Just Do It Over (11c)—Tombstone Twinkies

One year ago on Round and Square (21 November 2011)—Fieldnotes From History: First Attempts at Reflexivity
Click here for the introduction to the Round and Square series "Just Do It Over"

[a] Twinkshi RF

This is one of three posts in a brief series: Twinkies 1   Twinkies 2   Twinkies 3

This is it, folks. It should be clear from the last two posts that I have mixed feelings about the Hostess Corporation, empathy for those who could lose jobs, and a fair amount of antipathy for the little Twinkie itself. This is difficult stuff, fraught with contradictory feelings. I am over the sweet taste of those golden stumps—and have been for many years by now. I have my share of dietary frustrations, but the Hostess corporation has little role in them. Whether there is anything dietary worth fighting for is another question. I have my opinion, but I'll leave that to you.

[b] Fraught RF

The problem is jobs, people, and we all know that closing corporate doors isn't good for anyone. Yesterday, Twinkies rose from the ash heap. Both sides entered into mediation, and we all know that you can't spell "not-mad" or "time-on" (or "dime-in") without mediation. It all began today—talks got underway this morning.

They ended this afternoon.

New York Times

Failed Mediation 

It's all over, folks. There are a few more possible paths, but the shelf-life of the Twinkie is growing short. And remember the thing I said about Twinkies surviving a nuclear holocaust? Well, it turns out that's an urban myth, too. Apparently the little shelf-life-preservatives (I always imagined the possibility of cadavers in medical school packed with Twinkies) actually last only twenty-five days.

It has been a tough day for the Twinkie. It looks like this is the end of the line. How you feel about that depends on your perspective.

And preservatives. 

If anything changes, you'll hear it on these pages.

Rest In Peace, Monsieur et Madame Twinkie. 

This is one of three posts in a brief series: Twinkies 1   Twinkies 2   Twinkies 3

[c] Preserved...or not RF

Just Do It Over (11b)—Lazarus Twinkies

One year ago on Round and Square (20 November 2011)—Hurtin' Country: Bubba Shot the Jukebox
Click here for the introduction to the Round and Square series "Just Do It Over"

[a] Golden RF

This is one of three posts in a brief series: Twinkies 1   Twinkies 2   Twinkies 3

I enjoyed my little nostalgic amble down memory lane (aka Keyes Avenue and Randall School) yesterday. I followed the Candyland trail of refined sugars all of the way to my childhood prey, the Hostess Twinkie, and prepared to say goodbye. We have spent four decades apart, in any case, but I knew that the Twinkie had moved on to other relationships, other waistlines, and other generations.

I said my goodbyes, and prepared to live in peace in a post-Hostess world.

[b] Sayōnara RF

And then, rising from the ashes, the Twoenix ascends. The Twinkie may not be dead quite yet. Talks have reopened, and the Gods of Glucose are smiling down upon sponge cakes again. 

This is good news for labor, and may repair a bit of the one-sided portrait in the news recently. Much coverage attributed the company's failure to one side. I'll leave it at that. I am happy for the whole workforce...even hopeful.

Hostess Mediation 

New York Times

As for American health, well, I still lean warily toward Michael Bloomberg. We could do without the Twinkie in our lives, although I would rather have the marketplace take care of it than legislation. I sincerely cheer for jobs, but I wouldn't mind seeking those little mini-loafs go the way of the hardtack cracker (although the latter are a lot more healthy, relatively speaking). 

Deep memories—not all good, by any means—but gone.

It has been said that Hostess Twinkies could survive nuclear destruction. 

I am beginning to think that this just might be true.

This is one of three posts in a brief series: Twinkies 1   Twinkies 2   Twinkies 3

[c] Conundrum RF