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The Ross Blog

WAY early and a corporate love letter.

August 16, 2006

Good morning, blog buddies!

It's WAY early here on the West Coast, but I'm up and showered and all ready so Louise and I can leave our house by 6:15am and hopefully make it to the airport in time to catch my 8am flight up to Washington State to visit my mom for the next 10 days!

Really quickly, though, I wanted to tell you about an email I received recently.

But first, let me remind you about something I wrote in a blog entry on July 17th:

July 17, 2006
Near my house there’s an empty lot and, every morning as Louise and I walk past it, I think about the letter I want to draft to the Starbucks corporation. I want to beg them to move into my neighborhood. But how? Should I write them a letter? Should I picket? Should I write the Make a Wish Foundation? Suggestions?

(Click HERE to view that specif entry in its entirety)

Well, I took matters into my own hands and emailed the Starbucks corporation by going to HERE (a place for customers to make suggestions) and writing them a letter. Here's what my letter said:

Hello!
My name is Ross Mathews. I work on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. On the show, they call me "Ross the Intern". Anyway, on my blog (at www.nbc.com/rossblog ) I mentioned that there's an empty lot near my house on which I wish Starbucks would build a store. As a daily Starbucks customer, this would seriously make my life easier.
I know this may seem crazy, but I'm curious if and/or how one could actually make a request like this.
I hope to hear back from you because 1) I'd like to post your response on my blog and 2) I'm, like, serious about that Starbucks near my house.
Thanks!
Ross "The Intern" Mathews

Now, I recognize that I might be just a little bit insane. But it worked. Today I got this response:

Hi Ross,
Thanks so much for your suggestion regarding a potential Starbucks store location. I love Burbank! I used to live in Santa Barbara until January 2006 and Burbank was one of my destinations.
I love watching the Jay Leno show. Can I get a t-shirt? Just kidding. Well, let me see what can be done about putting a store next to your house. Thanks for letting us know about the spot.
We're always looking for great new places to open stores, so I'd be more than happy to pass along your comments to our store development team for their consideration.
Thanks for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate your interest and look forward to seeing you in our stores soon!
Warm Regards,
Gerard L.
Customer Relations Representative
Starbucks Coffee Company

See?!? I MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD, AND SO CAN YOU!!!

So, as I travel through the skies of this great nation today, go out and make a difference... just like I did!

:)

Have a good day, blog buddies!
Ross

Comments


Way to go, Ross! Hope you & Louise have a great time in WA with your mom! Stay safe and remember not to pack any hair gel or liquids in your carry-ons. With all this terrorism s**t going on, I do worry about people flying. Again, do be safe & cautious.....and if you can, send a blog or comment to let us all know you & Louise made it safely to your destination.

Love ya, Ross!! You're awesome!

Jackie_Choctaw_Gal

 

Good for you Ross.. WOW i cant believe someone actually responded thats sooo cool.. I wonder if that would work to get Tim Mcgraw to come to my house!! hehehe anyway have safe and wonderful trip to Washington to see your mom.. Have lots of fun and take TONS OF PICTURES

 

Hey, McGraw Chick!!
Maybe Tim might show up if you extend that invite to include Faith, Maggie, Gracie, and little Audrey....unless you have a sinister MO in mind, in which case we'd have to call on Dr. Phil McGraw!!!!!
Just kidding :) :)
Rock on!!!!!
Jackie_not_Beat

 

Happy vacation, Ross.
Hi Mom!
Aloha.

 

Hey Ross,

Hope you and Louise have a safe trip.. and that starbucks decide to move into your neighbourhood ;)

 

Did Starbucks send their coffee card to you? I hope something like $1000.

Have a good time with your mother.
I know you don't have to eat whole pizza just for you.

Sending my Aloha.

 

that is awesome ross! dontcha just love when the 'big corps' respond personally? i hope you get your wish.

have a great trip! and hey...any tips you can share on travelling w/pets? i'm planning on taking tucker w/me on my next trip back home. have a safe flight! hugs to mom!

 

Cool Ross! I am going to try:

Dear Wonderful People at "30 Rock",

I love this show even though it hasn't even started yet. Please can I be a writer? Please?

