#invested in the barista/bartender already

[limelocked]

a/b/o prompts that are sfw that simply just seem interesting to me

An alpha and omega pair who are in their like 20s and are roommates, they aren’t into each other at all and nowhere throughout the story would they like learn to love each other, the rent is just easier to pay together and they’re friends. The story would be the complexities of living together and keeping track of each other’s heat and rut just in case someone is a forgetful bitch. It follows the omegas daily life where they have to deal with there always needing to be a Very Trusted beta or alpha that’s like the designated safe person when going clubbing. The alpha having to deal with no one taking them seriously when they say there’s nothing romantic or sexual between them. If they ever sleep with each other it’s not played for titillation but for drama like one of us was out of our mind and we made a mistake together and how will our friendship survive this breach of trust

Mystery story about a guy who works as a detective and there’s all these extremely violent deaths that seem like fucking animal attacks but people say there’s pheramones left at the scene so detective guy thinks it’s a sex crime. Possible twists is that it’s not a sex crime induced by rut which is the leading theory and the second twist possible is that it Is rut (users choice if the victims were violated before the murder or if rut induced murder counts legally as a sex crime anyways) and that the detective is unknowingly the culprit and after that they go on a corruption arc

A sports drama that looks at how pheramones affect sports, how a/b/o is treated within sports (is there an omega only national team for example), and related doping scandals

Mob story where the main character is an omega but is also the scariest motherfucker around who Will break your ankles and make you run away from pending death, they deal in prescription drugs like selling harder opiates and hormone supplements/suppressants, only reason main character is an omega is for drama purposes relating to how they deal with alpha pheramones and how they’ve adapted to using their own pheramones like an alpha or beta would (possible transness here)

A collection of stories with the main character being a nameless barista or bartender who we only learn about thru the advise he gives others. All the short stories are patrons telling him their tales of woe and him trying to help or just giving a listening ear, we find out that he has a husband and is an omega who has at least one child, also he has an Amazingly large social circle

Story about a person who on a hike in the middle of shitfuck nowhere goes into heat and is found by a recluse beta who is ClueLess and thinks they just have some terrible sickness and very respectfully try to nurse them back to health and no thank you I won’t sleep with a sick person what if I catch it or you get worse the nearest hospital is So far away, the person ends up staying with the beta even after due to like depression or other worldly woes and it’s just a cute thing that might be a romance where the most sexual thing is the heat and the attempt to give the beta sex education, neither of which needs to be erotic

[morganski-19]

The One Where Eddie Gets Another Job

Steve and Robin walk into the coffee house after work. Nancy, Jonathan, and Argyle already sitting in their spot. Robin sits next to Nancy on the couch while Steve flops into the armchair.

“How was the first day of school,” Nancy asks Steve.

Steve groans. “I have three Gabriels in my class and all of them want to be called Gabe. And two of them have a last name that starts with H. Then the fire alarm went off because Beverly decided that popcorn was the perfect lunchtime snack. Three moms tried to hit on me when I was doing car line, and I think one of the kids was sick. So that’s about to be spread around my classroom.”

“That’s,” she starts, trying to find something positive to say. “I have nothing, that sounds like shit.”

“I could never be a teacher,” Robin sighs into the couch. “I didn’t like kids that much to begin with. And after the things you tell me, never.”

“I don’t know,” Argyle pipes in. “It could be fun. And very rewarding.”

“I could totally see you being a kindergarten teacher,” Steve suggests.

The group does a vague nod in agreement.

“For anyone wondering how my day was,” Robin perks up. “I had a very nice conversation with this Italian man. He’s opening up a small bakery with his wife and wanted someone to go over the contracts with him. He’s bringing me some pastries as a thank you when they get up and running.”

The conversation about work continues for a bit, each of them sharing how their day was and destressing.

“Where’s Eddie,” Steve eventually asks. He’s normally here by this point.

Nancy starts laughing. “Oh just wait.”

“What,” Jonathan looks up from his laptop. “Did we miss something?”

“Like I said,” Nancy continues to laugh over her coffee. “Just you wait.”

Like speaking of him suddenly made him appear, Eddie walks out of the backroom of the coffee house. With an apron tied around his waist and a pencil behind his ear. He heads over to an empty table with a wet rag, wiping it down.

“Oh my god,” Robin whispers with surprise.

“Is that Eddie, working?” Argyle questions. “Here?”

Nancy nods, her laughter getting louder. “Yes.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Eddie working,” Robin comments. “It’s like watching an animal out in the wild.”

“I can hear you, you know,” Eddie groans. Shoving the rag in his apron pocket and walking over.

Robin smiles. “I meant you to.”

“How long have you been working here?” Steve asks.

Eddie shrugs. “A few days now.”

“I thought you were working on being a tattoo artist,” Jonathan says. Taking a break from editing photos on his laptop to invest in this conversation.

“That I am. But I needed to shut down my Etsy page for art commissions, because people were being a bunch of dicks, so now I’m down one job. So I got another. Because rent is fucking expensive.”

Nancy makes a gesture with her hand. “And that’s with it rent controlled.”

Eddie makes a gesture toward her. “Also, I blew all of my savings moving out here, so I am trying to build those back up.”

“Aw, look at you being financially responsible,” Robin teases. Poking Eddie’s arm.

“You’re growing up,” Nancy eggs on. Feigning wiping away tears.

Eddie rolls his eyes. “You guys are the worst. I knew it was a bad idea getting a job here.”

“I don’t think I ever envisioned you being a barista,” Argyle notes. “Bartender, yes. Barista, no.”

“Well, I work the late shift too. So I am both of those things.”

“Oo,” Robin turns around on the couch. Standing on her knees to see him better. “Do you get a discount? Can we abuse it?”

Eddie shakes off her hand. “Yes, I get a discount, no you cannot abuse it. I sort of need this job, so I’d rather not get fired. It says strictly in the rules that I cannot use it for friends.”

Robin falls back down, defeated. “Boo, you’re no fun.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Eddie walks away behind the counter. Cleaning off the counter and starting to make someone’s order.

“I’m going to go get something to drink,” Steve says, standing up. “You want anything, Rob?”

“Just a green tea. Not feeling coffee right now.”

Steve nods while going over to the counter. Sitting down at one of the stools. “So, you work here now.”

“I thought that was already established.” Eddie hands off the drink he was making to the girl further down. Coming to stand in front of Steve.

“Is that why you couldn’t come over last night? You could have said that.”

Eddie shrugs. “I didn’t want you to know, quite yet. Thought you wouldn’t really like how much I bounce around jobs.”

“You’re not though. You have a job, you just needed a second one. No shame in that.” Steve leans further across the bar. “It also helps that I find bartenders to be really hot.”

“Steven,” Eddie gasps. “I am at work.”

Steve smirks. “I know.”

Eddie shakes his head. “Did you want anything, or are you just here to flirt with me?”

“Only if flirting with you gets me a discount. Otherwise, I’ll just take my business elsewhere.”

“Is that really all I am to you?” Eddie starts making Steve’s usual drink order. Waiting for the espresso to brew.

“And Rob wanted a green tea.”

Eddie nods, pouring some hot water into a glass and adding a tea bag. “How was work?”

Steve rolls his eyes. “Don’t even get me started. The first day is always hard.”

“Oh, I bet.” Eddie steams the milk, adding it to the top of the espresso and drizzling it with caramel.

“And I just can’t wait until I get to hear all of the single, and not so single, PTA moms throwing their cheap pick-up lines at me.” Steve says that with a leading tone. Hoping that Eddie takes that in the direction he wants it to.

Eddie slides the drinks across the bar. “That something they do,” he says, with a lilt of jealousy.

“Every year. Without fail.”

“Any way I can help with that?”

“Come over later and find out.” Steve gives him a flirtatious smile. “What do I owe you?”

Eddie waves his hand. “It’s on the house.”

“I was joking before. Seriously, what so I owe you.”

“And now I’m being serious. I get a free drink a day that I can give out to a friend, so consider that covering Rob’s, and then I am personally paying for yours.”

“What was it about needing to save up money?”

“That doesn’t apply to you, sweetheart.” Eddie leans over the bar a little bit, palms pressed into the edge of the counter.

“Steve,” Robin yells from the couch. “I thought you were getting us drinks.”

Steve rolls his eyes. “I’m paying next time, no arguments.”

“Whatever you say so.”

He walks back over to the group and hands Robin her tea.

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added or taken off) @slowandsteddie, @annieofhearts, @cacdyke, @ubpd, @captain--low,

@thespaceantwhowrites, @goodolefashionedloverboi, @anne-bennett-cosplayer, @lunaticparisianlady,

@apomaro-mellow, @dolphincliffs, @dragonmama76, @maggiebug417, @stevesbipanic,

@fearieshadow, @eightpackdiaz, @au79burger @bookworm0690 , @practicallybegging,

@potato-of-the-lord, @autumncrocusandladybug, @estrellami-1, @ilovecupcakesandtea, @gregre369

@my2amgaythoughts, @ellietheasexylibrarian, @emmabubbles, @eriquin, @grtwdsmwhr

@croatoan-like-its-hot, @dreamercec, @dreamy-jeans137

[riseofmoonxchild]

b i t t e r ⬴ ʇ ǝ ǝ ʍ s // chapter two

➴pairing – jimin x reader – taehyung x reader – [ft. namjoon]

➴genre – fluff // angst

➴theme – college!au // jimin!barista // taehyung!artist

You developed a little crush on the barista at your local coffee shop, Jimin. While you start going to the cafe regularly, thinking it as harmless and innocent, you don’t realize that your interest in him will catch the attention of Taehyung, the most-liked boy in school. As the two of them stir up an almost espresso-and-milk-kind-of element to your school life and study load, you find yourself involved in a more complicated situation than you were prepared for.

»listen to the bittersweet playlist titled “coffee shop boy” here.

« y i n and y a n g »

✰

You pulled your hair up into a ponytail as you walked past the staff that filtered people coming into Club Avenue. Namjoon followed after you, and immediately fixed the tiny pieces of your hair that were sticking out weirdly, as if instinctive.

“Thanks,” you said, tightening your ponytail.

