When I’m bored, I do things like start weird blogs, or write someecards. Today I created this one for sudden vegan Kelly Ryan O’Brien of Idols and Egos fame. I’m glad she waited until she moved back to Chicago to adopt this lifestyle. Makes her departure much less painful. I encourage you fellow foodies to care enough to hit send.
Chicago blogger Kelly Ryan O’Brien alerted me to some sad news this morning (she’s good like that, yo). Empire Carpet spokesman Elmer Lynn Hauldren passed away on Tuesday from natural causes at his home in the Windy City. I feel like the farther west I’ve moved, the more inundated I’ve been with Empire’s ads featuring Hauldren’s syrupy voice, which grabs my attention every time.
Kelly found many fun facts about Hauldren, including: In 1994, Pearl Jam belted out the jingle (you know it: “call five eight eight-two three hundred, Empiiiiiiire!) at a Chicago concert. More fun facts at Idols and Egos.
As many of you know, I was in New York last week to learn more about the 2011 Avenger, meet the amazing team behind it and drive the sporty evolution of Dodge’s peppy mid-size car. After meeting with Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles and hearing the genuine passion and excitement in his voice when he discussed the Avenger, I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel.
I started off in the Lux model 4 cylinder, which had a lot of personality and was so quiet! I couldn’t get over how quiet it was. We drove out of the city (didn’t hit anyone!!!) and off to the rolling hills of Bedford, New York. The Avenger handled well and bounced just a bit from the extremely windy weather.
Of course I was on the ride with Kelly Ryan O’Brien and we were stereotypically into all the features that would appeal to a woman: mirrors, radio, finishes and nav. All were – as we fondly put it – DOPE!
I loved all the features, like satellite radio and bluetooth, which could all be controlled from the touch screen display and the steering wheel – good feature when Kelly started listening to some lame top 40 music. Too bad for the Dodge representative riding with us when we happened upon some 90s station playing Another Bad Creation. We blared Iesha out loud, singing it at the top of our lungs. Guess that was a good thing: we obviously felt completely at home in the Avenger.
On the way back, we took the V6, which drove oh so nicely and with 200 more lbs. under the hood, barely danced at all in the wind. I’m glad we started with the 4 cylinder: as fun as it was, it would have been hard to downgrade.
The interiors on both cars were all black, which is new to the 2011 line. I loved the French seam stitching. We were told the hard surfaces had been reengineered to be softer, like a pebble – love that comparison.
I really enjoyed the Avenger and was so thrilled to sitting in and driving an output of “New Detroit.” You can definitely feel the energy in the performance of this vehicle and see it in the sleeker design. Bravo to Gilles and his team. I’m definitely picking up what you’re putting down.
In accordance with the FTC Guidelines, We are disclosing that our time, travel and accommodations have been compensated by Chrysler Corp. for our participation in the Dodge Avenger Ride & Drive. Although we have a material connection to Chrysler Corp., any publicly stated opinions of Chrysler Corp. and their products remain our own.
Thank goodness this new Denny’s campaignAlways Open with David Koechner is less than three minutes long because I have no time for another show. But I’m loving this one. The latest installment of this YouTube series features Will Arnett joining David Koechner at Denny’s. It’s quite a revealing chat. I love anything Will Arnett does. And Idols and Egos creator Kelly Ryan O’Brien and I had the pleasure of meeting David Koechner last month at Bar Lubitsch. He’s a super funny and cool guy. Hearts all around. Now I want a Grand Slam. Damn.
Facebook Places. How do I put this delicately? You’re kind of creepy, and what’s worse: You make me kind of creepy. And after attending a Social Media Club of Los Angeles meeting where four times the amount of attendees had checked in on Foursquare than Places, I think I’m not alone.
I took Facebook Places and Foursqure for a test drive over the past couple weeks. And while I get all the positive aspects Facebook touted in their press conference/Facebook Places launch, I have to say, so far, I’ve only been mildly impressed. Frankly, I find the application to be somewhat invasive.
I first used Places to check-in to a bustling Starbucks on Melrose. I saw that one other person had checked in, as well. He appeared to be attractive in his picture, which piqued my interest, so I clicked on his profile. I learned a lot about “Mike:” he’s a photographer, likes dogs, Mad Men. Then I looked around the room and actually saw him, became completely embarrassed, left feeling like an inadvertent stalker – dirty. I don’t use Facebook as a way to meet new people. On a purely personal level, I use Facebook to stay in touch with my friends and family, to look at people’s pictures when I’m bored or procrastinating, and to get a more intimate look into the lives of people I’ve just met – NEVER the other way around.
Later that week, I got together with a couple fellow bloggers, Kelly Ryan O’Brien and Champagne and Heels. Since I was in the midst of my Foursquare/Facebook Places “Pepsi Challenge,” I pulled out my phone to check into the café. I checked in to Foursquare, earning myself 7 points (one for a first time check in, the second for this being my second stop of the day). Then I went to check in on Facebook. Since I was meeting with two of my Facebook friends, I asked if I could tag them on my check in. Both declined, saying that they didn’t want people knowing where they were but for separate reasons. “What if I canceled a meeting with someone on I’m friend on Facebook with to be here? Now they know.” Good point. We’re in L.A.; that happens all the time. My other friend said she was just extremely private, but interestingly does have a Foursquare account. However, she is only friends with three people – old friends from NYC – on Foursquare and, as a recent transplant, uses it as a fun way to keep up with her gal pals back east.
There is an anonymity that goes along with Foursquare. My Foursquare friends know nothing about me beyond where I am, or have been, and the city in which I reside. I can choose which check-ins I want to share on Facebook and Twitter. Plus, it’s somewhat of a game. There are incentives, which make me want to come back for more.
I don’t see too many people checking into places on Facebook thus far, via Places, or Foursquare for that matter. I’m interested to see how this all pans out. On the business side of things, I favor Foursquare. When people check-in, they check into locations I manage, where I can give users deals, tips, etc. Places does not allow people to check into our fan pages, which is irritating, but that is another blog for another time. Stay tuned.
As many of you know, I was in New York last week to learn more about the 2011 Avenger, meet the amazing team behind it and drive the sporty evolution of Dodge’s peppy mid-size car. After meeting with Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles and hearing the genuine passion and excitement in his voice when he discussed the Avenger, I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel.
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