Tigers vs. WhiteSox (2 free Tickets) Posted 4/4/2008 by Declan, Acct Mgr

352 Ann Arbor, have 2 free tickets for todays game, Apr 4th (1:05pm) at Comerica Park.

Sec 322 Row 6 seats 18 & 19

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	Capture the Flag is an Amazing Sport Posted 12/27/2007 by PeterV, VP, Marketing

OK, so I'm a little blog-happy today, but I just got back in the country where I was 10 days removed from my PC.  Gimme some slack.

So I had to blog, because we just finished our company's first semi-annual capture the flag night.  It was awesome.  How this is not a professional sport rivaling the NFL, I have no idea.  I'd love to wear a professional CTFer's jersey to work.

It was a slow night since we're between holidays, so there weren't many of us, but it was still great.  I can only imagine when the whole staff is here.  We split the building down the middle and played outside, so you could attack the other team from either side of the building.  We're lucky none of the neighboring businesses are there past 5pm, otherwise I'm sure the cops would've been called on a bunch of people running around in black clothes.

So, if you haven't played in awhile, play.  It's like kickball...awkward as a kid, awesome as an adult!

       The World's First Capture the Flag Game.                                                                      

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	Gainesville Wins Several ESPN Herbie Awards Posted 9/10/2007 by Geoff, Pres/CEO

I'm proud of Gainesville, Florida, the city where our company started and our corporate headquarters currently reside.  Gainesville is a great community, and despite being a small city and college town, Gainesville gets a lot of positive national publicity as a great place to live.  In fact, about 10 years ago Money Magazine named Gainesville the #1 place to live in America.  And recently a new book called Cities Ranked & Rated also put Gainesville in the #1 spot out of 400 cities in America.

And while these accolades are great, I'm even more impressed by the multitude of Herbie Awards that Gainesville and the University of Florida just won.  The Herbie Awards are put together each year by ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit and they recognize the best of college football,.  Since we are all huge college football fanatics here in Gainesville (Go Gators!), these awards actually mean a lot to us.

Here is how Gainesville was recognized and Herbstreit's comments:

Top Gameday Locations (ranked #3) - "Annually some of the most creative signs we come across are in Gainesville. I love where our set is -- right in between "The Swamp" and fraternity row. We're just crammed with fans. It just feels like a pep rally for the Gator Nation. With Florida coming off a national title, I can only imagine what it will be like this year."

Best Student Section (ranked #2) - "When the Gators are good -- really good -- there is no place like "The Swamp." I still make the argument it's the loudest stadium in the country on game day. When Mr. Two-bits does his thing, it sends chills up and down your spine as the Gators take the field."

Best Restaurant (ranked #2) - Gainesville's Mark's U.S. Prime - "After years of eating at Arby's every time "GameDay" visited, I was introduced to Mark's U.S. Prime last year. It' safe to say that Arby's has lost a customer. Hopefully, we'll get back to Gainesville more than once this season."

And most important.... Prettiest Coeds (ranked #3).

There were also a ton of Gator players and coaches recognized among the best at their respective positions, including Tim Tebow, Andre Caldwell and of course Urban Meyer.

Not bad for our little college town!

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	Fear the Powerline! Posted 8/20/2007 by PeterV, VP, Marketing

So I'm writing this post via a machine that recognizes eye movement and turns that in to characters on the screen, ala Stephen Hawking.  While that is in no way true, it would be awesome.  That's because I just got back from the gym, and my eyes are about the only thing now sore.

I go to the Gainesville Health and Fitness Center (nice web site, but for some reason we didn't do it, even though we've been corporate members of theirs for years now.  odd really).  It's a great place, and specifically I love what they call "the line."  It's basically a row of machines that target about 10 key muscle groups all over the body.  You have a card that keeps your weight level, seat height, etc.  They have staff that sets up all of the machines down the row for you, which is awesome.So that's great on its own, but then I was introduced to the "power line."  Same as the line, but in between each machine they torture you with some methods only Donald Rumsfeld could've dreamt up.  Doing a wall sit for two minutes with a pilates ring balanced between your knees and a medicine ball held in front of you, or these god awful "diamond pushups."  My point is, as much as I hurt, it's awesome. 

And free with the price of admission.  So why pay for a personal trainer?  I'm on a set schedule there where I get the same people helping me every time, which is great.  Sure, I'm still fat, and they haven't yet found a cure for lazy, but I'm making noticable progress (and my stats on the company softball team have improved.  Coincidence?).

So why aren't we doing their Web site?  I guess they are pleased with the service they get from one of our local competitors.  And that's fine.  I hold no ill will towards the competition.  I just wish us better will, which is kinda the same I guess.  But I won't hang up on you if you do decide to call, Gainesville Health and Fitness Centers.  1-877-352-MEDIA (dial the extra letter for luck!).

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	Watching Bonds Hit No. 756 Posted 8/8/2007 by Geoff, Pres/CEO

I had good timing last night.  I was working on my computer and occasionally looking up at the TV.  I had been switching between a few different channels, one of which was ESPN.  And I happened to click onto ESPN and look up right as Bonds was stepping up to the plate... and then POW... there goes No. 756!

It was a cool moment, dispite all of the controversy surrounding the guy.  Yes, I believe he took steriods, as does most of the free world.  But also consider that many pitchers were likely also taking steriods during this era, which levels the playing field a little bit.  Regardless of steriods, it's still an incredible accomplishment and a historic moment.  And it was pretty fun watching it live. 

The celebration afterwards was perfect.  Bonds got to stay a few words and then Henry Aaron delivered his congratulations from the jumbotron.  It was the perfect length and content -- classy, touching and not too long.

Even more fun was watching the massive scuffle for the baseball.  Basically it's like throwing a million dollars into a crowd and watching everyone jump on the money.  I'm surprised no one got killed because the pileup was intense.  Thankfully since my DVR was on, I got to watch it back in slow mo a few times and see the crazy reactions of everyone as they piled on top of one another going for the ball.  It was WWE wrestling at its best.

Congrats Mr. Bonds.  Love you or hate you, it's still a historic accomplishment.

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	Some Great Videos From our Company Field Day Posted 7/26/2007 by PeterV, VP, Marketing

We recently took the company over to a park to blow off some steam with a good old fashioned "field day," ala third grade.  We had everything from a four legged race to a game of kickball, all capped off with a barbeque.  Here are the highlights (and lowlights):

First was the egg relay.  You know, you run with an egg on a spoon, transfer it to the next person, etc.  Well all was going great until Geoff, the anchor of the team and our CEO, took the egg.  See for yourself...        

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	Michael Vick Opens the Door for New Sponsors Posted 7/20/2007 by PeterV, VP, Marketing

Michael Vick is now officially my least favorite person.  After weeks of speculation and reports about his involvement in a dog fighting ring, Vick has finally been indicted.  It's about time.  People are now focused on whether or not he'll be suspended by the league, and how this impacts his fantasy status.  I for one hope the league doesn't have to suspend him, because I hope he goes to prison.  Warning to Vick...the fantasy sports in prison are a bit different.

So Nike came out yesterday and said they're suspending the launch of the Vick shoe as the trial plays out (though they don't seem to want to do anything about the Vick cleats, which are already on shelves.  They're great for chasing down pit bulls, apparently).

Rather than cry over the spilled milk of the roughly $7 million in annual endorsements that Mike stands to lose, he should focus on the new doors opened to him.  I can just see Mike's Muzzles, Vick's Pits, etc. 

Oh well...if Vick had focussed on football instead of animal torture, maybe he would've lived up to the hype. 

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