Daily Drug Dealing Dolls

Everyday I literally have to argue with myself to convince my brain and feet to work together and get out of bed. Arguing with yourself is a hard thing to do because you are making arguments and counterarguments and rebuttals to yourself! Yourself of all people! By the time i get out of bed, it is around 45 min before class starts. It takes me around 15-25 min. to get ready for class. Usually when the class is a early morning class i'll throw on a pair of pants and a hoodie and grab my Tech hat and run out of the dorms. The only thing on my mind is coffee.

For those who know me, i'm a true caffene addict. It is my drug of choice. As i carefully walk down two flights of stairs, trying not to fall over, i wonder about the day's weather. This is ironic because i had just checked the weather on my computer. No matter what in on the computer, it never compares to what is actually outside. I trudge through whatever Lubbock throws at me around the music building and into the SUB with sounds of chatter and the aroma of books and coffee: the Barns and Noble SUB Starbucks.

Every day there is a group of professors who sit at a table and chat about, who knows what. I go and pick up a power bar and head to the cash registar. There are usually three of my daily drug dealers behind the counter. Each one seemed more awake than the other. I do not envy them at all. I could not get up that early to make other people coffee.

On good days, i smile back or nod and mumble a thank you along with my daily order of a Carmel Mocciato not too sweet Grande. This starbucks tends to make thier drinks on the sweet side compared to other starbucks. By asking a "not too sweet" it makes the drink to the same consitancy and sweetness as other stores. (hey, at least we don't have a starbucks in our parking garage like Baylor does).

Eventhough i don't always show it, these girls always brighten my mornings just alittle bit. They get an extra few points when they hand me my cup of coffee and its well made, but each of thier bright personalities puts a spark into everybody who enters and orders from that place. Usually, after the first smile and the ordering process, my mind's ice has broken away and i can start thinking coherently. After the first sip...i'm good to go for the rest of the day.

I have become a "regular" there. If they are not too busy, someone starts my drink, and by the time i purchase my power bar my drink is mostly ready. I should start going up there and just saying, "my regular please." I don't know if i really will though. It is interesting, depending on who's looking and working there in the mornings, i can feel them grin to themselves...they see a regular.

I never see any of them outside of the coffee shop. And I always wonder if they have a good day after work. But they are a group of "drug" dealers that brighten my day each and every morning. They have impacted my life in a small but special way...much like many people we interact tend to do. I hop down the Starbucks/Union stairs and walk briskly off to class, ready to think, with a grin on my face and 5.45 dollars poorer each and every week morning.