Tags
Animal Rescue, Christopher Mariot, Homeward Bound, social media, Starbucks, Starbucks Baristas, UNT
Repeating the opening lines from my last post, Why are the Police Sitting Like Bumps on my Pickle?:
[No. It’s not because I’m too lazy to invent new lines. But, thank you for asking.]
I love MY Starbucks Store. It’s invariably filled with talented, educated, creative people. People who are going places.
Some of the customers these Baristas serve also have those admirable traits.
Before I introduce the Alpha Male who flipped the switch on Snark E. Pen…
WILE E COYOTE’S ACK ATTACK
I rarely write historical, but today reveal little known nonsense facts about one of my favorite characters, Wile E. Coyote.
One dark and stormy night, Wile E sat in his den, surfing the internet on his ACMeAC.
Electrical currents from lightning kicked up dust on the desert floor, and his WiFi connection whack-a-doodled him to string of emails from Brinda Berry to me. What he discovered was a picture. A picture Brinda felt represented my brand. A picture of an ancestor of Wile E.’s nemesis, the Roadrunner.
[In case you’re wondering, I’ve since forgiven Brinda for thinking a rotund, downside-up misfit represented my glob’s brand.]
It was love at first sight for me. ERK at first sight for Wile E. He uncovered why Acme Products consistently malfunctioned, making him, rather than his target, the victim in his nefarious schemes.
You see. All along, his wile had been pitted against a descendent of The Great Snark.
This concludes the history portion of this post.
[Which is alarmingly close to my attention span in history class in high school.]
THE MAN WHO FLIPPED SNARK E. PEN
Chris Mariot is a recent graduate of UNT with a Bachelors degree in Radio, Television and Film.
You can see his full resume here.
He designed my blog’s new banner, and I plan to contract with him to help establish a more active Social Media platform.
For my project, Chris rolled with the various iterations with the same grace he employed when I witnessed a man (who evidently had an aversion to grapes) pluck them one-by-one from his Protein Bistro Box and throw them on…
The floor.
I’m promoting Chris more than the new banner today, because it’s his day to be the STAR of the show.
I’m going to let Chris’s talent speak for itself, then follow up with the words I wrote in letters of recommendation to some of my contacts from my Corporate America days. First up, we have a video written, directed, filmed and edited by Chris for Homeward Bound, an animal rescue mission. Be prepared to be impressed.
When I saw that video I wanted to Google Homeward Bound, find a dog in need of a good home, and come to their rescue. Since we currently have our home on the market, I choose instead to make a donation to this worthy cause. Why?
If you have to ask, replay that video.
More recently, one of our local news channels had a call out for pictures representing The Dog Days of Summer. Chris earned another star for his resume when he submitted this photo.
It was selected to be featured on the evening news.
The dogs may be the stars of this show, but Chris is the talent and drive that garnered their seconds of fame.
Following is yet another video written and produced by Chris as part of his course work. The first part is one I watched him film while working at MY Starbucks.
.
Chris’s resume has additional fodder for consideration, including video productions and magazine publications.
If you, or someone you know, seeks talent in any of Chris’s specialties, tell them to bug off. I don’t want to lose his smile at Starbucks.
Kidding, Chris!
I know it’s time for you to put that talent to work.
Finally, following are the sincere words of recommendation written about Chris to those contacts in Corporate America.
Chris is exacting in his standards for attention to detail. I would describe Chris as friendly, good with customers, and intense. He’s consistently here ahead of his scheduled work time. I never witness him standing idle, nor heard about any last minute requests for coverage of his shifts.
During my days, weeks, months, years writing at Starbucks, I’ve had the opportunity to observe Chris and his work habits.
Chris is quick with his smiles, calm during high stress situations, and demonstrates what I believe to be a perfect balance between delivering quality customer service and representing Starbucks standards and brand.
