It’s A Nice Day For A, White Dining

Thank the lord for social media. If it weren’t for CHIRP Radio‘s tweet early this week, I would have surely missed out on this. I wouldn’t have been in the kitchen on Wednesday night cooking up a storm. And I wouldn’t have been planning my day around “table and chair rental” releases.

Twenty-five years ago, Paris started Dîner en Blanc–a flash mob, white, dinner party. You bring it all. From food and dishware to tables and linens. All white. And you yourself are dressed head to toe in white. You sign up for a night of good friends, good food and good dancing at a city spot. Now, the organization boasts 24 international cities for this pop-up event. While Chicago had a similar event last year, this is the city’s first event in accordance with this group.

At 7 o’clock tonight, we’ll meet up with our “row” at a designated spot and begin the trek to an unknown location for this event. We’ll get to the destination, set up our eating area and wave our white napkins in the air for the event to begin.

New York City had their party a few days ago. And per this CNN video, 3,500 people made the list with 30,000 left on the wait list. It’s a party everyone wants a seat to.

The images speak for themselves (sparklers?!) and I for one, cannot wait. Heading over with some friends and even a long lost pal from Student Council Camp we both attended in Colorado during high school.

C’est bien!

Photos from Dîner en Blanc-New York, Paris and Montreal Facebook pages

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Still Flippin’

I tweet like crazy. I blog (obviously). I keep Facebook up-to-date. I get excited about the new possibilities about social media campaigns.

And I own a flip phone. Or rather, I don’t own a flip phone, I refuse to use anything but a flip phone. I realize it dates me. It’s clunky (yea, it’s not even a Razor). And I’m sure my friends, and Mom, are probably tired of me calling them to look up an address because I’m lost and can’t remember where I’m supposed to go (they have become my Google Maps). But I still have no desire to power off my flip.

I’ve been throwing around a bunch of excuses over the years: It holds a great charge! If I lose it, my life’s not over! I get great service! But I’ve finally figured out the real reason I haven’t.

After reading Why I Refuse to Use a Smartphone on The Grindstone, I have finally learned that I don’t want one because I like my life and work balance. I check my work email far too much outside of the green/orange walls. But I do it on a computer. If I’m away from my place all day and you’re sending me emails, I’m not responding.

And it’s awesome.

It’s awesome to only have people calling you or texting you. And that’s it. It’s awesome to carry a phone that has limited capabilities ensuring I don’t spend my days with my head pointed down staring at a screen. And it’s awesome to see people’s faces and hear their comments upon finding out I still flip.

Sometimes I do feel like I’m missing out with the apps and what not, but then I think about how much I enjoy life by experiencing it, soaking it in, reading books on the way to work and not constantly freaking out that I left my phone at home.

The 1990s can keep calling, I’m not giving it up.

The King’s Tweet

Jessica and I finally went and saw The King’s Speech and it was just as fantastic as everyone says it is. Colin Firth is unreal and the Harry Potter-cast reunion going on in the film was a nice surprise. After leaving the film, we immediately began talking about Mr. Eden, our high school journalism teacher. And I’m completely sure it’s because Lionel Logue in the film (played by Geoffrey Rush) is to King George VI (Firth) as Mr. Eden is to Jessica and I and any other soul who has ever had him for a teacher.

I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Mr. Eden. I’m a 100% sure of that. He’s the reason I began my journalism major, which led to my journalism career. He’s the reason I didn’t waste thousands of my parents’ dollars figuring out what my major would be, seeing as every morning when I woke up in high school I wanted to be a zoologist, a nurse, a history teacher, a safari guide, a movie star, a Broadway Producer, a food critic or a lifetime sleeper. He’s the reason I’m a follower of John Wooden philosophy. He’s the reason I developed a passion for college basketball (though we’re rivals these days). He’s the reason I know how to do PhotoShop, Illustrator and InDesign (skills which have proven to make be a cut above the rest). He’s the reason I know you can enjoy your life, your work and still have a fantastic family. He’s the reason I know somewhere out there, someone will let you name your child after a sports facility (If I have kids, I’m totally naming one Oliver after my dorm in college. And then Quinton after our favorite spot on the town).

Reminiscing about good ole Chad “Mitch” Eden with Jessica outside on Michigan Ave. while we waited for a bus, made me extremely thankful for the man. I mean, we knew how kick ass he truly was in school and how lucky and fortunate we were to be in his graces, but today, getting in Twitter wars with him over college basketball and the Navajo sweater we bought from “Eden-Bay” for a ridiculous amount of money is so nice and reassuring. Even after nearly 7 years, he’s still in our lives watching and guiding us on our quest for greatness. Even if it is in just 140-characters.

