CUSTOMER SURVEY AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...

It was my lucky day at Starbucks as I was personally chosen to take an online customer survey.  Actually, the honors went to the person standing in front of me in line, but he deferred to me.  After answering questions about the cleanliness and quality of Our Favorite Starbucks, the company wanted to know:  "Do our employees remember your name?"  I guess "Grande Drip" is close enough!

WHEN SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION AREN'T ENOUGH ...

Some call her the Crazy Cat Lady.  To others she's the Cat's Meow.  Who could have imagined that Greg and Natalie's unusual neighbor would be the same screaming banshee who yelled at Kathy on Ocean Avenue and the same sweet friend of my colleague Lisa?  Coincidence?  I think not.  I haven't met the lady in question ... but something tells me it's just a matter of time! 

A HANKERING FOR STARBUCKS ...?!?

Either Actor Tom Hanks had a craving for Starbucks or he just felt like making the rounds today in his spiffy Toyota Prius.  The popular actor -- who reportedly just hired extra bodyguards in the wake of Da Vinci code death threats -- waved a friendly greeting as Kathy hollered, "Hi, Tom!"  In other celebrity news, Dennis' artist friend is back after spending a month at Brangelina's house in Namibia.

A BRILLIANT MORNING ...!

No if's, and's or butts ... it was a "brilliant" morning today at 7th and Montana.  Just ask the fashionable newcomer -- pictured here -- who plastered the word "brilliant!" on his behind.  I've heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve, but rarely does one find someone so willing to advertise where he keeps his brains!

 

 

HEALTH AND WELL BEING AT STARBUCKS ...

Our Favorite Starbucks doubled as an Intensive Care Unit this morning as Melinda geared-up for her knee surgery, Genevieve nursed her Bronchitis and Toby developed a mysterious eye ailment to keep his ear infection company.  Thank God for Natalie, our Resident Surgeon, who just last week treated a patient who was farting through his chest (and that was the least of his problems ...).

MAKE MINE A McMANSION ...!

Ground broke this morning on Santa Monica's newest McMansion-in-development at 7th and San Vicente.  The fun began at 7:30 when a work crew enjoyed what appeared to be a picnic beneath an endangered tree.  Minutes later, a bulldozer and porta-pottie arrived.  By 10:00, spectators were lined-up to peek through the fence.  For my part, I still say the award for best McMansion in town goes to the Spanish style villa down the street.

SPREADING GOOD CHAIR AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...

It's official:  Chivalry is dead at 7th and Montana.  Just ask Kathy, who arrived at our table this morning in search of a chair.  Did any of us offer her a seat?  Forget it!  Actually, had anyone offered to help her in any way, I would have -- err -- fallen out of my chair! 

A STAR IS PORN ...!

The crowd at 7th and Montana was aghast this morning on reports that our Favorite Building Manager has found a new calling ... in the Porn industry.  "I'm branching out," he joked, "Porn's a big business."  In a potentially related development, the perennial entrepreneur has also purchased a new video camera. 

TOTAL WORLD DOMINATION ...?

A news alert in this morning's Bulldog Reporter claims that Starbucks will stop at nothing in its mission to "rewrite society's pop culture menu."  I guess 100 million grande drips can't be wrong.  In an exclusive interview, one Starbucks insider said, "Today 7th and Montana, tomorrow the world!" 

RAIN OF TERROR ...?

Mother Nature rained supreme -- and Our Favorite Building Manager evidently reigned somewhere else -- as inclement weather kept the usual suspects away from 7th and Montana this morning.  Even the new Starbuck's manager seemed a bit delayed ... though perhaps he was merely running back and forth to the bank again.  Rumor has it he tends to forget to bring the money when he goes to make a deposit.

TAKE THE CARRIE FASHION QUIZ ...!

Howard and Cathy's friend, Carrie, joined the crowd today at 7th and Montana.  Cathy surprised us all by guessing the designer of Carrie's T-Shirt despite the fact that it was mostly covered by a sweater.  Do you have Cathy's fashion sense?  Hint:  First word is a popular supermarket selling "ingredients for life."  Second word is a tourist destination known for its tulips.  Winner gets a prize from Santa Monica's newest Jewelry Emporium!

THE SIDEWALK FROM HELL ...

Watch your step on the sidwalks near 7th and Montana today.  Someone painted a mysterious sign -- "My Demonds are Bader than All Ya" -- on the sidwalk in front of Santa Monica's Favorite Fixer Upper.  Perhaps it was an Omen warning us all about the merchandise on display at today's sidewalk sale on Montana!

CELEBRITY RUMOR ...

Rumor has it that Bob Dylan is moving into the neighborhood.  Remember, you heard it here second!  Personally, I won't believe it until I snag a photo of the back of his head ...

BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE ...

Well, friends, the good news is that after months of inactivity, a work crew was finally spotted this morning at the site of Santa Monica's Favorite Fixer Upper.  The bad news is that anyone who thought they were actually working on the house was barking up the wrong tree.  The crew was, in fact, only there to trim the trees on Alta Avenue!

NEWCOMER AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

A photogenic newcomer made the scene at 7th and Montana today.  "Maggie," a loveable bulldog who moved to town last week, is taking the neighborhood by storm.  Granted, any canine who rides a bicycle to Starbucks is bound to make an impression, but Maggie really "ought to be in pictures."  Speaking of which, if you want to see yourself in pictures, check out Spell with flickr.  Just enter your name and you'll see what I mean!

MUMS THE WORD ...!

