With the 2012 election just ten weeks away, you may have been noticing an even bigger increase in exposure on the presidential candidates through the various forms of media. More money than ever is being dumped into T.V. spots. Many of you may have even noticed an increased social media presence promoting the candidate and even enticing you with some campaign giveaways. I am sure some of you may have even noticed an increase in email from each candidate's campaign. President Obama is always looking for at least three dollars from me a day. There are even political apps for smartphones and tablets out now, and some of them are entertaining and informative.

     One app I downloaded is called the Super Pac App (free). What it does is it listens to political advertisements on television and matches the ad's audio waves against a database. It then tells the app's user who paid for the ad and how much they're spending on the campaign before pointing them to nonpartisan sources -- PolitiFact, FactCheck.org and others -- to try to verify the ad's claims. Ever since organizations, and corporations, have been allowed to raise unlimited amounts of money and create their own ads, fact-checking has become more important than ever. TV airwaves in battleground states have been full of ads making negative claims about both President Obama and his rival Mitt Romney, and this app makes it very easy and convenient to sift through and see what is accurate and what is false. 

     Another app is downloaded is called VOTE!!!(free). This app is more comical and good for entertainment purposes. The app allows users to pick a stylized cartoonish version of their preferred presidential candidate and then duke it out through multiple rounds. The game focuses on arcade-style fighting and encourages players to keep on swinging for more votes. Depending on the goals you accomplish, and the amount of hit you give and block, the more money you raise for your campaign. This allows you to customize your character, and buy weapons or power-ups. What's also cool about this game is that it collects all the votes from all players all over the world. the theory is if you're actually voting for Obama, then you'll likely be playing as him in the game. So the game will have this running tally of who's winning the election. The game has also partnered with Rock the Vote to encourage gamers to vote in the 2012 election.

    As the weeks wind down, we will see more aggressive campaigning, Keep an eye out and see all the different forms of advertising they do.

     Greeting and salutation to all my loyal followers. I must apologize for not blogging lately. I know you must be heart-broken to not hear my thought, insights, or anything in regards to the world of Dan. I have been very busy working hard on the amazing new advertising campaign for Motivators pushing our fine promotional products, plus I have been toiling away on my air craft for the Red Bull Flugtag event, so unfortunately my blogging had to be neglected. Alas, some free time has presented itself, so what better way to fill it then with an update about the construction of my aircraft. (You can check up what the Red Bull Flugtag event is here.)

     The first obstacle to overcome was the stand that the aircraft is supposed to be on. It will stand nine feet tall with wheels on the base to move it. With some clever ingenuity, we made this bracket and recycled our old bike parts to create the necessary wheel needed for the craft.

     From there, we began to build up, and up, and up, narrowing the stand along the way. Adding supports along the way, and with more to follow, the stand is exactly nine feet tall. Don't ask me how we were able to get those measurements to work out perfectly like that, but they did for the first time in my life. It will be climbable, and so far, appears to hold the weight of a man with minimal flex in the piping. Even though we already painted it, we will be adding additional supports into the structure, but the picture shows what we have so far.

     So this is what we have going so far. Feel free to follow the Facebook page and Twitter feed to stay up to date with the build process. The next part will be actually building the aircraft. I hope you guys follow along and I will keep you up to date the best I can.

     In case my fellow readers were unaware of this, I am a Mets fan. Being born and raised in Queens, NY, I have grown up watching my favorite team play on TV and at both Shea Stadium and Citi Field. I get my devotion to the team through my grandfather and uncle, and I try to go to as many games as I can. However, the past few years have made it difficult because the cost of admission, food, and parking have risen dramatically, making it difficult to attend from an economic standpoint. That is, until now...

     The Mets are running special promotions this summer to get fans in the stands. One of the promotions going on this month is 50% off on up to 2 tickets to any Mets game for the month of July. I apologize for not bringing this your attention sooner. All you need to do is get a specially marked "Mets 50th Anniversary" Pepsi can (seen below), and bring it with you to any home game during the month of July. You have to get your tickets at the stadium, with can in hand, and the deal is only for the Left Field Landing and Promenade Reserved seating sections.

     This is just one of many promotions they have going on this year. This promo is beneficial to the customer, but also towards the Mets and Pepsi. This gets more people to purchase Pepsi products, and gets more fans in the stands, where the Mets can make their additional revenue from souvenirs and food. Let's hope this gets more spectators to the stadium. You can expect me to use this promo this weekend, since the Mets will also be giving away some promotional products such as t-shirts and even bobble-heads. There are only a few more home games left this month, so you all need to act fast! 

