Before the era of the computer, the internet, and all the auxiliary electronic gadgets there was an adventure felt by the seeker of alternative health practices, non-religious spirituality, and self development. The individual had to leave his house and go to a book store or a learning center. Once there he or she would find a book or meet a person who would refer him to an organization or some study guide. He might find what he was looking for or find his search took him in a different direction which was just as rewarding. Much of that is gone.

Maybe it isn't gone, the seeking is still there, but we are just doing it with different tools. I happened to read a comic strip in the Los Angeles Times Sunday edition (February 7, 2010) called "Candorville" by Darrin Bell. It might have been the first time. I usually just read "Doonesbury." In it the man tells the woman why he doesn't want to go to Burger Queen: "Scientists discovered half of the fast food fountain sodas they tested were contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria."

At that, I had to find out for myself if this was true so I went online and found an article in the NY Daily News (January 8, 2010) that tells us pretty much the same. "Nearly half of the beverages coming out of the machines were contaminated with coliform bacteria, which indicates possible fecal contamination, according to the small study, which sampled 30 soda machines in Roanoke, Virginia."

The co-author of the report, Renee D. Godard, Hollins University biology professor, said in the paper published in the January issue of the International Journal of Food Microbiology: "We can't have that in our drinking supply, but they're coming out of these soda fountain machines."

Godard said that the bacteria establish themselves on the lining of the plastic tubing. In other areas such as hospitals, it is known that bacteria can be found on plastic tubing for machines. Charles Gerba told ABC News.com that, "coliform bacteria have been seen in drinking water dispensing machines where the customers fill up jugs of water." He said, "You see it anytime you have something where people can touch the dispenser."

I learned several things from this. The adventure is within the seeker and not the tools he or she uses. Serendipity is alive and well. And, if you have to drink soda, you might choose to do so from bottles or cans. The best option might be to drink fruit juices that don't contain high fructose sugar-from bottles.