Which drink best describes YOU?

I'm a firm believer that beverages are the key to the meaning of life. They're also pretty freakin' cool.

Most of you know my interest (obsession) with soda pop collecting - cans, bottles, signs, trinkets, old Pop Shoppe memorabilia, blah blah blah. I've also recently discovered the world of gourmet beverages. It seems there are more and more specialty and retro sodas finding their way out of obscurity and back into North American beverage coolers. Take The Pop Shoppe, for example. Up until 6 months ago, it was a pleasantly retro sugar-water filled to the crown cap with nostalgia so thick you couldn't sip it with a straw. You could mention Pop Shoppe to pretty much anyone around 25+ and they had some memory of it from the late 70s and early 80s. And now, Pop Shoppe is back as a gourmet 'feel good' soda - out of the dirty red plastic cases and into sleek longneck glass bottles, doing away (at least for the moment) with the familiar 70s 'stubby'.

Other more mainstream brands are also getting in on the 'special edition' craze. Cadbury Beverages recently got in on the action with the limited edition release of Sour Apple Crush, available only in Canada. (Thanks to Sam for posing in the photo here with the new Crush variety!)

And I'm not an energy drink connoisseur by any means, but when I saw 'spaz juice' when I was out and about today, I just had to have it. Seriously - this is an energy drink filled with taurine, caffeine, and inositol - if I wasn't a spaz before, I darn sure will be after I down this stuff. The tagline says it all: "All the energy you need to annoy everybody else".

And my most recent find that made me giggle out loud like a school girl: "Yellow Snow Lemonade". I didn't even look at how much it cost, and I don't care how it tastes - I snatched it up, grinning from ear to ear all the way to the cash register.

Yes - I'm a marketer's dream. I also know what I like, and the soda I drink somehow defines me as a person. This doesn't bother me in the least because I know that I'll always prefer Diet Coke over Diet Pepsi... and despite my knowledge of the beverage landscape, I can easily be influenced to purchase a new soda based solely on the name or the packaging. Kind of the same effect as the flashing lights and warm colours of Las Vegas. That's why I don't gamble. Or maybe that's why I SHOULD gamble... Hmmm.

But I digress.

So whether you drink tea, coffee, beer, wine, water or soda pop (I'd certainly endorse the last choice for obvious reasons), the brands you choose and the substance contained in those cans and bottles is what ultimately makes the world go 'round - it defines you as a consumer (at least that's what the big cola companies would LIKE you to believe). Don't believe me? Next time you're out, have a look at the number of soda machines on your route... many also sell water and juice, but if it's Dasani it's Coca-Cola you're supporting; if it's Aquafina, you're drinking Pepsi's concoction.

And as for putting something 'fun' on the market, I'm kicking this idea around: Put a heavily carbonated citrus drink into a clear bottle and call it "Get Gas" or "Pass Gas". If people would buy Yellow Snow or Spaz Juice, I'm willing to bet they'd drink da gas.

School's out, but Class with Mr. Matthews is in...

These are the kind of days when I love my job. Tomorrow could be different, but for one day - at least - I'll revel in my chosen profession. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to be the guest speaker for a "Writer's Craft" summer school class at Rosseau Lake College. The class wasn't large by any means (only three students, as it turns out)... but it made for an easy discussion group and an informal visit.

I've been in the journalism/publishing profession for nearly 10 years. When I was in high school I took an English Writing course and it changed the path I was on and helped me turn in the direction I ended up taking. So when the chance came up to give a little bit back to some kids - most of which don't really know what they want to do after high school - I volunteered to speak.

And as much as I hate public speaking of any kind, I did it willingly and gladly.

My first question to these three - Brent, Ceilidh, and Stephanie - was why they chose to take writer's craft. One wants to work in economics and wants to excel in the writing aspect of that field. One isn't really sure what she wants to do... and the other one, well, he needed an english credit. Certainly all very valid reasons for trying their hands at writing. In fact, some of the best writers nowadays never intended on being employed by the written word.

I talked for a while about how I got into publishing right out of college. I went from my work-term at a local publishing house directly to my first publication "Freeze Frame" only a couple of weeks after I finished there. It was a crash course in layout, design, magazine publishing, and small business. I folded Freeze Frame (twice), started and ended 'Internet This Minute' and 'The Wrestling Ringsider' in short order. Then I took on the Canadian Klaxon and started Soda Pop Dreams Magazine - both of which I'm still doing, nearly 9 years later. These days I seem to be working on two or three publications at any one time; and I love all of it.

