Friday, October 31, 2008
TRICK OR TREAT ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
RISQUE BUSINESS ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
HAVE CAMERA PHONE, WILL TRAVEL ...!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE PARKING LOT FROM HELL ...!
Monday, October 27, 2008
WINDOW DRESSING AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A TALE OF TWO SUNDAYS ...!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
TOURING JEJU
After a week of meetings here on Jeju Island, I decided yesterday that it was high-time to do a little exploring. So I grabbed a map, got a little advice from the concierge and jumped into a taxi. My first stop was the Seongeup Folk Village Museum, a recreation of Jeju Island life in the 17th and 18th Centuries. The Village contains more than 3,000 thatched roof cottages, all moved from their original locations throughout Korea, along with rare artifacts and cultural exhibits. Life in the early Jeju villages wasn't easy. For example, before there was indoor plumbing, the average native would construct his own "Tongsi" or "Traditional Toilet" out of Lava Rocks. After a brief stop for some "refreshment" -- a package of freeze dried Octopus Meat from a local cafe -- I continued on my journey, stopping at the Seongsan Ilchulbong or Sunrise Peak, a giant Lava Cone rising more than 182 meters above the island like a giant punch bowl on steroids. Created by an underwater volcanic eruption more than 5,000 years ago, Seongsan Ilchulbong today offers visitors a birdseye view of the island. I climbed to the top and wasn't disappointed. I ended my tour at Manjang Cave, the world's largest Lava Cave created centuries ago by the eruption of the Hallasan volcano. As the lava pushed outwards, it created a network of underground tunnels that extends for miles. My next stop: A plane to Tokyo ...!
Friday, October 24, 2008
A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY ...!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
SEAWEED: THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
PORK BELLYS AND BATHROOMS ... ON JEJU ISLAND!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
JEJU, AHOY ...!
Monday, October 20, 2008
LOOK WHAT THE CHESHIRE CAT DRAGGED IN ... AT NARITA AIRPORT!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
SLEEPING BEAUTY IN TOKYO ...!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
STEP ON A CRACK ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Friday, October 17, 2008
HOLD THE PHONE ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA
Thursday, October 16, 2008
PROPR ATTIRE ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
LOCAL POLITICS ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A BANDIT AND HIS UNDERPANTS ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Monday, October 13, 2008
RACING FOR CAFFEINE ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
A TRIP TO TOPSFIELD ...!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
JACKSON ON WHEELS ...!
Friday, October 10, 2008
GERMS, AHOY ... AT 30,000 FEET!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
ON THE SPOT ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
SPY GAMES ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
CRY ME A RIVER ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
My cup runneth over this morning at Our Favorite Starbucks -- and so did everyone else's -- as an Overcaffeinated Barista went into what can only be called Pike Place Overdrive. In fact, he brewed so much of Starbucks' new signature blend that it was pouring out of the urn, leaking onto the counter and floor. "Help!," cried the Cashier-on-Duty as she did her best to capture the overflow using a stack of paper cups and a dish rag. Jorge, pictured above, ran to her rescue. "Can I get a refill?" asked the man standing behind me in line, somewhat impatiently, while a river of coffee accumulated behind the counter. "Not to worry," I replied, "It looks like the current is flowing in your direction ...!"
