I don’t have a child who is now being prepped to go back to school – cramming that summer reading list (by feeding the cliffnotes editions – here’s a tip save the cash and read the Wikipedia entry :P) but I am starting to prep for the end of summer, which is a pro and a con… Pro I can walk a city block without changing shirts (seriously it was a brutal summer anyone at blogher will say you walked a block and needed a shower!) Cons are pretty simple is that fall is becoming a quick season and winner will be here sooner then later… which means I’m due to spend a lot more on the back to school clothing 🙁
This video has been making the rounds, I posted it on facebook a few days ago and I wanted to share it again… because I keep hearing from Dads who have children going back to school – that this video is really what they’re doing while shopping for school supplies (in their head at least :P)
BlogHer is by far one of the largest social media events in the nation, it started with a primary focus “Her” the social media revolution was truly a women’s movement. Sure, I heard such things as Dad is the new Mom (I laugh cause I think about the great SNL sketch where it was Black is the new bitch! [Link]) and of course I was asked (more then once) why do I feel like its proper that I would attend a women’s conference (this one usually I had a friend in earshot come over and assist with the defense and once or twice I just walked away). Stuff like that happens its life… its a new paradigm in the parenting social space where there was once just a handle full of dad bloggers over the last two years there have been an explosion. Which I am part of… I clearly admit that this website is less then a year old, but the success that it has received in terms of viewership, readers, interactions is nothing but impressive.
While at blogher I met tons of famous faces in the social media space…
Then I meet some famous real social media people…
I’m sure there are tons of people who I’ve should have taken pictures with… and really this was just tongue and cheek at who’s really famous – clearly my son knew the first few 😉
This is one of my favorite parts of what blogher is about sure every conference has sometype of end of conference party – not a social media conference they party everynight, but the last night they go for the gold with a brand sponsored party to end all parties SparkleCorn & Cheeseburger (the latter is sponsored by McDonald’s)
SparkleCorn Cake - Ace of Cakes
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if you’d like a picture in high-res just send me an email with the file name (from the low-res version!)
I’ve been reading the book Sh!t my dad says and I laugh my ass off… mainly because its pretty true. My wife is great about calling me out all the time over my few “catch phrases” sure I admit it – I use the same phrase over again and again – sue me. I kindof feel like it fit me and I know I go though phases where I switch it up… Its part of life, its part of dialog… isnt it? Now ofcourse the second I point out items that my wifes says – it could be the start of world war 3, so usually I just yes the conversation to death before someone gets a swirly.
Do you have a catch phrase? do you have some great memories of things your dad used to say growing up? Here are some choice dadisms I found while googling around the net.
Dadisms
“You’re going to sit there until you eat your dinner. I don’t care if you sit there all night.”
“Delayed obedience is disobedience. “
“When I say no, I mean no. Why? Because, that’s why.”
“If you don’t stop crying, I’ll give you something to cry about.”
“Two wrongs do not make a right.”
“As long as you tried your hardest, that’s all that matters.”
“I’m spanking you because I love you. This hurts me a lot more than it hurts you.”
“If I didn’t hear it, you didn’t say it! “
“Shape up or ship out.”
“That’s so funny? Wipe that smile off your face.”
“We’ll do it the right way. My way.”
“Don’t ask me, ask your mother.”
“This is your last warning. “
“Four things come not back: time past, the spoken word, the sped arrow and a missed opportunity. “
“You’ll realize the value of money once you start earning. “
“Son, don’t ever get married. And tell that to your kids.”
“Enough is enough! “
“Do what I say, not what I do.”
“When I was your age…. “
I think I’ve heard some of these at least a few times in my life… and I know I’ll have my kid sit down one day and laugh about the stuff his old man said. It’s just the cycle of life!
We’ve been doing a little shopping as of late for Marc, its time to start thinking about Fall… its been a long summer and there have been plenty of ketchup dropped on his current lines of t-shirts. First let me admit I’m a jeans and t-shirt guy 90% of the time thats what you’ll find me in… Threadless [Link] filled a great need for me cool t-shirts at good prices and not ones that everyone and their mother have, but really cool unique designs… Now that back to school shopping is starting to get into full swing Threadlessannounces their new Kids line (CROWD GOES WILD!) [http://kids.threadless.com] following similar awesome designs the kids store opens with 12 new designs on top of the 12 classic designs that have been available for a little while. Parents can snag any tee, hoody, hoodsie, or onesie for the kiddos and get free shipping anywhere. Sizes will range from zero to three months all the way up to size 12. These also make awesome birthday gifts (I’m sure Marc will get one for his 2nd birthday coming up later this month).
