Operation Birthday: Day 2

Today’s mission: Walk into a restaurant and shout, “Hey everybody!  It’s my birthday!  Drinks are on me!”

Plan A was to hit Starbucks this morning.  Morning turned to mid-morning and by the time I reached Starbucks (the slow one in the Kroger), no one was really there.  It didn’t feel right.  Epic fail.

So I went to plan B.  I called a few more people and discussed it over lunch.  I went to the more popular Starbucks just after a late lunch.  Not as expensive, um I mean, crowded as the morning but still had a good flow going.

My partner in crime JLJ wanted to scope things out so she went ahead to see how many people were in there and I stayed outside.  I wanted to just pop in and make my announcement so I didn’t chicken out.

She came out and said there were about 10 people inside.  So I rushed in and shouted my announcement and waited for the cheering and celebrating….

What I got was some crazy looks and one casual dude who looked up from his laptop to say “Happy Birthday.” (note there is no exclamation point here)

But one of the people in line said, “Seriously?”

“Yes!” I said.  “I have a list of things I want to do for my birthday and this is one of them.”  I put a stack of cash on the counter and told the Barista to keep ringing people up until it was all gone.  She was so excited that she was almost jumping up and down.

Finally people realized I was serious.  I wasn’t crazy (visibly). And they really could get a drink for free.  Now the happiness started and people were excited.  Even before they got their caffeine, they were more awake and ready to take on the afternoon.  All because they got some free coffee.

It made me happy.  I got an adrenaline rush.  I’m not sure I can top it tomorrow.  But alas I will try.