The Starbucks Blog

A flurry of activity ...

2009-01-22T23:55:00.003Z

... distant voices shouting, pushing away the cobwebs only to then fade away to their new websites, leaving the Starbucks Blog once again in silence.

Me too

2009-01-22T20:49:00.002Z

Well if we're in the business of shameless self-promotion, I'll jump right on board.

www.lowfidelity.co.uk

Same place as it's always been, but now with a new look, and more importantly, new content (as well as an archive of the way things used to be).

Thanks for your attention.

New Website!

2009-01-22T00:09:00.002Z

Hi there. I know I've technically closed this blog, but I figured a trackback to my new website couldn't hurt my ratings ;o)

Feel free to visit me at:

olitee.com

or read my welcome message at:
http://blog.olitee.com/index.php/2009/01/welcome-to-oliteecom/

The red cups are coming ... again!

2008-11-05T23:15:00.003Z

I was in Starbucks today thinking ... "Hey look, the red cups are here", which in turn got me thinking .... "Hey look, none of us have bothered to post anything on this blog in over a year now!"

I'm throwing in the towel. The stress and pressure to keep coming up with new and exciting stories to blog about are too much. I can't go on.

I feel it is the end of an era. A short era, but an era none the less.

I will remember it well. Goodbye Starbucks Blog.

- THE END -

The red cups are coming!

2007-11-02T12:47:00.000Z

Now this post is going to be a little... erm, random, but bear with me.

The family Lacey made an intrepid expedition over to Bradford to show off baby George, and we spent almost two hours in the little Starbucks in Centenary Square (not sure why I'm telling you this, as at least 50% of the readers of this blog were present so know this fact already).

Now it was whilst I was there that I noticed the board outside that said "The red cups are coming!" on it. Now obviously this means that it's nearly Christmas, and 'Bucks will be rolling out their Christmassy cups any time now (if they haven't already). I said to Mrs L that we'd have to make sure we came back nearer Christmas to see everyone again and maybe do a spot of shopping. And then I got thinking of Christmasses we have known and loved... (standby for nostalgia!)...

Some of my best memories of working in Bradford are of Christmas time - and somehow or other Starbucks features quite heavily in these memories. Maybe we just spent more time in there to get out of the cold wet weather or maybe those red cups and Chrimbo decorations really did get to me! I remember many a happy lunchtime sitting in the Waterstones Starbucks, looking down on the punters doing their Christmas book shopping, chatting, and then venturing out to do some Christmas shopping (or probably just browsing) of our own. Strangely, Starbucks played an integral part of the annual Christmas party too - I seem to remember heading to 'Bucks in between the lunch part and the evening part and spending a leisurely couple of hours sobering up from lunchtime excess and preparing to get even more hammered in the evening! Ah, happy times.

I realise that it probably never happened like this, but it did in *my* head. Anyone else?

Needless to say, we'll definitely be heading over in December for Christmas coffee-related shenanigans. And when we do, I want you all to have the afternoon off so we can do it properly. Okay?

Yeah baby!

2007-10-08T11:08:00.000+01:00

At last, Baby Lacey has arrived! We've got a beautiful little boy called George William. He was born on Saturday 6th October at 3.14pm, weighing 7lb 8oz. Katey took a photo of me with him just after he was born which I think illustrates how made up I am!

Results are in ...

2007-10-01T10:15:00.000+01:00

Well there you have it ...

While we patiently await news from the Laceys, the official results of the StarbucksBlog Poll are in.

The most popular drink is:

AMERICANO!

Closely followed by one of those nasty, frothy cappuccino things.

Wasn't that exciting? Shall we do another one? I await your suggestions :o)

Oli.

Nothing to report

2007-09-24T12:17:00.000+01:00

There's nothing going on here. At all. But I'll keep you posted...

Old skool

2007-09-10T22:17:00.000+01:00

Today, I went to Boots and bought a meal deal. I had a ham and emmental sandwich, prawn cocktail crisps and a raspberry and cranberry Innocent smoothie. Jolly nice it all was too. The only reason I mention it is because it's the first meal deal I've had since leaving the museum, and it kind of evoked a certain amount of nostalgia. Almost made me want to spend the afternoon in Action Zone Two, surfing the internet, sorting out felt-tip pens and generally avoiding work. This was not to be however, and instead I went to Ikea and bought furniture.

Just like the old days... but with new stuff.