Sincerely,

Joy Zaczyk

There. I hope I have made a difference.

Happy Holidays Ross and Louise! Mom, are ya excited? :)

 

That's too cool! Not only about Starbucks writing you back, but that you're up and around so stinkin' early! I wrote an email to the Sci-Fi Channel a little while back telling them what a disappointment it was to see wrestling move into their lineup. This was during a glorious Twilight Zone marathon, so it totally caught me while I was vulnerable. LOL No. I'm not a Sci-Fi dork, but felt that it was definitely worth commenting on. Bluh!

Your mama is going to LOVE you being back home!!! Hope she feeds you some good home cookin'! :) And I hope Louise doesn't tinkle on the plane...you know how they're being anal about the liquids and such. LOL!!

 

Ross you inspired me to email Starbucks! I lived in Denver and there was literally a Starbucks on every corner and in every grocery store. When I moved to NC (Yuck!) the closest Starbucks is like 15 miles away! Can you imagine?! Hopefully, I'll get a response! Have a wonderful trip!

 

So I just got off of work about an hour ago now. Yes I went in at 2:45P.M. yesterday and got out around 6:20A.M. I am tired yet so awake! I still have to go in this afternoon, so I need rest but not tired, HOW don't know!!??!!

Have a very safe trip and "call" when you get there so we know your OK!!

I will be needing Starbucks later! Carmel Frappuccino!! YUMMY!!!!! OMG that is so exciting to hear back from a big company like that so cool!!

I think I'm tired now.

Hugs and Kisses

 

Hey there Ross!

Hope you have a great time with Mom! Enjoy the vacation and relax!!!!! Happy Travels - he he he

 

hey ross! hope your flight goes well, they always make me nervous!

also, i'm flying from phoenix to chicago on sunday and was curious about the whole getting-there-a-ridiculous-amount-of-hours-early deal..was it really that bad? i'm soo not looking forward to it! let me know! :) and HAVE FUN!

 

Ross how exciting! I wish it was that easy to get all of my faves from up north down here to TN. Everything here is BBQ... ugh.

I wanted to share something with you because I find it really neat. When you asked your bloggers to ask a question for psychic, I sent you one. I asked if I was going to be able to conceive children since my husband and I have tried for so many months already with no results. Well, I took a test today with a big fat '+' in the result window! I am so elated and just wanted to share that with you. Have a great vacation with you Mother and be careful flying!

 

Maybe I could get Starbucks to open a store in the office of my apartment complex...better yet, there is a laundry building right out my front door, just about the right size, water hooked up already and everything...hmmmmm. Pay to wash clothes or pay to have a great wake up??? Doesn't seem like much of a choice to me!

 

Hope you have a wonderful trip. My hubby had to get up at 2am to get ready for a flight. Thank goodness the shoes he took did not have gel insoles as he discovered those are a no no. He was lucky since his favorite shoes had the gel insoles that came with them. Maybe a little voice told him to not wear them for the first time. Watching news - plane from London diverted to Boston escorted by F-15's screwdrivers and matches and a letter about al qaeda found on it. Somebody goofed in London security.Plane on its own runway and all baggage being unloaded and set out on runway. The plane was on route to DC.

 

Good for you, Rossalicious!!!! Nice to see that your comments weren't unnoticed! I hope that Starbucks crops up soon! Have a safe flight! Can't wait to hear about your adventures with Mom and maybe Boni!

Hope you all have a great day! IT'S HUMPDAY!

Trish

 

What you can't be 'gellin' lke Magellan" on a plane any more? I hadn't dreamed of that! Making a shoe bomb with your show insole? Sheez, what will they think of next? Maybe Crocs are the only shoe for flights now. OR flip-flops.

Anywho, I've prayed for your safe flight. I know MOM is excited about the family being together again. All the other bloggers have said it but, I too wish you a relaxing and enjoyable trip. You deserve the rest. Just don't forget to send us that pic of MOM in her famous hat mowing the yard!

