Random thoughts...

[Martin]

It's an acquired taste, and after over 30 years in Seattle, it's long since acquired. Now if I try any type of espresso drink that doesn't have that burnt, acrid bite that Starbucks has, I think, Whoa, this is way too smooth and bland. In truth, that smoothness likely signifies a better quality coffee drink, but once the flavor buds lock in on "what's right" it's hard to convince them that they're wrong. I'm not the only one, though...this area used to have two other chains -- Tully's Coffee and Seattle's Best Coffee, both which had that smooth-profile coffee -- and both have, I believe, long since shut down all (most?) their retail cafe operations. Now it's just primarily Starbucks and the indies.

And if you think that the Seattle area gets snobby and haughty about their coffee, you don't know the meaning of snobbery until you've visited this mecca of coffee pretension:

https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-...ations/seattle

Seattle's Best was my Seattle coffee go to for a while. Starbucks actually bought them and destroyed them from the inside. If I recall correctly the Lawyer Michael Avenati(SP?) and a TV star whose name I do not recall tried to buy Tully's out of bankruptcy. After succeeding in the bankruptcy proceedings the then failed miserably and were shut down. Someone bought the name Tully's and markets coffee under that name but it has nothing to do with the original company. The best coffee is being roasted in Cannon Beach Oregon at Sleepy Monk Coffee – Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters - Cannon Beach, Oregon.

[RonClinton]

A couple of lifetimes ago I had a girlfriend attending University of Puget Sound. We ventured up into Seattle to meet some people at a bar. The only thing I remember about the bar is that it was near the Space Needle and had a live Parrot. When we were in the area the group all wanted to go to Starbucks. We went to one and there was a line and the coffee was strong to the point of being undrinkable. On the way out I noticed that across the street was another Starbucks with just as long a line. At the time I thought "this place will never make it." I may have been wrong but the way they make their coffee still sucks!

It's an acquired taste, and after over 30 years in Seattle, it's long since acquired. Now if I try any type of espresso drink that doesn't have that burnt, acrid bite that Starbucks has, I think, Whoa, this is way too smooth and bland. In truth, that smoothness likely signifies a better quality coffee drink, but once the flavor buds lock in on "what's right" it's hard to convince them that they're wrong. I'm not the only one, though...this area used to have two other chains -- Tully's Coffee and Seattle's Best Coffee, both which had that smooth-profile coffee -- and both have, I believe, long since shut down all (most?) their retail cafe operations. Now it's just primarily Starbucks and the indies.

And if you think that the Seattle area gets snobby and haughty about their coffee, you don't know the meaning of snobbery until you've visited this mecca of coffee pretension:

https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-...ations/seattle

[Martin]

I live in the Seattle area where lattes are an alternative currency.

A couple of lifetimes ago I had a girlfriend attending University of Puget Sound. We ventured up into Seattle to meet some people at a bar. The only thing I remember about the bar is that it was near the Space Needle and had a live Parrot. When we were in the area the group all wanted to go to Starbucks. We went to one and there was a line and the coffee was strong to the point of being undrinkable. On the way out I noticed that across the street was another Starbucks with just as long a line. At the time I thought "this place will never make it." I may have been wrong but the way they make their coffee still sucks!

[RonClinton]

I remember having a latte a couple of times years ago. I knew right away that stuff was too rich for my system. Cap

I live in the Seattle area where lattes are an alternative currency.

[Ben Staad]

Made me think of my last big project in South Miami. I would buy this stuff and drink the whole cup by myself. Didn't share and didn't need those little shot glasses.

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Kept me going and going and going.

[c marvel]

Cheapest for me was $11 and change for Fed Ex. I took it, but would be happy if it was downgraded to Media Mail, if that is indeed a post-order option and it means a refund of the difference. But it’s fine either way...$5 is barely enough for a latte anymore.

I remember having a latte a couple of times years ago. I knew right away that stuff was too rich for my system. Cap

[RonClinton]

Cheapest for me was $11 and change for Fed Ex. I took it, but would be happy if it was downgraded to Media Mail, if that is indeed a post-order option and it means a refund of the difference. But it’s fine either way...$5 is barely enough for a latte anymore.

[c marvel]

Yeah, that issue (no media mail) caused me to pass on the sale as well. I wanted to pick up a copy of Tom Holland's book; however, the cheapest shipping option was almost as much as the cost of the book. Oh well, guess the purchase wasn't meant to be.

Well I see I'm not the only person who saw that shipping option. Cap

[c marvel]

Not really sure what was up. I do know we had the settings on the free magnet set wrong, so it wasn't letting people choose Media Mail as a shipping option. Unfortunately it was only brought to my attention this morning after the magnet deal was over. Is it still not working right?

Brian asked me to email Mindy if I still wanted to order. I did just that late Thursday morning (Thursday afternoon your time). I couldn't email earlier due to a busy work morning. I asked for the total price please after seeing the $41.60 shipping thingy.

Cap

[sholloman81]

Not really sure what was up. I do know we had the settings on the free magnet set wrong, so it wasn't letting people choose Media Mail as a shipping option. Unfortunately it was only brought to my attention this morning after the magnet deal was over. Is it still not working right?

Yeah, that issue (no media mail) caused me to pass on the sale as well. I wanted to pick up a copy of Tom Holland's book; however, the cheapest shipping option was almost as much as the cost of the book. Oh well, guess the purchase wasn't meant to be.

[Dan Hocker]

I was going to take advantage of the 50% off offer that was in today's email. I was until I saw this at checkout to complete my order *USPS Priority Mail$41.60*. What the heck?? Hey Dan or Brian - What is wrong with the online ordering system? By the time either of you see this the 50% off offer will have ended.

Cap

Not really sure what was up. I do know we had the settings on the free magnet set wrong, so it wasn't letting people choose Media Mail as a shipping option. Unfortunately it was only brought to my attention this morning after the magnet deal was over. Is it still not working right?

[Brian861]

Yeah, when you have to choose between a new refrigerator/freezer or a copy of the signed/limited “coffin” THE STAND to keep your ice cream cold, the choice is unfortunate but clear.

Your priorities are way out of whack, my friend. I also convert my spent into would could have been book purchases. Matter of fact, I just purchased a S/L for her car last week

[Brian861]

Don't be gone so long LOL!

He's been hanging out in the underworld known as TDT.org.

[Ben Staad]

Yeah, when you have to choose between a new refrigerator/freezer or a copy of the signed/limited “coffin” THE STAND to keep your ice cream cold, the choice is unfortunate but clear.

RIP ice cream.

[RonClinton]

I had to replace mine last spring. I feel your pain, but I have a working freezer again so that is nice.

Yeah, when you have to choose between a new refrigerator/freezer or a copy of the signed/limited “coffin” THE STAND to keep your ice cream cold, the choice is unfortunate but clear.