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’Net Junkie Shawn "Speedy" Lopes |
Condiment packets
abound on this siteAs an avowed bachelor who works seven days a week between two jobs, fast food is not just a reality, it's a necessity. I understand I'm not doing my body any favors by ingesting processed meats, cheeses and mystery sauces, but I often find myself on the go and in need of a quick refueling.
My refrigerator compartments probably tell a good deal about my lifestyle. At last count, I had accumulated 11 taco sauce packets from Taco Bell, seven of the same from Jack In The Box and nine crushed red pepper packets from Domino's. Noticeably absent was my once-bountiful supply of ketchup packets, which I had used up while putting off buying a new bottle of the tomato-based condiment.
The difference between my condiment collection and the one at the Condiment Packet Museum, however, is that mine is accidental, whereas the creators behind the Web site at www.clearfour.com/condiment have willingly amassed a dizzying assortment of packaged dressings, seasonings and sauces, for no good reason.
No one's saying this is a site of great significance, but it is intriguing simply because it is quite likely the only site of its kind in all of cyberspace.
Apparently, a McDonald's, Wendy's or Arby's ketchup packet from one part of the country isn't always identical to one found in another region. Same for mustard, relish, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, mayonnaise and other dressings. You'll find scores of visual samples here, one beside the next.
The people behind the Condiment Packet Museum have also devised a way to extract the contents of their packets without damaging its casing, as beer can collectors do with aluminum cans. But if you're wondering what condiment packets that have outlived their usefulness look like, browse the FAQ page for a frightful photo, or just take a look in your office fridge sometime.
Note: Web sites mentioned in this column were active at time of publication. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin neither endorses nor is responsible for their contents.
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’Net Junkie drops every Monday.
Contact Shawn "Speedy" Lopes at slopes@starbulletin.com.
