Not So Reading Disorder

I was driving into work today and the morning show I was listening to on the radio was talking about the possibility that one of the people on the show might have some sort of reading disorder and it got me thinking. What was weird about hearing this conversation this morning was that it jogged a memory from childhood that I hadn't really thought about in a while.

I'd like to first say I know I don't have a reading disorder.  I have mountains of books.  I'd rather read than watch TV and I always love to read a book if I know about it before going to see the movie.  AND I am a very fast reader!  I wonder if the problems I used to have happened because I read so fast?

The memory I recalled was when I was in middle school.  I don't know how the public school's go about vocabulary and testing now, but I specifically remember a history book that had King Tut's Golden Mask on the cover.  Each chapter had a mini test at the end with questions and a vocab/definitions etc.  I recall always having a problem locating the vocab words to define them (these books had glossaries for words in BOLD, but the vocab on the mini chapter tests weren't bold words).

When I read, I tend to quickly glance over the paragraphs and get the general idea by picking out key things in the paragraphs.  I don't always read every sentence and when I was younger I used to skip several paragraphs entirely.  When I was in school and had these problems was for the same reason; skimming.  I didn't do it intentionally.  I just couldn't focus my attention on all information at once.  I suppose you could say I was in a hurry when I would read.  I want to always know what comes next and I'm impatient.  I want the good stuff as soon as I can get it.

I just think it's weird I never really thought about it and realized that is what I did until I heard this girl on the radio talking about how she can't focus on the words past a couple sentences.  That the white of the paper would be blinding and the words would dance.  She also said she had an easier time reading novels when they were graphic novels.  I don't know why I don't read paragraphs whole.  It's bizarre.

I don't know if any of this makes any sense, but it was on my brain so I wanted to jot it down.

Like...The Car?

When I first heard this song....I pretty much was like...WAH?? Are they talking about the car?  What is this?  What the heck is slizzard? WTF?

Then it grew on me...and I don't know why I like it.

Now I'm just dreaming up sipping on Captain and coke and boogie-ing it up with Cheri like the good ol days.  And that makes me sad.  :( Boo.  This would totally be our jam if we could go dancing again.

You Can't Always Get What You Want

This song is for you picky ass lady that just came in the caffe.

So I'm venting for a second.

I HATE...HATE HATE HATE when people come in and scowl at the desserts.  What is god's name are you coming in here to get if you are going to scowl at everything in the case and make a face every time you ask what something is?  Here's how this just went down:

Lady enters
Me: Good Morning! *smiles
Lady: HI!  *points at stands on top of case* What are these?
Me: *Points at each* These are scones.  This one is Lemon Blueberry and this one is Maple Pecan.
Lady makes ugly face at second listing of scones and says: EW NO...I'll have the Lemon Blueberry
Me: OK *goes to package up the scone
Lady: What is this in the bowls on the bottom?
Me: Banana Pudding
Lady: EW! That's even worse!
Me = starting to get annoyed but rings her up
Lady points to another thing in case and says: What is this?
Me: Peanut Butter Brownie
Lady breathes out annoyed and says: UGH no...I don't like that either
Me: oh
Lady: The cheesecakes look good but EVERYTHING else is just not my thing
(MIND YOU...we have an assortment of things in there...I'd say its probably something for everyone, cupcakes, brownies, cheesecake, bars, etc etc etc)
Me: Would you like me to warm up the scone a little for you?
Lady gives me disgusted weird look and says : I suppose
Me *goes to warm up scone, returns and hands it to her.
Lady: THANKS! *smiles and walks out
Me once she's gone: WTF!

OK.  Now maybe it's just me, but I know I wouldn't walk into someone's business and sit there making faces at everything like I am just purely disgusted.  She didn't buy a coffee, so obviously she came in with the intent to get something to eat.  And to sit there and just criticize everything in the case!  Personally, I wouldn't want to offend the business owner/person working, but apparently this lady just didn't care.  I'm hoping she saw the look of shock on my face when she was bitching about everything.
I'm sorry Ma'am that you are a hag and don't like anything (well except the cheesecake, but I'm sure she would have complained about the price had she tried to buy some).  Maybe next time, I'll be sure to hook up my mind reading device and have exactly what you do like ready for you!

