Change of Pace

Since our mission statement says we have a "reformed.... view on life," that means we take all of life into account here at Sweet Emotion. We even take a look at the small things in our world.

Today I want to briefly step back from the national football scene and appreciate one of the smaller pleasures in life...gum. Who would have ever thought the gum industry would explode into such a diverse arena. Alas, it is one of the many beauties of Capitalism. I write this blog, for the simple reason that my wife recently introduced me to "Stride" gum. Since I am sure you have pondered this question in the shower or while driving to work, let me help you with the answer. What is the best gum on the market?

6)Big Red - You buy this gum for two main reasons. The price for a pack is still well under $1 (sometimes even a quarter), and that fresh cinnamon, hot-blast taste that fills your mouth during the first 10-11 seconds of chewing. However, therein lies the weakness. The flavor is so short lived that one finds himself consuming a whole pack in 20 minutes. Another weakness involves the packaging. Stuff it in your pocket and you will end up with sticks of gum removed from the package and scattered at the bottom of your pocket.

5)Juicy Fruit - You purchase this gum for three reasons. 1) See above regarding the price. 2)Tradition - most every kid had a love for this taste, so it is always a blast from the past. 1)Taste - No other gum has been able to mimic the fruity taste of Wrigley's Staple favorite. However, the weakness is the same as Big Red. If Big Red's taste lasts for 10 seconds, then Juicy fruit lasts for 3...tops. One more side note, with Big Red and Juicy fruit, one still can ask for a stick of gum.

4)Big League Chew - There was no better gum to chew when sitting in the dugout during little league baseball. Reaching into the package, grabbing a wad and stuffing into your mouth made the most inept little league right fielder (it's where the weak kid always got placed) feel cool. Advantages - Unique packaging with a resealable top to ensure freshness, a cool picture on the package, the unique small strips of gum that enabled you to grab a handful of gum, the strong flavor, and the bubble blowing ability. Weakness - If it got too hot in the dugout, the gum lost its texture. Also see number 6 and 5 for short-lived flavor.

3)Trident White - The small cube of gum packs a powerful sometime tongue numbing taste. It has a package that enables the individual to stuff it in his pocket without harm to the gum. With it's tin foiled backing, one can simply pop out a piece to a friend's open hand. The biggest advantage of all is the unique ingredient known as Recaldent. Rumor has it that it recalcifies your teeth, thus filling in small cavities. Hey, I'm 26 and still have not a single cavity. Also a great breath freshener. Weaknesses include: Price is over a dollar and the package creates noise. (The noisy package creates problems in a church setting, or in a setting where you don't want anyone asking you for gum).

2)Orbit - I was a longtime advocate of Orbit. The packaging is enticing with the fold out back and layers of sticks on the inside. The taste lasts relatively long and their lemon-lime flavor tastes much like the old Gatorade gum (wow...that should have made the list). Orbit is solid all-around. Weakness: Price and the package is not durable,

1) Stride - My wife brought me home a package and I am sold. Sleek and savvy packaging makes you proud to pull it out in public. It has a unique double fold design that gives you sticks at the top and the bottom. However, what puts Stride gum over the top is its long lasting flavor. I've been chewing my current piece for 30 minutes and it continues to produce a strong flavor. I didn't believe my wife either when she told me (usually not a good idea). Weakness:Price.

This does not relate to college football, and I hope it does not anger our readers. I just thought we would take a quick break from the scene and look at some overlooked things in life.

p.s.
worst kind ever -- the Topps Baseball Card Package gum. Weakness: Too many to number. Taste was awful. Texture and makeup of gum - one could use a piece of Topps gum as a paperweight or even a hammer. The sanitation of the gum was poor. Something about opening a pack of baseball cards and seeing a square piece of gum laid bare.