Namjoon just scanned the room, with the same serious/contemplative look that he had on his face the majority of the time. Sometimes, that was just his facial expression, and you teased him for it. But this time, he was probably more serious than he should have been, considering this night was meant for both of you to have fun together.

“Who are you looking for?” You first looked in the same direction as him, then peered over to look at his face to get his attention. He made eye contact with you, still distracted.  

“Nah, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” But the more he tried to be chill about it, the more skeptical you became. You knew that sometimes he would only come with you because he didn’t want you to be alone, and because he was worried about the type of guys he knew came here. But he was usually calm about it, and right now he seemed kind of on-edge. Like there was someone particular he was being wary of.

He started pushing you further into the room, along the edge where the bar was, but close enough to the center that you could join in with the dancing, which he knew was what you preferred. “Let’s just do what we came here to do.”

You knew that Joon would be at the bar, not really drinking, but still, he said he liked the atmosphere and talking to people with their guards down. Dancing wasn’t really a possibility for him, not in public, at least. He would only dance if it was just the two of you.

Tonight he was especially tense, so you turned around to grab the wrist of the hand he had lightly touching your back. “You’re dancing with me tonight, then.”

He just scoffed. “That’s not happening.”

You just became even more determined, and asked for two shots from the bartender. You handed the soju to Namjoon, who just blankly stared between you and the glass in his hands a few times. “Let’s do what we came here to do-” you mimicked his words, trying to remind him: “have fun.”

You raised your eyebrows in slight impatience, signaling for him to drink it. He gave you a mixed confused look, like for some reason he couldn’t figure what was up with you, and then leaned his head back to drink it in one gulp.

You grabbed the next one, gave it to Namjoon, and stared at him, waiting. “This one’s for me too?” He asked, looking somewhat frighteningly surprised.

“Well I’m not the one who needs it right now, am I?”

After he finished, Namjoon had just enough time to slam the glass onto the counter, as you were dragging him into the sea of people—a bold action in and of itself. Even though he didn’t like getting this up close with people, and you knew it, he let you, because Namjoon knew you needed it more than he did. And you knew that too.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Jimin ran his hand through his hair, head down. This wasn’t usually his scene, but Tae always dragged him to these places.

Taehyung was talking to two girls that had walked up to him, while Jimin was by the bar, just out of ear shot. Jimin didn’t even mind that he wasn’t in the conversation, it was more comfortable that way. But they kept glancing over at him, from the other side of his friend.

This continued on for some time, until it came to a point where Jimin was too flustered or uncomfortable, that every time he noticed it happening, he just sipped his drink, or looked nonchalantly in the other direction—or both. He wasn’t really interested in conversations that were pointless, or with people who just wanted something from you.

Jimin caught his own sideways glances at Tae, who was intently invested in the conversation. He would laugh, the kind of laugh that was so deep and repeated, where he scrunched his eyes, you knew it was genuine. Or he would gesture with his hands, flailing them around, and you could tell by his voice he was trying to convince his listeners of something, like his life depended on it. Or he just randomly threw in low key meme faces where they fit in the conversation.

Jimin didn’t even know what they were talking about for the whole time, but he knew this was why girls, or everyone, liked Taehyung, while he had an uncanny fan-club-like following. Tae never judged anyone, he was always kind and any kind of person could talk to him easily. He talked to everyone like he knew them. If they were lifelong friends or complete strangers, there wasn’t much of a difference in how he interacted with them. He just made people feel worthwhile. Like their time was the most precious thing to him in that moment.

Jimin didn’t understand how he did it, but that was just Tae, a naturally genuine person. It came flawlessly. It was the reason why they were friends; Taehyung was one of the few people Jimin trusted so easily.

People just enjoyed being in Tae’s presence. But Jimin knew, that a lot of the time, they also were gaining something for themselves by talking with him. There were particular people that wanted to raise their social status somehow. And because Taehyung easily made friends, he knew students who were established by their families’ social statuses, he befriended them, without a second thought. This just made it easier for those seeking to climb the social ladder, if they really persisted, since Taehyung was so easy to approach.

Not everyone was like that, but Jimin became skeptical more often than not. He hated the fact that someone would try to take advantage of Taehyung.

“A-hooo,” Taehyung interjected in his own conversation. “Sorry guys, I should probably watch my friend more closely. Looks like Jimin-ah needs my attention.” Tae flashed an apologetic smile to the girls he had been talking to, as he made his way over to Jimin and took the drink out of his hands.

While Tae had been talking to the two girls for some time, he also had talked to three others since he’d been here—some he knew, some he didn’t. But he always managed some kind of an excuse after about ten, fifteen minutes.

“Yah, why do you even come to these places if you don’t want to talk to anyone?” Jimin started feeling the heat coming off his face, flushed pink, as he realized how much he had ended up drinking over the past hour.

He never told Taehyung how he felt about some of the people he associated with.

“I like talking to you,” he countered playfully, “that’s why I came with you.” His eyes disappeared and he just leaned against the bar, sipping Jimin’s drink, as he watched people out on the dance floor enjoying themselves.

Jimin just shot the boy a questioning, sideways look. He sat on the stool, leaning back and mimicking Tae, tilting his head up to stare at the ceiling, as his body suddenly felt loose and heavy. Soon enough, he couldn’t even fight to keep his eyes open, and he dozed off to the beat of the DJ’s music as his lullaby.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Jimin was too asleep to catch Taehyung’s realizing the girl—who came into Jimin’s coffee shop almost everyday—was there. He was too asleep to see Taehyung, with a cutely amused smile tugging the edge of his mouth, and a look in his eyes that Jimin had never seen before.

Taehyung had never felt like he was able to invest his interest in many people—except for Jimin, an exception. But it was kind of impossible, considering the scene she was making, wrapped up in her own little world. And something made Taehyung want to enter into that world.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆

You laughed, seeing Namjoon let loose and flail freely in the middle of other people’s dancing, not nearly as passionate as him. Joon could actually dance pretty well—albeit a little uniquely—but with how much he wanted to make you laugh and have fun, combined with his facial expressions, people weren’t sneaking glances because they thought he was good.

The more you laughed, the more into it he got.

But you joined in with his dorky dance moves, and you were pretty sure you caught him laughing at you a few times.

You couldn’t keep track of how long you had been there dancing—you never really did because you always got too caught up in it—but at some point you caught a glimpse of Taehyung. You usually never crossed paths with him in these places, outside of school. Something inside your stomach flipped, and then stayed there like a dead weight, making you feel nauseous. Before you knew that your body was moving, you grabbed Joon’s wrist, exiting Club Avenue as fast as you could break through the crowd.

☾——————————————————————————————————☽

A/N: i’ve been slightly struggling through this already, b/c autocorrect wants to change jimin’s name to ‘jimmy’ everytime, and i just can’t, aha.

anyway, this chapter is kinda setting the stage for future conflict—which i’m prolly more excited for than i should be, aha—but there’s definitely way more fluffy moments in the future of “bittersweet”—ya know i can’t resist. also just imagining tipsy jimin is way too cute i can’t help it uwu

—moonie☾✧

☽

→ preview // prev. // chapter two  // next

→ "coffee shop boy” playlist

⋆

taglist: @monvieesdaebak

[yoolee]

If lee wrote otome | #2 - Boss

The Heroine (MC)

CEO MC: Never gets enough sleep, which makes her sarcastic but is also semi her own fault given the amount of caffeine she consumes. Sort of obsessive about long-term planning, unwaveringly believes that a company’s value comes from its employees and will choose them over shareholder dividends every time. Determined to run an ethical company even if it means it’s not the most profitable company. Super duper Type A – aggressive and fearless because she has to be. Sometimes really just wants a cupcake in her hand and a cat in her lap, but then she’s bored and goes back to business planning. Creative risk-taker, decent negotiator. Smart enough to know where she needs help and hire people who can do the things she can’t (or, more to the point, doesn’t want to do). Gets back up every time. Will definitely fight you. Might feel bad about it later but only if someone reminds her it happened.

Love Interests

The BARISTA: Peppy, optimist (or so MC thinks) but it turns out they actually switch up their personality depending on who they’re serving (sometimes they are the chill, hipster philosopher, sometimes they are the rude New York get-it-done eye roller, etc.) actually somewhere in the middle of it all – but really IS an optimist despite themselves. Kind of slippery and hard to pin down. Big family, used to being what their other siblings/parents need from them. Fairly certain CEO MC is headed for an early heart attack with the amount of espresso she imbibes. Probably an author. Maybe an ex-broadway personjust because. IDK.

The PR LAWYER: Worked-three-jobs-put-self-through-college story. Patience, tact, good at calming people down. Detail oriented, a little fussy about appearances. Perennially exasperated by CEO (Please don’t promise to have a cure for cancer In the next three years with no data to back it up. No, you can’t punch the reporter for being a dick. Look, I know you WANT to donate 100% of proceeds to charity but please pick a friendlier one than ‘punch reporters in the face foundation’ that’s not gonna fly) never gets enough sleep. Has a key to MC’s house so they can come yell at her for making their life difficult at whatever hour of the night she insists on doing so. Is on MC’s speed-dial, which means they also get called to DD, though they’d rather not.

FLAKY MODEL(s?): Trust fund kid? Pretty face? Floats through life? The sort of person who will get on the wrong subway train and then just ride it all day people-watching never mind that they had an appointment six hours ago. Pose with a boa constrictor? Sure, as long as it’s being treated humanely. Tarantula on the face? Awwww, it’s fuzzyyyyy. No filter, no worries. Probably drags CEO MC along on a Caribbean shoot and PR Lawyer has to call and yell because that does not look good, okay? And poor MC is like, I thought we were getting a drink and model is like WE ARE we are getting tropical coconut water from the SOURCE here oh wait I don’t know how to drink out of a coconut…who knows why they are attracted to CEO MC, probably because she’s there and sticks around and no one else does. Human puppy dog.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: young hotshot venture capitalist, thinks CEO MC is a bleeding heart (your employees do not need that many sick days, lost productivity blah blah blah why do we need a daycare onsite that’s a waste of shareholder money), kind of a math whiz, naturally lucky, doesn’t get along with family (gambling problem in the fam – which manifests in him in investment risks and unresolved issues) butts heads constantly with MC, frequently tries to get her fired – in part because his attempts to do so get her fired up and she does great things, which ultimately is better for the company than when she’s just doing her normal ‘good’ job. She is going to be royally ticked when she figures that out. Manipulative, but relatively benign under it all. The sort of person who smirks instead of smiles. All the time.