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

Your It List had a bunch of their contributors write in on their favorite things of 2010. I wasn’t asked this year, but there’s always next year, so I stole their questions and will answer them here.

Favorite Film
As a film addict, this is a dangerous question. A very dangerous question. We saw two much anticipated serial movies in Harry Potter and Toy Story. Black Swan is just as crazy good as everyone says it is. And the Film Fest delivered some gems in Trust and Nice Guy Johnny this year. If I’m going mega blockbuster style, I’ll have to throw in Inception as well. So really, this year delivered in movies for me. But okay, hands down favorite that I want everyone to see?  Conviction and/or The Town. Ben Affleck proved he’s still got it in Town (both on camera and behind) and Hilary Swank delivers another character driven piece in Conviction.

Favorite Album
It’s no surprise how much I love Mumford & Sons. But sadly, Sigh No More came out in 2009, at least, that’s when I first heard about it, then it crossed over the pond to here. That’s probably the album I listened to the most this past year. And then David Gray‘s Foundling wasn’t a personal fav, but it sure was when he played it live in Millennium Park this past summer. But Brandon Flowers‘  Flamingo was quite surprising and duh, Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy proved he’s still got it. Favorite: Kanye.

Favorite Book
I really got into non-fiction books this year and the best was Jerry Weintraub’s When I Stop Talking, You’ll Know I’m Dead. He literally knows or did know anyone worth anything in Hollywood. And his stories are insane. He’ll make you rethink your sales techniques. Close runner up: Jonathan Tropper This is Where I Leave You.

Favorite TV Show
30 Rock will forever be a favorite/staple in my life. But I’m so excited I finally hopped on the Modern Family bandwagon. Also to note: Mad Men really delivered this past season. So props goes out to the people of Sterling, Cooper, Pryce & Draper.

Favorite Twitterer
He was late coming in the game, but man, he is fantastic. @lord_voldemort7

“Horcruxes before hoes”

Runner Up: @preschoolgems

“I fell because I high-fived so hard.”

Favorite YouTube Video
Every week a fantastic one comes out. But this one from Google that premiered during the Super Bowl is epic. And it also has paved the way for the latest Google Ad.

Most excited for in 2011
Having one W-2 form. After multiple years of multiple jobs, I’m ecstatic to have just one for the 2011 year.

Who you want to kiss at NYE
Jake Gyllenhaal. But I’m sure he won’t be where I am. But just in case, I’ll be sure to curl my eyelashes!

Holiday Gift
Seeing as Edward Burns broke my camera during the Film Fest (yea, I’m never going to let this one go or stop believing it), I should probably get a digital camera. But Mom did get me some stellar rubber boots for the Chicago winter!

Advertising that Kidnaps

I noticed this a bit ago on the train and must confess, I was deeply intrigued to go to the website. These ads say things like “He was last seen reading ads on the train” and look as if some weirdo sat over the poster and cut out all these letters from magazines. I’ve seen the sign numerous times and it continually peaks my interest, yet I’ve never made the final leap to find out its true meaning.

Thankfully, AdFreak got to the bottom of it. Apparently, it’s promoting weekend getaways from Chicago–>STL. They had a contest to see who could find the kidnapped man via Twitter, FourSquare and a microsite.

When I found this out, my heart sank a little. Was kind of hoping for something a bit more adventurous, and less creepy. I’m a huge fan of getaways to STL, but on my own terms.

Why couldn't I have been on the train this day?

30 on 30

Another great one from The Frisky…

Meet Brian. He just moved to NYC from Milwaukee and instead of the typical dating path, he’s doing something to stand out as the alpha male in the largest U.S. city. He’s going on 30 dates in 30 days. He set up a Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and website. Basically, EDtv just birthed on the dating scene. 

Here’s why I want to date this kid:

1) Clearly, he thinks in a whole different realm. If he’s putting this much thought in the strategy of dating, can you even imagine what his dates would be like?

2) I can get pointers for my new documentary/book “30 job interviews in 30 years”

3) I’ve been hesitant about traditional online dating. I’m glad Brian upped the ante on this one.

4) You know someone’s going to make a movie off this kid. Maybe a TV show? He seems like he would still be grounded in the glitz of it all. Another reason he’s sane.

5) I always loved those Coca-Cola commercials with people running with their friends on the train to a song. I’m sure we could get Brian’s friends to tape on our dates (yes, I would totally be asked back for more), edit in Final Cut and lay a fantastic track down.

Thoughts on Brian? And Chicago, step it up! Brian starts his dates on July 19. I can only imagine more commentary on the matter later this month.