DadJack.com Blog

Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday… It was extorted away from me in my divorce negotiations, so I never have the kids for turkey on Thursday.  It puts a little bit more of a damper on it when I’m unemployed, and not just because of not having an income.  There is excitement and anticipation that I miss not being at work the day before a holiday.  It was kind of fun to go to work on those half days, when everyone kind of half-assed their work, talking about plans and counting the minutes til we were out the door…  Although, I don’t miss the dread of returning on those Monday’s after a long weekend!

I thought I’d give you some Jack Friday updates (OK, I know it’s Black Friday and it’s actually Wednesday today, but I thought I’d try and steal some of their thunder!) that have been send to me this last week via press release:

- Dog Cruise!!!

WINNETKA, CA: Dog Lovers will make tracks for Alaska next year for the most fun doggie event of the decade: a Dog Lovers Cruise – September 8-15, 2012. World famous dog trainer Uncle Matty, aka Matthew Margolis, will be on board to teach you everything you ever wanted to know about dogs but were afraid to ask. Find out why dogs do what they do and learn how you can build and nurture your loving relationship with them.

The Dog Lovers Events will include: Swapping Doggie Tales – a chance to brag about your dog to an audience who actually wants to hear about him or her; Owner/Doggie Look-alike Contest – if you’ve ever been told you look like your dog, this could be a very good thing because you might have a shot at winning Best in Show; “Dogtail” Party – for everyone from young pups to old hounds mix it up with others who love their dogs as much as you do; Film Festival – showing classic doggie flicks (tissues provided); Vendors Room – buy something extra special to bring back to your little darlings who you’ve left behind to go on the cruise it just might help you get out of the doghouse when you get home.

Holland America’s classically beautiful Westerdam sails from Seattle, Washington and will visit Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria. Dog Lovers can take an optional journey inland to visit the Alaskan Sled Dogs in their natural habitat. Afterwards, we’ll be heading to the Red Dog Saloon to lap up Alaska’s finest brews and howl along with the honky-tonk piano.

A dog-gone great time will be had by all!

This is a private event and must be booked through Cruises Cruises Cruises, Inc. Cruise fares start at $849 per person, based on double occupancy. Dog Lovers Event Fee is $100.

For more information contact Linda Wolf at Cruises Cruises Cruises, Inc.

Email: cruises3@pacbell.netPhone: 818.346.7003 www.TicketToCruise.com

Facebook: Dog Lovers Cruise

www.UncleMatty.com

- Upper Playgound, a cool street art/clothing site out of San Francisco is having a Black Friday Sale exclusively for fans of their Facebook page, you click here and like them for the skinny!

- Dr. Renee has picked some smart toy choices for the holidays.

Dr. Renee Clauselle, Founder and Head Psychologist of New York based Child and Family Psychology, providing mental health to adults and families regularly appears as an expert on TV and is often quoted in the media. The clear explanations, intelligence, sparkling personality and humor of “Doctor Renee” are making her the go-to expert for family and relationship issues. She says, ”There are a number of fabulous toys for kids of all ages, those that enhance learning social and emotional skills, which are also fabulous tools for promoting family communication and interaction in a fun, healthy way. Toys that delight, teach important skills, engage kids’ imaginations, and have that “wow” factor are not as difficult to find as you might think.”

Here are Doctor Renee’s picks for “Smart Toys” for children of all ages, she is available for interview and she can put together an assortment themed perfectly for your audience.

9 mos. to 2 years: “The reason I love Cloud b Twilight Constellation Night Light, Turtle
full night sky projection for ceiling and walls is because it really plays at the sensory development that is happening in babies.  Muscular development and eye tracking development are enhanced. I also love that as a stuffed toy, it can grow with kids as they get older as a cuddle friend for bed time.”

10 years to 12 years. “For middle schoolers and teen tweens it is all about reading skills and vocabulary because SAT’s are right around the corner. Konexi -Deluxe
is a word-building game of skill and chance in 3D. Great for family game nights.  It’s a game that keeps everyone stimulated and on the edge of their seats playing it, while reading and writing skills improve!”

