Borders, chai, and Nick & Jessica
I finally had a chance to get out to Borders tonight to see if my chai had made it through the transition from Borders Cafe to Seattle's Best. Before I went to Borders, though, I stopped by Half-Price Books to drop off some books and videos I had decided to get rid of while decluttering (an ongoing process as we get the house ready to sell). After I got a whopping $8 for my three Walmart bags of media, I did a little browsing. I'm kind of tickled by the whole phenomena of TV shows going to DVD. They are so expensive, though, that I've never indulged. Until tonight.
I came upon the first three seasons of The Newlyweds. Let me first explain that I've seen a total of two or three episodes of this show at the most. We don't have cable. I've seen what I have at my parents' house. Let me also say I am shocked that I am so strangely but strongly attracted to this show. Maybe it's because we all now know the outcome (not like it wasn't predicted by many all along). Maybe it's because it's like watching a train wreck: you know it's going to be bad at the end, but you just can't help but watch out of morbid curiosity. Or maybe I just am anxious to hear more classic Jessica lines, like the one about "Chicken of the Sea" or "Buffalo wings".
Whatever, call me a dork, but these DVDs are going to be a fun evening escape for me over the next week or two after the kids are in bed!
On to Borders. My nightmare came true. And yes, Thomas J. Brown (who commented that "wouldn't it be funny if it turned out just like the dream?"), parts of it actually did happen. The sample I was offered was not very hot, and though the barista did not say the exact words as in the dream, she did explain that it was not as hot as she normally would make it. Also, it was indeed blander than my Borders chai, which I was also warned of ahead of time. Thank goodness, I was not insulted and called a nobody. But the bottom line is: I have to find a new drink. I have to bid farewell to the drink I loved, and hope to find a new one to take its place. The caramel mocha I decided to drink tonight was OK, but not really worthy of being called "my drink of choice". I'll try something different next time.
And maybe...just maybe...I'll be able to find the tins of powdered chai mix they used to sell in the cafe. Maybe on Ebay? They had to do something with the inventory; surely they wouldn't just dump it.
Update: Forget Ebay. Only one person selling, at 20 bucks a can, plus 10.01 in shipping fees. I love that chai, but I guess not enough to pay 30 bucks for a tin.
I came upon the first three seasons of The Newlyweds. Let me first explain that I've seen a total of two or three episodes of this show at the most. We don't have cable. I've seen what I have at my parents' house. Let me also say I am shocked that I am so strangely but strongly attracted to this show. Maybe it's because we all now know the outcome (not like it wasn't predicted by many all along). Maybe it's because it's like watching a train wreck: you know it's going to be bad at the end, but you just can't help but watch out of morbid curiosity. Or maybe I just am anxious to hear more classic Jessica lines, like the one about "Chicken of the Sea" or "Buffalo wings".
Whatever, call me a dork, but these DVDs are going to be a fun evening escape for me over the next week or two after the kids are in bed!
On to Borders. My nightmare came true. And yes, Thomas J. Brown (who commented that "wouldn't it be funny if it turned out just like the dream?"), parts of it actually did happen. The sample I was offered was not very hot, and though the barista did not say the exact words as in the dream, she did explain that it was not as hot as she normally would make it. Also, it was indeed blander than my Borders chai, which I was also warned of ahead of time. Thank goodness, I was not insulted and called a nobody. But the bottom line is: I have to find a new drink. I have to bid farewell to the drink I loved, and hope to find a new one to take its place. The caramel mocha I decided to drink tonight was OK, but not really worthy of being called "my drink of choice". I'll try something different next time.
And maybe...just maybe...I'll be able to find the tins of powdered chai mix they used to sell in the cafe. Maybe on Ebay? They had to do something with the inventory; surely they wouldn't just dump it.
Update: Forget Ebay. Only one person selling, at 20 bucks a can, plus 10.01 in shipping fees. I love that chai, but I guess not enough to pay 30 bucks for a tin.
posted by Andrea | 11:26 PM
12 Comments:
Oh no! I'm so sad that your drink really is gone! :(
And I've never seen a single episode of Nick & Jessica, but I have a feeling I wouldn't be able to tear my eyes away, either.
Chai is a tricky beast. I usually enjoy a wide variety of chai (though I must admit, the stronger the better for me). My friends in Seattle (where you can get some damn good chai) seem to prefer the bland stuff (*cough* Oregon Chai *cough*).
Good luck finding another beverage. I recently came to the conclusion that I don't like much of anything at Starbucks that's coffee-based, which makes it hard to go there.
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Have you seen this?
Asian Dolls
Hey Andrea, I have been doing a little research on your behalf and wonder if you would have the interest or energy to do a little experimenting.
First, here is a page that gives a recipe: http://www.2basnob.com/chai-tea.html
And here's a page with several recipes:
http://www.odie.org/chai/recipes.html.
Maybe sometime we could get together and have a cooking party and practice (though I don't like chai at all).
Tim likes the DaVinci brand chai that you mix with milk. Likes? LOVES. SWEARS BY. And gets the SUGAR FREE kind and likes it lots. strange but true. Only now he has to get it online because he can't find a store that sells it (so tara gets it for him for Christmas).
Sorry bout your drink! I love Nick and Jessica. I don't even know why, but I loved that show.
I found out today that Cafe Borders was being replaced by Seattle's Best. Interestingly enough, I found your blog by searching for "Cafe Borders Chai Tea" to see if I could buy some online. I called our local Borders store (Champaign, IL) and the guy said that they are replacing them from West to East and they're working in the midwest now. So if you know anyone out east, you might ask them to pick you up a couple of tins if they can find them!! This is the only Chai I've ever had; my boss got me hooked on it. I'm scared to try something else because this is soooooooo good!
I similarly found your site while searching for Borders Chai. I was very disgruntled the last time I visited a Borders (one in San Diego) and got a nasty SBC Chai. Argh.
We might need to start a Save the Chai foundation or something... I mean, they can't just leave us hanging, can they?
Dave
Hi. I was poking about on the internet to see if anyone had any sneaky stores of the chai mix for sale when I found this blog. I am glad I am not the only sad person out there. I have maybe 4 cups worth of mix left and a mostly unopened tin of pumpkin chai. I am rationing it carefully, as if my very life depended on it. I have complained at length to the deaf ears (or, rather, inboxes) of the Borders corp. Le sigh. Tazo chai tastes dreadful and Oregon chai is only mildly better.
I too am suffering the loss of chai at Borders- it will definately make me look for a new store. Nice to know I am not the only one who is addicted to the chai..it has hit the midwest
Jim
Ohio
Oh how greatful I am to find that I am not the only Borders Chai addict going thru withdraw! Try one at Dunkkin Doughnuts similar enough to get you thru!
Oh my I didnt know that this had happened. I have been in Jonesport Miane and had not had the chance to get Borders cafe chai. Becase all they have there is Starbucks (eew) and then I came across this. I was really looking forward to getting some while I was back home here in Kansas visiting for the Holidays. Well crap my day is just about shot now!
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