My phone background is currently a picture of an anthropomorphic Strawberry Poptart holding a sign that says “Dreams Really Do Come True,” as he’s being lowered into a giant toaster, as part of a college football ritual sacrifice.
If you didn’t watch or hear about the College football “Poptart Bowl,” that sentence is going to sound completely deranged. I’m afraid that even if you DID watch or hear about the Poptart Bowl, the sentence doesn’t make much more sense.
Why would anyone watch such a thing? And, stranger still, why would anyone make this bizarre spectacle their phone background?
I can answer both questions.
To answer Q1: Why would anyone watch such a thing? Because it’s captivating and ridiculous! You’re telling me you’re not intrigued by a ginormous Poptart mascot, dancing and cheering for both teams, winning over hearts and minds with Gritty-like charisma? BUT THAT’S NOT ALL. It then lowers into a toaster, and transforms into a real, edible giant poptart that the winning team consumes live on television? That’s some must-see tv.
To answer Q2: 2) Why did I make this my phone background? Because I’m trying to bring that Big Poptart Energy with me into the new year! Not the ritual-sacrifice part, no (a girl’s gotta draw a line somewhere), but the commitment to the bit part, yes. Both Poptarts, the brand, and Strawberry Poptart, the mascot, went all out with their commitment to creating something memorable, something that would be weird and wonderful and shared. And they did it. Dreams Really Do Come True.
Committing to the bit is so much easier said than done. And I imagine, it’s so much easier to do as a giant poptart mascot, who likely does not have many worldly fears or regrets. For the rest of us, it’s actually really difficult to be upfront and loud and unencumbered about the things we’re gaga about. It’s so easy to talk ourselves out of doing things or even showing our true passions to the world for fear that the response will not be what we hoped. When something we’re passionate about is met with lukewarm reactions, it can feel bad! The imbalance of enthusiasm can leave you feeling like you’re too much - sitting heavily on one side of a seesaw with your companions on the other side, hoisted in the air, looking uncomfortable and itching to get down and get away from you.
But you know what? In 2024, I’m trying to remind myself that it’s just one hypothetical, worst-case-scenario. Most of the time, people want to know about your passions and interests! They want to know why you like what you like! They want to show/tell/share what they like!
But also: even if folks don’t match your passion or enthusiasm for something, you should still do the thing if you want to do the thing. There are so many ways to find and create community around the things we love- online and in real life. Sometimes you just need to give yourself permission to unabashedly love the thing and go from there.
For example: I love Valentine’s Day! I think it’s nice to have a day in the middle of the blustery month of February where people receive a token of love! So for the last 4 years, Power of the Playlist has run a “Blind Date with a Mix” event. For this event, people submit a Valentine playlist to Power of the Playlist by the end of January. They get to decide what kind of "Valentine Mix" to send in- it doesn't have to be romantic in nature, it can just be an awesome playlist. Nor does the mix have to be brand new, it can be an oldie but goodie. At the beginning of February, I post descriptions of the playlists at Poweroftheplaylist.com as “Playlist Personals” and people from all over get to read through the Personals Section and choose one lucky mix as their Valentine. On Valentine's Day, they receive a physical or digital Valentine in the mail, designed by artist, Lauren Haase, with a link to the mix they chose and a lil Valentine message!
Most years I’ve done this event, I have had a crisis of confidence. Like, “What if people think this is dumb? And I look like an idiot?” But I’ve learned to put those worries aside- in part because of you- readers of this essay and participants in these events- who keep it going every year and sometimes even write me sweet emails about how much you like the thing! But also, I’ve made peace with the fact that this event- and zine- is one of those things I like and care about, and as long as that’s true, it’s worth doing.
I will also say here that, most years, people have revealed to me their own crises of confidence about submitting playlists to this event and I always tell them to please let go of their fears and do the thing! If I can do it, you can do it!
SO BY NOW YOU HAVE FIGURED OUT THAT, MUCH LIKE A COLLEGE BOWL GAME, THIS HAS ALL BEEN A VERY LONG COMMERCIAL FOR A PRODUCT…
Welcome to the FIFTH YEAR (!!!) of Power of the Playlist’s Blind Date with a Mix Valentine Event! We are currently accepting playlist submissions until January 31st at on our website. Submit your playlist this week! Commit to the bit! You got this!