sidenote: So my attempt to use blogging as motivation to write letters didn't work. I haven't written since Starbucks, and they never wrote back. Instead of encouraging me to write more letters, it resulted in me just never posting to my blog.

I'm currently looking for cubical gear - I can't really stand working in a cubicle - and my cubicle is right at the entrance to the office, so everyone who walks in is looking right into my cubicle, and over my shoulder.

I disagree with at least part of the premise of a cubicle - that workers will be more efficient and work harder if they are never allowed to see or hear or interact with their co-workers. Who thought it was a good idea to have a team of people who were unable to work together because walls were between them. I'm imagining what a football team would be like if they players couldn't see each other. The game wouldn't work too well.

From cubicle warfare weapons (potato pellet gun, and mini catapults) at http://www.x-tremegeek.com/, to Feaux window frames (I had the idea, didn't know people actually made them just for cubicles), to lamps and magnets, I will turn my cubicle to something other than the sterile efficiency that it is now.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Dear Starbucks,

I'm writing to let you know that every time I hear the announcement that I'm listening to Starbucks music and I should subscribe to satellite radio, it makes me far less inclined to come back to Starbucks, and take my business to other places whether coffee competitors, bagel-type stores, or whoever can manufacture the atmosphere I once enjoyed in your stores.

I began enjoying Starbucks stores when I lived in downtown Chicago, during the 4 years attaining my bachelor's degree. Becoming a Starbucks junky is easy in downtown Chicago, as the stores are open late if not 24/7, and there are always 7 within walking distance, from any point in the city.

I don't go to Starbucks for the coffee - I don't like the flavor or aroma of coffee. I got to Starbucks primarily for the atmosphere.

The colors, the art, the furniture, the music.

All undoubtedly crafted by Starbucks' corporate and marketing gurus to addict even people like me who don't have an addiction to the Starbucks-branded acidic caffination. And it worked. I've been addicted. I know it is a marketing scheme, but it is one that has created an atmosphere where I can meet with friends and the students that I mentor, and is a great atmosphere for mini-dates with my wife; great for a break from the office, great for reading a book or studying.

I choose Starbucks because the atmosphere compensated for the presence of coffee, and lack of any good choice of teas. Starbucks has created a sense of elegence and class, even though underneath it's a fast-food chain for coffee and snacks. It felt good to be in Starbucks, it felt like I could lease an experience of class for just a few dollars and for putting up with a bland cup of tea. But the atmosphere was far worth it.

Then a year ago, maybe more, the music changed. I began to hear something like "This music has been brought to you by hear music, the music of Starbucks. Tune in to channel 53 on XM Sattelite radio for hear music," after every few songs.

I couldn't believe it when I first heard it, and it bothers me still. The pseudo class of Starbucks has dwindled into K-Mart's "Blue light special" being announced over the intercom, or the feeling of 25 pieces of "flair" advertising in Office Space.

Prior to this change, different Starbucks had different music, which allowed for slightly different personalities in Starbucks, which I loved. Now, I feel like I'm in K-Mart or Wal-Mart, being told I'm listening to Starbucks music, and that I should subscribe to sattelite radio.

I didn't go to Starbucks for the coffee. I went primarily for the atmosphere. But that has gone, and been replaced with cheap marketing.

The atmostphere was all that got me in the door, and it was something Starbucks did extemely well. Now that atmosphere has been replaced, by a cheap sales pitch every few minutes over the intercom Starbucks co-opted from K-mart.

Most blogs out there are boring. Have you ever surfed blogs? Usually the surfing ends quickly because there is just nothing of substance, and you've got millions of people just putting their little blurb online for the world to see. And I realize there's been no real theme to my blog, or purpose... other than... well.. me, writing what I think deserves to be read.

So, I'm going to try to change it up a bit.

I've always had trouble writing letters. No, not the symbols we use to make up words, the notes to people. From thank you notes to letters to the president I've been told will make me holy if I write them, I've never really written.

Sometimes I think, "This experience is aweful! I'm going to write a letter to Starbucks' corporate office," or "Wow, that was great. That guy deserves a raise or a promotion! I should write his boss a note," or "I'm going to write a letter to a professor I had at college and thank him for his teaching."

And I never write these letters.

So now I'm combining my blogging and letter writing efforts, and I will write the letters, and I will send them, and I will post them to my blog - with as little information excepted from the letters as possible. Anonymity is still of great and perhaps increasing value in this world.

On to the letters!

I thought that when I stopped losing as much sleep, and stopped spending so much time stressing out about my job at home that I had gotten over the stress from working here. But it wasn't true. I've been without energy, more socially withdrawn, and discouraged.

Thanks to my friends and my God, I've lasted... but I'm so glad to see that countdown timer.