem: you wear a new angora sweater to school
Why it kind of sucks: you discover that you are more or less allergic to angora and you are stuck wearing it for at least nine more hours. Also, it sheds it's pink fur all over your black backpack like nobody's business.
Solution: only wear sweater outdoors. As soon as you get inside a building, remove sweater and itch arms for the entire length of the class.

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uptown boy 

Monday, June 25, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Laura and I left the bookstore, lost in our own little worlds. She was talking to her mom on her cell, and I was just staring off into nothingness, thinking about the CD I just bought. I hope it's good, because the price was fabbbulous (extra b's added for Annie's amusement).

A little black Nissan had pulled up to the curb ahead of us, but we continued our slow meandering down the sidewalk. I was digging through my purse for who knows what, and I look up in time to see him.

HIM.

Black pants, white dress shirt, collar open, with sleeves rolled up. He was walking towards us. He stared me down and I think my jaw dropped. So. Unbelievabley. Attractive. I think he stepped directly out of GQ onto King Street. It's possible that time slowed down, and the bow chicka wah wah song played as he walked by. I turned and watched him walk into a store. He walked out, a minute later, and I stared some more.

It was only after he had walked by again and I got a second look, that I realized that I recognized him. It was (drumroll please) Kyle Christie, from CKCO News. Yes, THE Kyle Christie. The sole reason I watch the news. I am happy to announce that he is better looking in person than on camera, and he lived up to every one of my expectations. Yes, this is pretty pathetic, but it probably made my year.

Oh, and after leaving the bookstore, he crossed the street and went to Starbucks. We all know how I feel about Starbucks. Quality.

June 25, 2007: The day I saw Kyle Christie in Uptown Waterloo. Hot diggity dog.



p.s. the CD is kind of sucky

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playing tag 

Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
"Here are the rules… Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog."

Annie tagged me, so I guess I better do this. Now I have to think of seven random facts.

1. I can't sit still. I wouldn't say I'm hyperactive, I just need to shift my body alot. Or play with something in my hands. Or fidget. Maybe it's why I like to blog...typing is like fidgeting. I've been like this ever since I was little. I watched home videos today, and I was down right obnoxious. I don't know how my family put up with me. I was never still, and I never shut up. And I sounded like a chipmunk. Ok, that was several facts, but oh well.

2. This is sort of in response to Annie's second fact. I have always been abnormally tiny. Like, unbelievabley tiny. I got made fun of on a regular basis, but it confused me because I didn't realize how short I was (as I said before, I was loud and obnoxious and my self-esteem was pretty high, considering my height). I used to say, "Well, you're ugly and I can grow!" to people who told me I was too short. In grade 5, I got sent to an endocrinologist, and they determined that I was growth hormone deficient. And then I went on synthetic human growth hormones for the next five years. Steriods, basically (they're worth thousands on the streets!). Needles six days a week for five years...huzzah. I don't think many people know about that. But it's kind of cool. Now I'm still short, but taller than my mom so....I've arrived. How do you like them apples, Maja?

3. I have a list of careers that I secretly dream of having. That list includes: stand-up comedian, rockstar, radio dj, author (I actually have ambitions of doing this, but we'll see), professional athlete (this one is the most ridiculous...I can't even run), therapist of some sort, the next Martha Stewart (minus being a wacko and getting arrested), self-supporting artist, small business owner (I guess that goes along with self-supporting artist), talk show host. Heck, just give me my own TV show, and I can do all of the above. I'd be way better than Martha.

4. I have a crush on the guy who works at Starbucks. Seriously. I saw him walking across University, in front of my car the other week and I got little butterflies in my tummy. That is ridiculous and stupid, I know. But he's cuuuuute.

5. I always imagine meeting the guy I marry randomly (like at Starbucks) and then discovering that he is a sweet, good looking Christian guy who falls madly in love with me. OK, I'm a bit of an idealist, and I daydream waaaay too much for my own good, but a girl can hope, right?