2007-03-09T23:09:00.000Z

Well, I knew that sooner or later we'd get round to it. I made the lengthy and perilous journey from Harrogate into the dark lands of Bradford in order to see my ex-colleagues for tea and medals (turned out to be just coffee and cheesecake though).

However, I felt that this was of such note that I should commemorate its occurrence with a post to this here interwebblogthingummydoodad.

So erm... yes. Here I am. We had coffee. And it was good.

On a more important and far more satisfying note, I hereby proclaim that I am to be a father. And here's a blurry black and white picture to go some way to proving it:

So there you go. A mini-me. What a terrifying thought.

Dusty shit...

2007-02-28T15:31:00.000Z

Jesus, look at all the dust and cobwebs in here! What is this place? Looks completely deserted by the look of it. Can't have been anyone here in years.

Hang on... what's this sign here? Just let me rub the dust off it...

"STUCKS LOG"? Eh? That doesn't make any sense... ah, hang on, there's some more letters under here... yep, that's better.

"STARBUCKS BLOG". Nope, still doesn't make any sense.

And what's that over there? Eugh... I think that used to be some kind of fish in a bowl. Bit crispy now though.

Ah well, the batteries in this torch are running out. No way I'm staying here in the dark on my own. It's creepy. Maybe I'll come back with a search party.

Blogger -> Google

2006-12-24T00:28:00.000Z

Erm ... I fear I may have slightly messed things up here on the Starbucks Blog. I've just been offered the chance by Blogger to upgrade my blog to the latest version ... which also means switching to a Google login account, as oppose to the one I use for Blogger.com...

They're only offering the upgrade to a small percentage of users at the moment - so I didn't want to pass up the oppertunity...

What I conveniently forgot was that the Starbucks Blog - being run from my account - would get upgraded too. Ooops.

Now, you can see that nothing has visually changed here - but under the hood things are (apparently) very different. So, next time you log in to post or add comments, you may be asked to upgrade your Blogger account. That would be my fault. Sorry.

(On the plus side, those of us who are using the RSS feeds to monitor the starbucks blog may find the 'Comments' feed useful.)

Anyway. Merry Christmas y'all,

Oli.

Merry Christmas

2006-12-21T11:21:00.000Z

Since none of us have posted here in ages, I thought I'd break the silence by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and all that.

Oh, and drink lots of coffee -- just so I can't be accused of posting off topic!

CostaClaire has requested instructions for posting to this blog over the holidays, so look out for some (no doubt) dodgy posts over the next few days.

All the best,

OliT.

Hang on! I'm over here!

2006-10-24T20:15:00.000+01:00

No, I haven't dropped off the face of the planet... it's just police training college taking its toll on my social life.

I've been getting home at about 6pm, working on preparation for the next day (pre-reads, powerpoint presentations, learning diaries yada yada yada...), having tea and going to bed at 10pm! No time to send emails or post to blogs... Tell you what, it's not like that proper job I used to do where I got five hours of doss time every day. When I get bored of this silly police lark, I think I'll come back so that I can start being properly productive again.

Did manage to talk to Cardigan-wearer Thomas when I was on the train the other night. The moral of the story is that if you want to converse, between 5 and 6pm is the optimum time!

Anyway, on to more important issues. I've given up trying to spend my daily £10 allowance - I can't do it. Even with breakfast, mid-morning muffins, lunch and afternoon cake (all swilled round with lashings of hot caffeinated beverage) I can't quite make it to ten quid. So I've stopped trying.

But the lemon drizzle cake is just to die for (hmmm, did that sound a bit gay?). I might send you some in the post if you're lucky. Not sure what condition it'll be in when it arrives, but it's the thought that counts.

How goes it at the mausoleum?

P.I. Lacey

2006-10-18T11:02:00.000+01:00

OK, Mr L ... it's been over a week now, and the only updates you've given us are about food, and the money you get to spend on it. Not that I personally have a problem with that topic, but we're all keen to hear more about your new career ;o)

I've made a good start...

2006-10-10T18:54:00.000+01:00

So then...

Two days in, and I'm still alive. Public transport, rain and 6am starts are conspiring to make it less fun, but so far so good.

Most important news to report is that I get a £10 per day "refreshment" budget. And because I'm on a student campus, everything is very cheap, so it's tricky to actually spend a tenner.

