QUARANTINE BLOG # 290

January 14, 2021

Fast-food workers across the country are planning to strike tomorrow to keep pressure on the incoming Biden administration and the restaurant giants they work for to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.  

Employees of McDonald’s, Wendy’s and other fast-food chains will stay off or walk off the job, said the “Fight for $15 and a Union,” a movement of fast food and other low-paid workers, which is organizing the strike.  A 2019 Congressional Budget Office study found that while a $15 federal minimum wage would boost pay for 17 million workers who earn less than that,  it would cause 1.3 million other workers to lose their jobs.

👉  Speaking of McDonald’s, you may have heard some of the urban legends about the land of the Golden Arches: the McRib is made from pink slime (whatever that is), McDonald’s chicken nuggets contain putty, and the McFlurry machine is always broken (sometimes it is, but sometimes it’s just being cleaned – a job that takes about 4 hours).  The website “Eat This, Not That!” has published a list of 50 of those urban legends with debunks about them.

If you don’t want to read the entire list, you may be pleased to know that: McDonald’s fries were not on the original menu,  McDonald’s never served a dead mouse in a McChicken sandwich, and McDonald’s fries (which in the opinion of your favorite blogger are the best in the fast food business) will not increase fertility, although some women have claimed that eating them helped them get pregnant.  Check out the list if you want to learn more.

👉  Speaking of Wendy’s, late last year, the company debuted a new logo, its first for 29 years (check it out above).  But since the new brand was rolled out nationally in March 2020, some people have noticed a “hidden” or subliminal message in the new logo.  See if you can spot it before I tell you what you’re supposed to be looking at (and I didn’t know it either).   

The word “MOM” can be found in Wendy’s ruffled collar. The word pops out in one-color versions of the logo, which are used on Wendy’s styrofoam cups.  There has been no indication from the corporation as to whether the subliminal lettering was deliberate or accidental.

👉  2021 has only just begun but the Alaska cruise season is already in jeopardy.  On January 6, Princess Cruises announced it would postpone its sailings until mid-May, affecting several Alaska voyages and Pacific Coastal cruises.  On the same day, Holland America Line announced deeper cancellations, pausing several Alaska-bound ships into June.  Alaska, particularly communities in Southeast Alaska, relies heavily on cruise tourism as a major economic driver.  Roughly 1.4 million cruise passengers were expected to sail to Alaska in 2020, on 600 individual sailings that would have brought in nearly $800 million in passenger spending – there are as many jewelry stores in Ketchikan and Juneau as on any Caribbean island – and an additional $1 billion in revenue for services such as pilotage, provisioning and waste removal.

👉  Today’s jukebox hit, once again from the 70s is ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”  It was a worldwide hit, and strange as it may seem, became ABBA’s only number one hit in the United States.  The music video linked above has 470,573,805 views as of this morning, and has become ABBA’s most recognizable and popular song.

👉  Let’s go back on the road with a last look at some more of Airbnb’s most wished list properties.

Meadowlark Treehouse at Montana Treehouse Retreat.  The treehouse grand entrance is a spiral staircase custom crafted around a giant Douglas fir tree. This treehouse has 500 square feet of living space with 2 outside deck areas, the common room has a 2nd spiral staircase, full kitchen, dishwasher, and stove.  There is no “roughing it” in this treehouse.  The first floor has a full bathroom with a full sized shower and sink.  We do not allow guests to stay in the treehouse when the winds are gusting over 30 MPH.  We will communicate with you directly if this is the case and will refund your night of stay and help you find alternative lodging in the event of a high wind storm.  $399 per night.

A Pirate’s Life For Me.  Featured on “Tiny House Hunters” & dubbed “Charleston’s Best Airbnb Experience” this is a very spacious houseboat with a vaulted ceiling in the main cabin.  Prices range from $99 per night for weekday day-of bookings in January all the way to $499 per night for weekends during peak season summer.  The houseboat is tied up at the dock, and you may fish from your rental property.

Underground Hygge.  A hygge (Danish word) is a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.  This place in Washington State seems to be that.  

Here is their description: This inspired dwelling nestles right into the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge mountainside.  Reverently framed by the iconic round doorway, the wondrous views will entrance your imagination and inspire an unforgettable journey.  Every nook of this little habitation will warm your sole, every cranny will charm your expedition of repose.  Up the pathway, tucked into the earth, an unbelievable adventure awaits!  $292 per night.

Check out all of the photographs of the hygge.

👉  Today’s close is from Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me by Beth A. Richardson.

The Hurting Places

    There is a world of hurt around me today,

    And my heart fills with pain.

    Sometimes I hear myself saying,

    “All I can do is pray.”

    And then I remember that praying

    Is no small thing.

    Sometimes it is the only thing,

    The one true thing for this hurting world.

    Healing God, send your wholeness,

    Loving Christ, your strength,

    Holy Spirit, your comforting presence,

    To all who hurt,

    To all who struggle,

    To all who mourn.  Amen.

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