To kick off the launch of the website Threadless will also be holding a contest through their Facebook page where parents of kids crazy for crayons, mad for markers and tickled by tees can download a tee template and have their kids draw a design of their very own on it. Parents can then scan it or take a picture and post it to the Threadless Kids! facebook wall. Threadless will choose a winner from three age groups (4 and under, 5-7, 8-10 and 10-12) to win a $50 Threadless gift certificate. They’ll also choose an overall winner to receive a pack of 12 Threadless Kids! tees and a $100 Threadless gift certificate. Winners will be chosen based on the three A’s- Awesomeness, Adorability and Artistry.
But if you dont want to enter that giveaway – we’ve got an awesome one here… 4 lucky fans will win a $25 gift cards to Threadless.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. August 12, 2010.
You must comment telling us what you like to wear on your t-shirts (is it a concert t?, Mickey Mouse?, designer labels?), please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)
Its the year of the dad blog in case you havent hear – or Dad is the new Mom – these are all one liners that I’ve heard alot this year. They’re small jokes at the fact that Dads in this generation are being more involved. Here is my vlog in hopes of being a inspiration to another dad.
I’m totally a team player and when I heard what an amazing group of bloggers were doing – I said I had to be part of this… and so it is that this lazy good for nothing dad is posting a crafting post (and be that a holiday crafting post in JULY!).
Without any further interruption I bring you my Holiday Craft in July how to create your own snow globe!
What you’ll need…
Empty Jar with Tight Lid (Baby food, apple sauce, and olive jars are good choices.)
Distilled Water (bottle is better, just not greener)
Super Glue or hot glue (with hot glue gun)
Kid’s Toy/keepsake (Look for plastic or ceramic figurines – metal ones are prone to rust)
White and/or silver glitter or fake snow or you could use Sequins, Beads, Glitter, Metallic Confetti, etc.
dish soap (clear) or glycerin (available at drugstores)
How to put it all together now…
Step One:
Thoroughly was the empty jar and remove any labeling.
Step Two: Choose which toy/keepsake to put into the snow globe. Remember that it is plastic and has no metal parts, they may rust. Parent should use the Super Glue to stick the toy to the inside of the lid of the jar.
Step Three:
Fill the jar with distilled water and a little squirt of the dish soap or a dash of glycerin (available at drugstores) to keep the glitter from falling too quickly, also helps the items float and swirl. Sprinkle in glitter, sequins, confetti, beads, etc. for decoration Step Four:
Make sure the jar is filled all the way to the top with the distilled water then carefully put the lid with the toy on the jar. It will overflow slightly so do it in the sink or outside. Make sure you don’t get any air bubbles. Seal the lid with the superglue/glue gun (wait for it to dry/cool) Now, give it a shake and watch it “snow”!
Maybe its July, so maybe we’ll make a beach version!
You could also make a beach collection jar by using sand, shells, and rocks instead of toys/keepsakes.
Help donate school supplies to classrooms with Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward!
For me, doing the back to school shopping just started last year and I can tell that it will become more and more of a larger chore as my girls get older. I have to say though that though I am sometimes amazed at the number of supplies that one can find, Walmart makes it easy and their prices are great! Being a member of Collective Bias I was excited to find that they were working with Elmer’s to help Adopt-A-Classroom make a difference in classrooms across the country by donating up to $10,000 in school supplies!
How can you help?
It’s easy to join in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward – all you have to do is write a post on your blog to donate a virtual bag of school supplies. For every post written before 12pm EST on August 12, 2010, Elmer’s will donate $10 to Adopt-A-Classroom, up to $10,000. You can give as many virtual bags as you want!
ELMER’S VIRTUAL BAG IT FORWARD RULES
Copy and paste these rules into your blog post.
Create a blog post giving a “virtual bag of school supplies” to other bloggers or write about your Back to School shopping trip at Walmart.
Link back to the person who gave you a bag of school supplies.
Let each person you are giving a virtual bag of school supplies know you have given them a bag.
Leave your link in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward comment section. You can also find the official rules of this virtual #bagitforward program there.
