rickyleepotts.com | a voice of rhythm, reason, & reality

I had the pleasure of meeting a woman by the name of Lisa Sirkin Vielee recently. She had read my blog and contacted me in hope of being able to share one of my blog posts with her some of her own blog readers. I obliged, and the rest is history! We have met several times, ordered too many cups of Starbucks coffee to count, and have since been working on yet another venture that she is as passionate about as I am. She also filled me in on Spotlight 2010, a special event happening right here in Indianapolis to support the Indiana AIDS Fund.

Spotlight 2010 happened on Monday, May 10th, 2010, at Clowes Memorial Hall on the campus of Butler University. The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis, WFYI, and the Efroymson Family Fund presented the evening, designed to help benefit the Indiana AIDS Fund. Fifteen different and equally unique acts appeared on the same stage. I attended the event with VIP access to be able to cover all of the evening’s details for you.

When I first arrived at Clowes Memorial Hall that evening, attendees were already queued up to get in the front door. Immediately on the ground floor of the venue, I noticed a bunch of very full tables. I would soon learn this was a silent auction, designed to raise money for the AIDS Fund. Covering these tables were items ranging from signed sporting goods to local artwork and jewelry. All but one of the artists were present to discuss their work, and to sign it if the work was purchased.

The evening itself was marketed as a night of drama; dance, music, song, and words too not only entertain, but to help the Indiana AIDS Fund prevent the further spread of this disease in and around the state of Indiana. The evening started off with some words from a grand supporter of the Indiana AIDS Fund, the one and only Sir Elton John. He talked about how much this foundation means to him, and how he has been touched by the efforts made from folks right here in the Hoosier state.

Creating a night like this took more than just a few ticket sales. As a matter of fact, they nearly sold out of tickets, with over 2,000 purchased for the night’s festivities. An evening like this also takes some high-end sponsors. Sponsor classes ranged from In Kind Donors to Presenting Sponsors. The requirements to be an In Kind Donor was not released, but Presenting Sponsors funded over $25,000. All of the evening’s performers were considered In Kind Donors, as they gave of their talents free of charge. Other In Kind Donors included Hoaglin’s Fine Catering, the Frame Shop, and Sam’s Club. The list of Presenting Sponsors includes the Efroymson Family Fund and the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis. Over forty sponsors helped make the evening as great as it could be.

Now, I made mention to the performers a moment ago. When I agreed to come to this event, I had no idea what to expect. I thought it might be some local choir or bands that came in to perform. But no, it was anything but ordinary. The list of performers included:

• Actors of Theatre of Indianapolis
• Asia LaBouche of “The Ladies of Legends” of Talbott Street
• Brenda Williams featuring the Pride of Indy Jazz Ensemble
• Dance Kaleidoscope, Indiana Repertory Theatre
• Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
• Indianapolis Children’s Choir
• Indianapolis Civic Theatre
• Indianapolis Men’s Choir
• Indianapolis Opera
• Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
• Kenyetta Dance Company
• Meridian Song Project
• Pride of Indy Jazz Ensemble
• The (Re)Collective Company
• Tasha Jones

All of these great acts performed short sets on the same stage with nothing more than a brief intermission in the middle to allow attendees to stretch their legs. I was so impressed by this evening, I have decided to meet with each and every performer on this list, regardless of their support for next year’s event, and bring each of you readers at rickyleepotts.com a detailed description of what they all do. Not only do I want to meet these incredible talents, but I feel this cause and their performances were worth more than just a standing ovation.

After taking a look through some of the silent auction items, I headed upstairs to see what all the VIP excitement was about. The VIP passes were quite expensive, but all of the money went to help the AIDS organization’s wonderful cause. Upstairs, the mixed drinks flowed like water, and there was more food than I could ever imagine eating. On one side you had high tables and a buffet of appetizers. On the other, yet another bar, additional high-top tables, and even more food. My good friend Tyler Burgardt and I started on the far side, and made our way around each buffet. We popped by every bar for drinks and conversation with the bartenders. Later in the night, I also ran into Jared Duymovic, gallery coordinator at Gallery 7 at the Pike Performing Arts Center at Pike High School. He, too, was having, a great time.

When the concerts finally started, the crowd funneled their way into the theatre. I have been to many events held at Clowes Memorial Hall, and other theatres all over the world, but I have never seen an event like that. Not only were the transitions between acts almost immaculate, the performances were dead on. I had no idea that talent like this was in the city of Indianapolis, let alone that it was all going to flood to the same stage on one night. A sign-language interpreter stood to the right of the stage translating all the acts when necessary. I was so impressed by this, because it was just as enjoyable at times to watch him react and live out the show from his body movements, as it was to watch the performers. He never missed a beat and made sure that everyone in the theatre had a memorable evening.

When the evening was over, there was yet another gathering for some late night cocktails and desserts. I did not stay for that; the event ended past my bedtime. I do know from hearsay that it was quite enjoyable for everyone. From the moment that I walked in the door to the second I left, I was profoundly impressed. These events have been going on for years, and while this was the first time I’d attended or even heard about the event, I’ve committed to return year after year. I was so impressed with not only the music and the performances, but also with the level of organization displayed by the folks who put this together. They ended up making over $300,000 that night in donations, and I can proudly say that I was able to be a part of that experience.

Next year, make sure you step out at Spotlight 2011. Come dressed as you are or go all-out and rent a tuxedo. No one will judge either way. This is a night of fun, music, and relaxation in an effort to raise money to support such a great cause. When you put fifteen acts like this on one stage, pile over two thousand people into the same room to take part, and then raise that kind of money, it is hard to not have a great evening. I cannot wait to get to work writing on these acts and reporting back for next year’s Spotlight event. If you came out, I speak on behalf of many in saying thank you. We hope you all enjoyed the show.

I have been working with social media for a few years now, and I am always trying to stay a step ahead of my competition by learning all I can. This includes studying the latest tips and tricks and being as educated as I can with what is hot right now. Also what will be hot next. Part of my continuous education in social media means taking part in webinars as often as I can. The beauty of this is that I get fed endless links and updates from various companies about webinars on an almost daily basis. One that I was not aware of, but a fellow coworker advised me on, was being offered on social media and the ROI that you can generate for a company. Everyone is trying to find out how he or she can make money using social media and the folks at shoutlet seemed to have figure that out. I took part in said webinar and was so impressed with the presentation and the individual delivering the presentation that I wanted to interview him and share his story with my readers. Ladies and gentlemen, sit back and get to know Jason Weaver, the CEO of shoutlet.

So I recently was introduced to your company from one of the partners at my firm. He suggested that I sit through a social media webinar with you. I did. It was fantastic. Do you do webinars that often?

Not too many, however, we are going to start doing more of them. It’s a great way for us to connect to new prospects and further educate our existing clients. Our response has been good.

Actually, before we get started, tell me a little bit about yourself. Where are you originally from?

I was born in Massachusetts and raised in Lake Mary, Florida.

How long have you been with Shoutlet?

I founded the company in 2004.

