Blood Draw

I believe it was me Uncle Mike what it happened to, but, as they say, no need for facts to get in the way of a good story, so I'll say it was him.

When he was a young man and stationed in South Korea with the US Army, he struck up a conversation with a Republic of Korea, or ROK, soldier who was in his military finery. Uncle Mike was impressed by the man's sword which was part of his dress uniform. "Could I take a look at that?" Uncle asked.

The ROK handed it to him and Uncle dutifully admired it for a moment or two before handing it back. "May I see your hand?" the allied soldier then asked.

Confused, Uncle held out his right hand anyway. The ROK took it and nipped the barest bit from Uncle Mike's right pointer finger, just enough for a couple drops of blood to appear and cause just a bit of pain. "Why'd you do that?" he demanded.

"If I draw my sword I must draw blood," was the explanation.

"Coulda told me that before," Uncle Mike grumbled, understandably.

Products on the cutting edge

I'm not always sure what to think about advertising or promotions. They can be timid; they can be strong. Yet often I'm just not sure exactly what they are.
I used to buy a beer at duty free coming home from Canada which enticed its patrons on the cigar band that it was 'remarkably drinkable'. I don't know about you, but I simply cannot imagine that as a good advertising slogan. "I say old boy, have you tried this? It is remarkably drinkable." Um, okay.
So today I'm having a spot of tea which commands that I *dare* to drink it. What, is the next step a double dog dare? Or might we skip the protocols and jump right to the triple dog dare? Really, I ask you.
I'm drinking the tea anyways. I never back down from a dare.