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Michael Miller
Milwaukee, WI USA
Recent Activity
I bought one shortly after they came out. I think they are a great idea. You can carry around the lid and reuse it at coffeehouses that have self-serve lids. I always try to reuse paper cups as many times as possible, but I dislike having to throw away so many lids. I am extremely pleases with the tumblers and not at all surprised that they are selling out.
Starbucks reusable $1 cup 'selling very well'
I asked two baristas at one of the Starbucks stores I frequent how the $1 reusable cups are selling and both said they're doing well. How are they selling at your stores? * Will you use the $1 Starbucks cup? asks Seattle Times
I think you may very well be right, though I'm not as sure as when they first made the announcement.
Wisconsin Will Again Make Headlines This Year
I wouldn't now dare to even attempt to predict the outcome of this year's Presidential election, but I do predict a bump that will make the outcome surprising and garner headlines worldwide. I believe that non-college educated whites will again make themselves noticed in November, as they did in...
Thanks for reading and for the thoughtful reply. I'd like to take this opportunity to invite Alterra and/or Mars Drinks or their representatives to contact me with information and I will publish it without editing. Until then, we're left to piece together what we know. AFAIK there wasn't an existing Alterra single-serve business at the time of the sale; Mars Drinks bought the global rights to the brand because they wanted it for their Flavia platform. I don't think the single-serve coffee is roasted by Alterra or handled by them at all, but I may be wrong. Patronizing Alterra--as I did gladly in Bay View this evening--increases the value of the brand and thus further enriches Mars Drinks. For all I know, the Mars family may be the world's foremost philanthropists. All I've read is that they're intensely private and have lobbied against the estate tax.
Putting the "Twit" in Twitter
After a week outside the U.S., I'm in shattered-worldview mode. I realize how possessions-rich and person-poor we are in this country. Despite urban legends to the contrary, I'd argue that Americans have, generally speaking, become some of the unfriendliest, unhappiest and most uncivil people in...
Hi John, one of my favorite parts of growing older is being able to idolize my parents less and love them more. I understand and respect your background. At the same time, I feel that my parents had the means to truly spoil us, but wisely opted not to. Lynne, Ken and I are each great kids in our own way, and after a year of counseling, I know more than ever that I too am a great guy, an extremely hard worker, and person with immense talents that my parents wisely invested in. I'm so proud to be showing them the results now--just as you, Lynne, Haley and Connor are :-) Love, Mike
The War on Wealth (3)
At this point in my life, I can honestly say that very little has been given to me on a silver platter. Despite that, I love our economic system all the more for that fact. I have to say, in all honesty, that just about as many economic means are at my disposal as I can use wisely--actually some...
I Like Me
You may be familiar with situations in which some minor mishap triggered the whole fireworks show from your spouse or other family member. In a rather unpleasant way, it's like a 20-minute Greatest Hits medley, including a two-minute sample of "Mr. Roboto."* Every so often, I think it's good to... Continue reading
Posted May 1, 2012 at cinokente
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Download speeds consistently top out at 50-60 KB/s at Starbucks stores, in my recent experience. Right now I'm getting 140 at an indie coffeehouse, where I've gotten 300+ in the past. I think Jeff Tom's assessment is correct. The only question is what the enduring attraction will be if Starbucks continues to serve espresso machine drinks that are on a par with the Tassimo and other home single-serve coffee machines.
Starbucks/AT&T want to make sure you have the world's worst Internet experience
Starbucks Gossip reader and self-described IT pro Paul Speck sends this email Subject: AT&T throttling Starbucks Internet access -- does Starbucks management know? I’m a daily Starbucks customer who has enjoyed your blog for over a year now. I’m writing because I thought you might like to know...
What a great comment! To my mind, the challenge posed by single-serve coffee is two-fold: firstly, coffeehouses have to move (or return to) a customer-centric experience, and secondly, average or above-average drinks will no longer cut it. Coffeehouses will need to take into account the fact that wary consumers can have a $1 or cheaper latte, cappuccino or what have you that approaches lower Starbucks level, without requiring them to pay a premium for the cafe's overhead (20-year-olds standing around talking to their friends and giving them free drinks, barely acknowledging the customer, and the like).
These Three Words
There are only three words to describe the lack of efficient train service between Milwaukee and Madison: completely fucking ridiculous. These three words describe so many things in our economy. On a more on-topic note, it describes the slowness coffeehouses demonstrate in responding to the expl...
