I am no sports guy.  I am, however, a huge TV watching guy.  I usually tune in or record the “big game” and skip all of the football and just tune in to watch the commercials.  Seriously.  I do not have time in my life to dedicate to following an activity that I am not actively participating in or have any part in. Yes I played sports when I was younger but I just can’t see spending a ton of time watching sports on TV.  I know there are some people that do and if they have the time for that then awesome.  I am in no way ragging on them….I just don’t know how they do it.

I do have time for commercials though.  They are so quick and so packed with content in such small packages.  I also like Twitter because you can say so much within 140 characters.  In addition to those I am also pretty fond of Kia Motors ever since my mother in-law got a Soul (the car not the actual).  So I want to invite you guys this Thursday from 7pm-8pm ET to talk about all of those things and much more as me and some other really great dads talk about Kia and their big spot during the big game this year.

The other dads will be Josh of @dadstreet , Drew of @BenSpark, Daniel of @M_oa_SD, and Adam of @DadaRocks.  So come and join the convo!

KIA MOTORS DREAMS UP SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL STARRING SUPERMODEL ADRIANA LIMA, ROCK LEGENDS MÖTLEY CRÜE AND MMA FIGHTER CHUCK LIDDELL

“Mr. Sandman” Brings a Dream to an Unsuspecting Couple in 60-Second Spot to Introduce New 2012 Optima Limited; Kia is First to Premiere Super Bowl Ad in Movie Theaters

• “Drive the Dream” campaign’s soundtrack includes The Chordettes’ recording of “Mr. Sandman” and Mötley Crüe’s “Kickstart My Heart”
• Noam Murro, director of the upcoming Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ “300” prequel, helms fast-growing automaker’s Super Bowl ad for second consecutive year

IRVINE, Calif., January 25, 2012 – Dreams have been a topic of speculation and interest throughout history, and Kia Motors America (KMA) is tapping into the idea of dreams revealing true desires in a new 60-second commercial set to air during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLVI. In the spot, titled “Drive the Dream,” the new 2012 Optima Limited races through a Gen X couple’s wildest thoughts as they sleep, including: Victoria’s Secret® Angel Adriana Lima waving the checkered flag at a speedway; an in-your-face Mötley Crüe concert; mixed martial arts legend Chuck Liddell battling in the ring; a heroine and hunk on horseback in a romance novel setting; champion bull rider Judd Leffew taming a bucking rhinoceros; and a fairy tale ending.

Kia returns to the big game for the third straight year with a fully integrated marketing campaign incorporating TV, cinema, digital, print, social media and in-dealership components. In a Super Bowl advertising first, the complete “Drive the Dream” ad will premiere on February 2 on more than 18,000 movie screens nationwide in National CineMedia’s FirstLook pre-show program before airing in the game. Kia also will run 15-second teaser ads featuring Adriana Lima on TV and in cinema beginning on January 27, while also leveraging the Twitter and Facebook channels of the spot’s celebrity cast. A special expanded version of the ad will be available at YouTube.com/Kia beginning on February 2.

“With more than 100 million people watching the Super Bowl broadcast and millions more viewing content online around the world, Kia will once again deliver a memorable, one-of-a-kind campaign that entertains people before, during and after the game and leaves them wanting to see the Optima Limited fantasy again and again,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “We selected an eclectic group of celebrities and personalities for ‘Drive the Dream’ to enable us to tap into a diverse body of fan bases and leverage each talent’s expansive social media footprint.”

Created by David&Goliath, “Drive the Dream” opens with the familiar notes of The Chordettes’ “Mr. Sandman” as a real-life Mr. Sandman enters the bedroom of an unsuspecting young couple who are asleep. After being sprinkled with “Sweet Dreams” dust, the woman smiles and envisions herself on a horse with a romance novel-like hunk in a beautiful green meadow. Meanwhile, Mr. Sandman accidentally stumbles and spills his entire night’s dust supply on the man, launching an extreme dream sequence that begins with the roaring guitars of Mötley Crüe’s “Kickstart My Heart” and Adriana Lima waving a checkered flag as he blasts around a race track at night in a Snow White Pearl Optima Limited with thousands of bikini-clad fans cheering him on from the stands.

