Smells like...

... something that belongs with the Tom's of Maine, Natural Strength Deodorant - Fresh Coconut deodorant (which apparently is discontinued because Amazon stopped selling it and I can't find it anywhere online - even Walmart says it's "out of stock". The Tom's website doesn't even list it. I almost feel like it never existed, even thought I've got pictures proving I used the stick and actually liked it). 

Anyway, this morning, I started using a Pacha Soap Co bar of soap I got from Detwiler's when I was in Sarasota for Thanksgiving. As the bar didn't have a label on it, the closest thing I can say is that the scent is the "Golden Chai", as it has a wintry spice smell to it. 

Yea, I know - sketchy AF for not buying something without a price or wrap around it. I think it's because the company is Earth friendly and doesn't want to waste stuff that can't decompose easily. I don't know what the deal is with stores selling it (how do they price it?) because the bars were in baskets at the registers. Maybe this is the way the store counteracts theft? Putting certain items up front? 

So as I'm using this, I'm noticing it also has some bumps onit.. like if you were to pre-wash your body with scrubbing salt / scrubbing agents and it's a textured gel of sorts.. that same weird grittiness is in the bar. I don't know what it is that makes it grainy, but it sure makes me want to eat it. 

I looked on the Pacha website, and the ingredients for this bar are listing as:

Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil^, Water, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide**, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Fragrance (Plant-Based), Elettaria Cardamomum (Cardamom) Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, Honey, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Powder, Syzygium Aromaticum (Clove) Leaf Powder, Titanium Dioxide​

^Sustainable **Turns Oils into Soap

While the highlighted / "key ingredients" are:

Beekeeper Direct Honey Soothes and moisturizes skin

Turmeric Root Powder Naturally skin boosting

Coconut Oil Versatile hydrating oil to keep skin moisturized

Perhaps it's the cloves that are gritty? I am not that familiar with what things look like when they are ground up and mushed together. But it left my body feeling like I had a slight spa day, which was nice. 

Since the brand seems to strive on being all natural, there are some benefits for the human body and the earth body. No unnecessary chemicals running down the drain and no possible reactions to bad stuff in the mix to make you break out. Plus, if there really is no type of outer covering, there's no need to worry about recycling unless you decide to do something with whatever the shipping container is. 

I can't speak on how things arrive to the house, as I said, I got this in a store, so they ultimately put it in a plastic bag. Which I reused and recycled when I got home. 

As far as prices are concerned, the same $34.95 five pack on Amazon is the same $34.95 five pack on Pacha. Thus, it comes out to a whopping $6.99 a bar. 

If you're looking for a shipping discount, it seems like Amazon has the win.  Free shipping on Pacha means you need a minimum of $55, according to their FAQs ("Orders of $55 or more to the contiguous US qualify for free shipping. The product total must be $55 or more after any discount is applied"). While Amazon's free delivery is anything over $35, all you need is one small item to go with the soap and you've got yourself no charge S&H. 

However, if you really want to compare some more apples to oranges, from looking around the site, it looks like Pacha has a rewards club that turns into tiers (levels), depending on how much you spend. I think the points roll over each calendar year, so it might be one of those "if you don't use them you keep them" situations. 

I created an account while writing this post and got an immediate 10% off coupon in my inbox for signing up, plus 50 points for creating the account. 

There's that perk? The coupon is 10 per cent off my first order, which would be $5.50 off my order if I chose to go the 55 dollar free shipping route. But, I have to order sixty dollars worth of stuff since any discount prior negates the free shipping. 

Continuing on the site, there are then incidentals:

• 10 points a piece for following the brand on the three various socials. 
• Purchase power on the levels including:
• Making three separate $50 purchases (for 100 points) or two 25 dollar purchases for 25 points. 
• Since it's a 1:1 system, every 1 dollar you spend, you gain 1 point. 
• 100 points gets you $10 off. 

The 25 point purchase might be easier said than done, if you buy a 5 pack of soap, since they're over 30 bucks to begin with. There are also other offerings (bundles, bombs, kids, candles), and the prices vary depending on what you're in the market for. 

It all seems to add up quickly, considering it's "just soap" as my mother stated when I told her I started using a bar in my shower. Yes, it's just soap and I bought a 2 pack bar of soap at the Dollar Tree (for $1.25 + tax) in Sarasota (because I needed soap in my toiletries bag and didn't realize I'd get the Pacha for free due it a special weekend deal, quite honestly). Even the Native is pricey, but I keep debating on the deodorant since I don't get a flare up with it. 

Que sera, sera. 

So after all said and done, if you want to go back to comparing the big box online retailer to a small business and what's more economical, at least Amazon has Prime for a yearly subscription of $139. 

