so close...

Well I am almost at a point where I can return to sanity - or as close to it as I ever was, which isn't probably very close.... but that's the way I like it ;)

the season's traditional visions of sugarplums have carefully avoided dancing in my head, and have been replaced by visions of relaxing evenings, time to read and especially time to spend on "certain things" I am involved in which are important to me (and I have felt increasing guilty for not participating as much as I would like lately). Simple dreams which feel so unreachable, but in only a few *not so short* days will be fulfilled.

My business' christmas rush is almost over. I have been working between 14 and 18 hours a day for the past 5 weeks, without a single day off, and it is seriously taking its toll. I feel old and haggard, unattractive and unappreciated.... but soon, very soon, the rush will be over, I'll enjoy some time off followed by a lighter workload, and the money will start pouring in for the work I've done, though of course having just set up the business in a new city, most if not all of said money will simply pay my set-up costs.

Right now though, oney is the last thing on my mind - gotta make the deadlines before the money comes in - so a few more days in my little sweat-shop and I'll start to realise those dreams

Then the sugar-plums will be free to dance, more than likely assisted by a large bottle of something extremely tasty and alcoholic!

should that be in my coffee?!?

Um no, it shouldn't

The "it" in question is none other than a small blade, generally used in cafes to cut open plastic milk refills. However yesterday afternoon it wasn't in its regular place, sitting on the top of a Starbucks espresso machine or feebly attached to the side of a milk steaming jug, but at the bottom of my venti white chocolate mocha.

Needless to say, since I swirled the cup one last time to blend the dregs of syrup into my coffee and heard an odd "thunk" sound in my cup, only to discover my unsolicited little friend half floating in the perfect bacteria-growing temperature liquid, I have become more than a little preoccupied with ideas of where that little blade has been.

Now this blade is actually a sharp thing, reasonably well protected in it's little plastic casing but still a threat to the unwary consumer. Preying more on my mind right now though is the fact that it is undoubtedly, in some way, dirty.

The child/manager I spoke to swore to me that they have strict hand-washing policies at Starbucks. I accept and appreciate that they have very strict rules. As I pointed out to same child/manager, we have very strict rules at my house also, but I am the only person I can guarantee actually washes their hands at all, so realistically their policies mean nothing to me. Especially considering this is an inner city Starbucks, exceptionally busy at times and people are always in a hurry. So are staff when they use the bathroom. Add to that the fact that this is a cutting blade we are talking about. It usually has no direct contact with food, only plastic.... so if it gets dropped on the floor and kicked around a little, pick it up and use it again! Why not?

Well they may be about to find out why not. When I spoke with the child/manager about it, she attempted to take the "evidence" out the back to be disposed of. She heard my voice raise a little at that point, when I insisted rather firmly that she couldn't have it. Whether I decided to take any action or not, it was in fact, potential evidence. So when I left, it went with me.

I live in New Zealand. We can't sue here.... at least I don't think so (am finding out and sure as hell will if I can). The Health Department on the other hand was very interested when I spoke to them this morning. They are planning on taking it rather seriously. Will update on progress if and when I get it.

In the end, My little sharp friend will join the exclusive ranks of other interesting and intimidating looking obejcts, in a small plastic container, on a shelf in the offices of the health department.

As for me? I assume after a while the feeling I have in my stomach and the thoughts which haunt my dreams will fade and disappear. Hopefully the sweaty little hands which have touched the blade were completely disease-free and my coffee was the same. And I at least have an interesting new story to tell ;)