     As many of you know, I like to enter competitions. Not just any competitions, unique ones. Ones that allow me to be creative, and of course, leave with a great story to tell. So with that said, I am glad to announce that my team was selected for this year's Red Bull Flugtag. WOOOOHOOO!!!!!

     For those of you stuck in a time capsule, Red Bull Flugtag (flugtag is German for flight day, airshow) is an event owned and operated by Red Bull in which competitors attempt to fly homemade limited human-powered flying machines. The flying machines are usually launched off a pier about 30 feet high into the sea. This contest is open to the public. All you have to do is sign up, and submit a drawing of your flying contraption, and hope you are chosen by the Red Bull people. Teams that enter the Flugtag competition are judged in three categories; distance, creativity, and showmanship. Below is the drawing of the vehicle that was picked.

     I am so excited right now that I can barely type this post out. This will my biggest challenge to conquer yet. I thought building a boat made solely out of cardboard and duct tape was going to be difficult, but building a vehicle to glide into the Philadelphia sunset is a whole new level of skill. More details will follow as I begin building. Until then, I will begin drawing out the blueprint for the flying contraption, while waiting for more news or promotional products from Red Bull. This summer, I will conquer the AIR and the SEA!!!

     So as some of you may know from my previous posts, I love New York City. Given the chance, I spend my free time in the "City That Never Sleeps." There is so much culture and diversity on that island of Manhattan, you are sure to always be entertained and amazed. Between the free theatre in the parks, to the extensive variety of museums, you are sure to see things in a new way and possibly learn a thing or two. So with that being said, it should be no surprise that I spent this past weekend in the city.

     Last year, as a birthday gift, I received a gift card from parents that entitled me to partake in excursions or adventures from a predetermined list. Finally getting time to do an excursion, I decided to stay local and find something that I can enjoy with my lovely lady. After perusing through the list, we settled on a lovely boat ride in the Hudson River. There was a few we could choose from, but the one we chose the Adirondack Schooner Sailing, located at the Chelsea Pier 62.

     The day couldn't have been more perfect. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, a lovely breeze blowing in, and the temperature was in the mid-eighties. We get to the pier just as they begin letting passengers aboard this mighty sea vessel. The boat looked absolutely stunning, with masts that had to be close to forty feet tall. As all forty of us board the boat, we begin to stake our spots. Just as the last one of us gets on, the captain welcomes us aboard, introduces us to his crewmates (both were wearing khaki shorts and promotional t-shirts with the sailing company's name on the left chest), and then began to back out of the pier and onto the open water.

     Even though the boat did have a motor, it was only used to get us to and from the dock. Since we had such a nice breeze, once we were out in the open waters, the sails came up and were off, heading south toward Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. It was nice that the drinks were complimentary as they were much appreciated as we sailed past the new Freedom Tower and past Governor's Island. The crew was knowledgeable and very accommondating, offering what they knew about landmarks to anyone who asked. As we made our way past the Statue of Liberty, the boat turned around, getting nice and close to the statue and Ellis Island, and we began heading back. The entire trip was a nice, relaxing, two hour excursion, which was one of the best ways to spend a day in the city. I recommend it to anyone looking to make a day in New York City.

     Oh summer, your here at last. The warmer weather and longer days are welcome by all. And with the return of the summer here, that also mean the return of the Annual Riverhead Cardboard Boat Race. Oh yea!

     As many of you know from my first blog post on this site, I entered this amazing competition last year. I, along with my crew, built a mighty sea vessel with nothing more than cardboard boxes and duct tape. When completed, it was approximately fourteen feet long and about three feet wide. It named the Box Muncher, because it was made out of boxes and was going to chew up the competition, or so we thought. The boat was held strong, but our rowing capability was lacking. This year, the boat returned as the Box Muncher II. A little shorter, little wider, and better prepared.

     There was A LOT more spectators and entrants this year than last. In fact it was double, leaving little parking space for the convoy of SUVs we had transporting the mighty boat. Like last year, we had the boat in pieces, with plenty of supplies at the ready to assemble the boat. Well, we thought we did. Somewhere between Queens and Riverhead, we had lost our spare supply of Gorilla Glue tape and promotional box cutters. A mad dash to the nearest Home Depot helped resolve our issue. We were able to resupply, assemble the boat, and were awaiting our fate at the hands of the Peconic River.

     Here we are again, standing on the dock, holding the boat over our heads, waiting for our spot in the race. It was a beautiful day. In fact, a perfect day for a boat race. A slight breeze swept across our faces as the boat's name was called. We approach the edge and begin to lower the might sea vessel into the water. Like last year, it began to float. Success! Now we begin to step aboard the boat one at a time. Last year, we had five men on the boat. Unfortunately, one could not make it, so we did the only logical thing and replaced him with two more people, evening us out at six people on the vessel. As we hop aboard, I begin to watch the boat sink deeper into the water, but after the final man gets aboard, the water stops rising and we remain afloat. Success again! Then we hear it... the countdown. "3...2...1... GO!" and we were off!

