YOU tell ME what this means

Three weeks ago, J and I were watching Popeye. I know, it's terribly formulaic, is it not? Kind of like Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. These things never occur to you when you're five. Like J, I would watch anything as long is it was a cartoon. Anyway. In this episode Olive Oil was acting as an entertainer down Cuba way, doing a funny version of Carmen Miranda. I said as much.

J was all, "Who's that?"

"Honey," I replied, "Let's ask our friend Internet."

As expected, YouTube had quite a selection of Carmen Miranda videos, and J was enthralled. It may have been the additional mindless entertainment, or that she was getting to sit on my lap in front of the computer (something that I don't usually allow since I read lots of news with big words and right-wing conservative propaganda that she's too young to appreciate), but then again those fruit hats can be mesmerizing. I was glad to have expanded her cultural horizons.

Fast forward another week. I was visiting a friend in Pennsylvania, and we were out for dinner with a mess of her friends. Kim and I were knee-deep in serious conversations and pomegranate martinis when I heard someone ask, "Who is that singer from the 40's that always wore the fruit on her hat?" My head tilted to the side like a dog hearing a high-pitched noise, considering the unusual coincidence. "Carmen Miranda!" I piped up, delighted with my own knowledge. Hey, some people are book smart, while others are common sense smart. I am neither, but I can remember lots of really unimportant things. Which is nice.

Now go another week forward. J and I are watching Cash Cab, and a $50 question came up for a lucky contestant. "Name the woman who was the highest paid entertainer in 1945 [?], famous for wearing fruit on her head." I looked at J in amazement. What in the name of Sam Hill....? "Carmen Miranda!" I shouted at Ben. Then I turned to J and asked, "Can you believe that?" She had forgotten the name and relation to fruit, and really couldn't care less. I felt deflated but still dumbstruck. Seriously - what are the chances that this name would come up so frequently in such a short period of time? Freaky.

Then last weekend JBL and I are getting ready to watch football, and I note Chiquita Banana has a new ad campaign. Now, think about this. When is the last time you saw a Chiguita Banana commercial? For me, I can honestly say it has been decades. But, of course you know the logo for this brand of bananas. IT'S CARMEN EFFING MIRANDA. My head almost fell off at that point. I told JBL of my string of coincidental run-ins with her persona, and he just chuckled.

This really has to have some Greater Meaning, but for the life of me, I cannot think of one. Any ideas would be appreciated. I'm going to eat a banana...