The 5th Quarter...

Good morning... What can I get for you?

Now that my stomach has recovered from the nostalgic beverage, I'm able to do a proper post. Anyone remember that old magazine that Starbucks sold back in the day? I use the term "sold" like it actually did. Case in point... How many diversions/brand extensions is too many?

It seemed like we had to give the last few issues away with a cup of coffee. So in an effort to honor that mistake, I've taken the liberty of creating for you, the customer, a new issue... It's chock full of things that have nothing to do with coffee... I'm sure as a Starbucks customer, you'll love it. That IS why you come here right?? For things other than coffee...

Let's move on... Yesterday, was a big day for Pat Nerr. He can finally breathe a sigh of relief at being able to talk about the Apple agreement after having to sit on the info for a year and a half... He also made his first trip to a Starbucks since July 13, 2007... and paid full price. It was an o.k. experience... I like to think I still have a partner card of sorts... It's my debit card, but still. So, they were out of pastry boxes, stir sticks, Jo-to-Go's and other things that might have made my meeting more fun... so I bought some CDs, trinkets, those Russian stacking dolls to commemorate the opening of Russia... Sadly, the folks at my meeting just wanted some coffee.

Funny how that works... So why is this titled "The 5th Quarter"... Oh, that'll be the next thing that Starbucks comes up with to boost lagging sales.

We'll see you tomorrow for your usual.

Pat Nerr...