Thursday, June 30, 2011

Day 164: Cindy, Cindy, Cindy!

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest:  True Blood: Show Your True Colors Sweepstakes
Prize: Lots of electronic gagdets
How to enter: http://contests.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=contests&cdn=hobbies&tm=8&f=22&tt=11&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.truecolorssweeps.com/

When I read the True Colors Sweepstakes, I immediately thought of the song by Cindy Lauper.  So with out any further ado...


And just to add a little icing on the Cindy cake...

Day 163: What's Love got to do with it?

2011 Total earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest:  Tennis Channel Sweepstakes
Prize:  Trip for 2 to Wimbledon
How to enter:  http://contests.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=contests&cdn=hobbies&tm=3&f=22&tt=11&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.tennischannel.com/londoncalling/enter.aspx







Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Day 162: Bounce'rs

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest:  Bounce: Dry Bar Giveaway
Prize: One of Bounce's latest products...the dry bar
How to enter:  https://www.facebook.com/bounce?sk=app_100633613362746

I'm still at my mom's in Chicago.  I've been doing laundry at her place.  Having a washer and dryer in the house is a luxury beyond my wildest dreams.  But having done laundry for so many years at an NYC laundry mat, I have grown accustomed to using dryer sheets, and not adding fabric softener to the wash.  My mother plays a different laundry game and uses the liquid goods...and for the love of God I can't remember to add it here.  So when all is said and done after a load, I'm left with a bit of static cling.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Day 161: Foul Play

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest:   Time To Play Toy Give Away
Prize:  A $20 gift card to Toys R Us
How to Enter:  http://www.timetoplaymag.com/

My family is a super competitive game playing clan.   You can get a nose bleed from a flying Catch Phrase disc hitting you in the face if you're not quick enough.  

Fun...up until you loose and enter into a shame
 spiral that you can't do anything right.
Today my brother, sister and brother-in-law were playing what we call Bags.  Throwing mini bean bags into opposing goals from a distance.  The tone was seemingly pleasant enough...there was laughter and jovial cat calling in the mid day summer sun...but you could feel the palpabale desire to decimate,crush and humiliate each other...in a loving brother/sister kind of way.
Even as children, we were all super competitive, and if someone was upset by the results of a game, it was not a happy day in the house.  There were many a game of Monopoloy that I left unfinished slash destroyed because I would throw my remaining money and cards all over the table...A of all because it took like my entire childhood to get through one single game and B of all because my sister would end up somehow co-opting my Park Place and Railroads.  

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Day 160: Jew Too?

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,247

Today's Contest:  Food & Wine Travel Paradise Sweepstakes
Prize:  A Trip for 2 to the  Barbados Food/Wine & Rum Festival
How to enter:  http://contests.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=contests&cdn=hobbies&tm=2&f=22&tt=11&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.foodandwine.com/promo/barbados/

The wedding was today.  My mom and Larry Weinstein officially tied the knot.  My mother, nee Michele Hogan, became Michele Fletcher after marrying my father and is now on her 3rd name.... Michele Weinstein.  This really ups my status in the Jewish Community.  Growing up as a Catholic around a middle school full of people of color....Silvers, Golds and Greens, I longed to fit in and have Jewish roots.  I got to know these people and felt a part of.  They folded me in under their wings and lead me by the light of their Menorahs, bringing me in as one of their own.  I was like a human child being raised by wolves...except these wolves were the parents of my friends of Stephen and Emily Wolf.  The Christian raised by Wolves.


Jewish tradition states that one is only truly a Jew if their mother is Jewish.
Having Michele Weinstein as your mother sounds about as Jewish as being born by Linda Richman.


