Buffalo Sauce!

Have you guys ever wondered where buffalo wings/sauce got their name? Well I did.

So I googled it.

They are from Buffalo, New York!

And where did Buffalo, New York get its name from?

From Buffalo Creek.

And where did the creek get its name from?

Most likely.......an actual buffalo.

So in conclusion, although buffalo wings and sauce can be traced back to buffalos, they are actually from Buffalo.

Has anybody even ever been to Buffalo? Just curious. That doesn't sound like a place most people ever go.

A Snack Food Analysis

Cracker boxes and chip bags. The print on them is often ignored and overlooked, but what they say really offers a lot of insight to the values of a company and the amount of money they are willing to spend on hiring creative writers to execute this job. I always read the back of everything, and the only thought on my mind when I finish reading is, "Wow......I feel sorry for the person who had to write this."

I've compiled a few examples from our mediocre snack collection in our dorm room.

Keebler Town House Italian Herb Flatbread Crisps

Everyone loves Keebler elves, and club crackers are an American classic and pantry staple. Here is what the back of the box says:

"There's a place where everyone feels at home. Where the company, conversation, and food make all who enter feel welcome. A place that feels as warm with a crowd as it does with just a friend. It's a place you'll find Town House Crackers. Because they're part of what makes your place the place. Welcome to Town House. Where good times reside."

Oh my gosh. Get me a freaking box of tissues, that was touching. The added touch of breaking apart the dependent clauses and making separate sentences out of them tugs at my emotions. Really, it does.

Company values: Family, friends, and partying.

Writer's skills: Intermediate

On a side note, the front of the box says "OVEN-BAKED." I like how every cracker company hasto put "oven-baked" on everything. Like where else would you bake a cracker? In the toaster? That would honestly be a little more impressive, if they individually placed each cracker in the toaster. I'd pay for that.

Quaker Quakes Cheddar Cheese Rice Snacks

We have grown to love the heart-healthy foods that that little Quaker man has given us for years, like oatmeal and Chewy bars! And now it comes in a sack that makes you think you're eating healthy.

Back of sack:

"Light & crispy crunch satisfaction! Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks are the surprisingly delicious snack with a satisfying crunch. And because they're always baked, never friend, and have 0 g trans fat, you can snack smart. Also try these other great flavors from Quaker Quakes: Vanilla Creme Brulee, Caramel Corn, Apple Cinnamon, Chocolate, Ranch, Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper."

Hmmm.... a) I'm so glad you bake your rice snacks instead of frying them, because that would taste disgusting if you did. b) I don't appreciate you putting a sales tip in there to try your other products. Obviously, when I grabbed the sack off of the shelf, I saw you had other flavors. c) Basically NOTHING has trans fat so just stop trying to impress me.

However, "crispy crunch" gets alliteration points. But the truth is, they are not very crispy.

Also, from the front of the sack..."20% More Free, Limited Time Value!!"

Thanks for eliminating some of the air in my bag. Really thoughtful of you.

Company values: Satisfying their customers and attempting to promote health. Driven by money.

Writer's skills: Basic. Very basic.

Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Pita Chips with Sea Salt

Trader Joe's: The breeding ground of hipsters. Nobody actually goes there, but society pretends that they do in order to enhance the eliteness that is Joe, whoever that is.

Back of sack:

"Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Pita Chips are crunchy, savory snacks made from fresh pita bread. They're lightly sprinkled with naturally flavorful sea salt, spritzed with oil and baked - not fried, so they're crunchy and delicious right out of the bag. And they have just 2.5 grams of fat per serving - that's 50% less fat and 20% fewer calories than our regular pita chips. So go ahead, grab a handful and enjoy - without the guilt." (and then in REALLY small print.... *vegan* <-- Did I not say Trader Joe's was hipster?)

Where do I even start? Nice tactic trying to make me feel guilty about EATING. One of the most basic necessities of human life! Really clever! Everything has fat and calories. I would also hope that the snack I am purchasing is crunchy and delicious right out of the bag. It is expected. If my snack is not crunchy and delicious right out of the bag, then you have failed. You don't need to try to convince me. And what is with this "grab a handful and enjoy" crap? I would sure hope that I could eat more than a meager handful of this snack without feeling guilty.

Company values: Probably supports PETA. Fitting into skinny jeans. Joe probably wears hemp bracelets to work.

Writer's skills: Intermediate

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My suggestion:

Just start putting a picture of the employee of the month on the back of the sack or box. I would go back and buy your product every month just to see who the next employee of the month is!! You will have increased revenue. And your employees will also work harder and you can save money on hiring creative writers because NO ONE CARES WHAT THE BACK OF YOUR BOX OR SACK SAYS. Then you can donate that amount of money or products that value that amount of money to end world hunger.

I am a genius. Sara for President.

Over and out.

Amurricah!

zOmG gUyZZ I guess I'll update my blog. I honestly don't really have anything to complain or rant about. But I'm still alive. And I'm back.

