Mostly: Classical

[Sexton O Blake]

One word Frankie - Nanotechnology.

Well most of my shit is slowly moving toward where I bot it a few months ago (assuming it was as low as it could go). But overall it is a bunch of pushing rope and the winner it seems is the broker.

And still, the Caramel Macchiato's and "1/2 sweet" "decaf" Latte's are flowing at SBUX ... not much different than in the movie YOU GOT MAIL actually - like nothing has happened. And that is at a number of SBUX I frequent.

I spent some time reviewing their drinks previously, and learnt how to pronounce them. (I said "sid-a-mo" instead of "sidam-o" DOH!) My habits have changed from going with my buddy, Kastelco, to Tim's every day - to going to SBUX once every two days now typically. And I always just get a bold grande coffee. Otherwise I bring in my own swill from home and just warm it up.

Funny - yesterday (Apr 22) they had a "bring your coffee mug or tumbler and get a free Pikes Place". Based on Oith Day - the theory is you save a cup. If you go there (I hear Tim's is similar) and bring your tumbler you save $0.10 per drink. Well here is the short and sweet skinny:

1) Today the woman WARMED the tumbler first with hot water. That is a waste of money and defeats the entire purpose. But as I think about it - it is required. The tumbler isn't hot - and takes a bit to warm it up. Their coffee would be "cooled" down by the tumbler otherwise. ie paper cup is better for instant warmth but poor for sustained warmth in the winter

2) I measured what I would expect in a 16oz paper cup with their 16oz tumbler. Guess what? As soon as you put the lid down you lose a bunch. Therefore, you are actually not "saving 10 cents" but probably losing 20 or 30 cents on the lost coffee you are being short changed on.

I will stick with paper. And they ran out of Pike's Place - so I got Sumatra which I prefer anyways. (Since 1971 they have had "House" and for whatever reason, have removed that and now are selling Pike's Place. Akin to say MCD replacing Le Big Mac with something else. Insane!)

Meanwhile, MCD has a 2 week promotion. Apparently yet another new coffee and it is free - nope don't have to spend money to get a "breakfast this" plus a "medium that".

Roots had a 25% off everything coupon - and the wife used it.

Sams as I said went tits up - and of course, Wallymart on a Saturday night still has a full parking lot.

Still fear a giant meltdown in the credit card arena - which has been in the news lately.

My "co-chair" on council had a death in the family - (though when she found out the aunt was in critical condition) which forced her to cut short her trip to Montreal ... drove back to TO - picked up her brother, then they both hauled it lickety split to Atlanta. She happened to go to Myrtle Beach on the way back for a few days and then came home. My strong personal feelings for the US come from going down there every year with my family. Dad had a camper - so off we went for 3-4 weeks - up and down the eastern seaboard - and Myrtle Beach was one of the trips. My eldest, Sexton Jr., is 10 and yet to travel anywhere. After speaking with my co-chair, I made a firm put man on the moon decision. A haul to get my shit together and do it, but ... we are getting our passports, and taking that Hyundai Santa Fe (with 3 years left on the warranty) - on a trip to the US this summer.

PERIOD.

Recession ... depression or otherwise. There are times when you just have to forge ahead - regardless. And for us, that time is now. (Said another way ... as my good friend, the BSer would say "PARR SCHMARR... :O)")

Anyahoo - hopefully Frankie you will get to read this. I never post at SI (don't know why) and tend to only do so here - like doing it. I am going to miss your banter and the back and forth we have had over the years.

But I am sure, as Alan Freed once said, "it's not goodbye, just good night".

Cheerios Michael!
jeffrey sr.