Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Hedonistic Afternoon, Serious and True

Two girls at a coffee house are giddy at the realization that they can get their coffee in actual mugs - colorful and substantial - like the regulars they imagine themselves to be, instead of in those lifeless, generic paper cups.

"Vanilla latte!" the barista calls, "and a mocha frappe!"

The girls, smiling, skip to the counter to retrieve their overflowing cups of well deserved goodness and then return to their Geo-political discussions, unmarked reminders of their professionalism aside. As they continue their conversation, they find themselves in a state of discontent. They turn their mugs this way and that, confused. Frustrated. How, they wonder, are they supposed to actually consume their coffees from these lovely mugs that they celebrated just three minutes ago?

And then they note the folks around them who are staring and giggling at the girls' blatant awkwardness.

"Ah, go ahead. Put your face in it," one particularly large man on the corner couch brays in between unanswered blue tooth demands.

And they heed the advice with complete determination (or was it defiance?), remembering the words extolled by their new, matching, oddly sagacious fridge magnets:

"Ever notice that what the hell is always the right decision?"

"Forget you, Vanity! We will not be held back by society's presumptuous laws of decorum! " they silently exclaim to one another in a single glance. With a shadow of a smirk, their eyebrows raised, they dive in head first.

As they emerge from their mugs, victorious- the coffee conflict conquered- they declare, in their most confident warble to the man on the couch and to all of the other distracted caffeine connoisseurs, "We like whipped cream on our noses! So there! Take that!"

And they did.

105 comments:

LBelle said...

were the 2 girls you and Wern?

No can't be, she doesn't "skip" up to counters.

But she does love mocha frappes I would guess....hmmmmmm.

Staci said...

Well said. That's it.

Christine said...

Apparently I do skip, because this is the real story, superbly told.

(When I admit that we were skipping school, does that make the skipping more believeable? ...Hey, a pun opportunity, and check out my restraint. That's right.)

Now I want more whipped cream. With chocolate sauce drizzled on it. How late are they open?

Support America's Best in Arlington, y'all! If they ever go out of business, a bit of my soul will die.

Amira Abu-Shawish said...

What the hell = my mantra.

Melanie said...

beautiful blog!

visiting from SITS.

SugarandSpice said...

LOL! I love coffee, and so what if you look silly right? You were having fun!

Amy said...

What a funny story. Good job on overcoming your coffee cup dilemma! Whip cream on the nose is a trophy!

Cynthia said...

l find "what the hell" to be the answer most often for me.

Jennifer said...

Nice blog and fun story!

Anonymous said...

That is a great quote!

cat said...

Oh we just skip way too little. I make a point of skipping with my daughter

Jennifer C. Valerie said...

LOL! Quite the triumph. This brought a smile to my lips. Visiting from SITS.

Sandra Winn said...

Good SITS morning to you and congrats on being the Featured Blogger.

Your site is gorgeous and I enjoyed your coffee story, I find myself saying "What the hell" quite often. After all, you only live once, right? :-)

~ Sandy

"We're all on this journey towards living a healthier lifestyle together"

http://www.momsfightingfat.com/

Anonymous said...

hi there, I'm visiting from SITS to say hello & congrats on being FB! You have a wonderful blog :-)

mommakin said...

What the hell. Words to live by.

Magaly Guerrero said...

There are times when 'fighting words' are the way to go, so "what the hell" indeed!

Jessica said...

I remember the first time I ever went to a coffee house. I was fifteen and terrified and clueless: I ordered an espresso thinking that's what you did.

A college kid with a spider tatoo on his temple hissed at us as I was begging my [smarter] friend for some of her cafe mocha and we so we left, utterly overwhelmed.

Figuring out coffee is not for the faint of heart.

Unknown said...

Heheh! LOVED the post. It IS always a conundrum sometimes, drinking coffee and whatnot. Brilliantly captured.

PLease pop by my blog and comment/follow. I will most definitely be following you! And I have a photo caption contest going on-- please be sure and enter!

Pam said...

Love the quote, What the Hell is always the right decision! Great! Happy SITS Day! I was so excited to see that a blog I already follow and love was FB today! Congrats.

