The Evils of Google

Is it just me or has Google been in the news a lot this last month? Usually about invasion of privacy, China and Google, Germany and Google, or “bedbugs sighted in Google’s Office!” I suppose the last one is the most amusing.  So if Google’s getting the heat from all over right now, how do YOU feel about Google?

They’ve recently added a feature called Google Dashboard so you can see what kind of information Google collects about you and how public that information is to others.  I use Google as my primary search tool, I like how it looks and I haven’t had much opportunity to locate something else. Apparently Chrome has a function that allows you to search “privately.” I don’t believe that really solves anything though.  I have a conspiracy theorist inside me though, so I always think there’s probably more than meets the eye in most situations.

If you want to check out Google and privacy, look up google.com/privacy. On the left side you’ll see a link titled Dashboard. Go ahead and click it, you might just learn something about yourself.

People are not happy with Google and now they’re speaking out about it.  If you‘ve ever been to Times Square you were probably one in a million walking about. A 15 second clip of the movie below will be advertised there around Christmas. Check this video out: Can we all say CREEPY together? Wait... that would probably be even more creepy.



So in my last post I talked about Starbucks. I really do spend a lot of time there so that makes us pretty tight. I read a story about a 28 year old woman who stepped out of her car and was heading into Starbucks when an African American woman threw acid in her face. Her eyes were saved by her sunglasses but can we all say HATE CRIME? That’s so awful! And she was right outside a Starbucks I visit all the time in Vancouver Washington. Eeek. It gets worse, the same thing happened to a woman getting out of her car and heading to her home. Her HOME!! What’s up with these people? Dude. Like are you serious?? I suppose that means we should all be on our guard no matter where we’re headed. It's disturbing.

By the way, I learned how to take snap shots of my screen- thrilled! I love having techy brothers and knowing how to use the Google search function.

And that's Emily reporting to you live from Sk-Washington.
Stay safe and enjoy the holiday!

Barista Hottie

In 2010 something changed. My usual trips to Starbucks began involving regular coffee instead of lattes. My summer drink of choice; iced coffees. To shake things up a bit I would ask for a different syrup instead of the signature sweetener they use. 

After drinking regular coffee and paying a decent price for that, I started to really take into account the cost of a latte. If I were to go anywhere else besides Starbucks I would die before I'd pay $4-5 for a 16 ounce drink. I'd walk out the door and find something else. Starbucks appears to have somewhat of a religious following. They do have something going for them, mainly, environment, excellent service, and good drinks. I've done coffee shop surfing and usually walk away thinking there's something really wrong with the taste of the coffee and never come back. Unless, they have free wifi and it's highly convenient. 

I spend many hours studying in Starbucks. At one point, I spent 2 days consecutively working on my Tax Accounting assignments. I hated Starbucks for the next few days. The only highlight, besides the delicious coffee was the BH behind the counter. BH stands for: barista hottie. (And he really took that one to a whole new level) Yes, a barista is not just a woman. It's any human who has been trained and can make those amazing espresso drinks we throw down $$$ to enjoy. When robots start making espresso drinks I'll change the definition to "any "thing" that makes those amazing espresso drinks..." 

It gets better though. After spending many hours in Starbucks you get to see and hear people ordering there drinks. Something about the heat outside causes people to order venti's and to add a little of this and a little of that. I'm guessing when they're all done, they've probably spent $8 on their drink. It better be a  good one. 

My family buys whole milk and I grew up drinking whole milk. However, when I started working I began drinking skim milk. And ever since then, that's usually what I'll drink cause it's there. Now whenever I put milk in my coffee I usually always go for nonfat milk- it just tastes right. Yesterday I drank a glass of whole milk and it tasted like whipping cream minus the density. I was like WOW you really can tasted a difference!

Starbucks came out with a new drink and I put the $$ down to try it. It's called a Toffee Mocha. It was delicious! It wasn't freaky sweet and it had a nice mix of flavor. Last year they came out with a Caramel Brulee Latte and that was so sweet one couldn't even finish the thing.  As I was ordering the drink the barista making it confirmed with the barista taking my money that the Toffee Mocha didn't include whipped cream. "No whipped cream?" said I. "Would you like whipped cream added to it?" said he. "Is it going to cost me extra?" said I. "no, I wouldn't dream of charging you for whipped cream!" said he. "I'll take it." said I. I take nonfat milk with my regular coffee and add whipped cream to my lattes. That's almost a contradiction. 

