5 for 12

The common pre-Fourth soda sale was 5 12-packs for $12, commonly in the form of buy 4, get one for free. So I made the decision to fully participate in the Dewmocracy, an attempt to extend the Mountain Dew brand with the "election" of a new Dew flavor, either SuperNova (strawberry), Voltage (raspberry) or Revolution (Wild Berry). And I got the original and Livewire to say I got five different flavors.

A recap:

• The original: Nothing beats it. It is the top dog.
• Livewire: Not new, but my preferred alternate flavor. I loath Code Red, not so much because of the flavor but because of the not-uncommon situation that restaurants would offer Sierra Mist and Code Red, but not the original. This used to piss me off, and I would rant about it, but since I rarely ever get drinks at a restaurant anymore (except for a milk shake at our tri-monthly visit to In 'n Out (speaking of which, one will be build on an exterior pad at Fiesta Mall)), it's not really an issue anymore. And the blackout (black cherry i think) I've never tried. So Livewire kind of wins by default.
• SuperNova: my favorite in the dewmocracy, but I'm biased to the strawberry flavor. Much like Livewire, it's similar to like-flavored sodas, but with an extra kick. This is not to say I'd definitely pick it out in a blind taste test though.
• Voltage: It's pretty good. I actually went through it pretty quick, rather than mixing up the flavors. After drinking it exclusively for a couple of days, the first can of the original seemed a bit off. I could live with it winning, and the raspberry is a nice change of pace, as it doesn't have that "over-sweetness" that some people claim about in the original. It looks to have an insurmountable, Reagan in '84 lock on the election, as, at the moment, it is not losing any state (it's tied for the lead in 6 states)
  
• Revolution: Fairly pointless. I'm not sure if the ginseng is more pronounced or what, but it has provides a sensation that isn't quite right. It's drinkable but the other two are far superior. I did a taste test with my dad, who generally isn't open to such things. He thought it was OK, and noted that it seemed "lighter" like a 7-Up in texture. I don't expect him to ever have it again.

Off the wagon

Joanne and Owen have been in Flagstaff since Saturday with her parents, meaning I've been severely Jacked Up. Don't let her know.

But the jacking up has been the fuel necessary to near completion of Owen's room. Between the late starts to the day, grand parental visits, and the usual decorative indecision, Owen's room hasn't been touched since February. But that's changed!

The beadboard is in, most of the trimwork is up, the window is cased. I'd include pictures, but Joanne has the camera. Somebody with a modicum of talent could probably knock it what's left in under 3 hours--I'll probably turn it into a full day. Or more. But the goal would be to finish-finish by next weekend. Owen won't quite move in yet. Probably give the room a couple of weeks to air out from the new painting (the best it can with the windows not normally open). So his target move-in day is July fourth.

Independence Day!

As for my own independence, I've been asked a couple of times if I miss Owen. But no one asks if I miss Joanne. A little odd. At any rate, I do, but it's not that acute since I know he's with Joanne. What I do miss is not being there for when he does something new--from Joanne's updates, apparently he likes traveling--he was the happiest/smiley-est he's ever been, and last night was the longest he's slept. Apparently missing me hasn't crossed his mind!

A stolen joke

Last night Joanne and I were sitting, watching TV and I mentioned to her, ‘I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle to keep me alive. That would be no quality of life at all. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.’

So she got up, unplugged the computer, and threw out my Mountain Dew.

I guess she's an enabler no more.