People just have no consideration!  I mean, we obviously get the (more often than not) people that look at the desserts and sarcastically proclaim it all looks "terrible" "gross" "so bad," etc etc etc, but we understand that they are just joking around.  You don't come into a place that makes desserts and just be downright Debbie Downer.

So Thank You Lady in the Pink Shirt with too much negative opinion for your own good...You've made my day...and my blog blast!  I dedicate the above song to YOU!

<3 Me

This guy really is bizarre, but the flower made me laugh

HE'S SINGING!!  hahaha

OH silly filmcow.com guys

A new TYPED entry

What I hear: Golden Years, David Bowie

And I title it like that because I have been writing a LOT in a journal lately. There is a novelty actually sitting down and physically writing in a journal rather than just typing on an online blog. Granted, no one can read what's on my mind that way, but I seriously doubt anyone would find much interest in what I have to say anyhow.
Another thing about typing this right now is that it's kind of hard to sit here typing this all out on my iPod. And I'm REALLY relying a lot on the auto correction thing to fix my mispelled words. Should be interesting to go back later having to fix all the typos. Haha! I'm using someones open wifi connection. I am grateful for that much at least. I don't have to be completely disconnected from the world when I'm at home!

Something that's been on my mind a lot lately: how much I used to write before I had all these things to do. I have found so many started story ideas and poetry that I just abandoned. I honestly feel like I don't possess the ability to express myself in a creative, written way. I used to LOVE to write when I was younger. In my early 20's (groan...I hate being older) I would write ALL the time! I really should attempt to write something worthwhile soon...instead of just slapping down whatever happens to be on my mind at the moment. I want to write with purpose...so who knows.
Off to bed...to my crazy dreams. Night!

Raise your weapon

What I hear: Raise Your Weapon, Deadmau5



Rippin my heart was so easy, so easy
launch your assault now,
take it easy
Raise your weapon, raise your weapon
One word, and it's over
Ripping through like a missile
Ripping through my heart
Robbed me of this love
Raise your weapon, raise your weapon
and it's over

Curb your ego, you won't feel a thing
always number one
the pen with a bent wrist, crooked king
Sign away our peace for your war
One word and it over
dropping your bombs now,
on all we built
How does it feel now, to watch it
burn, burn, burn?
Raise your weapons, raise your weapons
and it's over

(first Chorus)

How does it feel now to watch it
Burn, burn, burn?

(1st chorus)

(2nd chorus)

**********

I adore this song and it was equally amazing to hear it live. Was the last song that he performed. I love it love it love it! Have to settle for listening to it on YouTube as it hasn't been released yet.

Opinions?

B

Wow I'm tired

I've been a bad blogger.  *smacks own hand
I know I haven't updated in forever.  Not that anyone probably cares.  No one ever comments on my blogs so I am assuming that no one reads them.
Anyway
I've been killing myself at Caffè Stella for the past 3 weeks.  It's been an education thats for sure.  I'm learning how PICKY people can be with their food and even more so with their coffee.  WOW.  AND of course, we've had our share of crazies.  My personal favorite we have nicknamed "28 seconds".  This particular character earned his name after trying to school me on how to make an espresso the RIGHT way.  Well this was probably our first or second day...I had only the minimal training from the previous owner and thought I was doing it the right way, so how would I know that you have to pull the espresso last after you've prepared everything else that goes into a drink.  He also informed me that after 28 seconds (hence the name) the coffee starts to go bitter.
WELL...I got some training and inquired about the 28 second thing and the trainer told me you shouldn't run the water through the grounds longer than 28 seconds or it takes away from it and makes the coffee bitter.  SO yeah "28 Seconds" was kinda right but still...he's kinda full of himself and he's a mixed European...with a pot belly. We think its funny he walks around like he's the grand pooh-bah of Caffè Stella! lol
We also have our nice, normal regulars which we love!
We've learned that there are definitely some weirdos that frequent coffee shops now.  Maybe its because they are hopped up on the caffeine.  Who knows?  haha
Just in case you haven't seen our page on Facebook yet (http://www.facebook.com/caffestella), here are some of our absolutely divine goodies we bake in house. Drool to your hearts content

