Coffee (in a cardboard cup)

The Spoonful of Sugar

I keep the curtains drawn as the birds whistle sweetly and the first vans of the morning roll down the High Street. The perpetually early riser, I ponder what clothes to wear and whether I should wash my hair as my plans for the day stretch before me. Unlike my flatmates (who set alarms at 6 and are out the door by 7), my internal clock wakes me and I meander through the morning, warming myself up for the day ahead. Today, I begin at 8:30 and look forward to my first (and only) coffee of the day and doing the milk run. I look forward to the customers in tennis garb, the customers in stylish garb, the customers who have rolled out of bed to get coffees for their hungover flat. I look forward to banter with my colleagues and a sneaky slice of banana bread... or two. I look forward to the regulars who allow me to make their lattes (as I'm still in training when it comes to art) and those who, quite religiously, think they know how to make coffee better than you.

And perhaps they do.

This job perpetuates my interest in other people. I see them come and go, some on their ways home, some on their trips out. I see them in all sorts of stressful and stress-free states. It's a wonder how one customer can impart a striking anxiety while another can slow the pace down to a waltz. It's a wonder that, regardless of our busyness, you'll see Daniele avidly checking the day's sales... at 10am.

Since undertaking this job, I've also found that life got easier. Sure, I'm working more hours and divide my time between a handful of jobs, but the coffee shop helps to ground me (no pun intended) and breaks up my week splendidly. With this addition, I've also found an ease with the other aspects of my life. I'm more appreciative of the jobs I have, rather than covetous of the jobs I don't have. I make time rather than wonder where all the time has gone.

This week alone, I got myself to three (AMAZING) shows and a yoga class, recorded some audition videos and am going to a museum this evening. It seems the busyness doesn't intrude on my artsiness. I'm also reading a quirky book interviewing different theatre people. Solid.

Well, I've decided to wash my hair so I guess this is me signing off for the day. I hope you all have one just as lively and jocular and intriguing as mine will be (I'll make it so by thinking it so). Also, the cheap-ass Shiraz from Lidl is by far the best Shiraz I've ever tasted #straya.

With love

sal