The "Free Hug"

On November 25th riots continued across the country over the Ferguson grand jury decision, but in Portland, Oregon something happened that put a smile on people's faces. As Devonte Hart held a sign offering "Free Hugs" tears were streaming down his face due to his concerns about how brutal police officers were to young black kids like himself. Sgt. Bret Barnum, a police officer at the site, noticed the tears and asked the boy for a hug; along with a hug he gave the boy was seemed to be a heartfelt response to his concern: 'Yes. *sigh* I know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.' The photograph taken of this moment has impacted so many people, including myself.

Sgt. Bret Barnum embracing Devonte Hart

I have watched many interviews of the police officer talking about what happened that day and his response was heart warming. Barnum talked about how this moment was something that cops do all the time but it just happened to be captured at this moment. When he saw Devonte crying he approached him as human wanting to make someone else feel better; he didn't just give him a hug he became his friend and asked him about his life. Devonte's mom was also touched by what happened; she posted a picture to Facebook that was shared throughout the web. 

This moment happening right after the Ferguson grand jury decision is a sign that change might be on the horizon. That people like Devonte will get to see the change they want to see in the world. It's a sign of peace an it is something that I believe many needed to see. The message relayed through this photograph is so powerful, so inspirational.

Link to CNN interview with Sgt. Bret Barnum

Thanksgiving In A...Tent?

De Armond camped outside of Best Buy

As people prepare for their Thanksgiving feasts one man is sleeping in a tent. Since November 11th,  Derek De Armond has been camping outside of Best Buy waiting to get the best Black Friday deals.De Armond and three of his teammates rotate as to who stays at the tent, because someone has to be there 24/7. I, as well as many other critics, believe that Black Friday takes away from classic Thanksgiving traditions. People spend the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving itself waiting in lines rather than with their families. However, Derek De Armond disagrees, he believes that waiting in these Black Friday lines has become a Thanksgiving tradition that’s every bit as important as — and more fun than — the turkey dinner. On Thanksgiving, De Armond, his teammates, and his sons will have their Thanksgiving feast inside the tent. In most cases I'm not much of a tent person but De Armond's tent is not an ordinary tent; his tent comes with three rooms, air-conditioning, a screened porch, a hammock, a flat screen TV, a tiki bar and a Christmas tree.

As many are problem wondering: what makes De Armond and his teammates start their camp-out 2 weeks in advance? De Armond has previously been a Black Friday shopper but he's never done anything like this. What made him change his technique? In the past 4 years he has he has arrived at 6 p.m., the day before, and last year he put up a pup tent but that still didn't get him the deals he wanted. Stores only offer their best deals to a limited amount of people, which means that the people in the front are the ones that get the best deals; so, now being at the front of the line De Armond has secured his chance at receiving these deals.

I still don't know if this hold up the classic Thanksgiving tradition in my eyes, but I can see how De Armond and his friends/family have made this into their own tradition; however, I don't think I am going to start camping-out in front of stores anytime soon. Do you think that you will ever camp-out in front of stores for Black Friday sales? 

Starbucks At Your Doorstep

How nice would it be to not have to wait in those long Starbucks lines in the morning? Well this may become possible soon. Starbucks is working towards having delivery in select markets in the second half of next year. I for one would be an advocate for Starbucks delivery and I believe that plenty of costumers would support this program as well.
However some good questions have arisen about why this may not work. Tony Orlando wonders how they will be able to make a profit off of delivering? This makes me wonder if they will have to charge a delivery fee or if they will have to make their products more expensive? Which leads to wether or not costumers will still want to have drinks delivered? In my opinion this is something that could make or break the delivery process. Even though I would love to have my coffee at my doorstep I wouldn't want to pay a $10 delivery fee for a $3 drink.

Starbuck's Coffee

Starbuck's Frappuccino

Another question that has arisen is wether or not they will be able to keep the coffee hot and the frappuccinos cold? I have some ideas on how they could solve this. Perhaps they could have a cooler in the car to put the frappuccinos in on the way to the delivery. I don't think hot drinks are as big of a problem as cold drinks because those will melt. For hot drinks I think that anything that keeps the heat in will keep the drinks hot. Even those spill stoppers that they started using can keep some of the heat in.
Others make points about how this can really work. David Beirnbaum makes a good point about how for most people Starbucks is an addiction and people will love that they can have their addiction at their doorstep. My own mother is proof of that. When I told her about the possibility that Starbucks could deliver to our house she could not have been happier. Even with some of these problems I believe Starbucks will make delivery possible, because it is a step forward that could really benefit the company.