Jan from the Sushi Bar said...

"What the hell" isn't always the right answer, but some of the most interesting moments of my life have been based on that precept.

Hopping over from SITS - so far, I'm liking the blog!

Anonymous said...

stopping by from SITS, love the blog!

Carma Sez said...

Fun stuf!

Katie said...

Nice blog!

confused homemaker said...

great story, brings back memories.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Neat blog!! :) Visiting from SITS today. :)

Creative Junkie said...

I loved this! And I need that fridge magnet!

glenna said...

Thanks for the grin to get me going this morning! :-) :-) :-) :-)

Sarah said...

You're my good morning wake up call! Skipping and whipped cream on coffee are great ways to rev up for the day.

Happy sits day!

Girly Do Hairstyles said...

Very well written. Happy Sits day.

Coniqua said...

Congrats on being the SITS FB today. I love your storytelling style, you have a great way of describing everyday adventures.

Life of a Stepmama said...

Well said, over from SITS!!

Mommys Online Garage Sale said...

Funny Story!

La Belle Mere said...

A great post! A good reminder of how we should all view life!

Happy SITs day!

B x

Cher said...

well said, well said. :)

Anonymous said...

So there! Yay!

I've never had whipped cream on my nose but now I kind of want to try it.

Ungirdled Passion said...

Cute! Happy SITS!

jori-o said...

I need to get me a fridge magnet like that =)

Unknown said...

HAPPY SITS Day! You know I adore your blog!

Anonymous said...

This is great!

Christina Ketchum said...

Too funny!

B.o.B. said...

The hell with it indeed. Cute post. Happy SITS Day girl.

Chaya Bluma said...

Congrats on being FB today! Love your writing style and the post. Glad to learn I've been right so often - What the hell!

Brandy said...

Whipped cream on the nose just means it was GOOD!

Robbie S. Redmon, LPC said...

LOL. Happy SITS DAY!

Anonymous said...

Great story. You have a talent for conjuring up very vivid images. Enjoy your SITS day!

Ashley said...

Lovely post.

Helen McGinn said...

Oh my goodness, I've LIVED this moment! For real. How wonderful to see it written down. xx
p.s. Happy SITS Day! xx

Lavender n Lattés said...

Cute Story! Happy SITS day :)

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Interesting POV! Happy SITS Day!

Jewls said...

Wow...for merely talking about going out for some coffee that sounded extremely sophisticated :) Happy SITS day! :)

Denise Grover Swank said...

Beautifully written. I'm quite impressed. Excellent choice for on of your SITS day posts.

{leah} said...

And I bet you looked great with whip cream on your nose!

Anonymous said...

Stopping by from SITS. Congrats on being the FB!

Rhonda said...

Great writing style! Here from SITS.

MIITB said...

great posts! I feel that way eating ice cream at cold stone.

Congrats on being the Fb!

tiarastantrums said...

cute! that is why I always say NO Whip - no foam!

Aleta said...

Heck, I think the whipped cream is a cute look. Always gets a smile and at least you know the drink was enjoyed!

Anonymous said...

Sometimes it is hard to find the joy in the everday. You have done a great job here of making the mundane extraordinary.

MrsM said...

I'm so glad I don't like coffee...although there is always potential for embarassment when eating ice cream and I certainly love that....

Happy FB day :)

Beth in NC said...

Too cute!

From SITS,
b

k a b l o o e y said...

I have to say, "What the hell..." didn't always lead to the best results in college, but its fine advice to follow now, especially if the thing I'm considering makes me smile even when I try to hide it.

You know, I like this so much I'm going to link to this today on my li'l newbie blog. That means I'm going to skip a shower after spin class, but...

"What the hell."

Jennifer said...

I love this post. This is how everyone should be. Lose the vanity and enjoy life!

Anonymous said...

You are a very creative writer. But I'm sure you already know that. This could have been just an average post about going to get coffee like so many of us would have written..okay like I would have written...but you turned it into so much more!

Holly @ Domestic Dork said...

