...That's not great.

Unsent, Volume 1: Don't Look Back.

J,

I was cleaning out Rubbermaid containers of old clothes this past weekend when I unearthed the United Colors of Benneton sweater set that you brought back for me from your study-abroad in Paris. More than I want to admit, it really is a beautiful Audrey Heburn-esque dark charcoal gray color and, honestly, I would probably would have put it back in my closet but for the moth holes. Well, the moth holes and the fact that it represents an embarrassing and painful period in my life; one that for a long time made me question my instincts. Our relationship when from intense to bad very quickly; so quickly that it took me awhile to figure out what was really happening. Once it was over, all I could do was move on with (in the words from a heartfelt card from a dear friend) "my life", because the rest? "No longer an option."  I've tried to to be too hard on myself when looking back, because, while I have made mistakes and mis-steps throughout my life, I love where I am RIGHT NOW. I recognize it is because of all my experiences, good and not-so-good. I know that you have changed your name to your wife's last name; although I'm guessing it has less to do with your pseudo feminism and more to do with an attempt to distance yourself from your own mistakes - and the law. I also have learned that you have achieved your life-long goal of becoming a doctor; but rather than waste my time wishing you ill (pun intended), I think it's a better use of my time praying I'll never need an organ transplant at the Mayo Clinic.

-B.

Dear Starbucks.

Now, you have to know, after all we've been through, that I'm a fan of yours. Hell, I even worked for you for 9 months back in 1999-2000. I love it pretty much any way that you serve it: cold, hot, Frappuccino, and my personal heaven - the french press.  Even when people bitched about you - I stood up for you. As the "big dog" in the coffee business you take a majority of the heat, but I have always felt that your business practices and the way your treat your "partners" was progressive. One of my dreams is to work for you in your Social Responsibility division.

And, I know it's been a tough year or so for you. Your stock is down (I even own some) and you've lost your focus. And people are tightening their belts and have less money to buy $4 coffees, to go along with their $4/gallon gas and plummeting housing prices. You were really pushing the books and music sales. It wasn't about the coffee for awhile.

You've made some big moves in the past few months, most of which I fully support. The return of Howard Schulz (although I'm still pissed at him for selling the Sonics) to the helm of the company, the ending of breakfast sandwiches (fine by me; never hand one, never wanted to), the creation of the Pike Place Blend. You purchased a local coffee equipment company, Clover, in the hopes of taking beans to the next level. I'm even cool with my barista asking for my name to label my cup (here's a shout-out to my baristas at the Gateway Plaza!).  Harmless enough.

However, this "skinny" drink crap you're trying to pull is where I'm drawing the line. But I refuse, however, to call my standard drink anything other than a "grande, sugar-free vanilla, non-fat latte". And I'm pretty sure most baristas agree.

Love,
Bethany

PS. I'm digging all the new benefits of the Starbucks Card. It may even convince me to get one.