Rise of the Javaholics

We all have our vices. For some of us, it’s cigarettes. Others nail-biting. Gambling. Speeding. Teen Mom. We’re all addicted to something that we maybe shouldn’t. Raise your hands if that thing is coffee. If I were to follow my own instructions I’d be typing with one hand right now, because the other would be emphatically waving up in the air.

Yes, coffee has a grip on my soul that nothing but sweet death will give me release from (and even then I’d probably be a pretty happy ghost if you put a Keurig in the casket with me).

big coffee cup

wish I had a cup this big

Along with these vices comes temptation. Otherwise, without the fun of being lured back into the darkness, what power would these vices hold over us? Coffee doesn’t make any sort of attempt to even give us addicts a fighting chance. The options and ease of getting that delicious caffeine into the bloodstream is getting ridiculous.

I mean, I already have a tough enough time passing up a Starbucks, but now some of their stores even have a drive-thru. I don’t even have to bother with parking and walking anymore, two of the things I hate most about going to get coffee. I often war with myself over whether it’s worth getting out of the car if 1) it’s simply too early in the morning or 2) it’s raining or 3) various other sub-optimal weather conditions or 4) I just don’t feel like it.

Every time I crave a coffee-shop coffee, I have the angel and devil on my shoulders. The angel, bright-eyed and secure in its control over stimulating substances would say, “Oh Wendy, it’s way too cold out. Do you really need to don a scarf and gloves just for 12 ounces of coffee?”

The devil, much more alert and awake than the angel will ever be, says, “Oh, you know what you want. You go get it. You’re an adult and you make the rules, not Mother Nature.”

With the drive-thru, the angel doesn’t even stand a chance. Hell, most of the time he doesn’t even show up to the game anymore.  Starbucks has found an even better way to get $4 out of me with as little resistance as possible.

starbucks drivethru

sign of my downfall

Oh, and for the record — I blame my friends and family for my continued crippling debilitation.  It’s not all me… being weak willed and such. They know I love Starbucks and so they shower me with gift cards for Christmas and on my birthday and every other holiday where gifts are expected.  Damn enablers. (Psst… hey… hey you… if you’re reading this, I didn’t mean it… I still want those cards for Christmas!)

Don’t worry, I’m not one of those uppity coffee drinkers. I don’t splurge for the grande skinny mocha soy latte extra hot extra shot extra pump add whip cream instead of foam. I mean, come on! It takes some people a full five minutes to just spit out their custom blend order to the 12-year-old barista behind the bar. Just order off the menu and be done with it already.

You may be saying to yourself, “Well Wendy, if you hate the dilemma Starbucks puts you in so much, why don’t you just make your own coffee?” Duh! You think I haven’t bought the special coffee before? I’ve even gone so far as to get the unique Starbucks syrup and the cute little rinky-dinky cups that make me feel like I’m sitting on a patio in Paris and turns my kitchen into a miniature barista paradise. But, it just never tastes the same.  It. Never. Tastes. The. Same.

My theory? Starbucks must be “enriching” their beans. They’re dropping something special in their brew making it extra addictive. Or maybe their cups are laced with a little something extra. I have to believe this. I wouldn’t be surprised if eventually, possibly even years from now, that a headline will read “Starbucks coffee contains addictive substance,” or “Revealed: Starbucks additive found to be highly addictive.”  I have to believe that because why the hell would any sane person continue to return time and time again to pay for overpriced coffee and be happy doing so?

Maybe it’s the start of a New World Order; the gradual world domination by the mysterious Starbucks under dark mocha skies using their (not-so-secret) weapon… addictive, delicious, wonderful, fantastic, amazing coffee that no one can seem to resist.

starbucks beans

just what exactly is in those beans!?

Would You Like a Mug With Your Coffee?

I love coffee…I guess it just goes without saying that I love mugs for my coffee. So much so that my cabinets are overflowing with the bounty that is my mug collection. They’ve infiltrated my plate shelf and are stuffed into the spaces between the salad bowls. You’ll also find mugs sitting precariously between the serving platter I never use and the fancy teapot I only bring out for company.

There’s a Doctor Who Tardis mug, a Scottish plaid mug, a mug from the National Gallery of Art, two from Luray Caverns (or maybe three?), a bright red Starbucks mug (extra big for lots more coffee!), a lovely cream-colored mug adorned with Scottish castles and landmarks – and no, I’ve never been to Scotland, but I did find a store that sells stuff from Scotland! Fancy mugs, dollar store mugs, souvenir mugs, mugs that I just thought – and still think – are eye-catching…I have no shortage of mugs. If you come to my house, you’re ensured of two things…a baked good and coffee served in an interesting mug.

Suffice it to say, I need another mug like I need a hole in the head (as my mother used to say).

As you may remember, there is a new Starbucks, relatively new at this point anyway, in my local grocery store. Yes, Starbucks has graced our fine little town. Unfortunately, not happy with simply promoting a die-hard coffee addiction amongst the general public, Starbucks also pushes a variety of coffee related accouterments…like…you guessed it, MUGS. The powers that be at Starbucks headquarters are smart too, wicked smart, because come Fall and then the holidays, the choices they offer expand.

Our new-ish store is no different and let me tell you, the stuff they have there?? It’s a mug hoarders dream, trust me. I suppose it’s a good thing my bank account keeps me in check because otherwise, I’d need to expand my collection into the bookshelf. Oh wait. No. Not there. No room. Okay, well, I’d have to expand somewhere at any rate. Hey, don’t roll your eyes at me…I know I have issues.

In the meantime, if you’re listening Starbucks, you’re killing me. I just want you to know that. I hope you’re happy. You’re. Killing. Me.

too cute for words, and kind of reminds me of NYC for some reason

 

who doesn’t love Fall leaves??

 

isn’t it just too adorable? gets you right into the “here comes the snow” spirit!

 

love this…simple yet elegant

 

this…this one is my favorite by far. it was all I could do to leave it sitting there on the shelf.

Morning Cup of Something

My coffee pot died a few months ago. We had a funeral and everything. It was very sad. I loved that coffee pot like it was my own child.  To add insult to injury, I haven’t had the chance lately to visit the store in search of a few staples (half & half, sugar, a new coffee pot, blah blah blah) AND there was no time this morning to hit the McDonald’s for a fresh (semi-fresh?) cup of joe. It’s the one thing I miss about the very early way too early schedule during the school year. I could swing by the local golden arches and get my coffee before starting work. But not today. So, everything in my coffee this morning, including the sweetener, comes from a tin. Blech.

At least the cup is cool.

 

 

Dreams Interrupted

I’ve been ready to throw in the towel on living here in the US for some time and often dream of moving to greener pastures (literally) abroad. I say literally because it’s the scenery that motivates me into wanting to relocate — having never been abroad in my life. Of course there are other aspects, as equally important to one’s morning view, that call me away from my homeland for parts unknown. I could make a list — I’m great at lists, by the way — but that’s not the point of this entry.  The point IS, is that I came across a news article that made me say aloud, this, this is why I need to move to where I’m better understood, where I can be with like-minded people, and enjoy the camaraderie of similar souls.

click for article

And then, to my dismay, after perusing their website, I found that they’re not “real” in the sense of being a brick and mortar establishment…but rather they’re a lively, comedic internet-only business.  Needless to say, I’m crushed. I had my bags packed and was searching for the best deals on a ticket to Cardiff.

Oh, I’ll buy their merchandise, no doubt — it’s too great not to. But I do wish I was buying it in person instead of online. I suppose my pipe dream will just have to go back on the shelf for a while longer.