Things that anger me about Facebook

1. When people update their Facebook status at least three times a day. Get a Twitter.

2. When people post annoying things that nobody cares about.
2a. The music videos to overplayed radio songs that are apparently "so awesome".. we have TV. We have radios. We are children of the world. Nobody cares you know what Nickelback is, because unfortunately, we do.
2b. Pictures that you took of yourself and only of yourself. This includes but is not limited to mirror photos. Get some friends to take pictures with, or hire a photographer. *Disclaimer: this is appropriate when you are making fun of people who do this.
2c. Results from various quizzes and games. I couldn't care less how you spend your time on Facebook, but do you think we care that you planted 74 acres of corn on Farmville or got the new highest score on Sorority Life? Excuse me while I give you a freaking cookie. That is what the handy little X-button is for in the top right corner of all entries.
2d. And this is probably just a personal pet peeve of mine, but if you comment on like 70 things in one day, delete them off of your profile feed. I don't care to see the first five words of every post you make on somebody else's wall, especially "HaPPy BiRThdAyy xoxo** luv u 4evaaa", except I would probably only see "HaPPy BiRThdAyy xoxo** luv...." and then it kills me with temptation so I must click on it to see the rest of the post because I just have to see the end of this greeting to some Facebook friend I got when I was 14 and haven't talked to since and then I end up looking at all their pictures of what they have been doing for the past five years, including 4H fairs and baking cookies and millions of cheerleading team pictures and party pictures in fields where you know they are trying to discreetly hide their underage alcohol, and pretty soon five hours have gone by until I decide to delete end my cyber-friendship with that person who YOU LED ME TO VIA YOUR STUPD HAPPY BIRTHDAY WALL POST. So do me a favor and delete it off of your feed.

Moving on.

3. When people just say "lol" in a comment. Would you care ot elaborate why you are laughing out loud? *Disclaimer: the only time this is acceptable is if you are trying to be hipster and say "lolz" or something of the sort.

4. When people have flat out conversations on a status. That's what inbox or chat is for. *Disclaimer: this is interesting if the conversation is humorous. But I don't care that it's your dog's birthday.
4a. The annoyance increases 20 points if somebody else is having this conversation on something that you originally commented on, so you end up getting all of the notifications.

5. When people who have had one year of Spanish try to write in Spanglisch to other people when it's not even cool Spanglisch. Like, "Me gustan tus new shirts de Hollister lawlzzzzxoxoxo." My Denglisch will pwn your Spanglisch.

6. When people make smilies like this: (:
I actually have friends who do this, so I am not going to bash it too much, but really people.

7. When people make it incredibly public what they are doing at any given moment. Referring to number 1, get Twitter.

8. When people ask questions on their status such as: Who wants to go with me to the roller rink today?!?!?
Next time you do that, I will answer and say that I want to go and see what you say. Find your own friends and ask them yourself.

9. When people have ridiculous phrases as their "middle name." I wish you had that as your actual middle name as a way of spiting you.

10. When person A writes on person B's wall and tags person B in the post. Like... why??

I could probably think of more but I just don't even care because Twitter is awesome and Facebook is only good for messaging, chat, pictures, events, and keeping in contact with old people. Which is a lot. But seriously just use it for these things and not for spamming me okayyy thankssssss

Sara meets world.

Yeah I know, I haven't really blogged in Germany. I have just been busy out in the world "erleben" as I like to say in my Denglisch, or rather, experiencing. Living and learning, leben and lernen. You know how I do. But I was just sitting here reminiscing about American television. Throw your hands in the air if you recognize the pure genius of Boy Meets World. Marathon when I get home? FEEEEEEENY sara :*

Goddag, Stockholm!

Hello, dear followers. I haven't blogged in a while. I have been trying not to complain so much about my life because honestly, I really shouldn't even have anything to complain about, besides having to switch between three different languages all of the time. And pretty soon it will be four because yes, I got enrolled in Spanish class at my new school. My life is pretty bomb.

I took a small break from Germany to come to my oasis AKA Sweden! It gets darker even sooner here than it does in Germany. But being here makes me want to a) jam to Basshunter, b) eat some meatballs, and c) dye my hair blonde, of which I will probably accomplish the first two. We'll see about the hair.

I can't believe a new year is just around the corner. Less than 10 hours away here. 2010 has been the best year yet with a lot of learning experiences. I'm sure 2011 will be even better.

LIVE OUT LOUD!
Sara

I am too lazy to shower so why not blog!

If there is anything I have learned over the past few months practically on my own, it's that people are indeed different in different corners of the world, but one thing remains the same: people. are. annoyingstupidcats. I personally have grown A LOT as a person and I just wish that I could take some of the knowledge and wisdom out of my head and shove it into some other people's heads. Because the Lord Almighty knows they need it! Some days I just want be like, I'M DONE! But I know that won't get me anywhere in life, so I gotta keep trying. And I am just mad at myself because I called Kevin (see previous post) on my cell phone as I was walking through the freezing cold from and back to the bus stop and yeah, that's a few euros I am never going to get back. Plus I had to wait like 40 minutes last night for a ferry in the cold again and there were some weird asians in my vicinity (at 1 in the morning, mind you) who were reeeealllly starting to perturb me.

I went to the opera last night at the Theater am Goetheplatz. Seeing Mozart in the original language is somehow.... pimpin'. Let me just say I had some interesting experiences with the public transportation on the way there with my friend Florian but it is all good, all good. And of course the night would not be complete without going to the bar with our music teacher. I mean come on. IT'S NORMAL, PEOPLE! Friday night I went to the disco (because when don't I do that) and I got to ride on the back of a bike and holy moly, did I think I was going to die.

There are so many other bashing things I wish I could write, believe me. But I don't know who is reading this and I don't vant ze Gehmanz to zink I em engry wis zem.

Shoutout to my Brötchen with jam.

Xoxo GOSSIP GIRL... Sara