The Lent Thing Rages On

    At Taco Bell Thursday night I noticed they are pushing items for Lent: quesadillas, wraps of various types, etc. I've never seen "the Bell" pushing Lent before. For the past couple years McDonald's and Burger King placed their respective fish sandwiches on special. Whether they're trying to pick up Lenten business or just make themselves look more acceptable so they don't get "given up" for 40 days I don't know. What I personally find interesting about this is that while my brand of Christianity sees us on the losing end of a desperate culture war, things such as the amazing success of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" and these pro-Lent fast food promotions are recent things.* I don't remember any such promotions or focus on Lent 20 or 30 years ago-- times supposedly less anti-Christian. Heck, I didn't even know what Lent was till fairly recently. Could you have seen anti-hero, anti-establishment, Godfather-era America turning a passion play into an SRO blockbuster? I don't think so.

"Psssst, Seriously, Don't Eat This Stuff"

    While I sat there eating, a Domino's Pizza guy came in holding several of those familiar warming bags. He got in the long line. He stood there for quite a while till the TB shift manager spotted him and got wide eyed. He called the Domino's guy over to the counter, grabbed the pizzas, and quickly disappeared into the back. Seems the Taco Bell crew had ordered out. Doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the food, does it? I slowly dropped the Chalupa and edged toward the door. (Okay, not really-- I had a burrito and wasn't phased at all-- but it sounded good.)

When The Sauce Packets Start Talking, It's Time To Go Home

    If you haven't been to Taco Bell in a while they are now placing humorous messages on their sauce packets. A few highlights:

• How many of these do you already have in your glove compartment?
• Warning! You're about to make a taco very happy.
• Live life one sauce packet at a time.
• Why order a taco when you can ask it politely?
• My other taco is a Chalupa.
• Save a bun. Eat a taco.
• Single Fire sauce seeking friendship, maybe more.    **

    Yours,
    Gene Nash

    * Not to mention the film "40 Days and 40 Nights" about giving up sex for Lent. Actually, it's a lousy movie. Let's not mention it.
    ** There's no truth to the rumour I asked the Fire sauce for her number and she turned me down.

    P.S. -- Mel Gibson's full name is Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson. Columcille?!?!