23 April is Shakespeare’s birthday but it is also the day back in 1985 when Coca-Cola launched their updated “Coca-Cola” which was eventually renamed “New coke” which was eventually pulled from the market as it didn’t work. I remember listening to talk radio at the time which was full up with agitated persons all sounding like heroin addicts going through cold-turkey or the beginning of Ragnorak. I recall a woman lamenting that her constitutional rights had been violated while a man hinted we should rise up and set fires to public buildings. Eventually the howl of sharpened famine emanating from the heart of hell got the nabobs at Coca-Cola to remake the old stuff first as “Classic coke” then just “Coke” again and everyone calmed down into the conspiracy it was all done on purpose just to boost sales. People get awfully queer about their soda pop, especially cola drinkers.
Someone doesn’t drink tea and he abhors coffee but he loves his Coca-Cola, particularly Diet Coke. “’Tis mother’s milk to me” he says. He has some every morning as his DOC (drink of choice). When I met him I thought this was a unique quirky trait limited to Someone. Little did I know; he is mere one of a legion of CC devotees and don’t mess with their beverage.
I am not one to drink soda pop; I’m suspicious diet soda is no good for us and the regular stuff borders on evil. For the sake of my marriage I keep my medical views to myself lest Someone end up in court either seeking divorce or as a defendant in a homicide trial.*
Once in a while there are attempts to curtail Cola consumption for health sake but the soda pop industry spends a fortune to make sure nothing curtails such. “The Coke must flow” is their motto. I don’t think they have much to worry about. Thems that adore and/or need cola are not going to stop.
I just got word Brother #4’s son/DIL just had their baby, born this day 4/23. Last week I told her to ‘hang on’ until today given its association with Shakespeare; I would remember the birthday easier. She balked but apparently delivered (no pun intended) on 4/23 as I hoped. Brother #2’s first son was also born on 4/23. I recall telling SIL #2 to have her baby born on this day to honor Shakespeare and make it easy for me to remember – which she did.
This all has nothing to do with Coca-cola I suppose but having two nephews whose birthday is today – with Shakespeare – is enough for me to get me a Coke (diet) and celebrate.
*SIL #4 who is also a Cola-nut says she would be on his side. Stirge.
34 comments
April 23, 2019 at 2:40 PM
Mark
1……. 2……. 3….. squirrel!!!!!
April 23, 2019 at 3:14 PM
Urspo
no lack of squirrely Spos here!
April 23, 2019 at 2:46 PM
Debra She Who Seeks
I hope at least ONE of those nephews is named William.
April 23, 2019 at 3:14 PM
Urspo
No but William is Brother #3. he’s a fine man well over four feet.
April 23, 2019 at 2:56 PM
anne marie in philly
I like cawfee, tea, diet pepsi (coke sucks ass), gin/vodka/wine (no rubbish).
congrats on the new nibling!
April 23, 2019 at 3:15 PM
Urspo
Apparently one of the reason for Coca-Cola to do their change was based on the “Pepsi challenge” as enough people were choosing Pepsi for them to try this change.
April 23, 2019 at 2:58 PM
Bob Slatten
I am strictly non-soda drinking. It all tastes awful to me.
April 23, 2019 at 3:16 PM
Urspo
The sugared ones taste too sweet for me while the diet versions taste chemical.
April 23, 2019 at 3:16 PM
Sluggy
Congrats to your brother/his wife on the new arrival!
April 23rd is also the anniversary of Brian Boru’s murder. That’s a low water mark day for all of Irish ancestry.
April 24, 2019 at 6:19 AM
Urspo
His tune/march remains one of my favorite melodies
April 23, 2019 at 3:17 PM
Steven
Congrats to the family on all fronts!
April 23, 2019 at 3:39 PM
David Godfrey
Happy Birthday to all. I too was a Diet Coke, or Coke Zero devotee. I have cut back to maybe 8 or 9 a week. Iced coffee in the morning, I don’t like hot drinks hot.
April 23, 2019 at 3:41 PM
mcpersonalspace54
Congrats to the new additions to your family. I haven’t had a soda in years. I don’t like the sugared ones, and the diet ones taste funny…(and I don’t think they are good for you….)