-  Free Shipping is a great excuse to skip the malls and shop from the comfort of your own home… Free Shipping.org lists codes for a bunch of sites! Here are some sites offering free shipping deals for Black Friday:

1. Best Buy
Free shipping on all orders.

2. American Eagle
Free shipping plus 40% off with code 7242983.

3. Shoes.com
Free shipping plus 25% off Sale and Clearance items with code YAMS.

4. Coldwater Creek
Enjoy Coldwater Creek free shipping on all orders with code AFLC924.

5. Bloomingdale’s
Free shipping on all orders with code FREESHIP11.

6. Yves Saint Laurent
Free shipping plus 20% off all orders.

7. Lands’ End
Enjoy free shipping from Lands’ End plus 30% off your entire order.

8. Urban Outfitters
Free shipping on all orders.

9. Target
Free shipping plus $7 off orders of $70 or more on select items.

10. Kohl’s
Free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

OK, that’s the info I found kind of interesting from this past week!

HAVE A GREAT/SAFE THANKSGIVING!!!

Rock on, Jack

It’s weird how if you’re not celebrating Thanksgiving is really just another day.  It didn’t used to be that way, I remember as a kid even if we didn’t have much going on it still felt like a holiday.  Everything was closed, television had special programming on and the only people you saw were those going to a from social gatherings.  I walked to the market this morning to purchase something to BBQ and if I hadn’t known it was a special day you would have thought it was just another day, stores and restaurants were open, people were out cycling, walking and scattering around NoHo like they always do.  The market was insane, everyone getting those last minute items they forgot and a bunch of people like me, just getting things for themselves. Maybe because I didn’t wake up early enough, there really wasn’t anything to festive on television…  Although, as I write this, I am watching the “Talking Tina” episode of the Twilight Zone marathon.
I know this is the day we all declare what we are thankful for, If you don’t believe me just log onto Facebook, it is the content of almost everyone’s status update.  And I have been giving it some thought, I have so much to be thankful for, great friends and family top the list.  But really many of the big things in my life are nothing to be thankful for this year, so I have decided to focus on all the little things, the stuff we normally forget when things are going well.

I’m thankful for the drawings, scribed by tiny 6 year old fingers, that hang on my walls.  Pieces of colored paper, adorned with a little girls vision of sharks, hearts, whales and whatever else her genius little mind dreams up, many marked with “I Love Daddy”.  I am grateful for the miniature voice in my head that is exclaiming “His name is Daddy”, which is what Bing was yelling after I introduced myself to some of the Moms in Lucy’s class.  And for “Hi, Bowling Guy”, my Mini-Manwich’s customary greeting to me.  My Mom makes the list, for the way she will always gets more upset over the injustices done to me than I do.  And my Sister for her motivational speeches… if they are wanted or not.  I am thankful for “the busty old car”, not only for getting me from point A to B, but for not having a radio, or working windows, or heat… It makes me appreciate even the simplest amenities a newer car has.  My old Adidas court shoes deserve a mention, they are the only shoes that don’t destroy my feet as I trek around the sidewalks of the valley, exhausting my body and clearing my mind.  And finally, for the comments left on these blogs, little blurbs, some funny, some serious, both honest and heartfelt that not only validate this blog, but lift my spirits.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Rock On, Jack

Less than a week until Thanksgiving… It just doesn’t seem like it should be the holidays yet.  But don’t mind me, I’ve been in kind of a mood due to my own personal problems… You would think that after almost two years of crap things would get better, but that’s not the case.  To add to my unpleasantness is that there is some drama at the CRN, and trust me, that is the last place I am willing to put up with any drama.  (We’ll fill you in on the Monday podcast.)

Speaking of the podcast, Angela Channel is going to be out of town for a week or two… So if you have any problems I’ll deal with them, What I am really saying is, don’t have any really technical podcast problems!

I have had so many kind offers for Thanksgiving, but I am kid-less so I’ll most likely just hang out by myself…  Lucy thinks I should cook myself a turkey, she said I could eat a whole one on my own!

The gift that keeps on giving.  The city council is chicken.   WWJD?  People are too weird!  Own a peace of Twilight history.  Little hero.  Joggers beware! Guess who’s on the pill?  What do you think? Jamie hates pie.

Rock On, Jack