Get On With It

for anyone who's ever eaten a hot pocket

My mom taped Jim Gaffigan's comedy special and had me watch it a few days ago. This bit was our hands=down favorite (although I recommend checking all of it out if you can). My sister laughed inconsolably because she could more than relate to the Hot Pocket experience. It tends to resonate with the college crowd. I'm sure you at one time or another, have consumed a Hot Pocket probably for reasons of convenience, inebriation (likey), or both. Enjoy...

It's Red Again

Every year I wait for it. As soon as Halloween passes, I can see it coming and then BAM! One morning I walk into Starbucks to discover a land covered in mirth and merchandise. This past Saturday I sipped my usual grande nonfat caramel macchiato from a red Christmas cup, and I was delighted. The Starbucks holiday launch came before Thanksgiving this year, and I knew it was coming.

Just a few days before, an ad on My Space caught my eye. I followed it to the new Starbucks holiday site, itsredagain.com, and I spent the next hour on it customizing funny holiday messages for my friends and family. I immediately sent one to my mom of a nutcracker with a proper male voice telling her how excited I was to see her over Thanksgiving break. She said it cracker her up and she watched it again today because she was missing me. After my roommate got the part creepy part genuine message I sent her, she sent one to her dad. One of the highlights of the website is the offbeat “Tradition Keeper” character who acts as a holiday guide. He is a perfect blend of personable and sarcastic and a great fit for the brand.

Wieden + Kennedy in Portland is responsible for this well done “On With Tradition,” holiday campaign. In my personal experience, Starbucks has become an addition to my own holiday traditions. I even got a text from on of my best friends (well aware of my Starbucks habit) saying that she saw that the Christmas cups were in and that she was waiting for me to get our special holiday drink.

I know some people resist the holidays. I say bring them on. I wasn’t going to tell anyone, but my roommate and I started listening to Christmas carols. None of the hard stuff yet, just a little of Mariah’s “All I want for Christmas Is You” and the OC Christmas mix. After all, it’s hard to say “Bah humbug” with a mouthful of eggnog latte.