Verizon Motorola Droid Mailer – Read the Fine Print

I was excited when i received a mailer from Verizon Wireless stating that i was being offered an exclusive offer for a select customers only.   Verizon wireless was offering me an early upgrade to the new Droid Android 2.0 phone.  The Droid phone is being marketed as “IT’S NOT YOUR NEXT PHONE.  IT’S THE ONE AFTER THAT.”   It had Google’s new and updated Android mobile 2.0 operating system , 5.0 MP camera and a video mode with DVD quality video.  It looks sleek and everyone who has one seems to be impressed with everything except the keyboard and digital still camera.  I mean this phone comes with a free navigation system with turn by turn directions.

I am excited about the phone and being able to upgrade before my contract term was complete.  The phone was $199 and that doesn’t sound bad, but you actually have to pay $299 and then you are sent a mail-in rebate that expires fairly quickly.  I also noticed when reading the fine print that i have to pay a $20 upgrade fee and in California , I have to pay sales tax on the full retail price($599) of the phone.  The upgrade fee and taxes would be close to $80 for my new $299…excuse me…$199 Motorola Droid phone.  It seems a little excessive to me.  I understand that Verizon is able to sell the phone for less because they will make money back when you sign up for a $99/month contract for two years.  Do i really want to end up paying close to $2600 for the right to use this phone for two years.  I don’t know…I may stick with my LG Envy. It won’t let me update my Facebook status, but do i want to pay an arm and a leg to let my friends know that i just ate at Carl’s Jr?

Some people emailed to let me know that Verizon doesn’t actually let you out of your contract to start a new two year agreement. You have to extend your agreement term. If you are on month 20 of your 24 month agreement, you will have to stay under contract for 28 months. I don’t know if this is true, but this sounds like a rip-off if it is true.

Kobe and Lebron Nike Puppet Commercialsvoice

The folks at Nike are at it again!!!    This time they reinvent Kobe Bryant and Lebron James as Muppet-Like puppets. Kobe comes off like an old man while Lebron comes off like a 10 year old kid.  The commercials are very funny, but i can’t see how Kobe or Lebron could approve of the way they are portrayed in these commercials.  TheNBA league office must have had to sign off of these ads.  Here are all the ads in one spot.

NikeBasketball.com

Chalk

Three Championship Rings

Unstoppable

Car Jump

Mrs. Lewis

Kid (Lil Dez)

You can find high quality videos here at the Nike Basketball website.

Updated Information:

Many folks have been asking who created the Kobe/Lebron Most Valuable Puppet Ads for Nike.

The PuppetVision Blog had some information available.

It appears that the puppets in the ads were created by Legacy Effects and the voice of Kobe Bryant was done by former “In Living Color” actor David Allen Grier.  Lebron James’ voice was performed by SNL’s Keenan Thompson. It has been reported that the voice of Little Desmond (Lil’ Dez) is performed by Role Models  actor Bobb’e J. Thompson

I am still trying to find more information on the ad agency that created the ads.

Which Side of the Car Is My Gas Tank On?

Have you ever seen that KIA Motors commercial where the people can’t remember which side of the car to put gas in? The commercial is basically saying that the fuel economy is so good that you are going to forget which side of the car the gas tank is.

Here is the commercial(remember to look below the commercial for the solution):

Have you ever borrowed someone’s car, rented a car, or just plain had a brain fart and forgotten what side of the car carries the gas tank? My friend Kimmel told me about the quick and easy way to find out without getting out of the car and looking like a complete moron. All you have to do is look at your dash. 99% of all cars have a little gas tank icon that displays the fuel status. Fewer people ever realize that it also has a little arrowhead next to the side where you put in the gas. Check it out…it really is there.

Some people have mentioned that this 99% accurate for late model vehicles. Some vehicles show the gas tank icon and you will pump the gas at whatever side the gas pump is pictured on the icon.

Bowflex Body Plan by Ellington Darden – Book Review

I recently purchased a Bowflex Xtreme for the bargain price of $374. It is a good piece of strength training equipment , but it isn’t very useful if you don’t know how to utilize it properly. The machine comes with a manual, fold out exercise chart and a DVD. Still, I was a little confused on how to setup a proper training program. I rushed out to Borders Books to pick up a copy of “Bowflex Body Plan” by Ellington Darden. I read several reviews of the book that stated that it was a very helpful addition to Bowflex Xtreme.

This book is great because it gives you full exercise, meal and hydration plans. Ellington Darden has over 30 years of experience with the study of strength training and lean bodies. The diet and hydration plans that are described in this book can be associated with any workout plan. Only the exercises are directly associated with the Bowflex system. All of the exercises in the book can be performed on other strength training machines that are on the system. Many of the exercises can also be performed with free weights or other types of resistance machines.

This is not a book that is going to get you a massive body. I think that Ellington tries to teach you how to get and maintain a lean body. Several case studies are described that demonstrate huge weight loss in the 6 week program that is detailed in the book. This book takes away all of the guess work and gives you a 100% detail of what YOU need to do to get a lean body. The meal plans include brand names and offer alternative meals. The hydration plan outlines exactly how much water you need each day. The workout plan gives specific detail of what you need to do and how often you need to workout.

Ellington describes that drinking ice cold water will burn more calories than drinking room temperature water. Your body has to work to bring up the temperature of that water. He also describes why dieting alone is bad for you. He surprisingly mentions that cardiovascular workouts are not required on days that you don’t use the Bowflex. It was my impression that you should do strength training three times a week and cardio at least twice a week. Dr. Darden says that you have to turn your Bowflex workout into a cardio workout and strength training workout. He also throws out the notion that multiple sets of each exercise are needed. According to Darden, you only need to do one set of each exercise until you fail and then quickly move on to the next exercise and do the same thing. The main idea is to set the resistance with enough weight to to 12 full reps and you should fail somewhere during the 13. He also recommends a max of three 30 minute workouts a week. This may sound strange to someone who is a workout maniac, but he has proof that this works. One of the most important aspects of your workouts occurs when you are not working out at all. We all need rest for our muscles and sleep of at least 6-8 hours. He explains that sleep is crucial to building muscle and losing weight.

I don’t want to give the whole book away, but you should get one today if you own a Bowflex machine.

*Note -  I have the Bowflex Xtreme and some of the exercises in the book require the optional leg developer.   You will also have to modify the excercises for the seated row because the Xtreme does not have the sliding seat.

Kobe/Shaq NBA Fear Commercial – Playoffs 2008

It looks like the playoff hype is in full effect. The NBA released a commercial that features Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’neil delivering the same monologue. The NBA playoffs being on April 19th.
Is the NBA predicting a Lakers vs. Suns playoff. I think that David Stern’s dream may come true this year if the Suns’ Shaq and Nash can make a push towards the end of the season.