Yesterday, I started off tentatively. I had an Americano at each of my three breaks (they're £1 each) and at lunch I had a BLT sandwich, a grape and melon fruit salad thingy and a bottle of water (to counteract the caffeine). All this came to a grand £6.30.

Today, I decided to try harder. During my first break I had a cappuccino, at lunch I went for a chicken salad baguette, fruit salad, banana, shortbread biscuits and a bottle of water, and in the afternoon had a cup of tea with a huge piece of lemon drizzle cake, which I ate all of. Oli would have been proud. Even so, despite my efforts, I still only spent £7.50.

I'm thinking that I may need to go for the bacon butty and a cuppa when I get there first thing tomorrow. I may yet get to spend the whole £10 if I really put my mind to it.

Oh, and the police training stuff is very useful. So far I've filled in about 47 forms for various things. And as we know, the ability to fill in forms is an essential police skill.

Are you missing him?

2006-10-09T18:36:00.000+01:00

So then, Phil's been gone a week (or 2) are you missing him?

Office Fun

2006-09-26T23:26:00.000+01:00

Claire carelessly dies whilst cataloguing the TV Gallery acrylic triangles. SPC, soon to be PC, Lacey takes control of the crime scene ... or something like that.

Tomorrow the team *might* actually do some work, but for now they seem happy. Best not to disturb them.

I feel cheated...

2006-09-06T14:28:00.000+01:00

Following on from my last post, I have conducted some research into the "professional" way of making an Americano.

To start off, yesterday we went to Starbucks, where I ordered an Americano and watched to see how they made it. And do you know what? They completely cheated! They poured it out of the big metal coffee vat that lives at the back of the counter! Straight into the mug, and no espresso in sight. Surely that's a filter coffee and not an Americano? More importantly, it wasn't very nice. And they claim to put two shots of espresso in it? Do they hell...

However, today we went into Costa, and I ordered an Americano for comparison purposes. And I'm pleased to report that they do it properly in there. Two shots of espresso, into little shot glasses, which are then poured into the cup, and topped up with hot water. Perfect. And good flavour too.

Starbucks pikeys. Bah.

Black (coffee) art

2006-09-04T08:51:00.000+01:00

So last week, I acquired a Krups XP4020 espresso machine to replace my recently deceased Morphy Richards. It's a bit of a highly-strung beast, but it makes great coffee (providing you treat it with due deference and make sure you do everything "just so").

But my question is this. Americano coffee - shot of coffee in first and then pour the hot water in, or the other way round? How do they do it at Starbucks? I've never watched them. We must keep an eye on their technique at lunchtime.

Haven't cracked how to froth the milk properly yet either.

But if you want a really awesome straight-up-no-messing-about espresso, I'm your man...

National Collection

2006-07-20T11:11:00.000+01:00

An ancient relic of the early days of teleivion are found discarded on the 3rd-floor landing.

Power of TV!

2006-07-20T11:10:00.000+01:00

It's there ... I can see it ... it really does exist!

Experience Coke

2006-07-20T11:09:00.000+01:00

Oli contemplates the numerous painful ways in which he can murder his barber

Pizza at the 11th hour

2006-07-20T11:08:00.000+01:00

Cushion ... Claire ... Claire ... Cushion

2006-07-20T11:06:00.001+01:00

Welcome to the TV Office

2006-07-20T11:06:00.000+01:00

Oli uses drugs to expand his mind ...

2006-07-20T11:02:00.000+01:00

Flickry Flickr

2006-07-20T01:15:00.000+01:00

This is no good ... the night before the gallery opens ... with a good 20 photos ready to be uploaded ... and the Flickr website crashes.

Dang. Sorry. Photos will be uploaded tomorrow if Flickr is back online.

Now, I have to go. I need my Zzzzz's.

Caffeine!

2006-07-16T23:52:00.000+01:00

With so few hours left until the dreaded opening, we're gonna need a lot of caffeine to keep us awake.

Did you know that there are sources of caffeine other than Starbucks in Bradford City Centre? Yeah, I said the same thing when I found out. Apparently it's in all sorts of stuff. Even skinny lattes!

The important thing it to maximise your caffeine intake. To avoid wasting any money on useless caffeine-free beverages (such as water or caffeine-free-Coke), I've located a handy list to help you compare drinks:

http://www.wilstar.net/caffeine.htm

or if you require more scientific data:

http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database/

and lets not forget the infamous 'Death By Coffee' online calculator:

http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-caffeine/

TO THE DEATH!