As he circles the track with Lima looking on adoringly, the dreaming driver receives nods of approval from the band as bursts of flames and fireworks surround their stage as well as Chuck Liddell, champion bull rider Judd Leffew, and a pair of lumberjacks sawing a massive submarine sandwich.

“Mötley Crüe had a blast doing the Kia commercial,” said bassist Nikki Sixx. “A hot model, a fast car, a pro fighter, pyrotechnics and rock n’ roll…What’s not to love?”

Much to the disbelief of Lima and drummer Tommy Lee, the high-octane dream turns into a fairy tale when the husband makes a conscious decision to drive the Optima Limited off the race track and into his wife’s fantasy to win her back from Prince Charming.

“After working with Kia for the Super Bowl last year I was drawn to work with the fast-growing brand again by the idea of exploring people’s ultimate fantasies in a fun and lighthearted way, and I am certain we have created a spot people will be talking about after the game,” said director, Noam Murro.

As part of the “Drive the Dream” campaign, beginning on Thursday, February 2 consumers can download a $25 pre-paid test drive voucher (*1) at Kia.com that is redeemable after eligible consumers visit a Kia dealership and complete a test drive of any Optima model.

New for 2012 (*2), the Optima Limited adds a new level refinement to the premium technology, convenience and performance features found on Kia’s award-winning turbocharged Optima SX. In addition to head-turning design, class-leading horsepower and fuel efficiency and a class-exclusive panoramic sunroof, the Optima Limited offers elegant touches that modern drivers would expect to find in the car of their dreams, such as: unique design 18-inch wheels, high-grade Nappa leather seating, LED accent lights, chrome exterior accents and sporty red brake calipers.

Kia’s Unprecedented Growth

Kia Motors is the one of the world’s fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America’s full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality(*3) and the industry’s highest brand loyalty ranking (*4). Kia’s U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company’s two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan (*5). Kia’s value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website –www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

*1 – Test drive offer is valid from 2/1/12 to 3/31/12. To be eligible, test-driver must be 18 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license. This offer is non-negotiable and non-transferable. One $25 Kia pre-paid vouncher per household. See Kia.com for complete terms and conditions.

*2 – Expected to be available in March 2012

*3 – Source: Automotive Lease Guide Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study

*4 – Source: Experian Automotive Q2 2011 market analysis

*5 – Optima Hybrid is not built at KMMG

Disclosure: I have accepted a prepaid gift card and potentially other compensation from Kia Motors America, Inc. in exchange for my services to promote Kia’s Twitter Party being held between 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. ET on February 2, 2012.

In other diabetes news, what about Paula Deen?  I know she is taking a great deal of heat over the fact that she came out and said that she has type 2 diabetes and claimed that she has known for some good time now.  I really don’t see a huge issue with it.  I know she sort of cooks a bit unhealty but I don’t think it is really an issue.  If she maintains her levels and lives a healthy life then why not?  It would be like me with my ADD.  Even though I take medication to help keep me focused, should I not help myself organized and maybe spread my intense focus to help others with tasks?

I know that I am probably a bit off task here but I just think we should maybe let Paula do her thing the best way she can and probably the only way she knows how.  Besides my stock in butter has never been better.  See Y’ALL!

352 Jennifer, 131 crystle tellerday, 436 Jennifer Rote, 617 Sarah L, 167 Richard Morris, 365 Don D, 653 Donna K, 581 Melanie, 351  Brittany!

Thanks to all that entered and congrats to those that won!

It wasn’t too long ago that I took advantage of a really great Toys R Us coupon code that helped me score some of the kiddos favorite characters in some new and exciting ways to play. Peyton could take a stroll in a story book with Elmo and Cookie Monster, Rylan could play with his very own gryphon in Fantastic Pets, and Taylor can dance the night away with titles like Victorious and Dance Central 2.

They do not get the physics of the games though. When it says stay still and that it is doing face recognition then that means stay still. They hit and fight each other to where the poor Kinect thinks that they are one ball of meat sack wriggling in front of it.

I have already expressed my dislike of the Michael Jackson games and some of these dance games run fairly close to the same embarrassment factor. At least there aren’t as many pelvic thrusts in the Victorious game. Wait….I’m right…I think…..lemme go check real quick. Nope no thrusts are being thrown around here.

