Friday, November 9, 2007

Starbucks Baby


I’m sure the anarchist and anti-capitalist would consider this a horror story, a cautionary-tale. I have a sense of humor and materialism that moves me beyond all of that, and perhaps I have an addiction, too.

When I first moved out to my neck of the woods, I watched daily for the bulldozers to come and whisk away the trailer park near my subdivision. No such luck. I then thought nature might take its course and send a tornado through. Not a nice thought. Then I thought if they’d just put a Barnes and Noble and a Starbucks out here I’d be perfectly happy. The gods of commercialism were listening.

I started out going on occasion, but then at some point I got rather attached to that morning latte. My first sign that things were out of control was when I woke Bella (Still in her crib at the time). She stretched one of those full-body cat stretches. But she didn’t look like a cat. She was a chubby, chubby baby in feety pajamas. “I want Starbucks,” she said.

I should have cut us both off, but I didn’t. Now, Bella and I go every morning. It’s nearly impossible not to, because they are right there on the way. I have to drive by it. They have a drive thru. We can save time. Hot yummy goodness for mommy, and the usual for Bella. Yes, she has a usual and is now familiar with the phrase! She’ll tell me the usual or she’ll change up the order on occasion. They even know us by our order. Isn’t that sad? And what’s worse, we have a favorite employee – The Silly Guy. And he is silly. He’s the highlight of every morning. He sings and dances the muffins into the car. And you should see him shake that organic milk! Bella and I become a bunch of giggles. Yesterday as we pulled away she said, “Where would I be without him?”

I learned his name this week. So, now he is “Silly Ben.” And I’ve added him to the Christmas shopping list. Half of you people that read my blog don’t get Christmas gifts from me. I’m converting to Judaism for Christ’s sake. Starbucks, you really got a hold on me.

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