Paper or Plastic? Throw back to a 90s Super Bowl Ad

There are certain pieces of miscellany that take up rent free space in my mind…

• The dietary needs of people who I no longer live in the same city as and that I don’t keep in touch with…

• Harris, a classmate from my freshman year English seminar, who I haven’t spoken to in a solid decade, was obsessed with battleships from WWII. 

And a beer Super Bowl ad from my childhood with the tag line, “Paper or Plastic?”

Does that tag line ring a bell for you?

Here’s the gist… 

Two guys don’t have enough cash to buy their cart of stuff at the grocery. They  have to decide, buy a six pack of beer or a roll of toilet paper?

Torn between the toilet paper and beer, they hesitate what’s the best choice.

Ultimately, they buy the beer and then the grocery bagger asks, “Paper or Plastic.” Without hesitation, they reply “Paper…” 

You don’t need much of an imagination to know what ply is touching their nether parts… 

This Superbowl ad from 1999 (25 years ago… what???) and is a joke in my family (we always thought the guys should have said “Paper. Double bag it.”. 

But what I love about it is both the humor and the creativity. 

When push comes to shove, in lean times perhaps there’s a way to get the BOTH AND. 

So this week, I’m sharing some of my favorite lean times biking hacks that include some humorous creativity…

Safety Vest

For a solid $35+ you can buy a bright brand name reflective vest for biking. 

One day in Queens, New York, after hanging out with my dear friend Rebecca, I saw a window front with an orange construction vest for $6.

I ran inside, bought the vest and I am consistently praised by other cyclists for its excellent reflective quality. That vest makes me so proud. If I had a teenager, they’d be mortified. But I’m not. Safety = Sexy!

Who said you need some brand name to catch other’s attention? 

Hotel Bathrooms

Years ago, when I was a student at the University of Miami, I’d run about 6 miles from campus to the Biltmore Hotel and back. The Biltmore was this swanky hotel and consistently, I’d waddle into the Biltmore, really needing to use the bathroom. The whole premise of the route was I knew I’d need a bathroom a few miles in so, so I could count on that route having a consistently available and clean bathroom.  

I fully recognize that there is substantial white privilege involved in this scheme. Without a bat of an eyelash I can walk into a hotel and use their facilities when I urgently need the toilet and not be questioned for entering and using them. I fully support our world offering more public toilets, as this can be a crucial lifeline, particularly for those who are unhoused and for young children, who suddenly have to go. Until that time comes, thank you hotels for being a saving grace for a bathroom in many moments when I’m on a bike, running or out in the world. 

Parking in a tight spot

Frequently I have to head to Adams Morgan in Washington, DC.

AdMo as it’s known has scarce parking. 

So scarce that I think they ring the Captain’s Bell at Trader Joe’s whenever someone successfully finds a spot in AdMo.

So I’ve come to realize that between the scarce parking, unreliable buses and a dozen minute + walk from the Metro, that riding my bike there is actually a time saver. 

Perhaps save the frustration of finding car parking and ride to your destination this week. Bike parking is usually plenty! 

Wishing you a week of some creative hacks to get through your rides and perhaps save a penny in the process!

Wheels up,

Ellen