Risley Ranch

A great idea

So I was super impressed with the Proximity hotel in Greensboro, and I was equally amazed at its restaurant, the Print Shop Bistro. Check out their unique use of recycled corregated cardboard as coasters.

DC is crazy

Please let this election be over already.

Typepad for iPhone is neat

I just downloaded this app, and it seems to work well. I don't see that I am able to insert links however. Bummer.

Sonic in Chicago-land

The first Sonic Drive-In is opening in greater Chicago today.  Check out this very well written, entertaining article from the Chicago Tribune about it.  I think the reporter, Christopher Borrelli, did a great job of showing, not telling, the story of the cult following Sonic has gotten.

Middlest, middle America

I had the privilege of traveling the back-roads of southwest Kansas the past two days for our client ITC Great Plains.  That area is my old stomping grounds, so not only did we have some great meetings, I visited some towns I haven't seen for years, including Kinsley, self-proclaimed "Midway USA" because it's half-way between NY and San Francisco. 

I also stopped in Haviland for gas and actually got full-service, meaning, a guy filled my tank and washed my windows -- all for $3.59/gallon.  That hasn't happened since I was a kid.

Soles for Souls a worthy cause

I had heard of the charity Soles for Souls but had never encountered them directly before...until today.  We were shopping at an outlet mall here in Orlando, and I bought two pairs of shoes at the Ecco outlet (love their shoes!).  There was a display at the register...a collection box...and prominently displayed on the POP was "15% off your order if you donate your shoes."  It was a no-brainer; of course I donated my gently used tennis shoes.

Kudos for Ecco for offering the discount to encourage participation.

I investigated Soles for Souls site further and found they are a very sophisticated organization for only being in business since 2004.  Their founder, Wayne Elsey, had worked in the footwear industry for years.  He was moved to help out after the Asian Tsunami struck in December 2004. He orchestrated a nationwide shoe drive with a few friends and it netted over a quarter million pairs being routed to Southeast Asia. In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast region, Wayne quickly organized the same team and launched KatrinaShoes.org.

Because of the success of these two efforts, he decided to formalize the organization, and Soles for Souls was born.

I was proud to see one of our clients, 24 Hour Fitness, is a corporate sponsor.  The organization has worked with a great roster of musicians, actors and athletes, too.  It such an easy thing to do -- donate your shoes; And the issue is so easy to understand -- giving shoes to people in need of them.  I mean, we can all imagine how terrible it would be to not have even one pair of shoes.

It seems to me this cause is a perfect opportunity for a major footwear company (manufacturer or retailer).  Think of how a brand like Ecco or Keen (one of my favorite shoe brands) could own this issue and gain serious brand equity (and sales) by partnering in a big way with Soles for Souls.  Just a thought.

Good God, how big is this place!?

I swear, Disney must own half of Florida.  At least it feels that way after visiting the Magic Kingdom.  We made it through about 50% of the park and rode three rides:  a lame river-boat tour, the Pooh Adventure ride (which we waited in line for for 50 minutes), and Splash Mountain.  Again, Joe had to try Splash Mountain.  He watched as several people went down the 50-foot drop and got sprayed by water.

Of course, once we were on it, he was scared.  It's just hard for me to remember how difficult a new experience like that is.  I mean, no matter how much we reassured him, his instincts told him it was scary and dangerous.  He made it through.  We also did the Swiss Family Robinson tree-house walk through. Then it was ice-cream, and we were done.  It was about 100 degrees by 3 p.m., so we headed back to the hotel for a swim.

Disney Hollywood Studios day was grand

Although it was hot-hot, we had a good day.  Our strategy was to hit the Tower of Terror, Star Wars simulator, and the new Toy Story ride.  Joe had us looking at the T of T ride on line every day before our trip.  He simply had to ride it, even when we warned him it might be scary.  The fast-passes are the sh*t, so we got ours for T of T (below):

Our first ride was the Classic Movies ride, which basically takes you through several Disney movies as though you were part of the movie -- Casablanca, Wizard of Oz, Alien, The Searchers.  It was ok.  Joe was unimpressed.

Back to the T of T, and we went straight to the head of the line.  Here's Joe, in line, excited and ready.

And here's Joe after the ride:

He was scared sh*tless!  They put us in a 6-row box, seated, and we traveled up a few stories.  Some flashing lights and Twilight Zone commentary got the blood flowing.  Then POW!, the floor fell out and we dropped for what seemed like 5 hours (probably 5 seconds).  Then it pushed you straight back up, then down, down, then up (and it's pitch black during all of this, mind you), then down -- a little daylight -- then all the way down.  I thought Joe was going to jump out of his skin.

After we got out, he cried and carried on for awhile, but he got over he.  He informed us that we would NOT be doing that ride again.

We tried to get fast passes to the Toy Story ride, but they were sold out, and it was a 2-hour wait in the stand-by line.  No thank you.

Star Wars simulator fast passes were a-plenty, so while waiting we hit the video arcade.  I still love video games.  Star Wars was ok.  Joe loved it.  I got a little motion sick.  Yes, I'm a wuss.

A quick swim at the hotel pool to cool off, and now we're heading to Arabian Nights.

Our first Disney World vacation has begun

It's been more than 30 years since I've been to a Disney park, and it was Disney Land in California.  All I remember is wanting Mickey ears.  I don't think they even survived the cross-country, RV-drive home.

Now it's our turn to treat our kid to the hallowed land.  I've honestly been dreading it because I'm been so busy/stressed, and it's August in Orlando, and I've got a huge presentation this week (more on this later), and I'm going to be away from home for 8 days.

But I knew as soon as I got here, I'd feel better.  And when I get to the park, I know it will be amazing. 

Last night we met with with our friends Eric and Pam Huerter and their 3 boys.  Yep...had to come thousands of miles away to spend time with friends.  Joe swam at our hotel, the Caribe Royale, and then we swam at their property -- Saratoga Springs -- until 10 p.m.  Joe is still asleep this morning.

We're going to do Hollywood Studios today and the Arabian Nights dinner show tonight (the show is celebrating its 20th year!).  They do a show every night of the year.  Incredible. 

I'll post our pictures on our SmugMug page.

Day 2 of fingerprinting a success

Our adventure on day 2 at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Kansas City was successful.  No hitches.  Went through security, got our receipt (it was free), then got fingerprinted.  The "contractors" were very courteous and professional.  I even gave the gal that helped us with the fingerprinting a glowing evaluation on the write-in survey.

It was exactly the level of service I would expect from my federal government, which is why I'm still very serious about my pledge.  That type of service -- whether its the USCIS or another agency -- is the exception, not the rule.

Other than auto-responder emails, I haven't heard back from my elected officials yet.