...my time in New York...

I was recently contacted about coming on board in a very loose way with GearPatrol to be an "outreach coordinator." That job entails pretty much whatever I want it to but with the growing number of hits on GearPatrol it will no doubt increase in responsibility and fun.

This was evident as I was sent to New York recently via General Motors and given press passes and invites to a number of industry luncheons and press conferences where new vehicles were revealed and I learned quite a bit about some GM companies (Cadillac, GMC, Saturn, Saab, Pontiac, Chevrolet) and had some great interviews with VPs of design, CEO of GM Bob Lutz, PR staff and many more. It was a great trip on a professional level and I made great contacts, exchanged business cards and was treated very well by GM.

Personally, I was impressed by a number of vehicles in the domestic market from Ford and Pontiac. I never thought I'd like a Pontiac but they are really using the two door coupe (most noticed from Transformers as Bumble Bee) called the Solstice and a newly unveiled Solstice hard top convertible. So take a look at those.

I also had a number of other cars catch my eyes and you can read all about them from my GearPatrol post so check that out and check out the site. I think you might like it. If you just want to jump to photos from the show you can click HERE.

Also while in NY I had the chance to see many friends and that was a treat that would have happened given a plane ticket these days (Note: who says, 'these days'???).

...the Easter Chronicles...

Recently, I had the chance to do something I love...no, not scuba dive or dine with great actors or be cast in a great sit-com...I had the chance to surprise someone. This was not just anyone, however. I flew into Knoxville for Easter to surprise my mom. It was a great setup. I was in New York covering the 2008 New York Auto Show (see above post) for GearPatrol. I had already planned on going to Knoxville and the NY trip worked perfectly into my plans.

The setup was simple, the whole family knew about the surprise so they took mom to dinner at Calhoun's at Turkey Creek. My best friend picked me up from the airport Friday and we hung for a few hours in the afternoon. Then my sister picked me up and dropped me near the restaurant and called ahead to tell my mom that one of her friends randomly called and was going to be at dinner with them so they would get a table for 5 and not just 4. Then I received a text from my brother telling me the timing was good and alerting me to their location in the restaurant. I walked in and they were directly behind the entrance wall and I came in right after the server so I was blocked by her...well she was short so half of me was blocked by her. Anyway, I pulled up a chair and asked what everyone was getting for dinner. Gave a "sup mom?" head nod and started drinking my water.

My mom just looked at me for a minute then realized what was up. It was a great moment and I'm so thankful my family was able to hold the secret. I know some of you also knew of my planned trip so thanks for not leaking it.

I have pictures from Easter for your viewing pleasure as well. You have to click HERE to see them b/c the slideshow feature from Flickr isn't working currently. Sorry.

...being a guy has never been SO good...

So other than not having to shave or wax under our arms, legs and (ahem) other...places, not having to give birth, wear make up or feel the pressure to have a thousand unnecessary pillows on our bed there are even bigger and better reasons to be a man.

Gearpatrol.com is set up to show us "What being a man has never been so good."

Want to know about a new iPod docking station, a stove-top smoker, the newest innovation in tennis racket technology, an uber efficient 'green' house or a special edition Porsche? This is the site for you.

Also I wanted to bring your attention to it because I will soon be writing some contibuting bits and articles, possible vlog (video blog) entries, etc.

So put it on your toolbar, check it out and check back.

Gear Patrol

Well the 5th and final episode of 2/8 Life is here. I am in this one in the middle and the end. It was a fun project to work on and has gotten some good online buzz due in large part to the face Quarter Life (the show we are spoofing) has been picked up by CBS or NBC...I forget.

Anyway, spread the link and always comments are welcome.

http://www.icn.tv/watch/30