April 23, 2019 at 4:23 PM
SusieQ
No much of a soda person. Growing up in a large family, it was a treat. We only had “pop” on nights we had either homemade pizza or spaghetti for dinner. Back when it came in bottles! Thankfully it’s not my “addiction” but I have a few friends who drink it in the morning rather than coffee. Ewe. To each his own, I guess. But I can’t imagine that stuff can be good for you! I’d rather have water. I do start the day with one cup of coffee. A few nights a week I enjoy a gin & tonic with lime. But soda I can live without.
April 23, 2019 at 4:25 PM
Susie
Oh, congrats to Uncle Spo on the new additions! Spoil them rotten!
April 24, 2019 at 6:20 AM
Urspo
Thank you for stopping by and posting a comment!
I remember too pop was a treat not a daily beverage.
April 23, 2019 at 5:19 PM
Old Lurker
I share your views on soda. I cannot tell you the number of people who were morbidly obese and lost a LOT of weight just by cutting out carbonated drinks. It makes me suspicious.
If you are hoping to pump out heirs at the rate of your niblings you had better start soon. You and Someone might be relative newlyweds but you have to settle down sometime.
April 23, 2019 at 10:11 PM
wcs
I feel as you do about sody-pop. I gave it up in 1982.
April 24, 2019 at 1:39 AM
wcs
Oh, and by the way, K is making onion soup for lunch today. With rabbit stock! He made the stock with the head and bones of the rabbit we ate for Easter Sunday. Yum!
April 24, 2019 at 6:21 AM
Urspo
I have never heard of rabbit on Easter Sunday, but this makes great sense. K is a clever person to do such soup!
April 24, 2019 at 2:19 AM
Moving with Mitchell
Very kind of the sisters in law. Congratulations on another Spodition! I’m not a big soda fan. Root beer is a splurge. I always find it funny when Jerry orders a Coke and he’s asked very seriously if Pepsi is alright.
April 24, 2019 at 4:28 AM
Catrina
My hubby (a Coke drinker) has a snappy comeback for the waitress who asks if Pepsi is OK instead of Coke: ‘I guess so….is Monopoly money OK for you?’ Usually, but not always, gets a smile.
April 24, 2019 at 6:23 AM
Urspo
That is clever!
Apparently some people can tell the difference between C and P – and demand one not the other. I think they all taste the same. I keep proposing Someone get ‘store-brand’ cola to save money but this will not do.
April 24, 2019 at 6:22 AM
Urspo
People get awfully queer about their brands yes. This is a common question in restaurants – good thing too. If a Coke-person gets a Pepsi and they can tell there is great protestations.
April 24, 2019 at 4:32 PM
larrymuffin
I always ask for The Real Thing Coke! Congratulations on the happy news, now will the baby be named Shakespeare? Imagine if the baby was born on 4/20 it could be named Cannabis.
April 26, 2019 at 10:03 AM
Urspo
I will bet you a Tim Horton tim-bit you’ve never had a Coke in your life.
April 27, 2019 at 2:34 PM
larrymuffin
Au contraire mon frère, I do drink a nice Coke but not pepsi. So now you have to pay up.
April 27, 2019 at 2:43 PM
Urspo
I am blithe to meet you at TH I want to watch you eat your prize Timbits
April 27, 2019 at 6:12 PM
larrymuffin
Can’t for health reasons, but I will take cash $$$
April 25, 2019 at 1:56 PM
Mildred Ratched
I’ve never drunk coffee or tea. I guess that makes me weird. My guilty pleasure is Coke. Give me the real thing and I’m a happy camper…
April 26, 2019 at 10:03 AM
Urspo
No coffee sounds OK to me but… no tea? Oh the horror ! 🙂
April 27, 2019 at 4:28 PM
Ravager619
I remember what happened when New Coke came out. I went for Mountain Dew and it’s been my favorite ever since.
April 27, 2019 at 4:30 PM
Urspo
Who makes Mountain Dew? Coca-Cola?
April 27, 2019 at 4:32 PM
Ravager619
Pepsi. There’s very little to no carbonation in it, so it’s quite smooth.