Mmmmmmm...coffee. My concoction of choice is an iced coffee with milk.

Marrdy said...

Two girls with whipped cream on their noses. Sounds fun!

Bentley Boutique said...

Well said. I seem to have forgotten the "what the hell" rule. Might just have to implement it a bit more:)

http://bentleyboutique.com/craftblog

CaraBee said...

What a great post! Love your writing, I'll definitely be back for more!

Michelle said...

very cute. or maybe cute isnt the right word.

Anonymous said...

How funny! I bet I would be tring my best not to get the whip cream on my nose but would in fact fale at the attempt.

Happy SITS Day.

piecemeal people said...

"Sagacious." You don't hear that word enough.

Enjoy your SITS Day!

Katie Lane said...

Lovely story. Thanks for the laugh :)

Hannah said...

Hilarious and well played. SITS congrats all'around.

Brigetta Schwaiger said...

Well written! Enjoyed every word of it. Happy SITS day!

Kekibird said...

Yay for whipped cream on your noses! And Happy FB day over at SITS!

Crystal said...

Too cute! Happy SITS day!

Henrietta said...

MMmm sounds divine! Loved your story & your blog!
Happy SITS Day to you!

Patricia said...

love it. Great writing.

Happy SITS day!

The818 said...

Happy SITS day - I love the way your blog looks.

A Healthier Me said...

How fun! Now I want a big cup of coffee so I can get whipped cream on my nose!
Happy SITS day!

Rita Barakat said...

Yum - I need some coffee right now!

shortmama said...

It just isnt worth having without some whip cream on your nose!

Atlanta said...

Happy SITS day! I would do just about anything for coffee too, so more power to ya! And its always ok to give some random dude a cheap thrill... Right? =)

Unknown said...

What a great story nicely written.

Congrats on your SITS feature!

Elizabeth Patch said...

wonderfully written, an entire story, not just about the coffee, but instead about decisions (should we? shouldn't we?)and conformity (is this how its done?) and the sense of belonging (we are the insiders now). bravo!

Ms. Mama said...

Reminds me of Seattle in the 90's.

Thanks for that.

Elaine said...

This could be any of us at any given time or situation, couldn't it? Truth, humor, recognition...loved it!

Mariel said...

Nice work!

Mariel
www.oneshetwoshe.com

Nina @ Playground for Parents said...

Happy SITS day! Is it the BEST, or what?! Enjoy the thrill, and let it carry you through the week. Personally, I wish I could be featured daily - ha!

Angeline Schnare said...

Nice way to describe what you were seeing. I could almost taste their fancy coffee choices. Well done.
Congrats on your day at SITS!

Guide To Life For Women Author - TR Hughes said...

Nice Blog! Funny Story....Love Coffee...

BrnEyedGal said...

Hi, stopping by from SITS on your BIG day!!! What a great blog you have... :)

Unknown said...

This is really funny! LOL! Love it. Happy SITS day!

said...

Congratulations on being featured SITS blog!

Claudya Martinez said...

You are a fantastic writer!

Brooke said...

HaHa well said!!

Kristin said...

Great writing...visiting from SITS!

mamammelloves said...

Funny! :) Now I want some coffee...

Rhiannon Bosse said...

Well said sister! What a great post and happy SITS day! xo

Frugal New England Kitchen said...

Visiting 1st time from SITS! Great story, and luv coffee houses! Each one is so unique! Oh - always add whipped cream!

Controlling My Chaos said...

Fun post. Happy SITS day!

Unknown said...

Stopping by from SITS and glad I did this is funny stuff.
The older I get the more what the hell I allow into my life.
I like whipped cream on my nose too!

Anonymous said...

I absolutly PREFER whip cream on my nose as well. Why not have a little fun. Go for it. Why the hell not. Ha. Happy Sits Day...love the post.

Always,
Sarah Elizabeth

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Having a kid made me realize just how little it matters what other people think about things like that!

Lisa@saltandlightstudio said...

I am in awe of your writing already. Pardon me while I go peruse some more.

HollyS said...

