Originally published at Thus Sayeth the Lord…. You can comment here or there.

I’m a laid back guy. I don’t get excited about politics, or current events. (I should say, I don’t get PUBLICALLY excited about these things– I saw what happened to Orson Scott Card) I don’t have a favorite sports team. I don’t have a favorite branch of scientific inquiry. (I used to– marine biology. Before that, it was astonomy. Before that it was paleontology. Before that, it was the creation and consumption of mashed bannanas, puree’d green beans, and applesauce)

There are SOME things, however, that if you’re going to do, you must do them right. Some things require a kind of fanatiscism; a zealous defense of which brings the epithet “snob” from those who lack the…enlightened state of the embattled defender.

I’m talking about root beer.

I’m talking about orange juice.

Root Beer

It’s essential, I’ve found, that root beer of quality contain NO high fructose corn syrup. (Incidentally, most things that contain HFCS are not of high quality– fit to be consumed by rugrats, not by discerning adults) Truly fine root beer contains pure cane sugar. This is my pass/fail marker. I’ll drink things like A&W, and Mug, but they don’t compare to the following:

• Root 66– it’s got a pretty discernible sugar taste to it– if you’re trying non HFCS soda for the first time, it’s like drinking something with a hint of cotton candy in it. It is lightly carbonated, which I prefer.
• Virgil’s Root Beer– my current favorite. The link says mostly why. It implies that it’s also expensive. It is. You can pick this delectable treat up from Ukrops– expect to pay ~$6 for four bottles. It’s worth it.

Orange Juice

Not from concentrate. 100% juice. In my part of the world, that means exactly ONE orange juice supplier: Tropicana Pure Premium. When I stop to pick up an infrequent, early morning breakfast, I’ll skip it entirely if they don’t have my Tropicana Pure Premium.

It’s not that it’s the best I’ve ever tasted; Aunt Sarah’s pancake house serves the best OJ I’ve ever tasted. But I can’t get that at 5am, on my way to work. Alas

It’s not easy being so selective. If anyone out there wants to broaden my horizons…well, the ‘Comment’ button is calling your name…