:o)

The AV will be ready on time ... honest!

2006-07-16T15:08:00.000+01:00

Even Henry is helping out

2006-07-16T12:10:00.000+01:00

New Team Member

2006-07-16T12:08:00.000+01:00

AV Nightmare

2006-07-16T12:04:00.000+01:00

Joe tries to assure us that everythings going to be 'just fine' ...

Coffee coffin...

2006-07-16T12:02:00.000+01:00

Our Sunday mornings would not be complete without the ritual long-winded making of the Americano coffee to accompany toast and Michael Parkinson.

But this morning, things did not go according to plan. The espresso machine was taking AGES to make the coffee. Not only that, but it was billowing out steam and whistling like it might just go into orbit. Worse still, after ten minutes of this aberrant behaviour, there was only about a thimbleful of sludgy looking coffee in the bottom of the little pyrex jug.

I feared there may have been some user error. Maybe not enough water in the first place? Coffee tamped too hard? Machine not assembled properly?

None of the above. After extensive scientific swap-out testing, I have come to the conclusion that it is officially shafted.

Ah well, it was nearly seven years old I suppose. But it was a wedding present, so it has some sentimental value.

But as we know, every cloud has a silver lining. This means that I can buy a new, shinier, better coffee-making gadget.

And this is where you come in. I don't know what to get.

Help me coffee-suppin' friends. You're my only hope.

Feeding Time

2006-07-14T21:57:00.000+01:00

They're driving me mad

2006-07-14T17:40:00.000+01:00

I never want to see another acrylic triangle as long as I live

Claire's Ribena has a startling effect on her hair...

2006-07-14T17:33:00.000+01:00

Disorganised Chaos

2006-07-13T23:08:00.000+01:00

Where is everyone? 7 days to go, and you've all gone home!

The Final Countdown

2006-07-13T14:30:00.000+01:00

Watch this space!

With only 7 days to go before the opening of the new gallery, we've chosen to document (through blog and cameraphone) these final moments of the project ... so stay tuned :o)

Random Starbucks Cameraphone Fun

2006-06-12T20:40:00.000+01:00

Eurovision Scoreboard

2006-06-03T12:55:00.000+01:00

Just in case you were worried we didn't take it seriously ;o)

Darth Calls In

2006-05-28T11:25:00.000+01:00

Comedy Lunchtime

2006-05-27T18:04:00.000+01:00

I don't think he's gonna make it through that hole ...

Eurovision!

2006-05-20T14:50:00.000+01:00

It's that time of year again. Large swathes of the country coalesce into groups to celebrate an evening of audio-visual torture ... and we're no exception.

As usual, my money is on the Moldovian entry. I doubt they'll win, but there's something about them that appeals to my insane nature.

Updates later... photos on Flickr... :o)

UPDATE: No photos ... forgot to take any! Sorry :o(

2006-05-10T20:31:00.000+01:00

I have new phone, and its WIFI :0

New Starbucks!

2006-03-14T22:09:00.000Z

Sorry, but my previous post seems to have killed off all conversation, so I'm here to get things started up again: NEW STARBUCKS!

Yes it's true. Not 300yds from the old one ... the great Seattle coffee company has deemed it necessary to build another one. It's compact, cozy and travel sized ... and they have muffins.

They were also giving away free bags of coffee, which is very strange ... the only thing I've ever had free from Starbucks was that chocolate coin that they forgot to charge me for. Donna and I lived off the savings for weeks!

Ah well. There it is. Lovely isn't it.

I'm Engaged!

2006-02-15T22:30:00.000Z

Yes, it's true ... but unfortunately not coffee related. I hope you'll forgive me. Donna and I are engaged, wot with a ring and everything. Ah, that ring is so pretty :o)

No further plans just yet .... but give us chance, and we'll keep you updated. Eeeeeeeeeeeee, I'M GONNA GET MARRIED!

Separated at Birth

2006-02-08T14:52:00.000Z

Hmmmm you may have a point there Oli ... but it does make me want one even more ... despite the need for a coffee extension :-)

Cups not Jugs

2006-02-06T12:15:00.000Z

In an effort to shunt (yes I said shunt) Tim's well endowed friend further down the page and restore the tone ... I want to tell you about my lovely new Cappuccino cup ... it's a gorgeous deep red, wide, as a cappuccino cup should be ... and white inside ... it's tres glamorous ... BUT ...not nearly as glamorous as these lovely things

http://www.villeroy-boch.com/index.php?id=276&C=GB&L=en&user_ocrprefix=2484

I need a bigger kitchen ... and more coffee gadgets ....

