I must have something to read near me at all times. On those rare occasions when I have “free time”, before I leave the house, I make sure I have at least a magazine (and my moleskine, and my camera and
) with me, so that Ill be able to read. Life insists on making us pause unexpectedly when wed rather be achieving, mischief-making or just crossing another item off of our to-do lists; the only reason hyperactive me doesnt mind this immutable fact is because it means I get to read.
When I was a child, if I couldnt find the newspaper, Id read the back (or side) of the cereal box while crunching away on Rice Krispies. I still do this. Ill read anything, if Im desperate enough. When I found a job in a building that sits on top of a metro stop, I was overjoyed. The Washington Post got a phone call and I got a subscription to read during my 16-minute commute, each way. Sometimes, I cant help myself, I start reading the minute Im out my front door, on the block-and-a-half walk to the subway (yes, I am aware of how lucky I am to live next to and work on top of public transportation if you want to gnash your teeth even harder out of envy, know this: home and work are on the SAME metro line. No transferring for me, no siree Babu).
Speaking of having to pause when I’d rather be “achieving”, Wednesdays are for staff meetings. Over the last few weeks, it’s become a tradition to get overpriced yuppie beverages in preparation for such events. Unfortunately for indie-coffee shop lovin me, there are no less than four Starbucks within a half-mile radius, combined with three Cosi and not one damned other choice in sight. While I go out of my way to avoid the mer-mascotted former, the latter (RIP: x and o) isnt even worth that effort, since their coffee tastes like punishment for wasting money.
Truthfully, some of the best coffee Ive had on the right coast came from my old bodega in midtown, on 8th avenue in the theater district. Id be tickled to the point of swooning right now if I could still hand the smiling, wordless Korean guy who owned the place (and whom I adored) a single dollar for a cup that would magically never spill though it was placed in a humble little paper bag vs in one of those fancy, carefully molded egg-carton-y drink holders. That freshly brewed, unpretentious elixir was brightened with my choice of parmalat milks (which were nestled in the ice of the salad bar) and sweetened with an open pot of sugar (which offered a communal spoon); there were no sleek nissan flasks or individual packets of white dust which give lab rats cancer, nor were there little shakers for cinnamon, nutmeg and pixiedust. THAT coffee tasted like love, and it was served in an iconic container which became even more famous when SJP caressed it during every other ep of SATC. Im 225 miles from THAT perfection, hours away from a city that doesn’t frown at me when I insist on ordering with quaint adjectives like small, medium, large. Sigh.
So.
Earlier today, while in the aforementioned weekly staff meeting, I noticed words on my coffee cup. Since I had already briefed the team on the status of my project, I tried to hide my gleeI suddenly had something to read! I mean, its not like I get to smuggle a book in to an activity where Im meant to at least give the appearance of being attentive. ;) I couldnt see the entire mystery message; the only words visible were, The Way I See It #30. Quietly and methodically, I dismantled the little bit of allegedly recycled cardboard which concomitantly protects my hand from the heat of the cup and the ass of Starbucks from the heat of a lawsuit. The damned thing seemed glued on.
Und vat have ve here?
The secret of attraction is to love yourself. Attractive people judge neither themselves nor others. They are open to gestures of love. They think about love, and express their love in every action. They know that love is not a mere sentiment, but the ultimate truth at the heart of the universe.
What the-? Perhaps the question I should cut off for effect should be Who the-?
-Deepak Chopra Author of The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire and other spiritual guides.
Further below that, the stuff that Starbucks probably made lawyers rich over:
This is the authors opinion, not necessarily that of Starbucks. To read more or respond, go to www.starbucks.com/wayiseeit.
Hmmm.
Hurriedly putting on my investigative blogging hat, I went to that website. One problem: theres no mention of Deepak C, no cute little blurb, no bio, no nothin. Just this, really:
What prompted Starbucks to begin this program? Starbucks has long been dedicated to creating a unique “third place” between home and work. We also draw on the centuries-old tradition of the coffeehouse as a place to gather, share ideas, and enjoy delicious beverages. We see this program as an extension of the coffeehouse culture a way to promote open, respectful conversation among a wide variety of individuals.
How does Starbucks select contributors and quotes? Initially, we invited a number of notable contributors from various fields, without payment or promise of publication. If the author chose to participate, and contributed something original that fit within the scope of our editorial guidelines, we considered it for publication.
More research uncovered that Starbucks has been in trouble for this unexpected series; conservatives were outraged when Armistead Maupin wrote something GAY for the “Way I See It” project, and dozens of homophobes touched it, thereby catching gay cooties.
From Queer Day:
On one hand we have the mega-giant corporation, on the other - The Concerned Women of America has targeted Starbucks for promoting homosexual values by including quotes from gay individuals. They’re also upset that Starbuck’s supported the San Diego gay pride event. If Starbucks is doing this knowingly, it is blatant irresponsibility All I could think was Starbucks hates children, a delusional reactionary named Meghan Kleppinger wrote. Maupin is quoted saying:
My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Dont make that mistake yourself. Lifes too damn short. The campaign also features quotes from other gay celebrities including singersongwriter Rufus Wainwright, and musician Stephin Merritt. Other voices include Quincy Jones, Deepak Chopra, Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan and others.
At least Queer day knew Chopra was a part of this little experiment, which is more than I can say for Starbucks. In fact, the only place I found anything about Chopra’s not-so-subliminal message to me was on a site devoted to Leadership coaching for Chiropractors (random!).
Here is how someone on that site felt about my in-meeting reading material— ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-check it out, it’s a raspberry latte-fueled manifesto!
I was blown away by such a simple, profound passage being conveyed in the context of a commercial coffee cup. I was amazed at the taste of Starbucks and impressed with their willingness to promulgate such a societally conscious philosophy.
But the most surprising part for me was the small print at the bottom of the statement This is the authors opinion, not necessarily that of Starbucks. To read more or respond, please go to www.starbucks.com/wayiseeit. I guess that, no matter how pure and beautiful the message, the legal team insists on a disclaimer to avoid someones misinterpretation leading to a litigious event.
I know what its like to be unjustly accused, so I can understand the trepidation Starbucks shows in trying to partially detach from material it is obviously promoting. It just seems so ironic that a proclamation about openness and loving non-judgment needs to be asterisked for those who dont relate and might get ugly about it.
I recognize that one of the responsibilities of a truly free society is to create some boundaries to prevent uncontrolled chaos. I just wish common sense would prevail alas, like everyone else, my definition of that is tinged with my own perspectives.
So, declare your truth, but make sure you know the game. Its what all politicians have to become expert at spinning what they do to get the maximum positive response with the least flak. For anarchists like myself, it could rub a bit, but if it means that millions get to read good stuff like that while sipping their daily beverage, the trade-off may well be worth it.
Anarchists like Starbucks? and Deepak Chopra? My mind is blown.