 

Wow, Carrying on about the lack of a Starbucks and a little letter writing campaign and from your Lips to God's ears you may get your Starbucks. :lol: :lol: :lol: Let's hope our Oprah letter Writing Campaign as well as The Ellen Show Campaign has the same results. ;) ;) ;) Sometimes just being passionate about something and following through with a letter really can make a difference. Be Safe and let us know that you & "Weezie" arrived safely! Have lots of fun and...and Take Mom out for Steamers...she's been craving them ... I think she's been dreaming about dipping them in the Garlic Butter :) :) :)

 

It's amazing what a little caffeine deprivation will do for ya!
looks like a TTS gift pack should be headed Gerald's way!! An extra little "incentive" to make sure the deal goes through if ya know what I mean!
Happy travels and I am so excited for your MOM TIME!!!!!
There is nothing quite like it! Plus it will be nice for you to be able to enjoy a little PNW weather.. you know.. weather the way it SHOULD be!
have a great time Rossi!
bisc

 

Thanks for the info Ross. The closest Starbucks to me is a little more than a mile away from me. Mmm coffee.

 

I've written a number of letters to corporations over the years - Ticketmaster, Tim Hortons and even Kellogs - it's ususally to complain about a product or a service. I've almost always received a reply - sometimes it's a standard letter and other times it's a personal letter. I wrote in to Kellogs after I bought a jumbo box of Raisin Bran only to discover that there were probably only 10 raisins in the entire box! No joke, there were barely any raisins in the cereal. So I sent them the UPC code and told them about the lack of raisins in the box we purchased. They sent me a letter apologizing and 2 coupons (valued at $7.00) for any item that Kellogs produces.

 

Way to go Ross! You never know unless you ask. Hope you get your Starbucks!!

Have a great vacation.

 

I'm with Biscuit - send the darned T-shirt! I'm sure it will go a long way to getting that construction under way. Have a safe flight Ross and you MUST give Mom and great big hug from all of us here in blogland.
BTW, Congrats Kristak on your positive test result! What wonderful news!!!

 

I hope you had a safe flight. Does Louise get to sit with you on the plane or does she have to go with the baggage? I hope she isn't too traumatized by the flight.
Have fun with Mom!

 

Well, as everyone has seen on the blog post today (if you haven't experienced something similar in person), letters DO work...soooo??....whatcha waitin' for? Let's be pushy and get Ross on Ellen. ;)
http://groups.msn.com/TheUnitedFansofRoss/homepage

KristaK, I'm SOOOO excited for you and don't even know you! I can feel your excitement through your post. See, Darlene, ya can feel a connection with folks even if you haven't ever spoken. ;) Keep us posted, KristaK!

Pinky, I'm waiting for that trip, kiddo! :)

Happy Wednesday!♥

 

Hey Ross, have a great and safe trip!!!! You're gonna have a really fun time catching up with Mom!! I hope Kona and Louise have a great time too...

Am in agreement with Bisc and CanadianGirl - send the t-shirt and maybe that new Starbucks will pop up soon!!!!

Congrats to KristaK on her good news!!

 

Ross,
Take MOM out for steamers. She's craving them!! The Starbucks letter is great. You should read Paul Davidson's book "Harresing(?)corprate America. Hope you have a safe flight with Louise and make sure you kiss MOM from all of us.

OH yeah Ross send the shirt!!!

 

You're an inspiraton!!! My Starbucks letter is attached! (Maybe you'll have some pull in this )I'm a huge fan, Thanks for the idea!
Kristen


Im just writing with a suggestion of a new store location. I currently live in Sumter, SC where my husband is stationed for the USAF, it is a small but growing town, but the closest Starbucks is 45 minutes away. There is absolutely NO WHERE, where you can get a decent latte, or just to sit and enjoy with friends. Everytime a new business opens here, people are all over it! They are desperate here, and quite frankly so am I, so please consider Sumter SC as a new location. I'll even apply to work there, cause I would just be thrilled. Thanks !

 

Mr. Mathews, I too wish you and your Dog-ter a safe, uneventful flight (though by now you have already flown, so I wish this for your return trip). I have not really "spoken" with you, but I have chatted in the chat room with your mom and it seems to me you are one lucky guy. I hope you both enjoy your time together.

