I remember when I was a kid, my dad would take me to the barbershop every saturday morning. First we would go way out of our way and eat breakfast. The diner was in the opposite direction of the barber, then we would drive back by our house and go to the barber. At the barber shop, my dad would let me have a candy bar and a grape soda. This was bottled grape soda. The soda machine opened in the front released one bottle at a time, and had a bottle opener on the side. I would sit, eat my candy bar, Hershey's, and drink my soda, then it would be time for my haircut. This whole process would take about 2 hours, and I miss it all of the time.

So a couple of days ago, I bought a grape soda (canned) and a Hershey's bar, and it sucked.

I am wondering if it is more my tastes have changed, which they have, but to that severe of a degree I am not sure, or if it is a case of the tastes were still not all that great then, but it was the fact that my father was giving me special things at a time when it was just us. I remember one weekend we had to take my sister with us, and my dad sat me down before hand and told me that we were going to take her and as such would have to forgo the breakfast and couldn't have the soda or candybar. We just had to go and get our haircut and get back home. It sucked but I was alright with it because it was our time, and he included me in the decision to change it that week. He hadn't really, but to a 6 year old he had.

Additionally we always had candy available in our house. Nobody ever ate it. It was just there. So the sugars weren't really something that I was craving. It was just what we did.

Even now, I don't really like to eat candies, and have soda when I eat fast food, and there aren't any other things that I would consider special from my childhood to test against. I really believe that my memory of this special ritual that I shared with my father was the most delicious part and will nor forever remain that way.

Now I wonder what delicious memories my children will have of me when they are adults. I can't think of any right off hand, and will have to try to develop some.

Views: 6

Comment

You need to be a member of Art of Manliness to add comments!

Join Art of Manliness

Comment by Scott Davis on January 17, 2010 at 11:57pm
What a great post. I remember going to the supermarket with my dad in the 1970s to check the TV tubes -- they had a big machine there to test them -- which we followed with an RC Cola and a zero bar. I can't imagine that we did it that many times but I remember it very vividly.

I try and take my daughter out to breakfast before school at least once a month - we go to the same restaurant and she orders hot chocolate and chocolate chip pancakes. She's only 4 but I hope it something she will remember as fondly.
Comment by Don Davis on January 12, 2010 at 2:07pm
Very interesting idea for soda Brett. We have a brew shop close to my house and they also sell everything for making soda. I will probably go in there to see how much it costs to get started. Another hobby. I think that my wife will be so happy.
Comment by Brett McKay on January 12, 2010 at 1:51pm
I find making your own soda to be an intriguing idea as well-I've been looking at this new sodastream thing with interest:

http://www.sodastreamusa.com/
(Watch out-there's automatic audio that comes on)

Also be sure to check our Galco's. They have sodas like they used to be made. Of course shipping is killer:
http://www.sodapopstop.com/home.cfm
Comment by Don Davis on January 12, 2010 at 1:37pm
I completely agree. I am thinking that I am going to have to learn how to make my own soda also because I really can't stand any comercially made soda's that are out there right now.
Comment by Brett McKay on January 12, 2010 at 1:30pm
This was a nice read. I think the fact that the chocolate and grape soda were part of this special ritual with your dad made it taste better (and made you remember it tasting better), but I also think that the quality of chocolate and soda has gone downhill. Even just putting soda in a glass bottle makes it taste better.

Latest Activity

Steve Imparl commented on Elliott Jason Ridgway's group Canine Enthusiasts
"Awesome, Carl! Do you have a link that you'd like to share? Or perhaps you could post the photo here in the thread Elliott set up for pictures and related things. "
10 minutes ago
Steve Imparl and Nick Lanier are now friends
15 minutes ago
Suburban Sentinel replied to StaggerLee's discussion When Does Criminal Behavior Become Patriotic Behavior? in the group The Great Debate
"I believe that we crossed the Rubicon in response to 9/11.  Our spineless and shortsighted leaders foolishly dismantled our constitutional rights in the name of "security". "
22 minutes ago
Nick Lanier replied to Tyler M.'s discussion "Are Catholics Christians?" in the group Christian Men
"Short answer is yes, Catholics are Christians.  Anyone who attempts to say "Well, the Bible doesn't say..." or "I believe that the Scripture is the final authority" is being intellectually incongruent.  That is not…"
34 minutes ago
Nick Lanier replied to Elliott Jason Ridgway's discussion Bible Translations in the group Christian Men
"Steve, I have had the opportunity to read the NABRE, and understand the reason the translation was done.  Personally, I view it as a step in the right direction, as many of the laity do not study on their own.  However, I tend to enjoy…"
54 minutes ago
Carl Monster commented on Elliott Jason Ridgway's group Canine Enthusiasts
"Wow Steve,so do I...our doggie had a photo this weekend there that I posted!"
1 hour ago
Steve Imparl commented on Elliott Jason Ridgway's group Canine Enthusiasts
"Welcome, Carl, and thank for the story about your dog's transformation. You and your family are obviously treating her very well. I am familiar with Lulu's Rescue; I follow their page on Facebook."
1 hour ago
David replied to Mr. Leinbach's discussion Help Me out--what do you have? in the group Man Bags
"I carry a Filson.  They are great bags and made to last.  They look good in any setting and you will be able to pass it down to your children or grandchildren.  I know most here like saddleback but being a Seattle boy I'm sold on…"
1 hour ago

© 2012   Created by Brett McKay.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service