CHEF FROM HER FAVORITE RESTAURANT: Also a CEO though on smaller scale, because, running a restaurant IS running a business. Probably under the impression CEO MC is actually like, a graduate student with no money because she tends to get takeout at weird hours. Gruff, grumpy, abrupt, but heart of gold. Basically—will grumble about you coming in late but will add extra veggies to your pasta because you’re looking a little pale and need the nutrients and if you call them on it will snarl that they had to be used up they were going bad and he wasn’t going to waste extra, expensive, PROTEIN on you. (MC asks them out and then realizes the only nice restaurant she knows is the one the chef owns)

PRESCHOOL TEACHER: JUST A DECENTLY NICE PERSON. Checks in to make sure MC has eaten regularly, staying hydrated, needs anything fixed around the house (she can do her own plumbing but doesn’t like the electrical and hey it’s nice to have company). Good with kids. Maybe divorced and wanted them but ex-spouse didn’t? idk. Calm, not easily ruffled, sweet as pie, except when he’s playing video games and suddenly MC understands how he can get through the day without any aggression – he unleashes it on fictional zombies. Blissfully normal, all things considered.

PERSONAL TRAINER: “fine, whatever, EAT THE DANG CHEESE if you’re just going to ignore my nutritional advice we’re doing ten more reps” athletic, happiest when DOING versus saying or reading or sitting. Not as impulsive as you’d guess at first glance, because they tend to use working out as a meditative time to make decisions. Didn’t finish college because they realized they just didn’t enjoy it, but they did enjoy working with student athletes, which is how they got into training. Enviably fit. Wants to expand the gym so wheedles business advice out of MC in exchange for not harassing her about her tendency to drink coffee instead of water (she insists it has water IN it, it should count) not particularly intimidated by her, which is a pleasant change of pace.

Supporting Cast (non LIs)

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Keeps MC sane, has her back, schedules everything. Good at details, even better at smiling at angry people and making them not-angry through sheer force of sunny personality (actually a ruse, MC is convinced she’s actually the most delightfully evil person ever, but like some kind of fairy tale where when you acknowledge the thing it goes away, refuses to ever dive into figuring out). Older than the MC because we need to stop making middle aged women invisible in stories?? Sometimes has to remind MC of how much she does by holding silent protests (in part why MC thinks she is secretly a supervillain in the making) which are always, always successful.

PARENT COMPANY ADMIN ASSISTANT: Bane of MC’s existence. Smarmy, smily pain in the tush.

CFO: We have put in an official request with the company credit card management to start declining purchases at that coffee shop you go to, no this is not negotiable, it’s not in the budget anymore drink so darn water woman. Completely willing to go toe-to-toe with MC, meetings often involve a lot of yelling, but they’re always productive and no hard feelings.

CIO: Serpent-y, but not in a bad way. Just a very cool-tempered person, very contained, very guarded, very introverted. Never happy when she has to do presentations, so super willing to share knowledge with MC so she does it instead (she is not a great teacher, kind of judgey and shows her frustration when MC doesn’t ‘get’ it right away, but very brilliant, and there’s no malice in the judgement, just no filter). Extremely logic-oriented and process-oriented over people-oriented. Picks up and assess tech very quickly, and good at finding affordable, fast solutions.

RANDOM MARKETING EMPLOYEE:  Set up to be a villain but is actually like gung-ho on MC’s side. Literally an ex pageant queen, went to college on scholarship from it. Out of the workforce for awhile as a stay at home mom when her kids were young, but picks up the new trends fast. Now a single mother, so will literally fight the chairman if he tries to take away the company daycare. Some days uses the ‘people see a pretty face and assume no brain’ to her advantage, some days it wears her out. Unofficially drinking buddy with MC, even though they both feel weird about it given the fact MC is technically boss’s boss’s boss.

BARTENDER: also an ex-girlfriend maybe? Current best friend? Who she turns to when the barista cuts her off from coffee and the chef’s restaurant is already closed. Sharp-tongued, bristly, generally disgusted with MC’s six inch heels and slacks in her leather-jacket, cigar smoke bar. Like lady, you’re lost. Probably on the mob payroll at some point in her life.

ROUTE PLOTS:

(Chairman route?) MERGER – company has just bought another company, which is a major risk move for CEO (can only be one, so do you keep the old one on as a VP? Do you let them go? Will they be bitter/try to sabotage you?) you have to fend off internal sabotage, get everything running smoothly without either company falling apart in the process.  

(PR Lawyer route?) Parent company did something massively shady and it’s tainting your company’s name too, so you have to scrounge to avoid having to fire half your employees and keep the company alive.

(Model route?) New product launch – hence why models are entering the picture. It’s a new business venture in the sense it’s targeted at a completely new audience your company hasn’t catered to before.

(Personal Trainer route?) Company is in its infancy, hugely risky time, and you’re doing everything you can to ensure it’s a success  (maybe including putting your own salary back into it, which means you can’t afford PT so they agree to work with you as long as you give them business advice)

FROM @han-pan- they keep trying to buy new retail space for the gym and MC keeps buying it instead because it’s SUCH GOOD PROPERTY and they sort of exasperatedly are like ugh fine whatever you owe me since you keep swiping prime spots out from under my nose

See the rest here

[ifleewroteotome]

#4 - Boss!

Context: Sarcastic, ambitious, slightly aggressive, creative and caffeine-addicted CEO manages her business and falls in love, featuring:

Heroine: Risk-taker, smart enough to hire people to do the things she can’t (or doesn’t want to do), gets sh-- done and done well. Drinks too much coffee and does not know what work-life-balance is.

Barista: Peppy, optimistic, concerned for CEO’s general health and well-being. Chameleon.

PR Lawyer: Not paid nearly enough. Perennially exasperated. All to often CEO’s DD. Responsible.

Chairman of the board: hotshot venture capitalist with an attitude. Super alike to CEO which is why they bang heads a lot. Never smiles--just smirks. A lot.

Flaky model: Hired to promote new product, floating breezily through life like the blessed flower child they are. 

Chef: Grump with a heart of gold, has CEO’s takeout order ready (with extra veggies because girl, vitamins)

Preschool teacher neighbor: Actual hufflepuff, single parent, has the work-life balance stuff figured out.

Personal trainer: Doer of things. Does not judge. 

Supporting cast!: Possibly-evil-but-also-awesome administrative assistant, smarmy parent company vultures, cool-tempered CIO, quick-tempered CFO, ex-beauty pageant marketing employee/ally, ex-girlfriend bartender

The Heroine (MC)

CEO MC: Never gets enough sleep, which makes her sarcastic but is also semi her own fault given the amount of caffeine she consumes. Sort of obsessive about long-term planning, unwaveringly believes that a company’s value comes from its employees and will choose them over shareholder dividends every time. Determined to run an ethical company even if it means it’s not the most profitable company. Super duper Type A – aggressive and fearless because she has to be. Sometimes really just wants a cupcake in her hand and a cat in her lap, but then she’s bored and goes back to business planning. Creative risk-taker, decent negotiator. Smart enough to know where she needs help and hire people who can do the things she can’t (or, more to the point, doesn’t want to do). Gets back up every time. Will definitely fight you. Might feel bad about it later but only if someone reminds her it happened.

Love Interests

The BARISTA: Peppy, optimist (or so MC thinks) but it turns out they actually switch up their personality depending on who they’re serving (sometimes they are the chill, hipster philosopher, sometimes they are the rude New York get-it-done eye roller, etc.) actually somewhere in the middle of it all – but really IS an optimist despite themselves. Kind of slippery and hard to pin down. Big family, used to being what their other siblings/parents need from them. Fairly certain CEO MC is headed for an early heart attack with the amount of espresso she imbibes. Probably an author. Maybe an ex-broadway personjust because. IDK.

The PR LAWYER: Worked-three-jobs-put-self-through-college story. Patience, tact, good at calming people down. Detail oriented, a little fussy about appearances. Perennially exasperated by CEO (Please don’t promise to have a cure for cancer In the next three years with no data to back it up. No, you can’t punch the reporter for being a dick. Look, I know you WANT to donate 100% of proceeds to charity but please pick a friendlier one than ‘punch reporters in the face foundation’ that’s not gonna fly) never gets enough sleep. Has a key to MC’s house so they can come yell at her for making their life difficult at whatever hour of the night she insists on doing so. Is on MC’s speed-dial, which means they also get called to DD, though they’d rather not.

FLAKY MODEL(s?): Trust fund kid? Pretty face? Floats through life? The sort of person who will get on the wrong subway train and then just ride it all day people-watching never mind that they had an appointment six hours ago. Pose with a boa constrictor? Sure, as long as it’s being treated humanely. Tarantula on the face? Awwww, it’s fuzzyyyyy. No filter, no worries. Probably drags CEO MC along on a Caribbean shoot and PR Lawyer has to call and yell because that does not look good, okay? And poor MC is like, I thought we were getting a drink and model is like WE ARE we are getting tropical coconut water from the SOURCE here oh wait I don’t know how to drink out of a coconut…who knows why they are attracted to CEO MC, probably because she’s there and sticks around and no one else does. Human puppy dog.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: young hotshot venture capitalist, thinks CEO MC is a bleeding heart (your employees do not need that many sick days, lost productivity blah blah blah why do we need a daycare onsite that’s a waste of shareholder money), kind of a math whiz, naturally lucky, doesn’t get along with family (gambling problem in the fam – which manifests in him in investment risks and unresolved issues) butts heads constantly with MC, frequently tries to get her fired – in part because his attempts to do so get her fired up and she does great things, which ultimately is better for the company than when she’s just doing her normal ‘good’ job. She is going to be royally ticked when she figures that out. Manipulative, but relatively benign under it all. The sort of person who smirks instead of smiles. All the time.