I'm kvelling thinking about it now.  Happy Day!
As a thanks to Larry and my mom for this important life change, the contest  that I'm entering today (the trip to Barbados) will go to them if I win....to celebrate the start of their life together.
Mazel Tov! And L'Chaim!
This is getting me all emotional.
Ok...now I'm getting verklempt.   Talk amongst yourselves.   Here's a topic...Grapenuts contain neither grapes, nor nuts.  Discuss.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Day 159: Wedding con Queso

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest:  Eli's Cheeskcake Sweepstakes
Prize:  A free cheesecake
How to enter: http://www.elicheesecake.com/contest.aspx

Not quite kosher for the Jewish wedding

The wedding weekend marathon continues.  I find that no matter what my family talks about, most of the time the conversation falls back onto a neutral topic.  The topic of cheese. We are nothing if not polite Mid Western WASCs (White Anglo Saxon Catholics).  Within minutes of my initial arrival I was discussing making dates stuffed with blue cheese and wrapping them in bacon (totes amazeballs if you've never tried).  My grandma, older brother and I started riffing on what kind of other cheeses you could substitute.  This thrilling conversation volleyed like a heated tennis match from blue cheese to cream cheese and finished with my grandma's grand slam trump of...look out..."Camembert".  Grandma knows her fromage.

Continuing our fondue family reunion...tonight we went downtown to Gino's East...kind of a famous Chicago deep dish pizza place. If you've never had Chicago deep dish, it's totes beyahhhhnd.  Each gladiator size slice is basically like a wedge of cheese with some pie crust on the bottom.  It's a beast of a pizza.  It's like the bully on the pizza block.  It will kick your pizza's crust. 


I, being the token gay manorexic on the Atkins diet, scooped out the cheesy chessiness and discarded the crust like a neglected carcass on my plate.  I looked at it with simultaneous disdain and desire.  The buttery flakiness tempted me like a mythical siren calling to me from the cliffs of the Greek Isles.   Maaaaaaaaatthhhewwww....the crust is the best paaahahahahahahaart.

My pizza/siren daydream has me visualizing the likes of of  Sarah Brightman holding crumbling pizza crust slipping through her fingers as she sings in uniteligable words to me standing on the cliffs...
(with pieces of white paper in her hair)



But if I was to fit into my micro sized Levi Khakis tomorrow, I needed to ignore the melodious carbohydratic calls from the Siren Brightman.  Seriously, my pants are like the sized of a Ken Doll's.  With slacks (a word my mom uses) this tiny, the pictures of me at the wedding tomorrow are either going to be a amAHzing or a little scandal-disasterous.  Say Cheeeeese!









Friday, June 24, 2011

Day 158: How Jew Doin'?

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest:  Meals on Wheels Trip to Israel
Prize: A trip to the holiest of holy lands
How to Enter: http://mow.org.il/?e=1

Mom's weekend wedding procession continued this evening.  We all went to Shabbat Services at the Temple tonight.  I'd been to a bazillion Bar Mitzvahs back in 7th and 8th grade, so I say I'm  a little
Jew-'ish'.  For the rest of my Catholic Family, this was a first.
The Rabbi was a sorta Larry David 'Curb your Enthusiasm' type with a maaaaaaayyyjor spray tan.
He kinda looked like a mix between Willy Wonka and an orange.





Aaaaaaactually, with his long flowing locks and pronounced bone structure, he most closely Michael Bolton dressed up like Erin Brockovich (which, quite frankly, ends up looking a liiiiiittle Sarah Jessica Parker-esque)

Sex in the Synagogue

He was a good guy with lots of energy.  He got my very waspy family to sing, dance and clap along to the ancient Hebrew chants.
The highlight of the service was throwing candy at my mom and her fiance.  It's a tradition done to bring in a sweet new life for the bride and groom.  My mom laughed and smiled as the candy flew by her feet.  Not the same reaction from the Jewish woman in the front row who was none too pleased as mini snicker bars pelted her in the back of her head.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Day 157: Bad Carma

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest: Chrysler: Lucky Day Car Giveaway
Prize:  A Brand new caaaahhhhr (said in my Prize is Right Game Show Host Voice)
How to enter: 
 http://contests.about.com/od/carsweepstakes/p/110831-chrysler-lucky-day-car-giveaway.htm