Tell me more about shoutlet and what all you guys do.

shoutlet is a content distribution and messaging tool (not monitoring). We help companies better connect with their prospective customers online via social media. Our clients use shoutlet to execute their social media campaigns.

I assume you are on Twitter?

Of course, @mixdown04.

And Facebook?

Yes, but steer my business contacts to LinkedIn and Twitter.

Do you have a blog?

No, but my staff does.

When did you first see the power in social media as it related to a business?

2000 while working on “forums” for dealers at a JBL speaker company. Amazing results.

You told a lot of stories, case studies really, in your webinar. Tell me a story right now. You pick, it ca be on whatever you want.

At almost six years old my son is the most amazing inventor I know. My friends and family loving seeing his latest inventions online, like the giant bug squasher, the turbo rocket cleaner, etc. My journey into shoutlet began with him (read more here). Anyway, since starting the company, last week was the first time I walked him through MY invention (which is shoutlet). He thought it was really cool (probably because I showed him shoutlet on my new iPad). Anyway, it was probably my proudest moment regarding the company since I started.

I hear you are into music. Who is your favorite musician?

I am a big fan of Nine Inch Nails.

What are you jamming to right now?

Reggae music (to unwind).

What is the best concert you have ever been to?

I’ve seen everyone from Pink Floyd, Metallica, to Elton John, the best show ever was No Doubt.

Are you using an iPhone or have you not come to the dark side yet?

I’ve had an iPhone since the first version.

You used to work for MyWeather. Does that mean you know whether it is going to rain this weekend or not? (laughs)

That job wasn’t a good fit for me as weather does not excite me.

Are you on a PC or a Mac?

Mac.

So your firm is based in Wisconsin. Why Wisconsin?

I was recruited here in 2000 to work for Sonic Foundry. They had lays offs, shortly after I started my own company.

Are you into sports up there at all?

Nope, not a sports guy (music dude).

Please tell me you play golf?

Only been three times. I don’t have time to practice and I don’t like doing things I can become perfect at. So last summer, I decided to master BBQ instead. I’m a proven BBQ king now.

How many followers do you currently have on Twitter?

Hundreds.

What is one piece of professional advice you would give someone who is just starting to use Twitter.

Post smart thought compelling pieces or at least try and act smart. Don’t follow people just to get them to follow you, that wears off quickly.

So the Facebook business page has gone from users becoming a “fan” of the business to now “liking” the business. What are your thoughts on that as a whole?

It’s probably a better route for steering companies into a potential advertising vehicle on Facebook. I’m indifferent on it.

Where do you see social media in the next three to five years?

Commerce, Mobile, and CRM.

What would you be doing if not working for shoutlet?

Running a VC firm, screw working for a living!

How many people do you have on staff there?

About twenty-five.

What was the last movie you saw?

I just watched Superbad.

Did you like it?

Yes, Jonas is a funny dude.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully doing what I’m still doing today, just supersized.

What do you want to be remembered for when you leave this world?

A good father, mentor to my employees, and an honorable man.

I always let the bands that I interview get the last word. Why not you? Go.

Anyone can accomplish success in life, dive in, the water is warm. Oh, and please buy shoutlet!

I was lucky enough to have my artwork on display for two consecutive months at Gallery 7 at the Pike Performing Arts Center. This took place some three years ago, but I still think about this show as a stepping stone in my career as an artist. I had the chance to work with some incredible people and even ran into one not too long ago at another event here in Indianapolis. I was asked to write an artist statement for media and press purposes, but I also decided to throw a thank you latter in with that. It went first to the folks that made the event possible then to the local media for press coverage of my art exhibit. What follows is my thank you letter to Gallery 7 and all of those who made this event possible.

Thank You Letter to Gallery 7

I want to start by saying thank you to Jared Duymovic. As the Gallery 7 community outreach coordinator Jared has been aiding me from day one. Having met with Jared early on in my desire of displaying at Gallery 7 I knew immediately that this was somewhere I had to display my work. And with his constant communication from my acceptance in regards to displaying at Gallery 7 to his patience in the many hours I logged while setting up my exhibit Jared has been an incredible resource.

I want to also thank the Pike Performing Arts Center and Pike High School for allowing me two full months of time to exhibit my work to the general public. They have been gracious enough to provide me with twice the expected amount of time and added exposure is priceless to me as an artist. Also, by allowing me to have two separate artist receptions, one each month, allowed for an evening for me to be present with my audience and to discuss individual pieces and to meet all of my fans as they enjoyed my work.

I want to thank Danielle Hensley for the bleeding hands and early mornings while helping me set up my exhibit. Without her endurance and her drive to making my display nothing less than perfect, you might not be reading this today. Danielle, an interior designer from the Art Institute of Indianapolis, has logged just as many hours as I have and has finished just as many cups of coffee helping me in more ways than I could possibly imagine. Without her this exhibit would not have been possible.

I would like to thank FedEx for their unbelievable customer service in helping me make sure each and every piece was perfect for my exhibit. Having spent about six months researching and receiving price quotes for the printing process, FedEx went above and beyond in not only being the lowest price for the quality of their work, but also by providing me with next day service on all my work. I could not be happier with my final product.

I would like to thank the Indianapolis Arts Council. They have been a new found part of my art world and this past year, as being their cover artist for the 2008 Indianapolis Arts Council Gallery Guide, I have gained invaluable amounts of exposure. Having worked with numerous members of the staff at the council, I have gained access to an abundance of resources for helping in enhance my art career.

I would like to thank my family and friends for their continuous support of my work. Being a freshman artist is scary when trying to gain immediate exposure in a market as large as Indianapolis. Without their support and comments on my work and criticism just the same I would never be able to create another piece.

And most importantly, I would like to thank you, the audience of my work. Without people out there to look at my work, to appreciate my work for what it is, and to ask questions on the process and the inspiration behind each piece, I would be making art for no one but myself. Thank each and everyone of you for your inspiring words, thoughts, and love for independent art. For my art.

This art is for you.

The art show went well and I managed to sell a few pieces in the months following the art exhibit. I had a great showing the second month and managed to shake a lot of hands and meet a lot of people who truly appreciate independent art work. I have stayed in touch with the folks from the gallery as well and plan on showcasing my work again in the near future. It has been a long road, having covered eight art shows in the last three years. But no show meant near as much to me as this one. Thanks again to all of those who made this event possible, all of you who helped me along the way, and continue to talk about my work.

I started playing baseball before I could even walk. My dad, a long time fan of the sport and an avid player in  high school and college, got me hooked on the game at a very early age. I remember long nights of practicing until the sun went down just to get up the next day and do it all over again. But that didn’t matter; I loved the game. I loved the competition, the skills required to hit the ball and to field, and the teamwork that had to go into every game.

Most players in Major League Baseball today will play growing up, participate in summer leagues, play through high school and college, and find themselves in minor league ball for some Major League club. The better players will skip the minors all together and end up going straight to the big leagues. And the players who win the chance to play in the “big show,” as they call it, will get the chance to play ball the way it was meant to be played.

