Hot Dog!

Being a proud Toledoan, I support local business, one being Tony Packos. Today in their monthly email, they directed me to a really fun/gross site for fun with food. Click here to start your adventure. Don't worry that this site is in Japanese, the pictures explain the process of turning your hot dogs into little animals (my favorite one is the elephant).

This site reminded me of something I saw a while ago and need to talk about it again: Octodog. This amazing/disgusting product takes your ordinary frankfurter and turns it into a octopus (or a mop depending on your view point). Fun with food!

NCAA Basketball

I'm out. I had Texas to win it all.

Did you watch the Davidson/Kansas game last night? I really was rooting for Davidson.

I think this is so cool:
The school actually offered to pay for any student that wanted to attend the game if Davidson make the sweet 16.
" The trustees said they would cover the fare for the 22-hour round-trip bus ride, two nights lodging in a Detroit hotel and a ticket to the game. Close to 300 students - about a third of the student body - took them up on the offer." Source: Toledo Blade
They had a pretty impressive crowd last night too.

Random act of bizzarro

Today at the flower shop right across from the Toledo Hospital, I was buying some balloons for my friend Jackie (HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAX!) before our lunch date. While my balloons were being inflated, I noticed a man be-bopping around the store. He seemed to be in a good mood, but he made me a little nervous. He didn't look homeless, but certainly wasn't dressed for an interview. Either way, I was aware of his presence.

Our orders were ready at the same time so we were at the counter at the same time. The man stood right next to me. I mean, right next to me. The cashier gave me my total and I handed her my debit card. As she took it, my friend quickly whipped out a Benjamin and yelled, "No, no! I got it!" and shoved the bill at the cashier. I politely declined his offer, but he was insistent, telling me that it was HIS birthday and he wanted to pay. I argued but he was certainly not taking no for an answer.

What I learned:
His name is Terry.
I should NEVER get married (Men don't know how to treat the ladies according to Terry).
Be happy.
Terry has been married 3 times.

Awards:
Most uncomfortable: The floral cashier
Most confused: Iris
Most exclamatory: Terry
Free balloons: Jackie

Kroger spinach bugs me

Last night I was making dinner and got out a brick of frozen spinach. As it started to thaw, I noticed a red speck in the middle of it. As I looked closer, I realized it was a lady bug. Yes, a lady bug (or beetle) was frozen solid in my greens. Ick. I called Kroger and they are refunding my money and also replacing the product. I had dreams of Supermarket Sweep or a $500.00 gift certificate, but I guess an upgrade to brand name spinach will do.

If you look closely, you can see the wings are split,
and the body is dark and to the left. EW.

Haven't seen a good one in a while....

UNLIMITED

For the past 5 months my overage charges were actually costing me more than my phone plan, I was forced to upgrade. I now pay $99.99 a month for UNLIMITED everything. Yes, UNLIMITED everything. I can talk, text, picture message as much as I want in whatever hours I want with no overage. Does this seem excessive to you? On average, I was using about 1700 minutes a month, so you do the math. This is going to save me a ton of money.

Today in History

Random Events:
1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor.
1945 - World War II: In Iwo Jima, US forces declare Iwo Jima "secure."
2006 - In Scotland, the prohibition of smoking in all substantially enclosed public places comes into force.

Births:
1827 - Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer (b. 1770)
1948 - Steven Tyler, American singer (Aerosmith)
1985 - Keira Knightley, English actress

Deaths:
1827 - Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer (b. 1770)
1995 - Eazy-E, American rapper (b. 1963)

Source: Wikipedia.com

iStik

Featured last night on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch was Alisa Huber, creator of the product iStik. If you have never watched this show, it highlights a person's creation and their road to success with their particular product.

I just had to share this product with you because I think it is fantastic. The iStik is a magnetic device that secures your iPod to any article of clothing so while you workout, you don't need an armband (retailing at $29.99). The iStik is a series of really, really strong magnets that will hold together through fabric. The model on the show even did several cartwheels so show the intensity of the magnets. They have their own blog; check it out here at Planet iStik.

On Donny's panel was Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs! Love that show and love Mike! The other panelist was Nicole Goldman (she created a product called Strap Tamers) and she made me laugh because one of her critiques was that she didn't like products that are misspelled.

Verdict from me...iLikeit.

