Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Ok, but not the beach Traffic: Stupid, I’m not at the beach Breakfast: A sip of coffee, banana with almond butter Zach arrival time: Decent timing, I think
Monday Mourning Metaphor
In the office with a lingering sunburn like….
Starbucks planned for Boston’s North End axed
[Source] – Plans for a Starbucks as part of a major retail development at the gateway to Boston’s North End, right across from the Rose Kennedy Greenway, appear to be dead.
In a July 6 statement, Mayor Marty Walsh asked developer Charter Realty & Development to withdraw its application to open the Starbucks as part of its retail project at 198 Hanover Street. Since the developer lacks the necessary city permits for the project, Walsh’s opposition is probably enough to tank it.
“After hearing the concerns from residents about sustaining the culture and historic nature of the North End, I encouraged the applicant to withdraw the proposal to locate a Starbucks at the entrance to the North End,” Walsh said in the statement.
Some residents’ pushback had been particularly scalding. They said that such a presence at such a prominent spot in the North End would spoil the feel of the neighborhood. It would also encroach, they said, on the caffeinated turf of existing North End coffee shops.
But the Starbucks would have joined a national coffee chain that’s already on the block: Peet’s at 50 Salem Street. And the Starbucks would have replaced a decidedly pedestrian Citizens Bank branch.
Charter’s Hanover Street plans stretch back to 2016, and the final composition is unclear. Stay tuned.
You might have read that excerpt above and thought to yourself “here goes Zach again being a Starbucks hater for the sake of his blog.” Well, two things: 1) Shut up, my hate is real. 2) You’ll probably be surprised to hear that I am actually team Starbucks on this one. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Cool Traffic: Nope Breakfast: Almond joy coffee with coconut creamer, three blueberry scones Zach arrival time: When I woke up
Monday Mourning Metaphor
and
First thing’s first: Hi
Been almost three weeks since I last had a blog. It’s tough to keep up with the stupid stories of the world, my personal happenings, and hot takes when I get paid to create and push other content.
So we have a decision to make: either continue this as the GMIM, or simply write smaller blogs whenever I find something interesting. Personally, I like the once a week blog. Gives my 5 or 6 readers something to look forward to when the week starts. Plus, I like the irony in having a blog named after Mondays and how hard it is to get motivated, and yet the blog gets published a day or two after.
So I guess I don’t have a decision? Just be better I suppose and get this shit published sooner. Anywho, back to business… Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: On the cooler side Traffic: Meh, didn’t want to throw myself in traffic, so that’s nice Breakfast: Turkey sausage sandy on an english, cosmic coolatta (review to come) Zach arrival time: 9:26 a.m. EST
Monday Mourning Metaphor
It’s here: my Cosmic Coolatta review
It took a couple of weeks, but it’s finally here: my cosmic coolatta review.
I only purchased this in response to Starbucks being a bunch of a-holes. I’m not one for sweets. I barely eat chocolate and rarely eat candy (yet I’m still thicc as hell). So I decided to use up the funds in my Dunkin card and purchase one of these things. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Absolutely perfect Traffic: N/A (took the choo choo) Breakfast: Half a crumb muffin and a MilkyWay flavored iced coffee Zach arrival time: 9:30-ish
Monday Mourning Metaphor
First and foremost: I didn’t get a Cosmic Coolatta
Celebrating your birthday when you’re no longer a child
If you’re an absolute chump and don’t read my blog, you wouldn’t know that yesterday was my birthday. But I’m sort of under the impression that no one knew since no one donated to my personal Venmo yesterday (still open to “donation” at @zacharyadamgray). Nonetheless, Venmo remains available to anyone happy to give me late birthday donations.
Anywho, I had a little get-together yesterday with some family. Little grilling and booze, yard games, the works. Nice time. Here’s the thing though: every year I think of doing some sort of party, but it ends up being more work than I remember it requiring.