A regular baseball season is 162 games. This does not include spring training or the playoffs. The season starts in early spring, and ends in October. I wonder if that is where Reggie Jackson got his name, Mr. October? Players are on the road all the time, staying in hotel rooms and soaking in bathtubs filled with ice. It is a game that truly wears on the players and can make for a sore old man before the age of forty.

All of that aside, the game has a unique set of rules that does not really apply to other sports. The general rules are quite simple, however. You play nine innings, with the home team always getting the last at-bat in case of a tie. You play three outs per side, with a total of six outs per inning. The teams will have nine players with the option to sub at any point during the game and the pitchers will throw a similar amount of balls before they are replaced with a fresh arm.

I could spend all day talking about the rules of baseball, but I will save you by saying that there is also a set of rules that you won’t find in any rulebook. There is a certain set of rules unwritten, sometimes even unspoken. That is, of course, until they are broken. Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees recently broke one of those unspoken rules by walking across the pitchers mound after being thrown out in between second and third base., thinking he was just taking the shortest path back to the dugout. The pitcher for the other team went haywire. He started screaming and Rodriquez, and angrily threw his glove once he made it back to his dugout.

Swinging for the Fences

Back to back home runs in any game can be exciting for the fans. It does, however, make the opposing pitcher seem to be worthless and force the coach to consider pulling the pitcher. But, did you know that it is an unwritten rule for a player to not swing at the first pitch after back-to-back home runs? This is, of course, like all of these unwritten rules, not actually taken seriously by most but, like A-Rod found out a few weeks ago, the players take them seriously.

Why would you not swing at the first pitch if it were right down the middle? Well, it is just common courtesy to opposing pitcher to just not swing. Granted, most players have the mentality that they are out there to win and are going to do whatever they can to score the most runs possible. But even if it was only two one-run homers, it will make you look like a much better sportsman.

Ouch, That Hurt!

It happens in almost every game and is something that nearly all batters will face. Getting hit by the pitch is not enjoyable for anyone. Most MLB pitchers will throw the ball close to 100 miles an hour and getting hit with a little cowhide-covered ball is not going to feel good. But, as most MLB players will say, if you get hit, suck it up and take your base.

Pete Rose, one of the best baseball players ever to play the game, used to run to first base as hard as he could after he was hit by a pitch. He would also run as hard as he could after a walk. This, for the sake of being hit by the pitch, was to shake it off and not give the opposing pitcher the satisfaction. It is a macho thing to do, as most players will argue, and just part of the game.

Respect Your Umpire

When on the field, the only person you need to worry about is the umpire. The umps decide whether that last pitch was a ball or a strike, fair or foul. They are the ones that have the final decision in any rules inquiry while on the field. You will see tons of clips on YouTube or even ESPN of managers and players alike arguing with umpires after a missed call. It usually solves nothing, often ending in ejection from the game, and puts a sour taste in that umpires mouth for future games.

There are some pretty good scenes where managers, like Lou Piniella, get so upset they begin kicking dirt on the umpires, or pull out one of the bases and toss it across the field. Most of these antics happen once the player or manager has already been kicked out of the game. It helps them get the last word, if nothing else. But it is just assumed that you will treat these guys like a boss or your superior. They are the ones that eventually have the last say, so make sure you treat them with respect while on the field.

Shh! Don’t Say Anything!

There comes a time in every pitcher’s career where he will face the chance to have a no hitter. A no hitter is a game where the pitcher plays all nine innings and will throw a lot more than his fair share of pitches. A no hitter is a game where the pitcher does not give up a single hit. Now, he can give up a walk or two, and even have runs scored during a no hitter, but no ball will make contact with a bat.

Even harder than a no hitter is a perfect game. There have only been a handful of those thrown in the history of baseball. A perfect game is where no man is ever on base. No wild pitches, no walks, hits, nothing. I have actually seen two perfect games thrown, one in person. It is truly a moment in history and one that is taken very serious by players and their adversaries. As a matter of fact, EA Sports just gave away $1 million to a young man for throwing a perfect game on his Xbox 360. The game, Major League Baseball 2K10, is said to be so hard that no one can throw a perfect game. They offered this prize as a way to test their difficulty. It took this kid less than a week to win the million bucks.

But when a pitcher is getting close to a no hitter, or a perfect game for that matter, under no circumstance do you talk about it. You might hear an announcer say something about it, but no one on the field is supposed to mention it. That will jinx the pitcher and the streak will break. So the next time you see a game getting to the seventh or eighth inning with out any hits, just keep your mouth shut.

There are many more unwritten rules for baseball. There are actually so many that Jason Turbow wrote a book about it. The Baseball Codes takes a look at the unwritten and unspoken rules of baseball, and breaks down each one. He explains why these rules are put in place, and even gives examples where these rules have been broken. I am sure he was proud to see Alex Rodriguez walk across the mound in a recent game. So if you play baseball, make sure you know not only the rules of baseball but also these unwritten rules of the game.

Note that A-Rod claimed to not know of this unwritten rule that he broke. He said that he had never heard of such a thing.

I first met a man by the name of Colin Clark at the Skyline Club in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. He was chatting with me about music and how he was involved with a few bands. I told him about my blog, that i worked with bands on a regular basis, and that I would love to interview the bands he was associated with. It ended there. After a few cocktails later we both had forgotten all about it. But recently, after a well placed email, he and I started chatting again about these bands and better yet, these interviews. So he and I set up the three bands to have interviews with the blog! This is the first. Bringing a sound of almost epic proportions, these guys sound like a mix between the Presidents of the United States of America and a dash of Jacob Dylan. Great songwriting and a passion that you simply cannot replace, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the guys in Lit Endz.

Where did you get the name?

The name came to me in 2003 while I was living in Terre Haute. That town was the most depressing and boring town I’d ever lived in, so to keep from going insane we’d get lit and write songs. Most of the song content at that time was about feeling low and just wanting the depression to end. So needless to say, we’d met our Lit Endz.

Where are you originally from?

Random small towns scattered throughout Indiana and Ohio. (Veedersburg, Hillsboro, Sullivan, and Mason.) It’s funny looking back at how isolated we all were from the big picture. There were no places to go to even catch a show. You found your influences where you could and ran with it. I guess that really helped shape our sound.  Now were based out of Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana.

Where did you all meet?

Four out of the six of us went to the same high school, though we were from different grades. Marching band would probably be the first connection. We heard about John Marque through Landon Curtis, and we met Rob Doty through Colin Clark.  But if it wasn’t for Bloomington, I don’t think we’d ever have formed such a strong friendship, let alone a band.

Did you go to IU?

John Marque received a Masters degree in jazz studies from IU while Colin also received a degree from IU. He has a bachelors degree in History. Rob Doty attained a bachelor’s degree as well.

What is your relationship with the MWMC?

The Midwest Music Conspiracy is basically the label or umbrella, so to speak, and Lit Endz represents the straight-ahead rock sound that we confidently stand behind. As with any band under the umbrella, if it wasn’t for the MWMC our sound would just be watered down and we’d all get rained on.

Any Tattoos in the band?

