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Josta Freaks

John Blaylock--a psychology student at Oklahoma State University--is the creator of one of several websites devoted to Josta cola. Blaylock kindly answered my email inquiries.

Where did you first hear about Josta?

The summer of 1996. I came across it at a gas station, liked it, and told my friends about it. Only later did we start to see any advertising. We were kinda scared because Surge had gotten commercials and ads before Josta.

Why Josta and not, I dunno, Sprite?

Josta has this nice feeling in the throat. It goes down smooth and does not have that thick after-effect. Dark colas leave a harsh sticky feeling. Also, I have always been for the underdog. I have always believed that all good things come to an end, so buy up all that you can. It seemed that Josta was destined to die a quick death if there was no support for it. So we needed to show PepsiCo. that there was a market.

On your website, you say some people drink Josta because it's cool. How can you tell?

This is where my psychology background comes in. I could tell when there was a real desire for someone to drink, while others simply went along. Some of the people I know are rebellious, so they joined the underdogs. We sort of developed a Josta clique. Some of my other friends stayed with us for a few weeks then left to find another cool group to hang with. Sort of like sports fair-weather fans.

What's the deal with the Josta scavenger hunt?

I was living in the dorms as a resident assistant, and we were required to organize programs so I did a week-long event surrounding Josta. I called it a "Scave-Hunt" to make it a little bit more interesting and mysterious. This lead to two others scave-hunts.

What sorta weird Josta stuff have you done?

We made a Jolta Kidew, a concoction of Jolt, Josta, Kick, and Mountain Dew. Most of the stuff on the purity tests have been done. A friend of mine made Josta Jello and coaxed the OSU president and school mascot into

getting a picture taken holding a Josta. I've edited movie and television pictures to include Josta (where it shouldn't be). I've made a Josta clock. Friends have snorted Pixie Stix while drinking Josta. The coolest thing was when I got a Josta banner--my only illegal act to date. I was the hero of the day. I am really considering getting a panther tattoo, although tattooing is prohibited in Oklahoma. One of my friends bought a pair of white panties and dyed them in Josta. After that he glued parts of the can on to them. The front of the panties had the Josta logo, and the back had the story of Josta that is on the can. I bought them for sixty cents, and I don't really think I will ever wear them. Yes, I am obsessed. That is all I drink now. Long Live Josta! However, I do not need to have it everyday.

Have you had any contact with Pepsi people? Do they know about your website?

I tried to get sponsored for the Josta week, but the pissy receptionist was not helpful. I do not wish to tell The Company for fear that they would say that I am stealing images that have copyright. But I did get free 8 x 10 mini-posters directly from the main office.

What do you think about Josta commercials and advertisements?

Damn cool. The old guys wishing that they had done some rebellious acts in their childhood. I say do it. If your conscious gets in the way most of the time, take the steel rod out of your ass and live a little. I mean if you feel like dancing in class, do it, or if you feel like yelling in the middle of Wal-Mart just do it. Those commercials encourage anti-social behavior, to a point. I love the commercials. I want more stuff to collect, though.

Does advertising affect your opinion?

Not really, I alreadly love it to death. It does show me that there is a market for Josta and Pepsi will not "can" it soon. My wish is to actually own a Josta T-shirt and meet the Josta Team girl.