Ode to Starbucks - Mercy Des Moines

Or should it be an ode from Starbucks to me?? I have never been much of a Starbucks fan. Their coffee is not the best. Granted, I've had worse, but I've had much, much better as well. They over-roast their beans. You literally drink burnt coffee. Not to mention their outrageous prices and over-marketing. I used to loath the place. (Moxie Java rocks!! As does the Coffee Beanery but it's even MORE expensive - and neither one is in my area.) But kudos, people, kudos to the Starbucks at Mercy Des Moines. You guys are wonderful.

The problem now, you see, is with me. I am addicted. Dr. McFine has told me on many occasions how happy he is with his Nespresso machine and how that would be a solid investment for me. It could be the two venti cups I always have sitting at my desk; could be that he may be invested in the company, who knows?? ;) I have considered the idea of my own machine - and I am still not decided. You see, when I walk up to Starbucks, The barista's wave and do the whole "Norm!" thing -(but they say "Tory!" of course). It's nice. I've been invited to their graduation parties and weddings. They all know the going-ons of my family and friends. They know where I live and what I do. They know my love life, my music choices, the current state of my car. Most of all, they know my allergies and my favorite drink: venti soy latte, cold, no ice, with a splash of chai. Seriously, I go to other places and I have a hard time remembering what exactly it is that I drink.

The only question they have now is, "How many shots today, Tory?" They limit me to 5 per day, and they must make that part of their report off on each shift. I will try to order 4 shots in the morning and 4 again at night, and they know! I used to get 7,8, or even 9 shots per drink. They coined the 7 shot drink "The Monster" and the 9 shot "The Ultimate Monster". Then I was hospitalized for severe dehydration and my doc told me to drink 3 times as much water as I do caffeine. I told him the "no coffee" thing would never fly. Now, it's only 5 shots and an extra cup to refill my H2O the rest of the day.

Now, the story that makes Lori crack up every time! About a month ago, I went up to the counter and Kelly introduces me to the new girl, Abby. "This is Tory," she tells her and then chats on about her screwed-up hours for the week. Then, I kid you not, Abby stars making my drink. I'm watching her for a little bit and she's doing it perfectly. (I'm picky.) So, I ask Abby, "How does she know what she's doing if she's never done it before?" Kelly tells me "I taught her this morning." Like it was no big deal! They train the new people on my drink! I don't know weather to be honored or ashamed....

So, most of this was written about 3 months ago, and I am just now posting it. I have been caffeine free for most of those three months, so the espresso machine is a no-go. I cannot stay away from my beloved Starbucks, though. Now, my drink of choice is a venti passion tea with 3 Splenda packets, and 1 inch of heavy whipping cream. It's magical! There is just no way a caffeine free life will keep me away! Starbucks here at the hospital is not just a place to pay up the nose for a bitter cup of coffee; it is an oasis of peace in the midst of organized chaos. When you never know if the next patient will code or miraculously recover, whether they will scream at you or joke around, whether they are someone you know or someone else's mom, child, husband, or friend, Starbucks is constant. They make your drink, play old-school music that takes you back to a calmer time, and, if you're like me, they will become your friends. What you order is what you get, and thanks to the people who work here, you get a whole lot more.