Turtle Cheesecake 

Lemon cake with Lemon Buttercream icing

Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes

 Red Velvet Cupcakes

Raspberry Limeade Cake

What's that?  Is that drool all over your keyboard I see?  HAHA!  Yep they look pretty scrumptious huh?  I decorate the cakes and make the cupcakes too (or most of them I have....I do the Red Velvet ones for sure! lol)

I officially have no life now and I live to serve coffee and desserts!  If you live in the Atlanta area, definitely come and check out the cafe!

I'm going to try to blog more lately since I have a computer readily available (its just coordinating my thoughts with the available time I have between customers!)

*waves goodbye and sings "oh my starry eyed surprise, sundown to sunrise..." lol

Later taters!

BranDivah

Caffe Stella

Well, I haven't written in a little while. I went from having absolutely nothing to do every day, to cleaning, organizing and trying to get this cafe in shape for it's inspection so we can open soon.
Yep, Mom bought Caffe Stella this past Thursday. I was in there Friday Saturday and Sunday just cleaning cleaning and more cleaning. What a mess! We had to throw out all the food they left behind. I cleaned out all the storage containers. All the dishes are getting cleaned. The oven, the fridge, the freezer...all clean. I think all I really need to finish is organizing all the clean storage bins and dishes, finish cleaning the oven, sweeping and mopping and it's pretty much ready to go. Fingers crossed.
Mom found out today that she has to have someone come out and give us a report on the cafe's grease trap. We have to call an exterminator as well. This is all required prior to going in and speaking with the planner for someone to come out and inspect. And all the money...yipes. I honestly wish we were a little better off so I could help take care of some things. It's because of that reason I am pretty much just busting my ass trying to do whatever I can to help. I'll be going over there in the AM (hopefully i don't sleep in) and will be getting back to work. Hopefully mom can get done what she needs to get done with the fire marshal and all that tomorrow. HOPEFULLY

So yeah...busy busy busy. This is definitely an experience just trying to get this place open. The thing that is kind of driving me and making me feel like it will be successful is the fact that people are coming by. I had one lady come by and almost rip my arm off because she was so excited the cafe was going to open back up! I've been directing people to check out our fan page on Facebook...here's a link just in case:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Lawrenceville-GA/Caffe-Stella/111166152255422?ref=ts

I really am looking forward to opening. Once all the stressful gov't stuff is over and done with, I think it will be a VERY exciting time in there. Mom and I are both very excited about trying out some new recipes on these people to see what they think!

SO anyway. I'm going to head to bed as it is...3AM....got lots to do tomorrow!

Depressed Whale

I love FilmCow.com....its the most random, stupid stuff ever....

And this is going to be really short because I really have nothing interesting to say.  ENJOY!

Beach goer

Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE Tybee Island and the beach?

We're planning to visit Savannah in about a week to participate in the Tybee 5K.  David is going to run it, whereas my fat butt will TRY to walk it as fast as I can.  And once all is said and done...we're going to just spend the whole day at the beach....sigh

I really do love the beach.  I love taking pictures there as well (see above and following).  Which is pretty much why I am writing this blog today.  I'm just so excited to go!  All the pictures I am posting today were all taken on film btw.  I know...how Old Skool right?  The above picture I took a couple years ago of a very large piece of driftwood...

Let's see what else I have...

This is a different piece of driftwood on the opposite side of the island

Jetties on the North Beach

Sand pipers taking flight after I spooked them

The iconic Tybee Light

The pier on a very misty morning

Jetties on South Beach near where we were married

This is everyone's favorite picture.  Tide was really low (you can barely see the water at the end).  I just had an idea to stand under the pier and shoot a "light at the end of the Tunnel" picture...I love it

David actually took this picture but it was my idea....and my hand.  I love it though

And I have TONS of pictures of just adventures to the beach with my sis in law.  We always have a great time.  I'm sure I will have some to add after next weekend!  Hope you enjoy the pictures!