I'm Committed -- Or Maybe, If You Continue to the End, You'll Agree With Me That I Should BE Committed

Make a Difference | Starbucks Coffee Company.

Even though their shareholders recently declined to vote in a recycling initiative*, BOOOOOOOOOOO!, I still do love my Starbucks coffee and very much support the shop that I visit frequently. I like the people -- it's (South) Burlington, Vermont, you know? -- it's got that small-town local-place feel, the taste of the coffee is consistent (lack of consistency is a problem for me at some of the local places), the location is convenient (when I'm at work), and all summer long I pick up bags of free coffee grounds for my garden, if I can get in there to grab them before someone else does. So I will bring in my reusable mug today, as I do most days, and get my free cup of coffee. 

I forgot mine one day last week and the barista noticed. She said, "You don't have your mug today!" She then gave me a survey to fill out so that my next cup was free. Heh.

The economics of the situation with the mugs:  I bought my two Starbucks mugs last summer. One of them was 50% off, and I think I paid full price for the other one. It was approximately $6 for one, and $10 for the other -- one grande size and one tall size. Each included a free first beverage at the time of purchase -- I chose a Skinny Vanilla Latte each time. About $3-something each, I think. I get 10 cents off each beverage I buy in my new mugs. I use the mugs, I think, an average of 4 times a week. You can see how easily they have paid for themselves, and more, over the last year. And today I will get another free cup of coffee for using my mug.

HOWEVER, here's a last-minute update: I'm not sure how this fits into the economics of my free cup of coffee for today. Yesterday afternoon as I was backing out of my driveway, I forgot that I had not put my bags in my trunk, but had put them behind the car before I went in the house to change my shoes. So yesterday makes two times in three years that I have backed over my equipment. That thwack sound you heard just now was me banging my head on the desk.

So. My laptop was creamed. Amazingly, though I also drove over it -- you can see the tire marks on the case here:

-- my steno machine is alive -- or at least it seems so. I can't tell for sure, because my backup laptop for some reason would not recognize the steno machine, though I am positive it has been used with that laptop before. So it might indeed not be working, but I won't know for sure until I contact the Stenograph company for the drivers. Stenograph has a history of being less than helpful in these situations, so I really don't know what the outcome will be. If it's broken, I think I will just hang up my steno-writing career and, after indulging in a brief nervous breakdown, just use that LSAT score and go back to school. I don't have it in me to fight the mighty forces of fate that much, especially not this week. 

So. Shall we continue with the economics lesson? Let's see.... I don't have any work today, I can't charge for the class I tried to do (but failed) last night, and the only reason I will be going to Burlington (and getting my free cup of coffee) is to buy a new laptop under emergency circumstances. 

Today is tax day, and being self-employed, that is never a good day in my house. 

I'm not sure in what other ways I can feel beaten and battered this week. Anything ELSE, Universe? Or are you done with me yet?

Notice, I did not even swear once in this post? I don't have it in me, and you know that's gotta be a bad sign.

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*Hypocritical or a good business plan? You decide. I think it's a little bit of both. I can only glean that their idea is to get the CONSUMER to foot the bill of recycling, that they can then take the credit for, by buying their snazzy reusable mugs (or buying their own elsewhere, or in my case I've just given a big box of them to Goodwill -- freebies from various events I've attended and tuition bills I've paid over the years, or whatever -- so they can be had for "free"). Fair enough, I guess. 

Comments

[Emma]

Flipping heck !
I think you need an alternative laptop and steno machine routine ! You know. Not put them down on the driveway.
Sometimes I shock myself with the 'what was I thinking, or rather, not thinking ?' moments. It's from having too many things to think about and remember.
Maybe a couple of quiet days in the garden will make things seem less bad. All I can offer is a virtual hug and some empathy.
If it weren't for the bad, the good wouldn't seem as good.

[Kirsten]

All right, all right, you pinko commie! (Or should that be, "greeno commie?"). I pledged to use my reusable mug, and even shared it on my facebook page.

Thanks for the reminder, Norma. And, my condolences on the demise of your laptop.

[AnnaMarie]

Ouch! Hopefully all the equipment is okay.

Sounds like you need a day in the garden, that always seems to make you feel so much better.

[DebbieB]

Oh no!

[Bev]

Hang in there Norma. There are days like that. When something like that happens, I just begin to count all of the things that I do have: health, a family that drives me crazy, a supportive community, electricity, a car that functions, water that comes out of a tap, prayer, being able to breathe clean air, etc. It usually helps me.

[Ally]

Wow, what a week! You're right, it sounds like someone/something is trying to tell you to go back to school.

[Kym]

There are some days when I would like to take my computer, lay it in the middle of the driveway, and drive over it. Again and again. On purpose. I need a new computer, too. But for different reasons than you. Have fun with your new one! :-)

[Elizabeth in Brookfield]

Terrible week. No doubt about it. I drove over my briefcase-with-laptop-in-it once, a few years ago. Now if I put things down I put them right next to the driver's side door ...