OK ... there's a bit more to this post ... (Edit at 12.55)

I've had one of these for 7 years ...

...over that seven years, I've been in and out of love with it ... had periods when I'm high as a kite on caffeine, and been so obsessed with the perfect Crema that I've roasted my own beans ... I know ... SAD .... and then there have been times when it's sat in the corner and I've perferred stove top coffee or cafetiere coffee (not very many of those times, it always tastes like sludge, but it's quick) ... and recently ... I've fallen deeply in love with my Pavoni again ... I love that it's mechanical, that you have to get the right grind and tamp and pull ... and when you do it's LOVELY ... It's so hands on ... and the more you use it the better you get ... BUT ... what I don't like about it is ... it takes AGES to make cappuccino ... well not ages but about 4 minutes ... which if there are more than 1 of you then it seems like AGES ... sooooo I need a dual boiler machine ... one that always has enough hot water to make espresso and enough steam in t'other boiler to froth milk ... The problem with the Pav is that it does both ... so you lose steam or water and can end up with watery espresso YUK!!!! or not very frothy cappuccino ... hmmmm not good either ... so patience is an imperative for good Pavoni operation and as you know Patience may be a virtue but it sure as hell ain't one o' mine ....

But look what I found this morning ... and isn't it pretty????

It's a domestic machine with 2 boilers ... *sigh* ... takes pods (blurgh!!!) and real coffee ... and I think I might be in love ... It's bigger and would take up yet more room in my already teensy kitchen area ... but what joy ... and the Pavoni doesn't owe me much ...

I'm a shocker for brand loyalty and hanging onto things I love ... AND ... would I miss the hands on-ness of the Pavoni ... well .. I'd still get to grind my own, tamp and steam ... but the pulling would be no more ...

Waddya think???

Beer

2006-01-30T21:10:00.000Z

Beer sounds good, how about friday?

More cooking oil on it!

2006-01-24T17:46:00.000Z

Ok geeks, have a look at this super cool and quiet PC!

Nice Sprinkles Annie ;-)

2006-01-20T15:45:00.000Z

Guess Who??? and Where??? and you win a prize ...

Brought to you by 'The campaign for coffee related posts''

I've seen the second series (well 5 episodes)

2006-01-18T21:53:00.000Z

Oh My God! You are going to love the second series!!!

Xbox

2006-01-17T21:27:00.000Z

Yes, it is true that at the weekend I nearly purchased an Xbox. The reason I didn't was I just can't afford it this month, and maybe not next either.

Also I saw the look in my new girl friends eyes when I said I was thinking about it. I could see her fear that she might become an xboxgirlfriend.

I really would like to kick Bungle (Oli) and Georges (Phil) arses at Rainbow Six, but not for a few months. I think theres still time before you switch to xbox 360.

Do you think we'll be famous?

2006-01-13T08:26:00.000Z

Just read this article on the BBC website about Starbucks signing its first film promotion deal.

Maybe if we hang around in Starbucks for long enough, we'll get spotted by a talent scout and we'll all hit the big time? Or do you not think talent scouts are particularly numerous in Bradford?

Sharon Beshenivsky

2006-01-11T11:49:00.000Z

Coffee Pods

2006-01-08T22:35:00.000Z

This one is for Jacqui, since she demanded it :o)

I got my first high-pressure coffee maker for Chistmas ...

Ok, so it's not exactly Starbucks-grade coffee ... but it's ten times better than a cup of instant. It's fast too ... it's actually quicker to make coffee with this thing than with the kettle. Needless to say, my coffee intake has double since I got it.

Also, it takes 'coffee pods', which sound cool when you bring them up in casual conversation.

Anyway, I gotta go. I NEED MY POD FIX!

Guess what I get

2006-01-05T17:45:00.000Z

As well as getting my own laptop, I get a account card for the Holiday Inn!

Guess where I'll be taking Kate on holiday?

