*As you push yourself through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd in the cafe, you admire the sparkly, purple streamers that are hanging from the ceiling of the cafe. On the far wall, you notice a balloon arch and two large balloons that make up the number “20”.

When you make it up to the front of the line, you see Dashboard standing behind the counter handing drinks to customers from the collection of fancy cups that are in a row in front of the barista. Dashboard beams at you as you approach.*

Welcome, welcome to Bandwidth and Brew: where we serve your weekly scroll fuel no matter how you take your brew!

I am glad that you were able to make it to our celebration!

*You smile back at the barista, but then tilt your head in question. You were unaware of a celebration happening today.*

Oh!

It’s our 20 week anniversary!

Bandwidth and Brew has officially been around for 20 weeks. 

Which is an accomplishment considering that we are a fictional cafe that only serves fake drinks flavored as news stories. 

But, because we are celebrating today, we are taking a stroll down memory road and handing out free drinks. 

*Dashboard glances down at the shimmering paper cups set before you, and grabs one with a straw that bends in a swirling shape.*

Weeks ago, we discussed Robert Irwin’s performance on dancing with the stars.

Well, flash forward weeks later, Robert performed with seven of the other quarter-finalists during
“Dancing with the Stars” 20th birthday party night. Turns out, Bandwidth and Brew isn’t the only one celebrating an anniversary.

The 20th birthday party night was full of this season of “Dancing with the Stars” best performances, with most contestants receiving perfect or near-perfect scores. Not only were the performances outstanding, but most were inspired by past performances of the show.

The night ended with one of the contestants being eliminated, and included a moment honoring  late judge Lend Goodman and other contestants of the show.

*You reach forward to grab the drink from Dashboard’s hands, but the barista holds back the drink from you. Dashboard’s head shakes.*

Pardon me.

I just don’t believe this drink will do for you.

After all, you have been with us since day one.

It is the least I can do to create a drink that’s especially for you.

*Dashboard sets the drink down. Confused, you watch as the barista disappears behind the counter and begins to make a drink.*

With all of these celebrations, it is making me nostalgic. 

Nostalgic for simpler times. For times that didn’t feel as chaotic as they do now.

You know who else seems to be feeling nostalgic?

Bob Dylan.

84-year old Bob Dylan performed a show at the Coventry Building Society Arena in London on Thursday night. During the show, fans had to lock their phones and any other recording device away in a pouch that was locked by a magnet.

The reason for the pouch was so that fans could be completely invested in the moment during the concert. 

Though Dylan isn’t the only artist that has requested that fans comply with these conditions, it did not stop backlash against the pouches from occurring. Some fans claim that there is no harm in filming concerts, and one even expressed disappointment as they share their concert footage after every concert they attend.

Others, however, see the point of the pouches. At concerts where the pouches were used before, people shared that they noticed that- rather than staring at screens- fans actually talked with each other before the concert. Further, fans were experiencing the concert to the fullest, not just through a recording screen.

The pouches allowed fans to travel back to a time when phones weren’t the norm at concerts.

What do you think? Do you agree with the pouches at concerts? Or would you think it as invasive if you weren’t allowed to have your phone during a concert you paid for?

*As you ponder the question, Dashboard holds out a mug to you- full to the brim with whipped cream and sprinkles.*

This is just my little thank you to you for being such a loyal customer.

Here you go: I know you like your telecommunications news piping hot.