Tuesday, August 14, 2001

Hey I need to cheat because there is a company newsletter deadline and I’m under the gun. You guys are going to get the basis for my article this month. A follow-up piece to my award winning “ICE” article, this is my ode to the cup. I have to give Eric some credit even though he called me Lyle Alzado for my decrease in girth. (It’s not nice to pick on a man’s boyhood idol even if said same idol didn’t exit the planet gracefully.) Begin cheating: I let you all know about the importance of quality ice but as a friend of mine pointed out I neglected a crucial element; the container. This is the most important decision you will make (aside from your ice source) so it requires some planning. The first thing you need to consider is where you’re going to use your container. If it’s just around the house or in the office you need to need to take the sweating into consideration. There is never a coaster around when you need one so insulation is the key. Find as much as possible. If none is available use the following cups, Plastic, Styrofoam, Wax-coated paper, and finally paper. This order mainly pertains to long term stability. This is especially key if you are going to use the cup in the ambulance. Nothing worse than a pop you couldn’t get back to for an hour that has worked its way through the sides and bottom of your cup. By the way, there is no perfect system for an ambulance or medicar. The big bulky ones that are the most secure take up way too much room. The small efficient looking holders are basically useless. I’m to the point where my old laptop bag is the best I have found. It will hold every bit of paperwork I need plus the other side can accommodate all cups except the whopper. The whopper also known as Goliath can currently be found at most major purveyors of pop. Never pay more than $3.99 for a new cup and it should always include your first fill. The current ounce high mark is 64. The cups are much bigger because they now include a much needed insulation layer. This makes it possible to still have ice at the end of your shift. I know it’s a little different for me but those of you who feel stupid carrying that tub of liquid around they do make smaller sizes. The next step in huge pop evolution will include a design that will stay up in a golf cart or on a boat. I have a feeling some type of self righting gyroscope is in development. Obviously the next in this hard hitting series will be on preferred bathroom stops while on duty. Stay tuned. 12:00:00 AM    says you