For me, it's definitely Drew.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
also
Short and skinny girl = Kate.
I offered to sing for Tom if he drew me a picture, and he laughed.
I don't wear shoes.
Tom is of the opinion that Kat looks like Alicia Silverstone, contrary to the popular belief that she looks like Drew Barrymore.
I find that if you get an iced latte in a plastic cup, the ice will last longer if you put a lid on it.
I offered to sing for Tom if he drew me a picture, and he laughed.
I don't wear shoes.
Tom is of the opinion that Kat looks like Alicia Silverstone, contrary to the popular belief that she looks like Drew Barrymore.
I find that if you get an iced latte in a plastic cup, the ice will last longer if you put a lid on it.
Size Matters
Whenever Macrina and I order our drinks from Tom, we both ask for mediums...however, he has lately taken to giving Macrina large cups, whereas I only get what I asked for. This has become an element of our competition for his affections, but I take pride in the fact that the medium lattes taste better than the large ones (or so Macrina says), and I understand that Tom realizes this, which is why he still gives me mediums.
But today I got a large, so now my perception has been skewed to the belief that the large ones are better than the mediums, and this progression clearly means that Tom wants to take our relationship to the next level.
Maybe I'll get a portrait next.
But today I got a large, so now my perception has been skewed to the belief that the large ones are better than the mediums, and this progression clearly means that Tom wants to take our relationship to the next level.
Maybe I'll get a portrait next.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Ben
After picking Leah up from school today, we went to CHCC because I needed my iced mocha fix, and when we walked in, there was Ben. And that Small & Skinny Girl whose name I don't know. It's funny because I always thought Ben was hot, but since I found him intimidating I kind of mentally avoided him. Today, though, we had a really nice moment of eye-contact. I'm so over the intimidation. [see also, '"Not Cooler," A freeform poem about Ben"']
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Random love for Kat
Kat is really cool. She looks like Drew Barrymore. I used to not really like her, because she was one of the few who actually charged the extra $0.60 for the parking sticker. However, she no longer does that; either she doesn't do it to anyone, or it's just something special she has for me (I prefer to think it's the latter).
When it was my birthday, she asked if I was going to have a party and offered to have it in her apartment, something which I kind of want to take her up on. Today, she asked how my birthday was and got really pumped when I said I was 18. Unfortunately, she did not give me a large cup when I ordered a medium drink, though apparently Macrina and Julia got the large-for-medium deal (was that the doing of Tom or Kat? hahaha TomKat. That reminds me of a) tomcats and b) the shorthand name for Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes). Hmm.
When it was my birthday, she asked if I was going to have a party and offered to have it in her apartment, something which I kind of want to take her up on. Today, she asked how my birthday was and got really pumped when I said I was 18. Unfortunately, she did not give me a large cup when I ordered a medium drink, though apparently Macrina and Julia got the large-for-medium deal (was that the doing of Tom or Kat? hahaha TomKat. That reminds me of a) tomcats and b) the shorthand name for Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes). Hmm.
Airplanes
One of the important features of the coffee shop is its temperature control. In the fall, winter, and spring, the upstairs is normally incredibly hot; however, during the summer, the air conditioners come on, and when they do, it sounds like an airplane taking off.
A picture...
I found this picture online. Notice Brian in the background, the blonde girl who I see there maybe once a week, and Ben in the foreground (yes). What I find most hilarious, though, is that Julia is getting water in her Springside rugby on the left! I love it.
It's a good shot of the inside of the coffee shop.
It's a good shot of the inside of the coffee shop.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
One of those odd days
Today is one of those odd days when I'm not sure if I'll go to the coffee shop. Of course, the goal is usually to get there to hang out with people, but there are factors like chores (thanks, Mom), Senior Project, going to the movies, my obsession with conserving gas, and the fact that I really have no money to speak of. As much as I love this place, it is SO expensive. My medium iced mocha costs $4.23. I am always prepared with exact change.
Besides these factors, it is always weird to have a day without seeing Tom or Ben or David or any of the other people who work there. I find that I mostly get Tom withdrawal.
p.s. The owner of CHCC is named Sultan. Add him to the cast.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Themesong
Shelby and I have a song we sing when we order:
I am excited, for my coffee! I am excited, for my coffee!! I am excited, for my coffee!!! YAA! Woohoo one dollar pastries!
I am excited, for my coffee! I am excited, for my coffee!! I am excited, for my coffee!!! YAA! Woohoo one dollar pastries!