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: On the cooler side Traffic: I didn’t scream at anyone, so that was good Breakfast: Glazed stick and small black coffee Zach arrival time: Not late, I think
Monday Mourning Metaphor
Dunkin Donuts debuts Cosmic Coolatta, attempt to win my heart over
[Source] – Dunkin’ Donuts is launching a galaxy-inspired menu today full of two new Coolattas blended to look like nebulas and a donut covered in multi-colored popping candy that sounds truly out of this world.
Underneath, the Comet Candy Donut is a plain yeast donut with white icing but on top you’ll find an explosion of blue, purple and pink popping candy that taste like cotton candy.
In addition to the comet candy donut, there’s not just one, but two (!!!) different Cosmic Coolattas being released today. Each are a blend of two different flavors swirled together to create a nebula-like effect.
The Cosmic Cotton Candy Coolatta is a brand-new cotton candy flavored Coolatta topped off with Blue Raspberry, while the Cosmic Pineapple Coolatta is a blend of a new pineapple flavor with blue raspberry.
As a bonus, all small Coolattas in any flavor — including the new cotton candy and pineapple flavors—will be just $2 through May 27.
If you’ve been reading this blog on a regular basis, you’d know by now that I despise Starbucks and everything they stand for (bigotry, racism, capitalism, communism, slimeballery, etc). This hate I have doesn’t exactly mean I’m Team Dunkin, but this latest move might just reel me in like the stupid fish I am. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Beautiful Traffic: Bad, but it’s a beautiful day Breakfast: Turkey sausage sandy and a shitty iced coffee… but it’s a beautiful day Zach arrival time: Good enough Mornings without Starbucks: 1 year
Monday Tuesday Mourning Morning Metaphor
A monumental day
The old saying goes that “time heals wounds” or “give it time,” that the concept of time will eventually ease tension and resolve any conflicts. Some would argue that a full year of reflection can allow one to be at peace with previous demons.Well, I can confidently say that as I type on this keyboard exactly one year from the day I began my boycott, I remain as bitter, spiteful, and salty towards the capitalist pigs known as Starbucks.
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In (on Monday)
Weather: Cold, rainy, and some snow Traffic: I wouldn’t know, I rolled out of bed and jumped online Breakfast: Some smoothie concoction Zach arrival time: When the good lord shined his light upon thee
Monday Mourning Metaphor
It was cold Monday.
My fitness evaluation recap
I mentioned in last week’s blog that I had an upcoming fitness evaluation compliments of the nice folks from my gym. Well, I did it. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Cold. Really cold. Traffic: Road were ok, but classic MBTA delays Breakfast: Turkey sausage on an English and an XL Dunks that doesn’t taste great Zach arrival time: Later than I wanted
Monday Mourning Metaphor
All last week was a Monday
“Zach, Zach… where was the blog last week? We missed you!”
Yes, I know. Last weekend had some stuff going on and then the week just took over, so apologies for ruining your downtime at work. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: 36 degrees, bit cool Traffic: Pleasantly not terrible Breakfast: Caramel latte Zach arrival time: 9:10-ish Mornings without Starbucks: 287
Monday Mourning Metaphor
When last week sucked, but it’s a new week, new you:
New podcast. Yes, new.
So it’s been too long. I’m a little rusty behind the mic, but I banged out an episode with old guest Mike, aka Young, aka The Wrestlin’ Investin’ Investor to talk a little XFL, NFL, and other dumb stuff. If you’re looking to kill an hour and a half of your miserable day, then I suggest you listen:
I picked the Patriots to lose. Why am I so negative?
I had a moment of clarity yesterday after recording the podcast. Well, we could have classified it as a therapy session, but regardless, it was revealing of why I am the way I am when it comes to being so damn negative about the Patriots (regardless of their success).
