In Other News, Vol. 1
Friday, May 2, 2008 The following are not (and never will be) paid posts. Just a roundup of cool news, products and totally random tidbits. And sometimes you can even win stuff.
It’s Where Bindi Eats...
Outback Steakhouse has always been a favorite of mine. No, let me rephrase that completely. Since having a kid, Outback has been a favorite of mine. When I was a foodie single dude, I stayed away from casual dining “family” joints. But once booth space (i.e. room to fidget, play with Bionicles and make noise without inviting the wrath of fellow diners) trumped “prowess in searing” as salient restaurant criteria, Outback shot up the ranks. Their spacious booths are a parent’s dream. I’d go there for the booths alone. Not kidding.
A couple weeks ago, we asked Fury where he wanted to go for his birthday dinner. He said Outback. When I asked him why, I would have totally been ok with “because Outback’s PR firm pitched you about their 20th anniversary and sent you a nice gift card for your troubles and you now have to post about it, and I’m such a good son that I’m giving you a legit reason to write about it.” But he didn’t say that. Instead, he said “because it’s where Bindi eats.” I’m not sure that’s true, but given his total obsession with the Jungle Girl from down under, I did not want to burst his bubble.
So, off to Bindi’s favorite haunt we went. And yes, it really does happen to be Outback’s 20th anniversary, by the way. And with 800 restaurants across the country and 950 locations worldwide, Bindi can rest assured that anywhere she goes, she can enjoy a taste of home any time – even at home (they have locations in Australia, I just checked). And I really do enjoy eating there. Mostly because it is home to one of my favorite W8 Loss Wednesday killers, the Bloomin’ Onion. The press release says it can easily be shared among 4 to 6 of your mates. Sure, if they happen to be 6 year-olds who don’t dig onions. Otherwise, one Bloomin’ Onion is good for me and maybe one other person, like my wife, or someone I would not growl at if they reached for my food.
While I dig the Bloomin' Onion, d Wife and Fury cannot get enough of their Pumpernickel bread, as evidenced here. Yes, he pretty much ate that entire loaf himself. Which meant he had no room for his dinner (they have an extensive kids menu, which scores points in my book). But he did have several bites of my Chargrilled Tuscan Ribeye. He heard me talking about how I like my steak bloody, and his “Man-stinct” prompted him to ask me for some. So badass, yet so cute.
All in all, a great birthday meal in every way (yes, they serve Newcastle, but not on tap). Go there for your next family celebration and tell them BusyDad sent you (that is if you like it when people give you a blank stare and say “huh? Busy wha?”).
Happy 20th, Outback!
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I Know My Kid's Birthday ... and that's about it.
And I suspect it's only because his birthday happens to be on tax day. I definitely do not remember any other kids' birthdays, and I sure as hell DON'T have the slightest clue about what to buy for, say, a 9 year-old girl, or an 11 year-old boy. Do you have a lot of kids to buy presents for? Then check out a cool website called Kobold Toys.
Besides carrying toys that are more unique in nature (they shoot for eco-friendliness, craftsmanship and educational value), Kobold Toys also has a cool service called Very Busy Very Thoughtful (hmm, sounds like me, doesn't it?). The first part is free. You enter the name of the person you would like to be reminded for, along with the occasion, occasion date and date on which you would like to be reminded. Easy as that. On the specified date, you get an email reminder. No brain cells needed.
But if you're like me, the stress of kids' presents isn't always remembering dates (after all, I do have a wife who LIVES by her smartphone), it's the "what the heck do I buy this kid?" factor. Well, for $10, you can relax. They will interview you about the kid in question and find something appropriate. You may think this benefits you (by making you look good), or maybe even the kid (they get a gift they are more likely to love), but no. You know who benefits most? The kid's parents. If you care about them at all, you will do this. How many Saturday afternoons have you wasted doing the gift reciept shuffle between Target and Toys R Us? Don't do unto others...
Note to Kobold Toys: you guys want to make a lot of money? Launch a covert service that helps husbands with gifts for their wives. Talk about a fear-driven business concept. You would make bank!
