BrandonZeman.com http://brandonzeman.com Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:12:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 en Return to Blogging http://brandonzeman.com/return-to-blogging/ http://brandonzeman.com/return-to-blogging/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:12:00 +0000 Brandon http://brandonzeman.com/return-to-blogging/ I haven’t posted anything on this site- or over on adsponge- in quite a while. I don’t have one concrete excuse, rather several smaller factors that have led to my recent lack of content.

First, and probably most prominent, is my recent entrance into the 40-hour work week world. Add to that a roughly two hour commute to and from work each day, and it’s no wonder I haven’t had the time or motivation to blog as much.

I plan on getting back to it, however. I just went through my rss feeds in google reader and read some really terriffic posts that have inspired me to be more productive. If Chris Brogan can find time to blog daily, I can too.

With that, I vow to be more active on my beloved sites and continue on with what got me to where I am now.

]]> http://brandonzeman.com/return-to-blogging/feed/ Vote and Reap the Benefits http://brandonzeman.com/vote-and-reap-the-benefits/ http://brandonzeman.com/vote-and-reap-the-benefits/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:49:03 +0000 Brandon http://brandonzeman.com/?p=279 Besides the satisfaction of making your vote count and taking part in the great american democratic process, you can get a bunch of free stuff. My favorite Election Day freebies are as follows:

Krispy Kreme is giving away free donuts on Election Day

Krispy Kreme is giving away free donuts on Election Day

And of course you’ll need something to wash down that donut with. Fear not, Starbucks has your back.

UPDATE:

If you’re around downtown Chicago on Election Day, stop by Berry Chill for some free, Presidential nominee inspired yougurt couture.

The Berry Obama is five ounces of Original chilled yogurt topped with fresh blueberries, blue (candy-covered) almonds and blue sprinkles. The McCain Crunch is Original chilled yogurt topped with fresh strawberries, red (candy-covered) almonds and red Craisins.

]]> http://brandonzeman.com/vote-and-reap-the-benefits/feed/ Green Event Recap http://brandonzeman.com/green-event-recap/ http://brandonzeman.com/green-event-recap/#comments Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:30:25 +0000 Brandon http://brandonzeman.com/green-event-recap/ Had a great time Thursday nite at NV Penthouse Lounge for the ‘Tease the Senses’ event. Enjoyed free Veev cocktails. Never heard of Veev? Veev is the world’s first acaí spirit.

]]> http://brandonzeman.com/green-event-recap/feed/ Green Event http://brandonzeman.com/green-event/ http://brandonzeman.com/green-event/#comments Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:40:33 +0000 Brandon http://brandonzeman.com/?p=264 Pretty cool green event on Thursday here in the city. I’ll be going and so should you! Here’s the deets:

Tease The Senses Event

by Pallandrome
October 23rd, 7-10pm
NV Penthouse Lounge

Join Pallandrome and VeeV Organic Vodka at NV Penthouse Lounge October 23rd from 7:00pm - 10:00pm for a party to celebrate the senses, benefiting TreeCago.

Enjoy complimentary VeeV cocktails, Mystic Tarot readings, massages, aromatherapy, and more…

With the “Tease Your Senses” event, Pallandrome is bringing green products and services to a new market - people who are not necessarily already interested in being “green”. Our mission with this event is not to preach to the choir, but rather show people that you can still have fun and look great, but be conscious of the small changes you can make with simple choices that can help make a difference in the health of the earth.

“Tease Your Senses” is a party sponsored by VeeV organic vodka on Thursday, October 23rd at NV Penthouse Lounge from 7-10pm. A few green or holistic focused businesses will come and showcase their products or services in a fun, festive ambiance. Enjoy complimentary cocktails and more for a $10 cover charge to benefit TreeCago.

]]> http://brandonzeman.com/green-event/feed/ Chicago Marathon http://brandonzeman.com/chicago-marathon/ http://brandonzeman.com/chicago-marathon/#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:10:13 +0000 Brandon http://brandonzeman.com/?p=252 What an event. 45,000 runners plus spectators, fans and volunteers. More amazing was the supplies of food and water for the runners and volunteers. You can see by a few of my pics how much food was available. Much of the food- including bananas, apples, whole wheat bagels and fruit bars- was donated by Whole Foods. Even better, any leftover food was to be donated to the Chicago Food Depository.

