*tap tap tap

Testing.... Testing.... 1, 2, 3.

Wow this is weird, cool, but weird.

So the Bethiclaus is not feeling well and since I don't want her to die, I must post on her NABLOPOMO behalf. Here goes, wish me luck:

Ahem....

Dear Teenagers who frequent Starbucks,

Quit it! Just stop it already. Granted I understand that maybe your parents don't want you drinking coffee late at night and maybe you actually do what they say. But listen up!.. You need either better friends or a better personal preference in drink choice. At first I thought it had to do with those Iced Blended Beverages you all love in the middle of the winter. Now at first this seems obnoxious and well still is, but there is some logic in getting a beverage that will last (the entire season!) if you go outside into the cold. Not to mention that not everyone lives where the high of the day is a little above freezing during this time of year. But it's not just those beverages, it is in the way you are ordering them. I'll give you some credit, at least most of you know the names of the drinks you desire, but that it not enough. You see, I notice something every time you visit in your packs (because you responsibly go out in groups, like your parents asked) and my question is this, "Do you all find it necessary in your little groups to each get very different Iced blended beverages?" Blah blah blah expression of your individuality, blah blah blah overrated. Now I am a creative guy. And I often engage in some poser-y in my quest for the perfect flavor combinations, but I do it on my own time. With a little more sensitivity we might actually see some peace in the world, unless you think waiting for the world to change will actually work. I have a been a father now for almost 8 months so I am going to play Daddy and give you all some advice and lay some ground rules:

• Respect your Elders. This means what while you are standing in line waiting to order your beverage when you are really waiting for your friend to finally decide what she wants, you let anyone who seems older than you proceed in front of you. Hey, you have tons to time to get your beverage and they only have slightly less. Use some sensitivity.
• Have Friends with Similar Interests. Now this doesn't mean you all have to be robots that are exactly like each other, rather be more like twins with similar preferences. What I am really trying to say is if all of you are getting an Iced Blended Beverage, get the same one. Maybe this way we all don't have to wait so long for the world to change.
• Be Sensitive to Each Others Needs. There will be days when you all will need something different. Let the one who needs the Iced Blended Beverage the most get it and don't take that experience away from them by ordering one too.

In summary here are the ground rules:

1. Don't get in line until you know everyone in your group knows what they want. This includes the person on the other end of your cell phone.
2. If all of you are getting an Iced Blended Beverage, make it the same one, exactly the same.
3. If you all can't have the same one, then only one gets to have an Iced Blended Beverage.

Know it. Live it.

~andiclaus aka daddiclaus

P.S. I know I seem harsh. But I am doing my best to prepare you for the world. I know that to most of you it's just a beverage and that some of us parents often forget this, that it's still just a beverage. You probably don't even know that what occurs throws a wrench in the whole system. The honest truth is that The Man wasn't ready for you. And well I could say that the rules are there for you to develop some sense of self discipline, but that's not the entire truth. They are really there because I can make them, a social power given to me by the other parents and adults who do not know what to do with you. And because I could use all the practice I can get before imposing rules on my daughter. I love you, be better us's I know you can be.