Java Detour...life's embarrassing moments!

This morning a young overweight and unattractive Afro-American lady plopped herself down in a wide easy chair at the Java Detour; then - for some strange reason - got the impression that customers were enamoured of her.

In fact, she turned to one startled guest, and requested that he stop staring at her.

Well, it was one of life's embarrassing moments, for sure.

Unbeknownst to the self-absorbed woman, there was a wide screen over her head broadcasting the morning news. And that, not her, was the focal point of their keen interest.

Poor thing.

When it was brought to her attention, she looked like she wanted to slink away and crawl under a carpet somewhere.

The incident reminded me of an old familiar phrase.

"It's all about me."

Carl Sagan once said,
"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."

Unconditional Love...unexpected blessings in West Hollywood!

As I waited for the light to change at Robertson, a young woman with an infectious smile approached me with a gift in hand.

"This is given with unconditional love," she softy said.

As the lady sauntered off, I spied a couple of her friends passing out similarly-wrapped packages to other pedestrians on the street.

The curious gift was beautifully wrapped in an exquisite paper shell emblazoned with a star motif, topped by a delightful spray of spritely-colored curly cues.

I surmised that when I excitedly tore open the present, the contents would reveal a promotion of some kind. (not so!)

Ah, cynical ole me!

When I entered Java Detour across the street for a cup of soothing organic tea, a patron's eyes went wide when she spied the offering in my hands.

When I relayed the events, she exclaimed with joy,

"Someone received good fortune and now they have passed it on to you. You are blessed."

Sort of like tithing, I guess. Or giving back to the Universe, eh?

Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if people willy-nilly went about their lives each day - passing out gifts to friends, business associates, and strangers on the street, without any strings attached?

Unconditional giving...

Victor Hugo once said,

"As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled."


The giving tree...

Starbucks...baristas short-changed. Tip issue taints image!

Image of greed and questionable labor practice!

On the heels of news in recent months that sales are down at Starbucks - the java King was hit with another whammy this past week - where it hurts the most.

In the tip jar!

After reviewing pleadings in a class-action suit filed against the Seattle-based corporate giant, a Superior Court Judge in San Diego found that the company's policy of collecting tips and divvying out a portion of the baristas' spoils to supervisors and managers, was wrongful.

In her ruling Judge Patricia Cowett issued a directive that Starbucks cough the tip money back up with interest and that the practice of siphoning off funds to management stop.

In response, Starbucks vowed to appeal on the grounds that:

"The decision today in our view represents an extreme example of an abuse of the class-action procedures in California."

I disagree.

I have a number of friends who toil as professional waiters in expensive restaurants.

Usually they work together as a team and at the end of the night the tips are shared among the waiters, busboys, wine stewards and bartenders on duty.

The Starbucks practices are outrageous.

According to court pleadings, money collected in tip jars is stowed away in safes daily and divided up each week based on the staff's work schedule.

But - get this - supervisors and managers receive a portion of the tips!

It appears that instead of paying their management teams a proper salary, the coffee-maker has opted to supplement the incomes of the management teams off the backs of the baristas and the sweat of their brows.

Disreputable, at best!

But, what of the customers?

They have a right to be outraged, too.

Personally, I tend to tip based on the quality of service that day. And, if I plunk some cash into the jar, I expect that it be passed on to the person I am giving the nod to.

It irks me - as it does many others - that some employee down the line I've had no interaction with is receiving a portion of that tip money.

Moreover, to hold the tips is unconscionable!

Generally, waiters, bartenders, and service people rely on the cash flow each day to make ends meet.

How dare the managers lock up the funds and make 'em wait!

If Starbucks appeals the ruling, then consumers should boycot.

Otherwise, when will the greed end?

Yes, Java Devour - that new upstart down the street - is starting to look mighty appealing.

In the evening - I often saunter in there for an organic tea - then slip into a deep leather armchair and pen a post or two.

What do I find most appetizing about this little detour past Starbucks?

The understated decor, the flattering lighting, and - most of all - their inclination to provide a relaxing ambiance that is relatively commercial-free.

Java Detour entices!