Did I Just See A Tumbleweed? Starbucks’ Quick Downfall

It’s no surprise to anyone that Starbucks has been down on it’s luck lately. Closing hundreds of stores nationwide… trying to desperately gain customer’s devotions back with new concoctions such as the Starbucks Smoothie called “The Vivanno” and the new “Luxurious Chocolate” line that’s showcased in your local grocery store. Neither turned out to be break out sellers, and personally I think neither was really revolutionary and the life saver Starbucks needed to boost their drowning sales. 

While walking through the King of Prussia Mall this afternoon I came across a Starbucks and decided to go in and buy myself my all time favorite (Passion Fruit Iced Tea with Honey… delicious). This is the scene I encountered:

There was no need for a “Line Starts Here“ sign

There was also no need to run and “catch a table”

Want a cold glass of Starbucks water? It’s complimentary 

Hey look, I get a discounted rate on my next Starbucks drink later this afternoon

 

…. Need I say more?

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I’d Like That Tastykake, but the Low Fat Version Please.

I really cringe every time I see people (including my father cough) buy the Low Fat versions of the unhealthy favorites, such as Tastykake’s, Ben & Jerry’s, and Lay’s Chips.  This is my mentality about the issue… I feel as though, those who buy these “lower fat versions” feel “entitled” to indulge if you will on more generous portions than they would have with the regular versions. With that in mind, isn’t it right to say that perhaps you should just buy the regular versions and eat the portions you ate to begin with?

Let’s take Ben & Jerry’s Regular versus Fro Yo:

REGULAR: 1/2 cup equals about 12 grams of fat, and 230 calories

“LIGHTER COUGH VERSION“: 1/2 equals 3 grams of fat, 190 calories

“OK… I can indulge”

“Oh I Really Shouldn’t Be Eating This”

It’s only from personal experience that I make this sweeping generalization. I’m sure there are plenty of American’s that will eat the allowed 1/2 cup and in reality will cut generous calories/fat by merely eating this lower fat version. But for the majority of Americans that I have come across, however, NONE have stopped at 1/2 cup… everyone feels they are allowed to indulge…which led me to my conclusion that they should stick to the originals. 

 

Crocs- The Endless Debate

I really was a hater originally. I used to frown down upon all of those whom purchased, wore, and adored these ugly clogs. But, after years of popularity, the shoes have somewhat become less bothersome to me. 

I think there are only a few proper ways to wear Crocs:

1) If you are an infant, or a young child who don’t like having to tie your shoes and or enjoy rolling around in the dirt.

2) You are a gardener who uses them for their original purpose.

3) You attend a very, very liberal arts college such as Reed College or Swarthmore and feel “warm and at home” in the Crocs.

4) You live in an apartment with unsanitary bathroom floors and don’t feel comfortable showering without Crocs on.

5) You are a celebrity and wish to start a “new craze” with little kids by placing them on your children clearly in front of the paps.

Warren Tower’s Starbucks Installment, I Mean Really?

Is it necessary I even rant about this? I’m sure others who attend BU have and will continue to express their anger about the new Starbucks, strategically placed on the bottom of Freshman Dorms, Warren Towers.

While walking back from my seventh trip to Campus Convenience last Friday I came upon this brand spankin’ new Starbucks on the corner of the street. Clearly I realized one would EVENTUALLY be built after they knocked out the oh-so-healthy Taco Bell, but I didn’t think it really hit me until I saw it for the first time on Friday.

It looks like the others, offers the same goodies like the others, but for some reason I’m oddly irritated. I guess the SBux inside the George Sherman Center doesn’t bother me AS much because it’s not it’s own institution, I really don’t know. All I know for sure is that AMERICA NEEDS NO MORE STARBUCKS!

AND ONE MORE THING! I think Warren Towers is extremely congested as is, so many students going up and down those little escalators all day and night. I truthfully believe having a Starbucks which is highly popular among ALL of BU students located on the bottom of Warren will make walking around BU East IMPOSSIBLE. 

All I am hoping is that because of the recent news regarding the closings of over 600 Starbucks, ours is low on their list of profits and they are asked to close shortly after school begins. If not, I think you will all be seeing me standing outside with posters boycotting this outdated coffee store.

Age is Just a Number… Or Is It?

 

TARGET’S AD: What a great commercial- catchy tune, great dancing, and neat “Back To School” bedding… There seems to be one thing, however, I keep scratching my head about.. do they really want us to believe these girls are really freshman in college? 

This is the topic of debate recently, most importantly in regards to the ages of the Olympic Gymnasts.

There is no way, that any judge/American/gymnast believes that this little weenie winner in the middle, is SIXTEEN years old. She clearly hasn’t hit puberty… granted, gymnasts in general do tend to “postpone” puberty, however, she is no where near the age of this awkward time. 

I just truthfully think there is nothing wrong with these gymnasts being under 16 and winning. If they have the capabilities to perform at an Olympic level at TWELVE (which is the age of the winner, I’m sure) then why not let them openly compete? But because it is a rule that all competitors must be of the age of sixteen, I think it is CRUCIAL that their papers/visas/documents be THOROUGHLY INSPECTED!

Hmmm.. That Sure Does Smell Good (Favorite Unusual Scents)

My dad and I went running this afternoon and during a moment of awkward silence, I mention just how much I loved the smell of outdoor barbecuing. I then asked him what smells he liked, and he had no real response. That prompted me to sit tonight and compile a list of the scents I am fond of:

1) My ultimate favorite : THE SHARPIE MARKER 

I can’t tell you when the fascination began, all I know is that since the time I began doodling, I have had a fondness for the smell of these markers.