KristaK--- WHOOO HOOOO!!! I am so very excited for you. You don't know me, but I have 4 kids and I have read a lot of books, which makes me a quasi-expert. If you have any questions, the "good" ones you'd ask a girlfriend, but maybe are too shy... use this semi-annonymous forum and feel free to ask me, I am often in the chat room either early in the evening, or LATE late at night. CAONGRATS!!!

 

Well, looking at the clock and knowing how early you left CA, you must be at home with your mom and family right NOW!! Hurray!! How did it go? Was the airport crazy? Any advice for those of us about to fly in the next couple of weeks? (and not terribly thrilled about it!) I am soooo hoping it goes smoothly!

You know....you are now in the land of Starbucks. This is where is all started!! So you should maybe pay a little visit to corporate headquarters (with a T-shirt in hand) and see if you can get "a suit" to consider your proposal a little more seriously!! Of course, sending it to the person in the letter could be all the persuading you need!!

We can all make a difference in some small way. I like to smile at Muslim women with head dresses on... you know they must get a lot of funny looks. I also like to smile at people in a bad mood and tell them they are pretty, or something complimentary... it is fun to see if you can change someone's mood! So write a letter or just smile at someone!! OR BOTH!!

Hugs to MOM, Ross!!

 

Hi Ross,

Since you were ambitious enough to pursue the Starbuck's location by your house, I am following up on my desire to have you attend an event in Las Vegas!

We are the All Harley Drag Racing Association. We put on 15 National events across the US each season.
We have classes of competition that includes Harley stock street bikes all the way up to Top Fuel Harleys powered by Nitro that go 200mph in 6 seconds! Those guys are insane!

Of course we don't expect that you would want to give one of those a try, but we sure would love to see you mingling in the pits and take in the very diverse crowd you will find there. You won't go hungry either- our events are famous for the after-race cook-outs that take place through out the pits!

Keep us in mind if your are up for a trip to Vegas (Las Vegas Motor Speedway) in November.

www.ahdra.com
Lisa Cranfill

 

Mom, this must be THE longest day at work for you!...knowing your 2 and 4-footed visitors were within WA state lines yet duty calls, eh? Hope the car situation was resolved and everyone arrives in time for a wonderful family dinner. Even this vegetarian knows that house must be smelling pretty good by now! :) Have a GLORIOUS time all being together. Here's hoping maybe a picture of YOU on the computer this time, Mom? ;) Fingers crossed.♥

 

Hi Ross and Blog buddies.. Happy Wednesday.... 'hope you & and Louise arrived safe in Washington, Ross, with no airport hassles.. Let us know how it all went.
'Great that you heard from Starbucks.. I think the hint for a tshirt was cute & hope you send him one. Maybe the old "squeaky wheel" idea really does make a difference. Hope you have Starbucks in your neighborhood someday soon!
Enjoy your time in Washington!!!

 

kristak....big time congratulations!!! i remember that special moment when i was the '+' on a preggers test. how awesome!

 

Have a safe,fun trip home Ross. Give Mom hugs from all of us and let us know you made it alright! Oh and good luck with Starbuck's.

 

Way to go Ross! I sure hope you get that Starbucks. Like my momma always told me, "All they can do is say 'NO', so don't be afraid to ask."
Have a swell time with your momma and get some rest.
KristaK...CONGRATULATIONS on your good news!

 

I hope you get a Starbucks next to you. Do you think you could get one for my town too? I have to travel 2 1/2 hours to get to a Starbucks.

 

First of all, wonderful news KristaK! :-)

Ross you make me smile! I love reading your blog! Not only do I think, giggle and smile, but now I'm addicted to Starbucks! (nearest one is 10 miles from me) I'm glad you have this time with your mom. Speaking as a mother of sons, nothing is better than spending time with your boys. Can't wait to hear about mom and your trip north.

 

Ross, I love it! Can I just tell you that I am going to start working for Starbucks on the 28th. I left my career with what we would call "big box retailer" to go work for them as a store manager. I'm so pumped. Reading things like this gets me even more excited. What a great company. They better build one next to you so I can go manage it. ;-) Love ya!

