F-O-X Books

I finally got a new job. It is at a bookstore. Sweet. Though my salary is significantly lower and I am only working part-time, I am happy to be employed. Not to mention stoked to spend 20hrs a week surrounded by books. And the employee discount? Very good indeed. I mean come on. My lower salary blues are easy to alleviate with the purchase of a new fiction at a super low price. Plus, when I stop to think about it, what a great place for a book lover and aspiring writer to work.

Today was my first day training. During the hours of orientation and over-acted training videos, I started to think about You’ve Got Mail. All about books. The 1998 movie, by the way, is a remake of a 1940’s movie called The Shop Around the Corner.

O.M.G., I am F-O-X Books. Participating in the demise of local stores and selling books like over-sized, Costco-brand olive oil. Ah, who cares. I get cheap books with an additional employee discount.

I really do not have much else to say, but I am sure the stories will get more plentiful as my days start to get more exciting.

Absolutely Defining Sense of Self?

“The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don’t know what the hell they’re doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino.” [Tom Hanks as Joe Fox, You've Got Mail]

 

What is it about Starbucks during the day? I am not talking about a Starbucks near office complexes or adjacent to a college campus. I mean the neighborhood shop, the Starbucks near the homes and grocery stores. In the span of ten minutes, I can see my entire future flash before my eyes. There I am now, talking on my cell phone about school or a raging party. My beverage of choice is a sugar-filled latte followed by a disgustingly, over-processed muffin.

 Next, please!

 There I am again, a beautiful young mom who stays at home with her toddler and newborn. Maneuvering around the small cafe with little Timmy on my hip and baby Lilly resting peacefully in her stroller. Oh, look! Grandma and Grandpa are here to join us.

 Next, please!

 Wow, the years are clearly taking their toll. I need a break from the office, so I am stopping by Starbucks. Dressed like a true professional, my eyes are drooping as I order my Venti non-fat, no foam, sugar-free vanilla latte. Apparently, little Timmy is starting to bombard me with teenage angst. Man, how and the hell do I manage to remain sane as a working mom?

 Next, please!

 Retired, at last! My friends and I are meeting for our weekly gab-fest. We are discussing the scintillating book that just came out. One of my friends is a new Grandma. Congratulations.

 Next, please!

 Wow, welcome to Starbucks. Maybe next time I will just order my latte and walk out the door. Come to think of it, maybe my life would be less like a mold if I just did not go to Starbucks. I don’t need to make this many decisions during one outing. Sure, I would like a small cup of “absolutely defining sense of self” but not nearly so much.