Mother's Day might be over, but mums still the word at 7th and Montana regarding a certain fledgling jewelry emporium.  According to our Favorite Building Manager, the shop will occupy part of Ocean Express Cleaners (but don't tell the cleaners, since they don't know).  Meanwhile, others say the shop itself might never see the light of day (but don't tell Our Favorite Building Manager, since he doesn't know).  Remember, everyone, sssshhh ...!

A CASE FOR THE FASHION POLICE ...?

Sirens were blaring and tongues were wagging at 7th and Montana this morning as five police cars pulled over a transient on a bike.  According to a friendly psychologist who was on-the-scene, "He was just a transient.  He didn't seem to be doing anything out of the ordinary.  He was wearing bike pants."  Granted, not everyone should be allowed to wear Spandex, but last time I checked, it wasn't a crime.  We'll have to get the scoop tomorrow from Officer Mike!

REVOLTING DEVELOPMENT ...?

Just when we thought the construction frenzy on 7th Street was beginning to cool down, a new development reared its head today at 7th and San Vicente.  While details are still forthcoming, preliminary indications -- the tell-tale rent-a-fence surrounding a vacant yard -- suggest a new McMansion might be taking root.  Stay tuned for further developments ...!

TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS ...!

The crowd at 7th and Montana was abuzz this morning on news that the Raphael/Melinda jewelry empire will move into the space currently occupied by Ocean Express Cleaners.  Actually, a section of the Cleaners will be converted into a new store, to be called Raphaelo Carra or Melinda Maria's, depending on who you ask.  Way to go, Raphael.  With a location like that, I'm sure you'll clean up!

STUNT DOUBLE ...

World class photographer Kovar might be my "stunt double" today at the E3 games show.  I gave him my credentials.  Have fun, Kovar, and remember, don't do anything I wouldn't do!  Also, if you see any celebrities, could you try to get photos ... ideally of the backs of their heads? 

THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY ...

It seems only fitting after discussing the games people play this morning (for example, the way society teaches kids that they're "no good at music") that I would spend most of the day at E3, the world's largest games show.  Ironically, I saw a new Karaoke game that beeps loudly every time a child sings off key.  Anyway, these photos from the show include a crowd shot featuring the back of Actor Michael Madsen's head.

OF BAGS AND BAGGAGE ...

Who these days doesn't have a little baggage where online shopping is concerned?  Today it was Cathy's turn as a bag she inadvertently purchased -- then unpurchased -- arrived at her doorstep, anyway.  The problem is, once you give these websites your credit card information, it sometimes feels as if you've lost all control.  As convenient as it is to shop online, maybe it's easier to just bag the whole thing!

KEEP ON TRUCKIN' ...!

7th and Montana was transformed into a veritable truck stop this morning as several large construction vehicles idled their way into our hearts (and eardrums).  Were they involved in the construction of Santa Monica's newest jewelry emporium or the neighboring home restoration?  Time will tell! 

RIDDLE ME THIS ...!

Which regular at 7th and Montana has had six near-death experiences?  Hint:  He's been shot at in Beirut, crashed his yacht into a steamboat in the Adriatic, was nearly decapitated by a ski lift in Italy and came within a hair's breadth of being pulverized off the coast of Cyprus.  Let me put it this way:  If I were you, I'd wear a bullet proof vest and watch out for falling anvils before stepping into our Favorite Blockbuster!

CELEBRITIES IN OUR MIDST ...

Our Favorite Starbucks was chock full of star power this morning as celebrated violinist Chee-Yun joined the crowd (see photo of the back of her head as she talks to Melinda).  Chee-Yun is staying with Howard and Cathy while in town for tonight's Chamber Music Marathon at Royce Hall.  In other entertainment news, our very own Kathy once appeared in a New York production of "No No Nanette" (see Photo 2).

ROAD RAGE AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

Dirty looks and foul language were all the rage this morning at 7th and Montana as two Starbucks regulars engaged in a lengthy stand-off at our Favorite Parking Lot.  The fun began when a Mercedes tried to exit the wrong way onto 7th Street, despite the fact that a Volvo was pulling in.  Both cars refused to budge until Officer Mike intervened.  I ask you, do we really want these people caffeinated?!?

MOVIN' ON UP ...!

There's a whole lot of moving and shaking going on at 7th and Montana.  News spread this morning that our Favorite Building Manager is moving his jewelry emporium from its current headquarters -- the trunk of his car -- to stylish new digs across from Starbucks.  In other news, my colleague Chuck who moved into the office next to mine has been receiving box after box of unsolicited office supplies!

MASTER OF DISGUISES ...?

Either our Favorite Building Manager has become a Master of Disguise or he's had one too many Grande Lattes.  In any case, his efforts to appear in cognito at 7th and Montana this morning were unsuccessful.  He's still recognizable beneath those coke bottle glasses, protruding false teeth and goofy cap! 

  

HATS OFF TO "THE WALKING LADY"!

She's faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and it wouldn't surprise me if she could leap tall buildings in a single bound.  She's none other than that dignified "Walking Lady" who regularly makes the rounds at 7th and Montana.  Today marked a subtle change in her routine:  She ditched her usual visor for a tasteful new bonnet (pictured here)!

TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE ...

To bee or not to bee, that was the question Starbucks management must have been asking themselves in the wake of reports placing the much ballyhooed "Akeelah and the Bee" near dead last in Box Office revenue this weekend.  While locals speculated that results might have been better had Starbucks defined the words on their coffee sleeves, Starbucks, in true Hollywood fashion, hired a new talent agent for future promotions!