You know the drill by now. I do my best work in comments, so please leave one. Tell me what you think about the new banner. Does it fit the brand of Gloria Globs? Say hello to Chris, or — better yet — provide contact Intel for that career position he deserves.
In my imaginary world, I’m a high flying world-renowned author. In that imaginary world, I would hire Chris to coach me on social media and keep me out of trouble. In my real world, he brews a mean Tazo Zen iced green tea, red-eyes for when I get nappy, and a plethora of other Starbucks offering. And, don’t forget those grapes. He cleans up after the insanity that sometimes invades Starbucks.
I leave it to him to choose whether or not I fall into that category.
Gloria … You have a way of leaving us speechless … yet I can’t wait to say: Love, love, love the new banner. That little guy on his head is a very good rep of you 🙂 About Chris …
He has heart and talent and I hope someone snatches him up.
Okay, Ms. Snark … you’ve done it again !!
Woot! I’m so glad you like the banner, Florence.
I thought it might not properly reflect my staid and somber personality.
I would say Chris is the best, but he is one of many talents at MY Starbucks.
Having said that, I was serious. I would snatch him up in a minute for a job in Corporate America were I still traveling that path. The videos speak to has talent and education. I have personally witnessed his work ethic.
I love the new banner… and I know which penguin you are. Can’t wait to see you!
Only fourteen sleeps until RWA Nationals in HOTlanta, Carole!
I’ll be the one either standing on my head (in an effort to reverse gravity), or doing squats at the front desk when you arrive.
Don’t worry.
If you choose to ignore me, I won’t be offended.
Much.
You know Tucker and Lily are rescues. You also know I’m not really a cat person, yet I had to bring these purring babies home. So, I’m afraid to watch the Homeward Bound video, Gloria. Is there a Coles Notes version?
Next time I’m in Texas, I’ll have to sample one of Chris’ lattes. Chai, please. Grande. No whip.
Could be years before I collect on that order. Let’s see if he remembers. Better yet, let’s hope Chris is running Disney (thanks to your plug of his attributes and resume), and so has to fly in to fill my order. That is, if the Gloria Richard Adopt-A-Problem Agency agrees to pick up Chris’ airfare.
I didn’t know you when you adopted Lily, but well remember when you fell in love with little Tucker (aka The Tuckster).
Should you choose to watch the video, you’ll see it’s a video of hope. This organization rescues animals scheduled for euthanasia and puts them in foster homes pending adoption.
Like little Tucker — with his early case of Leukemia — many wouldn’t find homes without Homeward Bound.
Chris’s mother happened upon Molly on a trip to PetsMart for dog food. She fell in love. The family adopted Molly — a three legged dog — who now runs with their yellow lab in the back yard. It’s a heart-warming video of hope for animals not normally selected for adoption.
Oh, I watched the video, Glo.
Tell the “boys” at the BIG table hello for me.
SO not fair!
You didn’t sign your name, but I know you have to be a regular at MY Starbucks.
You know about the Community Table — where a group of men gather each morning to
shoot the bulldiscuss pressing current events.You evidently also know I invade their space when I’m in an ornery mood. They’re a great group for
eavesdroppingstudy of Alpha Male behavior.C’mon. Give it up! Don’t make me sleuth the net looking for your name.
Love the new banner, Gloria! I also love how your Starbucks is a full-service kinda joint – great coffee and graphic design all in one place. Chris sounds like a multi-talented guy. Well done to you both!
Chris is a rock star! As are his other Barista partners. You have a lot in common with these guys.
It’s my home away from home.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Tami.
New banner is looking good! Chris seems like a talented guy who has a great career ahead of him. I have to admit on weekends I go to Starbucks or Effy’s Cafe next door to it to steal, um, use their free wifi and coffee refills.
The video is so sad and powerful. As an animal lover I wish I could do more. All of our past pets came from rescue shelters.
Always good stuff on your blog!
For our next pooch, I’ve committed to a rescue animal. If we didn’t have a house on the market, I’d offer our services as foster homes.