Had a good time volunteering, meeting some nice people and cheering on the runners.

]]> http://brandonzeman.com/chicago-marathon/feed/ SNL Political Humor Video http://brandonzeman.com/snl-political-humor-video/ http://brandonzeman.com/snl-political-humor-video/#comments Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:40:23 +0000 Brandon http://brandonzeman.com/?p=250 A look at how Saturday Night Live isn’t doing anything new by poking fun at Sarah Palin.

]]> http://brandonzeman.com/snl-political-humor-video/feed/ Trip to Notre Dame http://brandonzeman.com/trip-to-notre-dame/ http://brandonzeman.com/trip-to-notre-dame/#comments Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:15:37 +0000 Brandon http://brandonzeman.com/?p=240 Me and the gf took a little road trip on Saturday to visit the beautiful campus of the University of Notre Dame. We went on a game-day as Stanford was in town and got a great experience of what Notre Dame football means to the town and campus. Enjoy some pics from our visit.

]]> http://brandonzeman.com/trip-to-notre-dame/feed/ Frigging-Sweet CFL’s http://brandonzeman.com/frigging-sweet-cfls/ http://brandonzeman.com/frigging-sweet-cfls/#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:00:04 +0000 Brandon http://brandonzeman.com/?p=236 Its too bad these aren’t available yet, because these are so cool. Glad someone had the thought of mind to bring design to something so overlooked, yet important. These bulbs, dubbed Plumen- made by London based boutique electronics company Hulger, have yet to go to mass production. Hopefully they get produced soon and are able to keep prices somewhat attainable for normal folks. The beauty follows:

]]> http://brandonzeman.com/frigging-sweet-cfls/feed/ World’s First Sustainable Dance Club http://brandonzeman.com/worlds-first-sustainable-dance-club/ http://brandonzeman.com/worlds-first-sustainable-dance-club/#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:42:46 +0000 Brandon http://brandonzeman.com/?p=233 In honor of getting hired by an eco-friendly company, I’ve decided to start sharing some green-related thoughts and items I come across on the web.

That said, it was only a matter of time before the world’s first sustainable dance club opened. Named Watt, the club utilizes LED lights, rainwater collection and waterless urinals. Most impressive- the dance floor itself. The LED floor transfers techno-happy dancer’s kinetic energy into power. How cool! Unfortunately, we Americans are out of luck- Watt is located in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Enjoy some pics below.

[ Images, story via Inhabitat]

]]> http://brandonzeman.com/worlds-first-sustainable-dance-club/feed/ Panda Express Finally Comes to Joliet http://brandonzeman.com/panda-express-finally-comes-to-joliet/ http://brandonzeman.com/panda-express-finally-comes-to-joliet/#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:49:46 +0000 Brandon http://brandonzeman.com/?p=225 My hometown of Joliet is such an anomoly. We are nearly 150,000 strong, yet don’t have hardly ANY good restaurants. I mean, it was a big deal when we got a Hooters and Outback Steakhouse a few years back. Shorewood, our tiny neighbor, is booming along busy Rt. 59, and takes credit for Joliet residents making up all the business. Buffalo Wild Wings has been there for about a year or so; ColdStone and Culvers are also recent. Granted, we are no Naperville, but Joliet does apparently have one of the best growing economies in the country. We have a decent mall, a University and Community College, and 3 high schools. Yet, a lack of restaurant interest remains. Oh, we do have TWO Applebees though… sweet.

Here’s a list of restaurants that have avoided Joliet like a bad plague:

  • Potbelly
  • Chipotle
  • Noodles & Co.
  • Olive Garden
  • Bennigans (definitley not coming now!)
  • Houlihans
  • Sonic (avoided the North like a proud confederate, but does now have a location in Aurora of all places)

I could go on and on, and I know many people wish they had half the places that are in Joliet. But for a town of our size, it just seems crazy that we don’t have these places yet. So when I see Panda Express moving in shortly, it keeps my hope up that these places will follow. I mean Potbelly, Chipotle and Noodles are probably my 3 favorite cheaper/quick places.

Update: Proving how often I frequent the mall here in Joliet, it has come to my attention that there has been a Panda Express at the food court for a while now. I say mall locations don’t count :-)

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