This is a pretty cool contest the Alamodraft house has going. The grand prize is a 3 month  All-You-Can Watch pass with 2 runner ups getting $50GCs for the Alamodraft house.  They are looking for 2 new milkshakes. They want your help!
Here are the details:
 

Now through August 20th, Alamo fans and aspiring dessert craftsmen can submit their clever, crazy, or inspired milkshake idea using the following ingredient list:

- Vanilla ice cream soft serve base
- Monin syrup flavors of cherry, orange, strawberry, white peach, prickly pear, mint, chocolate, vanilla, and caramel
- Movie candies (must be on Drafthouse menu)
- Citrus juices or fruit juices
- Peanut butter, Nutella, or other spreads
- Sodas, draft beers, or wine (must be on Drafthouse menu)
- Baking spices (cinammon, nutmeg, clove, etc.)

The only other rule - for expediency's sake - is that the shake have no more than five total ingredients. Recipes can be submitted via Facebook, where Alamo beverage director Bill Norris and chef John Bullington will vet the entries for a judging round. Austinist has somehow joined the esteemed panel for the judging, while other milkshake experts will include Alamo founder Tim League, Norris, Bullington, and (according to the press release) "oil tycoon Daniel Plainview."

The grand prize winner of the milkshake contest will receive a 90 day all-you-can-watch pass to the Alamo Drafthouse of their choice, while two finalists from each metro area with an Alamo will each receive a $50 gift card. Since you don't actually have to make the milkshake, is there an excuse not to enter? One final note: points are also being awarded for the shake's name. Anything movie-themed would obviously be wise, as would an Alamo pun (Master PanShake, perhaps?) The winning shake will be featured on the Alamo menu for the Fall 2012 film season. Winners will be announced in early September.

This Rocks!!!!

Trailer Food Tuesday rolls into Austin

10 most popular local food trucks in one spot

The  Big Event across the pond is inspiring creative minds....
This video is making the rounds to the turn of Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Call Me Maybe'.  Check out 'Call Me Lochte'!

Click here for a list of yummy places in the Austin area to grab some cheesecake to celebrate.  The Cheesecake Factory has a party going too w/ 1/2 price pieces of cheesecake all day Monday 7.30.12...  There's also an extra special via CCF FB page.



They've extended the offer thru Tuesday 7/31, if you grab their offer off their FB page!  
1/2 price for your favorite flavor of cheesecake!

You can do this. Doesn't this ROCK!
 

Last weekend in July also makes it the last weekend of National Ice Cream month. Click here for a list of yummy places you can celebrate at to get your ice cream fun on!

Tomorrow night at 6pm on NBC  you can catch the 'Big Opener'..jam packed with lots of fun.

A few tibits on what's happening:

— The opening ceremony is titled "Isles of Wonder", inspired by William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest"

-More than 100 live farm animals, a bell that weighs nearly as much as half-dozen elephants and 10,000 adult performers are set to highlight the kickoff event

— It will open with the ringing of the largest harmonically tuned bell in the world, produced by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, measuring two meters (yards) tall by three meters wide and weighing 23 metric tons (25.3 tons).

— Each of the four nations will be represented by their national flower - the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, the daffodil of Wales and flax from Northern Ireland.

— 12,956 props, over 100 times more than a West End musical

Click here for more!

Click here for  all the 411!

Official App!

Take a shoe break,and check out some wacked out shoes.
Click the photo!



 

Snoop Dog is changing his name to 'Snoop Lion' for a reggae album that's coming out! Has Snoop been sipping on to much Gin & Juice or maybe the wacky weed is making him do it...
What do you think of 'Snoop Lion and The Jungle' (his band)? New tune La, La, La.. catchy...




The album is expected to drop later this year called Reincarnated. In preparation, he's dropped a single, "La La La," which you can listen to above. Snoop and his band -- ominously named "the Jungle" -- will perform for the first time on Aug. 3 at Toronto's Caribana festival.

"La La La" sounds like a typical reggae track, with laid-back guitar riffs and a dreamy vocal track from Snoop himself, affecting a Bob Marley-like accent.

