Combinations for Comfort

Some things go together naturally. The combination of items can create a new item that is even better. My classic combinations include examples like peanut butter and jelly, chocolate and peanut butter, jeans and sweatshirts, rum and Coke, and espresso and milk.

Often times these combinations are also associated with comfort. In my case, these combinations are good because they make me feel comfortable; comfort food, comfortable clothes, drinks to create a comfortable state.

At the top of my ‘combinations for comfort’ list is cereal and milk. Odd? Not really. If the mood strikes me–and if the cereal is good–I can finish a standard size box of cereal in one day. When I was little, I ate normal amounts of cereal; a bowl for breakfast here and there. However, college food left me reliant on cereal and milk. I mean, as much as I enjoyed the food poisoning that I got at one point and the awkward looking ‘burgers’, I started to stick to what I knew was less risky and packed with more comfort.

Now, I hardly ever eat cereal. So today when I was eating a bowl of cereal, for old time’s sake, I was reminded of Snap, Crackle, and Pop. These cartoon boys hum back when the milk meets the rice. Nice. Actually, associating the cartoon image and the characters’ ability to ‘communicate’ is a clever way to convince kids to eat a very bland cereal. *Snap, Crackle, Pop… They’re talking!*

Well, these three cereal celebrities bring to mind an episode of Family Guy– Blind Ambition. To see the scene with the Rice Krispie boys, jump to minute 10:35-10:26 and watch again 9:45 to 9:30 (Note: the minutes on this episode are counting down, not up).

Gasp! One is no longer talking! I raise my bowl of cereal and toast to Snap.
For more fun, here are some vintage Snap, Crackle, and Pop commercials!

Old, Old, Oldie
Oldish

Commercial-jingle-itus

‘Charms Blowpops, take one. ACTION!’
‘Sniff. SNIFF. Snifferific. Instant Quaker Oatmeal.’
‘Snuff McGruff, Chicago, Illinois, 60652′
‘N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestles makes the very best… Chooooocolate.’

I am the perfect candidate for a study examining the extraneous effects of advertisements. Not only do I remember the ridiculous little ditty from recent McDonalds commercials, but I have managed to commit the images and songs from commercials aired during my childhood to long-term memory. This peculiar trait is not a problem, really. Until I break into song at unpredictable points during conversations. The aforementioned song moments usually go something like this:

“So, it was a cold day today,” says friend A.
“I know, I wore my winter jacket for the first time this season,” responds friend B.
“Yup, pretty chilly,” I mumble.
“When I got home, I made a cup of cocoa to warm up,” friend B shares.
“N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestles makes the very best,” I sing merrily.
“Um, yeah, I guess,” friend A remarks blankly.

Yup, that is right. I am one of those people. For whatever reason, my mind boldly creates connections between standard conversation and various songs, voices, quotes or actions that I have masked within the depths of my memory. Then, for an unexplainable reason, I generally let the obscure memory surface before I can stuff it back into the dusty box where it belongs. Besides the occasional interlude, these memories are inconsequential.

My self restraint was put to the test last night when someone ‘made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.’
The Bet: I must get through half an hour without using any bizarre voices/actions.
If I Win: Free back massage for me!
If I Loose: Forfeit my time to give a face massage.

After thirty minutes of bland, almost monotonous conversation –during which my adversary blatantly tried to break my concentration– I successfully completed the face-off. After reaping my reward, my back was free of kinks.

I know that I could never cut the habit completely, even if I wanted to, but perhaps I should stick with references that my counterparts actually understand. *Hmm, tricky… *