Only a combined thirty hours under the needle! Ryan has an assortment of tattoos that he calls his “cape”. They riddle his back and clavicles. I’m talking tattoos like a fish with a microphone for a tail smoking a cigarette, a kiddy pony with a boombox body and a prosthetic 1/8in headphone adapter for a back leg, a sparrow with a turntable arm for a tail, even a tattoo of a bass drum that has a Saturn ring, he shares that one with John Marque.  It’s the result of bad relationships and too much…we’ll say booze. Rob Doty sports his love for arts with a winged signature spray can, but I’d have to say Rich Florey has the most ballsy treble clef forearm tattoo, and he has the most professional day job of all of us!

Who has the Most?

Ryan wins with fifteen.

I am digging those lead vocals. Tell me about all the guys behind you.

First off these songs would not exist if it wasn’t for songwriter and guitarist Rich Florey. He’s got those raw in-your-face rock tones that he’s able to achieve on these guitar parts, and it really shapes the sound. They’re tones I haven’t heard since, I dunno…the Stone Temple Pilots were recording in their prime? You’ll notice in our production that we add a lot of feedback swells over solo bass lines and just sit them right on top of the groove. Guitarist Rob Doty is to thank for the feedback, and all those awesome bluesy solo’s in our live shows. He’s the drive and vibe of the band. Landon Curtis is our musical machine. One minute you’ll see him on piano, then he’s on hand percussion the next while singing background vocals. He’s a huge asset to the band. Colin Clark brings the energy to the stage with his signature fuzz driven bass lines. He’s also responsible for creating the unique background vocal wash. They say you save the best for last and John Marque is just that. One of the top drummers in Indiana, lets just say we’re lucky to share the stage with him.

What’s the biggest crowd you’ve ever played for?

Unfortunately it’s hundreds rather than thousands; but only time will tell.

The smallest?

A couple years ago we played for a crowd of three in Crawfordsville, Indiana. I believe it was a bar attached to a bowling alley…we still brought it!

What are you drinking on stage?

Miller High Life, whiskey, and whatever doesn’t get kicked over on stage.

How do you know the guys in Teethpussy?

Rich Florey’s father gave him Teethpussy’s debut album five years ago. We were lucky enough to play a show with them about three years ago and have stayed in touch ever since. They’ve really shaped our sound…easily the best band from the ’70s.

Describe your genre in one word.

Fire!

If you could only play on song for the rest of your career, what song would you pick?

Death Since Insemination.

You sound a lot like The Presidents of the United States of America. Anyone else ever told you that?

Actually yes. Someone in Indianapolis told us that same thing after a Spin Nightclub show a 2 years ago! (Spin Nightclub is no longer in business.)

Who are some of your biggest influences?

The Whigs, Kings of Leon, Rolling Stones, Matt Mays, Weezer, and Teethpussy.

What is your favorite beer?

Miller High Life. We’ve been trying to attain a sponsorship for awhile now.

You guys have some sweet concert fliers. Who does all of your graphic design?

Chase Martin from Rockitt Studios, Colin Clark from Tribeswell, Rob Doty from NoteyArt, and Ryan Beck from PRP. We’re currently creating a media archive and design company called Mudbank Media under the MWMC umbrella.

Do you guys have a favorite venue?

Yep. Pat’s Tavern in Mooresville, Indiana. Good people, great times.

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

The only full-time musician is John Marque. Rob Doty is a architectural designer, Ryan Beck works in medical imaging, Colin Clark owns his own marketing firm, Landon Curtis runs his own property management group,
and Rich Florey is a billing manager in Carmel.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?

The problem with creating catchy songs is that your parents like to dance to them as well. “Booze+Family = Embarrassment”.

Let’s say that you are headlining at Verizon Wireless Music Center. Who is your opening act?

It’d have to be A Thieves Parade out of Terre Haute or Matt Epp from Winnipeg, Canada.  Both acts are original, underground and deserving of national attention.

If you could be any cartoon character which one would you be and why?

Doug Funnie…I guess because he’s funny and his theme song is catchy as hell!

PC or Mac?

It’s Mac that makes the music here.

How did you all react to the passing of Michael Jackson?

We reacted the only way we knew how and wrote a song about it. Check it out on our next album The Dig.

Who took that picture on your MySpace page?

Bridgett Warner took that.

Didn’t your mom ever tell you that if you play with fire, you get burned?

Yeah, but I’ve never listened to her.

Speaking of MySpace, what are your thoughts on the service?

You’re actually lucky you caught us on there. We’re currently in the process of deleting all of our accounts and
creating our own fully functional website.

Are you guys on Twitter?

No.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

Hopefully still creating music using the same formula. The sounds grows for the better every year, but once it become no fun we’re done. Life’s too short to make bad music.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

People don’t have to remember us for being a “great” band or a “horrible” band. We just want respect. I’ve lost lovers, friends and a lot of brain cells over this project so all be damned, it better be worth it.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Support local bands…it’s easy to spin other music through a PA and call yourself a DJ, but if we don’t start to save the live music now we’ll all be left listening to bubblegum pop crap. I’m just trying to do my part and make consistant high quality music. You just have to enjoy it. Stay Fresh Midwest!

I am a huge fan of Mexican food. I might not love Mexican as much as Chinese, but I would say it is pretty close. I love the chips and salsa, the rice and refried beans, and the burritos literally as big as your head or bigger. There is just something about a good Mexican place that excites, whether at lunch or dinnertime. And just as with Chinese buffets, the dirtier the establishment, the better the food will taste.

Every year the month of May brings us a holiday giving us an excuse to eat Mexican food. On the 5th of May, or Cinco de Mayo as they call it in Mexico, people get dressed up, head out to his or her favorite Mexican joint, and drink margaritas until they can’t see straight. We pig out on chips and salsa, spend too much money on tequila shots, and spend most the night laughing and having a good time. So good that we completely lose sight of the reason we celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Or wait; is there a reason that we celebrate this holiday?

This year my girlfriend and I decided to go out to On the Border for our dinner and drinks. The place usually has great food, they have some of the best salsa in the city, and they are pretty cheap considering the amount of food you get. So we meet there after work to have our dinner. We were going to have drinks but they were not running any specials that night. Yeah, what a way to start off a night that is designed to get you intoxicated. No drink specials.

By the time our server comes back with my water and Sheryl’s margarita, we were ready to order. But did she take our order? Of course not. She had other tables and acted as if she was too busy for us. Granted, the restaurant was pretty busy and we actually had to wait almost a half an hour for our table, but that is no excuse. I have served before and you have to learn to serve more than one table better than she did.

Of course, later while she was trying to create that awkward unwanted communication that all servers try to create, she admitted she had only been serving for a few weeks. Yeah, we sort of guessed that. Anyway, outside of the fact that she was not the best server I have ever had, and that our food took almost an hour to be made, I was still upset on the fact they had no drink specials.

When our food finally arrived, that apparently meant to our server that our water glasses didn’t need to be refilled and that she could just simply disappear. We did have a couple of servers stop by the table and ask if we needed anything, but that is not the point. They are not our server and were not getting the tip that I would later be leaving for said service. Note that the manger walked by numerous times and never made the slightest hint of wanting to ask how everything was. He was too busy walking around looking busy.