Reincarnated was executive produced by Diplo of Major Lazer.

Too bad he didn't change his name when he jammed with Willie!   Maybe 'Outlaw Superman Snoop'..
 

Pretty cool features. It's FREE to look at!   Check it out!  
 

1. Cook. When people say they "don't know how to cook," it just means that they haven't really tried or they don't like to do it. If you can eat, you can cook.
2. Be kind. Be considerate. Be a good friend. (Unless you're friends with idiots.)
3. There's a popular book called "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff." I think it is very good advice. So, don't sweat the small stuff, unless the small stuff is bed bugs.
4. Speak up. And speak from the heart. You will almost always regret what you didn't say more than what you did say. The exception is when using social media. Think -- think! -- before you hit enter. Emails, posts, Instagrams and tweets are all digital bread crumbs waiting to be found by your future employers, landlords and mothers-in-law.
5. Get involved. Raise your hand. Volunteer. Vote.
6. While we're on the subject of voting, you should know that life is not a political campaign and it's okay to change your mind about anything, at any time. (Well, not at any time. Not if you're ordering a drink and there's a line behind you. In that case, order quickly and move out of the way.)
7. The people who are known for "always having the good gossip" are also the people no one trusts.
8. Be extra nice to the new kid, for you will be the new kid one day. You might be 40 when it happens, but trust me, it will happen. And, by God, you will hope that people are nice.
9. Be on time. One, if you're often late, people will start getting annoyed with you. And, two, you might miss something really good. Like really, really good. Like the kind of thing your friends will refer to for the rest of their lives. And you missed it because you were still in the shower.
10. Be a leader, not a follower. Unless you're leading people somewhere that's dangerous. Then, it's okay to let someone else lead.
11. The most important rule of all? Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Also important? No socks with sandals.
12. Oh, I almost forgot: Call your mother.

Do you need a fresh look for a special occassion? Tired of always looking tire. Want your eyes to pop in a photo?  You might want to check out the newest hair accessorie.  The 'Faceliftbungee'.  Facelift in an instant thanks to the combs connected to elastic. High tech stuff...
Supposedly it doesn't hurt any more than a ponytail pain, if it hurts at all.  Would you try this? 



This is a Kimberly Aschauer creation: Instant facelift without the expensive surgery and heal time.

I can't imagine being in a movie theater where you thought you would be enjoying a movie, but turns out you're getting shot at.  It's just horrific what happened in that Aurora, CO movie theater. Lives lost, injuries, pain, heartbreak... senseless loss.  HORRIFIC!   Jessica, an aspiring sportscaster of San Antonio, had moved recently to the Denver area to pursue who dreams. Unfortunately a night at the movies, changed that for her and her family.  Thoughts & Prayers to everyone affected by this trajedgy.


President Obama's thoughts:
"Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time."

"Our last Twitter exchange was Thursday night, about the Batman movie that she was going to see in Colorado. It was pure silliness, sharply sarcastic and made me smile. Only now, her shout of "MOVIE DOESN'T START FOR 20 MINUTES" is just haunting."

Click here for more thoughts.

Update 1:10pm:
President Obama set aside politics and urged the nation to support those who have lost due to the tragedy in Colorado. 

"If there's anything to take away from this tragedy, it's the reminder that life is very fragile. Our time here is limited and it is precious. And what matters at the end of the day is not the small things, not the trivial things which so often consume us in our daily lives. Ultimately, it's how we choose to treat each other and how we love one another."





Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney
 He called for Americans to focus on loving each other and those affected by what he said were "a few moments of evil" near Denver.

 

The Neon Trees ROCKED the 4 hands home lounge yesterday.  NTs  were really cool to chat with too. Checkout what celeb they would go on vacation with, and a message to you!!








Here's the 3 Things they must have on the road! 


