The NFL did such an impressive job of providing Breast Cancer Awareness this year, it just blew me away. My favorite item were the caps the teams were wearing. The pink bills didn’t match at all, and looked out of place, but that was kind of the point. Congrats to the NFL for stepping up!

Pubcon Poker Tourney

Post from: Dan Perry

Breast Cancer Awareness and the NFL

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My blog is now available on the Kindle. Please, please, please…

“Don’t act like you’re not impressed.” (said in my best Ron Burgundy voice.)

Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FGU7T6/

Post from: Dan Perry

Have a Kindle? Enjoy this often-lame blog there!

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1. My blog via Wordle

My department at work had a half-day off-site networking event, as did other departments within my company (Cars.com). We went to a Chicago White Sox game as a group, numbering in the hundreds. Little did we know it would be the 18th perfect game in the history of baseball!

Our seats were upper-deck, between third and home. Besides tickets to the game, we also got $20 in “Comiskey Cash” or whatever it’s called nowadays; basically money to spend in the stadium. Besides beer, I knew exactly what I wanted.

What we noticed was that this game was flying by. We knew Buehrle didn’t waste any time, but I mean it was flying! If I remember correctly, the total game time was only 2:03, which is ridiculous.

Fast-forward to the ninth. The whole stadium is on its feet when Dewayne Wise caught that fly ball, that place absolutely erupted. I’ve never heard a cheer that loud in my life; what a moment!

Here’s a shot as the team surrounded Mark:

And when they started interviewing him.

And finally here’s my favorite picture, as we were headed for the Red Line.

A game and an experience I’ll never forget. For the record, I kept my ticket stub; I may even get it framed.

Post from: Dan Perry

Chicago White Sox Perfect Game – Mark Buehrle – 7/23/2009

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1. Taste of Chicago – 2009
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I’ve lived in the Chicago area for 5 years, but have never attended the Taste of Chicago. Well, I decided to change that this year. It started today at 11 a.m., and I thought I’d run down and check it out before the (legendary) crowds started piling in.

There are dozens of booths from local restaurants at the Taste. No cash changes hands at the booths; you have to buy tickets (12 tickets for $8 this year.) These locations are spread throughout the Taste, so they’re pretty easy to find.

So I bought some tickets and started wandering. To see all of the booths and other areas it’s quite a hike, so bring comfortable shoes and dress appropriately. This lady had it all figured out; loose clothes, and a hat with an umbrella on top. Well played.

Thee are so many places to eat, it’s tough to choose. All of the Chicago eateries are here: Manny’s Deli, Lou Malnati’s, Harold’s Chicken, Harry Caray’s, even Billy Goat Tavern.

Each booth gives you the option of ordering a lunch item (which is about 8-10 tickets) or a “taste” (hence the name) of an item, for around 4 tickets.

So what did I get? I got a “taste” of the Mustard fried catfish from BJ’s market and a BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich from Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs. They were both exceptionally good.

I also got some great summer pictures of the surrounding area. Here are a couple, but feel free to check out the complete set of 36 pictures from the Taste of Chicago on Flickr.

Here’s the Sears Tower seen through a Ferris Wheel:

The Clarence Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park:

And finally, just an interesting angle of Grant Park and the Fountain that I don’t think I’ve seen before.

I had a great tiem at the Taste, and plan on going back next week during lunch to try some new food. I’ve heard that it gets crazy busy, so if you plan on attending and would like to miss the huge elbow-to-elbow crowds, arrive around 10:45 – 11 a.m. It worked for me!

Post from: Dan Perry

Taste of Chicago – 2009

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1. Chicago White Sox Perfect Game – Mark Buehrle – 7/23/2009

I read an article on Google giving away business cards and thought since I already had a profile, I should get my own. It’s part of a promotion to get people to fill out their Google profiles (here’s mine).

Got home from work yesterday, and guess what was in the mailbox?  You got it; here’s a picture:

Now go get your own!