Simple answer: 2007
Picture this: it’s 2007. The Patriots have won three Super Bowls in the past 6 years. They’re steamrolling other teams en route to a 16-0 regular season, and an 18-0 record heading into the Super Bowl. It’s looking like Tom Brady will have himself an easy path to his fourth Lombardi Trophy and a perfect record in both Super Bowls and the 2007 season.
Then comes the day of the big game. Not a worry in my brain about this game at all. I can vividly remember watching pregame and talking to my brother about the parade. Yes, kickoff hadn’t even taken place, and we were already discussing which day of school we would miss to go watch the Super Bowl parade. The thought of losing wasn’t even remotely in my mind. It wasn’t possible. It couldn’t happen. The Patriots would win yet another game, just like they had every other game that season, and move on to the parade. Simple enough.
Well folks, that shit did not happen. The one and only game they lost was the final game of the season. The only game that mattered. The game I was so confident about, it was like watching a rerun of a TV show anticipating the end. Except this time, it did not happen like I remembered.
So that’s the stem of my negativity. Despite the Patriots winning five titles, Brady/Belichick reaching an eighth together, I am still a pessimistic asshole when it comes to these games. Because after 2007, I take none of these games for granted. When Super Bowl XLVI rolled around for a Giants/Patriots rematch, I just knew they would blow the game yet again. And they did. Yes, they’ve won two more since, but they easily could’ve lost them as well. It’s too close for me to ever be comfortable.
Although I’m excited for this championship game, I’m still cautious. Plus, the 10-year anniversary of Super Bowl XLII is this Saturday, the day before the Patriots play. Is that on my mind? Yup. Will ESPN run replays of the helmet catch continuously THE DAY BEFORE THE SUPER BOWL? Absolutely they will. And that will be a reminder to not take this game for granted.
(Prediction: 31-27 Eagles)
Starbucks executive chairman thinks a “trusted” digital currency is on its way, continues to be stupid
(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
[Source: CNBC] – “One or a few legitimate” cryptocurrencies are coming, but bitcoin is not one of them, according to Starbucks’ executive chairman and former CEO, Howard Schultz.
“I don’t believe that bitcoin is going to be a currency today or in the future,” Schultz said, during a post-earnings conference call Thursday after the closing bell on Wall Street. (Shares of Starbucks were under pressure on Friday after another quarter of disappointing sales growth as holiday offerings failed to draw in customers.)
Instead, Schultz told investors he sees potential in blockchain, the online ledger technology underlying digital currencies. “I’m talking about … the possibility of what could happen — not in the near term, but in a few years from now — with a consumer application in which there’s trust and legitimacy with regard to a digital currency.”
“I’m not bringing this up because Starbucks is announcing that we are forming a digital currency or we’re investing in this,” Schultz said, according to audio of the call on the Starbucks website. “I’m bringing this up … as we think about the future of our company and the future of consumer behavior.”
Well folks, Starbucks is all it again. This time, it’s one of the head honchos over at the douchebag coffee company. First they refuse to serve me a Unicorn Frappuccino, now they think fake money will fund their coffee shops. Sad!
Dude, your sales sucked during Christmas time. How do you fail during the biggest season for basic-bitccez looking for holiday-themed coffee drinks? Your company is built off the pumpkin and Christmas seasons, and you failed. And now you think fake money will bring you back? What’s next, Monopoly money will be accepted?
I’m humored by this story, so I’ll do this: if Starbucks utilizes digital currency and see’s massive gains because of it, I’ll go back. That’s how confident I am that they’ll crumble yet again. I’m not sure of how much or how long, but it has to be big. Big enough for me to say, “damn, it’s really working. Guess I have to use real life money at Starbucks.”
But until that day comes, they’re not worth my time or money.
People are hacking into ATM’s like it’s a goddamn movie
[Source: Forbes] – For several years now, hackers in search of big cash payouts have been targeting bank machines. With the help of an accomplice or two on the ground and some sophisticated malware, they’ve been able to trick ATMs into dispensing millions of dollars.