So far I have about 8 passwords for various different tools and systems, so the museum wins in someways. It seems as though I can do almost anything to my Laptop, no admin accounts and the whole office is WiFi. Although the guy with a pace maker keeps jumping everytime I send an email, maybe sarah was right to be worried :)

No farting in the office yet, but office moves are coming, so I'm saving it for the poor bastard who has to sit next to me. Currently sat next to a guy call Tom :)

Tim Over and Out

PS. Its full of stars

Out with the old, in with the older.

2006-01-04T20:48:00.000Z

I figured that the seasonal theme to this blog wasn't working any more ... what with it being January n' all that.

As much as I love garish red and white in a website, I've decided to return us to the tranquil shades of green. Anyone got any ideas for a blog facelift?

:o)

My First Day by Tim Burnett

2006-01-04T18:03:00.000Z

Today I started my new job at BTL in Saltaire, it was nice and the people friendly and it smelt of roses (ok enough of the kids speak)

On arrival I was shown round the building by Jean (so thats where she keeps disappearing to). Its going to take them sometime to get used to my sense of humour, as I asked where do I get sugar from when I was standing next to the biggest pile of sugar you'll ever see, and she replied: "Well its there isn't it" and looked at me as if I was blind.

Rule number one :

How not to make an entrance into your new office
Throw your stationary across the floor in the direction of your new boss.

Yes, as I entered my office I did this, but it was funny. Jean gave me my stationary pack which consisted of a stapler, hole punch, pens etc. all in a bucket which is my very own bin. Although it did look like a 'slopping out' bucket. Suppose there was no need to nick phils stapler before I left.

I have a desk and a laptop (Sony Vio) which is nice, better than what poor old blacker got when she arrived at the museum.

Generally the day went well, I ve got various tasks already to do, so I don't have to go and find a brush to pretend sweeping.

Phil, there are girls in the offices as well, not that concerns me in any shape or form as I'm going out with Kate and she's lovely.

Sorry to hear Claires backing out of the coffee gang, I think its a good idea in some ways, although I will miss our lunchtimes, but they would be abit boring now as I reckon I have what could be classed as a permanent girl, and all we used to talk about was my love life.

Will keep you posted guys and girls, I think there is life out side of the Museum.

CONTROVERSIAL!

2006-01-04T11:58:00.000Z

So then... one of our number has suggested that, for 2006, we shouldn't go for coffee every day.

Why would she (there's a clue) say such a thing? Is it the expense? Perhaps the calories? Or could it be that she's missing Tim?

Regardless of the reason, it's certainly a controversial suggestion.

Happy New Year!

2006-01-01T03:08:00.000Z

Happy new year, Costabucks'ers.

I've had far too much to drink, so I won't write any more :o)

Here's to 2005, and to a fantastic Coffee-fuelled 2006. And whilst we're at it: Good luck to Tim who starts his new job on Wednesday. Good luck mate!

Oli :oP

Michelle's Blog Debut

2005-12-15T03:31:00.000Z

Here she is. She finally made it ... Staggering, and with help from a friend and a Special Police Constable ... The Starbucks Blog is proud to present Michelle:

(More coming soon ... just waiting for the monitor to come into focus before I continue :o)

Debauchery Online

2005-12-13T15:57:00.000Z

Well I'm sincerely hoping that since this blog has become temporarily devoted to seasonal entries (ooo errr missus - what with Santa coming once a year and all that) ... that evidence of the NMPFT Christmas party will be posted herein ... for those of us that are currently unwaged and therefore not going to any 'works do's' this year please provide me with images of seasonal cheer so that I may live vicariously ... come on Oli ... you MUST have taken a camera :-)

Christmas Tree!

2005-12-04T00:11:00.000Z

The Christmas tree has landed. Yes, yes, I know my living room looks a bit like a Santa's Grotto ... but I like it.

Got tree? Post it here. Let's discuss and debate :o)

OK, I'll get the ball rolling by showing you our xmas tree from last year. Pretty, eh?

Paper Weebl

2005-12-02T08:57:00.000Z

Fresh Weebl n' Bob. Get 'em while they're hot:

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/wab/paper/

Christmas Is Here!

2005-12-01T00:00:00.000Z

It's officially now the countdown to Christmas ... well, it is in my book ... I'm buying a tree and everything!

I couldn't help but make a few minor changes to the site to give it a more seasonal feel. Oh, and I also squeezed in a subtle hint that our loyalty to Starbucks is waning.