Holy Saturday

Peep Show (notice here, Hurley, that there is no egg humor):

It's Good Friday, so that calls for comedy

March Madness

How did you do yesterday on your brackets? I missed three games.
Last year I placed third in our office pool which awarded me ZERO
dollars, so this year I am determined to win. See ESPN for scores.

Happy Easter Week

I would have sued for more than that....

This story was on Bob & Tom today, and I had to look it up, just to verify it's truth. On a flight from Houston to Los Angeles, a woman was, uh, well, soiled (in the worst manner) by a fellow passenger while she was asleep. This is so awful. I would have nightmares forever and I am just saying that I would have asked for way more than $200,000. Read full story here if you can stomach it.

I tried not to be a hypocrite, "butt"....

Today on the way into the gym, I noticed a guy standing about 10 feet from the entrance. He was just standing there, hanging out and finishing his cigarette. What? Right by the door? To the gym? Now, even in my hard core days of smoking, my rule was only AFTER I worked out and at least I had to be out of the parking lot to smoke, but really! I had to give him a dirty look, I seriously had to.

The Gym is awesome, reason #856

On Sunday, the cousins took a Yoga class that was challenging but also relaxing. They had those Glade Air Puff things that also look like candles dispersed on the floor so create a mood as well as offer a nice scent. During the meditation/relaxation part of the class, we were offered cloths that were infused with lavender and chamomile. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Jiggs Dinner - Just for fun?

Traditional Jiggs Dinner:
Corned Beef
Potatoes
Cabbage
Carrots

Do you actually like Jiggs Dinner? Would you eat it in October?
I totally would, but do you eat it today just because it is tradition?

Water, no lemon please

I typically don't like lemon in my water and since restaurants seem to push this, you may want to read this article discussing the germs lurking in lemons that can infect your drinks. Ew.

Dye the River Green

The Chicago River is dyed green every year to celebrate St. Patty's Day. Last night, during a St. Patty's Day celebration, we got into a discussion on how and why the river is actually dyed green. I wanted to share my findings:

The tradition started in 1961 as Stephen Bailey, Business Manager of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union, discovered that local plumbers were using green dye to locate and fix a leak in the waste line that was emptying into the river. It was dyeing the edge of the river green and it was his idea to have the entire river dyed green for St. Patrick's Day. Read the entire story here.

The dyeing of the river today is actually done by a man named Mike Butler and his crew, a privately funded operation. They pour a secret, EPA approved dye into the river that initially turns the river orange and then to a brilliant emerald green. http://www.greenchicagoriver.com/

Perfume PSA

I did not know this, but apparently, when spraying on perfume the correct way is to spray both wrists and NOT to rub them together. According to the expert I talked to at Sephora, rubbing your wrists together changes the scent. Huh.


Selecting a perfume is one of the hardest things ever. If I go into the store and start smelling and spraying, after about 3 tests, I can no longer differentiate between perfumes. I think I will stick with Burberry forever unless someone buys something else for me.



How do you pick? Do you wear different scents according to mood or season?

Beware the Ides of March

Today, in fictional history, Julius Caesar was assassinated. The famous saying, "Beware the Ides of March," was offered to Caesar.

From Wikipedia:
In the Roman calendar, the term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other 8 months.^[1].

Also, of note, in movie history, (Back to the Future II), George McFly was killed on the Ides of March in 1973.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ides_of_march

Dark Knight - Opens July 18

Speed-Dating

If you are single (or if you are married, just play along), would you go to an organized speed-dating event? It seems to me that people (especially in Toledo) have a hard time finding other single people to date and don't want to just "pick somebody up in a bar." Other people have said that online dating is just not for them.

Does speed-dating sound fun? Would you go? Give me your opinions. Check out this website here for more information on speed-dating. Note, you do not have to participate in online dating to be a part of a speed-dating event.

As some of you know, I am an event-coordinator for Cupid.com and actually host these events. They are really successful and the attendees have fun and find matches. I hosted one last night at the Claddaugh Irish Pub at Westfield.

If you are interested, or have a friend, send them to cupid.com or have them email toledo@predating.com.

NEWSFLASH - MR. FREEZE IS OPEN

MR. FREEZE IN PERRYSBURG IS OPEN!!! I went there myself last night and can confirm that Wow Cow will be served this year. Yesterday's flavors: banana and some kind of chocolate.