Which, of course, means that dog would never leave.
I love that you chose to adopt from rescue shelters.
This particular cause touches me because they’re rescuing dogs from the equivalent of death row in animal shelters.
Thanks for the visit, Phil. I must get over to *not-so-regular* NY guy to see what’s happening.
[*comment intended to highlight your unique personality. Not…well…you know]
Yes. I have edit capability and could have reworded that.
I chose not to. Just because. 😉
Love the new banner, such snark in those penguin’s faces! As a child, all of our dogs were breed dogs carefully researched and purchased, but as an adult my hubby and I have chosen to adopt all of our dogs and cats . We currently have a Molly (Great name for a lab!) and she’s a rescue. Excellent job on the video and I’m sure the patience from Sbux will come in handy when dealing with high maintenance “uhem!” video/graphics customers too. Great job, Chris!
YIPPEE for you and hubby on the rescue front, Jessica.
Our oldest lab was a rescue lab (of sorts). She’s full bred lab, but her owners kept her and a Golden Retriever crated for extended hours and had only a dog run to accommodate the two of them during the short windows of time when they were home.
They finally realized that was not a good, healthy life for any dog.
We purchased our younger one, Texas Moonlight Molly from a breeder with a rep for breeding non- hyper-active labs. (a la Marley and Me).
I definitely want to look at a rescue animal the next time around.
Your new banner is made of AWESOMEsauce. 🙂 Chris sounds like one mega-talented guy. Love your new look.
BRINDA!!!!
Thanks so much for finding that penguin picture for me.
Poor Chris. I’m thinking about making changes. Again.
You were on the early receiving end of those “how abouts” from me. You know what he’s going through. Poor Chris. If he can put up with me, he can handle anything Corporate America has to throw at him.
Of course I love the new banner…and the video of the poochies definitely tugged at my heartstrings. Chris is definitely a talented guy. I can see why you’re a huge fan. 🙂
Kitt! Thanks for taking the time to visit. I know how mega busy you’ve been.
It’s official. We now have a Chris Mariot fan club. I’ll be the treasurer. I have my reasons for choosing that position. Most of them are honorable.
Gloria, love it! The new banner perfectly reflects the fun-loving, light snark that makes me laugh every time I read your glob.
To Chris I say, well done! You have captured Gloria perfectly and that is a sign of true intuitive, creative talent. If you’re open to a little relocation, Chris, I’ll see what I can do in the great, white north.
I hope you recharged during your hiatus, Sharon. Only nine sleeps until we meet up in HOTlanta. Can not.wait.
Chris is here today. I’ll see what he has to say about the great, white north.
You know you’re going to see me once our house sells and I chew through the real estate melee chains that bind this road warrior.
[It runs in The Roadrunner family.]
I am SO late to this party! Never mind. Love your new banner and even more loved seeing you in Atlanta … just not enough time … but every time I saw you, you were looking ravishing!
Ravishing, Patricia? RAVISHING?? Wowzapalooza, that’s something I never before heard to describe me and my wonky wear from Sassy Flamingo.
But, I love it.
I know what you mean about not having enough time to visit in Atlanta. There was so much going on. So many new peeps to meet. So many stellar workshops. I felt as if I spent no time with the precious people with whom I’m already connected. You also rocked your world at Nationals, and if I didn’t wake with a smile on my face (which I do), yours would have slapped one on me. It’s contagious.
I’m digging the banner too, plus I can never resist a doggy video! I recently attended one of those mega adoption events in union square here in NYC, cuteness was had! Kudos to Chris and his work. And to you for sharing.
Thanks for your visit, Angel. I’ll have to visit your NYC talking blog. I follow The Regular NYC blog of filbio. SKA-WEET! I now have another NYC connection when RWA Nationals hit New York in May, 2015.
I LOVE those mega adoption events, but it’s a bit of a glee-angst feeling because I so want every one of those precious animals to find a home.
You are so kind to visit. I’ll be over to see you!