When we finally got to the topic of the editorials they're working on for the class, they were all as current and varied as you could imagine. Brent was writing about the NHL Lockout - certainly a timely issue that has effected millions of fans and is still being felt across North America where economics are concerned.

Stephanie was working on the issue of how the Harry Potter books have influenced more people to read... specifically children. So true - and to relate that further to economics, business, and the hobby that is near and dear to my heart, I also pointed out that Harry Potter is big business whether it be the movies, the franchise, or the publishing industry. Case in point: Coca-Cola's working agreement with Harry Potter and the last movies. As one story goes, Coke bused out employees from their head office to spend a day in area schools reading to school kids. Public service, yes... but positive PR - for sure.

Ceilidh was the passionate one in the group. She's been writing and researching about human embryonic stem cell research. Way over my head, but when she talks about the research it's easy to see why she should pursue a career in writing - in one form or another. Not exactly the typical teenage topic, but definitely one that has monumental purpose in life, whether you agree with her arguments or not.

We chatted about how I got started collecting soda pop memorabilia (my office is filled with it), how to go about submitting feature stories to editors, and even how to formulate the right kind of argument in an opinion piece.

In the end, I hope Brent, Ceilidh and Stephanie got something out of the hour. I know I did. Will I toss my own passions aside and pursue a teaching career? Not a chance.

Town of Rosseau Not 'Short' on Charisma

Sometimes the best soda pop memorabilia can be found in the most unexpected places.

Here in our tiny village of Rosseau, Ontario (population 400), we're right in the very heart of cottage country. And during the winter, spring and fall months, you could shoot a canon down the main picturesque street and not hit a single soul. But in the summer, the town swells with tourists, motorcyclists, and boaters who make Rosseau their main hub.

And we have a few celebrities that vacation in Rosseau as well - though for the most part, you'd never know it, since their huge luxury cottages are well-hidden off obscure sideroads. The odd time, we have a brush with these famous people, and sometimes never know it.

Last year, Kate Hudson dropped in to the Rosseau General Store and asked one of the girls behind the counter (my neighbour) who worked there to help her buy the contents to make lemon pie. Of course, as Goldie Hawn's daughter, she was staying at the family cottage.

And here's my own story: a few days ago I was at our small post office with my wife Erin. While I was at the counter filling out a customs form for my outgoing package, a man came in and stood behind us. Faye, the postmaster, found the gentleman his stack of mail and greeted him by asking: "How was your winter Mr. Short?" - he responded with a soft-spoken "fine, thank-you," as he reached over my shoulder for his mail.

As soon as he left, Erin said to Faye - "That was Martin Short, wasn't it."

"Yep," she replied. "The nicest man you'll ever meet."

I looked up from my form, dumbfounded. I went out to the door and sure enough, there he was wearing sunglasses and blending in with every other Muskoka tourist. He didn't drive a flashy car, or behave like a star. There was no entourage, no demands from a famous movie star. Just a man on vacation who came to pickup his mail.

And somehow our tiny village didn't seem so small or insignificant anymore.

But I digress. Back to soda pop. Every Sunday this summer, the Rosseau Antique Market is being held at the antique shop about a block down from our house. Vendors from around the area gather and set up tables outside the shop and sell their wares. There are many treasures (some of which I'd classify as junk), furniture, trinkets, and lots of stuff that needs to be dusted. That's the first thing my mom would notice.

The thing that I always hope for at any of these outdoor markets is finding some old soda pop memorabilia. This market never disappoints. This afternoon I came across some great items: a Coca-Cola ice pick for $10; a Coca-Cola mirror made into a clock; a few Pepsi tin reproduction signs for $8 each; some Wishing Well 300mL glass bottles; a Coca-Cola cooler for $125; and a bunch of different wooden crates like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper. Some great stuff that helps put soda pop memorabilia to the front of people's minds - the way it should be!

The Rosseau Antique Market runs every Sunday this summer (until 4 pm each week). If you're ever up in the Muskoka area of Ontario, drop by - it's a great way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon. And who knows - you may catch a glimpse of a famous person and not even know it!