Dear Sonic...

We need to talk. It's not me...it's you. Honestly, I just don't feel the love anymore. Regardless of my loyalty, you have let me down. 

Remember when you first opened in Canyon? When I got my driver's license, you were where me and my pals spent every single lunch hour. And on the weekends, you were our meeting place in town. You were part of "the drag." I began loving you then. 

And when I went to college, you were WAY out of my daily path to and from class once I moved out of the dorm, but I came to you anyway out of sheer love for a diet cherry limeade. You were my present to myself on Sunday afternoons when I had accomplished all my weekend chores. We stayed close even through that difficult "growing" phase. 

I found you...all of you...in Amarillo when I moved back home to work. Even if we didn't have lunch together every day, I still found time for us to share in a Route 44 Dr. Pepper. We became so familiar with each other that my vehicle wore one of your stickers, allowing for discounts on drinks. I knew your every special...what time happy hour was, two for one Tuesdays...I memorized them all while in the shelter of your drive-thru. 

I was so excited to see you when I got to New Braunfels. Both of you. Conveniently, you are just around the corner from where I rest my head each night. But something has changed recently. I know I've changed - from Dr. Peppers to unsweet tea - but I've remained loyal to the Route 44. I used to never have to mention "ice" to you. Now, even when I speak up to let you know what I'm feeling, there is only a smigen of your beloved signature ice in the cup. You know that is what attracted me to you, right? I could handle every once in a while you holding back on me, but it's become a regular issue. One I'm not sure how to fix. 

And I'm not the only one. I've heard more than one person say "what's up with Sonic lately?" I'm hurt by it...but more importantly, I'm worried about you. What is happening inside of you to cause this? 

I'm sure I'll ride this out, like I did with the styrofoam cups...maybe it will be something I learn to live with...but I'll continue to ask for what I need. And just to let you know, I'm sticking around until I get it. No more driving off with unfinished ice. No more iceless drinks within 30 minutes of getting them. I'm going to help you become the Sonic you used to be. The ball is in your court now...

Sincerely, 

Tired of Un-Iced Tea

This can't be good news...

Pages and pages and pages of articles about how bad flip flops (flippies, flappies, floppies, thongs, toe sandles, etc.) are for our feet. It's a sad sad sad day in my closet. 

Desiderata

About two years ago I opted for tattoo number two. (Insert pause here to let some of you come to terms with the fact that I am tattooed...twice...so far...) Although I was a grown adult living on my own, paying my own bills with a full time job, a 401K and insurance, my poor Dad CRINGED when I called him to tell him what my 30th birthday present to myself was going to be. His exact words? "WHY WOULD YOU TELL ME THAT?" So we never really talked about it since. Until I went home with tattoo number two. My first one is on my hip so unless I want someone to see it, it's not visible to the general public. But tattoo number two is on my foot. And I'm a barefoot/flip flop kind of girl. So tattoo number two is HIGHLY visible. When Dad saw it for the first time it caught me off guard. We had gone to visit him in Amarillo and I was sitting out on the back porch in my jammies when he got back from the donut shop. He came to sit down with me and from a mile away he said "What is that?" I tried to explain it to him...but I don't think he wanted to know what the word meant so much as what the tattoo meant. And I told him that it was a reminder everyday of what the word represented. 

So here it is...broken down.

de•sid•er•a•tum dɪˌsɪdəˈreɪtəm, -ˈrɑ-, -ˌzɪd-
noun, plural -ta
something wanted or needed.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.