Starbucks redeems themselves? itself? whatever, they're redeemed.

So I decided to try something new this morning. The Venti Soy Sugar-free Cinnamon Dolcé Latté just wasn't sounding as tasty as it usually does. I ordered a Venti Green Tea Soy Latté. I get to work, an after tasting the deliciousness, I went to trusty starbucks.com to see the nutritional information. Calories, not too bad for non-sugar-free; fat calories, not bad at all... Read the description:

An intriguing blend of premium green tea, soothing steamed milk and delicately sweet melon.

MELON?! JEEBUS! No wonder it's so tasty... I'm freakin allergic to it. WHY don't they list that anywhere else!? It's not a "Green Tea Melon Latté"! (See: Starbucks Rant #1) Am I drinking it anyway? Yes. Yes I am. That's $4.44, I'm not pouring it out... and no one else works at my office, so I couldn't give it to anyone.

So as i sit here with slight discomfort in my throat (no worries, there's no anaphylaxis going on... yet...) watching the clip from yesterday's Ellen show with Jurstind Timberlake, I noticed "The Way I See It # 264" printed on the side of my cup:

Every 20 minutes - less time than it will take you to drink your coffee - another child is diagnosed with autism. It's much more common than people think, with one out of every 150 children diagnosed. Learn the early warning signs of autism, and if you're concerned about your child's development, talk to your doctor. Early intervention could make a big difference in your child's future.
-- Bob Wright
Former chairman and CEO of NBC/Universal, co-founder of Autism Speaks

My first experience with Autism was with an old boyfriend. His youngest brother (I believe he was 5 at the time) was autistic. I didn't know all that much about it except that he wasn't social at all and that he wouldn't eat dinner at the table. One night, on the phone with said ex-b/f, he stopped in the middle of his sentence and said, "EW!"
"What?" I asked, concerned.
"Oh, I just stepped on a hot dog. My room must've been where Wayne ate his dinner."

Funny story, he stepped on a hot dog... But I started to do some research on autism at that point. There wasn't as much information out there as there is now, but I got the general gist of it.
Not too much longer after that, our community started to hear a lot more about autism because of Olaf Kolzig's oldest son Carson and the foundation Olie and his wife, Christin started (Carson Kolzig Foundation) to support families challenged by autism.

I encourage everyone, especially parents, potential parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to help in any way they can, whether it be donations, volunteering or just becoming more educated on the subject, watching for signs and symptoms in children in their lives.

Photo By Kelly Pickard

See? Chetter is helping out! The #1 ranked North American goaltender in the upcoming NHL draft has the "autism awareness ribbon on the back of his mask.

Some Links:
Cure Autism Now
Autism Speaks
Athletes Against Autism

Attempt #2

So I went to the Dr this morning - Bronchitis. Ick. Feeling much better, though.

#1 - WHOO HOO!!!! Chetters playing in the Prospects Game!
#2 - WHOO HOO!!!! Donny to coach one of the teams! (Promotion back to the E, A or N!??!!? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?)

made Coconut Shrimps for McMan and I for dinner. YUM! Washed it down with some Buckley's. YUK!

Brooks Laich scored the first goal for Washington tonight. havng a career year with this, his 8th goal. That's his total for all of last season. Go Brooksie, Go!

Olie kicks ass. In so many ways. And is beautiful. And a goalie. Enough said.

Hannan... Whenever I look at him i want to pinch the underside of his arm... REALLY hard! I'm still bitter he's not in Teal.

Watching the Dallas feed of games makes me want to light my face on fire when they play that Muzak during commercial breaks. But will I change it to the Chicago feed? No way. Then I'd swear at Jonathan Towes, or anyone who said his name, very loudly.

Everett scored first and second. Um.. Boys? Just because we're first in the league in PK doesn't mean you can take those shifts off. K thx.

PS - Hammer, your pancake made me angry.

First intermission recap comes on and they re-play the goal... McMan, who is sitting in the big puffy chair cheeered and raised his hands. I looked at him totally deadpan and said, "It's the re-cap."

"Wow. You are on Fuckin fire tonight, buddy." - McMan on the foxsports intermission report on the radio. (Heavy sarcasm implied)

Brent Seabrook. Remember when the (Lethbridge) Hurricanes had Seabrook bobble head night? I do. I was pissed it wasn't Firstborn bobble head night. Then again, I'm a little biased. Whatever, who cares if brent is in the NHL and Firstborn is in the English Elite league ;)

Stars win... Marty Turco is a freakin stud! Teddy bear, mickey fickey!

Ams: Jason misses the open net twice, Yellow misses the open net... How many times are we going to give Merrick a heart attack tonight?

McMan: "Notice Schmidt wasn't ranked."
McP: "Imagine that."

The girls on Deal or No Deal are hot. Especially in beaded cocktail dresses and leis.

Beach goes for High Sticking... Mestery refains from retaliation. THAT is why I heart #7.

McMan: You have a man voice right now.
McP: Does that turn you on?
McMan: NO! Thank God!

Goal tending change for Everett... Irving pulled with 2:46 left in the 2nd... maybe he has to poop? "Maybe they just traded him." - McMan

NO!!!!!! MY SON!!!!!!!! I don't like hearing that he's flat on his face after Bauer left his feet to check him from behind, but i LOVE hearing that Chetters almost went after Bauer. JEEBUS. My son is already more susceptible to concussion b/c of his broken jaw last year. 5 and a Game for Bauer - hopefully a suspension.

For real? did the rest of the league get together and decide that we were too good and to make us a team of conkies? Joseph, Abraham and Moses.

Oh yeah, classy, Everett fans... Boo the call.

Irving only out 37 seconds... Not enough time to poop... maybe just pee?

MY SON IS BACK ON THE BENCH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!

Sidebar- met Midel this morning. Pretty cool kid. As long as he stays out of the box.

Everett takes another stupid penalty and Yellow scores from Reese and my son on the 5-on-3! THANK YOU! Tied the game at 2:05 with a minute to go on the penalty from hit on my son!

Oh great... Another hook behind the play while we're tied at 7:55 left in Regulation. Jason Reece, I'm looking at you.

Oh, Tyler Keifer.... Retaliation is bad, mmkay? Wait a minute, we got the PP, good boy.

HAMMER! NO MORE PANCAKES! NONE!

HONESTLY?! 5-on-3 at the end of a tied game?! For crying out loud there is 2:12 left in regulation and our top goal-scorer is in the flinking box.

OT... i hate OT with everett... i hate SO's even more..

Westie just jinxed Midel. Stop doing that, Westie!

Jeebus... on to the shootout.

AND we lose.

I feel the urge to not blog anymore tonight. grrr... Son of a Beach.

Sure! Pile it on! I can take it...

I can't believe I forgot.

Tonight, I will be face-to-face with TraderBob at the Thank You Picnic for the Ams.

I've got a crapton to do before I can leave on my Emerald City Excursion, but am I going to pass up the chance for free food and possibly chatting with Stu Barnes and Olie Kolzig? Negatory. No woman in their right mind would.

Maybe I'll jut cross vacuuming off my list... humph.