Isn’t it funny how the strangest things remind you of times past? I was at the pharmacy yesterday morning, and passed a wall full of bags of Brach’s candies. Once again, I was taken back to my childhood, when, if Mavis and I were really good while out shopping, Mother would take us to the candy counter at F.W. Woolworth and allow us each to get a small bag of chocolates. Mavis almost always chose the M & Ms, and I alternated between the Brach’s chocolate stars and malted milk balls. Yummy on that last one. Anyway, it always brings back fond memories. We thought it was such a huge deal, getting that candy — a whole 4-oz. bag, all to ourselves and we didn’t have to share. Bliss.

It also reminded me of the crying shame of Brach’s selling out to Farley’s & Sathers (makers of cheapy treats like Chuckles and Now and Later), who changed the malted milk ball recipe and brought a wonderful confectionery era to a miserable end.

A few months back, I brought home a bag of “Malts,” as they’re called now, and ripped it open to enjoy them after not having had them for a long time. Imagine my disappointment. Flat-tasting malted milk crunchy things, covered in brown wax.

I sent the company an email. Told them I’d been eating Brach’s MMB since 1965, and did they not think I would notice the dumbing down of the recipe? I said that if I’d wanted cardboard covered in wax, I would have bought Whoppers.

Of course, I never heard back from them, and it’s not that F & S would do anything about it anyway. But honestly…do they think we’re stupid and can’t tell? Or is it simply a matter of not caring?

I pine for the days before corn syrup took over.

Happy Finkday! Let the madness begin…

Fiends — I must leave you for 48 hours or so. But trust me, I shall return with all things random very soon.

Too much time and too little to do…wait….stop…reverse that.

…and ya lives with the consequences.

Yesterday afternoon, after my work for the day was done, I watched a couple of movies — and ate some junk food to go along with them.

Barf. I mean the movies were good (Up in the Air and Everybody’s Fine — both definitely get a 4-cheese rating), but the fact that I felt I needed to munch on everything from Oreos to M&Ms pretty much negated my 6-lb. weight loss over the last 2 weeks in one day. It felt like it, at least.

But hey, we’re back on the wagon today, so that’s all that matters. And what a wagon ride it’s going to be. Rehearsals straight into Dinner Theatre opening on the 26th, followed by leaving for New York on choir tour three days later. On Easter Sunday, however, the Fink will rest. And rest, and rest, and rest, and hopefully see my family.

But no more junk food for awhile. *bLArK*

Happy Monday.

Rewarding schools for good performance instead of punishing them for standardized testing results? Nah. That makes too much sense. Truth is, somebody stole the Fink’s idea. I actually thought of that years ago.

And why don’t we pay things forward in other areas? Why do the bad guys get all the press? I say we flip it, you know — like when my son’s school used to give out “caught being good” cards, to wit:

• Cops should stop people at random and hand out $5 Starbucks gift cards for *not* speeding.
• Parents who *don’t* act like idiots at their kids’ sporting events should get a free hot dog and Coke sprung on them once in awhile.
• Vendors (and yes, I am talking about you, Mystik Media, maker of Blaze Media Pro) should reward longtime repeat customers who wouldn’t take advantage of them with a little trust, instead of cowering in the corner, grabbing at every penny like you’re friggin’ Golem.

You know. Stuff like that.

Am I snarky today? *feeling forehead* I’m afraid I’m not myself. Daylight Savings puts me off my feed. Ah well. At least Jake and Justin are coming for a visit today. That will cheer me up.

Crabby Fink

I appreciate the emails and comments on my Sunday afternoon accident. Heh. I have a scratched cornea, and I can’t wear contact lenses for 2 weeks, but I will be fine. I am on the mend and will be good as new in no time.

XO to all, and happy Tuesday.

PS – Thumbs up to RtB fiends Bando and Adam, who will have a new baby tomorrow! Hugs!