Georgetown College Essay
Although I didn't get into Georgetown, one of the essays I sent them was an interview with myself, set at the coffee shop on a snowy winter morning. It's way too long to post here, but I thought it was pretty awesome :)
Save Your Goodbyes
The coffee shop has been a big part of my life this year, so it is one of the things I am saddest to say goodbye to. I included CHCC in this poem about leaving.
save your goodbyes
for when you’re driving and you see a familiar street
for when you get home, and you smell the coffee on your clothing
for when you hear laughter and it resonates in your heart
save them for when no one’s around
say your goodbyes to the air, say your goodbyes in space
whisper them at your own reflection
breathe them in and out
save them for tomorrow
for a year from now
or never say them at all
if you need to hold them close
save them from themselves,
make sure they’re good byes
make sure they sing and spin
and celebrate
save them because of what they represent,
who they’re meant for,
why they exist and are in your mind
in the first place
save your goodbyes
store them up, keep them from harm,
rescue them, put them aside for a rainy day,
cherish them.
save your goodbyes
for when you’re driving and you see a familiar street
for when you get home, and you smell the coffee on your clothing
for when you hear laughter and it resonates in your heart
save them for when no one’s around
say your goodbyes to the air, say your goodbyes in space
whisper them at your own reflection
breathe them in and out
save them for tomorrow
for a year from now
or never say them at all
if you need to hold them close
save them from themselves,
make sure they’re good byes
make sure they sing and spin
and celebrate
save them because of what they represent,
who they’re meant for,
why they exist and are in your mind
in the first place
save your goodbyes
store them up, keep them from harm,
rescue them, put them aside for a rainy day,
cherish them.
my favorite things
this is the most dorkiest thing i have ever written. but it got me into vassar and university of chicago, so whatever. i posted it because there's a line about the coffee shop.
“My Favorite Things”
Gatsby and Les Mis and John Mayer ballads,
The New Yorker and Márquez and local-grown salads,
The Laramie Project and instr’ments with strings,
These are a few of my favorite things…
O’Brien, Orwell, Shakespeare, Zadie Smith,
“Amor de mi Alma” and watching the Sith,
Flying in Cessnas with metal, curved wings
These are a few of my favorite things…
Yo-Yo Ma, Crash, Monk, the R7,
A Capella singing and Coffee Shop heaven,
Silence, the Format, and soft whistlings,
These are a few of my favorite things
When the Rec’s dark,
When life seems stark,
When I’m feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don’t feel so bad!
“My Favorite Things”
Gatsby and Les Mis and John Mayer ballads,
The New Yorker and Márquez and local-grown salads,
The Laramie Project and instr’ments with strings,
These are a few of my favorite things…
O’Brien, Orwell, Shakespeare, Zadie Smith,
“Amor de mi Alma” and watching the Sith,
Flying in Cessnas with metal, curved wings
These are a few of my favorite things…
Yo-Yo Ma, Crash, Monk, the R7,
A Capella singing and Coffee Shop heaven,
Silence, the Format, and soft whistlings,
These are a few of my favorite things
When the Rec’s dark,
When life seems stark,
When I’m feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don’t feel so bad!
Nicknames
Before we got to be on a first-name basis with Tom, we discovered that he referred to us by nicknames that were dictated by our appearances. It took us a while to figure it out, though. For a while, we thought Macrina was Skinny and I was Tall, but then it was revealed that Macrina was Squinty Eyes and I was Tall & Skinny. Go figure. Not sure if Alex had a nickname? Anyway, Tom now greets us with a smile on that gorgeous, sideburned face of his AND our actual names.
Carolyn's Weapon of Choice
On a cool day: medium hazelnut mocha and wooden stirrer, unless I'm feeling nostalgic. Then I use a metal spoon.
On a warm day: medium iced [hazelnut] mocha and a straw.
On a warm day: medium iced [hazelnut] mocha and a straw.
electricity
the outlets in the coffee shop are tricky. for one thing, half of them don't work. for another thing, they're practically on the ceiling. so finding one to use usually requires standing on a chair/finding carolyn, and plugging a cord into multiple outlets. we also tend to be kind of nonconventional about what we plug in.
in case you can't tell, that's a dangling i-pod.
in case you can't tell, that's a dangling i-pod.
Alex, what's in the croissant?
I like croissants that have things inside of them, but apparently this is a foreign concept, as when I first asked Tom, "what's in the croissant?" he gave a puzzled look and replied, "another croissant?"
That being said, they do have croissants with ham, brie, and mustard inside, and they are the awesomest. If an apple turnover or danish is available, I will get it. I also once had something called a Mighty Muffin, which was...mighty.
For drinks, I prefer a medium vanilla or hazelnut latte (iced if it's warm weather), or my recent discovery, vanilla caramel. If I'm not in the mood for coffee beans, I'll go with a hot chocolate with the works. Occasionally I'll have a vanilla mocha for when I'm particularly ambitious. Wooden stirrers for warm drinks, and spoons for iced.
That being said, they do have croissants with ham, brie, and mustard inside, and they are the awesomest. If an apple turnover or danish is available, I will get it. I also once had something called a Mighty Muffin, which was...mighty.
