Seasonal changes

There have been many changes happening these past few weeks, what with the presidential elections taking place, fuel prices going down, all the badness going on with the economy and lay-offs hitting close to home.

But lets not talk about that. Let's talk Starbucks.

It's that time of year again when they bring out their seasonal drinks. Ditch that freaky salted caramel flavour they brought out a few months back (bleurgh!) and bring on the gingersnap latte. Masterful! The only thing missing is maybe a wee gingerbread man biscuit on top. May be I'll suggest that on their my starbucks idea site.

Reading through the ideas on here, what occured to me is that people take their coffee drinking experience really seriously. My favourite idea is the one about having coffee flavoured ice-cubes so that the drink doesn't end up like piss water.

I have to admit, for all of the flack that the 'bucks takes, this is a great example of customer embracing in action.

Election day

Even though I can't vote, I'm quite liking election day. What better way to celebrate than to gorge yourself with free lashings of unhealthy food courtesy of Ben & Jerry's, Krispy Kreme and Starbucks (though I have to be a little more sneaky with Starbucks since they are only providing free coffee to people who have voted).

It also marks the end of those eye-brow raising TV commercials about all of the political candidates who have either a) done dirty back-handed deals, b) sexually harassed people, c) employed (and paid ridiculously inflated pay cheques to) under-qualified spouses, or d) have a cocaine addiction. For non-American readers, yes... they really do say these things about their opponents in ads over here.

God bless America.