6. One time in grade six, I was discussing with my teacher (the one I volunteer with now) what I say to people when they tell me I'm too short to be how old I am. I said (no joke), "I just tell them I'm a child prostitute." The teacher told me it wasn't appropriate and I was confused. I did not know what that meant (sooo innocent) and I had heard the word just before talking to my teacher. I, in fact, meant to say "child prodigy", which is so totally appropriate and kind of funny. I still feel horrible for saying this to my teacher and I often think I should explain myself even though it is eight years later and she probably doesn't remember the conversation.

7. I still enjoy my Backstreet Boys CDs. A whole lot. I drive to Guelph and blast the Backstreet Boys. I am slightly ashamed, and joke that I still listen to them, but it is no joke. I still listen pump it loud. I just can't get enough. Sorry Kerry.


ummmm I don't know who actually reads this. But I'll tag Kerry, Steph, Nicky, Joanna, Kristi. And Tyler, but he doesn't have a blog. ANd I don't know who else blogs. Silas. But I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this. Oh, Wally has a blog. I don't know if he still reads this. Well, howsabout whoever wants to, can do it. :o)

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Dodgeriffic 

Saturday, March 31, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I pulled a wicked late night/early morning on Thursday to finish my LAST ASSIGNMENT(!!!!) of the semester a few days early. The lack of sleep was worth it because it left me free to experience a wonderful weekend...
Friday afternoon Kristi and I went searching for my husband at Starbucks, but to no avail. He wasn't working. I'm becoming a Starbucks junkie and it scares me a little. I don't think I can afford five bucks for a coffee...it seems so extravagent. But soo so so good.

Friday night was the long awaited Waterloo-wide church Dodgeball tournament. I love the perks of being a leader - I get to go to the best events, but I don't have to participate fully if I don't want to because, well, I'm a leader. Kristi and I donned our Dora the Explorer sweaters once again and commentated the whole evening. My favourite lines from Kristi (all in a British accent, of course): "It looks as though the ball is in his court. Well, all the balls, rather." And then there was some line about how it raining candy was better than raining men. The youth were amazing, as usual, and everyone had a ton of fun. Oh look! Pictures! (definitely stole these from Caleb):

"If you can dodge a wrench...you can dodge a ball..."

Team that won "most enthusiastic" and "best dressed" These guys were so loud and fantastic!

We're so Vogue. Well, Beany and Goo are, I'm just a little shocked.

Spectators!

Today was my very first Sap Fest, and it was pretty great. The whole thing was very gluten-intensive, so my food options were limited, but I managed to survive off of pickle on a stick. I didn't see too many people I knew, which was surprising, but we saw some crazy moustaches and a lady whos coat matched her dog. Saw a bunch of guys from band class too. We got to go on a tractor ride, mostly to amuse Steve. Fun, nonetheless. I will post pickle pictures soon. The rest of the day was spent in a half-asleep state, celebrating Em's birthday. I look forward to sleep, and lots of it.

This post turned into a beast of a blog, but it had pictures so it was worth it.

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Poopypants 

Sunday, March 25, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Tyler made a request. I followed through. If anyone else wishes to see a post with a title of their choice, you must leave a comment. If you would like to see an entire post about a certain subject, you must post this in comment form as well. I like to please my readers. Thank you.

I went to Starbucks again today. My mother came along this time and experienced Starbucks for the very first time. I think she was overwhelmed by all the lingo. Cute bearded guy was working again, and he made us wonderful soy chais (that word looks weird). I think next Sunday afternoon he will propose. I'll drink my chai and there will be a ring in the bottom of the cup. Yep, that sounds about right. Before you call me shallow, I have to say that I wouldn't be marrying him based entirely on looks. Our relationship would be based on his looks AND his ability to make a mean soy chai. Huge difference there, folks.