CHEF FROM HER FAVORITE RESTAURANT: Also a CEO though on smaller scale, because, running a restaurant IS running a business. Probably under the impression CEO MC is actually like, a graduate student with no money because she tends to get takeout at weird hours. Gruff, grumpy, abrupt, but heart of gold. Basically—will grumble about you coming in late but will add extra veggies to your pasta because you’re looking a little pale and need the nutrients and if you call them on it will snarl that they had to be used up they were going bad and he wasn’t going to waste extra, expensive, PROTEIN on you. (MC asks them out and then realizes the only nice restaurant she knows is the one the chef owns)

PRESCHOOL TEACHER: JUST A DECENTLY NICE PERSON. Checks in to make sure MC has eaten regularly, staying hydrated, needs anything fixed around the house (she can do her own plumbing but doesn’t like the electrical and hey it’s nice to have company). Good with kids. Maybe divorced and wanted them but ex-spouse didn’t? idk. Calm, not easily ruffled, sweet as pie, except when he’s playing video games and suddenly MC understands how he can get through the day without any aggression – he unleashes it on fictional zombies. Blissfully normal, all things considered.

PERSONAL TRAINER: “fine, whatever, EAT THE DANG CHEESE if you’re just going to ignore my nutritional advice we’re doing ten more reps” athletic, happiest when DOING versus saying or reading or sitting. Not as impulsive as you’d guess at first glance, because they tend to use working out as a meditative time to make decisions. Didn’t finish college because they realized they just didn’t enjoy it, but they did enjoy working with student athletes, which is how they got into training. Enviably fit. Wants to expand the gym so wheedles business advice out of MC in exchange for not harassing her about her tendency to drink coffee instead of water (she insists it has water IN it, it should count) not particularly intimidated by her, which is a pleasant change of pace.

Supporting Cast (non LIs)

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Keeps MC sane, has her back, schedules everything. Good at details, even better at smiling at angry people and making them not-angry through sheer force of sunny personality (actually a ruse, MC is convinced she’s actually the most delightfully evil person ever, but like some kind of fairy tale where when you acknowledge the thing it goes away, refuses to ever dive into figuring out). Older than the MC because we need to stop making middle aged women invisible in stories?? Sometimes has to remind MC of how much she does by holding silent protests (in part why MC thinks she is secretly a supervillain in the making) which are always, always successful.

PARENT COMPANY ADMIN ASSISTANT: Bane of MC’s existence. Smarmy, smily pain in the tush.

CFO: We have put in an official request with the company credit card management to start declining purchases at that coffee shop you go to, no this is not negotiable, it’s not in the budget anymore drink so darn water woman. Completely willing to go toe-to-toe with MC, meetings often involve a lot of yelling, but they’re always productive and no hard feelings.

CIO: Serpent-y, but not in a bad way. Just a very cool-tempered person, very contained, very guarded, very introverted. Never happy when she has to do presentations, so super willing to share knowledge with MC so she does it instead (she is not a great teacher, kind of judgey and shows her frustration when MC doesn’t ‘get’ it right away, but very brilliant, and there’s no malice in the judgement, just no filter). Extremely logic-oriented and process-oriented over people-oriented. Picks up and assess tech very quickly, and good at finding affordable, fast solutions.

RANDOM MARKETING EMPLOYEE: Set up to be a villain but is actually like gung-ho on MC’s side. Literally an ex pageant queen, went to college on scholarship from it. Out of the workforce for awhile as a stay at home mom when her kids were young, but picks up the new trends fast. Now a single mother, so will literally fight the chairman if he tries to take away the company daycare. Some days uses the ‘people see a pretty face and assume no brain’ to her advantage, some days it wears her out. Unofficially drinking buddy with MC, even though they both feel weird about it given the fact MC is technically boss’s boss’s boss.

BARTENDER: also an ex-girlfriend maybe? Current best friend? Who she turns to when the barista cuts her off from coffee and the chef’s restaurant is already closed. Sharp-tongued, bristly, generally disgusted with MC’s six inch heels and slacks in her leather-jacket, cigar smoke bar. Like lady, you’re lost. Probably on the mob payroll at some point in her life.

ROUTE PLOTS:

(Chairman route?) MERGER – company has just bought another company, which is a major risk move for CEO (can only be one, so do you keep the old one on as a VP? Do you let them go? Will they be bitter/try to sabotage you?) you have to fend off internal sabotage, get everything running smoothly without either company falling apart in the process.  

(PR Lawyer route?) Parent company did something massively shady and it’s tainting your company’s name too, so you have to scrounge to avoid having to fire half your employees and keep the company alive.

(Model route?) New product launch – hence why models are entering the picture. It’s a new business venture in the sense it’s targeted at a completely new audience your company hasn’t catered to before.

(Personal Trainer route?) Company is in its infancy, hugely risky time, and you’re doing everything you can to ensure it’s a success  (maybe including putting your own salary back into it, which means you can’t afford PT so they agree to work with you as long as you give them business advice)

FROM @han-pan- they keep trying to buy new retail space for the gym and MC keeps buying it instead because it’s SUCH GOOD PROPERTY and they sort of exasperatedly are like ugh fine whatever you owe me since you keep swiping prime spots out from under my nose

See the rest here

[phgq]

Bike Coffee: A CDO barista's tale of surviving pandemic

#PHnews: Bike Coffee: A CDO barista's tale of surviving pandemic

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Like many other workers who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, Ruggierro Nicolae Rubio had to be let go by the hotel where he had been a barista for eight years. As a barista who has long been harboring a dream to own a mini-bar or a coffee shop, the pandemic came as an opportunity to finally turn his plans into reality. At the height of movement restrictions in March last year, the 29-year-old Rubio began preparing a mobile version of his planned beverage venture, in-between taking odd jobs for 10 months. As more people flocked online, Rubio turned to online barista communities for help. "I asked other people (who already engaged in the mobile coffee business) from different places online; I had to be confident in asking them tips, and they were kind enough to share some pointers," he said. After receiving a cash aid worth PHP5,000 from the Department of Labor and Employment intended for those who lost their jobs, Rubio slowly invested in materials necessary to build his mobile coffee shop project. With the help of his family, he managed to purchase a surplus bike for PHP4,000 and got another one from an online barter community. After months of building his mobile coffee shop, Rubio rolled right into his dream and onto the streets in February this year. With the word-of-mouth from friends and with the help of social media, Rubio promotes the 10 spots where he regularly serves fresh coffee. "My siblings and my cousins are helping me out with the operations. My siblings were working online as freelancers at night so they have time to help me in the daytime," he said. Working as a barista in a bar or hotel as an employee, he would earn more than PHP10,000 monthly excluding other bonuses and tips, that is why he admitted that the income in his bike coffee shop was a challenge at first, but over time, people get to notice his presence, and after two weeks he would average more than PHP1,000 a day. Rubio currently plies his regular routes at least four times a week, with Rodelsa Rotunda as one of his usual spots on afternoon weekends. Recently, he said he is in negotiations with a stall owner downtown so that his coffee business can find a permanent home. But Rubio said whether his coffee is sold on a mobile stand or on a cozier place, his motivation for the job remains the same – his family. "Unlike my siblings who work online, this has been my skills (bartending), and I want to fully maximize this," he said. (PNA)

***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Bike Coffee: A CDO barista's tale of surviving pandemic." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1134510 (accessed March 23, 2021 at 05:06AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Bike Coffee: A CDO barista's tale of surviving pandemic." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1134510 (archived).

[short-simple-crystalclear]

To answer this question I need to tell you a bit more about the background. You know about those things more or less but I will interlink them with one another and it will be clearer when they are in one place.

I will tell you how my life looked before we happened.

Unstable, no commitments, jumping from one place to another, disappointment with people, constant nonfulfillment, the same companion all the time - me and me only. You know already that I am a seeker, every day, every minute, seeking for satisfaction, for meaning, for something that could fill that void inside me. It was very hard, I was unhappy, always acting as if everything was alright, being there for others and not for myself, changing environments as often as I could to finally find a place where I would feel good and comfortable. Apart from this, highly developed self criticism, constant efforts to improve myself - my interpersonal skills, my education, qualifications, my personality, my appearance. Because I still had this void in me, what is it? Lack of meaningful relationships? Low self-esteem? Lack of self acceptance? I didn’t know, so I worked on everything, always pushing myself over my limits. And constantly distracting myself from this feeling of emptiness and lacking. Either by next job, next bartender or barista training, excel courses, tax advisory courses, work and travel in America, study exchange, crossfit, yoga, japanese, eating, sleeping, going to the cinema alone, listening to the music at full volume. Everything I could find to meet new people, to forget about myself for a minute and to find meaning. I really was miserable, I could be surrounded by people who cared for me and adored me, and I still felt as if I was alone. But because it has been lasting for so long, I learned to deal with it. And here comes my mindset, my habits, everything that I must have given up before deciding you will be my future husband.

Freedom and individualism - those became (subconsciously) my most important values in life. I could go anywhere I wanted, so I was going, I didnt have any relationships, it was great, I didnt have to explain myself and my bizarre ideas to anyone. But because it was quite painful I started creating this vision of myself in my mind - what will I do, where will I work, where will I go during those times of the year which are associated with family and other people. I have experience in spending New Years eve alone (or with my parents, so the same thing) since 2014. In Poland not going to a party on New Year’s Eve means that you are a loser and a social zero. So I was both, invisible and social zero, no one could know about this, it is too shameful, it shows how unattractive I am, so I had to lie about my plans to people who asked me what was I doing. But yeah, I already had experience with New Year’s.

Next, Christmas - right after I move out from Poland I most likely wont go back home for Xmas because why would I? For the past 3 years I have treated every Christmas spent with my family as the last one. So I made peace with it too.

Next, and this is the biggest one, my normal everyday life - I will hire myself in a company or sth, climbing the career ladder, not worrying whether I will have kids or not because I wasnt even sure if I wanted them. How my life would look like? I live alone, go to work in the morning, go back from work in the evening, I go to yoga class or any other place and then I sit at my home and look for more opportunities for myself to grow. Still, no commitments, maybe random sex maybe not (depending on my confidence and relationship with my body), no adjusting to anyone else, changing social circles often (to avoid commitment) or being alone since I am so comfortable with my own company after all of these years. Besides, I cant trust anyone, people want to hurt me or destroy my plans and make me fail. It’s easier to be alone and observe everyone, and silently work on my achievements so no one can see. Do you remember our first fight? About sleeping around? That’s exactly what I (and you) was fighting with, I said “When it comes to me, sex was the only thing left that I couldn’t do without a man”. Exactly. And I wrote even more concerning this “I could imagine myself hitting 30, with my “dream job” making me miserable, with good apartment, surrounded by expensive things which were supposed to make me less lonely, with my eating disorder thriving, and with my vibrator in the drawer next to my bed, definitely overused one.” Similar to what I have written a couple of lines up, right? But that was my future in my mind, I planted this seed and accepted it. This was the way to prevent myself from more disappointment, broken heart and loneliness. I prepared myself in advance for all of them. I knew it was bad for me, but it was the only way I could cope with my hopelessness.