Post from: Dan Perry

Google Business Cards

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FaceYourManga.com has taken Flickr by storm today, with lots of my friends posting avatars they created. Being the online sheep that I am, I thought it best to create my own; behold:

Do I look angry with the star behind me? Hope not, because I’m not.

Feel free to build your own at FaceYourManga.com, and be a sheep like me!

If you like this post you might enjoy following me on Twitter: twitter.com/danperry

Post from: Dan Perry

Dan Perry Avatar from Face Your Manga

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Wordle is a great little tool that will look at any blog, RSS feed or text, and create a nifty cloud. Here’s the Wordle cloud for my site:

And here’s a link to the full-page view.

Now don’t tell me this isn’t cool, because you know it is. Go and make one for your own blog, at Wordle.net.

If you like this post you might enjoy following me on Twitter: twitter.com/danperry

Post from: Dan Perry

My blog via Wordle

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1. Have a Kindle? Enjoy this often-lame blog there!

I had the pleasure of attending the Vintage Tub and Bath party during Internet Retailer this year in Chicago at Fogo de Chao. One of the sponsors (Range Online Media) had set cubes of cards at various places on the tables. When we sat down to eat, I happened to be sitting near one, so I grabbed it and opened it up. It was full of interesting questions to pose to a crowd, in an attempt to create conversations and discussion. Here’s a picture of the deck of cards (for your own deck, visit Custom Topics):

The folks in my area went through the deck of cards and answered some as time allowed, but I thought it was interesting enough that I brought the deck home.

I found it buried under some paperwork in the home office last night, and decided to answer the questions and post them, in the hopes that others would do the same.

Feel free to copy/paste the questions, and post them in your blog, and answer them in your own way. Also, link back here if you like, but don’t feel obligated. Finally, if you do post these, leave a response with a link to your post so I can see your responses too. This was a really fun exercise, so I hope others join in!

Without further adieu, here are the questions and my personal answers.

What classic car would you like to own? 1968 GTO

What are you a snob about? Alcohol (Gin, Vodka and Whiskey, but not really beer)

If you could own a second home where would it be? On a golf course within driving distance.

If you could be great at one sport which would you choose? Golf

What animal would you love to have as a pet? Hobbes, from Calvin and Hobbes

Whose life do you find most inspiring? My stepmother’s. She’s worked her butt off all of her life, and still isn’t anywhere near easy street, but I’ve never seen her sad, disappointed, or with a “woe is me” attitude. Wow.

Who was the best teacher you’ve had? Mr. Keyes, senior year in HS, English; he made me think about something more than grades.

What’s your favorite junk food? Taco Bell

If you had one year to live what would you do differently? Stop saving and start spending!

What’s your favorite candy? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Which era of history would you choose to live in other than the present? The Roaring 20’s.

If you could spend one week at any hotel which one would you choose? The Carriage House at the American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin (honeymooned there, and am impressed every time I walk in the door.)

Which mystery or unsolved case would you like to know the truth about? Who shot JFK?

Do you have any superstitions? Not really

What’s your favorite philanthropy or cause? Anything to help Public Libraries

Who has the best voice you’ve ever heard? Andrea Bocelli. For rock music, the lead singer from Queensryche (Geoff Tate), hands down.

What’s your ultimate vacation? 2-3 weeks with the wife golfing through England, Scotland, and Ireland.

What movie made you laugh until you cried? Napoleon Dynamite, but only after watching it 3 times.

What advice would you appreciate from a happy and successful octogenarian? What’s the secret(s) to a happy marriage?

What’s the best meal your mom cooks? Tater tot casserole

If you could go back to childhood and buy yourself one thing what would it be? A ridiculously generic domain name.

What’s your biggest pet peeve? People that chew with their mouth open

What was the best TV sitcom ever? Seinfeld/That 70’s Show – Tie.

What’s your favorite scent? Freshly cut grass

Which pet is the favorite of any you’ve had? Buddy the cat

What’s your favorite month of the year? September. My anniversary, football starts, Chili and Soup are back in season, and golf is still good, only less expensive.

