I wish people would tell me if and when I have Dragon Breath. There ought to be a universal sign that we can subtly say to each other, then walk away so the person can fix it.
I have been a science fiction conventions where people are wearing clothes that haven't been washed in days, and they do not bathe. I have seen copies of the daily newsletters at conventions which practically beg people to shower.
It ain't pretty.
January 24, 2010 at 7:40 PM
[Image]A mailing list I belong to is having a discussion about "Dragon Breath". The person who brought it up pointed out that it doesn't take much for her to be nauseous for hours after a particularly bad encounter.
Someone suggested Vicks Vapo-rub. Perhaps a change of clothes and a bath. Then our favorite Seattle Cop suggested a cigar, before she went on to describe some of the biohazards she encounters from time to time. So for some ODD reason, I brought up this recollection.
Once upon a time, I worked for a venerable gaming company called Wizards of the Coast. Yep, it's true. In fact, they're the ones responsible for starting me on the path to the computer professional I am today. Now my boss knows who to blame thank. I started after Magic: The Gathering became a world-wide phenomenon, but while it was still HOT! HOT! HOT! Yep, I was the coolest thing ANY boy under the age of 16 had EVER met.
We had a fun director of customer something or another. At the time, Starbucks had just released a mint that truly would combat coffee breath. It's main ingredient may have been some component of Agent Orange. Much stronger than Altoids. Anyway, he called them "Con-Mints". Because if you ate them consistently enough at conventions filled with the target demographic of Magic, you wouldn't actually smell them.
I thought he was kidding. I was wrong. One year, we held the World Championships at the corporate headquarters. These boys? STANKY!!! Woof. And one of my fondest memories of my time at WotC? The clip-on air fresheners clipped to every HVAC vent in the building. Not sure it helped, but it sure as hell didn't hurt.
Come to think of it, I worked with the guys who created these little gems. Not quite Con-Mint strength, but sugar-free AND caffeinated. Perhaps there was a small niche market that was missed?
"Where are those Con-Mints when you need them?"
1 Comment -
I wish people would tell me if and when I have Dragon Breath. There ought to be a universal sign that we can subtly say to each other, then walk away so the person can fix it.
I have been a science fiction conventions where people are wearing clothes that haven't been washed in days, and they do not bathe. I have seen copies of the daily newsletters at conventions which practically beg people to shower.
It ain't pretty.
January 24, 2010 at 7:40 PM