 

The word is British hottie Sam Claflin. Most recently played Kristen Stewarts love interest in 'Snow White & The Huntsmen'.  Sam will play the hottie Finnick Odair, the hottie from District 4, for the Hunger Games: Catching Fire movie.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” movie is planned to start filming sometime late this summer or in the beginning of fall, will set U.S. theaters aflame in 2013 with a release date of November 22.

Think Same is a good choice?  I think he can pull it off!

A first time Ted and I have tried to do this. Great way to keep cool.  Did Huey get on board too?
 

Catch Train, or set the DVR, on the Travel Channel's show 'Trip Flip' w/ host Bert (Love Bert).  It's a show where peeps are asked to spontaneously go on VK. Sounds good to me..how about you?
 

There will be an addition of possibly a new doctor at Seattle Grace for Season 9 Grey's Anatomy.  Gaius Charles, better known as 'Brian (Smash) Williams' from Friday Night Lights.  Although details about Gaius's character are a secret for now, thoughts are a new doctor to save lives at S. G hospital.. Do you like this edition to  GA?
 

WARNING: MATURE LANGUAGE IN THIS LYRIC VIDEO... S-WORD !

1st Single- Blow me (one last Kiss)  from  Pink's new album 'The Truth About Love' that drops on September18th!






'The Truth About Love' album cover art just released!




There's a lot of new music coming in Septemeber. The 25th is an especially jam packed tune day.

*No Doubt - 'Push & Shove' is out 'Settle Down' their 1st single!

Do you like?




Green Day- 'iUNO', which is one of a trilogy that they will release starting September 25th! Single 'Oh Love'...

The first of Green Day's music trilogy drops on Sept. 25, the second on Nov. 13 and the third on Jan. 15.  ¡Uno!, ¡Dos! and ¡Tré!,  2 GD Documentaries are coming too!  What do you think about 'Oh Love'?

Mumford & Sons-  'Babel'.. 2nd album..  Click here to check out 'Ghosts That We knew' ...pre-sale for 'Babel' is July 23rd! 

President Obama is in town for a fundraiser @ the ATX Music Hall! Traffic is going to be FUBAR, and so are bus schedules. His speech starts around 5:45pm, which means rush hour traffic tomorrow won't be nice.... He's be coming from an earlier fundraiser in San Antonio. The President also has  a second Capital city event hosted by Tom Meredith – Dell’s former finance chief.

What will be affected tomorrow:
 2nd Street, 3rd Street, Guadalupe, Lavaca and San Antonio.

It will also affect some of Capital Metro's downtown bus routes. Capital Metro says riders should expect delays and even cancellations.

Nine of its bus routs are scheduled to be detoured from 1 p.m. until approximately 8 p.m. Tuesday night. The following routes are currently scheduled for detours:

'B7 'B7#3 Burnet/Manchaca (southbound)

'B7 #110 South Central Flyer (southbound)

'B7 #171 Oak Hill Flyer (northbound & southbound)

'B7 #935 Tech Ridge Express (northbound)

'B7 #970 Lantana Express

'B7 #982 Pavilion Express (northbound & southbound)

'B7 #983 N. U.S. 183 Express (northbound & southbound)

'B7 #985 Leander/Lakeline Direct (northbound)

'B7 #987 Leander/NW Express (northbound)

MORE DETOURS here

*The major corridors, César Chavez, I 35, Congress and Lamar, are not expected to be affected.

*Specific detourinformation is available on the Capital Metro website at www.capmetro.org in the “Service Alerts” section on the main page. Ridersare urged to check the website for the latest detour information or call the GOLine at 512-474-1200 prior to beginning their trip. Updated information willalso be available on the Capital Metro Twitter feed at @CapMetroNews

President Obama is coming to town tomorrow at the ATX Music Hall for a fundraiser. His speech is expected to start around 5:45 tomorrow evening. Expect traffic delays downtown.. airport.. for sure.. 
 