Enjoy :o)

Pete's Ubercoffee

2005-11-23T17:12:00.000Z

Weird Wide Web

2005-11-17T21:14:00.000Z

OK. I'm not a cat person, but I know a good website when I see one:

http://www.stuffonmycat.com/

They have T-Shirts. I want one. Help me.

:o)

Weebl n' Bob ... in huggable form!

2005-11-17T20:29:00.000Z

I think we need these for the office :o)

http://www.weebls-shop.co.uk/toys.asp?siteid=100&prodcatid=143

Erm, yeah. Coffee, muffins n' all that.

Today IMDB, Tomorrow ... Hollywood!

2005-11-15T22:20:00.000Z

Hey, check me out. I did a Google search for myself (You know ... as we all do from time to time to make sure we don't have a stalker), and look what I found:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1399408/

How cool is that?

Well, I'm impressed ... and I'm having a muffin to celebrate :o)

Where's Wolley?

2005-11-13T11:04:00.000Z

Ok, a quick apology to Tom for spelling his surname wrong not just once, but twice. His real name is, of course Woolley ... and not Wolley. Sorry mate!

Foam Envy

2005-11-10T11:06:00.000Z

I admit it ... I was jealous when I saw that lake of foam on Oli's Mocha ... so I've cranked up the Pavoni and made a right mess of my kitchen to bring you

The stencils I bought for the chocolate sprinkles are crap btw ... THAT beleive it or not is a snowflake ...

and yes Phil I have got way too much time on my hands ;-)

(from a starbucks outpost)

Edit at 12.22pm - success with the snowflake on the latte :-)

(bandwidth schmandwidth)

Missing Claire

2005-11-09T20:56:00.000Z

Claire couldn't be with us today ... hence the choice of Starbucks. We did, however, find the time to send her this scary photo:

The Great Lake of Mocha

2005-11-09T20:43:00.000Z

Isn't coffee great ... Especially when it's free? And that's exactly what you see here: Two free coffees: A thankyou from Costa for our loyalty. Phil went for a particularly gruesome hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows ... where as I favoured the GIANT LAKE OF MOCHA (see below).

Cake or death?

2005-11-06T16:07:00.000Z

We went to Starbucks on Friday instead of Costa. We've been frequenting Costa a great deal recently and poor old 'Bucks isn't getting much of a look in. I attribute this to the large amount of influence exerted by one of our number and her insistence that Costa is better.

I have been debating the pros and cons of each over the last couple of days, and - as I said at the time - I can't really see any clear leader.

COSTA:

FOR
1) Plenty of space
2) Brand new shop
3) Comfy sofas
4) STRONG coffee (a good thing if you're not wired enough)

AGAINST
1) Crappy cups and saucers that hold a thimblefull of beverage and overbalance
2) Slow/ugly baristas
3) STRONG coffee (a bad thing if you're already wired)

STARBUCKS:

FOR
1) The lovely baristas :o)
2) Fast service
3) Proper mugs
4) Located in a bookshop

AGAINST
1) Always busy
2) Coffee not as strong as Costa
3) Catweasel & Lurch

The quality of the coffee at either venue is not in doubt. They are different for sure, but I can't say one is necessarily better than the other. The prices are pretty much exactly the same too.

All of which draws me to the conclusion that we should spend equal amounts of time in each. Perhaps we should have a meeting to discuss this?

Mensa Shmensa

2005-11-01T20:50:00.000Z

I took this photo in the front lift at work. I think it's fairly self explanatory :o)

... the exams are on floor 4a, no wait ... 7 ... ah, no 6 ... yeah, must be 6 ... maybe?

And guess what: the exams were on floor 7, so they still got it wrong. Jesus, if MENSA can't figure out the floor numbering what hope have we got?!

Coffee For One

2005-10-27T21:11:00.000+01:00

It's been a fairly boring week coffee-wise.

So boring, in fact, that I found myself staring at this arrangement on Wednesday.

One coffee. One muffin. Empty chair opposite. :o(

Despite the boredom ... and probably prompted by the downpour outside, I still spent about 40 minutes sipping away.

So where was everyone? Phil = sick, Tim = holiday, Claire = covered in mud, Michelle = shopping ... all bad planning if you ask me. I think we should have a meeting to discuss some sort of emergency plan should this sort of thing every happen again.

Come on people! Get organised!

CoffeeCAM LIVE

2005-10-11T14:25:00.000+01:00

I've removed the video from the main page, since it was eating all my bandwidth. If you're desperate to watch it, Click here.

