Capital of Seattle

Today, one of the boys I nanny asked me “What’s the capital of Seattle?” I was about to launch into my “Cities do not have capitals” speech, when he gave me the answer. “Starbucks,” he said. I laughed and thought to myself how right he was.

I know that those of us not native to Seattle joke about how important Starbucks is to us, and how crazy people in Seattle must be about it. I’m here to tell you that our jokes aren’t that far off base. Furthermore, if I continue my current caffeine intake, I’m going to become a blood born native (based on blood-caffeine level). I’ve even established "my" regular Starbucks – no home church yet, but I know where to get my coffee. I'm not a Starbucks loyalist or anything. There is just one close to my job and thanks to many of you I have a couple gift cards I'm still making good use of during the cold, snowy winter days.

Anyway back to today's story. I went to "my" Starbucks today to order a Vanilla Crème and the staff, some of which I actually know by name, were concerned by my choice’s lack of caffeine. They assured me that when (not if) the headache set in, they would be there to help. I left feeling a little concerned that perhaps I was getting too friendly with the natives. Perhaps I was being corrupted by the allure of caffeine. Surely this was not an addiction. Surely the streets really did smell like coffee everywhere I went. It couldn't possibly be just my imagination. I was considering the possible addiction and ease with which I was willing to give up my Coca-Cola only Southern upbringing for this capital of coffee. Then it dawned on me. What is it they say – “When in Rome do as the Romans”? I’m not addicted. I definitely am not. I'm just being a wise steward of gift cards. Furthermore, I’m not laying aside my Southern Coke roots for some flakey coffee drinks. No way. I’m just becoming a “Seattle-ite” on the outside. I’m just studying the full scope of the culture in which I am now immersed. Ahhhh, I'm so glad to have that settled. Now I can sleep in peace. Well, when the caffeine from the Starbucks Caramel Macchiato (the one I drank to counter the Vanilla Crème headache) wears off.