Chicago

aka The Windy City, Second City, Chi-Town, the ChIll, The Big Onion

Bombs and bikes

Jeff | March 8th, 2010

Though it took me until it was released on DVD to check it out, I finally got around to seeing The Hurt Locker — a day before it was nominated for Best Picture for this year’s Academy Awards. Read More

Like stepping into a time machine

Jeff | March 3rd, 2010

If you’ve ever wondered what Chicago nightlife was like in the early parts of the last century, take a trip to one of Logan Square’s newest enclaves, Longman & Eagle. Read More

‘Buzzing’ about ’staches, sandwiches and …Tom Selleck?

Jeff | March 3rd, 2010

What do you get when you mix an actor famous for his mustache, waterfalls and sandwiches? Apparently, all are the ingredients for one of the most hilarious blogs to hit the internet in a while, Selleck Waterfall Sandwich. Read More

Indie music steals show at the ‘Big Game’

Jeff | February 26th, 2010

Last month I wrote about mainstream artists scoring points with the indie crowd. This month the roles are flipped, and back to a more traditional situation. Read More

Hockey Overload!

Jeff | February 20th, 2010

Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m still in Chicago or whether I’m picking up TV stations from Canada. Though I’m certainly not complaining. Read More

‘Big Love’ for war on HBO

Jeff | February 16th, 2010

Everyone’s favorite polygamists are back. After a captivating third season that got the show nominated for best drama honors at both the Emmy’s and Golden Globes, it’s safe to say “Big Love” has a lot up its sleeve for Season Four. Read More

Amex Question

Jeff | February 12th, 2010

The best ways to reach people my age would be through new media platforms, especially Facebook. I think it will be extremely tough to reach people my age going at them as a credit card company. Many of us see credit cards as evil, especially those of us who have racked up credit card debt and/or have tens of thousands of dollars in student loans to pay off.

I don’t see celebrity endorsements as being effective for something like this. In most people’s eyes, celebrities are already rich, so having a credit card that needs to be paid off every month like an Amex card does won’t register with regular people if a celebrity is endorsing its benefits.

I think the best way to effectively market these cards and the various rewards programs is by creating a Facebook fan page and encouraging users to leave testimonials on the page. It’s hard to trust the legitimacy of testimonials on a company-owned website like Amex.com, but seeing real people connecting with each other through Facebook and leaving positive feedback is a powerful tool. I have made purchases because of reading reviews or finding products on Facebook. Encourage people to leave feedback about the rewards they have obtained through using their card. Or about how the payment process. Anything card-related to get people reading and interested.

It might be worth adding some kind of small reward to cardholders who provide feedback. Not as a paid endorsement, but something after the fact as a thank you.

There’s Finally Blood

Jeff | February 1st, 2010

“Twilight.” “True Blood.” “The Vampire Diaries.” You’d think the common demoninator between these three would be the fact that they all feature vampires, which they obviously do, but I’d say the most important trait these all share is some kind of sick and twisted love triangle between one human and a couple of the undead. Edward and Jacob love Bella. Bill and Eric (and Sam the shape-shifter) love Sookie. Damon and Stefan (brothers!) love Elena. Read More

Brew local, drink local

Jeff | January 27th, 2010

Being home for a couple of weeks over the holidays, I got a chance to check out a few of the new establishments that have popped up around Chicago’s western suburbs. One that especially caught my attention is the new Limestone Brewing Company in Plainfield. Read More

Going indie the mainstream way

Jeff | January 25th, 2010

Musical definitions are so confusing these days. Just check out the Genre Shirt by Carles of Hipsterrunoff if you don’t believe me that any style is easily categorized. But what’s crazy is how nuts people go over mainstream artists. Read More

Scrabble and memes of memes

Jeff | January 22nd, 2010

Where would we be without the internet traveling in our pocket? Some people may like to do a crossword or Sudoku the old-fashioned way, on paper, during their commutes. But a lot of people are turning to the internet to play a version of the board game Scrabble. Read More

Conventional Activities with a Twist

Jeff | January 5th, 2010

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When one thinks of awesome things to do in Chicago, going out to the suburbs usually isn’t on the agenda. Unless you’re talking about a screening of “Jaws” at a brand-new theater complete with an introduction from Richard Dreyfuss. Read More

Google Wave Elusive to Catch

Jeff | January 5th, 2010

google_wave_logo_smallThe internet was abuzz in the months and weeks prior to the release of the preview to Google Wave, and once it went live it seemed like you could have sold invites on eBay they were such a hot commodity. Once people got in, the web let out an exasperated WTF?

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Fist Pumpin, Juice Chuggin, Blood Gushin

Jeff | December 29th, 2009

MTV is known for its scripted “reality” shows, but I can’t figure out whether its new series “Jersey Shore” falls under that category or is starring genuine neanderthals. Read More

‘Best Ofs’ at the Beach House

Jeff | December 24th, 2009

While everyone was busy finishing up their Best of 2009 and Best of the Decade music lists, someone leaked Beach House’s 2010 release “Teen Dream” and got people talking about what is sure to be on next year’s Best of lists. Read More