The Second City

Last Saturday, we attended The Second City's 11pm performance. I guess when you buy the tickets they tell you that this is a show that is not for kids as it has adult material and racy language. They were right and it was GREAT! These 6 sketch artists sing and skit and improv and just rip on everyone. It was so entertaining and I laughed out loud quite a bit.

They served drinks and a full menu, had intermissions (so we could go to the bathroom!) and I never wanted it to end. This show is on my HIGHLY recommended list of things to do in Chicago and I can't wait to go again.

Here is a picture outside of the theater of Second City Alums. You will recognize some famous faces like Joan Rivers, Dan Akroyd, and John Belushi. See here for full list of impressive graduates of this great stage show.

How do you say it?

A. Koo-pon

B. Que-pon
C. Koo-pin

Today in History

Event: 1997 - Former Beatle Paul McCartney is knighted.
Birth: 1903 - Lawrence Welk, American musician (d. 1992)
Death: 1955 - Oscar Mayer, Bavarian-born American meat packer (b. 1859)

*Source Wikipedia.com

Winner!

Last week I dropped my business card in a fishbowl at Chipolte and I actually WON! Next week I get TEN, yes, TEN free burritos for my office. They faxed me an order form and we get to custom order ten burritos (or bols, or salads, or tacos). The good people at Chipolte are also throwing in chips and salsa and guacamole. I highly recommend supporting your local chain!

The Second City

In Chicago for the weekend and going to see Second City tomorrow! I am so excited; this is something that I have been wanting to go to since high school. Hooray!

Tire Marketing

Saw this beaut today. My favorite part is "Code Pu."

St. Real Estate

Having been raised Catholic and having attended K-12th grade at Catholic schools, Catholic religion and its traditions have been a big part of my life and will be forever. (Side note: I am a person who has faith and believes, although the current methods and rules of certain institutiuons do not necessarily thrill me).

Today at work we were in a discussion with my friend Red Daisy that is looking for a home. I told her that she should just bury a statue of a saint in the yard and make sure it is upside down. She looked at me like I told her I was actually a man and had been living in her basement for 3 years. Well, in the Catholic folklore (I am going to call it folklore here for blogging sake), a seller of a home is supposed to bury a statue of St. Joseph in the backyard, upside down, and that will bring buyers. See wikipedia article here.

So naturally, RD thinks I am a complete lunatic, so naturally our co-worker D. and I went out at lunch searching for an idol of St. Joe. We found him at the Christian bookstore on Secor and Sylvania in the St. Joseph statue section.

Now, we are using this method in reverse. RD is looking to BUY a house, not SELL her house. We want St. Joseph to work his magic on the sellers of the house and bestow it to RD. Do I feel like we are cheating the system? Hopefully! The way I see it, St. Joseph hanging upside down in our cubicles at work is just a good deed for a friend, not blasphemy (hopefully).

The Gym is awesome / I love Bret Michaels

Usually the elliptical bores me to death and my toes fall asleep, but at Urban Active, each cardio machine has a tv attached. I watched Rock of Love 2 and was on for the full hour. I think I have found the key to motivation....television.

**Side note***
Rock of Love is such a great show. I was cringing, laughing, and cheering the whole time. I hate Kristy Jo and she needs to leave (but won't because she helps the dynamic of the show). I love Megan, but she is really not very intelligent and I don't think Bret could deal with that forever (and as we know, he is looking for love). Destiny, skank; Jessica, whatever; Daisy, terrible. Ambre is the best and the obvious choice. I was sad to see Inna go.

Marketing Test

This is fun! Take this test to see how smart you are regarding brands, icons, and taglines.

Click here.

Eau de Fajitas

Do you ever notice that when you leave a Mexican restaurant, you really reek of it's food? I guess usually when people leave, they (me) are too bombed to notice, but tonight was a more somber (sober) night and the refreshing scent of refried beans and mexican beef clung so tightly to me that my friend even noticed later when I stopped over to say hi to him.



Him: "Hey, what'd you do tonight?"
Me: "Went to El Camino with the family."
Him: "Oh yeah, I thought I smelled that."

Ew.

Cinema Room

On Saturday at Urban Active, the cinema room had one of my all time favorite movies playing: Batman Begins. I love this gym.