In Which I Create a Dapper Cupcake

Just so you are all aware: Mustaches are in right now. Not on faces, just by themselves. I can count on one hand the men who I think look good with a mustache (Here's looking at you Pete Price!).

Sometimes at work I have to cut out fondant decorations to go on custom cakes/cupcakes. Last week while I was making 250 tiny microphones for the CMA award cupcakes, I took a small break and came up with this little beauty:

I love my job.

In Which I am Well Suited for My Job

Cake. It's an essential non-essential. No real nutritional value, nothing practical to recommend it to our better judgement. But it's a symbol of something far more important than practicality and nutrition. By baking or buying a cake, we are saying "I care about you." "I am proud of you." "I think you deserve the best." "I appreciate you." and "I love you."

Cake used to be for the upper class. Having sugar and extra flour meant that you were wealthy. Having a pastry chef who could create a centerpiece out of dessert foods meant that you could throw a really good party. Those things are still true. Cake is still for those of us who have disposable income. Some of us can afford only a few cupcakes while others can spend $70 on two dozen without batting an eye.

I knew I would enjoy selling cupcakes because I LOVE cake. I love smelling it. I love eating it. I love helping people figure out which cake they want to eat. And, most importantly, I love talking about cake. From baking methods, to flavors, to ingredients...you name it. I want people to ask me about the cupcakes.

This precious deliciousness, this love in food form, is powerful. For the most part, it inspires goodwill and cheerfulness. Something I did not expect to love about my job was how- for a few moments at least- I become a part of people's lives. When I ask "How can I help you today?" sometimes they just say, "I need a dozen cupcakes." But more often than not, they start telling me about how it's their sister's birthday, or that their kids made A Honor Roll, or how their girlfriend has been really busy lately and deserves a treat. Occasionally it comes off like they're trying to justify their cake eating habits to me, but usually it's quite genuine and it makes me feel really special. It's an honor to be a part of people's celebrations.

I think it makes them feel good when they see that I am delighted for them. The warm fuzzies start swarming and they leave me tips (sometimes) and I tell them to come back, and they say they will. Then I help the next person and it starts all over again- except when it doesn't. Not everyone can be made happy by cake. Some folks will always be displeased, no matter what.

It seems like a simple recipe for happiness: a cup-sized serving of sugary bread with a pile of buttercream on top. Ta-Dah! Before you know it, icing-induced smiles are spreading like wildfire. Perhaps Rousseau's "great princess" was not being flippant when she said , "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche." Maybe she was onto something. Wouldn't it be great if we could solve the world's problems by"Let[ting] them eat cake"?

In Which I Explain Why I Can't Quite Get It Together

Here's what's happening in my life:

Some days I go to work at the cupcake shop and come home for an hour and then go to rehearsal with Sammy. Other days I go to rehearsal with Sammy and then come home for an hour and then go to the cupcake shop. On my days off, I go with Sammy to networking events which are lots of fun, but they take all day and they don't pay. On the rare days that I have completely off, Carlos and I go to parks, go furniture shopping, or we just sit on our (awesome) couch and watch movies.

That is why there are these huge gaps between posts where no one knows what's happening in my life. I am sorry that this is the case. But right now, it just is. I thought October was going to be fairly laid back, but Sammy has tons of shows and two of the girls I work with at the cupcake place are getting married- so I'm getting leaned on pretty heavily in both directions. Please let me supplement that statement by saying that I don't mind this at all. I love love love being busy. I am so excited to be working so much. I am making lots of money at cupcakes and we WILL be making lots of money with the magic gigs we will get from all of the networking Sammy has been doing.

I have some time off this weekend, but it won't be down time. I am happy and proud to be attending my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. It'll be a whirlwind of a visit, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.

On a final note, I would like to say that Carlos has been fantastic through all of this. He is supportive and understanding. Relocating was crazy and hard and scary and stressful for both of us. I think we have done really well and I could not ask for a better partner.

In Which We Go to Grand Rapids

Sooooo....
We went to Michigan.

That was kindof a disaster, but it worked out really well in the end and we got to see some cool stuff.

9 hour car ride. Sammy, Derek, and me. Piece of cake after that 30 hour trek to the middle of nowhere, USA. (If I never go to Almost Canada again, it'll be too soon.)

After driving all night long, we went for breakfast to a nifty place that came highly recommended on Yelp. Where would we be without smart phones? At that point, all 3 of us discovered that I am not a morning person and that without proper nutrition, I am super cranky at the world. All of us were, really. I was just the most vocal. They laughed at me.

After breakfast (why do I only crave grits when I cross the Mason Dixon line and can't get them??), Sammy went to schmooze. Derek and I loaded in the illusions- no small feat, plus the loading dock attendant was a bit up tight. Luckily the venue guys lent us some pretty strong hands. They were really helpful. They showed us the lighting and let us know what effects would be at our disposal (precious few!).  Our showcase would take place in one of the hotel's many ballrooms. This one had crystal chandeliers lit with purple LEDs. They were beautiful, but clashed horribly with the obligatory obnoxious carpet that seems to plague hotel ballrooms- no matter how ritzy the joint (and this one was VERY ritzy). Derek and I put the boxes together, trying to leave as few loose ends as possible but finally we had to sleep. Leaving Sammy at the hotel Derek and I found our way to the more affordable Baymont Inn where the 3 of us would spend the night. It was clean looking. Very bright and welcoming. The front desk attendant was pleasant, but she informed us that our room only had 1 bed. For the three of us. We worked it out with a minimum of awkwardness.

Later that evening, we went to our sound check and finished setting things up. We got to see a bit of the other acts as they were checking in. The convention rooms at the hotel were a hub of activity. Tensions were high. Everyone had paid their money to showcase here. Everyone had a lot riding on their 15 minute time slot. Our act went on last. No pressure, right?

The showcase was good, but not our best work. I can't really go into detail on that one. It could have gone better. And next time it will. It was an excellent experience to have had.

In Which I Buckle Down

Hey hey!
Exciting things are about to happen here on Backstage. And by exciting things I mean THINGS. It's been a long time since I posted, but we're about to take a fun time machine ride and fix some stuff. Woot!

xoxoxox