This afternoon Maja and I went to an Art/Craft Show at Bingeman's. It wasn't terribly exciting, but it was good to browse and get ideas. I found myself looking at things, loving them, and then realizing, "Hey, I could totally make this." It's encouraging, actually. This past week classes have been especially boring so I've been sketching out ideas for purses, clothes etc that I've had in my head for months but haven't put onto paper. It is exciting. This is the first I've really "announced" it in any way, but there very well could be a little business in my future (Dad is excited). I've been thinking about it for almost a year now, but I've been too nervous to mention anything. My lack of a job in May and June makes it a perfect time to do a little experimenting with patterns etc....this is all very new, but we'll see what happens! :o)

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The first ever blog written that mentions Starbucks 

Sunday, March 18, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Today I thought it might be a lovely idea to take my little self over to Starbucks for a drink and a little uninterrupted study time. I find studying at home especially difficult, and since librarys tend to make me antsy, I opted for the Starbucks in Chapters.

Apparantly Starbucks on a Sunday afternoon is the place to be - it was packed! I really had my heart set on a chai, so I decided to take my chances on finding a seat. The Starbucks staff were who you would expect to be working at Sb's - the metro guy with one pierced ear, the funky artsy girl, and a cute indie rocker-esque bearded guy. Metro guy took my order and was smiley and super douper, the bearded lovely smiled with plenty of eye contact, and funky artsy girl messed up my order, and I felt like a HUGE jerk correcting the order from non-fat milk to soy. I wanted to apologize and say that I wasn't in fact a snob, but that milk makes me wheezy. But really, I don't want to say that, what if she yells, "Grande soy tazo chai for the wheezy kid!" when my order is up? Yeesh.

I found a spot on the purple couch next to a blonde girl deep in a book. There was an old guy by the window to my left and a guy most likely in his mid-thirties but single and on the prowl. He knew everyone. He chatted it up with blonde girl, clearly trying to make an impression. Blonde girl was upset about leaving her Yorkshire Terrier at home because she was afraid he'd run off one day. The guy (later I found out his name was Dan) suggested some sort of an alert system for the dog to push with his nose to let blonde girl know he was ok. A cute attempt at trying to make her feel better, but I don't think she was impressed. Then a friend of blonde girl's showed up and they discussed their puppies some more. As they got started on organic food for the dogs, I had to stifle my laughter.

I tried not to laugh again when the old guy came up to Dan and told him half his life story. I love older people who talk to anyone. My mom always gets stopped by these people in the grocery store. I hope I'm one of those people when I'm old.

One of my favourite pasttimes seems to be sitting and watching people (in a completely non-creepy way, of course), and then analyzing them. I noticed several groups of people at Starbucks:

1. the classy, I read this highly intellectual book for my own pleasure and cognitive stimulation and feed my dog only the finest of organic food and dress posh to sit and drink my grande-mocha-choca-latte-frappe-no whip-non-fat-shaken-not stirred coffee, while wearing dark rimmed glasses and thinking about how wonderful my Starbucks life is

2. the hippy bookworms with funky clothes and crazy hair who only drink Starbucks because it's fair trade

3. the parents who bring their children to Starbucks, and feed them cupcakes while they sit and read (I have issues with this...would it kill you to pay attention to your kid?? I could write a whole blog on this topic alone, but I digress.)

4. students who are so clearly students (ie, UW/WLU sweatshirt, gross hair, huge coffee, backpack, textbook) that it makes me feel at home

5. Paul McIllwraith

The beauty of sitting and observing is that you realize how similar people actually are. It doesn't matter if they're in Starbucks, at a concert, or a rollarskating rink, there seems to be a desire for community, to belong, and to know that someone is listening. I think within any subculture, there is the guy who is everyone's friend, the old man, the blonde girl, the parents, the kids, the hippies, the students, and the in-betweeners. Its just a matter of when and where these people's lives happen to cross that makes the difference. I think next weekend I'm going to study at an old folks home to see what fascinating things go on there.

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