Regardless of all of that, we had various other issues that simply made our night uncomfortable. From the sleeves of tattoos from passing servers to the dirty booth and floors surrounding us, we just did not enjoy our evening in the slightest. The food was great, don’t get me wrong, but the experience was anything but. When we were leaving our receipt asked for you to log on to their website and provide any feedback you could from your evening. Oh, I did. I did this that next morning first thing. On Monday, May 10th, 2010 I received a letter in the mail from On the Border and their corporate headquarters.

The letter was from Guest Relations Manager, Julee White. She had this to say:

Dear Mr. Potts,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding our Castleton Mall On the Border. We know you have made dining options and we appreciate that you chose to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us.

Please accept our sincere apologies for your experience. We work hard to maintain the highest standards that our reputation is built on, and it is very disappointing to hear we did not meet our expectations. We have forwarded your comments to the Area Director for review and training purposes.

Guest feedback is vital to our success and we thank you for your part in bringing these issues to our attention. As a thank you for your comments, we hope the enclosed will assist you with your next visit, and allow us the opportunity to demonstrate a great dining experience.

Sincerely,

Julee White
Guest Relations Manager

What do you find wrong with a letter like this? Sure, it sounds sweet and caring and makes it seem like they actually give two cents about what I think. But the signature on the letter from Julee White is not a signature at all, it is a hand written font of some sort. The letter only expressed the time in which I visited the restaurant and the exact location in which I visited. Nothing else. They did not make comments on anything that I expressed concern about nor did they state how they were gong to fix these issues besides throwing me a few gift certificates. The certificates that they sent me totaled a mere $15.

I am not saying that they needed to send me anything. They did gain a few bonus brownie points for even bothering to respond to my guest survey comments. But they solved the issue how every single restaurant does. They sent me free food. They lose no money, I get the excuse to go back and obviously spend more than what they have provided, and turn me from a pissed off customer into a repeat visitor. I will go back, don’t get me wrong, the chips and salsa are too good not to. I just wish that they had handled this a little bit differently.

I love to fly. Whether I am shooting down to Florida for a conference, or flying to the other side of the globe for a vacation, the entire concept of flying just excites me each and every time. The experience is full of cool moments from the anticipation of packing, to boarding, take off, new in-flight Wi-Fi, and finally landing. Of course, red-eye flights are an exception.

There are so many different airlines to choose from as well. You have Delta or Continental, and AirTran . I am one to shop based on price, but no matter where you are going, I am sure there is an affordable flight on one of these airlines. I have no preferred airline, but a recent Southwest experience made me appreciate their business model.

From planning the trip to buying the tickets to the entire flying experience, there is still some thing things that the airlines are just not telling you. From delays to canceled flights to over crowded airlines and rude flight attendants, there is always something to complain about when boarding an aircraft. It doesn’t matter if you’ve flown only once, or over a thousand times. But what are airlines not telling us?

This aircraft is packed.

Nearly every flight that you fly will be full. Why is that? It’s because airlines hate flying with empty seats. Every time there is an empty seat on a plane, the airline loses money. Or, they will over book your flight. But wait a second; overbook a flight? Then that means that theoretically there will be a flight that has more passengers than it does seats. That happens every day, and if you can find an overbooked flight and you have a few extra hours to spare, you can benefit form that greatly.

This is the very reason airlines overbook. They want every seat to have a body in it. But if you get to a flight that is overbooked and full, then you get the opportunity to take a later flight in return for a free round trip ticket. Now, granted, the airline loses money by offering you that free airline ticket, but they lose less money this way because their flight is guaranteed to be full.

I recently had a flight that was overbooked. I was asked to take a later flight in return for a free round trip ticket to wherever they flew. I said yes, ended up getting the chance to have a beer and a snack before my next flight, and only got home a few hours late. Sure, I had to go through a layover on the way home, but that was nothing. Consider this: my flight to Aruba this summer will be free of charge.

Where are your frequent miles taking you?

I have been asked every time I fly to sign up for a frequent flier program. I have, since they are all free, and each time I fly, I rack up points left and right. But let’s say that I fly somewhere and I am awarded 5,000 frequent flier miles. That does not mean that I get to fly said number of miles on a future flight,. It just means the miles are placed into whatever that particular airlines program calls for. And be aware, some of these airlines are starting to write a limit on the time you can take before using these hard earned miles. When I received my free round trip airline ticket, I was given a year to use it or lose it. Make sure you check your inbox for warnings on your frequent flier miles’ expiration dates.

Getting cheaper tickets through the airline itself?

Airlines hate to give discounts for air travel. From the discounts they offer through services like Priceline and Travelocity, to the lower rates they give places like Kayak and Yahoo! Travel, they hate to shave money off the top to get you on that next flight. Airlines actually prefer that you book through them. If you do this, will one, save money, but two, get better service? If you book, via Priceline, for example, and get to the airport and are on an overbooked flight, the folks who purchased his or her ticket directly through the airline will get a seat before you. This builds loyalty with the airline and forces stricter regulations with ticket holders.

I love booking everything under one price. When we went to Hawaii we booked our hotel, rental car, and airline tickets for one price. We paid one price for all of the taxes and fees, and ended up having to swipe the credit card only once to get everything taken care of. We also saved some $1,500 for booking them all together than by booking them individually.

Since when did you expect there to be good service?

Customer service is not the airlines’ number one priority. A recent flight showed me that. I was in a row of seats with two other people. I sat down first and there was a single pillow and blanket sitting in the middle chair. It was a late flight and I wanted to get some sleep, so I asked the flight attendant for an extra pillow. She said, “Sir, we are not providing extra pillows. You can share that one.”

They expected me to share a pillow, and a blanket, with three strangers. No thank you. Later, after asking another attendant the same question, I realized I was not getting a pillow that flight. Now some airlines are even charging you to use a pillow. You can pay one price and get a pillow and some other necessities for your trip. If I were going a long distance like to, say, China, then I would need a pillow. But I was just going to Florida, so it was not that bad of a hike.

So where exactly do we get our pricing?

Even airlines have no idea how they make price points are coming from. I can book a flight today for a month from now and pay one price and three days from now the same ticket will go up or down in price for no reason. Gas prices are not changing that much, and the flight cannot possibly be having that high of a turn over. If anything, prices should go up over time. But, look at a company like Southwest Airlines. When they started many years ago, they were smart. They chose an oil company and made a deal. They said point-blank, we will pay you $0.75 a gallon for gasoline for the next thirty years. The gas company, then selling gas for $0.45 a gallon said why not? We are already making money, now lets just make more money. Look what happened. Gas is over $3.00 a gallon and they are still paying less than a buck.

So gas is not the biggest issue. When it comes to setting the price, issues include mileage, the number of paying folks on that plane, the quality of seat you get such as first-class or coach, and the availability of seats on the flight. I have flown on planes before with only me and a handful of other people on the flight. But I’ve also  flown on flights that were booked the moment I tried to book it. High travel sports like LA and Las Vegas area also going to cost more since that is a high travel destination.

