SHERIL

Yes, I know I haven't blogged here since December of last year, but I've mostly been making coffee at home to save a few bucks, or drinking the awful office swill (by the way, I tested the coffee in my own pot at home and it's fine, so it's either the water in Beverly Hills or the the actual coffee maker that makes it bitter and yucky).  However, with this 24th different spelling of my name, I felt compelled to write a few sentences.

SHERIL

Yes, this is a variation on previous spellings: Sherill, Sheral and Sherol -- but I'll give him +3 style points for originality and inspiring me to write on this blog again.  You may notice I'm drinking ICED COFFEE -- yes, let me rub it in -- it's supposed to be 88 F (31 C) degrees in Los Angeles today.

Also, I believe this is the first time I've been in Starbucks since the rebranding. They're no longer putting their name on the cups and just going with a simplified version of the siren/mermaid logo.

I promise not to be so delinquent in the coming weeks. Many of you have submitted your own wacky misspellings, and I promise to post them soon.  Thanks for reading!

SHARROLLE

If I'm counting correctly, this is the 23rd different variation on my name and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight. I recently read somewhere that parents are putting a premium on unique names, rather than traditional or family names. Maybe this Starbucks cashier was just trying to help me out in that department? I'll give her plus two (+2) style points: one for the very girlie and loopy handwriting and another for the smiley face. I wonder if she drew the smiley because she knew she spelled my name incorrectly and just wanted to soften the blow, or if that's her signature trademark as a Starbucks cashier?

SHARROLLE

With its very faint accent mark on the E, this spelling reminded me of CHAROLE -- the very first post on this blog. Who knew that four months later I'd still have fodder? (Please check out some of the old posts if you haven't already done so.) Some of you have commented that the various clerks have to be doing this on purpose. I would believe that conspiracy theory also, except that my purchases are spread out between at least a half dozen different locations and a few different eating/drinking establishments across the Los Angeles area. It's been the story of my life since Day One. I used to get mad, but now I like it because 1) I have a new blog post; 2) It brings a little humor in my life; and 3) It just proves that in the battle of evolution, my gene pool has won.

Get Drunk at Starbucks

USA Today reports that Starbucks is planning to serve regional wine and beer, along with cheese platters on china plates. Seventy-percent of Starbucks' business is before 2pm, so this is an attempt to make the evening hours more profitable. Click here for the link. I don't know about you, but nothing says "fine wine" or "romantic atmosphere" like Starbucks.  Also, in major cities, Starbucks is one of the few establishments that offers a public bathroom. We all know what happens when you mix public intoxication and lavatories. Nice, right?

I wonder if when you order your glass of Merlot or Cabernet from the hipster cashiers and wine stewards (oh god, hipster wine stewards!), if they'll write your name on the side of a plastic glass? I can't even imagine what kind of misspellings I'll get if there's alcohol in the mix. I'll look forward to that. 

S/CHAREL

Today's entry comes from the corporate cafeteria. I don't go there too often because I've been brown-bagging it to save up some money (Starbucks aren't free, you know.) A previous entry at the commissary yielded the only full-on bingo/correct spelling I've had of my name since the inception of this blog back in August. But alas, today's post will not disappoint in the misspelling department.

S/CHAREL

I went to the grill and ordered a black bean burger and some fries. The cook noted my menu choices and asked my name. I told him, but then there was a long...dramatic...pause. He looked to me for some help, but just as I blurted out "C", he quickly scribbled SHAREL. He apologized and went back and corrected the "S" to a "C", but, of course, in the whole scheme of things, it really didn't matter.

I went back and looked over all my old blog posts, and this is a completely new and unique spelling (with either the C or the S), so I'm going to give plus three (+3) style points for originality, and one more style point for a yummy and filling lunch.

SHERILL - Part 2

Otherwise known as "Sherill: When Misspellings Attack" or "The Revenge of the Misspelling." Sherill is a repeat from an August blog post, but seems to be one of the favorite variations, along with Sherell. Yes, phonetically I get it, but logically, I'm just having a difficult time. What started as a funny little experiment to amuse myself is turning into a depressing commentary on the American educational system.

SHERILL

But rather than wonder where the country went wrong, let me dissect this entry even more. First, not sure if you can get the scale from this photo, but this is some of the tiniest writing I've seen in a long time. I'm going to deduct negative one (-1) style points for the "S" that looks like an number eight, and that "R" is dangerously close to being a "V". I've noticed at this Starbucks location, the regular barista doesn't announce names when beverages are ready, he just yells out the drink size/type. He must be as equally baffled as I am.

Maybe I'll pronounce this CHEV-VEAL with a French flair? (Though that would require an E on the end, it's almost as logical as this spelling.)

Until they misspell again -- and you know they will very soon!

And have some 'punkin' pie!

This was in my email this morning from my friend David in New York City. No explanation as to where/who/why, but do we really need one?

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

I was so impressed they got "we're" correct, it took me a second to see the misspelling.

SHERLLE?

I know I've been remiss in updating this blog, but it's not without good reason. I've been very inspired in my larger writing and re-writing projects. Also, my script "Within the Darkness" was recently named a Finalist in the annual Horror Screenplay Contest sponsored by Cherub Films, so I've been trying to send my twisted little baby out into the world to gather more accolades and attention.

However, today's coffee mangling was just too good not to share immediately. As you can see, Starbucks has switched over to their holiday-themed hot cups. It was a chilly 39F (3C, for my international readers) in Los Angeles overnight, so I was looking forward to a hot steamy beverage with my morning commute. When I gave the cashier my name, I could tell she was confused and waiting for me to spell it for her, but, of course, I didn't let her off the hook. I could tell by the swoop of her hand that she boldly went for the "Sherl" -- but then was at a loss for the second soft syllable. Her little hand got all tight and she brought her face closer to the cup and scribbled a few more characters. Seemingly satisfied, she passed the cup onto the barista and took my money.

SHERLLE?

The barista was equally confused. When he was done with my order, he yelled "Sheri!" (Or Sherry).  When I picked up my cup, my initial reaction was "Sherlle" -- but on closer inspection, she appears to have scribbled the final two letters out. But if you look even closer, you can see she was making a political statement for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Maybe I'm warped in the brain, but to me this strange little Rorschach Test looks like a Native American caricature. He's in 3/4 view, looking to the right with a cartoon grin on one side of his face and a couple of feathers sticking up proudly on his head. Yes, and before you say it, I have been in therapy.

I promise to be more diligent in my updates here. Several friends have sent me submissions and I have a backlog of my own misspellings too (no correct spellings of my name yet, by the way).