Editorials: Nostalgia
Forgive me for this digression, but I've been exposed to seemingly non-stop cable news coverage of the Republican primary season this weekend. I'm struck by the impression that like some older folks, political conservatives are overly fond of misplaced nostalgia. Not only did today's seniors enjoy years--if not decades--of low... Continue reading
Posted Jan 1, 2012 at cinokente
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Hi Rob,
Glad to have you back! I was drinking a pourover, which I still consider quite good. I think when I return to talking more about coffee--which will be soon, I promise--a good place to start will be my reevaluation of Starbucks. I've actually been pleasantly surprised by them on a regular basis lately. (This might also have something to do with my getting closer to being one of those 50- to 60-year-olds!)
Thought of the Day: In the Loop
I'm at Starbucks listening to a bunch of affluent-looking 50- to 60-year-old people talk about the Alpha course program, a Christian church growth initiative (oh, how I love that word). To be clear, I wish there were no recession. Perhaps the main reason is that these folks won't be retiring as s...
As in "Dear Dr. Rockefeller: Please help me get laid soon so I can stop unwittingly adding possible double entendre to everything I write." Some major editing is required. Sheesh!
$300 an Hour?
Yesterday, I received my statement of insurance benefits for my psychiatrist visit. My insurance had been billed $300 for the one-hour appointment. Nobody should make $300 an hour unless their first name is Candy. I have to admit that the $300 figure has been on my mind much of the weekend. Whil...
$300 an Hour?
Yesterday, I received my statement of insurance benefits for my psychiatrist visit. My insurance had been billed $300 for the one-hour appointment. Nobody should make $300 an hour unless their first name is Candy. I have to admit that the $300 figure has been on my mind much of the... Continue reading
Posted Oct 9, 2011 at cinokente
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Let Their DREAM Be Our Dream
I have been very worried lately--probably too much so--about occasional unkind thoughts that sputter forth from my brain. They live and die there. Often, they are directed towards someone I've never seen before and may never see again. Because they do not reflect the reality of my will, they are... Continue reading
Posted Oct 3, 2011 at cinokente
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September Status
Hi there, As I visit a coffee shop on a Friday evening leading into a relaxing weekend, I can't help but reflect on how it has been the little things that have made all the difference for me recently--particularly in the past six weeks or so. Food tastes and smells... Continue reading
Posted Sep 30, 2011 at cinokente
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Boots on Shop Floor
Posted Jul 4, 2011 at cinokente
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Modern Times
Sometimes, I wonder what a romantic encounter in the world of 2011 looks like. I have the sinking feeling that paperwork will be involved. ("I'll just need you to fill out a few quick forms. . ." *hands over ream*). Or, better yet, a touchscreen questionnaire--"Have you ever been diagnosed... Continue reading
Posted Jul 4, 2011 at cinokente
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Shawano : Luigi's Pizza and Pasta
Almost as soon as I asked a question of sorts in my last post, I found at least one constructive answer. After an effortless drive, I'm up in Shawano for bit longer of a stay than the last two. I'll probably drive back late Sunday afternoon. I arrived at Luigi's... Continue reading
Posted Jul 2, 2011 at cinokente
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Truly, Too Much Information
Firstly, I need to ask that if you are under the age of eighteen, you not read this post. I have to admit that during a relaxing weekend, I'll fire up a naughty website or three for late-night viewing. In a pinch, I'm not above using a "borrowed" Wi-Fi signal... Continue reading
Posted Jul 2, 2011 at cinokente
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A Shawano State of Mind
It's probably fitting to start this new blog in a Shawano state of mind. It's one best paired with a mild beer buzz--I think Mr. Schroeder, my parents' friend, taught me that back in oh, say, 1981 or so when our families vacationed together here. Disappointingly, the beer buzz is... Continue reading
Posted Jun 18, 2011 at cinokente
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Hi Rob, Thanks for the reminder about the Milwaukee-to-Madison leg! To me, the answer as to who would ride it is obvious: precisely those people who are demographically and ideologically most likely to be into the idea of rail. It seems like far, far more of a no-brainer than Milwaukee to Chicago. Think about it: students at two large universities, particularly international students without access to cars; academic and university staff; and government workers and officials. The students may well be looking to have a drink or twenty at one or both ends of the trip. Many currently ride the Badger Bus, and could surely be won over if the price and speed were right. This is a rock-solid base on which to attract more casual riders. Heck, Id bet the Milwaukee-to-Madison leg could end up subsidizing the Milwaukee-to-Chicago leg, at least in part.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Comment to Rob Hall -- November 13, 2010 Hi Rob, I had a chance to look at a couple more of the links. The one I found most interesting was the one from the Cato Institute. While I disagree strongly with its conclusions, I could not agree more with these sentences from Randal O'Toole's Gridlo...