So what did I have to give up when I started a relationship with you? That I could go anywhere I wanted without much planning, that I could be fully flexible with my decisions because there was no other person involved, that I didnt have to know where I will end up in the end because I can always move and find a new place for myself. I had to give up my constant search for meaning and fulfillment. I had to give up my independence. Because if I am in a relationship I cant have secrets, I cant make plans that nobody knows about, I cant just go out without saying anything, I cant make decisions by myself without taking anyone else into consideration. I cant follow my strategy anymore - that no one really knows who I really am, no one knows my stories. I still perceived myself as not ready, not good enough, not having enough to give, because I knew how unstable I am, I knew well my urges to run away from people, I knew that I indeed loved being careless and free. Freedom, I understood and loved it, and I couldn’t give it up. I didn’t have much but I had this total independence, no matter how many mistakes I made, how bad my situation was, I could just turn around, change my living place and create my new identity over and over again. I also used it to stay myself, after giving away myself to others for years, I could go away and recover. I knew the costs were high, but at least I didn’t have to pay the greatest cost - being myself and accept everything that comes with it. I knew it was bad for me, I knew that. But that was living in me, so strongly, those were my reactions and thoughts which I had for years. That mindset was very important to me - not staying anywhere for too long, trying new things, being independent and not having to explain myself to anyone, changing people so they cant develop expectations. I didnt start any romantic relationship to protect myself from exposure and rejection when he finds out how I really am.

When I met you I had to give up all of that thinking, I had to make a mess with my life and destroy the whole system with no guarantee that I wont fuck up this relationship too because my demons will take over.

Now you can see why I behave in a way I behave, why I misbehave and do those unpredictable things. I decided I would give up all of this, but they are still troubling me, they dont want to let go. They are hijacking me from time to time and I have to fight with them. Unfortunately, sometimes I lose the duel, and then hurt you. Examples are: when I run away in September, when I wasn’t replying to you at the beginning of January for the whole day, when I triggered our first fight about sleeping around, female masturbation and vibrators, that’s why I still considered HPV vaccine even though you said we don’t need it, that’s why I dont like sending pictures of me to you, that’s why I say “everything is fine” even if it isnt, that’s why I had this dilemma about Toronto and couldnt see from the very beginning that you are most important to me, that’s why I didnt want to tell you about antidepressants, that’s why I was thinking and thinking again about our relationship and assessing whether I am still an asset to you, that’s why I asked if you would accept me if I leave you now and come back after a couple of years, that’s why I was pushing you away and pulling you closer, that’s why I ask for reassurances when you say you want me or you love me, that’s why I provoke you and actually cross the line, that’s why I make you uncomfortable sometimes with what I say, that’s why I kept you at arm’s length distance sometimes, thats why I believed that no one is irreplaceable and that love is conditional, that’s why I didnt want to go public with our relationship, at least on my side, that’s why at first I was telling you that you will have another wife, because I was afraid I will hurt you and let you down, that’s why I wasn’t so sure if I want to start a relationship with you at first, because I was sure I will ruin you and hurt the person that I love the most on this planet. I was pushing you away not because I wanted freedom, I was pushing you away because I could see how strong these demons and this thinking are inside me. And I was frightened that I would leave you one day in the future when it’s already too late, when you invest too much, when you completely adjust your life to be with me and when it’s too late for you to forget about me and find another girl for yourself. You can see that I had a lot of issues from the very beginning but you didn’t know because I wasn’t communicating them. And now I am communicating them but they are not as strong anymore.

And this void is still present there, I am still self conscious and too shy. When you came you didnt fill these holes in me, you didnt fix what was broken. No. You created new things, you created spheres that I never had, you built your own creations in my mind. And they are all warm, loving and comfortable. And now my mind and my body is colorful, there’s a lot of vibrant colors which you brought but there is also a lot of darkness. All I have to do is to give up on those destructive mechanisms that are old and no longer supportive and focus on the new ones. And I am relieved it is like this, I really am. You know why? Because you have built something sustainable, you are not a guy for one night who will help me forget about myself, you are not amphetamine which could get me high for a couple of hours. And it brings me peace and tranquility, that I am not using you to fill this void only and discard you when you stop “working”. But it will take me some time to unlearn all of the things that I was doing for years. I can clearly see how much I have changed during the past 6 months, from a complete doubt through confusion to a total belief. How I perceived myself unworthy of your love and now I accept it.

It wasn’t a coincidence that I was single. And you know how many opportunities I had to start a relationship, but I never had one because no one was worth it. Worth leaving my principles and plans. Until I met you. And when I am saying that I don’t want to be with anyone else I know what I am saying. I don’t want to be with anyone else.

And this Toronto thing, oh Elias. I never did something like this before, I think it was the biggest sacrifice of my life, because indeed, I did sacrifice my “alternative life”, pleasing others, forgetting about myself and helping them, doing the most unexpected thing without consequences, cutting my current relationships, turning my life upside down. But giving up Canada is a one thing, I won’t even apply, even though I already paid for the application fee, it means that I didn’t leave a second door for myself, I can’t run away in case I change my decision, there’s no way back, and I always, always leave a buffer zone for myself. Not this time, I can’t change my mind next month or in two months. It’s like I gave up my own security, my backup, part of my identity. I have never done more to any other person, never. I gave up my way of living. And it’s all for you.

[delfinamaggiousa]

5 Easy Garnishes to Elevate Your At-Home Cocktails

Becoming one’s own bartender doesn’t have to be an elaborate or complicated process. Along with having a few of the necessary tools and ingredients, an easy way to boost cocktail-making confidence and add a creative edge is with garnishes.

Contemporary garnishes among mixologists and enthusiasts are decorative yet simple additions that can elevate, not over-complicate, drinks and other drinks-related at-home bartending projects. For those just dipping their toes into the home bartending game (we see you, two-ingredient cocktails), garnishes are a low-stakes investment with a quick and easy return.

“You eat with your eyes first, and this holds true with garnishes. They should be beautiful and something you want to enjoy,” says Laura Newman, Brooklyn-to-Birmingham transplant and owner of Queen’s Park in Birmingham, Ala. She adds, “But, [do] have a good argument for why it’s there.”

So, liven up those pantry staples and get into the garnish game with these approachable garnishes below — and be prepared to show them off.

Spruce it up with fresh herbs

Sprucing up at-home cocktails with herbs, such as rosemary or mint, is an easy way to elevate a drink’s aroma and appearance. One option is to take three berries of choice (raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries work well) and pierce them with a rosemary sprig. This makes for an elegant garnish in a Gin Fizz, Gimlet, or summer spritzer. Or, consider adding mint to cocktails such as the The Last Summer Fizz and Cadillac Fizz.

“Try to use flavor pairings instead of the more typical or obvious things,” recommends Justin Keys, owner at the Barley Tap and Tavern in Steamboat Springs, Colo. “Use an ingredient that would accentuate the flavor [as] if the cocktail were a meal. For example, a Margarita typically has a lime garnish, but there’s already a lot of lime juice in the cocktail, so it doesn’t add much.”

“What balances that sweet and sour?” […] [C]ilantro can completely change that cocktail.”

Grab a few Gummy Bears

Time for a tasty ode to childhood: Grab a toothpick or cocktail skewer and a few gummy bears. Take the toothpick and skewer four to five gummy bears. These can then grace the glass of a whimsical cocktail. Feel free to play with patterns — who doesn’t love a rainbow?

Looking for a sweet drink? Try a Gummy Bear Martini. More of a sour savant? Try Sour Patch Kids in a Sour Patch Kids Whiskey Sour. There are no rules in your kid-friendly kitchen.

Salt (or sugar) the rim

An oft-overlooked technique is adding salt or sugar to the rim of a cocktail glass. The process is simple: Rub water, or lemon or lime juice (depending on the flavor profile of the cocktail) around the rim of the cocktail glass. Turn the glass upside-down and rotate it in a small plate of sugar or salt. Powdered possibilities are at your fingertips: Experiment with cinnamon sugar, bacon salt, or even cocoa (consider using chocolate liqueur to wet the glass for this riff).

Express your bitter side

Familiar with latte art? For similar froth, swap milk and espresso for egg white and bitters. Egg-white cocktails such as the Gin Sour, Breakfast Martini Sour, or Storybook Sour are waiting for your barista-esque brushstroke.

To add enviable flair to an egg-white cocktail, make the drink according to its directions, then wait for the foam to settle. Add a few drops of bitters (orange, lavender, or grapefruit, for example) on top. Then, drag the drops across the foamy top of the cocktail with a toothpick for custom decorative designs.

Of course, the pros recommend being mindful of the bitters you choose. “Additions need to complement the flavors in a drink,” Newman says. So, look for egg-white cocktail recipes that already incorporate bitters, and go from there.

Pull out the potato peeler

Cutting and carving citrus into various shapes is a popular garnish technique, but for those who are nervous around knives, a potato peeler provides the perfect alternate tool. Orange, lemon, and grapefruit are all great fruits to start with, but consider ingredients other than citrus, too.

Potato (or vegetable) peelers can also produce elegant ribbons of chocolate by running the peeler along the chocolate bar; and the result (with a steady hand) will be tiny little chocolate curls and shavings, perfect for Mudslides or an Espresso Tim Tam Martini.

Another household option? Scissors. “If you’re nervous around a knife, you can actually use a patterned scissor to put an edge on fruit,” Newman says. “That’s something even my mom can do at home.”