Crystal called me and asked me if we had enough food storage bags at the house and if not she was going to pick up some since she was out and about.  When I got home she asked for my assistance in trimming, separating, and bagging 40lbs. of Chicken!  These things were inside a box like what you see at a supermarket.  These chicken must have been on some new steroid testings too because these were the biggest breasts I have ever seen (stop laughing).

I am for saving money and all but that was an intense amount of chicken all at once.  She got 40lbs. of chicken breasts for $67.  That is a pretty awesome deal.  We even went ahead and made chunks and strips in addition to the whole ones.  I think we actually ended up with about thirty-some-odd food storage bags when we were finally finished with packing them all in.  In the future we are definitely going to stay “abreast” of chicken deals.

I don’t know about all of you but I need my hands be free to do a lot of other stuff rather than hold onto a cell phone all day long.  I searched around different brands, different stores, different models and I still did not know what Bluetooth headset to get.  I did remember however that there was a brand called Jawbone that a lot of middle-aged men in suits, ties, and shiny shoes that would blind you if you looked straight at them used.  Times have chenged and so has Jawbone’s style. Nowadays, Jawbone has come out with a line that is sleek, elegant, and all-around architechual looking at times.  The two that I’m going talk about are the Jawbone ERA and the Jawbone ICON HD+THE NERD.  These headsets are absolutely amazing, smart, stylish and do exactly what I need them to do.

First off let’s start with the Jawbone ERA.  This bad boy has motion control that means you can magically control your headset with a shake shake to enter pairing mode or tap tap the headset to answer phone calls.  Built in motion sensors create new interactions and levels of intelligence.  This thing is seriously smart.  Also, you can listen to music listen in HD, caller ID by name and it has automatic volume control.

The ICON on the other hand, has many of the same functions as the ERA but with the little NERD adapter that you can plug in to any USB port like a computer.  It will turn your computer that does not have Bluetooth into a Bluetooth capable device.  Another thing with the NERD and the ICON HD is that my laptop currently is not Bluetooth capable.  We were on an airplane a couple of weeks ago and all I had to do was plug the NERD adapter in to my laptop.  Then I was able to listen to a movie in HD when I could not previously.

Both of these headsets come with Noise Assassin.  The Noise Assassin is the original background noise killer and this is the only full noise canceling technology on the market developed for use by real commanders and helicopter pilots in our armed forces.  I’m telling you…this technology is stunning. One thing that I love about these headsets is I can walk in the door after coming home from work with my ERA in my ear paired with my cell phone, walk over to the counter and have the ERA connect to my iPad.  Then watch a video on YouTube through my iPad and then get a phone call on my cell phone and be able to answer on the same headset. Multitasking Maestro!

If you’re doing some last-minute holiday shopping or you have some gift cards to blow after the holiday season you have to put these on your list. These are some incredible headsets and I know if you are a busy parent, all around geek, or someone who needs to do more with their hands that you will just love these headsets.  Check them out today!

In fact….I have NINE Best Buy gift cards to help you out a little bit to maybe put towards one (or both) of these headsets!

Giveaway

Nine  (9) winners will receive:

How to Enter

Tell me if you have ever heard of the Best Buy Rewards Card and if you have one?

Extra Entries Available

After you have completed the first entry, you are eligible for additional entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for EACH entry. Each counts as one extra entry unless noted otherwise.

• Subscribe to Daddy Digest by reader or email.
• Like me on my Facebook Fan Page.
• Follow Daddy Digest on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway. Leave the URL to the Tweet in your comment. You can tweet once a day, but remember to leave the URL to each tweet.

This giveaway will end on January 5th at 10:00 PM Central time. Winner will be chosen via a random number generator. Giveaway is open to US entries. The winner must contact me in 24 hours to claim their prize. Good luck to everyone!

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely that of the blog owners. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I have been given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions in any freakin’ way.

There is a lot of woods behind our house. There are several hundred acres behind us and it’s always been overgrown with a lot of trees. We see deer coming into our yard, rabbits playing, and raccoons coming and getting into our trash.  Not much anymore I’m afraid.   Recently the land that was for sale….became sold. We soon found out that our new neighbors would be a business.

The business that would be moving in behind us is a culvert making company. You know those huge things that when you drive into the driveway that lets the water run through? Yeah those. They work 24 hours a day and at least six days a week so now will we see our woods behind us disappear. Even now they are clearing and burning the land. We’re not too excited about that. I’m also not excited about having noise all night long everyday of the week. It is bad enough that we hear a lot train engine noise and train horns down the road after every train passes by. My luck they will have vehicles on their property that have special train horns for trucks installed just to make me extra crazy.