Who’s the greatest athlete that ever lived? Tiger Woods will be, but I’d say Secretariat.

If you could only read one magazine which one would you subscribe to? Easy; Consumer Reports.

What would you like to learn to do on your computer? Web programming, in a SEO-friendly way.

What’s your ideal weekly schedule? 5 day workweek, one or two days from home.

What are five things every visitor to this country should see? Snow on Christmas Day, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a drive through New England in the Fall when the trees are changing colors, a sunset over the Pacific Ocean, and the Florida Keys.
If you could ride any animal which would you choose? A whale

If you could have dinner anywhere in the world which restaurant would you choose? Toque, in Montreal (had dinner there once with my wife, and it was my first true “experience” dining. Never forget that.

What’s the most difficult habit you’ve tried to break? Stopping eating when I’m near full, rather than finishing my plate, like I was raised to do.

What have you learned this week? I have a better life than I thought I would have at this point in life.

If you could take only one CD for a cross-country roadtrip, which would you choose? If it were summer, a pre-1980 Van Halen CD, ladies choice. If it were winter, Pink Floyd’s The Wall, Rush’s Exit Stage Left or Queensryche’s Empire, in that order.

What chore would you love to never do again? Clean the kitty litter box.

What kid’s toy have you always wanted? Jarts

If you could spend the day with any celebrity whom would you choose? Krusty the Clown from the Simpsons

What was your first job? Washing dishes at Ruth’s Anchor Inn.

See, I told you it was fun. Now it’s your turn; copy/paste the questions, answer them yourself, and leave a link in the comments. I can’t wait!

If you like this post you might enjoy following me on Twitter: twitter.com/danperry

Post from: Dan Perry

Fun with Custom Topics

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John Honeck of JLH Design Blog.

Not only did he create two great posts about the Google Fridge, but as I was reviewing his blog for its’ win-worthiness, I noticed we have too many weird similarities:

• We’re both from the Midwest (Me – Illinois, John – Minnesota)
• We were both born in 1968
• Both of our blogs reference beer (John, you should see my breweriana collection: 150 mirrors, 1,000 cans, 60 tap knobs, etc.)
• His blog’s Articles section has crashed, causing a database error.
• My comments have crashed, causing a database error.
• His current blog post states his blog is worth $38k. We both have inflated senses of self-worth!

Three of the four judges voted John’s post the best. Congrats to John, and a HUGE thank you to all those who participated. I plan on compiling a “lessons learned” post later this week about my online marketing competition (OK, now we can call it linkbait!). Lots of great stats to come.

John, send me your mailing address, and I’ll ship it out this week, so it arrives in time for the Super Bowl, and once again, Congratulations!

If you like this post you might enjoy following me on Twitter: twitter.com/danperry

Post from: Dan Perry

And the winner of the Google Fridge is…

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2. The Google Fridge Giveaway
3. Results from Google Fridge Giveaway

Now Tamar, Barry, Matt and I have the task of reviewing all the entries, and choosing a winner. Sorry to say, but this may take most of the week (LOTS of entries!). I plan on reporting next Monday who the lucky winner of the Google Fridge is.

I also plan on compiling a post on the impact this contest had on my site, complete with all the important statistics, insights, and lessons learned. For now, here’s a sneak peak:

My blog was just over a month old when the contest began, and was averaging 335 pageviews/day and 79 User Sessions. During the contest, the average daily pageviews rocketed to 4,471, and daily user sessions jumped to 1,174, an increase of almost 1,500%!

Lots of other cool stats to share, including the launch of a press release, which played a key part in the traffic, in addition to the social piece. Look for it soon.

Thanks for all the support, and check back in a week for the winner.

If you like this post you might enjoy following me on Twitter: twitter.com/danperry

Post from: Dan Perry

The Google Fridge Contest is Over

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2. And the winner of the Google Fridge is…
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