Play with flavors and have fun

While most professional bartenders agree garnishes should complement the flavors in a drink, when making drinks at home, it’s all about experimentation. After all, a crispy slice of bacon became a classic staple in the Bloody Mary. For all you know, that lollipop or cinnamon stick (great for warm drinks like a Rum Hot Toddy) might add the perfect charm.

The article 5 Easy Garnishes to Elevate Your At-Home Cocktails appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/5-easy-garnishes-home-cocktails/

source https://vinology1.wordpress.com/2020/06/05/5-easy-garnishes-to-elevate-your-at-home-cocktails/

[wineanddinosaur]

5 Easy Garnishes to Elevate Your At-Home Cocktails

Becoming one’s own bartender doesn’t have to be an elaborate or complicated process. Along with having a few of the necessary tools and ingredients, an easy way to boost cocktail-making confidence and add a creative edge is with garnishes.

Contemporary garnishes among mixologists and enthusiasts are decorative yet simple additions that can elevate, not over-complicate, drinks and other drinks-related at-home bartending projects. For those just dipping their toes into the home bartending game (we see you, two-ingredient cocktails), garnishes are a low-stakes investment with a quick and easy return.

“You eat with your eyes first, and this holds true with garnishes. They should be beautiful and something you want to enjoy,” says Laura Newman, Brooklyn-to-Birmingham transplant and owner of Queen’s Park in Birmingham, Ala. She adds, “But, [do] have a good argument for why it’s there.”

So, liven up those pantry staples and get into the garnish game with these approachable garnishes below — and be prepared to show them off.

Spruce it up with fresh herbs

Sprucing up at-home cocktails with herbs, such as rosemary or mint, is an easy way to elevate a drink’s aroma and appearance. One option is to take three berries of choice (raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries work well) and pierce them with a rosemary sprig. This makes for an elegant garnish in a Gin Fizz, Gimlet, or summer spritzer. Or, consider adding mint to cocktails such as the The Last Summer Fizz and Cadillac Fizz.

“Try to use flavor pairings instead of the more typical or obvious things,” recommends Justin Keys, owner at the Barley Tap and Tavern in Steamboat Springs, Colo. “Use an ingredient that would accentuate the flavor [as] if the cocktail were a meal. For example, a Margarita typically has a lime garnish, but there’s already a lot of lime juice in the cocktail, so it doesn’t add much.”

“What balances that sweet and sour?” […] [C]ilantro can completely change that cocktail.”

Grab a few Gummy Bears

Time for a tasty ode to childhood: Grab a toothpick or cocktail skewer and a few gummy bears. Take the toothpick and skewer four to five gummy bears. These can then grace the glass of a whimsical cocktail. Feel free to play with patterns — who doesn’t love a rainbow?

Looking for a sweet drink? Try a Gummy Bear Martini. More of a sour savant? Try Sour Patch Kids in a Sour Patch Kids Whiskey Sour. There are no rules in your kid-friendly kitchen.

Salt (or sugar) the rim

An oft-overlooked technique is adding salt or sugar to the rim of a cocktail glass. The process is simple: Rub water, or lemon or lime juice (depending on the flavor profile of the cocktail) around the rim of the cocktail glass. Turn the glass upside-down and rotate it in a small plate of sugar or salt. Powdered possibilities are at your fingertips: Experiment with cinnamon sugar, bacon salt, or even cocoa (consider using chocolate liqueur to wet the glass for this riff).

Express your bitter side

Familiar with latte art? For similar froth, swap milk and espresso for egg white and bitters. Egg-white cocktails such as the Gin Sour, Breakfast Martini Sour, or Storybook Sour are waiting for your barista-esque brushstroke.

To add enviable flair to an egg-white cocktail, make the drink according to its directions, then wait for the foam to settle. Add a few drops of bitters (orange, lavender, or grapefruit, for example) on top. Then, drag the drops across the foamy top of the cocktail with a toothpick for custom decorative designs.

Of course, the pros recommend being mindful of the bitters you choose. “Additions need to complement the flavors in a drink,” Newman says. So, look for egg-white cocktail recipes that already incorporate bitters, and go from there.

Pull out the potato peeler

Cutting and carving citrus into various shapes is a popular garnish technique, but for those who are nervous around knives, a potato peeler provides the perfect alternate tool. Orange, lemon, and grapefruit are all great fruits to start with, but consider ingredients other than citrus, too.

Potato (or vegetable) peelers can also produce elegant ribbons of chocolate by running the peeler along the chocolate bar; and the result (with a steady hand) will be tiny little chocolate curls and shavings, perfect for Mudslides or an Espresso Tim Tam Martini.

Another household option? Scissors. “If you’re nervous around a knife, you can actually use a patterned scissor to put an edge on fruit,” Newman says. “That’s something even my mom can do at home.”

Play with flavors and have fun

While most professional bartenders agree garnishes should complement the flavors in a drink, when making drinks at home, it’s all about experimentation. After all, a crispy slice of bacon became a classic staple in the Bloody Mary. For all you know, that lollipop or cinnamon stick (great for warm drinks like a Rum Hot Toddy) might add the perfect charm.

The article 5 Easy Garnishes to Elevate Your At-Home Cocktails appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/5-easy-garnishes-home-cocktails/

[johnboothus]

5 Easy Garnishes to Elevate Your At-Home Cocktails

Becoming one’s own bartender doesn’t have to be an elaborate or complicated process. Along with having a few of the necessary tools and ingredients, an easy way to boost cocktail-making confidence and add a creative edge is with garnishes.

Contemporary garnishes among mixologists and enthusiasts are decorative yet simple additions that can elevate, not over-complicate, drinks and other drinks-related at-home bartending projects. For those just dipping their toes into the home bartending game (we see you, two-ingredient cocktails), garnishes are a low-stakes investment with a quick and easy return.

“You eat with your eyes first, and this holds true with garnishes. They should be beautiful and something you want to enjoy,” says Laura Newman, Brooklyn-to-Birmingham transplant and owner of Queen’s Park in Birmingham, Ala. She adds, “But, [do] have a good argument for why it’s there.”

So, liven up those pantry staples and get into the garnish game with these approachable garnishes below — and be prepared to show them off.

Spruce it up with fresh herbs

Sprucing up at-home cocktails with herbs, such as rosemary or mint, is an easy way to elevate a drink’s aroma and appearance. One option is to take three berries of choice (raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries work well) and pierce them with a rosemary sprig. This makes for an elegant garnish in a Gin Fizz, Gimlet, or summer spritzer. Or, consider adding mint to cocktails such as the The Last Summer Fizz and Cadillac Fizz.

“Try to use flavor pairings instead of the more typical or obvious things,” recommends Justin Keys, owner at the Barley Tap and Tavern in Steamboat Springs, Colo. “Use an ingredient that would accentuate the flavor [as] if the cocktail were a meal. For example, a Margarita typically has a lime garnish, but there’s already a lot of lime juice in the cocktail, so it doesn’t add much.”

“What balances that sweet and sour?” […] [C]ilantro can completely change that cocktail.”

Grab a few Gummy Bears

Time for a tasty ode to childhood: Grab a toothpick or cocktail skewer and a few gummy bears. Take the toothpick and skewer four to five gummy bears. These can then grace the glass of a whimsical cocktail. Feel free to play with patterns — who doesn’t love a rainbow?

Looking for a sweet drink? Try a Gummy Bear Martini. More of a sour savant? Try Sour Patch Kids in a Sour Patch Kids Whiskey Sour. There are no rules in your kid-friendly kitchen.

Salt (or sugar) the rim

An oft-overlooked technique is adding salt or sugar to the rim of a cocktail glass. The process is simple: Rub water, or lemon or lime juice (depending on the flavor profile of the cocktail) around the rim of the cocktail glass. Turn the glass upside-down and rotate it in a small plate of sugar or salt. Powdered possibilities are at your fingertips: Experiment with cinnamon sugar, bacon salt, or even cocoa (consider using chocolate liqueur to wet the glass for this riff).

Express your bitter side

Familiar with latte art? For similar froth, swap milk and espresso for egg white and bitters. Egg-white cocktails such as the Gin Sour, Breakfast Martini Sour, or Storybook Sour are waiting for your barista-esque brushstroke.

To add enviable flair to an egg-white cocktail, make the drink according to its directions, then wait for the foam to settle. Add a few drops of bitters (orange, lavender, or grapefruit, for example) on top. Then, drag the drops across the foamy top of the cocktail with a toothpick for custom decorative designs.

Of course, the pros recommend being mindful of the bitters you choose. “Additions need to complement the flavors in a drink,” Newman says. So, look for egg-white cocktail recipes that already incorporate bitters, and go from there.

Pull out the potato peeler

Cutting and carving citrus into various shapes is a popular garnish technique, but for those who are nervous around knives, a potato peeler provides the perfect alternate tool. Orange, lemon, and grapefruit are all great fruits to start with, but consider ingredients other than citrus, too.

Potato (or vegetable) peelers can also produce elegant ribbons of chocolate by running the peeler along the chocolate bar; and the result (with a steady hand) will be tiny little chocolate curls and shavings, perfect for Mudslides or an Espresso Tim Tam Martini.

Another household option? Scissors. “If you’re nervous around a knife, you can actually use a patterned scissor to put an edge on fruit,” Newman says. “That’s something even my mom can do at home.”

Play with flavors and have fun

While most professional bartenders agree garnishes should complement the flavors in a drink, when making drinks at home, it’s all about experimentation. After all, a crispy slice of bacon became a classic staple in the Bloody Mary. For all you know, that lollipop or cinnamon stick (great for warm drinks like a Rum Hot Toddy) might add the perfect charm.

The article 5 Easy Garnishes to Elevate Your At-Home Cocktails appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/5-easy-garnishes-home-cocktails/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/5-easy-garnishes-to-elevate-your-at-home-cocktails

[isaiahrippinus]

5 Easy Garnishes to Elevate Your At-Home Cocktails

Becoming one’s own bartender doesn’t have to be an elaborate or complicated process. Along with having a few of the necessary tools and ingredients, an easy way to boost cocktail-making confidence and add a creative edge is with garnishes.

Contemporary garnishes among mixologists and enthusiasts are decorative yet simple additions that can elevate, not over-complicate, drinks and other drinks-related at-home bartending projects. For those just dipping their toes into the home bartending game (we see you, two-ingredient cocktails), garnishes are a low-stakes investment with a quick and easy return.