Security professionals refer to these attacks as jackpotting. You may have seen one go down on the big screen, but make no mistake: jackpotting is very real. In fact, the Secret Service has been tracking a string of recent attacks on American ATMs.
Jackpotting attacks are highly coordinated and typically the work of criminal gangs. They’ve been going down in other countries for years, but security experts aren’t surprised that criminals are now hitting ATMs in the U.S. One key reason is that many bank machines are still running Windows XP and are highly vulnerable.
The Secret Service is urging operators to update their machines to Windows 7, which they say is all it takes to prevent this particular attack.
Am I reading this right? No, not hackers remotely stealing millions of dollars out of ATM’s. But ATM’s run on Windows XP? What year is this? Why the hell are ATMs running on software that grandmothers aren’t even using these days? My mom sucks at using a computer, and even she would say, “wow this is outdated.”
What’s the limit on this? Are we going to find out that traffic lights run on solar power, or office drinking water is pulled from a well? Seriously, how on god’s green earth are we still using Windows XP in any capacity???
P.s. Anyone who says the term “ATM machine” is a moron. What do you think ATM stands for? “Automated teller machine.” So is it an automated teller machine machine? No, you stupid idiot.
Song of the Week
It looks like Jaromir Jagr is headed back to Europe to play hockey, as the Flames sent his old ass out of North America. Sad times in the NHL indeed.
Have any stories to share? Suggestions? Feedback? Send them to ZacharyAdamGray@gmail.com or tweet me @ZacharyAdamGray
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: 35, cloudy Traffic: (See below) Breakfast: Veggie egg-white flatbread, medium hot coffee Zach arrival time: Not late Mornings without Starbucks: 203
Monday Mourning Metaphor
Drove by a moving dumpster fire this morning…
Honorary metaphor goes to this highlight from last night’s Sunday Night Football game. Was going to use that, but got beat out. Oh whale…
[Source: Washington Post] – After years of trying to win over lunch and dinner crowds, Starbucks is preparing to open its first stand-alone Italian restaurant.
The company is teaming up with Princi, a small chain of 24-hour bakeries in Milan and London, to offer customers freshly made items including focaccia sandwiches, margherita pizzas and tiramisu. The first stage of the partnership will debut Tuesday, when Starbucks opens a Princi bakery in its upscale Reserve Roastery in Seattle. The company plans to eventually open bakeries inside all of its Reserve locations, and next year hopes to open stand-alone Princi eateries across the country. The openings will be in New York, Seattle and Chicago.
“We’re getting into the food business,” Howard Schultz, the chairman of Starbucks, said in an interview. “Princi will be fully integrated with bakery operations, so not only will we be roasting coffee, but we’ll be baking bread, pastries — the kind of Italian pastries you’ve never seen in America.”
But this isn’t the first time Starbucks has pinned its hopes on a stand-alone bakery. In 2012, the company paid $100 million for La Boulange, a San Francisco-based company with 23 stores. Starbucks had high hopes then, too, with plans to open about 400 new locations in five years.
But it didn’t take long for those plans to fall flat. Three years later, Starbucks said it would be closing its La Boulange bakeries because they were “not sustainable for the company’s long-term growth.”
Well, well, well… if it isn’t my old nemesis trying to pull a fast one on me. They must’ve gotten word I celebrated 200 days without Starbucks and devised a plan to win me back. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good Mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather:Let’s check in with Ollie Williams Traffic: Roads were decent, but train was packed as always Breakfast: 87 cent coffee at Dunks, poor quality as always Zach arrival time: Early bird Mornings without Starbucks: 189
Monday Mourning Metaphor
Thought to ponder: When does pumpkin season end?
So here we are, October 30th. We have Halloween tomorrow and then all focus shifts to Christmas on Wednesday because people idiotically decide to skip Thanksgiving.
