Did you watch the KONY2012 video, get mad, and then share it online a few weeks ago? Did you read the reports about Trayvon Martin and then feel a similar level of outrage and share it online this week? I woke up this morning and poured my first cup of coffee and came across two articles that gave me pause. The first a terrific read in The Atlantic about the "White Savior Industrial Complex" and how it is the fastest growing trend in the privileged communities in America. (Yes I am talking to all of us that made sure to get a picture of us with some cute kids in a third world country and use it as a Facebook Profile picture.) Taking aim at KONY2012, Nick Kristof, and Oprah, it is worth taking some time to read through this eloquent rant about the convenient approach that we take towards going good, as opposed to the inconvenient work that it takes to make real change.

The Atlantic: The White Savior Industrial Complex

There is a lot in there to chew on and think about any kind of work that we believe in and want to see done abroad. But then, as I poured my second cup of coffee, I came across a piece reminding me that the killing of the young and the innocent isn't just something that happens "over there." The death of Trayvon Martin at the hands of an over zealous neighborhood watchman who thought he "looked suspicious" is a tragedy on a lot of levels. What is even more tragic is that this kind of stereotyping still happens in our country. But what is the worst is that the same people that got ramped up and mobilized about innocent kids being killed across the ocean have been pretty quiet about it happening in a suburban neighborhood in Florida.

White People, You'll Never Look Suspicious Like Trayvon Martin

I want to say that what KONY2012 has brought to light is a bigger story because it has been going on for years and that Trayvon Martin's murder is an isolated incident. What I want to say is that Invisible Children (an awesome organization by the way) has been building their audience for years and that is why they were able to bring such a voice to KONY2012 and there wasn't a group rallied to roll out the call for justice in the Trayvon Martin case. But I don't think those ideas are actually what I want to say at all.

As I pour my third cup of coffee, I'm realizing what I found myself asking this morning about these two points of view is this: is it sexier and easier to think about a problem that is half way around the world than it is to think about and doing something about a problem that we all know exists right here at home?

My Dad has a lot sayings. A couple of gems are, "Gotta make list," "Winning isn't everything but losing sure stinks," & "Gotta have a system." As a former Barista, I am still amazed at the systems Starbucks uses to pander to the every whim of the fickle American consumer. One of the first things you learn in Barista training, shortly after the brainwashing and Howard Schultz worship service, is how to call out drink orders. Since everyone has to earn their spot on the bar, the first position you learn is order taking. Once you take the order, you call it out to the person on the bar. The person on the bar, in between frothing soy milk and squirting raspberry into a tween's cream based mocha frappuccino, has to scribble down on the side of a cup the order. The order takers job is to translate what the customer says into Barista speak and the official system of drink ordering to make it easy for the guy on the bar to scribble down.

So, when a soccer mom on her cell phone says, "Um, yeah, can I have a latte, a medium? Oh and make it with skim milk and put some hazelnut in it. And two Splenda. And also, make it decaf."

The order takers translation, going in the order of the boxes on the side of the cup is: "Grande decaf nonfat hazelnut 2 Splenda latte."

So, if you want to order like a pro, figure out your drink based on the boxes on the side of a cup.

Or, if you want to enjoy coffee the way it's meant to be consumed, order the way I do: "Viente Bold. Black."

I have an obsession. It is not a secret to most. I love Starbucks. Since last week, I have been asked on multiple occasions, "What do you think of VIA?" (the new instant coffee from Starbucks.) I will be honest, I was extremely skeptical. There is nothing quite like a fresh brewed cup served by a friendly, or perhaps aloof, Barista. But, when the manager of my Starbucks (http://gowal.la/s/7GU) handed me three packs and said to let her know what I thought, I gave it a shot.
Here is what I found; it all comes down to the water. At your local Starbucks, they use triple filtered water that is as good as most bottled water (not as good as Fiji, but that is for another blog.) When I gave the VIA a chance, it was with hot tap water. The coffee was almost as strong as the in store brewed cup, but there was something missing and I am going to blame that on the water.
But, the real discover, and the one that I would like to share with you is this: bottled water + VIA = really good on the go Iced Coffee. Take an 8oz water bottle and one VIA package, shake it up, and there you go.
As Brian Cuban said this morning, instant coffee is like diet cola, it is still diet. And as Michael Arrington said, being the best instant coffee is like being the tallest midget.
All in all, I will still be going every morning to my Starbucks and getting my Venti Drip, Black. But, for those times when I am on the road, I will be reaching into my bag and pulling out my free packs of VIA (I have been given one everyday for the past week at my Starbucks, they love me) and shaking up some Iced Coffee to tide me over until the next Starbucks appears on the horizon, four blocks away.

One of Annie and my favorite things to do on Sunday mornings, when we are together or otherwise, is to read the New York Times at Starbucks. When at home, we go to the Starbucks in Highland Park Village and do our best to beat the crowds to two of the four comfy chairs for our morning read. This morning was no exception. I got my Venti Drip, Annie her doctored up and iced down tea and we snagged two of the coveted chairs.
And then it happened.
It wasn't the first time. In fact, it unfortunately has become a bit of an expectation. I have begun to read the Times with an extra ounce of vigilance so as not to be caught off guard ever again, because if you are, it gets even more awkward.
I spotted him this morning, before he'd even walked in the front door. His very short steps, his very high waist line, and his very shifty eyes were all very present. As he made his way towards our chairs, I began to prepare for the confrontation.
This elderly gentleman is a newspaper snatcher. He has a special affection for the Times. If you leave your seat for the restroom or a refill, expect that portions of your paper and perhaps the entire thing will be missing when you return. We have seen it happen to others, we have had it happen to us. And he has no shame and even makes your feel guilty when you tell him that you are still reading it, or even worse, when you have to go ask him for your paper back!
He waddled down toward where we were sitting and immediately went for the Dallas Morning News on the coffee table, fortunately not ours. He then sauntered around behind our chairs and reached out for the Times sitting in between Annie and I on our end table and grunted, "Are you done?"
This end table in between Annie and I had our drinks, our phones, our sunglasses, and the remnants of the petite vanilla scones we'd shared. I am not sure we could have marked our territory any better than if we had taking a hint from Fido. Yet, for whatever reason, he felt that he had the right to our still very unread and crisp New York Times.
"No, we are still reading." I politely let him know, hoping to discourage him from making it awkward.
"Are you going to be done soon?" the crotchety little bugger asked.
"No. We are not." I stated with a little more authority, doing my best not to disturb the rest of the Park Cities, but perhaps warning them the paper snatcher was in the building.
His response? He sat down at the table behind us and waited.
I know we are in a tough spot in the economy, I know retirement is hard and makes you cranky, and I know that the Sunday Times had a price increase a little while back, but seriously, get your own paper.

Both yesterday and today when I arrived at Starbucks to get my morning constant, Venti Drip - black, I was greeted with a new sleeve for my hot beverage. As seen pictured here, Starbucks is also getting into the patriotic spirit with their red, white, and blue cardboard sleeve. (Though we white is actually brown given it is cardboard, but color doesn't matter anymore, we are all together in unity, right?)
As anyone who reads this blog frequently can attest, I love a good quote. There is nothing better than a Venti Drip - black and a good quote. This morning President Ronald Reagan was waiting for me with this quote from his 1985 inaguaral address:
"My fellow citizens, our nation is poised for greatness. We must do what we know is right and do it with all our might. Let history say of us, 'These were golden years - when the American Revolution was reborn, when freedom gained new life, when America reached for her best.'"
Caffiene and inspiration, all in one cup? Could there be a better way to start your day?