Date: 2003-10-29
To: Starbuck's
Miles today: 0.0

Had to happen sometime. I had to go back to Tucson. I was ready, but wasn't looking forward to the drive since I had to go north to Ohio, pick up my dog, then go across country on I70, down I25, then on to Tucson. This was definetly the long way, but my dog is worth it. I arrived at my sister's house in Ohio very anxious to see my dog. When I got there I went straight to the back yard and there stood Oscar giving me this look like, "Hey, I thought you were dead!" He didn't seem excited at all! I was heartbroken. I think his vision is not what it used to be and neither is his hearing, but how can you not recognize your owner of 12 years? He was probably in shock and thinking that now that I showed up I was probably going to drag him off somewhere again. He was right.The next day we got in the car and drove to Manhattan, Kansas where we stayed with my aunt. Long day of driving, but she had made some great chili and I had a free place to stay with good company and good food! When I left the next morning it was raining and cold, something I was already used to! Today Oscar and I had to make it as far as Alberquerqe and this was going to be our longest day. Oscar is 15 years old and made it very clear to me he was tired of being in the car already and he was getting grouchy. So we are driving, driving, driving, and I am about to go stircrazy because we are STILL in Kansas. I am sleepy and it is the middle of the day. I need coffee, and not just any coffee. I need a Starbucks non fat white chocolate mocha - Venti! The big one! So I decide I will stop at the next gas station because I need gas in a bad way and I'll get one of those cheap cappucinos from the instant machines. Those are pretty good, not Starbucks good, but pretty good. So I'm dreaming of this cappucino when I see a sign along the interstate. Could it be? Does it say Starbucks? No, it's not possible! I'm in Leoti, Kansas and can see for 100 miles in every direction it seems. There are no Starbucks out here. I look again. IT IS! IT IS! IT'S STARBUCKS! I almost peed my pants! Oscar is getting all excited because I'm all excited and he starts panting, my mouth is literally watering, and I almost can't concentrate to find the place. There is a huge one-stop-shop type place like I have never seen before and it's called, very appropriately, OASIS! It truly, truly was! It has gas, Quizno's subs, a bunch of other unimportant stuff that didn't meet any immediate need of mine, and most importantly, A STARBUCKS! I was almost crying! I had to get gas first, then I would eat, then walk the dog, then STARBUCKS!I was shaking when I pumped the gas, ate at the speed of light while Oscar was in the car, walked him around the parking lot trying to be patient, but he was still excited because he could sense how excited I was. It was also freezing here, 41 degrees and misty out. I was wearing flip flops and my jeans were falling off of me. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered. There was a STARBUCKS here! I put him back in the car and as soon as I walked into STARBUCKS a calm came over me and I could think again. As calmly as I could I said, "Venti nonfat white chocolate mocha please" and all was right with the world. That first sip was like heaven in a really tall cup. I was happy and at peace.Oscar, however, was still grouchy. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered.