After fighting with Hale and Hearty because they are awful...

To Whom It May Concern,

Thursday April 17, 2008, I took my daily walk to Starbucks for my work break. I go to the Starbucks on 66th and 3rd in Manhattan approximately four times a week in addition to the purchases I get through my coworkers that do pick ups as well. I have never had a problem with the employees or the drinks that they make. On this day though, it was a completely different situation.
I ordered a venti iced sweetened green tea and as the employee was making my drink, I was chatting with the women behind the register. I had just purchased lunch for my office so I was carrying a lot of bags, somehow balanced my drink in my hand, and ran out because my lunch break was ending and I was going to be late. About half way back to my office, I looked at my drink that I had been sipping because something was blocking the straw. I immediately saw the problem. There was a LARGE SCREW at the bottom of my cup!!!
I dropped off the lunches at my office and immediately returned back to the store in horror. In a very nice calm manner, I asked a barista to speak to a manager. In a confused voice, she called for a guy who was washing dishes with no proof of a manager in sight. Once he was finished, he approached me and asked how he could help me. I showed him what I found and he was shocked. He said “I am sorry, I will file an incidence report immediately.” Then started to turn away but then said to me, “Can I get you a new one?” I said “Um, yea?”, and then he took 10 minutes to make me this new drink.
Being in the state of shock that I was in, and being such a nice person, and I guess a pushover, I did not really think about what was going on in this situation until it was over. First off, I should have gotten my money back. Secondly, with your new policy kick on pleasing the customer, I think a last minute thought of replacing the drink after barely apologizing is not exactly acceptable either. I have been in stores before when something as simple as a customer not liking a drink had resulted in a couple of free coupons.
The fact is I love Starbucks, I have been a loyal customer, and still plan on helping to pay your salaries with my own. But I could not just sit here and allow this poor excuse for an apology go unnoticed. There was a SCREW IN MY DRINK! If it was any smaller…let’s not go into what could have happened. I think you can understand where I am coming from here and my rant is done.
I have enclosed photos for you to see how ridiculous this is. I’d like my $2.60back if not more. Thank you.
Best,
Becca Meyers



UPDATE: Recieved a timely apology letter and a $35 gift card.

My new dating column

I've been having this issue lately with meeting people. How come if you see someone that you kinda think you may want to say hi to, it seems like unless you are in a bar, or a dirty creepy Mexican, its just not OK to see what happens? For example, the other day I was on the subway and saw a really cute guy. I was way too shy but I really just wanted him to come up to me. He could have easily just been as shy but really, in the society here, it just seems like its unacceptable to "hit" on someone unless you are in a bar, almost like, you're inviting it. But people should take more chances, and just smile, or introduce yourself. What are you supposed to do if you don't go to bars? What if there just isn't anyone in the bar you're interested in, ever? What if you've tapped out all your resources of people setting you up with other people? Its just getting frustrating to me but I'm not about to go changing taboos. I just wish people could be more open.

100

David Wright hit his 100th home run this past Sunday. I was there to witness it.

My Dress

I recently purchased a dress for an event I had to attend. I have only worn this dress on two occasions. The first event was at yet another kick-off cocktail party. (It amazes me how all these "charities" have all this money to throw around for pre event cocktail kick off parties. All in the name of publicity.) So I'm standing near a window, with barely any room behind me and the wall. Next thing I know, there is a man whispering in my ear with a gay lisp, "I really like your dressss". When I turned around, this flamboyant guy just turns, smiles, and walks away. Creepy, yet funny to me of coarse. Hell, a compliment is a compliment. Later on I find out this guy is actually a fashion designer! I found this out because we ended up representing him at RCH.

A few weeks later, I find myself at another cocktail party that I'm still really not quite sure why it was going on. Chris and I walk to another gorgeous townhouse on the UES of another client. (Still no matter how many luxorious homes and places I go, I still get floored.) We were standing against the wall in a crevass, not saying a word to anyone, like a good publicist should do, and this women in a green satin dress looks me up and down and then says, "Oh my gawd! WHOOOOOO makes your dress?!" K, time out...THIS is by far one of the funniest moments in my life. So I start laughing and I am trying not to be rude but I was so taken back by the question. I've never been asked WHO makes any of my clothes before, let alone got this reaction, nor did I know what I was going to say. So I told the truth, still giggling at what was about to come out of my mouth. "Oh thank you! XOXO." To which her response was (and im pretty sure she wasnt really listening or really confused) "Oh my gosh, I'm out the door like right now to get it!".

FIRST of all, its 8pm. Second of all, K lady, see you at the back wall of the Macy's Junior Department!

When she walked away, Chris informed me that this chic was decked out in head to toe Marc Jacobs. EVEN BETTER! Later when I was telling my friend she came up with a much better answer that I wish I could have thought of. Who makes my dress? Oh probably some little mexican.

As much as I hate this pic of me, I had to have a pic of it somehow. (On the left. And those are my coworkers.)

Battery Park

I went with Dawn to Battery Park today because I couldnt just let this warm day go to waste. We walked around a bit, were disappointed that the lawns were closed, and found a good bench in Wagner Park to set up shop. It was nice, while the sun was out. After a while, we walked up the promenade a bit. There are some interesting buildings around there. Dawn had to meet her partner at school so we walked up to WTC, over to Jamba Juice on West Broadway, then to NY Law. I went inside and that is the closest I will ever get to going to law school. From there I walked all the way up West Broadway to Washington Square Park. I really like that Soho street. For some reason the road between Houston and the park, everyone had a British accent. Very strange coincidence. Saw some Asain students in robes doing some drum thing. Then walked up University til I got to Union Square. I looked it up and that is just about 4 miles!

Went to dinner at Mezzo Mezzo. Creamy feta, horrible service, one of the better baklava i've had.

Broadway

My roommate from college (scary to say), Carla, came in to visit, sort of. On Saturday we went into the city. We went to lunch at the place with the best mozzerella cheese, La Mela. Then we got mini canoles at Ferrara. I generally dont even like them, but the filling was pretty yummy. We walked around Chinatown, then met up with her mom, aunt, cousin and friend. They were in town because they have a clothing company and were doing a trunk show. Walked around Soho a while, got approached by a crazy lady filled with sex jokes, then went back to Starbucks to rest a bit. I couldn't help but really enjoy Soho. Its just so interesting to me and on this particular day, I was really liking the vibe. Carla and Russ's friend Jay came by after work and we met his friend for dinner. She was very interesting to talk to. Went to Harvard, then went to work as a paralegal. Somewhere there tol dher about a totally different path and convinced her to work in Hawaii, where she met Jay. Then moved to the Carribean to work for Club Med for 2 years. After Katrina she went to work for Red Cross and now works for a company that sells tourism tickets for things like Sex and the City tours, etc. Anyways, it was this pleasant little place called Faccocia (I think).

That night we were going to go to the LES but decided to just bar hop down Broadway in Astoria. Wonderful idea! First we went to the pool place right near the subway and 31st. Then we went to Janna which is a hookah bar, with apparently no liquor yet people were drinking wine. There was fun loud music and dancing and im looking foward to going back. Then we went to a place that all the windows were covered and there was no sign we saw but when we walked in, it was packed! But everyone was smoking so we booked it. Then we went to Winegasm. Sexual little place just off Broadway on 37th. Very drunk bartender trying to do flame tricks and not really doing so hot. No pun intended. After that, we walked over to Grand Cafe, had some champagne to end the night at 3:30 and jumped in a gypsy cab home.