     From the land we can hear the growing roar of the crowd clashing with the sound of a hundred oars plunging into the water. We began rowing away from the deck, crashing into other boats along the way. Oars were getting tangled into others and boats were bouncing of each other as we made our way down the river. We were rowing well; much better than last year since we only rowed in circles. We made our way down to the buoy, but we were not the first ones to circle around it. As a couple boats started making their way back, we set our sights on the returning vessels in the hopes of sinking them. A loud "THUD" can be heard as we crashed into the Irish-themed vessel, alas the boat stayed strong as it bounced off of us heading back to the dock. We finally made our around the buoy and began to make our way back when we see that three other vessels are already ahead of us. Like madmen, we began rowing back furiously, hoping to catch when the the worse thing that could possibly happen...happened. Our boat was beginning to split in the half. It was happening slowly, but a bubble was beginning to form in the center of the boat. We began to row even faster, dodging the oncoming traffic of the other boats trying to make their way to the buoy. We began rowing faster, the bubble grew bigger. I move on top of the bubble, delaying the water from breaking through. We row even more, the dock is within reach. With the last ounce of strength, we crash into the dock. We made it. However, we made it into fourth place, meaning this will be the second year the Box Muncher returns without a trophy.

     There you have it folks, we didn't win. All was not lost, though we did learn a lot from the year. First, we made it all the way down the river and back, a personal best. Secondly, we need to have the seam of the boat be width-wise, instead of length-wise, thereby removing the bubble effect we were getting in the water. Thirdly, we need to layer up on the cardboard so it doesn't bend and give so easily. Other than that, we all just need to work on the rowing a bit more, and I think next year, we will have ourselves a trophy. That's right, we are returning. Keep an eye out next year for Box Muncher III: Revenge of the Munch. Also, like our Facebook page, were you can see highlights from this years race, along with ideas and construction of next year's boat.

     Yes, this is going to be a blog about bacon and all of its bacony delicious goodness. There's nothing better than waking up the porkified aroma or the sound it bacon sizzling and crackling in a pan of its own grease. You want to know what makes a B.L.T. so good? The B of course! Want to make that sandwich better? Add more bacon. Bacon is so good that it has amassed a cult following, leading to such items promotional t-shirts proclaiming ones love of bacon, to watches that resemble bacon, to even include a cologne with a bacon scent. However, I was unaware of the full reach of bacon until last weekend.

     I was out the Arches shopping complex out in Deer Park, NY, in a shop called It's Sugar to hopefully satisfy my sweet tooth. As I am looking through the aisles, I come across a section of what I can only describe as a bacon Valhalla. I  have never seen so many bacon flavored goodies before. They had everything you could think of "baconized." I saw things like bacon car fresheners, bacon flavored lollipops, bacon flavored toothpicks, bacon mints, gummy bacon, and the lists just goes on and on. I was in pork euphoria.

     Bacon has taken a life of its own. No more are the days of just a breakfast sidekick for bacon. It's a lifestyle. Bacon has become a part of mainstream culture in ways we couldn't have even imagined. Now if you don't mind, I must go back and enjoy my delicious bacon sundae.

     As some of you may know, and the rest of the world will now know, I LOVE Buffalo wings. Just thinking about the tangy sauce, the crispy skin, followed by that tender juicy meat just sends my heart a flutter. So when it was decided that I would be going up to Buffalo to visit family; you can imagine how excited I was going to be visit the infamous Anchor Bar.

     The Anchor Bar is the home of the original buffalo chicken wing. As the legend goes:

     On a Friday night in 1964, Dominic Bellissimo was tending bar at the now famous Anchor Bar Restaurant in Buffalo, NY. Late that evening, a group of Dominic's friends arrived at the bar with ravenous appetites. Dominic asked his mother Teressa, to prepare something for his friends to eat. Teressa had deep fried some wings and flavored them with a secret sauce. The wings were an instant hit and it didn't take long for people to flock to the bar to experience this new taste sensation. From that evening on, Buffalo Wings became a regular part of the menu at the Anchor Bar.
cited from the Anchor Bar website.

