For those wondering what the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has to do with The Big Screen movie blog, the phallic roadster has appeared in two features, Ladybugs with Rodney Dangerfield and the Gene Wilder/Richard Pryor "comedy," Another You. Happy?

Now that I've justified the entry...

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/jan/17/38560/

I was 6 years old and — with the exception of a few viewings of The Wizard of Oz under my belt — had no personal exposure to little people.

Little Oscar and his "wife," Sonia, were scheduled to make a personal appearance at Chicago's Eagle Food Store located at the corner of Thorndale and Broadway.

Who knew from Oscar Mayer hot dogs, or as my mother used to call them, traif dreck? I was raised on a steady diet of kosher-style Vienna Red Hots complete with a snap-casing and green relish, the color of which does not exist in nature.

The Wienermobile was afforded rock star placement in the supermarket parking lot. Little Oscar and Sonia were waiting to greet customers inside next to the refrigerated foods section. For whatever reason, the sight of a full-grown man who was a head shorter than I freaked me out. I wouldn't even shake the little feller's hand.

There was a bright side: everyone in line was given a souvenir Oscar Mayer Wiener Whistle. What would Freud have said about the finger-handling?

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/jan/17/38561/

With the exception of an occasional Oscar Mayer Smokie Link (which are next to impossible to find) it wasn't until OM began making 100% beef (not pork) wieners that I felt it safe to ignore my mother's warning and give them a try. The franks make a tasty substitute for the generally cost-prohibitive Hebrew National or Nathan's Hot Dogs.

Little Oscar and Sonia have long been replaced by Jessica Barndt and Theresa Brenner, the two Hotdoggers piloting the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile all across the country. Here is a complete list of stops they'll be making in the San Diego area.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/jan/17/38562/

Sat. 1/19 11am - 4pm: Safeway, 11986 Bernardo Plaza Dr., San Diego

Sun. 1/20 11am - 4pm: Safeway, 3645 Midway Dr., San Diego

Wed. 1/23 12pm - 5pm: Albertson’s, 2707 Via De La Valle, Del Mar

Thurs. 1/24 12pm - 5pm: Albertson’s, 7895 Highland Village Pl., San Diego

Fri. 1/25 11am - 1pm: Albertson’s, 543 Sweetwater Rd., Spring Valley

Fri. 1/25 2pm - 5pm: Albertson’s, 1608 Broadway St., El Cajon

Sat. 1/26 12pm - 5pm: Albertson’s, 7660 El Camino Real, Carlsbad

Sun. 1/27 11am - 1pm: Albertson’s, 9560 Winter Gardens Blvd., Lakeside

Sun. 1/27 2pm - 5pm: Albertson’s, 9870 Magnolia Ave., Santee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA_PlkIZVl4