Thank God The Weekend is Over!

After a weekend like mine there is very little you can say but "thank god it's Monday!"

Let's skip over the crazies that seemed to be loud and proud everywhere I went on the weekend - including outside my window banging and screaming all night, every night, as I tried to fall asleep. 

Let's skip over the strange fatigue weird moods that plagued us both all weekend.

Let's skip straight to the point where my wallet was stolen as I sipped my Shaken Iced Tea Lemonade at Albert Britnell Starbucks.  Straight to the point where I cancel my plans for the evening and rush home to cancel my life and my identity... only to find that my phone line and internet connect are down. [More details on the pickpocketing and Starbucks' pathetic customer service below the fold.]

I'll skip the stress and annoyance that my phone and internet were out until the next day at 12:30. Skip over the money it cost me to do all the urgent cancellations using my cell phone. I'll even skip the the annoying fact you often need your credit card number to cancel your credit card.

Let's just say, I'm happy the weekend is OVER.

Please tell me something lovely that happened on your weekend so I can live vicariously through yours?  Please?

Some notes about the pick pocketing:

• We were sitting at a table near the front, my back to the path through the store, my coat hanging on the back of my chair and my knapsack by my leg.
• I ordered our drinks, paid and put my wallet either back in my coat pocket or in the front zip pocket of my knapsack... where I always put it.
• A young man was wandering around the front of the store looking a little lost and confused.  A Starbucks employee approached him and asked if he was waiting for someone. He said "yes".
• he moved a chair to sit facing the front door, creating a little triangular space between his chair, my chair and one of the big cushy chair... with my coat pocket and knapsack tucked in the middle. 
• Another Starbucks employee approached him, pointing to a free table.  He didn't move.  The woman sitting in another cushy chair indicated that the cushy chair RIGHT BESIDE him would be more comfortable and was available... he didn't move.
• He did move immediately when I said to Gerry: "we should go or we'll be late".  He left. 
• My wallet was gone. He was gone. I was pissed.

Ironic that I was just talking about andrea's Trust Project, no?

Starbucks' response to "Excuse me, I just wanted to let you know that someone just took my wallet":   [please read these quotes outloud with attitude and disbelief for full effect]

• "What?" - "someone just stole my wallet" 
• "Well, where were you sitting?" - "up here at the front.  Where we've been sitting for an hour and a half."   
• "Are you sure?" - "yes, and I'm pretty sure it was that kid who was sitting near the door that one of you came and talked to." 
• "Really?  Who?" - "you know, the kid that you guys came and talked to a couple of times about sitting in a weird spot and loitering" 
• "Who talked to him?" - "I don't know, one of your staff" 
• "Which one?" - "The woman with the glasses, and then the guy." 
• "Really. Are you sure?"

[minor tone shift from disbelief to time-wasting lack of concern]

• "Oh well, that's been happening here lately. We think we know who's doing it."- "ah..." 
• "You should phone the police"  - "Can I use your phone?" 
• "Oh no.  We don't have a phone for public use. We'll need you to stay and fill out a report" -  "ah... don't I need to call the cops?

Needless to say, we weren't all that impressed with their customer service.