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A Pat on the Back is Nice... So is a Canon DVD Camcorder
Got a picture or video that just says "fatherhood" all over it? Pimp it and win a Camcorder or Digital Camera. You have until May 14 to go over to the National Fatherhood Initiative's website and submit a picture or video that you feel exemplifies fatherhood. While you're there, check out what they're all about. The organization's mission is "to improve the well being of children by increasing the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible, and committed fathers." Very cool. Very necessary.
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Reader Comments (26)
Make them pitch me, too, mkay?
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[BusyDad] Let me make some phone calls. (jeez I crack myself up sometimes).
Awesome! Love the toys, love the Fatherhood thing. I'm buying toys and submitting a pic. How 'bout that! Thanks for the info.
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[BusyDad] Careful there! Don't make me feel too influential. I'll start acting like an a-hole.
Hey, you're good at this!!!! I'm starting to be at a loss as t what to get the boy other than all things electronic ... at this rate he will have his brain and eyeballs fried before he hits 10!
Great idea for your blog too. Let it be known that although I am a material girl, I loved you before you starting pumping out the free stuff :)
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[BusyDad] That is very nice to know KMeg! It's really hard these days to tell if people just love me for my Tamagochis. *sigh* (that giveaway is next week, btw).
Bindi scares me.
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[BusyDad] Seriously. I know.
If I would let my oldest son survive on bread alone, he totally would.
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[BusyDad] So true. Bread, butter and shelter. Fury would thrive.
See, you are going to out grow all of us and end up with your own talk show in the Lifetime Channel... Bindi scares me too. I knew she was evil when The Soup took a jab at the kid.
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[BusyDad] If anyone's getting a talk show, it's that kid of mine! Haha - I saw that episode. Actually, I suspect that they make fun of her a lot on the Soup.
Binidi = creepy. Her mom = even creepier. So at least she comes by it naturally.
How do I get places to pitch me on things and send me giftcards? Short of becoming a dad, I'm willing to try almost anything. :)
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[BusyDad] Funny how that little girl scares the best of us. Ok, I'll reveal my little secret. I can't go on fooling you all in to thinking I'm actually influential. My URL has the word "DadBlog" in it. So when the PR intern is tasked with finding "Dad Blogs" to pitch, I come up page 1 or 2 on google. That's it. Nothing more.
Yeah, we're always the downers for kids party gifts because we give books. My kids love em. Not so sure we're winning the hearts of all my kid's friends, though.
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[BusyDad] Hahaa - be thankful you're not the "clothes givers." Parents love the clothes givers. Kids get pissed they can't build anything out of a pair of pants.
Cool Jim! I like the branching out a bit - good info yet still personalized. I like it man! Also, don't you feed Fury anything more than bread and ice cream?
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[BusyDad] It was one of those "you gotta do what you gotta do" decisions. I'm glad these are still readable :) And of course not!! I also give him peanut butter.
I feel fortunate I don't know who Bindi is...
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[BusyDad] Bindi WILL enter your lives. Very soon. Be prepared.
Oooh. I love Outback. They don't have one up here so we had to go to Fargo to get us some bloomin' onion.
Fab.
I can see why Fury (and Bindi, apparently) loves it so!
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[BusyDad] I seriously enjoy that place and it's not just because I got pitched. As far as family-friendly chains go, it's Outback and Macaroni Grill for me. Not Applebees though. blah.
A bloomin onion sounds so freaking fantastic. Whoever said you stop craving carbs after the first 2 weeks, might have supplemented with crack.
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[BusyDad] Haha - that is really the only logical conclusion yes. I'd venture to say carbs are eviler than crack even, because I can deal with not having crack.
mmmm... I love outback. You are good at this!
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[BusyDad] Dang I wish I could get paid for it! It is a lot easier writing about my love for fried onions than writing to convince you to outsource your application development needs (yes, that is my new job - woo hoo!)
Now I crave steak. Thanks, yo!
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[BusyDad] I ALWAYS crave steak yo!