Ah Starbucks, what we will and won't do for that cup-o-coffee

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Hedonistic Afternoon, Serious and True

Two girls at a coffee house are giddy at the realization that they can get their coffee in actual mugs - colorful and substantial - like the regulars they imagine themselves to be, instead of in those lifeless, generic paper cups.

"Vanilla latte!" the barista calls, "and a mocha frappe!"

The girls, smiling, skip to the counter to retrieve their overflowing cups of well deserved goodness and then return to their Geo-political discussions, unmarked reminders of their professionalism aside. As they continue their conversation, they find themselves in a state of discontent. They turn their mugs this way and that, confused. Frustrated. How, they wonder, are they supposed to actually consume their coffees from these lovely mugs that they celebrated just three minutes ago?

And then they note the folks around them who are staring and giggling at the girls' blatant awkwardness.

"Ah, go ahead. Put your face in it," one particularly large man on the corner couch brays in between unanswered blue tooth demands.

And they heed the advice with complete determination (or was it defiance?), remembering the words extolled by their new, matching, oddly sagacious fridge magnets:

"Ever notice that what the hell is always the right decision?"

"Forget you, Vanity! We will not be held back by society's presumptuous laws of decorum! " they silently exclaim to one another in a single glance. With a shadow of a smirk, their eyebrows raised, they dive in head first.

As they emerge from their mugs, victorious- the coffee conflict conquered- they declare, in their most confident warble to the man on the couch and to all of the other distracted caffeine connoisseurs, "We like whipped cream on our noses! So there! Take that!"

And they did.

105 comments:

LBelle said...

were the 2 girls you and Wern?

No can't be, she doesn't "skip" up to counters.

But she does love mocha frappes I would guess....hmmmmmm.

Staci said...

Well said. That's it.

Christine said...

Apparently I do skip, because this is the real story, superbly told.

(When I admit that we were skipping school, does that make the skipping more believeable? ...Hey, a pun opportunity, and check out my restraint. That's right.)

Now I want more whipped cream. With chocolate sauce drizzled on it. How late are they open?

Support America's Best in Arlington, y'all! If they ever go out of business, a bit of my soul will die.

Amira Abu-Shawish said...

What the hell = my mantra.

Melanie said...

beautiful blog!

visiting from SITS.

SugarandSpice said...

LOL! I love coffee, and so what if you look silly right? You were having fun!

Amy said...

What a funny story. Good job on overcoming your coffee cup dilemma! Whip cream on the nose is a trophy!

Cynthia said...

l find "what the hell" to be the answer most often for me.

Jennifer said...

Nice blog and fun story!

Anonymous said...

That is a great quote!

cat said...

Oh we just skip way too little. I make a point of skipping with my daughter

Jennifer C. Valerie said...

LOL! Quite the triumph. This brought a smile to my lips. Visiting from SITS.

Sandra Winn said...

Good SITS morning to you and congrats on being the Featured Blogger.

Your site is gorgeous and I enjoyed your coffee story, I find myself saying "What the hell" quite often. After all, you only live once, right? :-)

~ Sandy

"We're all on this journey towards living a healthier lifestyle together"

http://www.momsfightingfat.com/

Anonymous said...

hi there, I'm visiting from SITS to say hello & congrats on being FB! You have a wonderful blog :-)

mommakin said...

What the hell. Words to live by.

Magaly Guerrero said...

There are times when 'fighting words' are the way to go, so "what the hell" indeed!

Jessica said...

I remember the first time I ever went to a coffee house. I was fifteen and terrified and clueless: I ordered an espresso thinking that's what you did.

A college kid with a spider tatoo on his temple hissed at us as I was begging my [smarter] friend for some of her cafe mocha and we so we left, utterly overwhelmed.

Figuring out coffee is not for the faint of heart.

Unknown said...

Heheh! LOVED the post. It IS always a conundrum sometimes, drinking coffee and whatnot. Brilliantly captured.

PLease pop by my blog and comment/follow. I will most definitely be following you! And I have a photo caption contest going on-- please be sure and enter!

Pam said...

Love the quote, What the Hell is always the right decision! Great! Happy SITS Day! I was so excited to see that a blog I already follow and love was FB today! Congrats.

