Gas prices

Why is it that 7-Eleven sells unleaded for $2.49 per gallon, and Chevron, right across the street, sells it for $2.61?

Someone please explain to me three things:

1). Who sets the prices?

2). Why gas prices rise immediately when oil prices rise, yet lag behind when oil prices fall?

3). Why Americans passively accept this?

Are we all so relieved that prices have dropped below $4 per gallon that we silently rejoice in our good fortune? Do we thank the omnipotent oil executives for sacrificing profits to benefit the masses?

Interestingly enough, the Chevron had several customers buying gas, and 7-Eleven was almost empty. Apparently 12 cents per gallon doesn't matter to these people, but name-brand does.

Fascinating.

Do Diablo

When you live in Seattle, you expect good coffee. Anything less is uncivilized.

But how often do you sit up and take notice of an exceptional cup??

Such was my experience at El Diablo Coffee on the top of Queen Anne last week.

Being a creature of habit, my gold standard is a double short Americano with an inch of cold soy on top. Not fancy and blissfully dairy-free. I have ordered this drink from more baristas than I care to meet, and would consider myself a veritable connoisseur of this particular indulgence.

Which is why my drink at Diablo was such a revelation. After years of boredom, my palate sang with the first sip. Full, robust flavor with no bitterness. What, you say?? Is the bitterness not the requisite pill for the full-bodied reward?

According to the knowledgable barista, Diablo uses custom-roasted coffee that achieves the above-mentioned attributes by roasting the beans at a higher temperature for less time. Genius.

Coffee-lovers, start your engines. Bliss without the grimace awaits at the top of Queen Anne.

Oh, and did I mention Diablo sits right next to Queen Anne Avenue Books? That beats the Barnes & Noble/Starbucks behemoth any day.

El Diablo Coffee
1811 Queen Anne Ave

If you're going to steal Police motorcycles....

Then don't stop for a beer on the way home!

(taken outside Portland, in front of the pub)

: )

A&E SUCKS

Yes, we all hate utility companies and service companies. That FOUR-
hour time window insults our sense of efficiency.

But LIARS plunge this whole scheduling business to a new depth.

A & E. Go to dishwasher hell!!

They say they will call 10-15 minutes before they arrive, and
sometimes they do. But sometimes they don't.

The asshole on the customer service line informed me that the service
guy MIGHT call to reschedule today. Or he might not.

WTF.

I really hate being a hostage to idiots.