I read in the paper that the author Guest of Honor at Balticon was Gene Wolfe. The article even mentioned that he'd been the editor of Plant Engineering, a trade publication, and had even helped develop a component of the machinery or manufacturing process for Pringles potato chips.
I didn't know that. If I had known, I would've asked him about it, years ago, when I had a chance in an author's Q&A at some science fiction con long ago (maybe ConStellation?).
I don't particularly care for Pringles. (I prefer Utz.) But it turns out that I have a cousin who started working at Procter & Gamble 2 or 3 years ago, and handles PR for Pringles (or something like that). I overheard her mom talking about it at the clan reunion last fall. She was saying something like, "My daughter does PR for Pringles and they're coming out with a new flavor for Wal-Mart in November. And she can't tell me anything about it -- her own mother!!
She said this with a twinkle in her eye, and added, "I shop at Wal-Mart," and chuckled. As if to say, 'I go slumming at Wal-mart'. Making fun of the downscale reputation of the mass retailer admidst a gaggle of retired aunties who are more likely to stress their comfortable (upscale?) lifestyles.
(Anyhow, Wal-Mart must sell a whole lotta Pringles for P&G to come out with a special flava for 'em. And since I never go near that stuff, I may be taste deprived till the day I die.)
Posted by raacluse at May 30, 2006 10:21 PM