April 23, 2025: The Sketch Life

I spent hours with pen and paper.

Growing up, I wanted to be a cartoonist. And my heart was set on working for Disney (spoiler: Mickey never called).

I took art classes after school and had a knack for doodling just about anything. Teachers noticed, and I became that go-to kid for decorating classroom bulletin boards. Later, I designed t-shirts for clubs and summer camps.

Drawing also earned me my college nickname: “Bif.” During move-in, I taped a sketch to my closet and signed it with my initials, BF.

My new roommate walked in, glanced at the illustration, then asked, “Bif? Who’s Bif?”

It stuck. By the end of the week, even the RA called me that. Pretty sure half the campus never learned my actual name.

Today, I read how Starbucks encourages employees to write personal messages on their cups. Some go further by scribbling smiley faces, hearts, animals, and crazy characters. The coffee chain had to rein it in with guidelines.

I say let them draw. There’s magic in unexpected artwork.

If Starbucks ever needs a Chief Doodle Officer, Bif’s available.