I love when I write a post I really like, (ie: the post right before this) but I also hate it. I put too much pressure on myself to follow up with something equally brilliant, at least in my mind.
Nothing else that happened in the past few days was as interesting as running out of coffee.
Actually, that’s not true. I made a run for good, non-grocery store coffee on Wednesday. That was borderline exciting, with a hint of thrilling, because I had to enter the most evil place in the world to get it.
I have a Starbucks hook-up through a friend who works at a national chain corporation that sells books (a.k.a. Smarnes and Ignoble.) I like to think that I prove my liberal tolerance on a daily basis by maintaining friendship with her. It also helps that she’s quite cool and a good friend, and fed my cats while I was away. It’s not her fault that she has a good job at a bad place.
But visiting her at her place of work makes me feel dirty, even if I do game the system by getting my coffee with her employee discount. Going in there reminds me of a story that Birmingham’s mother once told me. She grew up in a small town in Ireland that actually had a Protestant church. But like most of the rest of her country folk, she’s Catholic through-and-through, and when she was a kid, she was convinced she would be smote down by God if she crossed the threshold of that Protestant church.
But as kids do, one of her friends dared her to do it anyway. Fearing for her immortal soul, but more fearful of losing the dare, she did it and entered the church. Sometimes I wonder if she still worries about having done that. I have a feeling that she doesn’t, since she was laughing while telling me the story, and I think that the “don’t go into other churches” was one of those rules that the Catholic Church changed over time. (Feminist aside: now how about changing the “women are less important than men” rules you still have on the books?)
And much like Mrs. Birmingham’s experience, no overpowering force smote me when I crossed the threshold of said chain that I hate. The powers that be of the American Booksellers Association have not asked me to rescind my support, and I was welcomed with open arms when I went to visit my favorite indie later in the day, even as I confessed my transgressions to them.
It’s good to know that I can enjoy my coffee with a clear conscience.
*This post brought to you by the awakening power Starbucks holiday blend, which is really the exact same thing as Starbucks Christmas blend, but marketed towards the Jews, and other such non-Christmas-celebrating riff-raff. (Probably not available at your favorite bookstore.)
Posted by Vicious Headbutt on December 19, 2008 at 9:38 am
You don’t like the chain book store, but you frequent the chain coffee store? I’m sure there is a story in that.
Posted by Dutchess of Kickball on December 19, 2008 at 9:43 am
I think we can assume that S&I was once a small independent as well, but overtime, succeeded and thrived and grew to become the store they are today. So, if you want independent stores to do well, where is the line when they become bad for doing TOO well?
And I guess since the Muddy Cup is gone you’ll have to start going to the small coffee shop across from Marist. I think they are still independent.
Posted by kristabella on December 19, 2008 at 9:44 am
I do the same thing when I write something good. The post after one I really like is always craptastic. But at least it pushes the good one further down the page for other craptastic posts. And then people forget I once wrote something good.
Posted by nancypearlwannabe on December 19, 2008 at 9:48 am
It’s funny how I can shop at independent bookstores and grocery stores and try to be healthy and conscientious but still sometimes require a Starbucks latte in order to function. You’re lucky to have the sweet hook-up!
Posted by Kyla Bea on December 19, 2008 at 10:10 am
Great hook up! I love those friends = )
Mister’s Mom works for one of those chains and my step dad owns an independent book store. Drama-rama! Thankfully he’s now now my ex-stepdad, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Borders interfered with my mom’s marriage to him just to be sneaky and underhanded.
Okay, maybe I would be, but still!
Posted by The Modern Gal on December 19, 2008 at 11:35 am
I think that Starbucks coffee might be laced with something. You may want to lay off it.
Posted by courtney on December 19, 2008 at 12:15 pm
While we’re urging the Catholic church to change stuff, how about reversing that arcane stance on birth control? Thanks.
Posted by Vanessa on December 20, 2008 at 12:30 am
What I don’t get is why can’t we just call a spade a spade? This year I’ll be celebrating Christmas. Maybe Kwanzaa. Possibly a day or two of Hanukkah. But if someone just wants to wish me Merry Christmas or even better, have a real conversation about any of it, I welcome that with open arms. Sometimes political correctness goes too far.
Posted by Stefanie on December 21, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Birmingham’s mom sounds a lot like my mom.
Posted by heidikins on December 22, 2008 at 9:23 am
I’m addicted to Starbux white-hot-chocolate-extra-hot-with-a-pump-of-peppermint-and-whipped-please! I will walk through fire (and blizzards) to acquire one. Surely I can manage to walk through S&I. ;o)
xox