Soda and The Big Word Project | Two Kids Getting Easy Money

What exactly do dictionaries and caffeinated beverages have in common? Well, as the 5,732nd word to be included on The Big Word Project, the word "soda" will now link to Weekly Fizz.

The project is a viral campaign created by two Masters students from Northern Ireland, aiming to redefine the English language dictionary by linking words to websites. At $1 per letter, soda- being a four-letter word- costed me four bucks. But heck, that's less than dinner. And it's exposure, right?

Red Rock Premium Cola | Get Silly

Atlanta...

Lately I've spent some time in this city. I was interviewing for a job, seeing a couple good friends and listening to quite a bit of hip-hop radio. What else did I do? I drank Red Rock. I also drank several Weinstephaners and a Left Hand at Brickstore Pub, but during the daytime I was mostly listening to Weezy and sipping Red Rock.

Red Rock contains 100% natural pure cane sugar and a full-bodied taste in the soda fountain style. They've stayed relatively true to the original formula since 1885, which (as this man can tell you) is a really long time. If I had to compare it to another cola, I'd say it was a lot like Coke*. But stronger and (honestly) better. They make a ginger ale too, which I speculate must be pretty dope, like you'd expect Southern ginger ales to be.

In all actuality Red Rock has very little to do with the hip-hop lifestyle, and more to do with helping preserve nature- particularly The Chattahoochee River. From the 4-pack side panel:

One of Georgia's great rivers is endangered. The Chattahoochee River, a source of drinking water to nearly 3 1/2 million Georgians, has ben designated as one of the most endangered rivers in the nation. Red Rock is committed to helping save our great river. That's why Red Rock will donate a portion of the profit from every purchase to the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers.

There's quite a bit of history to be read (if you have the patience). When in stock, you can order some from The Soda Shop.

(*Speaking of, did anyone else wonder where they were when Roc-A-Fella created the new Cherry Coke design last year?)

Ting | You Can Still "Feed The Animals" With It

Another Jamaican beverage, and this time a grapefruit-flavored one. And folks, just like last week's, the flavor of this one isn't all that strong, great, noteworthy, delicious, sensational, happy, first-class, sterling, blue-ribbon, bang-up, killer, hunky-dory, ace, terrific, smashing, awesome or brilliant. Honestly you could spend an entire Friday night playing with your neighbor's cat and feel precisely the same bit of excitement. Sorry, but that's just the way it is.

Upon my first sip my immediate reaction was that it tasted just like Alka-Seltzer, but with some grapefruit (and/or lime) juice squeezed in (it even seemed to plop in a similar manner as I poured it over ice). But after a few more sips I didn't mind it so bad. And spending some time under the Carribbean sun might make anybody sing a different tune. I could see Ting being refreshing under those sorts of circumstances. There's also a Pink Ting and a Diet Ting, both which I haven't had.

I feel like I need to show some love to Jamaica. How 'bout this: I listened to Augustus Pablo yesterday. Good enough? Alright, I'm sorry. I like the pretty green bottle, if that's any better. Speaking of music, this album made the experience not quite as bad.

Also got this one at Yah Mon. (Don't) get it here. Next week we'll review something good. Promise.

DG Sof Drink Kola Champagne | Continually Endorsed By Paula Abdul's Dance Partner's Cousin

There's a very light, non-cluttered taste to this beverage. I think the blandness might conflict with the anything-goes attitude of many Jamaicans I've met who like to party. But who can say for sure? DG Kola Champagne tastes nothing like the cola champagnes I've tasted before. I clearly taste some citrus here, and almost no signs of a strange plant found throughout the island nation. Recent news states that many young adolescents in our country have also discovered this plant and begun using it recreationally. But again, who can say for sure?

Let's be honest. There's not really much interesting to write about here, except for the store in which the bottle was obtained. I got it with a bottle of Ting at a bright yellow business called Yah Mon that's situated in the Historic 4th Avenue District of downtown Birmingham. I have not partaken of any food yet at Yah Mon, though my friends Cary Norton and Alan Barton have said nice things.

As this post's title suggests, several DNA tests have determined the

"cool cat" on the label is actually a not-so-distant cousin of Paula Abdul's friend from the "Opposites Attract" video. The rich/famous cat's cousin does not only prefer the island heat over the U.S. of A, but is also the key to why so many women prefer assholes (though that type of information can only be read on a whole other blog altogether). Next week we'll talk about another Jamaican soda made by the same company as this one. You can find this flavor and some others at this online store.

Dr. Wham | Distant Cousinry

A friend of a friend of mine used to collect "Dr." drinks. I never met this man, but his legacy was spoke of often. Finding out someone had made it their duty to begin gathering these drinks meant a lot to me. It was inspiring. If I knew more about this man- this friend of a friend and lover of Doctor drinks man- I'd try to get him in touch with the Dr. Pepper Museum people. My ex-girlfriend and I stopped in this heavenly place two summers ago while in Waco, TX for my cousin's wedding. There's a large wall somewhere inside displaying many small enterprise "imposter" brands of soft drinks, and I imagine Dr. Wham exists on the shelf somewhere amongst them. There must be over a hundred Doc drinks hiding out there, both in production and long forgotten. Dr. Wham is the first I've gotten ahold of since starting this blog, unless you count Dr. Thunder (which is produced by the Wal-Mart corporation and I'll offer no support of, except in saying that it tastes mighty fine and can be obtained for under 50 cents the last time I checked.)

Dr. Wham makes me recall a simpler time; one that existed before you and I, preceding eras where colas became consumed several times a day. Sodas then were thought of as rare treats. They were enjoyed and sipped slow. That's how I partook of this one, and how you should too when you buy it on your way to work tomorrow morning. Now, contrary to my expectations, the flavor doesn't resemble Dr. Pepper all that much. More like a standard cola I'd say, or cola champagne with less citrus. Observe the delightful logo and packaging. Now feel cheated. The whole "Since 1926" thing is a hoax- the best I can tell. The drink is new. So why would they choose 1926? I couldn't tell you. D.W. is bottled by Buffalo Rock, straight out of Birmingham, AL (I've driven by the plant dozens of times) so I'm forced to cut these people some slack, out of my admiration for B.R. Under any other circumstances- like if the soda was bottled in Oregon, say- the slack might be left uncut.

I don't mind going to the doctor whenever I need it. Likewise, I experience no shame in throwing a Wham! record on the turntable whenever the urge might strike (once a year might still be more often than deemed socially acceptable). Though Dr. Wham is not the product of combining professionally-trained surgeons with eighties pop outfits, as a soda it's popping up in places all over the southeast. If you aren't from around here, I'll gladly FedEx you a bottle in exchange for some Doc Holiday.