2) Interior of New Cars

I am, slash, have always considered working for a Car Dealership primarily so I could just sit and smell the leather of new cars, sigh.

3) Blockbuster Video Store

Ok I’ll admit over the years, Blockbuster has definitely lost it’s luster, but I remember growing up I literally applied for jobs wayyy before eligibility just because I loved the unique smell of used/new videos.. Who knows.

4) Funnel Cake, on the Boardwalk in OC

So I am realizing now that I would enjoy the scent of funnel cake anywhere, but I feel some obligation to say I “specifically” enjoy the smell of the ones made on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

5) Lastly, Black and Mild’s, Cigars, and Cigarettes- No, I’m Not Kidding

I wish I could say that when people unconsciously blow smoke in my face that I cringe, but I don’t. I actually love the smells… I find that ironic just because I don’t smoke any of the above.

I’ll Eventually Comment on The Absurdity That Is The Summer Olympics But….

 

PHELPS IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE on his own but this race that just finished was probably the closest swim meet I have ever seen. Literally Phelps was behind, behind, and then caught up but still wasn’t going to win. ALLL of a sudden? Instead of doing an underhead stroke he does overhead and wins by one milli-second. I N S A N I T Y  

The Return of Boy Bands- Say It Isn’t So

I was recently watching the new “New Kids On The Block” Video entitled, “Summertime” when it hit me. Is this the beginning of the end? Are boy bands who were once popular ALL going to begin making sub-mediocre videos and trying to regain their wealth and popularity they once had? I sure hope not.

 

 

The magic that was the “Boy Band Phenomena” was something unique, I’ll admit that. I will also admit that I attended my fair share of N*SYNC (yes, they once wished to have their band name spelled this way) and O Town Concerts. I think though, once the boy band market became FLOODED with options, similarly to the system overload of products in our society, there became somewhat of a system overload of boy bands in America…. Dream Street, Back Street Boys, O Town, LFO, N*SYNC… I am probably missing a few and if so? Feel free to comment. I just feel like the craze died once there was no real thrill anymore… 

In regards to “the return of the boy bands” I really hope that concept does not fully flesh out. I was thoroughly disgusted after having watched a four minute video for the new “New Kids On The Block” song. There were five men who clearly have dyed their hair, who shouldn’t be wearing tight white t-shirts, and who really cannot keep the same tunes they once could all together… trying to make a comeback. I just think they did a fine job back in the 80’s/90’s and should remain doing individual endeavors and leave the current “Boy Band”- esque groups such as the oh-so-popular Jonas Brother’s to their stardom.

Things That I Use That I Know Deep Down, I Really Should Not

Over the years I have purchased and become frequent users of certain specific items/products I firmly know I should not be using. This awareness began back in 2000 I’d say when I convinced my parents to buy me the “Ab Energizer” off of the Infomercial. This product is HIGHLY unsafe I’m sure … oh as well as highly ineffective, but that’s besides the point. Once you purchase this product, your sent a “wrestling belt” pretty much, that you strap on around your waist. Before you do this step, your required to rub this “KY Jelly” like substance all over the area you wish to “firm”. Once you have rubbed this lotion all of your stomach your then advised to strap on the belt, and then push “GO”. Literally your body begins to vibrate and you feel these INTENSE pulses generating throughout your body. It’s quite insane. I only stopped using this product because I didn’t see results, not because I potentially damaged organs in my body. 

Next item I think will harm me in the long run, are my energy drinks. I think if we really look at these beverages, outside of their shiny cool cans well realize just how disgusting and unhealthy these liquids actually look. They are green/yellow in color and bubbly… ew? Also, I truthfully have one to two a day and I rarely feel “energized” after having consumed the beverage. I think, rather, I just enjoy holding an energy drink in my hand… it makes me look somewhat athletic and important…

Ok, so I also use another food product I really REALLY am advised against using ever, let alone on a daily basis. I have had a serious relationship with “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray“. This is wildly unusual, the notion of a spray butter as opposed to solid. I spray it on everything from my toast to my waffles. I don’t know why I enjoy it more than the solid, clearly, both types of margarines are going to kill me in the long run yet I find a simple pleasure in the accessibility of the spray feature. Regardless, I realize soon it will be off the shelves in the market and then, I will have to unfortunately resort back to hurting myself via tub instead.

Too Many Things To Choose From

While browsing in the local CVS with my brother, something hit me. Us Americans really do have far too many options in life. Let’s take going to the market, in reality, do I REALLY need 15 different varieties of Ketchup to choose from? No, not really.

What makes Early America charming to me was the lack of complication, point blank. Let’s say we were on our Ketchup quest 60 years ago, our trip through the market would have been MUCH shorter. There was one Ketchup, one Mayo, and one type of yellow mustard to choose from. Although there’s something to be said about the “ability to have options” I truthfully believe we are at system over load with the amount of options thrown our way.

Back to CVS, Bren & I were searching for scar treatment cream. The woman advised us to “browse” the Skin Aisle and well find what we were looking for. I now realize that with over 60 “skin healing products” available, the best solution maybe to just go with what you know. This idea can also be referring to food shoppping as well. Buy the JIF Crunchy regular Peanut Butter. You grew up with it, you loved it. Why change? I think unless you have some MAJOR urge need to switch things up, I suggest you continue on using the products you know & love, because otherwise? You’ll be spending far too much of your life “just browsing”!