November is the ultimate Autumn month, so naturally I want to continue drinking Autumn beers. But here’s the thing: every Autumn beer is either pumpkin or October themed. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Clocking In
Weather: Mario Lemieux, cloudy Traffic: Could’ve been worse Breakfast: Iced coffee, cream/sugar Zach on time?: I think? Mornings without Starbucks: 147
Monday Mourning Metaphor
STAY WOKE: Ponzi Schemes are all around us
So this weekend was my first official weekend off without having to take vacation time in over a year. A tornado could’ve plowed through my living room and it still would’ve been the greatest weekend ever. So how did I celebrate this? I attended a “Jack & Jill” on Saturday night.
I know these J&J’s aren’t common for every soon-to-be-married couple to have, but I’m surprised not many people know what they are. If you are not aware, Jack & Jill’s are parties thrown for a couple who’ll be married soon, sometimes a month or so in advance. It’s meant to be casual, but still nice I think? Basically you get dressed like you’re going to church for the first time in a few months, but don’t want to over do it to make it obvious that you haven’t attended in some time.
During mankind’s biggest events throughout history, we tend to ask ourselves and others where we were at that moment. I was in my friend’s dorm room when President Obama announced that Osama Bin Laden was killed. Last year, I watched the Cubs win its first World Series in over 100 years in my girlfriend’s living room. When Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was published last year, I was most likely napping because I don’t give a damn about those wizarding nerds. Today is one of those days: I’ve gone 100 mornings without Starbucks.
April 23 was supposed to be a normal Sunday in the office. It was also the final day of Starbucks week-long promotion of the Unicorn Frappuccino. I needed to try this cup of frozen fairy vomit just to say I did in fact have one. The ‘Bucks below my office had just opened up, so I was sure to get a fresh blend of the good stuff. Problem was, they “ran out” of the ingredients. Reasonable, sure, but disappointing nonetheless. But lo and behold, not even 10 minutes later, a coworker comes in the office with a Unicorn Frappuccino…from the Starbucks downstairs. From that moment on, I knew it was my calling to declare war on those Seattle-based capitalists slime-pigs. Continue reading →
Welcome to another installment of Good mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Starbucks baristas slam executives, as the Zach Gray unicorn frappuccino curse rolls on
[Source: Yahoo!] – Starbucks baristas say that a recent initiative to improve customer service proves how out-of-touch the company’s executives are with what’s really going on in stores.
In interviews with more than a dozen current and former Starbucks workers, employees told Business Insider that serious adjustments need to be made if the company wants to grow sales and maintain its positive, progressive reputation.
“The perception isn’t the reality,” one Chicago barista told Business Insider. “Most people see Starbucks as a well-run operation, but being on the inside, I’ve found many flaws and wonder how this place makes money.”
Welcome to another installment of Good mourning, it’s Monday! This weekly blog looks to cover various topics in the news, along with personal stories or encounters from the past week at home and work to help you through your first day back at work (unless you don’t work). Hopefully my seven followers like this and share this to make it eight. Enjoy…
Starbucks vs Me
Yesterday morning, I get into the office a little early. First and foremost, early in the office on a Sunday is the working man’s move. Early bird gets the worm, but the hawk eats the little bird. Or something like that.
Anywho, I figured I’d stop at the Starbucks downstairs to grab some morning caffeine to get my Sunday started. It’s been out for a little, but the Unicorn Frappuccino advertisement was just staring at me from the behind the counter and figured “why not?” I’ll give it a try, see what the buzz is about.
So I head up and ask for one of these cups of fairy vomit and I’m told, “Sorry, we’re out of the stuff needed for it.” Understandable. These stupid things have been flying off the shelves left and right. The Starbucks back home had a sign saying the Unicorns had gone extinct. So with that, I get the usual Venti Caramel Macchiato.
I get to the office, sit down, and a co-worker asks if anyone wants anything from the ‘Bucks. Only 10 minutes later, he comes up with a hot coffee and a UNICORN FRAPPUCCINO, the exact drink they “didn’t have the ingredients for.” Continue reading →