2002-10-29 - 2:47 p.m.

I am never one to give free publicity to consumer goods or large corporate chains. You will never see me wearing an Abercrombie t-shirt or carrying a Starbucks coffee cup. Yuck. They're everywhere as it is, they don't need me walking around as a billboard. Lately, this hasn't been enough; I'm actually boycotting their products. It's been at least a year and a half since I've bought something at Starbucks, and even then it was only because I was very, very thirsty.

That being said, I confess to finding some comfort in convenience store stuff. Maybe it's the familar smell of cigarettes, day-old coffee, and stale candy. Or the soothing hum of the beverage coolers. Or the nice lady who calls me 'hun' as she gives me my change. Whatever, there are things I love to buy because they are those treats whose taste is an unexpected, rediscovered joy each time. Like Oreos, or Peppermint Patties. It's like going home and having Mom's noodle pudding; we have it every year, but every time I take that first bite, I am at once comforted by that familiar taste and a little surprised, because I forgot how good it really is. Diet Dr Pepper is one of those things for me, and today, I add Diet Vanilla Coke to that list. As she handed me my $3.75 in change, the lady at the Short Stop shared my excitement. "Just came in," she said. "The girl who was asking for it better come in here soon, or they'll all be gone before she gets one."

say what? - mas y mas!

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