Elmer’s is donating $10 for each blog participating in the Virtual Bag It Forward Donation to Adopt-A-Classroom (up to total of $10,000 for blog posts written by August 12, 2010).
Please note that only one blog post per blog url will count towards the donation.
So I was tagged in this by Chris S. of Dad of Divas [Link] and I’m passing this forward to Carol of NYCityMama [Link], Jessica of Momma’s gone City [Link], Isabel of Alphamom [Link], Stephanie of Dial M for Minky {Moo} [Link]. I hope you will all join in to help #bagitforward with Elmer’s. And please, if you’re reading this and have a blog – join in as well!
Don Draper from Mad Men has swagger [Urban Dictionary] and he knows what to say at the right moment – which is all about timing. Actually one thing I can attest too is timing, timing is everything in life. You may be just a moment away from closing a business deal, but if you missed your train/subway then the whole deal is blown. Keeping track of time is key and well you might as well look good while keeping that time!
Lately everyone has gone with these larger then life watches, which take about a week of gym training to get used to wearing them on your arm as they’re like 3 pounds… That’s not what it should be about, what it should be about is style and thats what Skagen Denmark is all about. These retro cool styles will have people noticing your Don Draper styles while not breaking your bank!
Here are a couple of links to pick up the watches of Amazon if you love them as much as I do Square Face [Link] Round Face [Link]
About the Round face…
Smooth designs become classics here. Brown leather with a plated gold case surrounds the special dial featuring shiny enamel along the sides, with a date function that sits above the six-hour. XL Gold Case on Brown Leather
Part #: 355XLGLD. $125. http://www.skagen.com/item/355XLGLD.fx
About the Square Face…
This shiny square case in gold reflects the elements of Danish design, emanating the ultra-slim contemporary look that is a Skagen timepiece. The dial features gold indexes, three hands and an eye-catching big date above six o’clock. Big Date on Brown Leather
Part #: 567LGLD1. $145. http://www.skagen.com/item/567LGLD1.fx
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. August 2, 2010.
Two lucky readers will win one watch each… You must comment telling us what type of watches to you like (retro cool or big bling or any others) and if you want the round or square, please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)
Mad men, which is set in the 1960’s around the men (and women) of Madison Avenue who develop the art of spin and really what advertising is today. Is set to return for another season starting Sunday on AMC (check your local cable/satellite listings). I love this show, first its total guy/dude/dad sprinkle in the women (who were still fighting for equal rights at the time this is set is clearly being shown). Beyond that its just awesome how much cooler things look then compared to now… yes I’m a total retro junkie but you know what everything was made better back then (heck even iphones were made better a year or two ago – lol [I’m an apple lover just needed to put it out there])… But really the cars built there are still running today, the furniture built then was solid like toss two toddlers on the desk and let them jump and not a dent – today you’d have two kids on the floor crying with splintered polyboard wood chips around them.
One thing I love about Don Draper is in the show which we’ve now reached mid-1960’s we only seen Don unshaven like once! So I gotta ask how does he get that amazing shave?! it must be the Art of Shaving, I’ll admit I’m not a razor user daily I’m really more of a once a week kind of guy… I like the stubble – my wife hates it.
I’ve used Art of Shaving products in the past – they really make shaving something a little retro and something very cool. I could never get as close with my electric razor then I can with a straight raiser and using some of the products in this art of shaving kit makes that shave last a little longer and get a lot closer because if you can raise the hairs, then you’ll cut them closer (which will help save off that 4 o’clock shadow a few hours longer).
Sure this could be your fake business card… or you can use
The Art of Shaving Fusion® Chrome Collection ProGlide™ Shave Set (SRP: $40)
Includes 8 Fusion ProGlide Power blade cartridges PLUS starter sizes of The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil, Shaving Cream, Badger Shaving Brush, and After-Shave Balm. These products combine The Art of Shaving aromatherapy-based products, handcrafted accessories and expert shaving technique to guarantee optimal shaving results while relieving and preventing ingrown hairs, razor burn, tough beard and sensitive skin. Here is a similar Art of Shaving Starter Kit – Unscented on Amazon [Link].
Also today starts the chance to get 20% off luxury shaving products from The Art of Shaving beginning tomorrow (July 22). Start by signing up for our email newsletter through the below link, and you will receive a special email which allows you to enjoy the discount, as well as other promotional offers from The Art of Shaving. https://www.theartofshaving.com/friendsfamily/
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. July 31, 2010.
