Caffine Makes the World Go Round...

Today, I found myself once again in the magical land of Starbucks. I don't think one can truly experience the joys of espresso until they enter the craziness that is known to the world as "college." Truly, I tell you, Starbucks is a disgusting necessity, or a necessary evil, and could very well be compared to a modern day form of slavery. I honestly wonder if some people only work to buy Starbucks coffee; Starbucks
has over 14 million different customers each year and has about 13,000 stores spread across approximately 40 different countries. And that was just in 2006.

Has anyone else noticed that the mermaid on the Starbucks logo has no nipples?

Seriously, in 2006 the company raked in about $7.8 billion; that's about three times the GDP of Libya. If you don't know what GDP is, or what the heck Libya has to do with anything, please don't vote in the next presidential election.

So, in honor of my random tidbits about Starbucks, I've decided to provide you as accurate a history of the company as Wikipedia will allow.

Starbucks was founded in 1971 by two teachers and a writer. That might explain why teachers are always so enthusiastic to receive Starbucks gift cards from their students. Or it's just the idea of free Starbucks... Anyway, these three guys thought it would be a good idea to open up a coffee shop in Seattle, Washington, where the cold weather actually justifies drinking really hot drinks. I cannot tell you how many times I have blistered my tongue on Starbucks tea that was left in the kettle too long. So the three compadres were happy selling coffee beans out of their Seattle-based coffee shop, when some hot-shot entrepreneur came along and informed them that selling pre-made drinks would make them so much more money. They were dumb and told him that coffee should be made at home and that he should go get a life. So he did; and in the process he opened this small coffee chain called Il Giornale, where he was an unsuccessful failure because he did not sell "green" coffee beans. Just kidding!

This is what coffee shops in Dubai look like.

In 1987, the original three owners of Starbucks actually sold their company to Il Giornale, and henceforth all Il Giornale coffee shops were to be known as Starbucks. And the rest is history!!

Starbucks Fun Facts:

• The first Starbucks location outside of the United States is the Tokyo, Japan location. With all of the Japanese swimming in sake, you would think that they needed something to cure their hangovers...
• There used to be a Starbucks in the formal imperial palace in China, but apparently it infringed on the Chinese culture, so the government ordered it out (after getting their fill of caramel frappachinos, that is!)
• Upon deeper research, the Starbucks mermaid does not have nipples because showing a mythical creature's bare breasts in public is considered crass. But never fear! You can still get topless women tattooed onto your biceps.
• The Skinny Vanilla Latte is Starbucks' most ordered drink.
• There are over 87,000 drink combinations. Start ordering now and you may have tried every one by the time you're 456!!
• No longer does your Starbucks drink have to be too tall to wear jeans, you can now order drinks in the 8 oz. "vertically-challenged" variety. Also known in Starbucks stores as short.

Enjoy the post about Starbucks. Just remember, too much caffeine can stunt your growth and make you sweat a lot, like my diction teacher.

Stay klassy, my friends!