Do The Tubman

Tales of a Thirtysomething Barista.....

INT. Coffee Shop - Morning Shift                                                                        

So, I think most of us can agree that Racism isn't... groovy. I've dealt with my fair share of deliberate racism but, 40% of the comments or actions I've experienced in that regard have been accidental or what you would call "light stereotyping". While working on set, I once had the lead actor of the TV show walk right up to me and ask if I got the new "Fiddy" album. (That's right, not 50... Fiddy). Keep in mind, I wasn't the only one standing there. I was surrounded by dozens of other extras, all caucasian, just like the lead actor. It amused me because I think the last album I'd purchased at that time was Hilary Duff (no shame). Little things like that always happen to me. I have a regular that comes in the coffee shop who calls me "Areatha" because he can't remember my name. And a coworker who constantly asks me if I've tried certain Fried Chicken locations around the city. Well, the last two might be because I'm a tad overweight but, for the purpose of this blog, I'm calling it accidental racism.

Today, I have the pleasure of working during our weekly Mommy and Me sing-a-long. That's 30+ infants, their mother's (Or as I like to call them, the Park Slope Stroller Mafia), and a barefoot guy with a guitar, dancing around and trying to get the infants who can't talk to "C'MON AND SING-A-LONG WITH MEEEE". The barefoot guy in question happens to be the most accidentally racist person I've ever met. He racks up uncomfortable comments like numbers on a score board.

"Hey, LaTeesha! How's it going today?" LaTeesha? - DING! That's 1.

"What's the name of that one black guy. I know YOU know him." - DING! That's 2.

"I really admire you girls going back to your roots with your hair!" Annnnd then 
he attempted to touch said hair without permission... DING-DING-DING! DING-DING-DING-DING-DING-DING-DING-DING-DING-DING!!!!!!!!!!

Ya know, nothing too serious. Just a comment here and there that always makes me go (high pitched) "Hmmmm, really?" 

My favorite part of the sing-a-long is when he gets into the "Civil War" section of his performance. He's a Civil War buff, ya see. He has this one jam about Harriet Tubman called "Do The Tubman". And every song has a good hook, right? Well, this one has "If you get tired, do the Tub-Tub-Tubman"( I wish I was making this up). During the song, he gets a few of the toddlers present to stomp around like they're traveling the Underground Railroad. He always shouts "Thats right kiddos! Walk, walk, walk. Cause God knows nobody did more walking than Harriet Tubman!"

Again with the high pitched "Hmmmm, really?"

I've heard this song about 20 times and each time I wonder who on earth told him that this was a good idea? I get a bonus laugh when I see a few of the Stroller Mafia peaking at me to see if I'm offended. The only thing that really offends me is that the song gets stuck in my head for hours and I catch myself singing it for the rest of the day. Damn you barefoot guitar man. Your cringe worthy jams are kind of catchy! I can't wait to hear your Dubstep tune about Martin Luther King. 

Ok. Shift over. Another sing-a-long survived. I'm gonna grab my coat, put a hat on my ethnic hair and Tubman my ass right on home. 

The Thirtysomething Barista

Tales of a Thirtysomething Barista

SONG: Tom's Diner

In New York City, on  the tiny island of Manhattan, there are currently around 1,000 coffee shops. I'm not even including everyone's favorite cup-o-joe throwdown, Starbucks or it's middle child syndromed competitor Dunkin' Donuts. I'm talkin' your average, single location, singularly owned "Bob's Coffee" type shop. 1000! Over the bridge a little, in a small part of town called Fort Greene Brooklyn, you'll find a little coffee shop and chocolaterie called Nunu Chocolates. Behind the counter, you'll find a thirtysomething barista with a knack for drawing hearts and feathers in your latte. Welcome to my current world. Smooth coffee, dangerously delicious chocolate delights, cozy seating, soothing music and seductive aromas. Nunu Chocolates is definitely a one stop shop to taunt your deepest temptation and I'm the fairy godmother waiting to deliver your sin of choice. Bippity-Boppity-Boo.

The world of a coffee shop barista can often range from your  average sitcom to the the juiciest, most unrealistic scene from a soap opera. Pleasant, cool easy hours often go by with me doing nothing more than making someone's life a little better. Others are like an impromptu explosion of angry acronyms. WTF, WETF, OMFG, DILLIGAF, FML all said in reaction to a no good, very bad day. But even as predictably annoying as the (unpredictable) food service industry can be, I've found an interesting benefit to my barista life. This job absolutely feeds my inner spectator. *Sigh* I love studying muggles. What drives them? What comforts them? What angers them? Quirks, voice inflection, body language, all of it. I'm an actress! I make a living off of telling a story and as a barista, I am constantly engrossed in a living novel.

On any given work day, I'm a therapist, savior, blind date show host, mediator, entertainer, comforter, best friend, and punching bag. I've seen first dates, breakups, breakdowns, marriage proposals, a woman finishing her novel, a baby taking his first steps, mild foreplay (Valentine's Day. Don't worry, they left before I broke out the bowl of popcorn), job interviews, instant connections, fresh off the bus visitors, and people having their last cup of Brooklyn joe before leaving the big apple for good. All of this, I've observed quietly behind the counter. It's interesting. New York is the Queen of disconnection. 8 million people wander the city daily and it's never been easier to go through your day without actually encountering another soul. I've been apart of so many moments and witnessed so many stories simply by making lattes. I love that!

I've decided to take my experiences as a barista and add a new section to my blog called "Tales of a Thirtysomething Barista". In addition to my normal NYC ramblings, i'll give you a peak into my crazy coffee experiences. My job is anything but boring and I think it would be fun to share my adventures while I'm there. Plus, you have to find the beauty in a day job, right? I took this job to support myself while pursuing my passions. That doesn't mean that I can't bring my passions to my day job.

Speaking of blogs and passions, I have to say I'm sorry. I haven't been keeping up with this blog. I made an attempt earlier this year and still let writing go on the back burner to other things in my life. Due to that neglect, I've been a bit blocked. The only way to over come a block is just to write. Write what you know. Write the truth. Stay consistent. Definitely adding that word to my 2016 list... Consistent. So here's my new years cheers to positive consistent behavior. *Clink*

Love Always,
The girl who makes a damn fine Mocha Latte.

Top 5 of the Moment

1). Podcasts
       "Serial", you beautiful betch. You walk into my life and haunt me with your hourish long tales and now I want more. How dare you? How dare you make me love podcasts?
 I've been a podcast fool over the last 6 months. Where have I been? How did I not know how amazing the podcast universe is. Any suggestions for new Podcasts? 

2). Ashley Graham
     I adore this woman! She's help me a lot when it comes to the confidence department. I've even resulted to putting a picture of her up on my fridge to remind me that body type is just a shell. Confidence in who you are and love for your temple is the new skinny. 

3). Oil Pulling
     Oil pulling, is an ancient dental technique that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for around 20 minutes. This action supposedly draws out toxins in your body, primarily to improve oral health but also to improve your overall health. 
I've been oil pulling for alomst a month straight and I am here to say Yes... it works. Research it. Try it. Its amazing. 

4). Showtime's "The Affair"
      Has anyone watched this show? Its amazing. Its clever and heartbreaking and the acting is perfection. Each episode is told from different points of view and it wows me how they keep up with one person's point of view through the whole series.  

5). Blue Apron
     Magical. Its the only way to describe this service. Since I had the pleasure of trying a recipe on my recent trip to Florida, I've been promoting this business like its my job. They send you delicious recipes with every ingredient. Plus, you have the added benefit of cooking something you wouldn't normally go for. Its brought me back to my love of cooking.