Jan from the Sushi Bar said...

"What the hell" isn't always the right answer, but some of the most interesting moments of my life have been based on that precept.

Hopping over from SITS - so far, I'm liking the blog!

Anonymous said...

stopping by from SITS, love the blog!

Carma Sez said...

Fun stuf!

Katie said...

Nice blog!

confused homemaker said...

great story, brings back memories.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Neat blog!! :) Visiting from SITS today. :)

Creative Junkie said...

I loved this! And I need that fridge magnet!

glenna said...

Thanks for the grin to get me going this morning! :-) :-) :-) :-)

Sarah said...

You're my good morning wake up call! Skipping and whipped cream on coffee are great ways to rev up for the day.

Happy sits day!

Girly Do Hairstyles said...

Very well written. Happy Sits day.

Coniqua said...

Congrats on being the SITS FB today. I love your storytelling style, you have a great way of describing everyday adventures.

Life of a Stepmama said...

Well said, over from SITS!!

Mommys Online Garage Sale said...

Funny Story!

La Belle Mere said...

A great post! A good reminder of how we should all view life!

Happy SITs day!

B x

Cher said...

well said, well said. :)

Anonymous said...

So there! Yay!

I've never had whipped cream on my nose but now I kind of want to try it.

Ungirdled Passion said...

Cute! Happy SITS!

jori-o said...

I need to get me a fridge magnet like that =)

Unknown said...

HAPPY SITS Day! You know I adore your blog!

Anonymous said...

This is great!

Christina Ketchum said...

Too funny!

B.o.B. said...

The hell with it indeed. Cute post. Happy SITS Day girl.

Chaya Bluma said...

Congrats on being FB today! Love your writing style and the post. Glad to learn I've been right so often - What the hell!

Brandy said...

Whipped cream on the nose just means it was GOOD!

Robbie S. Redmon, LPC said...

LOL. Happy SITS DAY!

Anonymous said...

Great story. You have a talent for conjuring up very vivid images. Enjoy your SITS day!

Ashley said...

Lovely post.

Helen McGinn said...

Oh my goodness, I've LIVED this moment! For real. How wonderful to see it written down. xx
p.s. Happy SITS Day! xx

Lavender n Lattés said...

Cute Story! Happy SITS day :)

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Interesting POV! Happy SITS Day!

Jewls said...

Wow...for merely talking about going out for some coffee that sounded extremely sophisticated :) Happy SITS day! :)

Denise Grover Swank said...

Beautifully written. I'm quite impressed. Excellent choice for on of your SITS day posts.

{leah} said...

And I bet you looked great with whip cream on your nose!

Anonymous said...

Stopping by from SITS. Congrats on being the FB!

Rhonda said...

Great writing style! Here from SITS.

MIITB said...

great posts! I feel that way eating ice cream at cold stone.

Congrats on being the Fb!

tiarastantrums said...

cute! that is why I always say NO Whip - no foam!

Aleta said...

Heck, I think the whipped cream is a cute look. Always gets a smile and at least you know the drink was enjoyed!

Anonymous said...

Sometimes it is hard to find the joy in the everday. You have done a great job here of making the mundane extraordinary.

MrsM said...

I'm so glad I don't like coffee...although there is always potential for embarassment when eating ice cream and I certainly love that....

Happy FB day :)

Beth in NC said...

Too cute!

From SITS,
b

k a b l o o e y said...

I have to say, "What the hell..." didn't always lead to the best results in college, but its fine advice to follow now, especially if the thing I'm considering makes me smile even when I try to hide it.

You know, I like this so much I'm going to link to this today on my li'l newbie blog. That means I'm going to skip a shower after spin class, but...

"What the hell."

Jennifer said...

I love this post. This is how everyone should be. Lose the vanity and enjoy life!

Anonymous said...

You are a very creative writer. But I'm sure you already know that. This could have been just an average post about going to get coffee like so many of us would have written..okay like I would have written...but you turned it into so much more!

Holly @ Domestic Dork said...