“You eat with your eyes first, and this holds true with garnishes. They should be beautiful and something you want to enjoy,” says Laura Newman, Brooklyn-to-Birmingham transplant and owner of Queen’s Park in Birmingham, Ala. She adds, “But, [do] have a good argument for why it’s there.”

So, liven up those pantry staples and get into the garnish game with these approachable garnishes below — and be prepared to show them off.

Spruce it up with fresh herbs

Sprucing up at-home cocktails with herbs, such as rosemary or mint, is an easy way to elevate a drink’s aroma and appearance. One option is to take three berries of choice (raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries work well) and pierce them with a rosemary sprig. This makes for an elegant garnish in a Gin Fizz, Gimlet, or summer spritzer. Or, consider adding mint to cocktails such as the The Last Summer Fizz and Cadillac Fizz.

“Try to use flavor pairings instead of the more typical or obvious things,” recommends Justin Keys, owner at the Barley Tap and Tavern in Steamboat Springs, Colo. “Use an ingredient that would accentuate the flavor [as] if the cocktail were a meal. For example, a Margarita typically has a lime garnish, but there’s already a lot of lime juice in the cocktail, so it doesn’t add much.”

“What balances that sweet and sour?” […] [C]ilantro can completely change that cocktail.”

Grab a few Gummy Bears

Time for a tasty ode to childhood: Grab a toothpick or cocktail skewer and a few gummy bears. Take the toothpick and skewer four to five gummy bears. These can then grace the glass of a whimsical cocktail. Feel free to play with patterns — who doesn’t love a rainbow?

Looking for a sweet drink? Try a Gummy Bear Martini. More of a sour savant? Try Sour Patch Kids in a Sour Patch Kids Whiskey Sour. There are no rules in your kid-friendly kitchen.

Salt (or sugar) the rim

An oft-overlooked technique is adding salt or sugar to the rim of a cocktail glass. The process is simple: Rub water, or lemon or lime juice (depending on the flavor profile of the cocktail) around the rim of the cocktail glass. Turn the glass upside-down and rotate it in a small plate of sugar or salt. Powdered possibilities are at your fingertips: Experiment with cinnamon sugar, bacon salt, or even cocoa (consider using chocolate liqueur to wet the glass for this riff).

Express your bitter side

Familiar with latte art? For similar froth, swap milk and espresso for egg white and bitters. Egg-white cocktails such as the Gin Sour, Breakfast Martini Sour, or Storybook Sour are waiting for your barista-esque brushstroke.

To add enviable flair to an egg-white cocktail, make the drink according to its directions, then wait for the foam to settle. Add a few drops of bitters (orange, lavender, or grapefruit, for example) on top. Then, drag the drops across the foamy top of the cocktail with a toothpick for custom decorative designs.

Of course, the pros recommend being mindful of the bitters you choose. “Additions need to complement the flavors in a drink,” Newman says. So, look for egg-white cocktail recipes that already incorporate bitters, and go from there.

Pull out the potato peeler

Cutting and carving citrus into various shapes is a popular garnish technique, but for those who are nervous around knives, a potato peeler provides the perfect alternate tool. Orange, lemon, and grapefruit are all great fruits to start with, but consider ingredients other than citrus, too.

Potato (or vegetable) peelers can also produce elegant ribbons of chocolate by running the peeler along the chocolate bar; and the result (with a steady hand) will be tiny little chocolate curls and shavings, perfect for Mudslides or an Espresso Tim Tam Martini.

Another household option? Scissors. “If you’re nervous around a knife, you can actually use a patterned scissor to put an edge on fruit,” Newman says. “That’s something even my mom can do at home.”

Play with flavors and have fun

While most professional bartenders agree garnishes should complement the flavors in a drink, when making drinks at home, it’s all about experimentation. After all, a crispy slice of bacon became a classic staple in the Bloody Mary. For all you know, that lollipop or cinnamon stick (great for warm drinks like a Rum Hot Toddy) might add the perfect charm.

The article 5 Easy Garnishes to Elevate Your At-Home Cocktails appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/5-easy-garnishes-home-cocktails/ source https://vinology1.tumblr.com/post/620102297532481536

[samuelfields]

Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Gives Rich Private School Graduates Hope

One of my biggest worries as a parent is whether I’ll mess up my son’s life by sending him to private school instead of public school. I’m fortunate enough to have a choice. But sometimes, more choices mean more headaches and possible wrong decisions.

I went to an international private middle school when my parents were stationed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as US foreign service officers. The cultural experience was amazing.

But I was also surrounded by a lot of extremely wealthy kids who had drivers and mansions in the hills. There was a innate aura of privilege that I was apart of which made me lazy.

My friends had parents who either owned successful businesses or held high paying jobs. Many of my friends didn’t study very hard because they knew that through their parents’ connections, they would get choice jobs after graduation. That, or they’d simply get a job at their parents’ company and eventually take over the business.

After four years in Malaysia, I came to the US for high school and attended a public school. Public school is where I learned to become more independent and how to deal with many of life’s realities.

In the US, some of my high school friends lived in government housing. I had to fight back against bullies and find ways out of hairy situations more times than I can count.

In high school, I got suspended a couple times for fighting back. Some of the kids I hung out with smoked, drank, and shoplifted. I sometimes did the same.

The cast of characters was much more diverse in public school than in private school. But they were a closer reflection of society once I graduated.

I’d like to think that attending public school is what made me into a gritty person who never backs down from conflict. I want to believe coming from an underdog status helped me fight harder to achieve financial independence.

After college, I always used to carry a chip on my shoulder that motivated me to work harder in banking because I had attended a public university instead of an elite target private institution like many of my colleagues.

Without a financial safety net, for me, it was either drown or swim across the ocean to the promised land.

Democratic Socialist AOC Gives Private School Alumni Hope

After seeing some amazing private grade schools in Honolulu and in the SF Bay Area, I want to send my boy to one of these schools if he feels comfortable. All these schools have wonderful teachers, reputations, and campuses.

Further, these schools have a zero tolerance for bullying. Gosh I can’t stand bullies and the parents who allow their children to bully.

But I’m conflicted because I fear that by going to private school, he’ll come to believe the private school environment is a true reflection of the real world. With its massive skew towards wealthy families, clearly, the private school demographic is not.

Further, there seems to be a growing distaste for rich and powerful people in America. Hence, the importance of practicing Stealth Wealth.

Is it appropriate for a parent to take away the development of grit and hunger? Providing a completely sheltered environment feels wrong.

The conflict within me became almost unbearable until I witnessed the rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist Congresswoman��of New York’s 14th District.

Say what you will about AOC’s policies, she is an incredible success story as the youngest person to win a congressional seat. I know some 28-29 year olds still living at home with the parents trying to figure life out.

As I learned more about her, I discovered that she attended one of the most expensive private universities in America: Boston University. Check out the latest tuition below.

Boston University costs roughly $70,000 a year to attend + other related expenses equaling another $7,000. One must make roughly $100,000 in gross income a year just to pay for one year at Boston University.

For comparison, Harvard University tuition is approximately $45,000 a year, or $7,800 cheaper than Boston University’s tuition.

Very few can comfortably afford such tuition. Even if you have loans and grants, deciding to attend Boston University over higher-ranked Harvard, MIT, or Boston College must mean something.

Most people would rather attend Harvard University for $7,800 less than Boston University. But of course, only students of legacy donors have a 70%+ chance of getting into Harvard. Students with no wealth or connections only have roughly a 5.9% chance of getting in.

So I got to thinking, despite going to one of the most expensive universities in the country that’s ranked #42 in US News & World Report, AOC has been able to position herself as a woman of the people.

Not only have the working-class people of New York’s 14th district embraced AOC, so has the social media world. AOC is the #2 most popular politician on Twitter after Donald Trump.

Therefore, AOC’s example proves that just because you went to an expensive private university, it doesn’t mean you are destined to become the stereotypical spoiled rich kid. Nor does it doom you to end up lazy and unmotivated.

Reputation Management Strategies For Private School Alum

If you are going to spend a fortune on sending your kid to private grade school and/or university or if you are a private school alumni, here are some strategies that may allow you or your kid to thrive like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Embrace your privilege. The best way to defuse other people’s bitterness towards you is to come straight out and recognize your privilege. Acknowledge full-on that you were smart and/or wealthy enough to attend private school. As soon as you point out all your advantages, you’ve taken away their thunder.

Every time someone attributes any success I have to luck rather than hard work or risk-taking, I agree with them that most of my success is luck. I then take it a step further and describe how fortunate I am to live in America as an Asian person. After all, the overrepresentation of Asians at America’s top universities must mean that Asians must be extremely lucky in academics.

Because I’m Asian, I’m blessed with nonstop creativity. Further, being Asian gives me incredible endurance. If I wasn’t Asian, I’m not sure I’d be able to publish 3X a week for 10 years on Financial Samurai.

Given only 5.6% of the American population gets to be Asian, I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this select group.

Take on student loans and work a minimum wage job. Whether you need to take on student loans or not, it’s best to take on some student loans so you can blend in with the millions of graduates who do have student loans.

Student loans are a big problem in America. The $1 trillion+ amount in student loans has now surpassed the amount of revolving credit card debt, the most insidious debt of them all. Even filing for bankruptcy does not absolve you from repaying your student loan.

Student loans have delayed millions of young adults from launching. They’re forced to live at home with their parents, take suboptimal jobs, delay buying a house, and delay starting a family.

The median age for starting a family has gotten older, but biology has not adjusted. As a result, many more couples are finding themselves seeing infertility doctors, trying IUI and expensive IVF treatments, and going through countless cycles of hope and heartache.

Meanwhile, it’s imperative you spend a respectable amount of time working a minimum wage or close to minimum wage service job. By working as a barista, burger flipper, dish washer, driver, bartender, waiter, furniture assembler, gardener etc, you adhere yourself to the common person.

Nobody will be able to say you don’t know what it’s like to get yelled at while making next to nothing. Instead, you will feel the pride of busting your butt for a living. You will learn humility and never take any progress for granted.

