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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

A Slightly Awkward Encounter with an Ol' Uncle


Midterm week has left my body and mind exhausted. I knew I needed some caffeine and I knew that you all are starving for another delectable post. Thankfully, I was able to knock them both out at the same time.

I headed on into Perk's Coffee House and Roastery, located at 49 S Court Street right across from College Book Store, with hopes of finding a satisfyingly-energizing unique beverage.

The environment seemed very relaxed and cozy and the line to counter was decently long. “Ah, the beverages here must be excellent,” I thought to myself. As I examined the menu it was difficult for me to decide what item seemed the most unique. My indecisiveness eventually got the better of me so I asked the barista what he could offer that was both unique and that would also energize me.

I’ve got to find a better way to ask that question as I keep getting outlandish reactions from people. Anyways, the barista recommended that I try the “Sweet Ol’ Uncle Grey” a beverage that combined Earl Grey tea, vanilla syrup and steamed milk. I wasn’t overly excited about reviewing another tea drink but it only cost two dollars for a medium-size so I couldn’t complain. I feel that I’m not typically one to be swayed by aesthetics, but I enjoyed the title too, so I had to go with it.

After I obtained my beverage, I scanned the room for the nearest vacancy. The cafe was decently crowded but I managed to find a place at the bar-type seating right in front of the windows. I sat down, took my first sip of my new adventure and then proceeded to remove my notebook from my backpack; the whole situation was very ordinary, for at least, the first 30 seconds or so.

As I was doing my best to think critically about my newest purchase, my mind was disrupted as a question from a nearby patron shot at me. I wasn't sure whether to look over or not; I was pretty sure that I didn't know anyone sitting near me and the question could have easily been intended for the person sitting next to me. I looked anyways. An elderly woman no more than four feet away was looking right at me.

"Are you enjoying that?" she asked, referring to my Sweet Ol' Uncle Grey. "Do I know this woman?"" I thought to myself. I was sure that I didn't, but I assumed that she was just being friendly. I told her that I was indeed enjoying the beverage. Then it got stranger.

"I don't see too many people buy that drink," she added. My mind raced through a series of questions. How did this woman know what I ordered? She was nowhere near me when I made my purchase. Hell, I hadn't even removed the lid yet so it's not like my beverage featured a particular hue that she could have recognized. I felt like I was on some kind of hidden camera reality show. If I was though, this show seems like it would be terrible so this could not be the answer, I thought to myself.

After all of this had passed through my mind I said that that’s interesting and proceeded to tell her that I was trying to consume all the unique beverages that Athens had to offer. She laughed upon hearing this. Really hard actually. I wasn't sure whether to laugh too or be slightly offended but I decided to laugh too. She told me good luck and then walked out the door, and that was it.

Maybe the situation wasn't actually weird at all. Maybe I'm just weird. Maybe that story was not at all worth sharing. Regardless, it's time for my review on Perks' "Sweet Ol' Uncle Grey". Now once again, I'm not a huge tea drinker but the other ingredients really neutralized the beverage so it wasn't overly tea(y). Earl grey lovers beware though, this beverage is much sweeter than I had expected. It tasted more like warm milk with a hint of earl grey tea. i wasn't a huge fan of this drink but I may be being a bit biased because of my sour relationship with various teas. If you are however a tea drinker, especially fans of earl greys, this beverage could be a great cure for those extended-winter blues. Damn groundhogs.



4 comments:

  1. I found the "i". ;) I've actually never been to Perk's yet, that's on my list to try their coffee. My admit though, I would have been weirded out by that old lady too. Hmmm, as I was reading I thought you were going to talk more about her and what she said to you or how she knew, but then you said she just left and that was that. Kinda bummed me out, but oh well. Nice post.

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  2. Sounds like an interesting drink! I agree with you that the "encounter" was a bit strange in a friendly way though. Interesting post pat! I also have some beef with the groundhog and wish it would warm up, but in the meantime I guess the best thing is a hot cup of something!

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  3. All I could think of throughout your post "where's the i?" I'm proud that you remembered this time around.

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  4. Thanks for the comments guys. I agree with Tricia too, I would have loved to write more about the woman but she simply laughed at me then left and that was it. I think I may venture over to Perk's a bit more often with hopes of once again running into my peculiar friend.

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