Random Thoughts

Not a particularly creative title, I know. Today's entry is another departure, more of a personal entry. I am writing this in the computer lab of my local library. It is interesting that the library's quiet rules fall all to pieces in the computer lab. People talk--sometimes loudly. Of course, as I write this, everyone has pretty much shut up. Even the library staff do not feelcompelled to whisper when helping patrons. I find that it is easy to ignore other people's keying. But chatting and giving advice become annoying.

I am still trying to talk my sister into starting a team blog--we could call it something silly like "Sister, Sister" or some such. Of course, we'd have to come up with something other than that or else risk having the Disney Channel after us. (And after I wrote that nice review of Even Stevens, too)! She has the bizarre idea that having a blog means constant updating. She could not have gotten that impression from reading Pila Posts!! Her HTML skills are about like mine--almost nonexistent. So maybe two heads are not better than one.

I am starting to get blog envy as I look at other blogs. Eventually, the sidebar will feature links to blogs I find interesting. I have not had much time to bop around the blogosphere yet, but have found some good stuff out there. Mostly, though, I am finding that almost everyone else has a blog that looks better than mine. (That is not a slam against Blogger). It is just the truth. Many blogs have such a clean look, with interesting color combinations that are at once eye-catching and soothing. I am a little bit nervous about trying any of the free templates that are out there, for fear that something will go horribly wrong. And quite frankly, most of the templates that are available are not quite what I want. They tend to be either too masculine or too cutesy. (At least the ones I've seen). I suspect that the templates I like are designed by the bloggers themselves or by their friends. Will keep fiddling with this one as much as possible with my horrible HTML skills....

But really what is on my mind is Canada Dry. I love ginger ale. Occasionally I will spring for the really flavorul stuff that is found in natural food stores. But Canada Dry has been my stand-by pop for years. Alas, it is no longer a Coca-Cola product and has almost disappeared from the store shelves here. Canada Dry is now owned by Dr. Pepper/7-Up, which also owns Vernor's and Schweppe's ginger ales. Vernor's has a distinctive taste--much more gingery than the CD or Scheppe's. It comes on strong at first, then fades fast. An open bottle or can of Vernor's does not hold its fizz the way Canada Dry does. It is also a bit too sweet. Schweppe's (not sure of the spelling) seems weaker than CD. I have not done a blind taste test with the two, but I believe that CD is a little stronger and pleasingly dry--somewhere in between Vernor's and Schweppe's.

The stores here no longer carry CD two-liters. Some still carry the one-liters and 12-packs of cans. But even those are hard to come by. There is something to be said for being owned by Coca-Cola--at least Canada Dry had guaranteed shelf space at the grocery stores. Now, it is being relegated to third place by a company that already owns two other ginger ale brands. I hope there are some other die-hard fans out there who will let Dr. Pepper/7-Up know that Canada Dry is still a viable, well-liked product.