 

Ross, are you single?


Patrick

 

Just found out Ross is on the rerun of the Tonight Show tonight! Too late for you East Coast folks...sorry.

Getting some newbies in chat...welcome to the new bloggers and chatters. :)♥

 

You are too funny!

You crack me up on The Tonight show Ross, and NBC's idea to have you do a blog is ingenious!

 

Hey Ross and Bloggers..:)
KRISTAK CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So happy for you and your family...GREAT!
Ross..good job on Starbucks..Ok, nobody faint but I do NOT drink coffee...Sorry..BUT, my hubby does and so I know the excitment attached to Starbucks...Hope it works out Ross..I agree with a few others..SEND THE SHIRT! Send two, and MAYBE a pass to a show..Who knows?? Just may do the trick for ya!!!!
Socalgal...I agree! Connection made..:):)
Once again I want to say THANKS to all the bloggers last night that welcomed me to chat...LOVED IT! Yall are a riot! Better then a whiskey and coke..:):) That is saying a LOT for ya with me..:)
Happy Wednesday....Ross, are you in your Moms arms yet?? Hope so! Have fun! :)

 

Ross,
Hope you & Louise made it home(to WA)safely!!! Have a great time and be sure to take lots of pix!!!

Also, congrats to KristaK on the wonderful news!!! That's awesome!!

Happy trails, Y'all! :)

 

Hey Darlene, I don't drink coffee either. I'm glad because I'm sure that would just be another one of my addictions. I hear that even our teeny tiny town is getting a Starbucks soon. If that's true, then they MUST build one near Ross. It just wouldn't be fair.
Ross--So enjoyed watching the Pirate segment on TTS again tonight. This time, my 18 yr old son watched w/me and we were laughing so hard that we woke up my daughter. You are a laugh riot, Ross, and we love ya bunches!

 

Happy Baby KristaK Great News, Babies are just so precious! Laughed again at the HMS Bounty....really funny segment.The more I watch it the more I laugh.The silly things you missed the first time cause you were laughing so loud.Welcome to all the newbies who joined us in chat tonight.Please stop by The Ross Blog too, and come back again...

 

Way to go Ross! I bet Starbucks is building next to you in no time! Probably can even work out some at home deliveries there. Might as well make your life COMPLETELY easy, don't ya think? I caught Jay's monologue and your latest Pirate venture, Captain Doily! Too Cute. I love your *Ross the Intern* adventures, also been a fan of Jay's since the Johnny days. Hmmm... ya know, I can't say where as I'm a fan of too many things, so, truly, it's a big compliment! *winks n grins* You make me laugh and laughter is always a good thing! Have a great trip and I'm looking forward to watching your blog.

 

Hey Ross,
I hope you and louise made it home safe and sound. I'm here at work tonight, so get to write you early this Thursday morning. Did you get the picture I sent you?? Congrats on the letter to Starbucks. Hopefully you get your wish and they build a Starbucks in your neighborhood. We don't have a Starbucks where I live. It's 45 miles away. :0( Although my husband and I love to treat ourselves when we make our weekly trips there to do our grocery shopping or just going to see a movie. The last movie I saw was Devil Wears Prada, my daughter and I went. It was a good movie. Have you ever had a boss like that?? Or have you seen the movie? Anyways, so how are things at home? I hope your homecoming was great. Looking forward to your blog sometimes today. Take care and have a GREAT day everyone!!

 

Hey Ross Bloggers... for those of you sleeping, check out the news about JonBenet Ramsey when you get up. The guy they arrested in bangkok (lol-to the name) has confessed to murdering the girl. He says it was an accident, that he was in love with her... Ick the total psychos in the world!

 

I just read that Meghan! Apparently Patsy Ramsey knew about this investigation before her death. I am so glad they found the guy. Maybe now the father and son can get some peace.


Ross, where art thou? Jet lagged? Happy to be home I am sure...enjoy the moments with Mom :0)

 

Hey Ross
wow what a wonderful idea to actually have somewhere to shop close by good luck on that one! I live i a small college town in west virginia and most of the students are international (salem international university).

they have no where as do the rest of the public to shop in our town because it caught fire and burned our downtown
wish we could get any store to open up!!!
Maybe a visit from ross the interin to the college and the city of salem would bring some cool ideas to the town!

think about it PLEASE PLEASE

 

Happy Thursday everyone.

