oh, starbucks

i'm worried about starbucks. [warning: van ramblings style rant to follow...]

van ramblings and i have been huge fans for years now. but i've been a bit disappointed recently. partly, i suppose b/c it's so over-saturated in here in nyc, which i think is diluting the experience - much like a venti latte. 

case in point this pic - here are a few issues i have with these new cups featuring their 'pike place roast'. (which i also keep thinking is called 'pike's peak roast'. oops.)

- the barfy brown cups. totally off equity. where is the green? i realize it's supposed to be all retro with their original 1971 logo. but, i think that most of their current consumers weren't even born then. also, looks very downscale. if i'm paying a +878% mark-up on my drink, i want it to look premium, damn it and identifiably starbucks. 

- the sleeve. also barfy brown. also, apparently in order to be green, starbucks in no longer giving the sleeves freely. while i applaud this, it's a bit 'admirable, but coco loco'. the sleeve is an integral part of my starbucks experience. cheapens it with out it. 

- this bizarro swizzle stick/coffee stirrer/plug. what the hell is this thing? apparently it's used to plug the small hole in the top of your coffee. two issues with this. first, they say they want to be green by not giving paper sleeves...yet they have just manufactured plastic plug-holes. second, how much heat is really escaping from there? seriously. if their coffee is going to get that cold that quickly it that you need this plug, your coffee wasn't nearly hot enough to begin with. 

ok, there. done. sorry about that. off to get my ass-clown vanilla skim latte...