The price gets you: 

• Prime video
• Free shipping on anything (even if it's under $35) that has the Prime logo
• A discount at Whole Foods (if you shop there, and it has to be on products that say "Prime Members save X%")
• "Try Before You Buy" (according to the synopsis: "Prime Try Before You Buy is a Prime-exclusive program where you can try on eligible items across women's, men's, kid's, and baby's clothing, shoes, and accessories. Try up to six items at home and pay for only what you keep")

The list goes on, including the ability to use a SNAP / EBT card on groceries for those using government benefits ("Customers with a valid SNAP EBT card can use their SNAP funds on Amazon. No Prime membership required. Customers can shop SNAP-eligible groceries from Amazon, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market. Plus, customers with a registered card get free access to Amazon Fresh and 50% off a Prime membership. Amazon accepts SNAP EBT in all states except Alaska"). 

So I mean... when it comes down to it, what's the lesser of two evils? Sure, I buy (or in the case of Thanksgiving, get it as a promotion) one bar of soap from a local store, or I buy that same bar from the brand web site and gain points for future purchases. Maybe I even get it from Amazon and add on something else for better shipping alternatives, since I'm already watching shows on the video platform.

However, how realistic is this, in all seriousness? Am I going to be a repeat customer on the Pacha site and only get my shower needs from them? Probably not. Will I run back to Sarasota just to get the 6.99 bar of soap? Definitely not. Do I put the multipack in my shopping cart on Amazon and get it with something else? Doubtful since I do tend to get my soap as a bigger multipack when it's on sale at other retailers. 

Honestly, I love the idea of Pacha being all natural and being a mix of healthy / plant based items that possibly won't cause me to break out, but I'm not in love with it enough to be won over and use the brand as my sole provider of clean living. As I've mentioned before, I try everything and purchase most in brick and mortar stores because I need to know if I have a reaction, I won't have a problem finding something different. I have to read ingredient lists, and dumb on me for not doing that diligence prior to getting the Pacha. BUT... so far, no problems since the bar I chose doesn't have lemongrass in it. 

It's seriously a matter of literal taste - do I want to support a brand that aims to help the planet one scrubby at a time? Sure. Do I want to rely on purchasing on one site and one site alone? No, considering $6.99 for 1 bar plus needing $48.01 in more product is a little too steep in added taxes for me to warrant it. It's nice to know I can order if necessary, but I don't know if I can legitimize the expense. 

I got clean, sure. I smell good, yes. But I also got used to doing my shopping a certain way. I haven't even been on the Native website in a while to do any orders, especially since I've been buying other brands of deodorant. I don't even use Amazon like that either. I like to touch, sniff and compare. I have to read what's in it. I learned the hard way with one of the online only purchases, where the scent was way too overpowering, so that itself has made me limit my buying online. 

If I only had Maude's "Odorifics" machine, all would be good? Watch the movie - you'll understand. 

I don't know what else to say since I'm circling around a lot here. Do your research. Help the planet. Smell amazing and lighten your wallet. Turn to page 6 if you want to continue this discussion, or go to page 2 if you're into Paul Harvey, if you want to know the rest of the story... 

Good... day (or night depending on when you read this).

Cheers.

Moment of randoms?

 This morning on my way to work, I saw a weird sticker on a car. No, it wasn't a Dead Head Sticker on a Cadillac, because I don't remember the make of the car. Maybe it was a Honda Civic. Who knows. 

But the sticker said "Please don't honk I already hate it here" and it has a cartoon opossum that is crying (I think it's a opossum?).

I don't understand it. I mean, I think I understand it, but I kind of don't. Is it supposed to be for the people who want to not scare the animals (especially the marsupials)? Or is it to not have to deal with road kill and make sure everyone stays within their lane?

I could think of variables to answer this question and definitely accept suggestions. I wish I had an answer because this type of thing confuses me. Unless I'm completely stupid and missing the point because it relates to some popular manga / anime or what not. The car had something else on its back end but the stickers were so tiny, I'm lucky I caught the "please don't honk", as it was on the right side of the car as the driver was passing me on the left. 

When I tried to image search that, I actually went into Amazon and they don't carry it in stock. However, when searching "please don't do", the first line of things that came up was "coke in the bathroom". Which is kind of funny since I have a friend (hi Tay) who is into music from the 1980s and we were talking about musicians and drugs the other day. I found the neon signs rather fitting because he also talks about music from the 1970s (another decade of decadence). 

I must say, if I had know these stickers were available when I was dropping PHWNH stuff in places, I would have definitely added them to the repertoire. Happy 60th Birthday, Eddie, if you're reading this, by the way. 

Still on the "don't do" bus, there is also "Please Don't Do Ketamine Off The Koala Kare Changing Station" items, which is more apt for businesses rather than the general use of not doing other powder on toilets. 

