Blue Skies, Bouncy Springs
The baristas at Cuppa Joe’s are on my team.
I frequent our town’s local coffee shop relatively regularly these days- not only because they sell the legal stimulant that is coffee in all of its forms, but also because it's a great beachy environment that reminds me of the Outer Banks whenever I enter.
One morning, the barista there had on a #rockingraphictee- all of those who know my propensity for cool t-shirts would know I'd have to let her know how awesome I thought it was. #soidid #becauseitwasrockin
Her response? “Thanks! It was only 3 dollars- I got it at Old Navy. I would say it works on the #starvingbaristasalary, but I got it before I started here.”
It was at that moment that my ideasthesia kicked in. The last time I had heard someone talk about Old Navy t-shirts, I was in Houston driving between schools for work. It was then that Adventure Of A Lifetime, the 1st single on Coldplay’s new album, debuted. After playing it, the radio DJ said that he #nothinged the song. While he didn't particularly care for it, he didn't dislike it either. He said it sounded like something you'd hear while folding shirts in Old Navy.
I've never been able to get that visual out of my head, which is partially why I put it in others’ heads whenever possible. She said she had never heard the song, but would listen when she got the chance.
#fastforward exactly one week later- I'm getting coffee, and my barista friend is there again. She had since listened to the song, and very much agreed with the sentiment of doing some folding at Old Navy. In fact, she mentioned that she actually played it while folding some laundry over the week! #toofunny
#fastfoward to today- I'm getting coffee, and my #OldNavyColdplay friend is there again. We exchanged pleasantries about how busy it was in the store this morning, I ran my card on account of having no cash on hand, and she gave me a pink PaperMate Inkjoy pen with which to sign.
Those that know me very well know that I have a thing about pens and how they write. When I find good ones that flow well and also have colors that pop off the page, I make a note of them in order to add a few to my own collection.
This was a brand I #wantednotneeded to have. I made a note of the pen’s distinguishing features, and planned to walk next door to get a pack at CVS right then and there.
While putting cream in my coffee, I overheard my #OldNavyColdplay friend asked the next customer, “What color would you like?” I thought it an odd question for someone's coffee order, though kept prepping my own at the nearby station.
I then heard her ask again, “What color would you like?” and looked up to see. What is this person ordering such that color is so important?
That's when I saw her looking to me, asking “What color pen would you like?” I laughed, explained my confusion, and noted that I could make due with anything if she was willing to share.
She dropped a pink pen on the counter and insisted I take it, regardless of how much I insisted that I was literally on my way to get a pack of my own.
It's true what they say on The Lego Movie. Everything is awesome. Everything is cool when you're part of a team. From now on, whenever I use that pen (or even that brand), I'll have a moment flash to mind of folding clothes to the sounds of Coldplay’s finest (or at least their newest).