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Wednesday, March 19, 2003

I don’t go to Starbucks

I don't go to Starbucks because they have superior coffee. I go to Starbucks because no one in close proximity can stay in business. Supply and demand. I need some fucking dense bean and the newsstand coffee that happens to be sold in establishments that don't specialize in coffee is to coffee what Coors Light is to beer: Sex in a canoe... or, for those that haven't heard that joke, fuckin' near water. All those little coffee connoisseurs out there that set up shop for the love of the bean don't have a chance around this caffeinated equivalent of Super Wal-Mart... driven out of business in every town and township across the nation... just like all the thrift stores, Mom-n-Pop shops, and Piggly Wigglies were pissed on by Sam Walden's behemoth. Yes, I go to Starbucks out of necessity. I'm not proud of it... but it happens.

This morning, I made plans to go home and have lunch with my lovely fiancée (yes, it's true... more on that later). This put me in a fabulous mood. What better way to celebrate? Since liquid depressant in the shape of alcohol isn't conducive to job retention, I elected to seek out some liquid stimulant in the shape of that luscious mixture of ground, dark roasted espresso bean and pressurized water heated above 212 degrees Fahrenheit. I picked my teetering-on-the-edge-of-carpel-tunnel-syndrome ass up out of the chair and went across the street to the previously mentioned monopolous coffee beverage establishment to find a line of people about 38 deep... some of them were two by two as if waiting to board the ark. I couldn't believe it. I did some quick math in my head and theorized that I could make it to Starbucks number two a couple of blocks over before they would find time to shoo these people away and make my drink here. I was off like a tube sock wearing power walker in a crowded downtown tunnel. Upon arriving at the next Starbucks, I was pleased to find the line was only 19 people deep. They were all kind of swaying and humming in unison... like a cult about to synchronize the imbibing of Kool-aid or something. I drew my wildcard. Starbucks number three was not far off... on the other side of my building... they kind of build a Bermuda Triangle of coffee if you will... *BAM!* I was off again... this time like old people power walking the shopping mall before the store fronts open (my will was wavering). I arrived a few minutes later in desperation. I needed my fix more than ever. I was behind a guy talking loudly on his Nextel direct connect communicator thingy and one of the baristas was on break. These were good odds. I held my ground. I could make it. I knew I could.

Ahhh... sweet nectar of the gods. I love my coffee. I love it even if it came from a Bill-Gates-of-Coffee company like Starbucks.

Game on.
Posted by clayton in
(4) Comments | Permalink
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Annessa  on  03/19  at  10:53 AM

Thank you for making people realize that most of us choose Starbucks because it’s the only coffee place around.

And CONGRATULATIONS!!

Greg  on  03/19  at  11:53 AM

Yeah, congratulations.  You’d thought you’d just throw that in and maybe no one would notice amidst the bean story, but I have a sharp eye. :)

Anyhow, congrats again.  You and EL are good together and if you feel it’s right then why wait. 

As far as plans for a gathering, keep it as simple as possible.  You’ll enjoy it ALOT more.  Am I ahead of myself here.

 on  03/19  at  12:02 PM

I still don’t worship at the alter of the bean, but I feel ya.  I’ve been getting really annoyed at my local Rite-Aid and Ralphs for being lax on the stocking of Diet Dr. Pepper.

c  on  03/19  at  12:06 PM

d00d… that’s why you must stock up of DDP at the jumbo-ist -mart around by the 12 and 18 packs… or case if they got ‘em.

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