Monday, October 6, 2008
THE ROACH MOTEL ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
What does Our Favorite Starbucks have in common with a Roach Motel? Thanks to the nice folks at the Sunshine Auto Park -- better known locally as "the Parking Lot from Hell" -- guests check-in, but they don't check-out! The parking spaces are so tightly packed that it's sometimes impossible to back out without hitting a pedestrian or damaging your car. Take the woman driving the car pictured above. She arrived at Starbucks at 8:00 a.m. this morning for what she thought would be a quick cup of coffee. At 8:30, she was still trying to maneuver her way out of her parking space. A number of Good Samaritans tried to help, but it was all to no avail. Every time she managed to inch her way a few feet towards freedom, she'd hit an obstacle and retreat back into her parking space like a turtle in its shell. Finally, after much effort, she backed herself out, only to become "beached" on the "Island of Lost Auto Parts" behind Starbucks. She looked at me in desperation. I would have rushed to her aid but I was far too busy trying to capture the moment on video. Fortunately, the story has a Happy Ending: I got at least five-minutes' worth of Mesmerizing Footage, all of which can be yours on DVD for the low, low price of only $4.95. As for the woman, rumor has it she's still stranded in the Sunshine Auto Park ...!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Politics reared its Ugly Head this morning at 7th and Montana as Screenwriter Nat reminded me of my status as "Unofficial Mayor" of Starbucks and hinted that I should be campaigning for re-election. "Tell me," he said, channeling Jim Lehrer, "Are you a Maverick?" "You betcha," I lied, "I'm a Doggone Maverick!" Moments later, as if to prove my point, I fended off a Political Attack from Our Favorite City Councilman, who accused me of cheating on the Sunday Crossword Puzzle. Of course, there's more to campaigning than simply lying and fending off misleading attacks. You have to be nice, too. That's why, when our Friendly Neighborhood Antagonist (pictured above) made the scene, I violently agreed with everything he said. "I'm telling you," he began, "I just watched the Gold Diggers DVD and it's the most hysterical thing I've ever seen. It was so funny that I practically had to tape my mouth shut to keep my guts from popping out!" I smiled and nodded my head in agreement, despite reviews calling the film "overwhelmingly unfunny" and "moronic." Stay tuned tomorrow as I kiss every Ugly Baby in town and wolf down a plate of Apple Fritters ...!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
SEEING SPOTS ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Spots were in season this morning at 7th and Montana as a Would-Be Fashionista made the scene, sporting what can only be described as a Polka-Dot Hairdo. Indeed, his head was so covered in Bleached Blonde Spots that it was hard to tell whether he was a Dalmation Mutation or the Tragic Victim of some Hair-Raising Experiment. "I love my Hair," he said loudly as he walked into Starbucks. To each their own, I always say, but this guy must be Completely Dotty ...!
Friday, October 3, 2008
SOMETHING FISHY ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Something fishy was in the air this morning at 7th and Montana as the man known locally as Mr. Gorton's of Gloucester removed his Fisherman's Cap and weighed anchor at the Bus Stop in front of Our Favorite Starbucks. Famous for giving Genevieve a Nearly Constant Fish Eye, Mr. Gorton seemed a bit lost this morning in her absence. Buses came and went, but he just continued sitting there, staring off into space. To be honest, I felt badly for the Poor Guy. With any luck, one day he'll realize that there are plenty of other fish in the sea ...!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A SWEET PITCH FOR SIGNATURE HOT CHOCOLATE ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
Someone's been "drinking the Cool Aid" -- or Hot Chocolate as the case may be -- at Our Favorite Starbucks and something tells me it's Barista Amanda. She made the scene yesterday with a tray full of free samples and a Perfect Pitch. "How would you like to try our new Signature Hot Chocolate?," she asked, sweetly, "It's Rich, Creamy and Delicious with four kinds of chocolate and a sprinkling of Italian Salt." It looked like a Diabetic Coma in a Cup. "I'll take a pass," I said politely. A man sitting at a table near me couldn't resist. "I'll give it a try," he said. "You won't be sorry," she replied, smoothly, "It's Rich and Creamy!" He waited until Amanda was out of earshot before offering-up the following critique: "Oh my God!," he said, "It's so sweet ... I think I feel my cavities from ten years ago kicking-in!" As for me, I might just buy up Starbucks' full supply. Afterall, thanks to the Jittery Nutcase, Hot Chocolate has become a Weapon of Mass Destruction at 7th and Montana ...!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
THE LAST STRAW ... AT 7TH AND MONTANA!
It was the Last Straw at 7th and Montana yesterday as Richard flipped his lid over what is fast becoming known as "Strawgate." Starbucks has evidently changed the size of the lids it puts on its Iced Coffee and the change has really put a crimp in Richard's style ... or, more specifically, it's put the squeeze on his straw, sealing it shut. "I guess they don't want anyone to actually sip anything," Richard scoffed. Said another Victim, "It's enough to drive a person to drink!"