enough doom & gloom--let's talk about something really important

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so what was your reaction when you first looked at the above pic? if it was a combination of revulsion and intense curiosity, you are not alone.

these things hit the vending machines at work on wednesday and, as it's the first new snack to appear there in ages, the news swept through the cubicles like wildfire. at first we circled cautiously amid mutterings about what kind of idiot would dip a potato chip in ketchup, until one brave soul ventured forth and jabbed a dollar at the machine. the resulting bag was examined, opened, and--as the intoxicating aroma of ketchup-drenched french fries permeated the air-- passed around, and voila, just like that, everything changed, snack paradigms shifted, a whole new universe of flavor possibilities emerged and took hold. at least half the office is now obsessed with these damn things; we simply cannot stop eating them.

after doing a little research, i'm astonished to find that they've been on the market since the middle of last year--and i'm just hearing about them now?! all i can say is, somebody dropped the marketing ball on this product, because, if our little focus group is any indication (and trust me, we're about as middle-brow as it gets), these things would need very little exposure to capture the jaded tastebuds of america.

and yes, god only knows what unholy combination of petrochemicals it took to create this little taste sensation; as i sit here crunching away i'm trying not to think about it. all i'm sayin is, if you can find 'em, grab 'em--you will not be sorry.