Make no mistake about it. The skyrocketing cost of higher education is hurting the American dream. If you are privileged enough to attend and afford a private school education, it is imperative you do not stick out and blend in.

Do something more for society. One of the saddest things about being rich and smart is that so many rich and smart people end up working at jobs purely for the high pay and prestige. Then they end up depressed and miserable.

Going to work at a tech company to optimize ad tracking seems like such a waste. Creating pitch books at an investment bank to win teenager-targeted tobacco alternative maker Juul’s business can’t feel very good.

Of course, if you don’t come from a wealthy family, by all means, get the highest paying job you can find to get your financials in order. But if you’re already rich, then come on now.

Imagine a world where all rich and smart private school kids became teachers, social workers, scientists, doctors or politicians like AOC who wants to help the people who’ve been left behind in this competitive world? That would be pretty amazing.

We don’t need more billionaires who hoard more than they could ever spend in a lifetime while residents in their city are starving.

Here in San Francisco, we’ve got 74 billionaires, yet we still have a tremendous homeless problem. What is going on?

Private School Kids Will Be Fine

If you went to private school or plan to send your kids to private school, I wouldn’t worry too much about future backlash as AOC’s case demonstrates.

All of our major politicians went to private school, yet millions of working-class people still voted them into office and adore them.

If you can afford to pay private school tuition for your child, go for it. I don’t think you’ll ever regret spending money on trying to help your child’s future.

I want to thank AOC and the American people for shedding light on a very big blind spot of mine.

No longer do I feel guilty about sending my son to private school. The world is full of love for all people, no matter their socioeconomic background.

Related Posts:

The Evolution Of AOC’s Net Worth

Would You Accept $1,000,000 To Go To Public School Over Private School?

Readers, are you impressed with AOC’s ability to position herself as a Democratic Socialist after attending Boston University? If you went to an expensive private school or come from a wealthy family, what are some strategies for making yourself be a man or woman of the people? Did you also just realize that nobody really cares if you went to an expensive private school?

The post Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Gives Rich Private School Graduates Hope appeared first on Financial Samurai.

from Finance https://www.financialsamurai.com/democratic-socialist-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-gives-rich-private-school-graduates-hope-and-pride/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[ronaldmrashid]

Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Gives Rich Private School Graduates Hope

One of my biggest worries as a parent is whether I’ll mess up my son’s life by sending him to private school instead of public school. I’m fortunate enough to have a choice. But sometimes, more choices mean more headaches and possible wrong decisions.

I went to an international private middle school when my parents were stationed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as US foreign service officers. The cultural experience was amazing.

But I was also surrounded by a lot of extremely wealthy kids who had drivers and mansions in the hills. There was a innate aura of privilege that I was apart of which made me lazy.

My friends had parents who either owned successful businesses or held high paying jobs. Many of my friends didn’t study very hard because they knew that through their parents’ connections, they would get choice jobs after graduation. That, or they’d simply get a job at their parents’ company and eventually take over the business.

After four years in Malaysia, I came to the US for high school and attended a public school. Public school is where I learned to become more independent and how to deal with many of life’s realities.

In the US, some of my high school friends lived in government housing. I had to fight back against bullies and find ways out of hairy situations more times than I can count.

In high school, I got suspended a couple times for fighting back. Some of the kids I hung out with smoked, drank, and shoplifted. I sometimes did the same.

The cast of characters was much more diverse in public school than in private school. But they were a closer reflection of society once I graduated.

I’d like to think that attending public school is what made me into a gritty person who never backs down from conflict. I want to believe coming from an underdog status helped me fight harder to achieve financial independence.

After college, I always used to carry a chip on my shoulder that motivated me to work harder in banking because I had attended a public university instead of an elite target private institution like many of my colleagues.

Without a financial safety net, for me, it was either drown or swim across the ocean to the promised land.

Democratic Socialist AOC Gives Private School Alumni Hope

After seeing some amazing private grade schools in Honolulu and in the SF Bay Area, I want to send my boy to one of these schools if he feels comfortable. All these schools have wonderful teachers, reputations, and campuses.

Further, these schools have a zero tolerance for bullying. Gosh I can’t stand bullies and the parents who allow their children to bully.

But I’m conflicted because I fear that by going to private school, he’ll come to believe the private school environment is a true reflection of the real world. With its massive skew towards wealthy families, clearly, the private school demographic is not.

Further, there seems to be a growing distaste for rich and powerful people in America. Hence, the importance of practicing Stealth Wealth.

Is it appropriate for a parent to take away the development of grit and hunger? Providing a completely sheltered environment feels wrong.

The conflict within me became almost unbearable until I witnessed the rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist Congresswoman of New York’s 14th District.

Say what you will about AOC’s policies, she is an incredible success story as the youngest person to win a congressional seat. I know some 28-29 year olds still living at home with the parents trying to figure life out.

As I learned more about her, I discovered that she attended one of the most expensive private universities in America: Boston University. Check out the latest tuition below.

Boston University costs roughly $70,000 a year to attend + other related expenses equaling another $7,000. One must make roughly $100,000 in gross income a year just to pay for one year at Boston University.

For comparison, Harvard University tuition is approximately $45,000 a year, or $7,800 cheaper than Boston University’s tuition.

Very few can comfortably afford such tuition. Even if you have loans and grants, deciding to attend Boston University over higher-ranked Harvard, MIT, or Boston College must mean something.

Most people would rather attend Harvard University for $7,800 less than Boston University. But of course, only students of legacy donors have a 70%+ chance of getting into Harvard. Students with no wealth or connections only have roughly a 5.9% chance of getting in.

So I got to thinking, despite going to one of the most expensive universities in the country that’s ranked #42 in US News & World Report, AOC has been able to position herself as a woman of the people.

Not only have the working-class people of New York’s 14th district embraced AOC, so has the social media world. AOC is the #2 most popular politician on Twitter after Donald Trump.

Therefore, AOC’s example proves that just because you went to an expensive private university, it doesn’t mean you are destined to become the stereotypical spoiled rich kid. Nor does it doom you to end up lazy and unmotivated.

Reputation Management Strategies For Private School Alum

If you are going to spend a fortune on sending your kid to private grade school and/or university or if you are a private school alumni, here are some strategies that may allow you or your kid to thrive like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Embrace your privilege. The best way to defuse other people’s bitterness towards you is to come straight out and recognize your privilege. Acknowledge full-on that you were smart and/or wealthy enough to attend private school. As soon as you point out all your advantages, you’ve taken away their thunder.

Every time someone attributes any success I have to luck rather than hard work or risk-taking, I agree with them that most of my success is luck. I then take it a step further and describe how fortunate I am to live in America as an Asian person. After all, the overrepresentation of Asians at America’s top universities must mean that Asians must be extremely lucky in academics.

Because I’m Asian, I’m blessed with nonstop creativity. Further, being Asian gives me incredible endurance. If I wasn’t Asian, I’m not sure I’d be able to publish 3X a week for 10 years on Financial Samurai.

Given only 5.6% of the American population gets to be Asian, I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this select group.

Take on student loans and work a minimum wage job. Whether you need to take on student loans or not, it’s best to take on some student loans so you can blend in with the millions of graduates who do have student loans.

Student loans are a big problem in America. The $1 trillion+ amount in student loans has now surpassed the amount of revolving credit card debt, the most insidious debt of them all. Even filing for bankruptcy does not absolve you from repaying your student loan.

Student loans have delayed millions of young adults from launching. They’re forced to live at home with their parents, take suboptimal jobs, delay buying a house, and delay starting a family.

The median age for starting a family has gotten older, but biology has not adjusted. As a result, many more couples are finding themselves seeing infertility doctors, trying IUI and expensive IVF treatments, and going through countless cycles of hope and heartache.

Meanwhile, it’s imperative you spend a respectable amount of time working a minimum wage or close to minimum wage service job. By working as a barista, burger flipper, dish washer, driver, bartender, waiter, furniture assembler, gardener etc, you adhere yourself to the common person.

Nobody will be able to say you don’t know what it’s like to get yelled at while making next to nothing. Instead, you will feel the pride of busting your butt for a living. You will learn humility and never take any progress for granted.

Make no mistake about it. The skyrocketing cost of higher education is hurting the American dream. If you are privileged enough to attend and afford a private school education, it is imperative you do not stick out and blend in.

Do something more for society. One of the saddest things about being rich and smart is that so many rich and smart people end up working at jobs purely for the high pay and prestige. Then they end up depressed and miserable.

Going to work at a tech company to optimize ad tracking seems like such a waste. Creating pitch books at an investment bank to win teenager-targeted tobacco alternative maker Juul’s business can’t feel very good.

Of course, if you don’t come from a wealthy family, by all means, get the highest paying job you can find to get your financials in order. But if you’re already rich, then come on now.

Imagine a world where all rich and smart private school kids became teachers, social workers, scientists, doctors or politicians like AOC who wants to help the people who’ve been left behind in this competitive world? That would be pretty amazing.

We don’t need more billionaires who hoard more than they could ever spend in a lifetime while residents in their city are starving.

Here in San Francisco, we’ve got 74 billionaires, yet we still have a tremendous homeless problem. What is going on?

Private School Kids Will Be Fine

If you went to private school or plan to send your kids to private school, I wouldn’t worry too much about future backlash as AOC’s case demonstrates.

All of our major politicians went to private school, yet millions of working-class people still voted them into office and adore them.

If you can afford to pay private school tuition for your child, go for it. I don’t think you’ll ever regret spending money on trying to help your child’s future.

I want to thank AOC and the American people for shedding light on a very big blind spot of mine.

No longer do I feel guilty about sending my son to private school. The world is full of love for all people, no matter their socioeconomic background.

Related Posts:

The Evolution Of AOC’s Net Worth

Would You Accept $1,000,000 To Go To Public School Over Private School?

Readers, are you impressed with AOC’s ability to position herself as a Democratic Socialist after attending Boston University? If you went to an expensive private school or come from a wealthy family, what are some strategies for making yourself be a man or woman of the people? Did you also just realize that nobody really cares if you went to an expensive private school?

The post Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Gives Rich Private School Graduates Hope appeared first on Financial Samurai.

from https://www.financialsamurai.com/democratic-socialist-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-gives-rich-private-school-graduates-hope-and-pride/