I grew up in ships where 8 and 10 cups of coffee a day was the norm. What else was there to do crossing the Winter North Atlantic then wedge yourself into a corner of the bridge with a fresh cup of brew. The brew back then was something out of a #10 can and had a marketing slogan like "good to the last drop." What did we know? Later, I lived in Hawai'i and coffee from the Big Island's Kona Coast became something of an obsession. Very deserving living in Paradise. Now, when I travel the world -- no longer in ships -- I find it downright comforting to taste the same Pike Place brew whether it's on the Circular Quay in Sydney or at terminal whatever at London's Heathrow or on a sidewalk in Tokyo. Ray Kroc was right, but he wasn't thinking coffee beans. Here's to Starbucks and one great tasting Pike Place brew!