Mmmmmmm...coffee. My concoction of choice is an iced coffee with milk.

Marrdy said...

Two girls with whipped cream on their noses. Sounds fun!

Bentley Boutique said...

Well said. I seem to have forgotten the "what the hell" rule. Might just have to implement it a bit more:)

http://bentleyboutique.com/craftblog

CaraBee said...

What a great post! Love your writing, I'll definitely be back for more!

Michelle said...

very cute. or maybe cute isnt the right word.

Anonymous said...

How funny! I bet I would be tring my best not to get the whip cream on my nose but would in fact fale at the attempt.

Happy SITS Day.

piecemeal people said...

"Sagacious." You don't hear that word enough.

Enjoy your SITS Day!

Katie Lane said...

Lovely story. Thanks for the laugh :)

Hannah said...

Hilarious and well played. SITS congrats all'around.

Brigetta Schwaiger said...

Well written! Enjoyed every word of it. Happy SITS day!

Kekibird said...

Yay for whipped cream on your noses! And Happy FB day over at SITS!

Crystal said...

Too cute! Happy SITS day!

Henrietta said...

MMmm sounds divine! Loved your story & your blog!
Happy SITS Day to you!

Patricia said...

love it. Great writing.

Happy SITS day!

The818 said...

Happy SITS day - I love the way your blog looks.

A Healthier Me said...

How fun! Now I want a big cup of coffee so I can get whipped cream on my nose!
Happy SITS day!

Rita Barakat said...

Yum - I need some coffee right now!

shortmama said...

It just isnt worth having without some whip cream on your nose!

Atlanta said...

Happy SITS day! I would do just about anything for coffee too, so more power to ya! And its always ok to give some random dude a cheap thrill... Right? =)

Unknown said...

What a great story nicely written.

Congrats on your SITS feature!

Elizabeth Patch said...

wonderfully written, an entire story, not just about the coffee, but instead about decisions (should we? shouldn't we?)and conformity (is this how its done?) and the sense of belonging (we are the insiders now). bravo!

Ms. Mama said...

Reminds me of Seattle in the 90's.

Thanks for that.

Elaine said...

This could be any of us at any given time or situation, couldn't it? Truth, humor, recognition...loved it!

Mariel said...

Nice work!

Mariel
www.oneshetwoshe.com

Nina @ Playground for Parents said...

Happy SITS day! Is it the BEST, or what?! Enjoy the thrill, and let it carry you through the week. Personally, I wish I could be featured daily - ha!

Angeline Schnare said...

Nice way to describe what you were seeing. I could almost taste their fancy coffee choices. Well done.
Congrats on your day at SITS!

Guide To Life For Women Author - TR Hughes said...

Nice Blog! Funny Story....Love Coffee...

BrnEyedGal said...

Hi, stopping by from SITS on your BIG day!!! What a great blog you have... :)

Unknown said...

This is really funny! LOL! Love it. Happy SITS day!

said...

Congratulations on being featured SITS blog!

Claudya Martinez said...

You are a fantastic writer!

Brooke said...

HaHa well said!!

Kristin said...

Great writing...visiting from SITS!

mamammelloves said...

Funny! :) Now I want some coffee...

Rhiannon Bosse said...

Well said sister! What a great post and happy SITS day! xo

Frugal New England Kitchen said...

Visiting 1st time from SITS! Great story, and luv coffee houses! Each one is so unique! Oh - always add whipped cream!

Controlling My Chaos said...

Fun post. Happy SITS day!

Unknown said...

Stopping by from SITS and glad I did this is funny stuff.
The older I get the more what the hell I allow into my life.
I like whipped cream on my nose too!

Anonymous said...

I absolutly PREFER whip cream on my nose as well. Why not have a little fun. Go for it. Why the hell not. Ha. Happy Sits Day...love the post.

Always,
Sarah Elizabeth

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Having a kid made me realize just how little it matters what other people think about things like that!

Lisa@saltandlightstudio said...

I am in awe of your writing already. Pardon me while I go peruse some more.

HollyS said...

Ah Starbucks, what we will and won't do for that cup-o-coffee