For drinks, I prefer a medium vanilla or hazelnut latte (iced if it's warm weather), or my recent discovery, vanilla caramel. If I'm not in the mood for coffee beans, I'll go with a hot chocolate with the works. Occasionally I'll have a vanilla mocha for when I'm particularly ambitious. Wooden stirrers for warm drinks, and spoons for iced.
macrina's usual
medium skim latte - with long spoon and iced in summer, straw and hot in winter. before both broke, it was the best having the latte in "the amazing latte cup."
exhibit A
and
brownie/toast with peanut butter
exhibit A
and
brownie/toast with peanut butter
"Not Cooler," a freeform poem about Ben
Walk in coffee purple wood wooden floor sugar sugar look, dark eyes, you think too much! headache ache intimidate dark hair, dark eyes, speak ask your questions simple simple questions loaded questions what can I get you questions arms arms chest purple too cool too cool but human human human remains look I'm here here and same remains you don't know any more than I do I do I do know do not not intimidate feel we're the same equal equal feel same love same same equal again and again know that you're not cooler and I'm just cool enough.
The reason I call this "Not Cooler" is that I have always found Ben rather intimidating, and last week I had an epiphany about the fact that we are actually equals and I have no reason to be intimidated by his awesomeness. So this isn't a stab at Ben, by any means!
The reason I call this "Not Cooler" is that I have always found Ben rather intimidating, and last week I had an epiphany about the fact that we are actually equals and I have no reason to be intimidated by his awesomeness. So this isn't a stab at Ben, by any means!
The Death Couch
On the second floor of the coffee shop, there are two leather couches on which patrons may comfortably relax and sip their beverages.
One not-so-very special day, Macrina and I were sitting upstairs, and on one of the couches there was an old man. Suddenly, this old man started coughing excessively. He sounded like he was dying. We wondered if perhaps we should have done something to help, but he just kept coughing. Eventually, he left, and we mourned the loss of this man on this couch.
Some days later, another old man was sitting on the same couch when he fell asleep. Macrina and I concluded that something about this couch brought about death to whomever happened to sit on it, and it appeared that the couch had struck again with this man's passing. He was the second casualty due to the death couch, and we also mourned his loss.
RIP, old man.
This man still haunts the coffee shop from time to time, and continually reenacts his death on the same couch. Since then, he has gained legendary status as "The Dead Guy."
One not-so-very special day, Macrina and I were sitting upstairs, and on one of the couches there was an old man. Suddenly, this old man started coughing excessively. He sounded like he was dying. We wondered if perhaps we should have done something to help, but he just kept coughing. Eventually, he left, and we mourned the loss of this man on this couch.
Some days later, another old man was sitting on the same couch when he fell asleep. Macrina and I concluded that something about this couch brought about death to whomever happened to sit on it, and it appeared that the couch had struck again with this man's passing. He was the second casualty due to the death couch, and we also mourned his loss.
RIP, old man.
This man still haunts the coffee shop from time to time, and continually reenacts his death on the same couch. Since then, he has gained legendary status as "The Dead Guy."
people watching
so looking through my coffeeshop pictures, i realized the majority of what we do at the coffee shop/one of the main reasons we love it is that it is an amazing spot for people watching. it's a place where we can track people's lives, and appreciate eccentricities. for instance, in carolyn's xenophilia, there's german boy. but there are also the less frequent visitors. take amazing fro woman.
sometimes people have ridiculous things on their laptops. laptops are an important accessory at CHCC too.
sometimes people have ridiculous things on their laptops. laptops are an important accessory at CHCC too.
xenophilia
I found the pictures that attest to our love German Boy and the reason why The Tutor hates us!
We are almost certain that German Boy is German, especially because he a) speaks with what is probably a German accent and b) Mia says he asked her if she "sympathized" when he saw the German flags on her army surplus jacket. Below please find the evidence that I wrote my cell phone number on the steamed-up coffee shop window for German Boy to use as he wished. We don't think he know what to do with it.
We are almost certain that German Boy is German, especially because he a) speaks with what is probably a German accent and b) Mia says he asked her if she "sympathized" when he saw the German flags on her army surplus jacket. Below please find the evidence that I wrote my cell phone number on the steamed-up coffee shop window for German Boy to use as he wished. We don't think he know what to do with it.
Cast of Characters
The people who work there:
Tom, Ben, David, John, Kat, Girl who isn't that nice, Cool Girl with the Nixon watch
The people we see there:
German Boy, German Boy's Tutor, the guy who glares at us when he's working, Kevin, The Dead Guy
Us:
Alex, Carolyn, Macrina...
Feel free to add to this list.
Tom, Ben, David, John, Kat, Girl who isn't that nice, Cool Girl with the Nixon watch
The people we see there:
German Boy, German Boy's Tutor, the guy who glares at us when he's working, Kevin, The Dead Guy
Us:
Alex, Carolyn, Macrina...
Feel free to add to this list.
What the hell
This blog is intended for the cataloging of the events that occur at "the coffee shop" in Chestnut Hill. The whole existence of the coffee shop itself is kind of a strange phenomenon in our lives, so why not write about it and see what happens? This blog may last a week or just for the summer, but what the hell.
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