The first in a series entitled:Things I Will Miss About Seattle

I'm really going to miss how the baristas at, not just one, but multiple local coffee shops know exactly what I want to order...sometimes just by the sound of my voice.

For example, there is a Caffe Ladro just around the corner from the office. And although I don't go there every morning, I average anywhere from once to three times a week, usually in the morning before I head into work. And more than likely I go through the drive-thru and order two drinks, one for me and one for Greatest Print Assistant Ever. For the last several months, the drive-thru interaction has gone like this:

Voice on the Other Side of the Speaker: Good morning, what can I get for you?

Ysabel: Hi, I'll have two double tall Americanos please.

VOSS: And that's one with Splenda?

Ysabel: Right...

VOSS: And both with cream?

Ysabel: Yes!

VOSS: Alright, I'll see you at the window.

Ysabel: *sigh*

And there's another drive-thru espresso hut around another corner from the office - my coffee preferences change with my mood, okay? - where my ordering procedure usually goes like this:

(pulling up to the ordering window)

Ysabel: Hi.

Barista: 16 ounce soy Mythical Mocha?

Ysabel: Yup. *sigh*

Showcase of Excellence of the baristas working at the coffee shops I frequent? Or Testament to the Caffeine Addiction that has been uncontrollably fostered during my time in Seattle? Who knows. But I'll miss it, nonetheless.