Minty Mecca

Today I am sitting in Panera. Now what I just spent the last half hour doing and what I planned on doing in the last half hour changed drastically. I came in with high expectations for myself. I was going to work on reports for work. Instead, I've been sitting here thinking of creative names for gum. 

Mystic Mint.

Let me back up a bit. Today Amy gave me a new flavor of Stride gum called Nonstop Mint. There are 2 brands of gum that I adore: Stride and Orbit. Well actually I take that back. I love those 2 brands unless the gum is fruity. Fruity gum just doesn't work for me UNLESS it's Bubblicious or Bubble Yum. Because it's expected and more accepted to throw the gum out after chewing it for a short while. You get a sugar high, blow some impressive bubbles, sometimes get gum on your face and in your hair, and THAT is a successful stick of gum. Or cube of gum, considering I mentioned Bubblicious and Bubble Yum.  For me personally, I have high expectations for my mint gum. It better give me fresh breath for a real long time. If I feel like I have to throw it out within 8 minutes of putting it in, it's no good in my book. Take Cinnamon, for example. Not a fan. Because it belongs in the trash about 5 minutes after it's chewed.

Melodious Mint.

So back to Nonstop Mint. I put a piece in my mouth and HARK! I saw that they were having a contest to see who could come up with the best name for the gum. Because I didn't have to tell them myself that Nonstop Mint is NOT Nonstop Fun. In other words, Nonstop Mint is Stop Fun. No one, I don't care who you are or how gross your breath is, wants to chew a gum entitled Stop Mint. Am I making sense?

Minty Marvel.

So I went onto Stridegum.com (if I find out that any of you have done this as well because it just makes sense, and you win over me, I get a slice of the prize) and whipped out about 20 awesome titles for Stride's newest gum flavor. I think my vocation as a teacher who spends hours and hours teaching kids suffixes and common endings and long words in general is HUGELY beneficial in this endeavor. Because alliteration is my middle name. I mean, com'n, Sedentary Sally? Who can beat it? Well anyway, before I dig myself into a deeper hole entitled, "Jaq Has a Big Head", let me tell you the good news that I didn't even realize. The winner gets 10,000 dolla dolla bills ya'll. And any reader of my recent blogs just knows how glorious that would be.

Majestic Mint.

Well anyway, I originally thought I was just coming up with a name to do a service to Stride and be a good person since I'm really good at them and my middle name is alliteration...seriously....(I was supposed to be digging myself OUT of that hole, not deeper into it) and then the added bonus was the possible money. I think that I have proven myself as a true gum advocate and again, Stride is one of my 2 favorite brands. I think they should take that into consideration. There was no box for comments, though. I should put that in the suggestion box. A comment box.

Miraculously Mint.

The great news about this contest is that you can make as many entries as you want. So presently the window is actually minimized and whenever I come up with another name I maximize...

Mint to the Max.

...it and put it in.  June 1st I'll be let known if I'm in the top 10. I feel pretty confident. Don't I deserve it though? Here are the reasons I think I have a good chance, if I haven't been clear so far...

-Teacher who teaches words and suffixes and alliterations, etc.

-I love gum more than you do. 

-Stride is one of my 2 favorite kinds.

-I am ALWAYS chewing gum. I even know how to eat food at the same time. Just kidding. That's gross, who do you think I am?

-Sometimes I DO brush my teeth then chew gum. Defeats the purpose, my (non-existent at the time) dentist would hate me...but then again, who is willing to give me 10,000 dollars, Stride or my dentist?

-I blogged about gum even before I knew about this contest, and gave a hollah to Stride even before I knew.

-I actively look for a new , unfamiliar color of Stride gum when I'm waiting in line, just because I love finding a new flavor of theirs that much.

-Because if they gave me the money I would spend 5% of it on Stride gum. I'd never have to buy gum ever again (actually, that secretly makes me a little sad to think about...I'd have to rethink that deal).

Magically Mint.

So, that's my deal. If you have ideas for a Stride flavor names, comment. I will give you a piece of the pie if it wins. Or should I say, a stick of the pack. Or, since I'll probably get a lifetime of free Stride gum, I'll give you a whole package. 

Refreshmint.

Also, we got a soda at Panera with free refills and we have taken full advantage. In fact, there's no way we could take any more advantage. Unless we stick our mouths directly under the spicket. But we wouldn't actually be re-filling because we didn't start out filling our mouths. Wow. Anyway, I feel like I've had a Big Gulp worth of Dr. Pepper....to make up for all the cookies I've consumed in the past 36 hours. And all the crap I will eat at the party tonight. Perfect. 

I should probably just put a stick of Minty Mecca in my mouth.