     Upon entering this fine establishment, I am overcome by the tangy aroma of the secret sauce, surrounded by motorcycles hanging from above, and lured further in by the sound of the live jazz band that plays sweet melodies while patrons indulge in their perfect poultry. I walk past their gift shop as I head further into this establishment. The shop is filled with all sorts of promotional products from t-shirts, to keychains, and even a giant foam hat in the shape of a chicken wing. Then I am seated, and place my order for fifty wings, half hot and half mild. After all, I am sharing this with the rest of my family.

     Now I have had my fair share of wings in my day, and I have noticed that a lot of places tend to prepare their wings in such a way that the skin is soft. This is not good. The skin on chicken should have some sort of crunch to it. With that said, Anchor Bar achieved this in a way that I can only say is pure perfection. The wings are served to us on a large, metallic platter, complete with its own stand and "bone bowls." Both mild and hot sauces were gently brushed onto each wing so as not to have too much sauce on them. The sauces were as perfect as wings. Tender, juicy meat preceded by a crispy saucy skin puts you in a wing Valhalla.

     In case I was being too subtle, I really enjoyed their wings. I can see why the phenomenon of the buffalo wing spread like wild fire. The phenomenon created in 1964 at the Anchor Bar has spread across the world. Although many have tried to duplicate their Buffalo Wings, the closely guarded secret recipe is what makes Anchor Bar's the proclaimed "Best Wings in the World."

Well, it took long enough, but it finally happened. As of June 6th, the space shuttle Enterprise completed her journey to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City. It arrived at JFK airport back on April 23 via jet where it stayed until it was loaded on a barge June 3. Along the way, the shuttle passed American icons like the Statue of Liberty, the Freedom Tower, Empire State Building, and of course the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Weather and tidal conditions were favorable allowing Enterprise to arrive home ahead of schedule. Once it was safely anchored, the next task to begin was the tedious job lifting the space craft off the barge and on to the Intrepid. This required a skilled crew and very big crane. Although it was a slow and steady process, space shuttle Enterprise safely touched down on the flight deck of Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, on schedule, at around 4:30pm. Intrepid’s Space Shuttle Pavilion, including Enterprise, will be open to the public on July 19th, where you will be able to snag one of the many promotional products they will be selling in the gift shop to commemorate the event.

As some of you may have read from a previous post from my colleague Brandon, Mitt Romney had won the Republican 2012 presidential nomination. You may have also read about how he had attended a fundraiser hosted by the infamous Donald Trump. Unfortunately I wish I could end it there, however we all know about Donald by now, and we know that his mouth and opinions tend to get him into trouble. On what should have been Romney's big day, Trump took the opportunity to (once again) question President Obama's birthplace.  During a phone interview with CNN, Trump insisted that "... Many people do not think [Obama's birth certificate] was authentic." Now he is accurate in that aspect. There are people  out there, like Trump, who believe he was not born here. Even the Arizona Secretary of State, Ken Bennett has announced that he may keep Barack Obama off the ballot because of "questions" whether the president was born in America. However, the general consensus among the WORLD is that he was born here and is still eligible to be president. But that hasn't stopped these "birthers" from trying to spread their word, so some from the liberal left have a theory about Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney is a unicorn. 

That's right folks; there is a website called Mitt Romney Is A Unicorn, where a petition has been set up to get the same Arizona Secretary of State that questioned Obama's birth to investigate if Mitt Romney is a unicorn. From the site, it states that without such proof, Romney may indeed be a unicorn -- with his dark mane hiding a horn -- and therefore ineligible to be on the presidential ballot in November. There has never been a conclusive DNA test proving that Mitt Romney is not a unicorn.  The site has clearly been created in response to the "birther" movement, who continually raise the already-settled issue of whether President Barack Obama meets the Constitution's requirements for citizenship. So far, the "unicorners" have over 24,000 of the goal of 25,000 signatures for their petition.

Even though this is a satirical movement meant to poke fun at the "birthers", it does make a valid point. If the birthers still do not believe that President Obama is a citizen, even after he provided his birth certificate, even after the state of Hawaii provided the necessary proof, even after he provided the long-form version of his birth certificate, even after almost all people of the Republican Party agree he is an American citizen, then there is no hope to convince them. What is even more disturbing is how Mitt Romney would associate with them for fundraising, then deny that he agrees with their opinion. If you do not believe in their cause, why are campaigning with them? If the birthers can believe that Obama is not a citizen regardless of the evidence against it, then the unicorners will refuse to believe that Mitt Romney is not a unicorn regardless of the evidence. Remember, there has been no DNA test to prove he isn't a unicorn.

I hope they start printing promotional t-shirts with Mitt Romney as a unicorn. If they were smart, they would use the money to help fuel President Obama's campaign and be a part of helping him get re-elected. I am sure they would make a good chunk of money on people buying the shirts.