You must comment telling us how you shave – ravor, electric, barber shop straight razor, please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)
The best burgers in New York City in my opinion are Shake Shack – its as if god himself opened it and declared it AWESOME! While I didnt steal this recipe from Shake Shack – I’m told by many this is as close as your going to get it without waiting on an hour and half line on a day like today! I did however lift this recipe from American’s test kitchen (so blame them if its not 100% and shake shack you can blame them too if everyone starts cooking this at home!)
Makes 4 burgers
Sirloin steak tips are also labeled “flap meat” by some butchers. Flank steak can be used in its place. This recipe yields juicy medium to medium-well burgers. It’s important to use very soft buns. If doubling the recipe, process the meat in three batches in step 2. Because the cooked burgers do not hold well, fry four burgers and serve them immediately before frying more. Or, cook them in two pans. Extra patties can be frozen for up to 2 weeks. Stack the patties, separated by parchment, and wrap them in three layers of plastic wrap. Thaw burgers in a single layer on a baking sheet at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
Ingredients
10 ounces sirloin steak tips , cut into 1-inch chunks (see note)
6 ounces beef short ribs (boneless), cut into 1-inch chunks
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 hamburger buns , soft (see note)
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
4 slices American cheese
Thinly sliced onion
1 recipe Classic Burger Sauce (see related Serve With recipe)
Instructions
Place beef chunks on baking sheet in single layer, leaving 1/2 inch of space around each chunk. Freeze meat until very firm and starting to harden around edges but still pliable, 15 to 25 minutes.
Place half of meat in food processor and pulse until meat is coarsely ground, 10 to 15 one-second pulses, stopping and redistributing meat around bowl as necessary to ensure beef is evenly ground. Transfer meat to baking sheet, overturning bowl and without directly touching meat. Repeat grinding with remaining meat. Spread meat over sheet and inspect carefully, discarding any long strands of gristle or large chunks of hard meat or fat.
Gently separate ground meat into 4 equal mounds. Without picking meat up, with your fingers gently shape each mound into loose patty 1/2 inch thick and 4 inches in diameter, leaving edges and surface ragged. Season top of each patty with salt and pepper. Using spatula, flip patties and season other side. Refrigerate while toasting buns.
Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in heavy-bottomed 12-inch skillet over medium heat until foaming. Add bun tops, cut-side down, and toast until light golden brown, about 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining butter and bun bottoms. Set buns aside and wipe out skillet with paper towels.
Return skillet to high heat; add oil and heat until just smoking. Using spatula, transfer burgers to skillet and cook without moving for 3 minutes. Using spatula, flip burgers over and cook for 1 minute. Top each patty with slice of cheese and continue to cook until cheese is melted, about 1 minute longer.
Transfer patties to bun bottoms and top with onion. Spread 2 teaspoons of burger sauce on each bun top. Cover burgers and serve immediately.
Technique
Better Beef for a Better Burger
Chuck is the usual choice for burgers. For the best flavor and tender juicy texture, we opted for two better cuts of beef: sirloin steak tips (right), which contribute big meaty taste, and well-marbled boneless short ribs (left), which lend the fat that keeps the burgers juicy. For best results, buy ribs with at least as much fat as the rib in the photos…
Sirloin Steak Tips
Boneless Short Ribs
Keys to Loosely Packed Patties
FREEZE Chill meat in freezer, separating cubes by at least 1/2 inch, until firm but still pliable, 15 to 25 minutes. Pulse meat in food processor.
SPREAD AND DIVIDE Spread chopped meat over baking sheet and remove any large chunks or stringy connective tissue. Gently separate meat into 4 piles.
SHAPE Without lifting or compressing, gently form meat into thin patties with rough edges and textured surface.
FREEZE
SPREAD AND DIVIDE
SHAPE
Getting the Perfect Grind
Underprocessed meat will lead to gristly bits in the finished burgers and patties that don’t hold together. Overprocessed meat becomes rubbery and dense as it cooks. Perfectly ground meat contains pieces that are fine enough to ensure tenderness but coarse enough that the patty will stay loose.
Ground to Perfection
Underprocessed
Overprocessed
If you want full details here is the video that it was pinched from… along with the old-time fries