Long delays are our fault, as well as our outdated equipment.

Not just the last time you flew on an airplane, but every time you fly on an airplane, you are going to be delayed. That is just how it goes. Not that you did anything wrong, you were at the airport two hours early, only to sit through a long line in security, to sit in a long line to get your seat assignment, to sit and wait on a delay for your flight to arrive, de-plane, board again, and take off. But why are you sitting there waiting for all of these delays when the airlines know exactly what is causing it? It is faulty and old equipment that is simply not being replaced for whatever the reason.

The last flight I was on, the folk behind the counter were typing on a keyboard so old that the letters had rubbed off due to frequent use. The screen was not a flat LCD screen but rather a large CRT monitor that looked like a TV from the eighties. However, the flight that I was about to get on was only a few years old and the gate, agents seemed to work just fine with this older and obviously outdated equipment. They don’t have a choice. The airlines are not spending money on equipment that they believe will still do the job. The worst part about all of this is that the airline staff knows their equipment is old and outdated. All they do is smile, apologize, and you sit there and wait until whatever issue is fixed.

Needless to say, we all have no choice but to fly to the majority of the destinations that we desire. We also have no say to these airlines. Sure, you might get a few free frequent flier miles, a handful of upgrades to first class, or a free round trip flight here and there, but even that flight will suffer from all of these same issues. The airlines are not changing, you are still paying outrageous prices to book your flight, and they still make record profits year after year. Get used to it. Welcome to the new definition of the friendly skies.

The guy I am sitting with today, besides being a great friend of mine, is one of the hardest working names in the business.  Outside of the fact that he is incredibly young for all that he has accomplished, he continues to rock the stage nearly every night.  Writing his own songs, playing guitar for guys like Curtis Peoples and Keaton Simons, and traveling all over the country with a list of endless artists, I recommend getting to know this talent. I have seen him rock to sold out shows and he has even appeared on some late night television shows playing guitar. He is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet and is the kind of friend that would be there in a second if needed. Sit back and relax and let me introduce you to a good friend of mine, Trey Lockerbie.

Where are you originally from?

I am originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

When did you first get introduced to the business?

I first started working in the music industry when I started my own booking company in college. Since then I have had the chance to travel all over the world playing with some of the best the business has to offer.

How long have you been actually performing?

I have been playing for about ten or eleven years on and off.

What is your first memory of the guitar?

I remember getting my first guitar for Christmas one year. I went straight to my room to start playing and don’t think I came out for days.

Tell me about your new EP.

The new EP is sort of an in-between the first EP and my full length record. Thats part of the reason we’re calling it “In The Interim.” It’ll have four new songs, along with the four earlier songs, but everything is being remixed and mastered. I am excited about it for sure.

What are your plans for that full-length disc?

A full length would be nice, but I’m always on the road so recording time is limited. I think we’ll have a full length out sometime in 2010.

As much as you travel, is it possible to have a favorite venue?

My favorite venue is the Rockwood Music Hall in New York City. It’s so small and has a great vibe and everyone is there to listen.

Who would win a pillow fight between Ernie Halter and Curtis Peoples?

Good question. Curtis has been working out and has the arm reach and although his pretty looks might deceive you, I think he’d win.

You are always on the road. But you have toured with some big names. Who is your favorite to be on the road with?

They truly are all about equally memorable for me. Everyone and every tour is so different. There was a great tour though one time with Josh Kelley, Keaton Simons, Alexa Wilkinson and Kate Voegele that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

So back to the EP. I love the cover design. Who is responsible for that?

Jason Gaskins designed it! He’s a brilliant photographer and long time friend of mine.

Where can I get some Trey Lockerbie merchandise?

Coming soon!

I saw you not too long ago on the Craig Ferguson show playing with Keaton Simons. Tell me what that was like.

It was one of the easiest gigs ever. Pretty simple to just stand there and play guitar. Although I had a funny moment where I passed David Hasselhoff in the hallway and said, “How’s it going?”  He simply replied, “Thank you.”

What are your thoughts on MySpace?

I think MySpace is a great avenue for artists to get their music out. It’s been a great help for me and I owe a lot to Tom. It doesn’t seem to be getting as much love as it once did, but I think they’ll come out with something fresh here soon.

So are you on Twitter?

I am on Twitter. You can find me at @treylockerbie. Follow me if you want to live!

Do you write all your own lyrics.

I do write all of my own lyrics. I don’t see any reason to call myself an artist otherwise.

Where do you get inspiration for a new track.

I know it’s cliche, but inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. Part of the excitement about writing is that you don’t know where it’ll come from. So you just have to go out and live your life until something makes you write.

What is the biggest crowd you have ever played for?

For my own crowd, I’ve only played to a few hundred. Playing with other people I’ve played in front of a few thousand.

What about the smallest?

The smallest was probably some coffee shop when I was a teenager.

How long have you known Jason Gaskins?

Probably about eight years now. Not even sure how we met, although I think he was a mutual friend.

Tell me about your relationship with Gibson Guitars.

I became part of the Gibson family when I jumped on to play guitar for Josh Hoge when he opened for Elliott Yamin. I’ll be playing a Gibson forever. I love them.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would you go?

Australia maybe. I also love New York City.

Who are some of your biggest influences?

I’m a big fan of Bob Dylan, of course. Jeff Buckley and Josh Rouse are two other favorites.

What are you drinking on stage?

It depends. Usually just water, but I’ll have an occasional beer or sometimes the obligatory shot someone hands you.

Are you staying single while out there on the road?

I am staying single on the road. Not much time for romance. Always working.

If you could only play one song for the rest of your career, what song would you perform?

Good question. Probably John Prine’s “Paradise”.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself living in New York still making music and touring.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

Someone who could write some lyrics.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Squirrels!

If you know me, you know of my infatuation with Walmart. I am the mayor of three different stores on foursquare, I shop there every week for my lunch, and I go there once or twice a week for essentials like hair spray, shampoo, and deodorant. I am always walking the aisles looking for the next great deal, and I can’t get enough of their “Rollback” commercials on television. Walmart is my happy place.

Walmart usually has the lowest prices on goods, and you can find anything you need at your nearby Super Walmart store. They even have a full service deli offering up some of the world’s best-tasting imported cheeses and meats. For instance, last week I got some really good Swiss cheese and a half-pound of rare roast beef from the Netherlands. And the Walmart deli offers more than just delicious cheeses and fresh cuts of meat. They also offer a full array of party platters.

Meat & Cheese Tray

You can get a party platter stacked high with deli-quality meat and cheese. This tray includes smoked turkey, honey ham, roast beef, Swiss cheese, Colby Jack, and even pepper jack cheese. The tray comes with a cup of olives and is garnished with a handful of cherry tomatoes.

You can get a small two-pound tray for only $15 to serve six to eight people. A medium tray with the same fixings will run you $25, but it’s over five pounds of food and serves fifteen to twenty people. If you are really hungry or have a huge party planned for the evening, you can order the 18-inch tray. This party platter weighs in at over seven pounds for only $35, and will feed between twenty and twenty-five. It is by far the best value out of the three choices.

