objects in the rear vision mirror

I miss Saturdays on the patio at Diedrich. It hit me hard today that I really wanted to go there and see my friends, hear their stories of the week and tell mine, talk about everything and nothing, maybe go for a meal later or just spend the evening talking.

I want those people back and that place. But it’s not what those people need any more, and the place is gone.

It is probably not very grown-up to want and need that big social group and the hangout. Certainly the others in that group grew out of it into something more satisfying to them, and I want them to be happy.

I suppose I should figure out what it means for me that I miss that experience this much.

Good bye Diedrich

Diedrich Coffee gives up fight
Local chain sells 47 retail outlets to Starbucks for $13.5 million to focus on wholesale bean business.

The Orange County Register

Irvine-based Diedrich Coffee, conceding defeat in the coffee shop duel with Starbucks, agreed to sell the 47 stores it owns to its Seattle rival for $13.5 million.

The local company will remain in business as a roaster and wholesaler of coffee beans. The sale includes all company-owned Diedrich and Coffee People locations. Franchise stores aren’t included in the sale.

All “non-management employees in good standing” will be offered positions with Starbucks, and managers will be provided the opportunity to interview for positions, the company said.

Here’s the company’s statement:

blabla

I could have told them all this years ago

There is a Yahoo! Discussion Group solely devoted to pissed-off investors in Diedrich Coffee:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diedrichforum/

The Register ran an article about it today.

I like the fact that the pissed-off investor’s pissed-off introduction refers to Gloria Jean’s as their “best business.” Actually I remember their “best business” and it was kinda different from that. Kiss your cash goodbye, guys. Maybe Starbucks will give you a nickel on your dollar.

I found Bree’s sentencing info.

I spent 75 cents or so at the federal court website because I wanted to know what happened to her, what her sentence was etc. They took her in May of 2004 and she didn’t get sentenced until March 2005. One count of armed bank robbery and one count of using, carrying, or brandishing of firearm during crime of violence.

Looks like she got 18 months for the bank robbery and 5 years for using a gun to do it.

She pled out on 3/25/2005:

Docket Text: MINUTES OF SENTENCING held before Judge Cormac J. Carney as to Brianna Catherine Cery (1) count(s) 1, 2. Bureau of Prisons for a term of 18 months on count 1 and 60 months on count 2, to be served consecutively. Supervised release for five years on count 1 and three years on count 2, to be served concurrently under terms and conditions of the United States Probation Office and General Order 318 and 01-05. Special assessment of $200. Restitution in the amount of $108.00. Defendant is advised of appeal rights. C/R: Maria Dellaneve (tso)

For those who aren’t local and/or are confused by this, I’m referring to this bank robber, who was a regular at the Diedrich Coffee we all hung out at. She also worked at the local Kinko’s and as a bagger at the grocery store.

She was always an odd person, very much obsessed with the occult and “magick,” and willing to bore almost anyone with lectures on the beauty of Crowleyian thought. I got along with her okay. After the grocery strike she was the only worker at the market who didn’t get the raise/good benefits deal on rehiring. She blamed this on her transgendered status and I have to agree. I’m not sure what led to the bank robbery but she wasn’t doing too well after the strike and fallout afterwards.

Whoo, 5 years in federal. Gun bad.