Coffee & TV

So what have I been doing in New York? Forming new bad habits, that’s what!

For as long as I can remember I’ve been a hardcore tea drinker. And none of this fancy blackcurrant mint tea! My poison of choice is the regular Lyons/Barrys variety, strong-ish with plenty of milk. At first I was a two sugars girl. Then this was brought down to one sugar and earlier this year I got rid of the sugar all together. I figured if I was going to drink five or six cups a day, this was necessary to preserve my teeth. See what I mean? Hardcore.

It got to the point of obsession actually and during my masters I produced a radio documentary called What Would You Say to a Cup? Coffee vs. Tea. The piece included a round table discussion with some fellow tea addicts on where the practice came from and why drinking tea is so amazing. It’s hilarious listening because the conversation is so serious and the topic is utterly ridiculous!

Americans like tea. Hell, they even launched a fairly historic protest about the price of it back in the 1700s! But here in the US tea totally takes a back seat to the proclaimed king of the cup – Coffee. Pss! Friends wasn’t lying. It’s really like that.

Yesterday I gave in to the societal pressure and reluctantly entered Starbucks. Now, I’m well aware that Starbucks isn’t the “best” cup out there but it’s by far the most accessible. It’s also always packed – even though there are TWO outlets on the same level in Penn Station. So that has to count for something right?!

Anytime I’ve tried coffee, I’ve had to load it up with sugar to disguise the taste, but that’s got to be cheating right? So I made a mental note to take the drink like a man. 

I looked up at the menu and my initial thoughts were: “Crap crap! I can’t remember what all these things mean! Do I want a mocha? A macchiato? A frappachino? What the hell is a Venti? Oh god, there are the calorie counts. I bet there aren’t as many calories in tea!” 

Then I started thinking about this: 

And this: 

The nice Starbucks employee interrupted my manic stream of consciousness and youtube references and said “M’am? What can I get you today?” FROZEN. “Um…m’am?” STILL FROZEN. “Are you still looking at the menu?” One word came from my lips. “Mocha” I squeaked. “Tall?” I half asked. And the coffee making process began.

I couldn’t help thinking that I was about to waste almost five dollars on some sort of coffee concoction that I was not going to like. And then I noticed the chocolate. They were putting chocolate in with the coffee! So THATS what a Mocha is. So THATS why there were so many calories!

I left Starbucks sipping my chocolatey caffeinated hot drink definitely a satisfied customer.

I couldn’t help but think that the Mocha is obviously a gateway drink to future hard coffee usage. I guess I’m doomed.

Here’s a hilarious and informative little guide courtesy of The Oatmeal: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/coffee

The Unstoppable Chick Flick

“OK, life’s a fact. People do fall in love, people do belong to each other – because that’s the only chance anybody’s got for real happiness.”

-Breakfast at Tiffany’s

I’d consider myself a pretty well read girl. I like reading books that make me think, solve mysteries, and that make me stop right on the last page and say “oh my god, thats dark”.

I have no special affinity for the colour pink. Sure its a nice hue, but I don’t need my entire wardrobe, room and dog to be covered in it! 

I’m not afraid of getting dirty. If there’s a tree people are a-climbing, you can bet I’ll be a-climbing it too.

I resent any sort of sexist remarks or behaviour. Support women’s charities and happily call myself a feminist.

I hate Chick Lit.

Then why am I so in love with chick flicks?!

Sure they have predictable plots, a very similar cast of characters and those ushy gushy moments that should make you say “gick!”. But there’s something about a romantic film that makes me swoon and instead of “gick!”, I utter “awww” instead. I even cry at the occasional movie! The first time I watched “The Notebook”, I was in bits. You know the part I’m talking about: It wasn’t over! IT STILL ISNT OVER! The “Notebook effect” has worn off – but if you put on “A Walk to Remember”, I guarantee I will ball every single time.

So here we have it: My favourites, in no particular order! I could watch these films over and over and they still make me swoon just a little bit!

When Harry Met Sally, Bridget Jones’ Diary, A Walk to Remember, You’ve Got Mail, The Notebook, Notting Hill, Serendipity, Pride and Prejudice (either version), Sleepless in Seattle, While You Were Sleeping, Dirty Dancing, Love Actually, Kate and Leopold, She’s All That, Pretty Woman, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Four Weddings and a Funeral, A League of Their Own, Now and Then, Never Been Kissed, Grease, Stepmom, Legally Blonde, Clueless, Mean Girls, Save the Last Dance

I’m on a constant quest for new ones – so if you have any suggestions – please comment! I’ll leave you with one of the most memorable lines in chick-flick history:

“…And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s New Year’s Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

- When Harry Met Sally