Archive for May, 2008

May 21 2008

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Starbucks…who’s the victim?!!?

Filed under Personal, Uncategorized

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a Starbucks cup in my hand for the most of the day. I am currently in Cincinnati and the first site I visit is a Starbucks. Of course, I think this is guided by fate…in the middle of OHIO (somewhere around Columbus) I take a random exit to take a break from driving and get gas…and there it was…a Starbucks in the middle of farm county Ohio.

Did I start out as a coffee junkie? Nope! My parents grew up during the first instant & automatic drip coffee pot era. It was not uncommon that their parents drank coffee all day, because it was so easy to make. I did not grow up with coffee drinking parents, so I never looked for it.

I didn’t start drinking Coffee until my 5th year of teaching…prior to this I survived on heavy doses of Mountain Dew. I had a close friend that escaped from school each day to grab a Starbucks during our planning time. I of course went…but didn’t like coffee, so I got Hot Chocolate. Who would have ever thought as Hot Chocolate as a transition to coffee??? Well it began with Mochas…to triple ventes…to quad ventes…more caffeine the better.

Why did I decided to blog about Starbucks and coffee, as I drink one? I was reminded of a friend who twittered the other day about how he loved a good cup of coffee. Well I began to wonder if I really liked coffee or victim of consumerism. This also reminds me of a conversation I had with a high school-er about how he described Starbucks as “being the Microsoft of coffee”…Wow he hit a nerve, I am a APPLE Guy.

I defended Starbucks and argued that Starbucks did not come into towns like a WAL-Mart and force smaller companies to close…Starbucks created the market for coffee (made it okay to spend $5 for a cup of joe) and if anything the company has promoted the growth of coffee shops around the country. Case in point…New Wilmington, PA…the small college town that I went to college in…a town surrounded by PA Amish. Not much business is done in the small downtown…Except a Coffee House that thrives even if College is not in session.

Could this happen without the Microsoft of Coffee?

I am not the only one who addicted to Starbucks…check out this website with very familiar Starbucks images. [http://www.sirensongdc.com/news/]

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May 07 2008

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Wow…When I visit the Library of Congress

Filed under Comics

Okay, I am an educator and yes I have been to the Library of Congress. I am ashamed to say, but I was not impressed until now. Spiderman (Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s Spiderman) is now on display at the LOC. I am trying to get copies of this wonderful primary source material, but until then I can see a few samples on the LOC Blog.
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May 07 2008

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SEOmoz’s Web 2.0 Awards

Filed under Web 2.0

In the overwhelming world of Web 2.0, it is nice to have a few highlighted.

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Check out the SEOmoz’s Awards for Web 2.0 of 2007.

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May 06 2008

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Take THAT…BIG, BAD Record Industry

Filed under music

I have always been a huge fan of Trent Reznor…back in the my high school days I felt like I had a HEAD LIKE A HOLE. I am an even bigger fan now that he is giving his fans a free download of his latest album. A quote from Trent “Thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years — this one’s on me.”

Download Slip here. 

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May 04 2008

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Ahh…Remember when…tribute to toys that made our childrenhoods cool!

Filed under Personal

Although this post could be in the Geek section…the art shared on this blog for the LA Gallery 1988 is just to cool. The newest exhibit is TOYS consists of toys inspired art.  Personally…I would have been lost without my Big Wheel.

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