365 Days of foursquare!

Today marked my one year anniversary of using foursquare! My son Brian turned me on to this last year (Obviously 365 days ago, duh!). Of course I'm hooked. Brian always let's me in on the latest cool stuff.

There's something simple and elegant about foursquare. (http://foursquare.com/) Basically you check into the places you visit using an app on your phone (iPhone, Blackberry, Android), whether it is a restaurant, a store, a sports venue or just a favorite spot. You get points for every check-in, badges for special events, and you can even become Mayor of a location if you check into it more times than anyone else over a rolling 60 day period. You can have foursquare friends, and follow people, brands and companies to earn special discounts when you check in to particular spots. foursquare currently is reporting over 7 million users worldwide!

I like it because I get to keep score.

PA Groundhog Day Badge

So to celebrate my 365th day on foursquare:

- I have checked into 1,952 places in the last year.

- I have 36 Badges

- My favorite Badges? PA Groundhog Day and Baggage Handler

- I currently hold 31 Mayorships

- My first check-in? Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Baggage Handler Badge

- My last check-in? Miami University Voice of America Learning Center, West Chester, Ohio

- Where have I checked in the most times? Besides work? Starbucks, Liberty Township, Ohio. And I have earned the Starbucks Barista Badge, Fresh Brew Badge, Starbucks Tribute Badge and Century Club Badge for my efforts!

C'mon Starbucks.....

Dropped son #2 off at soccer training tonight and decided to drop by Starbucks for a cup of coffee. The Starbucks is 20 yards from a Caribou Coffee, but decided to use my Gold Card. (10% off etc.)

Pull up to the drive thru (Note it is 7:30pm):

Starbucks: "Welcome to Starbucks, would you like to try one of our coffee/roll combos?"
Me: "No thanks."
Starbucks: "How can I help you?"
Me: "I'd like a tall decaf coffee." (7:30pm)
Starbucks: "We no longer sell decaf coffee in the evenings."
Me (In my head): "WTF!"
Me: "Really!?!?"
Starbucks: "It was a corporate decision."
Me: "Hmmmm"
Starbucks: "I'd be happy to make you a decaf Americano."
Me (In my head): "I don't like Americano style."
Me: "I'd really like a decaf coffee."
Starbucks: "We'd be happy to fresh brew you a pot, it will take about 4 minutes."
Me: "That would be great."

Editorial Comment: A+ for service at the local store and they gave me the coffee for free.

Message for Starbucks Corporate: No decaf coffee in the evenings?!? Isn't that when people want the stuff? C'mon...

Oh, by the way, please train your team members to put the top on the cup so that the hole is not on the seam...it leaks!

Signing off...Jiresell