A cup of autumnal joe

Summer, the season I hate the most, is over. I'm pleased.

Here in Southern California, we have no indication that autumn has arrived. We turn the air conditioner from "full blast" to just "full" as we watch the leaves stay green.

Our only indication that fall's here is the change in the Starbucks menu. Pumpkin spice frappuccino and peppermint white chocolate mocha have replaced the fruitier, lighter and more caffeinated varieties. To be honest, I'm sad to see the summer drinks go. Caffeine is the only reason my byline keeps popping up in the paper and I'm afraid anything warm and chocolaty might lull me to sleep.

This summer, Starbucks pushed their double shot + energy beverage, which is basically two shots of espresso with Red Bull. It had a whopping 225 milligrams of caffeine, which is nearly three times the amount in one can of Red Bull. I think my byline appeared in the paper four times that day. I had a similar experience at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf with their ultimate ice blended mocha, which is basically an iced mocha with crushed espresso beans. Would you like little pieces of coffee in your coffee? Yes please!