one hundred.nine.

i'd like to dedicate a portion of this post to bathroom etiquette.
not in-the-bathroom etiquette, like wash your hands and don't let your kids peek under the stall doors.
more like waiting-for-the-bathroom etiquette. those bathrooms that are just toilet, sink and garbage can. single person use.

i don't understand why people don't knock.

i have no personal issues with this.
just a few words.
even if you look like an idiot because you're knocking on a bathroom door that actually has stalls, just knock.
what if:
the lock is busted?
someone had to pee and forgot to lock the door?
these are viable options.
things like this really happen.
have some common courtesy.
knock on the bathroom door.
otherwise, there is no going back. you open the door. someone is publicly humiliated and scarred for life.
and then!
it doesn't end there.
inevitably, the poor humiliated bathroom person has to go out and face the i-just-can't-knock-before-i-barge-in person, who, of course, stands there waiting for the bathroom person to collect their wits and bravely walk out, trying to think of a way to make light of the situation but really just wanting to crawl into the ceiling and make a getaway without having to see anyone [that's a long sentence].
then comes the awkward smile, the sheepish apology, and the lifetime spent re-living the moment where you could have cracked a joke to make everyone feel better but drew a blank.

also, side note: bathrooms in your home.
just knock.
also. teach your children to knock.
you will do the world a lot of good.

that aside, today at work two people asked for my name and then didn't leave a tip.
got me all excited for nothing.
i work for 5 hours serving food and cleaning tables: 3 dollars in tips.
i work for 1 hour and make 2 hot chocolates and a few coffees: 7 dollars in tips.
i ask you, how is that possible?

saw sherlock holmes tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. so clever & witty. apparently it didn't get a lot of great reviews, but i am not a sir arthur conan doyle "purist" and therefore was not offended at the "modern, masculine" portrayal of mr. holmes.

just started reading "forest gump." so endearing.

leaving in 3 days for a trip to Florida. i miss the sun. today the sun was out and it looked wonderfully warm. fooled me, at least. it was bitter cold. before we go, though, i have to try and make some biscotti. yum. :]]

one hundred.eight.

oh christmas joys:
snow!
record player.
socks & more socks.
ornament.
books & more books.
mocs.
she & him on vinyl.
sufjan stevens on vinyl.
iron & wine on vinyl.
embarrassing home videos.
[i was an ugly child. truly.]
chai + soymilk.
a hand to keep mine warm.
handmade stationary.
m&m's.
nutella.
another christmas all together.

hope that your christmas was equally lovely. :]]

one hundred.seven.

it's cold in the shop in the early mornings.
customers come in shivering. i use the same lines over and over again.
that's what happens. i find a good solid, conversation starting line and just reuse it with every customer. some witty remark about the cold/asking about holiday shopping/etc...
and when i say "witty" i mean something like:
"pretty cold out, huh?"
or
"i see you're braving the cold to come in this morning!"
or
"how's the holiday shopping going?"

i'm really just a good conversationalist. a real people person.

had to clean the bathrooms here a few days ago. pretty gross, i'm not going to lie. & i consider myself fairly capable when it comes to stinky bathrooms.

today we are brewing ethiopian yergacheff coffee & it smells fantastic.

in other news, the fellow went over his texting limit last month [partially my fault? probably.] and so now we've cut off all casual texting. this proved slightly difficult at first, because while i don't consider myself a huge TEXTER texter, i enjoy the occasional "how is your day going" or "funny story" text. not just with the fellow, too. with tai, lauren, parent or grandparent... but probably most often with the fellow.
however, there are good things about less frequent texting. i will list them:
1. better battery life on my cellphone.
2. i am more involved in situations, i.e. i don't resort to texting when bored/with other people.
3. i'm not as crazy about having my phone with me all the time.

Cinderella has begun, going suprisingly well for having 3 big dances to choreograph and Christmas preparations all at the same time. Did I give up on some homemade Christmas ideas? Yes. i know my limits. someday i'll have time to be really creative with something besides waltz steps.

Tai is going back to school in the spring. I'm a little bit jealous, I do miss school sometimes. just found out recently that one of my research papers that i wrote for English 102 back in the day is being published in the Harper Anthology. it was nice news to recieve, but also strange. made me feel as if i might have missed out on something. you know? some potential that i let slip away by not continuing with school. but i don't even know what i would have done with that, with continued schooling and a degree. it would have been nice to do it though, just for the sake of learning.

went to the Swell Season concert a few weeks back. literally one of the best experiences of my life. Glen Hansard is such an extraordinary performer, so witty & talented & almost endearing. same with Marketa Irglova. & together they are so phenomenal, so different but perfectly paired. the guys from The Frames played with them too, so all in all... a most enjoyable evening. we sang along, and whistled along. a little boy came up on stage and sang the end of "When Your Mind's Made Up" which was amazing. There was about 10 encore perfomances, including some ancient Irish farewell song.
such a neat time, such neat people. a great date too, with pappy & tai.

[i should get back to work...]