I landed in Chicago today for my mom's wedding (she's getting married toLarry Weinstein.
Mazel Tov!).  The cab that picked us up was a bit of a nightmaarrrrre.  He didn't know how to get to my mom's place.  His credit card machine didn't work.  He didn't have air conditioning.  When I asked him if he at least had a fan, he said Yes, and opened the windows all the way.  I kept my cool (even with out AC).   Then in a slow motion movie kind of moment, there was a screech of brakes and my body lurched forward as we were hit from behind.  Ouch-skees.  I still kind of feel the pain in my neck.  Nothing too major happened, fortunately, but I am certainly going to milk this one as hard as I can from my siblings this wedding weekend....
"Can you pleeeeeeeze get me a sandwich...I was in an accident."
"Can you pleeeeeze hand me the remote...I was in an accident"
"Can you pleeeeeze just give me 20 Dollars...I was in an accident"


This is the shitty taxi.....booooooooo!!!!!!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Day 156: I will Crush you

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest:  Crush Summer Cruise Sweepstakes
Prize:  A music cruise for you and a friend
How to enter:  Online submish

Why's it called Crush?  The inventor of  Crush, Clayton J. Howell, included the word 'crush' in the original drink's name to refer to the process of extracting oils from oranges.  Super.

Other things that are crushed....





Jimmy Choo's Crushed patent leather platform cage shoes.   

We love. These are amazing.  These would cost me one week's salary.  But as my good friend Josh says, 
"That's what the other 51 weeks are for".

More crushed things.....

Egos


Ice


Former NY Governor & Sex Scandaler, Eliot Spitzer's head (and career)

Day 155: Ipad'd myself

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest:  Thrillist Ipad 2 Sweepstakes
Prize:  $1,000 Apple gift card to put towards anything you like
How to Enter:  Sign up for Thrillist's weekly email blasts

Thrillist is an online resource that keeps people informed of the various goings on in different cities.  From new restaurants to the latest unexpected kitchen utensils, they make urban survival more livable.
So now they're giving away an Ipad to make life even more enjoyable...or at least more isolated from those less desirable people we would otherwise need to look at on the subway.  Phew.  Thanks Thrillist!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Day 154: You're Nothing but a Jeep Slut

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest:  Team 4 Wheel Parts Sweepstakes
Prize:  One of two new Jeeps
How To enter:  Online Submission


My friend, Jack, and I are on the phone while I'm blogging right now.
Together we wrote a new jingle for Jeep...

(fill in the tune however you like...we're singing it with a peppy staccato vibe)

Jeep, jeep, jeep, jeep, jeep, jeep, jeep, jeep, jeep
Jeeps are for sluts

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Day 153: ComicC'mon

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest:  USA Network: Covert Affaris Countdown Sweepstakes
Prize: A trip to ComicCon
How To Enter:  Online Submish


I've never been to ComicCon, but I've heard how legendary it is.  It's packed with all walks of life from all over the universe.  It's where fantasy, reality and people with closets full of super hero lycra outfits intersect.

It brings out the good...

The bad...

And the parents who are pushing just a liiiiiittle too hard...

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Day 152: Stace Station

2011 Total Earnings: $12,297


Today's Contest:  Simply Stacie Facebook Follow Giveaway
Prize:  $125
How To Enter:  Like this Stacie lady's blog and a few other products she's promoting.

There was a dearth of contests to enter tonight.  Dearth...likes that weeeeerrrrrrd.  So I scoured (good weeerrrrrrd) the internet, with a low threshhold of good results.  I found this Simply Stacie's blog which was generally confusing, and Ms Stacie told me I could win some cash if I did what she said to do.  I lemming'ed out and followed the la Stacie's directions exactly.  We shall see Stacie, We shall see.