Starbucks is doing something right because when all is said and done, I still spend my money there. I usually always walk away satisfied which is the important thing. In today's day and age, competition is coming at a business in all directions. Rule of thumb: Your coffee shouldn't suck if your business is a coffee shop. We can all be happy that Starbucks is going green. My last gift card from my dear sister Lee, was green. And the girl was happy. 

And that's Emily reporting to you live from Sk- Washington

By the by, it's return of the bedbugs and you're next! XD -pop quiz- what do bedbugs, mosquitoes, leeches, and Edward have in common?  

Volunteerism and Philosophy

Can you say Baseball? I can. The Angels were playing the Mariners last night and I watched half the game. Not too bad. But, the exciting part comes on Saturday. I will join the ranks of people in the stands actually watching the game for themselves. There is a first time for everything. And the Seattle Mariners are from WA, ha.

I’m now working as a volunteer at the local art center and had my first day yesterday afternoon. I’m also volunteering elsewhere in Finance. I told a girl who works at the art center and she was like “so why are you doing all this volunteering?” I thought for minute and I have no idea why. The finance makes sense but the art center is a little out there. I think I’m going to like that girl. I watched an acrylic painting sessions and I’m impressed. My art skills generally extend to stick figures. 

I met a Dr. of Philosophy last night. He was a charming guy and an excellent cook. He talked about an interesting concept “levels of happiness” and how each individual is born with a specific level. And in that level they can be up at the top, in the middle, at the bottom, etc…. and sometimes you can bounce way beyond in either direction, but you will usually end up settling in your range. So two people could experience the exact same circumstances and depending on their level of happiness, they could feel two completely different ways. I still have to mull that over but it is interesting.

I was going to talk about Euthanasia but I’ll save that for another post. I started to write about it and felt it was too depressing for this gorgeous day. Waking up to sunshine and blue skies is so wonderful. I love rain and clouds but sunny and blue comes to a close second.

Argentina has legalized gay marriages, complete with all the rights. It sounds like it was a close call though. I wonder what is next? Russia has been experiencing a heat wave currently and many people are dying. Why? Usually they are falling in swimming areas after drinking alcohol. Not  a good combination, I guess. Weather is an interesting thing. In the DC area, MD and NY included, there was a 3.6 magnitude earthquake felt. I know a couple people who live in that area but I believe myself to be excommunicated from there lives. So I can’t really make any phone calls.

Starbucks here I come. 

And that’s Emily reporting to you live from HB, California.

My Trip to the Local Starbucks

Today I walked to the local Starbucks  about 20 minutes away. It’s a beautiful walk and the only downside was the textbook I was carrying. Those things are HEAVY.  The Grande Bold Coffee was absolutely delish and the lady behind the counter was really getting into her job. As I was sitting, sipping my coffee, listening to my mp3, working on homework, I had the privilege of meeting Dan. We spoke for a half an hour or so. Apparently he’s lived in Seattle/Portland/Eugene and was going to school in Southern CA. As enjoyable as it was talking with him…. When he asked if I wanted to take the bus with him to some place I’d never heard of, I declined.

Apparently I get too much enjoyment out of talking with people I don’t know… Otherwise I’d be smart and just act real unfriendly. But that’s no fun! You can learn all sorts of fascinating things when you talk with someone completely unknown. I asked him if I could take his picture for my blog… but he wasn’t too keen on that. Apparently he’s like a lot of us who decline to have our picture taken unless we feel as though we look our best. Or maybe he’s self conscious cause he’s not photogenic. Whatever the reason, I have  no
picture of Dan.

The Starbucks I studied in was busy. There would be no one ordering drinks for 1 minute, then a flood of people would swarm in. It was almost like the oceans tide coming in and going out. On the way home, I stopped at one of those touristy vendors. I know, I know, I’m a sucker. I bought this beautiful necklace and the picture does it no justice. I like it though.

And that's Emily, reporting to you live from HB, California