World of Coke and SpongeBob

Coked Up

The Rising Family™ succumbed to the temptations of limitless free carbonated beverages. We visited the World of Coca Cola museum in Atlanta, Georgia, in October. Just like its namesake drink, our stopover was bubbly and stimulating. We were seeing the Mecca of Coke, the Cooperstown of Carbonation, the Base Camp of the Boss of all Beverages…you get it, right?

Our tour began by experiencing Coke’s 125+ years of history in an expansive theater. A genial museum rep greeted us. He strode to the front and warmed up the crowd for a slick historical video focused on the company’s origins and history. The group then proceeded on with the museum tour.

For us, the main event was sampling from over 100 Coke products. I discovered my favorite foreign Coca Cola product was “Smart Watermelon” water from China. I saw a Tab cola dispenser and that made me wistful for that brand. 

I'll concede there was some tugging of heartstrings. Even 'ol sarcastic me became lost in thought. The grainy video of the famous 1971 hilltop TV advertisement featuring young people from all corners of the globe signing “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony…” still resonates. (It was recently brought back into social consciousness by the same imagery used in the series finale of "Mad Men" in 2015.) Later, I detected a slight hush in the room when our guide told us we had arrived in the vault holding Coke's legendary secret formula.

We left the Coke museum with our bags filled with small can samplers and souvenirs that we usually avoid. This time, we bought them at the memorabilia store. For jaded tourist nomads like us, that speaks volumes about the power of the Coke brand.

SpongeBob Spectacle

SpongeBob Squarepants has been a staple of our TV viewing diet ever since I first introduced the Rising Daughters to the irreverent yellow sea sponge when we visited Guam years ago. We watched SpongeBob in our hotel room while Marina napped between beach excursions. Bikini Bottom has been a regular presence on our living room TV ever since.

Courtesy of courant.com

We saw a poster advertising the new SpongeBob musical on Broadway in Times Square in 2018. The girls were intrigued, but we spent the money on seeing the Blue Man Group instead. This year, fortune smiled on us with the opportunity to see the SpongeBob musical here at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Hoppin’ clams it was a family-tastic evening. SpongeBob really rocked.

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A love letter to my LEAF

Foreword

I returned my leased 2018 Nissan LEAF electric vehicle last week. I drove it for more than eight months as a daily commuter and occasional jaunt enabler. It is a remarkable car. It is my favorite four-wheeled vehicle to drive bar none. And so…

I am writing this love letter to you, my dear LEAF. We’re been ripped apart after 4,900 miles together. Our breakup provoked anguish and adoration in equal measure. Anguish because you’ve moved on to a new driver; adoration and thanks for the time we had together. I love the way you moved me.

Driving with you was sheer delight. Almost soundless on the road, nary a growl from under the hood. Like drinking coffee on an empty stomach, you spooled up horsepower for amazing acceleration. What is more, your eco-friendly nature made you me-friendly. Without that spirited personality in my life now I must grudgingly accept a ‘normal’ driving experience.

I remember the first time I saw your younger self, with your ample, rounded proportions. You’d been launched into this world for only a few months. I was tasked to drive you to an event near Oppama, Japan. I’d never seen you before.  But I’d heard how unique you looked, how fresh your outlook, how you represented a new era that would change the world. 

You were dressed all in white, glittering in the lights of our office parking lot where I picked you up. I was warned that you were quiet. Still, I couldn’t detect if your motor was running at first, but I quickly figured out how to begin our first date. I remember my focus on not making an embarrassing move;  I gingerly guided us toward our destination at a modest pace. I could tell that you appreciated my caution and concern for your well-being. But I wasn't mature enough, wasn't ready to commit. After a few dates, we drifted apart. When we were together, though, boy oh boy the metaphorical sparks did fly.

Truth is, I tried going out with other cars, to forget you. They were so noisy, so normal, and so sullied. I just used them and walked away.

Looking back, I see now that due to our work commitments you and I drifted in and out of each other’s orbit. Sure, we flirted with other partners. But I never forgot about you, always yearned for another chance. I knew instinctively your future was bright. I hoped to be with you again as you matured. Then one day I saw you hiss along a highway on my computer screen, a silver blur. 

I had butterflies in my stomach when I first laid eyes on you. How hot looking, how modern you’d become. The coltish curves had turned into a sharper silhouette. I was nervous, unsure of myself. How could I again make you mine? But it was more than physical attraction. It was both heart and head. From our first frolic together, I knew you were fun to be with, fun to travel together. Because you'd matured, I knew you'd have the energy and stamina to take me where I needed to go. I thought, how does this ‘new you’ present yourself on the tougher roads of today’s world?

I somehow managed to get back into your good books, sink into your seats. I love that your motor doesn't have to scream to move us faster and faster where we want to go. I love that I know we will have a long future together. I love how when I look at you, despite the troubles of the day, I sense that everything will be all right. 

More and more of your cousins are plying the roads of the Earth, to help make the world greener and more beautiful. Our relationship was part of that.

The vicissitudes of life and work have temporary separated us again. Yet I know that we will reunite somewhere down the proverbial road. Until then, know that I love you. I think you're a lively soul, and practical, and good—all the things you dream for in a motoring partner. So, the question, dear lovely LEAF, do you feel the same way?