Ahh, coffee

2005-10-11T13:40:00.000+01:00

Todays events just can't go untold

2005-10-10T13:41:00.000+01:00

Hmmm... I am going to drop my drink more often!

Cappiccino Art

2005-10-07T16:22:00.000+01:00

Look what I bought today ...

http://www.decuisine.co.uk/cookshop/tea_coffee_chocolate/capuccino-stencils.html

I got them from YSP shop ... I saw Jo Rodger ... twas like a meeting of the escape committee :-)))

Right ... off to practise ...

Caffeine Free Holiday

2005-10-05T17:25:00.000+01:00

Am I still allowed to post to this blog, given that I'm on holiday -- haven't been to Starbucks or Costa this week -- and haven't had a single cup of coffee?

I have to say that this caffeine-free diet makes me feel great ... but I'm only awake for 3 hours of the day. Ah well ... back to bed.

See you all next week.

I ve found it!

2005-09-30T08:00:00.000+01:00

I always like to do alittle research around my objects of desire, and I thought I'd check out the offical Enigma Music web site. I acturally quite like the 'Return to Innocence' track, and theres a Jukebox that plays it: http://www.enigmamusic.com/jukebox/music2.html

Brings back memories of Pure Moods which I used to listen to constantly as a kid, that and War of the Worlds. Although I would like to point out that I never masterbated to them like Oli seems to do with '1984'.

Get some real porn Oli!

It was there, I swear it!

2005-09-28T19:20:00.000+01:00

I'm sure I read a posting here last night from Ms Wicks. Where did it go?

Very mysterious.

Anyway ... we really DID go to Starbucks today, so I can actually write about the experience. Here's what we learnt:

The Toffee Nut Latte is as gross as it sounds
The white-chocolate muffin that accompanied it lacked the moist, sticky centre I've grown accustomed to at Costa.
TB's Starbucks girl of choice listens to Enigma

... given that, you have to wonder why we still go. I feel a subtle name-change for this blog is on the horizon :o)

It's true :o(

2005-09-19T14:19:00.000+01:00

Dirty Feeling

2005-09-19T13:56:00.000+01:00

I feel abit dirty about going to Costa today! Can we not go again unless we know Starbucks Girls not working. We need a copy of her work roster.

I ve mastered it!

2005-09-19T00:28:00.000+01:00

Well that is with the help of oli!

Its because I didn't have an account at first, then never bothered to go back to the email, but the readers don't want to hear about that!

So Starbucks conversation normally involves dreaming about the female barister (singular as the others are abit ugly, although if only she was singular), talking about other girls which I have been on dates with or shagged, or listening to Oli, Claire and Phil talk about what was on TV last night (because their all practically married and therefore have no fun)

I promise to lower the tone of this blog!

Ikea

2005-09-18T23:01:00.000+01:00

Does this look familiar to anyone in the group?

Flickr Photo taken at Ikea

:o)

iLL WiLL PreSS

2005-09-18T11:59:00.000+01:00

I just remember about the existence of this site:

iLL WiLL PreSS - Click Here

I figured it's relevant if you watch "Coffee House Propaganda" and "Small, Medium, Large" ...

... and while you're at it, "Drugs in Your Head" is hilarious :o)

Pic of the Day

2005-09-16T21:09:00.000+01:00

This is actually pic of the day before today ... but what the heck.

The Muffin Predictor

2005-09-16T20:59:00.000+01:00

OK Jacqui. I rise to the challenge of the 'Muffin Predictor'.

The first problem is that I have a discernible lack of muffin photos to build such a thing. I can only see one way around this problem -- and it might involve putting on a little weight :o)

Watch this space...

BTW: Where is everyone? Tim? Claire? Phil?

Starbucks Outpost

2005-09-16T14:33:00.000+01:00

Being exiled, I've had to make do with hand pulled (that's a proper expression that has nothing to do with sex honestly) espresso this lunchtime ...

I've also discovered that if you leave digestive biscuits in the tin for about a year they make marvellous biscotti ...

Looking forward to the muffin predictor ... (also nothing to do with sex)

:-)

Geek chic

2005-09-14T21:14:00.000+01:00

I know this is really geeky, but this is so cool!

Right then... now I've said that, I'll get my coat.

Welcome to the Starbucks Blog

2005-09-14T20:27:00.000+01:00

So what are you waiting for? Get typing...