I’ve accomplished something monumental by finishing my first Grande Green Tea Latte. I had to work through slurps and sips and scoops of cream. I pushed as the sugar smashed against my brain. I squashed the internal rebellion of doubt that arose from my teenage anti-consumerist politics. I’m in my 30’s now and it’s a revelation to find joy in something that once made my stomach twist.

I was walking through the backstreets of Raglan with my Starbucks girlfriend. It was late and the moon was almost full but there was enough silvery light to not get scared of the dark. We had been hotfooting it along the water, trying to keep ahead of the rain.