Is Nothing Sacred – #SoCS

Cheryl makes a pretty good Michelada

It’s time for Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and recent news sets up a bar rant that might work for this prompt:

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘dom.’ Use it as a word, or find a word that starts or ends with it. Have fun!”

If we were having a beer, you’d be in a mood.

“Ah, you’re here on time. At least I can count on something.”

“Uh oh, sounds like I might not want to be here. Is that Bourbon?”

“It is, and here’s his snifter of seltzer and his glass of ice. I hope you brought a couch, Dan, he sounds like he needs therapy.”

“Then I guess I need a Corona, Cheryl. Do you still have any of the spiced salt?”

“I’ll make some if I have to.”

“So, what’s up with you?”

“Don’t you read the news?”

“An item in the news that has you spun up? You’re going to have to be more specific. And remember, I don’t come here to talk politics.”

“Politics schmolitics – I’m talking news – real news – B-A-D bad news!”

“Here’s your Michelada, Dan.”

“You’re just in time Cheryl. Are you staying for the big reveal?”

“I caught the sneak preview when he asked the owner if he was going to drop the word ‘Grill’ from our name.”

“Oh, I get it now. It’s Dunkin’…isn’t it?”

“No, It’s DUNKIN’ DONUTS – they have no right to change that.”

“Well, technically, they own the brand. I mean…”

“Do NOT defend them. They owe us the ‘Donuts’.”

“How do you figure?”

“What’s a brand without customers? We made Dunkin’ Donuts a thing, not some smartass marketing guru who’s waiting for the ink to dry on his stock options.”

“You might be right, he’s only been at Dunkin’ about a year.”

“Dunkin’ DOUGH-NUTS! If you please.”

“Hey, I’m on your side, but I’m not sure there’s anything we can do. It’s not like I’m going to Starbucks.”

“Don’t get me started on the Grande, Venti, Trenta knuckleheads. But tell me Mr. oh-so-understanding, what is it you’re dunkin’ into your coffee?”

“A donut. I get it. And, if it’s any consolation, I and at least one analyst think the idea is bad for business.”

“I like hearing that. What does he base that on?”

“She.”

“She what?”

“The analyst. She’s a she – female and like that.”

“Fine, what does she base that on?”

“She says that Kentucky Fried Chicken and Dairy Queen both hurt their brands when they changed to ‘KFC’ and ‘DQ’ respectively.”

“KFC? What does that even mean?”

“That’s the thing. Unless you remember Kentucky Fried Chicken, you would have no reason to suspect that KFC sold chicken. Especially if you’re outside the US.”

“So, where does this stop?”

“I don’t follow…”

“This predominance of acronyms and key-words. Will Taco Bell become ‘Bell?’ Will Home Depot become depot? Will Cheez Whiz become ‘Whiz?’ I mean God knows it’s not cheese. What about Domino’s Pizza? Will that just be Dominos?”

“Oooh, then they could use Van Morrison as a spokesperson.”

“You think this is funny?”

“I think you might be getting carried away.”

“Look at the tap handle, ‘Bud Light’ – what do you suppose they’ll turn that into?

“ ‘Dishwater’ I mean, if there’s any truth in advertising.”

“See how funny it is when you go to Dunkin’ Park to watch the Yard Goats next year. Dunkin’ Park…that sounds like the place where they drown witches.”

“That’s up the street from the ball park.”

“What?”

“The Old State House. That’s where they drowned witches. Technically, they hung them, but the result was the same…dead witch.”

“Dead Witch – that sounds like the name of a craft beer.”

“Speaking of beer, any chance you want to add more alcohol to this conversation? I do like selling from that top shelf.”

“I will have another glass of John Howell’s Bourbon.”

“I probably shouldn’t remind you that it’s actually Willett.”

“No, you should not. Cheryl knows what I mean when I say ‘John Howell’s Bourbon’ – there’s a connection there. It’s not a transaction, it’s not an app, it’s a conversation between friends. It’s loyalty, which is something companies no longer understand.”

“Once again, I get it. I think the name change us stupid, but I don’t think we can stop them.”

“Maybe Tim Hortons will expand into Connecticut.”

Close but no cigar – I had to edit. When I saw the prompt, I immediately thought of “Domino” by Van Morrison, but I needed a second chance to make it work. Speaking of second chances, Cheryl published “Scenes From a Wedding/Day One” earlier this week. I wonder if “Day Two” is coming? And, if you’re a fan of Van, check out this classic on The Immortal Jukebox. Also, I’m giving a second chance to some travel pictures from our trip through Pennsylvania.

We were never quite sure what the weather was going to bring us.

Everything that doesn’t go through, has to go up and over.

Central Pennsylvania is very pretty country.

No Facilities – it’s hard to escape

We are about halfway home at this point.

I know, it’s a gravel pit, but it’s in a very pretty setting.

Central Pennsylvania is home to some of the most expensive sections of the Interstate highway system. I think you can see why.

When they couldn’t go over it in central PA, they cut through it.

“What the…I hope I don’t have to do anything about that noise.”

“Ahhhh, no cause for alarm.”

Somebody brought Munchkins to work today. Yes, we also stock their coffee.

♫ They can’t take that away from me. – I bought four of these the last time they had them.

Back in from the last time out for the evening.

It’s Dunkin’ – in central PA, the cups carry the Nittny Lions logo. Not a welcome sight for a Pitt fan, but good coffee.

It’s always a welcome sight. I can only imagine what the new signs will look like.

Maddie is trying to sleep. that’s the Scooby Doo blanket I rescued from my mother’s Goodwill bin.