The White Dragon

One of the coolest looking cans in my collection: Monster White Dragon Tea.  I love the black and purple on white.

There's an awesome Chinese dragon down one side of it, partially hidden by a text box with a history white tea.

And the other side has Chinese characters, of which I have no idea what it says.  Possibly "White Dragon Tea?"

Monster cans have had some of my favorite designs and looks in the last few years, and this was shot right to the top.  Keep 'em coming...

New Ski

Ski has not had many design changes since it was created in the 1950's.  I have a steel can from the 70's and a some aluminum cans consisting of the regular flavor, diet, and UltraRed (their cherry citrus flavor), but they all have the same two Ski logos as above.

So I was surprised to see this can sitting on my desk one day at work.

I had to do a double-take to make sure I saw that right.  Ski had a new design?

Checking the Ski Soda Wiki, it said cans with the REALS started showing up in 2009.  Where have I been?  Anyway, this design now sits with the other two designs in my collection.

Come back in 2043 when I discuss Ski's 4th logo design...

Pacific Pop

Fall weather has arrived in the Midwest.  But just a few days ago, the temperature was in the 90's which is WAY too hot for October.  And now, we're in the 50's with rain.  When I got this Monster Pacific Punch can, the theme was appropriate.  But now one may look back on the balmy days of last weekend and wish they were on a Pacific island away from this gloomy, dreary weather.  But not me, I love this!!!

But I'll feature this can anyway.  One side of the can has a little story about the drink, claiming the flavor is as deep and wide as the Pacific Ocean.  That's big flavor.

Also on that side of the can there's a nice graphic of a sailing ship and a large anchor, very "oceany."  On the other side is a mermaid and shark, which I believe is the first can in my collection to feature a mermaid.  Or a shark.

Last weekend when I got the can, we also used some Calypso Sands scented wax cubes in our wax burner to give the house an island-smelling atmosphere.

Oh, but that was last week.  This weekend is jackets and umbrellas.  Do they make a wet leaf scent for wax burners?

There's Passion In My Collection

I've posted about short road trips to Evansville, IN, before and the cans I did and didn't find.  Here is another such post.

I just got back from scouring the Evansville flea markets and antique malls and was surprised to see so many soda cans today.  I already have most of them, but there were a few I didn't have.  But at $5-$10 each, I just couldn't pay that for another Coca-Can with just a local ad on it.  Or a $10 soda can from another country.  And then I saw a can sitting on a shelf that jumped right out and said, "Buy me" and I said, "Ok!"

The can was a straight steel, pull top can of Purple Passion.  The Purple Passion I've heard of is alcoholic, but this can clearly states it's a "blended berry soda."  The best part was I had never heard of or seen this can before.  A rare find for me.

I cautiously turned the can over to see how much it was and to my surprise it was only $2.50.  SOLD!!

It's clearly from the 1970's.  I've found several sources online that list it from 1970-1975, so it was possibly one of those soda brands that stuck around for a few years and just never changed it's design.  

This picture doesn't do the can's colors justice.  In real life it's bright and vibrant, almost like something Jimi Hendrix would have requested backstage at his concerts.  Along the seam it says "By Canada Dry Corporation," so it was a specialty flavor of that brand.

The passion for collecting really returned today when I saw this can.  It's the first one I've bought in a while, but I'm sure it won't be the last.

Slim Mist

I was hard at work today when a co-worker came into my office with this slim Sierra Mist can.  It was still cold, had icy water drops sliding down the side of the awesomely green/yellow ombre can.

I wanted to pop it open and pour it down my gullet, but I had just eaten and was full.  So now it sits in my fridge at home waiting for a thirsty moment to arise.

And it's made with real sugar, so I know it's gonna be good.