Sub Sandwiches

If you are not in the mood for an assembly-required lunch, you can have the generous folks at Walmart prepare the sandwich for you. Indulge in a sub sandwich in one of three sizes. You can even build the sandwich to your own specifications with roast beef, ham, turkey, chopped ham, or bologna. You get the choice of up to three meats on this big sub. You can even add Swiss or American cheese. Then, garnish with lettuce, tomato, and red onion. You can even order mustard and mayonnaise if you like.

The three sizes you can select from will feed any size party. First, you have the two-foot sandwich.  It holds over two pounds of meat and cheese and serves ten to twelve people for $15. If you need just a little more food to hold you over, try the four-foot sandwich. This is over three pounds of meat and cheese and will serve around sixteen to twenty-four. It will only cost you $20. But if you are feeding a football team, then invest in the six-foot sub. This monster sandwich has over four pounds of meat and cheese and serves over twenty-five people. It is only $25, and is by far the best value for your dollar.

Condiment Tray

If you are planning to serve meat and cheese tray at a party, you need to give your guests something to put on top of their sandwiches. This is why Walmart has created the condiment tray. No sandwich is complete without a little extra flavor and color. For that something extra, have some freshly sliced tomatoes, sliced black olives, lettuce, red onions, pickles, sliced jalapenos and even sliced red and yellow peppers.

The size of your meat and cheese tray will help you decide which condiment tray to order. For $15, you can get a 12” tray that will serve around fifteen to twenty people. If you got the bigger deli tray, then enlist in the 16-inch tray that will serve twenty to twenty-five people and will only cost you $20. Either way you look at it, your guests will have more options for not a lot more money. It will make all the difference when it comes time to make those deli sandwiches.

All Meat Tray

The first tray that I talked about was the meat and cheese tray. But what if you don’t like cheese? Well, then Walmart has you covered. They are now offering an all meat option. The meat tray comes piled high with Virginia ham, roast beef, and smoked turkey breast. It is served, like the other meat and cheese tray, with a cup of olives and a garnish of cherry tomatoes.

There are three options when it comes to this all meat tray. You can get a three-pound tray that will serve ten to twelve people for $15. Upgrade that to the four-pound meat tray and you can get enough food to serve fifteen to twenty folks. That tray will only cost you $25. If you have a big party planned, grab the largest tray that is over six pounds of meat and will server twenty to twenty-five people. That tray will only run you $35 and is the best value of the three.

Premium Meat & Cheese Tray

I’m not saying that the previous meat and cheese tray was not filled with delicious meats and cheeses, but Walmart offers a premium meat and cheese tray as well. Satisfy your premium tastes with three delectable meats and three tasty cheeses that will bring your party to the next level. Similar to the other trays, olive will garnish the middle and cherry tomatoes will add a bit of color.

As with the earlier choices, the premium tray comes in three sizes. The first is $25 and will get you over three pounds of meat and cheeses. The second is the 16-inch tray that packs over five pounds of meat and cheese for only $35. But, if you want to give your party the best treatment possible, grab the 18-inch tray for $40 , with over seven pounds of meat to enjoy. Either way you look at it, these meats and cheeses will but a smile on everyone’s face and fill any growling belly.

Pinwheel Tray

I remember growing up my mom would make me roll-ups. These were soft  tortilla shells with a creamy ranch sauce all over, rolled tight with roast beef and lettuce. I never liked lettuce growing up, but when I make them now I throw in as much lettuce as will fit. I even remember dipping them in sweet and sour sauce. They were delicious!

Walmart makes something almost just like Mom’s. Theirs offers a choice of meats as well as fresh vegetables like tomatoes and lettuce. You can have twenty-four pinwheels for $20 or forty-eight pinwheels for $35. With these little tasty treats, you can serve anywhere from six to sixteen without breaking the bank. And trust me, grab a bottle of sweet and sour on your way out!

All Cheese Tray

Just as you can get a tray filled with nothing but delicious meats, you can also get one filled with nothing but freshly sliced cheeses. This tray includes sharp cheddar, Colby longhorn, Muenster, Provolone, hot pepper jack, and even imported Swiss cheese. The deli staff will cube these instead of slicing, on request. This, as most of their delicious trays, is garnished with cherry tomatoes. In the center, you can choose either a port wine cheese ball or a sharp cheddar cheese ball.

This tray comes in three sizes. The first tray is over four pounds of cheese and will serve ten to fifteen for $15. The second option is the five-pound cheese tray that will serve fifteen to twenty people for $25. If you are a true cheese lover, then grab the nine-pound tray, and feed over twenty people for only $35. Any way you look at it, you will get your fill of cheese with this tray!

Cheese Taster Tray

If you are trying to please everyone at the party, you’ve got to have a variety of options to choose from. That is why Walmart offers a cheese sampler tray. It comes with a sharp cheddar or port wine cheese ball, an assortment of pepper jack cheese, Colby Longhorn, Havarti, Colby Jack, smoked cheddar, and even imported Swiss cheese. And for a change from the cherry tomatoes, you get an assortment of red and white grapes.

There are only two options here, but you can get the four-pound tray to serve fifteen to twenty people for only $25. You can up that to a six-pound tray of cheese, and serve twenty to twenty-five people for only $35.

Chicken Combo Tray

Walmart wants to make sure that you get a few options other than just deli sandwiches. That is why they are offering a chicken combination tray. On this tray you can select a combo platter of chicken tenders, sweet boneless BBQ wings, and popcorn chicken. This also comes with a cup of creamy ranch dip in the center. For $25, you can get a tray that is over five pounds of chicken and serves twenty or twenty-five people. Or you can choose the 18-inch tray and serve about thirty for only $35.

Chicken Tender Tray

We all love chicken tenders. From our high school lunches to the order you got as an appetizer last night, chicken tenders please all types of people. Whether you dip them in honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or some other sauce of your choice, Walmart’s tray with these little chicken strips will satisfy.

You can get a 16-inch tray that has over five pounds of tenders for only $25. Or, grab the big 18-inch tray of over seven pounds of tenders. It’s only $35. This tray will serve some twenty-five to thirty people. Either way you look at it, you are going to need a lot of dipping sauce!

Snacking Tray

Similar to the cheese sampler tray, this tray allows something for everyone. The snack tray, piled with bite-sized cubes of hearty meats and delicious cheeses, is perfect for everyone.  Savor hard salami, cooked ham, and smoked turkey as well as Provolone, sharp cheddar, and even Swiss cheeses. This tray is also garnished with cherry tomatoes and a ball of sharp cheddar or port wine cheese in the center.

The five-pound tray serves twenty for $25. Or you can go with the larger tray, an 18-inch tray with nine pounds of goodies on it. This tray will feed twenty to twenty-five people, and at only $35, your guests are worth it.

Veggie Tray

Not everyone likes to eat meat and cheese all the time. Sometimes folks just want to snack on some vegetables. These are perfect times for Walmart’s fresh vegetable tray. This tray is filled with cherry tomatoes, broccoli, squash, carrots, cauliflower, celery, radishes, and green onions. In the center you will find a 12-ounce serving of ranch dipping sauce.

