End, begin, all the same. Big change. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad.

I was grocery shopping tonight and happened to wander down the soda isle - which I normally don't do, since we try to really limit our calorie-laden soda consumption these days...unless I'm buying M her favorite exam-cramming-all-nighter-pulling energy drink with the almost risque name - when I spotted something that caught my eye. It was just above the funky store brand 2 liters - coconut flavored soda. Now I've seen pineapple soda (which is good, in an overly sweet kind of way), but never coconut before. Then I saw, to the left of the "coco" flavor...SANGRIA. Yes M - sangria carbonated soda beverage. I don't know how it would taste, but I do believe we may need to pick some up next time you are planning an extended visit to mi casa. I wonder how it might fare with a wee hit of spiced rum?

Have you ever wondered just how many types of beverages the Coca-Cola company produces, and what drinks are popular outside of the United States? I have your answer: a lot, and some very weird flavors and ingredients. A lot more than Pepsi, which is totally lame. Still nothing compares to Cherokee Red, my favorite drink from childhood that is still in limited availability in Pittsburgh (I know the Sav-Mor on Brown's Hill Road has it for sale). It's just a shame I don't live there and haven't had any in years. And I'd be calling it "pop". The closest I've been able to find is a brand called Cool Mountain, in the strawberry flavor. One of the little farmer's markets locally sells it, so I make a trip way out of my way every once in a while to buy a single bottle of soda. I don't even buy any produce - just one bottle of soda. The Korean lady that runs the market probably thinks I'm nuts. Not to mention the Cool Mountain company supports the American Indian College Fund, so that's another reason I buy it. If I could find a distributor here that sells six-packs or cases I'd buy more than a bottle at a time. My second favorite novelty soda is probably Jones, although I've never been brave enough to try any of the holiday variations. I do enjoy a bottle of green apple flavor every now and then.

Since I'm on the topic of soda, I recently tried the new Mountain Dew "Game Fuel" flavor, and I actually like it better than Code Red, which is my husband's favorite. It's less syrupy-sweet than Code Red, I think, with a nice hint of strawberry. See, I like strawberry flavor. Can you tell?

There's a new magazine out that I discovered while out feigning interest in my husband's purchase of a laptop. It's so new the issue I bought is #3. As in the third published, EVAR. Ahem...I mean ever. It's called Geek Monthly, and although I think it is probably geared more towards geeky men (gamers and fanboys and hipsters, oh my!!) I still found that I enjoyed it. Enough to buy it again if I happen to see it. Of course, I subscribe to Wired, so it's kind of up my alley as far as subject matter. It was in this magazine that I discovered what I really, really want for Christmas this year: the plush Fizzgig. If you love me, any of you, you will buy this for me. If you don't, I'll be forced to buy it for myself. And, really, what's more sad than a grown woman buying herself movie plushies (which are only slightly less pathetic than normal "stuffed animals", but just barely)?

I almost forgot - I got new glasses and dyed my hair. Surprise!

M, I'll see you Thursday. I have to call Neena and make sure that the thoughtless bastages planning this soiree didn't neglect to invite her! The Doc keeps asking me if I'm doing okay. He says his wife asked him about me this morning. I appreciate their concern, and I feel badly that I didn't really try harder to get to know him better. You know I'm no good at interpersonal interaction. I have his new contact info, and I plan on checking up on him in his new role as high chief and big-wig out west. I was so insanely busy today, and for whatever reason I'm not worn out by it. Maybe because it's exciting to have a challenge again, or to feel like I'm making strides in accomplishing what I set out to do this year. Or it could be that by appearing extremely busy I am keeping a certain someone from making my office her second home and monopolizing my time. I still haven't seen the old boss around. That's probably a good thing - I'm not sure how civil I'm going to be able to remain in his presence. Seeing as I'm not a "team player" and all, and I really need to learn to play politics. You know what I say to that. Which can't be reproduced here due to self-imposed decency regulations.

I just looked at a calendar. It's almost Labor Day. It's...almost Labor Day? Eff, man. Where did the time go?