Hi Rob, I had a chance to look at a couple more of the links. The one I found most interesting was the one from the Cato Institute. While I disagree strongly with its conclusions, I could not agree more with these sentences from Randal O'Toole's Gridlock: "The benefits of mobility are huge and undeniable. The most tangible benefit is to our personal incomes. Increased travel speeds allow people to reach more potential jobs in a given commute time." Given that a large portion of jobs and income in the City of Milwaukee are now located on the East Side (between UWM and Columbia St. Mary's), neither of which has convenient freeway access, I wonder how well this is being implemented within City limits. Not well at all, I would argue. Though I actually advocate remedying this problem by building freeways to link the East Side, a likelier solution is light rail. This past summer's floods demonstrated the inherent mess of East Side traffic.
Editorial: The Producers (Part 3)
There has been a series of rambling blog posts cooking in my mind all summer. On my equally rambling walks, seeing the number of Walker/Johnson signs (invariably next to each other) reminds me that I need to speed up my geologic pace. I believe that Republican victories in November would be a har...
Hi Rob, Thanks for the update about Anodyne! Let me know if you hear that it has come in, and I will have to check it out. As you'll see, I've set up a separate page for discussion of rail and other transit issues. And, yes, that's exactly how it works :-)
Editiorials: Current Events: Not Just Flyover Country
I'm always a sucker for random pictures on Facebook. A folder labeled simply "Mobile Uploads" with miscellaneous snapshots is sure to attract my curiosity. I haven't had much time for Facebook recently--or much of anything else. Still, I usually surf for a half-hour or so at the end of the ni...
Hi Rob, thanks for the comment. I have class tonight, so Ill have to answer at length tomorrow. Have you been to Fiddleheads roasting facility and cafe? I guess that is the big coffee news this fall. Believe it or not, I am a thoroughly convinced capitalist with a libertarian streak. As the owner of the blog and the LLC, I enjoy wide latitude (luckily) to determine the frequency of posting and the subject matter, as well as how much or little documentation I provide. This is an ebtertainment and discussion forum, and I dont have the kind of obligations a newspaper or TV station does. That being said, I will engage in detailed discussion as time allows, but Ron Johnson and I have one thing in common: 12-hour workdays (especially if you include class time)!
Bye for now, Mike
Sent from my iPhone
Editiorials: Current Events: Not Just Flyover Country
I'm always a sucker for random pictures on Facebook. A folder labeled simply "Mobile Uploads" with miscellaneous snapshots is sure to attract my curiosity. I haven't had much time for Facebook recently--or much of anything else. Still, I usually surf for a half-hour or so at the end of the ni...
Oh, and I think its actually the short-range trips for which rail is most needed. Lower East Side to Upper East Side of Milwaukee seems like the most obvious example. Maybe that will be Phase 2 of the system mentioned in the Milwaukee magazine article.
Sent from my iPhone
Editorial: The Producers (Part 3)
There has been a series of rambling blog posts cooking in my mind all summer. On my equally rambling walks, seeing the number of Walker/Johnson signs (invariably next to each other) reminds me that I need to speed up my geologic pace. I believe that Republican victories in November would be a har...
Hi Rob, I had a chance to read the Milwaukee Magazine article. I guess what struck me most is the lack of urgency in light of the fact that in coming decades, oil will either run out entirely or be prohibitively expensive. The way I see it, we can put down the infrastructure for whatever comes next now, or we can wait and panic-build later, at a premium cost, in response to an oil crisis. Also remember that any of a number of geopolitical scenarios could trigger it. Not have a backup plan? Wouldnt be prudent.
Sent from my iPhone
Editorial: The Producers (Part 3)
There has been a series of rambling blog posts cooking in my mind all summer. On my equally rambling walks, seeing the number of Walker/Johnson signs (invariably next to each other) reminds me that I need to speed up my geologic pace. I believe that Republican victories in November would be a har...
Thanks, guys, for your comments--and for helping me breathe some life back into this thing! It was good to be inspired again.
Snapshots: Cedarburg Coffee Roastery (Milwaukee Public Market) (Part 2)
Sorry for having to start a new post, but blogging on my iPad is a little awkward. Here are some observations about the cappuccino: - It wasn't just good like some Fiddleheads soy lattes I've had, not bad like some of the best Stone Creek/City Market drinks I've had, or not terrible like some McL...
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