Ross- I still love the line
"Paris Hilton is a ho." LMAO

Hope your having fun in Washington with MOM, Eric, and Louise. Have you met Amy yet?

 

We SO missed you in chat last night. I'm supposing that the TTS execs didn't tell you the replay of Captain Doily would be aired the night you flew home to Washington. WE covered for you the best we could. There were newbies asking about you and wondering where they could get MORE Ross segments. I still wish NBC would make a DVD of all the Ross segments for the loyal fans to purchase. They must have the tapes "in the can" somewhere. They could make up a package of the DVD and a Ross bobble-head. What a hoot that would be!

Hope you're getting well deserved R & R in Washington. YOu're our HERO!

 

First, as if you've never heard this before, my wife and I LOVE your segments on the Tonight Show. Often it's the only reason we tune past Jay's monologue.

I agree with many of the above bloggers that NBC should release a "Ross the Intern DVD" and I would seriously buy a Ross Bobblehead for my desk at work.

I'm new to the whole blogging thing so bear with me while I learn the ropes.

Hope your trip was fun (who am I kidding fun follows you like a rainbow after the rain) and that you make it home safe and sound.

 

Alec In MN, if you and the other bloggers and newbies haven't tried it, go the TURF The United Fans of Ross -http://groups.msn.com/TheUnitedFansofRoss/homepage. We have a funny story running about Moss Rathews there plus other facts. The site is run by the blogger/chatter fan, SCG.

RANDOM THOUGHT! How about a whole series of Ross bobbleheads? Ross as Captain Doily, Ross the Zookeeper with a giraffe on the stand, Ross the lumberjack, Ross shopping with Gwenyth P, Ross meets Rosie on TTS, Ross with Steve Erwin, Ross in a firefighter suit, etc?

 

Collect the whole gang! Can you imagine having all of these sitting on your coffee table and giving it a good kick and watching them all move?

 

Thank you to all of you! I am so excited and it still seems so unreal! I am telling my parents tonight, which this makes GrandBaby Numero Uno for them! I hope they are as excited as I am!

Ross I love your 'adventures' and your blog is great. Enjoy your vacation and give little Louise a kiss for me!

 

hey ross i was wondering please dont take it personally but r u gay i just noticed ure voice is more feminine then molst men

 

Hi Ross. It was good to see you again on Jay's show last night, loved the shot with the thermo up Louises' buttsky. Hilarious. But upon hearing the price of her general checkup I almost dropped dead from shock. Take it from a long-time "Vet", you can do the same thing for free at home with a baby thermo (just keep it sterilized), and, find the some of the same meds they give the dog far cheaper by going online to animal medicine sites. DON'T BE AFRAID TO NEGOTIATE PRICE AT YOUR VET'S OFICE FOLKS!
Anyway, enjoy your visit with your Mom, Ross, and keep it real.
The "Dog Shouter, Portland,Oregon

 

HI ROSS, I ALWAYS ENJOY SEEING YOU ON THE SHOW.YOU ARE ALWAYS SO POSITIVE AND SUCH A QUICK WIT. I AM SURE YOUR MOM IS VERY PROUD OF YOU. ENJOY YOUR VISIT. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE A HOME BUSINESS AND WOULD LIKE YOUR THOUGHTS ON OUR PRODUCTS AND MAYBE SOME ADVICE OF HOW TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO VISIT OUR SITE. WE HAVE HANDMADE ONE OF A KIND ITEMS MADE OF WOOD. PLEASE LOOK AT OUR THINGS AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. I VALUE YOUR OPINION.
http://www.westernwoodcrafts.com/ THANK YOU GAIL

 

maybe with yahoo messenger

 

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Hey there Ross and all blogger friends, I am desperate to find the video clip of ross on the H.M.S. Bounty from last year. Can anyone tell me where i could find it/ download it, one of my best friends is in it and I would love to see it again! thanks pals!!!