Growing up...

Sometimes I think about growing up. It's hard not to with facebook bombarding me with friends getting married, having babies, etc. The craziest part is they're mostly people who are younger than me. I don't feel like I've gotten older, but here are kids I used to teach who are now well into college; people who were born in 1990 will be able to drink this year; kids born in 2000 are in middle school.

I remember when I first felt old like this. I was directing Jungle Book and my friend Kenny was assistant directing and we were brainstorming with the kids to figure out themes for the Saturday rehearsals. Kenny suggested the '80s and one of the kids...not even one of the youngest, mind you, said, "What's the '80s?" Wow. Seriously? Quite a shock.

It all makes me think.

Editing Huckleberry Finn is counterproductive...

Really. It is.

What reason are they giving for removing the "n" word and "injun"? They want to avoid offending people? They want to prevent the perpetuation of racism by eliminating references to those words?

Another perspective...

First...let's get one thing clear. I would NEVER work for Starbucks again. Period. That being said, I think I can share this now without any confusion. I just got a coffee and they didn't have a carafe of half & half out. I went over to the bat to ask for one and the girl said they didn't have any in carafes, but she would give me the jug. Now, I know this is a blatant health code violation, but it popped on a light of realization for me. I saw everything from the customer's perspective in an instant. I understood why we should do all the small, annoying things that customers ask for. They're just nice. Eff the company & eff all the metrics the manager & DM try to judge you by. It really is only about people. I even had a moment of believing that I could go back and actually enjoy it. I definitely know it's an epiphany that will stick with me through any customer service job I may have in the future. I only wish we could live in a system of compassionate capitalism instead of the ruthless, bottom-line one that we have. People and all our interactions matter. Nothing should ever trump that.

Till next time...