Either way, I've gone completely off topic from the original thought of the cartoon sticker. I don't even know what to word it in search engines to see what the meaning is. Unless I string "please don't honk" in terms, it could be snowflake related (don't honk | I'll cry via Amazon)? Is that the underlying reason? 

Like I said, I don't totally understand this as a cultural reference. There are some things I can admit to, where I'm probably the 40 watt bulb among the 100 watts, but I'm also the energy saver too. If that'll help. Other instances, I'm the most used crayon in the 96 count box with sharpener. I just can't promise there is still enough paper to finish the story with. 

Oh well, to each his own. If anyone cares to elaborate on this woder of mine, I would surely appreciate it.

Until then..

Cheers;

Macdonald's = #FAIL



(Image courtesy Yahoo article)

















Looks like people just LOVE to do more then their fair share of ad mongering. Front page Yahoo! this early afternoon has a new McDonald's campaign. The picture above this paragraph, "circulated widely on the internet. The image shows what looks like an official McDonald's notice in the window of a restaurant, telling customers that blacks will be charged $1.50 extra "as an insurance measure due in part to a recent string of robberies."


Many internet users retweeted the photo, using the words "Seriously McDonald's," [...]" (Yahoo link)

What a joke! Seriously? Someone had some creative balls to do this and circulate it. I do hope they catch the bugger that started it, but wow dude, I give ya credit. But then again, I've just fallen prey into the group sharing this information. I share, because no, I don't care. I just thought it proves how quick things can fly around the web and people believe it. Try Snopes, try other sites. Google can be your friend. Plus, read the bottom of the article for the kicker. It's a laugh riot, I promise...


cheers,

What...in...the...HAIL?!

I belong to a mailing list, directed for people in the radio industry. It's to get the word out for new (or in some cases, old / reissued) music. There are opportunities to download the new song to have it put in to the daily rotation.

Based on that, I received an email today about a Bowling For Soup song. I am sure people by now have heard about the mis haps of Anthony Weiner (go here for a recap).

Anyway... well, I was about to spam the message until I opened it. I thought it was an advert for Viagra or something:



But I still opened it to find this:



The "click here" video: Anthony Weiner - My Wena




Uhm... this is coming from a reputable media outlet? Poke fun, yes, but that email subject was a tad bit deceiving. I admit, it's creatively ingenius, but I don't know how other people's reactions may be. Considering I've gotten accustomed to random pervy things, this is nothing.

Oh well... always up for a laugh and 'WTF' moment!

Cheers

The Icehouse

This is a transcript of an original ad from decades ago (I don't remember the year, might have been around the 60s or 70s). It's a radio advert for The Icehouse, a skating complex. A friend gave the audio to me and what it is, is an unedited version (as you will read, it has swears and all that). ..

I just want to point out, that I did the transcript. A 3 minute audio took about 5 due to making the attempt to get it right.

for the facebook community "Sometimes I swear... so fucking what?"

The Icehouse is now open to the public! And what will we do at the Icehouse? We're not going there to get ice! We're going to the Icehouse for FUN ! And lots of fun. The Icehouse is located in the Farmer's Market Building in Town and Country Village with 22,000 square feet of ice for private parties, public skating, ice skating lessons for all ages. The Icehouse features facilities for amateur ice hockey games, and the Houston Arrows as well as other WHA teams will practice there. It's an icehouse full of icy fun! Remember, the Icehouse, yes. |cough| Big and beautiful baby. Big and beautiful. Alright now here we go. We're gonna take this spot and we're gonna do it right. We're not gonna fuck it up anymore. God damn mother fuckin son of a bitch! We're gonna do this mother fucking, cock sucker right! You better fucking well believe it baby! Are you ready you cocksucker - here we go, you mother fucking sorry son of a bitch, low life dick sucking bitch! The Icehouse is now open to the public, and what will we do at the Icehouse? We're not going to the... yea. We're gonna go there and SHIT! That's what we're gonna do. We're gonna go and we’re gonna fuck everybody's wife. Except our own, which would be a god damn fucking disgrace! Wish I had a god damned spike nail, I'd...chew that mother fucker up. Spit it out my asshole... Fucking Icehouse. Who ever thought of opening up a cocksucking Icehouse? The Galleria’s one fucking thing, but this shit - is something else. Mother fucking... shit. Piss. Hell. God Damn... We gotta do these fucking spots for em. The son of a bitches probably won't pay the fucking bill. I hope they fucking go broke. That's it. |cough| Alright, we're gonna take this son of a bitch one more fucking time, and I mean this is the last fucking time we're gonna tape it. You mother fuckers ready? Alright, here we go. One fucking last fucking, mother hutchen time. The Icehouse is now open...|cough| NOW OPEN GOD DAMN IT!!