Random Thoughts on... Crunch 'n Munch

I am usually a pretty shy person.  But, every once in a while, I will strike up a conversation with some random stranger about something innocuous.  (maybe it’s my insecurity that, where there are 2 people in a room, why ignore them and pretend they’re not there?  What is the saying? ‘A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet?’  That could be how Ted Bundy was so good at what he did… suckers like me…)

Wow, this went off the rails faster than usual. (Suddenly the Crunch 'n Munch company posts a comment requesting that I please not mention their product and serial killers in the same sentence.)

So, last Friday, I was in the kitchen getting some hot water for my tea and the vending machine guy was also in the kitchen restocking the vending machine.  He had the big box o’ snacks out and he was refilling the vending machine from the box, selecting random items.  I spotted some Crunch ‘n Munch and suddenly was overtaken by Extrovert Missynation.

“Ohhhh, Crunch ‘n Munch!  Could you put some of that in the vending machine? I love Crunch ‘n Munch.”

Mr. Vending Machine was polite enough to fill up the machine with some Crunch ‘n Munch.

Then, he filled up a WHOLE ENTIRE ROW with Crunch ‘n Munch.

I was so excited.  (I know, it doesn’t take much and I live a rather boring life…  I am also aware of the high percentage of my posts that involve/revolve around food.)

I thanked the guy for indulging my Crunch ‘n Munch cravings.

Later that morning, I was craving a snack.  You know, something that’s a little bit sweet, a little bit salty.  HEY!  There’s Crunch ‘n Munch in the vending machine!  And that’s just popcorn (a whole grain!) with a “little” caramel on it. Plus, peanuts, so there’s protein.  Yay!

Yes, this is how my mind works when I’m hungry…

So, I grabbed my dollar, headed down to the kitchen and hit the ol’ A-9 button for some Crunch ‘n Munch goodness.

For 90 cents.

And then I opened the bag.

90 cents?!!?  For this?????

The bag’s only ½ full!!!!  What the Crunch ‘n Munch!?!!??

So, I paid 90 cents for 1 oz. of Crunch ‘n Munch.  Now, I’m no economist, but I work with a lot of them and I’m pretty sure they would tell me that was a bad deal.  I got hosed.

Curiously, my Crunch ‘n Munch cravings trailed off.  

Until Thursday afternoon.  I glanced at the vending machine (as I filled up for my 3^rd or 4^th cup of tea that day) and noticed there was a lot of Crunch ‘n Munch left in the vending machine.

Suddenly, I felt, conflicted.  Am I responsible for making sure the Crunch ‘n Munch is eaten so Mr. Vending Machine doesn’t think he made a bad choice indulging my craving?  Should I start a division-wide publicity campaign for the Crunch ‘n Munch?  What the heck is wrong with me and how do I fix this????

I figured I’d give the Crunch ‘n Munch another shot.  Maybe I just got a stingy bag.

90 cents.  A-9. Drop.

Nope. 

Still ½ full.

I tried. I bought 2 things out of the vending machine over the last week (and that’s actually 2 more than I usually get).  I cannot single-handedly consume the entire overpriced Crunch ‘n Munch in the vending machine.

I felt fine about my decision and my actions.

Until the next morning, when I was headed to the kitchen to get some hot water and I heard the rustling of candy wrappers and chip bags.  Mr. Vending Machine was back to refill the vending machine.

So, I did what any self-respecting person would do.  I quickly and quietly dashed back to my office to wait a few minutes until he left.  I didn’t want to have to explain how the Crunch ‘n Munch was still there. I didn’t want to say “90 Cents for one friggin’ ounce? Of popcorn?  Are you crazy????”

Le sigh.  (ok, le cower…)

Next time I want Crunch ‘n Munch, I’ll just go down the block and pick some up from the CVS.  At least then, I’ll get some extrabucks for it…

Random thoughts on... TEA

I am not a coffee drinker.

There.  I said it.

Hubs is; he's a HUGE coffee drinker. (like 10 cups a day, some of which are brewed and consumed late in the evening!)

I like tea.  Lots of different kinds of tea. 

In fact, taking a look at the collection of tea I have in my desk at work makes me wonder if I don't have a problem...

keep in mind, this is just the stuff I have AT WORK.  There's even MORE at HOME!!!  Plus, this picture doesn't include the loose bags of P&G Tips, Maple Tea, and Madagascar Vanilla Rooibos Red tea stashed in a little baggie...

Now, while I don't enjoy drinking coffee, I love the smell of it.  And, occasionally, I will drink a cup.  Particularly if I happen to find myself at a Dunkin' Donuts; I'll get a medium french vanilla with extra creme and extra sugar.  One the rare occasions that I do have a cup of coffee, people usually make fun of me beacuse I put so much creme and sugar in it.  But, with tea, I drink it straight up. 

Actually, I can't stand milk or sugar in my tea.  I think it tastes gross.  (I know, I know, my "Southerner" card has just been revoked and Southern Living has just cancled my subscription immediately, but I CANNOT STAND sweet tea.  I think I am the only person born below the Mason-Dixon line that always orders UNsweet tea; even at chik-fil-a and Bojangles...)

I prefer to enjoy the flavor of the tea all by itself. 

Somebody once told me that they try to like tea, but after a few sips, they realize that it just tastes like hot water to them.  Not me.  I don't want to sound like a tea snob, but I can DEFINTILEY tell the difference in taste between a certain black teas, green teas, white teas, and hot water.

I just finished drinking a cup of the "Chocolate Mint" tea included in the picture above.  I must admit, the first time I tried it, I was skeptical.  And it smells a lot stronger than it tastes.  But it tastes so nice; it's like an Andes Mint, without the sweetness.  It also has the benefit of making my office smell really nice and reminding me of a crisp fall day. 

There are actually many teas that have a flavor memory for me: The Mango Ceylon reminds me of the middle of summer beacuse that is when Hubs first gave me an iced tea pitcher along with a box of Mango Ceylon to make iced tea with.

Bigelow's Constant Comment (which is one of my absolute faves: if any freinds are ever stumped on what to get me for my birthday, you can seriously go to the grocery store and get me a box of this and I would be soooo thrilled!  In fact, it's a gift my dad gives my mom every year for Chirstmas and she loves it. - or, she's a really good actress...) anywho, Constant Comment reminds me of the holidays.  A spicy citrusy blend that just FEELS like November and December to me.

And, I find watching the tea brew in my cup kinda relaxing.  I enjoy watching the layers of flavor emerge from the tea bag as its submerged in the hot water.  Seeing the flavors swirl from the bottom to the top as the water darkens and the tea steeps stronger. 

Kooky, right? Some folks enjoy the hustle and bussel of yelling their order to an indifferent barista in the special starbucks language, but give me a clean mug with some hot water and a bag of tea, and I'm a pretty happy girl.