[Becky]

Oh, Norma, so solly! That's a bitch. I seem to find it is a sign of acute depression when I no longer have the energy to curse. Please curse again soon.

[Tracey]

I can't tell you the number of times I put the stroller by the back of the car, put the kid in the car, and then either backed into the stroller or drove off merrily, leaving the stroller behind. Not once did it occur to me to put the stroller where I would see it. Not once. Ten years of kids in strollers and not once.

I am so sorry about your equipment. Maybe the free coffee will sustain you through the long phone conversation with the Stenograph people.

[Becky in VT]

I hate terrible weeks. I hope the universe is done with you and that your equipment still works!

[Laurie]

Oh...crap... Sorry you're having such a lousy week. I hope Mr. Jeffries is pampering you sufficiently.

Speaking of forgetting...saw my neighbor and a friend leave yesterday morning with their two babies in strollers...and come back an hour later with only ONE baby in a stroller. I realize there's probably a perfectly logical explanation, but I wanted to holler out the window, "HEY!!!! Did you lose something? Where's the baby?"

Hope that brings a smile...

[Jenn C.]

Oh no! I never put my laptop down on the ground anywhere near my car because I would absolutely be the person who would drive over the bag, or drive off with it on the roof. I hope the steno machine is at least still alive when you get it running, and I hope today is a better day!

[gayle]

Holy crap! My condolences on the death of your laptop...
My Madman has killed many things by backing over them (Coleman lanterns do not survive being squished, for instance - he's done extensive testing) or lost things by setting them on the vehicle and driving away (brand-new emergency roadside kit, innumerable tools and travel cups, assorted groceries.) I've learned to check behind and on top of the car before starting it, just in case.

[Joannah]

Sorry! (I'm apologizing for my comment first!)
Running over electronic equipment doesn't sound like a very green thing to do.

Sorry!

[mary lou]

Oh ouch. Plus, Starbucks baristas get health insurance. My niece got insurance for years till she found a full time teaching job.

[Cheryl S.]

*fuck*fuck*fuck*fuck*fuck*fuck*fuck!!!!!!!

[marianne]

Hah, Cheryl beat me to it, I was more than willing to fill in some swearing for you!
damnit.to.hell. and just fuck all.
Hope your day somehow gets better.
I will say this for that ad, all those lovely browns? I was charmed simply with the browns. xox

[Jellidonut]

I have a love-hate relationship going with Starbucks, so I hear what you're saying. My step-daughter and her husband live in Fayston, so I'll bet I've been to your Starbucks.

I love Vermont!

[Jellidonut]

Forgot to offer my condolences for your equipment. I HATE when I do stuff like that.

[margene]

I'm sending good thoughts to your steno machine! My hearts in throat for you and I hope you can get everything working!
Smith is going for his free coffee. He has a nice big mug. I stopped at the local drive through (Pin Up Girls, love it) and had a latte. Starbucks needs a drive through.

[Joansie]

OMG, last time I did something like that (dare I stay stupid...lol) was because I was distracted by a good-looking man who has just finished speaking with me.

[Melissa G]

Step away from the electronics and go out to the garden for some D. Look at green growing things, play with Mr. Jeffries.

[Kathy Sue]

I am so sorry! But I think you are right--maybe this is a sign for you to move on and give law school a try.
for now, take that sweet puppy out and enjoy your garden. It'll give you the oomph to swear a blue streak and get it out of your system!

[Elizabeth D]

Go knit a red scarf. Do not TOUCH anything electronic (unless your iPod will help).

I am drinking my free coffee right now.

[Rockzann]

Well Damn...

You did put into the universe the day before that you didn't have Windows 7 yet, you gotta be careful saying stuff like that!

[Cookie]

Oh, honey, please tempted the Fates. They always have something up their collective sleeve with which to smack.

I hope today is a better easier day.

xo

[Seanna Lea]

I love my starbucks coffee, but I will admit that I am horrible about remembering to use my reusable travel mugs. I think there is a special training to get used to them and the difference in feel when you are used to a warm paper cup in your hands. My biggest complaint with so many of the mugs is that my hands get cold and my coffee seems to get cold faster, which is probably just a perception issue rather than reality.

I personally would support them having a recycling initiative.

[Bex]

Sorry things are so frustrating, hope they turn around soon!

[elizabeth a airhart]

well golly gee whiz aint life wicked sometimes -modern dad nab stuff

[Maureen]

You've had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day...my condolences! Cheer up...the weekend is almost here...please play in your garden or pull the covers over your head and sleep late if it's a rainy day!

[Kristen]

Ouch, ouch, ouch. I'd cry.

[kmkat]

The lesson, grasshopper, is to NEVER EVER sit anything on the ground behind your car. EVER.