Saturday, February 14, 2004

*twiddle*

Ok. Saturday. I must acomplish *something* toward my goals.

*yawn*

Yesterday, did quite a bit, even got some plaudits. So today, something, something.. but what?

*smack smack yawn*

Wandered the Berkeley Farmers Market, greeted folk who all wondered where Ive been the past few weeks.

*hum*

Mira has gone off to Europe for a few weeks, for the first time. Get to see her guy too. She was so giddy. :-)

*snoar*

"It's Saturday. You dont HAVE to do anything. Plus its a holiday weekend, so chill."

Yeah, but Im feeling motivated NOW. Sorta.

My hawaiian aunty gave me a box of JellyBellies for Valentines, adding to the chocolate and the odd card or two.

*yawn*

Ooh, found a GREAT bagel place this morn. The bagels are *definitely* New Yawk worthy. Although the counter-help had that sweet beatified Cali look when I snapped off an order.

Like I wanted kindness and consideration for a morning bagel.

Cripes.

Me: "Plain bagel, cream cheese."
Help: "Would you like that toasted?"
Me: "If its warm, nah."
Help turns to her father: "Are these warm?"

I goggled. Shit, even *I* could feel the heat coming through the glass of the counter.
*sigh*
Her father comes over, puts a food-gloved hand on the stack of soft, chewy, large plain doughs of goodness that I was being kept from snarfing on as the seconds ticked away.

"Yes." replied her father, patiently. I could tell he had spent time in New York.

She turned back to me smilingly, "So, you dont want them toasted?".

*gnargnargnargnargnargnar* I gnashed internally while keeping a stoic, patient look about my face, as I said, "Nope, no toasted."
GAWD. 8 seconds we'll NEVER get back in this lifetime.

She works in a bagel shop and doesnt know that if the bagel is warm (and it was DEFINITELY warm), you dont NEED to toast. The butter or cream cheese is gonna melt. In fact, its preferable you DONT toast it to keep the warm chewiness intact.

*gah*

Well, she took her time (dude, 40 seconds to wipe a schmeer of cream cheese on a sliced bagel.. C'MON!!.. NY bagelmeisters know that 10 seconds later I should be out the door!!).. and then..

"Would you like coffee or something else with that? Coffee? Anything? "

*ohmygodohmygodohmygod* Did I SAY I wanted anything else????
Waitwaitwaitwait.. I didnt. I didnt respond with sarcasm, edge to my voice, nunna dat. No, my time in California has taught me that impatience and overt brusqueness scares the natives into hurt feelings, resentment and further passive-aggressiveness, so I stilled the internal turmoil, breathed and centered myself:

"Not at all. Thank you."

I put my hand over with cash in hand, the same hand readied to receive the bag.

This confused her. She stared at this sleight of hand, as I held BOTH the bag and money in one hand.

*lord*

Ok, I needed to hurry this along.

I shook the hand. The bag rattled, the bills vibrated. She recognised the intent.

"Oh" her mouth made, she smiled and resumed motion. She took the money.

ANYWAY...

New Yorkers, the bagels are excellent. Taste of the morning. Get your jones there.

Boogie Woogie Bagel Boy
1281 Gilman St., Berkeley


Be nice to the help.

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