Like water on a hot skittle

Dear Kate,

The first thing I can say about you is that your are fervent. I think it has always been a double-edged sword to me. I tend to value passion about something (anything for that matter) pretty highly. But I also tend to avoid people with a mission in life like the plague. This is largely due to my inability to have strong feelings about anything serious. It’s not that I think I am too cool for school, it’s just that if you think about anything enough, its actual value dissolves, or atleast it does for me.

The second thing about you is you don’t take shit, ever. I am fairly certain that regardless the situation you will not be bulldozed off your point if you feel it worth defending. While apathetics like me will more often than not just let slights slide, you aren’t afraid to say “Hey, cut that shit out.”. This so far as I have seen is a good thing.

Other than the café you and I have had very little interaction. I think I had a beer at your house once, and we may have talked about misconceptions about feminism a few times, but like many of my other friends, have been a presence in kalamazoo that haunts the same alleyways and bar stools as I do, and in that kind of relationship on the periphery, I think I can safely say you are a friend.

I have never talked or interacted with you on fb, to be honest I was kind of surprised you even had one. That being said, I am sure your unfriending will go by mostly unnoticed by you. But hey, you are on my list so it must be done. I will see you round the zoo, probably on the way to the bathroom somewhere.

Today was a great day, but tomorrow our FBfriendship will end,

Curt

Maddymade

Dear Maddy,

You were the first person to serve me at the WSCJ. Being that I have troubles when dealing with new people if I remember correctly I mumbled a lot and spent a lot of time staring intently at the deli case. I think the conversation went something like this:

Maddy: Hey, what can I get for you today?

Me: mmumble mumble coffee, mumblemumble….mumble.

Maddy: What size would you like?

Me: Normal mumble mumble?

Maddy: I think that is a large.

Me: mumble.

Maddy: By the way, my name is Maddy.

Me: ….(looks at deli case)…(looks at chocolate bars)…(looks at deli case again)…

Maddy:…What’s your name?

Me:OH!...Curt mumblemumble.

But despite this awkward introduction, you took it in stride and treated me standard WS manner of brief cordial barista banter that I have come to accept as standard practice at the café. You were always nice to me even if you happen to be beyond the counter (which as far as I can tell is not specifically dictated in the WSCJ employee manual) and would often ask me what I was working, how work was going, and generally seemed interested in my well being.

While again I always have the sinking suspicion that this was a form of mandatory interaction, you never let me feel that way, and it was much appreciated. Once I heard that you were leaving the café to pursue your career endeavors and what not, there was a bit of sadness about the whole thing (this is in part due to my fear of who would be replacing you =) but I have since seen you pop into the café from time to time and it makes the transition easier for my mushy brain.

I am certain in whatever vocation you find yourself working in you will take to it with the same effortless manner in which you served coffee, and obviously friends will be made. I will make due with the occasional head nod / wave whenever you should happen to drop in while I am there. It was as good as a customer / employee relationship can get, and I fear it has spoiled me on what to expect from my baristas in the future.

Today was a great day, but tomorrow our FBfriendship will end,

Curt