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...]