Waiting till next summer,

I grew up in a world where The Muppets were icons. During my time in L.A. a couple of months back we took a little venture on over to the Jim Henson Company lot. While we were there we toured the place and I got to see first hand the care and love that goes into this franchise. The most moving and inspirational thing that I saw there was a mural of some of the most iconic and most loved characters that anyone has ever created. I realized that most of Henson’s creations and chracters have been splintered out to other companies therefore making a huge Henson reunion….almost impossible.

I took solace though in the fact though The Muppets were going to take another run at the big screen and get the old gang back together again. The movie was a brain-child of Jason Segel and Nick Stoller. We got to interview the co-writers of the movie that day in L.A. and they had some great insights on the Muppets. When Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, How I Met Your Mother) was asked if he was still in awe of the expeience he said “It was a childhood dream of mine. I have a list of dreams that I wanted to publish. One was being on David Letterman, which I did a few years ago. One is hosting SNL which I still haven’t done but I think that I will soon. Then one was make a Muppets movie. And then be on the cover of Men’s Health. Start the campaign for that. Rough.”

When Watching this film I really noticed that there was a definate attention to the past. Jason Segel said “I think what we look towards was the legacy that they had created with those first three movies and the TV show. That was really our model and we didn’t have to stray very far from that time or try to update it or anything like that. The Muppets, their style of humor is pretty timeless and you know, comedy really moves in cycles.” I think that Jason and Nick really wrote an adventure that holds true to the past and propels The Muppets into the future.

You don’t have to take my word on what I think about the movie though. We also asked a couple of experts in the field of the Muppets what they thought of the movie and the script that the guys wrote. Kermit the Frog said “It was wonderful working with Jason. You know, Jason actually wrote this thing to begin with and it went through about 17 thousand rewrites but he’s the guy who wanted to make this movie with us.” Miss Piggy had a different take on it though. “Yeah, I don’t really read the script. I just count lines.” (Kermit clears his throat and chimes in) “Counts her lines.”

If after all of that you still need convincing to go and see The Muppets, well then here it is from my kids first hand. It is their “pick” of the week…you’ll see what I mean by that.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely that of the blog owners. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.

A few posts ago I talked with you guys about my ring dilemma. I have finally resolved this issue and found the ring for me (or at least the fourth ring for me). I scoured the interwebs to try and get an idea of what ring I wanted. See, for one thing I have this weird thing that happens when I wear certain rings. Underneath the ring I get an blister looking ouchie and I don’t know whether it is from the gold or something else. So I was very worried about what I was going to put on my finger.

I headed on over to Tungsten Rings Online and marveled at all of the choices. I compared them to several other sites that specialize in Tungsten rings and found such a great selection and at least 30%-40% less than other sites. I found the one I wanted and they promptly sent it to me. Upon the ring’s arrival I thought that it really looked impeccable. I got the Flat Tungsten Carbide Satin Finish Band and have had it on my finger for a little over a month now. The comfort is great, the look is elegant, and I have had no problems with this ring messin’ with my skin. Also, I have been wearing it non-stop even at work and it has not gotten one scratch on it all.

If you are in the market for a new wedding band or for one to replace a lost one…or two…or three..I think you have an answer from me. Good stuff!

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely that of the blog owners. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I have been given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions in any freakin’ way.

Since Crystal is off on Mondays the kids and her stayed at the house on that day. Tuesday rolled around and I called her after they had been there for a couple of hours and when she answered the phone it didn’t even sound like her. The kids had been fighting, arguing, and being extremely loud in an office setting.  We are so thankful though that she works in her father’s office and he tolerates it a bit.  I told her to just hang on and the day at the office would be over soon enough.

The second day rolled around and she sounded like she wasn’t going to make it out alive because the kids were frazzling her nerves so bad. Thank goodness this would be the last day before Thanksgiving on Thursday because she would have been searching for flights to Dalaman to get as far away as she could and relax without the sound of kids haunting her earholes.

These kids do not listen at all. They are not scared of us at all when we threaten to punish them. They just laugh and point at us when we get on to them. I have no idea what next summer will hold when all three kids may be taking a trip to the office. We have to get through the Christmas break first!