DRINK UP........
Many, many people suffer from the growing problem of OCB. Obsessive, Compulsive Behavior is a debilitating emotional disease which afflicts men and women equally. Its chief symptom is uncontrollable, repeated behavior – like washing hands continually, repeating certain words or phrases, being fixated on certain numbers…and in rare cases finding yourself dancing the Hucklebuck.
There is no known cure for the disease. Medication helps some people, therapy and acknowledgment of the problem helps, also. There is a school of thought that believes trying to teach goldfish to sing, “I’ve Got Rhythm,” might lessen the effects of OCB. However, if you have a male relative who is unable to pass a roast chicken without tipping his hat….don’t hold out much hope.
There's debate in medical circles about whether Rafael Antonio Lozano suffers from this dreaded disease. I’ll let you be the judge. Lozano decided in 1997 to spend the rest of his life drinking a caffeinated coffee at every corporate-owned Starbucks store on the planet. Once he accomplishes his mission he plans on visiting Pluto for a grande latte.
Why, you ask, would any sane man dedicate his life to drinking a cup of coffee at every Starbucks on earth? The simple answer is that Rafael is probably crazier than the priest who believed taking a haircut during a total eclipse caused sterility. As of August 8, 2005, he had visited 4,775 Starbucks in North America and 213 in other parts of the world. Outside of North America, he has gone to Starbucks in Spain, England, France and Japan. According to the Seattle-based company there are 5,715 corporate-owned Starbucks in the world.
Rafael Lozano said his trek has been satisfactory on many levels, not the least of which is that it has allowed him to be on a nearly constant road trip for eight years. He also admits that after consuming the nearly 5,000 caffeinated coffees he hasn’t slept in eight years saving him a fortune on alarm clocks.
Having the incessant goal of reaching the next Starbucks provided another benefit. “Every time I reach a Starbucks I feel like I’ve accomplished something,” he said, “when actually I have accomplished nothing.” Aha….there you have it direct from the nutso’s mouth. He fools himself until he drinks the next coffee and then realizes he’s a sick putz!
Rafael is most proud of his single-day record of visiting 29 Starbucks in California…although he admits that when he gagged down the last espresso he was a tad nauseous. I’ve thrown up three times just writing this. Our coffee logged hero earns money to keep his quest going by doing computer programming work at his home in Silver Spring, Maryland. He hasn’t explained why he insists on only visiting corporate-owned Starbucks – not franchise stores. Could it be that Lozano is the illegitimate son of Mr. Star or Mr. Buck?
If this stunt wasn’t weird enough a movie is being filmed about his life as a Starbucks junkie. It’s called funnily enough, “Starbucking.” Rafael hopes the film does well so that he might have the opportunity of meeting Natalie Portman or Scarlett Johansson. I’m sure both actresses are clearing their schedules, as we speak.
He does say that the only thing that will prevent him from accomplishing his goal is the speed at which new stores are opening….oh, and perhaps his kidneys exploding.
Whatdya think? Does he have OCB or is he just off his chump? Can he stop himself on this obsessive mission? At this late date can he switch drinks to iced tea or malteds?
There is no known cure for the disease. Medication helps some people, therapy and acknowledgment of the problem helps, also. There is a school of thought that believes trying to teach goldfish to sing, “I’ve Got Rhythm,” might lessen the effects of OCB. However, if you have a male relative who is unable to pass a roast chicken without tipping his hat….don’t hold out much hope.
There's debate in medical circles about whether Rafael Antonio Lozano suffers from this dreaded disease. I’ll let you be the judge. Lozano decided in 1997 to spend the rest of his life drinking a caffeinated coffee at every corporate-owned Starbucks store on the planet. Once he accomplishes his mission he plans on visiting Pluto for a grande latte.
Why, you ask, would any sane man dedicate his life to drinking a cup of coffee at every Starbucks on earth? The simple answer is that Rafael is probably crazier than the priest who believed taking a haircut during a total eclipse caused sterility. As of August 8, 2005, he had visited 4,775 Starbucks in North America and 213 in other parts of the world. Outside of North America, he has gone to Starbucks in Spain, England, France and Japan. According to the Seattle-based company there are 5,715 corporate-owned Starbucks in the world.
Rafael Lozano said his trek has been satisfactory on many levels, not the least of which is that it has allowed him to be on a nearly constant road trip for eight years. He also admits that after consuming the nearly 5,000 caffeinated coffees he hasn’t slept in eight years saving him a fortune on alarm clocks.
Having the incessant goal of reaching the next Starbucks provided another benefit. “Every time I reach a Starbucks I feel like I’ve accomplished something,” he said, “when actually I have accomplished nothing.” Aha….there you have it direct from the nutso’s mouth. He fools himself until he drinks the next coffee and then realizes he’s a sick putz!
Rafael is most proud of his single-day record of visiting 29 Starbucks in California…although he admits that when he gagged down the last espresso he was a tad nauseous. I’ve thrown up three times just writing this. Our coffee logged hero earns money to keep his quest going by doing computer programming work at his home in Silver Spring, Maryland. He hasn’t explained why he insists on only visiting corporate-owned Starbucks – not franchise stores. Could it be that Lozano is the illegitimate son of Mr. Star or Mr. Buck?
If this stunt wasn’t weird enough a movie is being filmed about his life as a Starbucks junkie. It’s called funnily enough, “Starbucking.” Rafael hopes the film does well so that he might have the opportunity of meeting Natalie Portman or Scarlett Johansson. I’m sure both actresses are clearing their schedules, as we speak.
He does say that the only thing that will prevent him from accomplishing his goal is the speed at which new stores are opening….oh, and perhaps his kidneys exploding.
Whatdya think? Does he have OCB or is he just off his chump? Can he stop himself on this obsessive mission? At this late date can he switch drinks to iced tea or malteds?
posted by THE RANTING OLD GEEZER at 12:07 PM
<< Home