The Outback close to where I live-a mere 45 miles away-is a TERRIBLE place to take kids! Terrible; the waitstaff is snotty and the times I have been there, I thought the patrons closest to our table were going to come bite my head of and sh*t down my neck; clearly they didn't like my kids. Glad it is better for you!
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[BusyDad] Yikes. Maybe they need to send YOU a giftcard (in case they are reading this).
Outback - heck yeah! I was probably a T-REX in a past life - a carnivore fo' sho'! Hubby and I like to try to make it out to a REAL steakhouse once in awhile (these days it's been a LONG while) but Outback will definitely do when we have to bring the whole fam. Another weight loss killer - Aussie Cheese Fries... mmmMMmmmm!
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[BusyDad] "it's been a LONG while" is probably the most popular phrase uttered amongst parenting circles. I'd put money on that.
You ain't kidding that Outback's Bloomin Onion is a diet killer... but then again just about anything in that restaurant is a diet killer... and an artery killer and a recipe for a heart attack. *shrug* Must be why it's soooo damn good. lol
BTW, I've moved digs. Come check out the new 42. (and can you update the blog hooper link to my site/)
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[BusyDad] I like the new digs! And all has been updated. And yes, what good is food if it can't kill you? Where's the thrill?
I've gotten a few PR pitches (which is interesting given that I'm a PR guy), but most of the time I get the freebies after the fact. For example, I've written glowing reviews of restaurants and as a result have received e-mails from owners/managers offering free meals and VIP experience. I take advantage of it.
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[BusyDad] Ok. As of now I am totally stepping up my mentions of Newcastle. And totally - I did PR for a number of years, so I am totally empathetic (Especially to the Newcastle PR people).
Dude, its strange some of the stuff I get sent. Like why would I want to review some sick beer called Newcastle? I just deleted that one right away. I'll keep on the lookout for good ones though.
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[BusyDad] I can only laugh, Joeps. You are killing me.
Outback is heaven. Yes, heaven.
I am making DH take me there for our anniversary in June, sans chillens of course ;-)
I love the Bloomin' onion, too. Thank Goodness I have the recipe for the sauce and the crispity goodness so I can make it whenever we have peeps ovah. and now you totally have me drooling.
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[BusyDad] Oh please email me the recipe for the sauce! And happy upcoming anniversary! (Hey Outback - Rachel needs a card too!)
Hey, I have some things for you... I get sent stuff daily since I run The Wise Mommy. I have some Avatar DVDs that I just got sent and my kids are too young to watch them (or understand them). You interested in having me send them to you and reviewing them for me? You could review them here on your blog or be a guest reviewer on mine. Either way - free videos :)
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[BusyDad] I checked with my editorial director (Fury) and he says sure. He can fit it into his schedule. I'll have my people get in touch with yours.
Ok - you're kicking my ass in the weight loss race and now you're gettting free shit?
Dick!
But seriously, how does one get the swag?
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[BusyDad] Your comments make me smile. Always :) My Google-friendly URL brings the PR folks to the yard. Simple as that. And once they get here, they can see that it's a real blog (not a "make money now!" one). That's really all you need.
Bindi (she of the horrible crimp job) scares the holy beejebus out of me too. Even scarier - the dolls of her. Holy crapola I could have nightmares. **Shiver**
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[BusyDad] PLEASE do not let Fury know they make dolls of that girl. I shudder to think...
I'm such a sucker for shrimp on the barbie. Seriously. Yum. And the pumperknickel bread...my hubs calls it the brown bread. Doesn't that just sound so...disgusting?
P.S. I would totally arm wrestle you (and win) over a bloomin' onion.
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[BusyDad] Haha that is what we call it! I actually had to Google the correct name!
One of the coolest discoveries that I've made in my sort time in Oz is that the roofs of a lot of buildings look like the roofing on Outback steakhouses.
Oh, and they have good cheap meat!
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[BusyDad] Cheap meat is a legit reason to move somewhere.
I haven't eaten at Outback in YEARS! Now I'm hungry for steak. Guess I'll make that the next place I eat one. :)
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[BusyDad] Thanks for giving the PR firm validation for sending me that card! haha