FIFA meal at McDonald's: What a trip

By Ed Piper

I just bought my seventh FIFA World Cup meal (July 18) at McDonald's, and I want to share my experience writing my first blog entry on my new electric table (assembled yesterday).

Aaahhh (sigh of disappointment). I received another Bebote Gimenez (presumably from Mexico) souvenir cup (cheap plastic, with the figure's image in a painting on the outside. In the six weeks of the soccer tournament, I also got three--not two--Ronaldinho (Brazilian, I suppose) cups. That was a bummer.

I wanted more variation among the nine available designs. (I got four.) I was telling people at my local McDonald's (always got them at the same outlet) that in the old days, cups or whatever else the promotion was were out in the open, and you requested the one you want.

In this age of collector's items in sealed packages (example: baseball cards in protective sleeves--I bought cards when I was a kid with the gum staining the back of the back card), each of the World Cup containers came in a white sealed bag. After receiving each one, I would open the bag inside the store, at the counter, to see what I got.

What a groan I let out when I got yet another Ronaldinho. Ugggh. Plus when I received a cartoon character, I had to have an employee explain to me who it was: Grimace. I still don't know who he is.

Imagine how my nutrition went down the barrel. I never drink sugared sodas. On these seven purchases, I selected Sprite, since you either choose or you get nothing.

Then four Big Mac's. The last three, I've ordered the 10-piece Chicken McNugget meal. I'm making a comeback! (I won't even comment on the nutrition value of seven medium French fries orders.)

By the way, the electric table is working great so far. I have it elevated to its top height, 46.5 centimeters. My hands and wrists feel a little strained, as I arch down to the keyboard from a standing position. (My keyboarding level is higher.) (Plus, I love the cool breeze blowing in the window on a hot day.)

My strained leg and back feel much appreciated--as I'm not aggravating those conditions further while I work. I hope it will be a long and fruitful relationship.