Other famous Stacey/Stacy/Stacies

Stacy London from What not to Wear

Stacey Dash along side Alicia Silverstone in Clueless


Stacy's Pita Chips

Friday, June 17, 2011

Day 151: I give a Schick about shaving

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,947

Today's Contest:  Schick Hydro: Have a Blast Travel Daily Sweepstakes
Prizes:  Daily contests giving away prizes from plane tickets to cash
How to enter:  Like Schick on Facebook

I've grown a mustache.  It's getting good response.  Combined with my plunging deep V necks for the summer, I'm channeling a little a little Freddie Mercury action this season.

I think I'm actually using a Schick now in my shaving rep.  It helps me shape el shtasho.  I was using Gillette for a while, but I feel like they have  a monopoly on the market and charge like $84,000 for a pack of razors.  How. Dare. They.  slash I should own stock.

Other facial hair motifs...

The Monkey Tail


The Octopus


The Tickler

The Parent Basement Dweller

The Clinton

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Day 150: Au Naturale

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest: Nature Valley/National Geographic National Parks Sweepstakes
Prize:  A week long trip in Yellowstone led by a National Geographic Expert
How to Enter:  Online submish

I'm a city boy.  I like living in a concrete jungle filled with endless excitement, cabs and neon.  But sometimes beyond the current of ambition and fabulosity, I long for quieter moments teeming with abundant nature, soft sounds of wind and the chance to be alone with my thoughts.

Nature.  Natural.  Au Naturelle.

For me it's the waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest surrounded by huge evergreens.




For some, it's the arid otherworldly landscape of the Sedona Deserts.



And Natural serenity comes to others in any place where they don't wear anything but really long hair.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Day 149: Intent To Enter

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297

Today's Contest: Hershey's Reese's Green Lantern Instant Win Sweepstakes
Prizes:  Cash and a ride in a crazy mayyyydge airplane
How to enter:  Buy a Green Lantern Reese's and see if you win instantly inside the wrapper

Ooooohkayyyyy...so I had every intention to get a Green Lantern Reese's when I saw this contest.   Buuutskeeeees, they're not out yet. The whu??  Nerry one at a 7eleben nor a Duane Reade.    What's a ladyfella to do?  Plus-kers, I totally went out on a midnight run to go look, so I really feel like this qualifies as my contest for the day.  So I'm pinky swearing with my self (which sounds dirty)  that as soon as I see one of those dilercious candies, I'll get one.  In the meantime, here's a Green Lantern limited edition Converse high top....

She likes


They also have a couple other comic book characters represented....


BUT NO WOMEN CHARACTERS SHOES????
C'MON Converse!

There are a bazillion women superheroes.   
I would lerve to rock some kicks with this sassy lady on em that I found....
Nubian Wonder Woman......
Amaze!!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Day 148: Blogging in 3D

2011 Total Earnings:  $12,297


Today's Contest:  Tiger Direct: Bada$$ Duke Nukem Rig Sweepstakes
Prize:  A major PC system including a 3D monitor
How to enter:  Online Submish

3D has truly moved into new frontiers.  Lots of movies like  Avatar making flecks of alien light jump off the screen to Piranha 3D where flecks of human flesh did the same.  You can enhance and even manipulate images to create a whole new affect.  You can create virtually anything...

So you can move from this....

To this...

And then finally end up with this...



Monday, June 13, 2011

Day 147: Travel Tips

TODAY I WON $50!  Yayyyyyyy!
Someone won $$ by making a commercial from my Brisk Iced Tea commercial concept, and I got a residual kick back.

So, now my 2011 Total Earnings are:  $12,297

Today's Contest:  iExplore:  World's Best Travel Secrets.
Prize:  Trip for 2 to Morrocco
How to Enter:  Submit your best travel idea on their Facebook page.

I'm not sure how original my idea was.  I talked about how you can roll all of your clothes up to maximize space in your luggage...buuuuuuut I don't know if many people know that you can putcho socks and undies in yo shoes too.   Big time space saver there.
It's like almost as good as using one of those vacuum sweater sealer thingamabobs....