Lilli wanted to get produce, and I wanted to get beer
and chips, but it was supposed to be 90 at 9, so we
figured we'd hit opening time. Swung by the post office to
submit our ballots, as it's on the way, and then to the
store, where we stocked up: onions 2 lb, garlic 4 heads,
lettuce 1 head, carrots 2 lb, potatoes 3 lb, each a buck.
Quality similar to the supermarket, except for the awful
lettuce, which she bought anyway; prices lower but not all 
that different, to tell the truth, except for the carrots.

The snack foods section was substantially revamped; they
had neither Stax nor Pringles (and I'm out); a lot of
somewhat disreputable off-brand corn-based stuff that looks 
pre-staled, and next a section of Frito-Lay products for 
49c more than they cost at the supermarket.

We got a couple pairs of weak cheaters and a bunch of
bargain beer - Henninger and Burgkopf, reasonably fresh,
in 500 ml cans, all a buck each.

The grapes that had been 99c/lb on an earlier visit rang
up at 1.99/lb, making them compare unfavorably with the
supermarket, where they're bigger for the same price. These 
were amazingly sweet but a little over the hill and with 
very thick skins (okay, I have to get my fiber somehow).

Soy sauce in Imperial pints, Kum Chun by Lee Kum Kee, I
figured what the hey at the price. I tasted it against the 
objectionable Kikkoman and found it less salty and more 
flavorful; the label claims half the calories but 40% more 
sodium than the Kikkoman, a surprise; it also admits to 
having added MSG, oh well. Short finish, compared to the
amazing length of the Japanese stuff.

We got back at 9 and discovered that it had topped out at
95 but was back down to 91. Later it hit 98.4, though down
at the airport we tied the record of 99. I'd decided not to 
cook dinner; we'd just have leftovers, and as it was still 
well over 90 at suppertime. I think my decision was wise.

Red Vines - these are the west coast competitor of Twizzlers.
They're squishier and gummier, disintegrated into a starchy 
mess in the mouth. Bubble gum flavor with paint thinner, slight 
bitter finish. There's this thing on the Internet, apparently 
originally from Saturday Night Live, that goes Mr. Pibb + Red 
Vines = Crazy Delicious; that seemed fodder for investigation, 
but I found that noplace in town carries Pibb. It is noted that 
Dr. Pepper is similar, but that combination is universally 
panned as not crazy delicious, whereas the authentic mix is 
supposed to be, as attested to by numerous teenage investigators.
I started off with a control - Diet Pepsi and Red Vines, but this
brought out acrid off flavors in both, a distinct failure. Well,
I've been carrying Red Vines around with me, and the other day
we stopped at a place in Rancho Bernardo, where I asked, somewhat
despairingly, if they carried Mr. Pibb, and the answer was Yes!
so the experiment could be completed. Result: there is a synergy
between the artificial cherrinesses of the two products, which
elevates the combination to Extra Nasty. Not crazy delicious.

Svenhard's cinnamon rolls - there's a reason why this company 
is bankrupt. Nuff said.

==
At Stater, two flavors of Cheetos, as they were 2 x 8 oz 
bags for $5.

Cheddar Jalapeno Crunchy - red flecks overlaid on the usual 
orange powder; lots of umami, not much Cheddar; a little green 
taste, pleasantly spicy. Good corn taste. Michael (the other
one at the concert) particularly liked these, but he was stoned.

XXtra flamin' hot - yeah, I got suckered into these again.
Forgot how mediocre they were until I opened the bag. One thing
I can say is that I underestimated their heat last time. They
are actually quite hot, with a whiff of extract on them, and
not being so accustomed to spicy as I was until recently, the
level of hotness was a little surprising. The back label says,
in the rappy way that passes for poetical these days,

What's a serving? 21 Cheetos[r] brand xxtra flamin' hot[r] flavored
snacks make a serving. If you can handle all that heat, then WOW!
... you're most deserving! What more can you do with 21 Cheetos[r]
snacks? Eat them with 21 sips of water before the thermometer cracks!

and I find that 21 actually makes a decently mouth-filling serving
of not particularly good-tasting snack (too vinegary and too salty
though I now admit plenty spicy).
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