There are two choices here. You can pick the 16-inch tray for $25, or the 18-inch tray for $35. The first tray will serve fifteen to twenty people; the second tray will feed twenty to twenty-five people. Either way you go, the tray offers a healthy alternative to meats and cheeses.

These are only a few of the trays that Walmart now offers in their full-service deli department. You can also order a flavored wing tray filled with your favorite flavor of wings, or a tray of chicken tenders and potato wedges. This fills you up on chicken, but also gives you the delicious, starchy deep-fried wedge fries. They even offer a sub ring, similar to the sub sandwich discussed earlier, or a sandwich tray with individual hand-held sandwiches.

Walmart also makes it easy to order. At any Walmart, in the deli department, you can find order forms. These order forms ask for some basic contact information like your name, address, phone number, and desired pick-up date. From there, you can just check off everything you want and allow the experienced deli staff to make your order. I have not personally ordered from the Walmart deli party tray menu, but based on the value and the amount of food you get at such an unbeatable price, I will soon. So remember the Walmart deli for your next get together. All of this is making me hungry!

I don’t have a lot of money. I have actually never had a lot of money. I grew up in a middle class family, and while I never wanted for anything or spent a meal without food on the table, I have never been able to spoil myself with nice things. I currently live in a nice apartment, drive a new (yet affordable) car, and can travel a few times a year on my salary. But I do look at price tags, I do pay attention to the price of most things I buy, and I try to save as much as I can.

But there are folks out there who have enough money to buy lavish things. They can afford to own a private jet or a huge house with more rooms than you can fill. They spend eye-popping amounts of money on fancy cars and expensive meals. Whatever the reason these folks have money, you can tell when you’re in the company of someone wealthy. But what else are these folks buying? What kind of television or hotel room do you go for when you can afford the best? Find out as I break down a list of the world’s most expensive things.

PrestigeHD Supreme Rose Edition by Stuart Hughes

This model holds the record for world’s most expensive television. Considering I needed to finance my television when I bought it a few years ago, I can’t imagine what the monthly payment on this would run. The television comes in at just over $2.3 million. Imagine the high definition this thing must produce to be worth half that.! I wonder if this TV makes dinner and washes your clothes as well?

The TV is not expensive because of the image it generates, but rather because it is covered it in 28 kilograms of 18-carat rose gold and 72 diamonds. The TV itself is only 55 inches and was actually just introduced to the market earlier this year. They are limited, of course, and they have yet to close their first deal. However, folks at the Supreme Rose Edition are confident that they will sell out of these soon. There are only three of these available, so you’d better act fast.

Royal Penthouse Suite, Hotel President Wilson in Geneva

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I dropped just under $100 a night for a somewhat decent hotel room. Like most hotels, accommodations included high-speed Internet access, a hot breakfast every morning, and nice comfy beds with big fluffy pillows. But here at the Royal Penthouse Suite, you’d better be prepared to for a night you won’t soon forget. A single night here will run you $65,000.

How big is a room that costs this much a night? Well, my new apartment is just over 1,000 square feet. This hotel room is just over 18,000. I would like for someone to tell me how you could possibly use a hotel room that is the size of eighteen decent apartments. The room is actually an entire floor of this hotel. It has ten rooms, seven bathrooms, and is big enough that you could literally get lost while walking around the room. I feel stupid to call it a room. This is a house in and of itself.

iPhone 3GS Supreme Rose by Stuart Hughes

Remember the guy that produced the world’s most expensive television? Well, he also produced the world’s most expensive cell phone. When I first went to purchase my first Apple iPhone I was shocked to see a price tag over $500. Now, working with upgraded price points, I spend $200 every year and a half or so for the latest iPhone. I’m currently on the iPhone 3GS, which is the model of phone used in the world’s most expensive phone.

This phone was created for a businessman in Australia. It’s 22-carat gold, studded with 53 diamonds. The man who it was created for remains unknown, but the price point is common knowledge. When this phone was delivered in late 2009 the price tag stood at just over $2.97 million.

Since this phone was sold, the same man has asked for a second iPhone to be made that will nearly double in value and will showcase a 7.1 carat diamond. There is no word yet if he is working on this design, but this sure makes me appreciate my cell phones that much more.

1954-55 Mercedes-Benz W196

When I bought my Smart Car last year, I tried to talk them down as much as I could on the final price of the ride. They gave me what I wanted for my trade in, and I ended up getting a few more minimal discounts. I walked away with brand new car with less then five miles on it, and was only set back about $15,000. That price does not quite compare to the world’s most expensive car.

Now, my car is actually made by Mercedes, but it’s not in the same class as this ride. Granted, it is old and should be treated as an antique, but the 1954-55 Mercedes-Benz W196 will run you $24 million. Yes, you read that correctly. One car, designed in simpler times to get you from point A to point B, will cost you a pretty penny.

The car was actually donated by Mercedes to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the 1980s but was later sold to aid in museum renovations. The car currently belongs to a journalist in Germany and is not for sale. But of course, for that much money how could you turn down an offer? I wonder if the proposed buyer gets a test drive. As a matter of fact, what would insurance for a car like that run a month?

Antilla

How many cars can you fit into your garage? One? Two? Perhaps three or four? Well, if you were the owner of the world’s most expensive home, you could hold 168 cars in your six floor parking garage. This home sits in Mumbai, India, and is the residence of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani. It is twenty-seven stories tall and has a helipad for easy access.

A staff of over six hundred services the house named Antilla. Can you imagine having a payroll of over six hundred people to take care of your house? Every floor has a garden that needs constant attention. So what does a house like cost? Nothing short of $2 billion will get you into a home of this magnitude.

Transmission Audio Ultimate System

When listening to music, playing video games, or watching the latest blockbuster out of Hollywood, you want to have good sound coming through the speakers. Most televisions are built with pretty crappy default speakers. There are even some televisions out there that don’t have speakers at all. It is assumed that when buying a large television, you’re going to spend the extra money on some nice surround sound speakers.

My system is from Klipsch and has two fronts, two rears, and a center channel. They all run through a receiver and produce a killer sound, no matter what’s on my TV. The system retails at just over $4,000 for all of the pieces, and is one that should last a lifetime.

But $4,000 is nothing compared to the Transmission Audio Ultimate System. This system will run you a small fortune. Actually, the small fortune is just for a pair of speakers. To complete this twelve-piece system, you will have to drop $24 million. And along with being expensive, they’re also heavy. The entire system weighs close to five metric tons and is made of solid aluminum.

The system was first released in 2009. Only two sets have been sold so far. One of the two systems was actually sold to the president of the company. But don’t order these and assume that you will be rocking out this weekend. These speakers take at least six months to produce.

This list of expensive things can go on and on. I could talk about the world’s most expensive yacht or the world’s most expensive ring. But I will leave that to you if you wish to explore more of this world’s most expensive treasures.

Next time you go to buy a car or to upgrade your sound system, think about how much you could be spending. And if you have the money to afford any of the things on this list, how about taking me out for lunch? Happy spending, and remember that we can’t take it with us when we go.