Since neither of these three topics could really deserve an entire post of their own (at least not with a heavy does of over embellishmen, which eventually leads to, STFU), I’m gonna lump perhaps the three most random topics together in one here. First up: Bacon.
Who doesn’t love bacon? Ok, vegans and vegitarians aside. Let me rephrase, what omnivor doesn’t love bacon? Smell it yet? Let me say it one more time: Bacon. Yum. I’m not even sure where my affinity for bacon comes from, or any one else’s for that matter. If you actually have a think about what bacon is, and what gives it it’s flavor. Well, umm….yeah, it’s kinda disgusting. Perhaps the reason bacon brings a smile to just about everyone’s face is what bacon signifies. I believe bacon to be one of the very true, core, roots comfort foods. Think about all your associations with bacon. Got a bad one? Me neither. Bacon is what mom made on sunday mornings. Bacon is what you have on the side at that greasy spoon diner where the waitress comes by every 10 minutes and doesn’t ask, she just refills your coffee. Now that’s good ol’ fashioned Americana. Bacon. Alternatively, as my friend Mr. Winemaker reminds me, bacon can also be enjoyed best on fresh ass (do NOT click here if you’re at work or easily offended).
Apparently the folks over at Boca Java think bacon is scrumdidilyumptious as well, as I recently discovered their Boca Java’s Maple Bacon Breakfast Roast. Yes,you read that correctly. No, your eyes are not deceiving you. I don’t think I could write the description any better myself,
Reminiscent of a hearty Saturday morning breakfast around the table, this sweet, savory coffee delights the senses with the smell and taste of home! Maple Bacon Morning has a base that’s full-bodied and complex, and it’s a delicious way to rise when the rooster crows!
…and you know they wanted to write ‘when the cock crows’, but the legal department ix-nayed it.
But wait…there’s more bacon in store!
If Maple Bacon Morning blend didn’t get your motor running, how about having a juicy slice of bacon right in front of your eyes at every website you visit throughout the day? Thanks to bacolicio.us you now can! A rather, yet genious idea, the bacolicio.us guys have simply written a script that places a floating .png image of bacon over any website you want.
Personally, I think that turnthescrew looks greatly improved with a slab of freshly sizzled bacon smack dab in the middle of the articles. Suggestion – use bacolicio.us to freak you co-worker out by placing a slab of piggily goodness over his/her blog, and/or I’m sure the boss man would LOVE to see that image. Maybe a screenshot and intercompany email? Errr…well, maybe on your last day. 
Stop – Hammertime!
Because I could find no words to describe the sheer awesomeness of this video, I’ll let it speak for itself:
Get ‘em while they’re hot – real deal North Korean propaganda for sale. In the U.S.?
And in perhaps the most ‘ummm…WTF?’ news I came across today, it appears that the government of North Korea is deriving income from California based personalized gift seller CafePress.com. Who knew Kim Jong Il had such artistic talent?
It appears as though the Korean Friendship Association, an official state run organization dedicated to, “Defending the independence and socialist construction” of North Korea, has a CafePress shop where they sell the normal CafePress offerings (Mousepads, Tshirts, Hoodies, Trucker Hats, etc.), all carrying propaganda imagery glorifying the government. Remember, this is the government that starves their people, imprisions American journalists, and has recently stepped up their desire to play with the big boys and their nukes.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, sanctions prohibit American companies from importing “goods of North Korean origin … into the United States either directly or through third countries, without prior notification to and approval of the Office of Foreign Assets Control.” Ok, due to the nature of CafePress’s business, and how they operate, it’s clear that the goods are not coming directly from North Korea. However, the same government agency also states that American businesses are bared “from engagin in transfers from the Government of North Korea.” Which begs the question – if these items are selling on CafePress, a business that takes a cut from profits generated, where’s the rest of the cash going?
Mediabistro sent an email over to CafePress asking for the low down, they got a response from the company’s PR Director Marc Cowlin. In his email Mr. Cowlin explains, “I can confirm that checks are not sent to North Korea or any government agency.” Cowlin also responded to requests from WebNewser stating that he’d “forwarded the emails on to the owner of the [CafePress] shop”, thanked them for bringing the matter to his attention, and added, “we’ve sent the information on to our content usage team for review — they will determine if it is in violation of our policies or law.”
Who knows, maybe CafePress is simply sending a check to an unassuming middleman that is then passing the funds on to Kim Jong Il’s regime? Perhaps, but if these items are turning any sort of profit, something tells me that CafePress may or may not have simply turned a blind eye. You be the judge.
HEY, Where can I get me some of that bacon coffee?????? Huh???
As mentioned in the article, the Maple Bacon Morning Coffee is available from Boca Java: http://www.bocajava.com/