Also be ware of a scam :
"President Obama will be at several private fundraising events in Austin and San Antonio on Tuesday, but will not be taking time out of his busy schedule to pay your utility bills. A new scam suggests the federal government will help pay your electric bill to help curb the high utility costs many Americans are incurring this time of year. But instead of financial relief, victims could be left with a stolen identity and an empty wallet.
So far the scam has been reported in various forms across the country. Scammers show up at homes, call, text or even contact their victims through social media convincing them that a new federal assistance program is available that will pay up to $1,000 on their utility or credit card bills. In some instances victims are given phony bank account and routing numbers to use when paying their bills online, but only after “registering” their Social Security numbers and other personal information. Some victims have been instructed to enter the red digit number from the back of their Social Security card as their account number. In any event, consumers are led to believe that their bills have been paid when entering the information, when in fact they have not.
There is no federal assistance program to pay household bills. But that hasn’t stopped thousands of people from falling for this scam across the country including Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Utah, California, and throughout New England."

 

Dates have been thrown out for the Hunger Games Franchise, based on the Suzanne Collins books. Looks like I'll have plans around Thanksgiving the next few years with Katniss. 

Hunger Games: Catching Fire is set for November 22, 2012. 

Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1: November 21, 2014  & Part 2: November 20, 2015

Not sure Mockingjay really needs to be 2 parts, but hey Twilight has done it.... Harry Potter... so if you can string it out for more cash.. It's the American Way.. and HG fans will pay!   I liked Hunger Games over all, but I was disappointed with the last 1/3 of Mockingjay, so my interest is peaked to see how the movie pans out.  

'May the odds be ever in your favor!'
 

Could you imagine making over $50 million under the age of 30?  Well some of these folks can and they did. The richest is only 22 years old...

The full top 10:
1. Taylor Swift: $57 million
2. Justin Bieber: $55 million
3. Rihanna: $53 million
4. Lady Gaga: $52 million
5. Katy Perry: $45 million
6. Adele: $35 million
7. Kristen Stewart: 34.5 million
8. Lil Wayne: $27 million
9. Taylor Lautner: $26.5 million
10. Robert Pattinson: $26.5 million

Here's an idea to celebrate. If you haven't experienced Jason Vorhees in classic cheesey '80s 3-D, then you are missing out!  I suggest heading over to the Alamo Drafthouse/S. Lamar where Friday the 13th Part3 3-D will be playing. It's classic Jason at his '80s 3-D best! Wonder if they will have the cool cardboard light glasses that could papercut your ears.  GOOD TIMES!! 









Another Idea... You could also dress up like....

RP shows a lot of skin in a new movie  'Cosmopolis' that's getting great buzz .  He plays a billionaire who travels across Manhattan in a limo to get a haircut. It's based on a book. It's way more than a haircut, it has peaked my interest.  Check out a tibit of it...

It's National Ice Cream month, you could Celebrate by trying out Bell Bell's new flavor 'Red Velvet Cake'!  

Also check out this story about a California based company that is experimenting tomorrow in 7 cities for Ice Cream On Demand.  There's an app that allows you to call up an ice cream truck to where you are, then you can get as much ice cream as you want!  Wonder if that could make it to ATX? Ice Cream party at work would be fun!! :)

 

Everything Formula 1 ATX click here!

PSA-FirePrevention1min-HDV.mov from channelAustin on Vimeo.

If you have been digging the designer action that Target has been getting lately, then you will LOVE this BIG NEWS!! Target has teamed up with Neiman Marcus to for 24 CFDA designers to contribute to a limited edition holiday collection.

Designers you can expect? Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Altuzarra, Marchesa and CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg are among the participants making womenswear, menswear, accessories and even home decor and sporting goods. Former GO International designers like Proenza Schouler and Rogan will also be returning.

50 items will be at both retailers priced from $7.99 to $499.99. Click here for more!

I never knew there was a national week for this.  This week, July 9th-July 15th, is National Nude Recreation week.  For those who like to enjoy activities in their birthday suit, and invite those who haven't tried it, to give it a try.  Or course this is done in areas that are legal to walk around in your birthday suit.  I wouldn't suggest heading to work with just your briefcase and shoes, you may end up somewhere else way before lunch!  Click here to find out more!

You have the urge to celebrate, then Hippie Hollow is waiting for you. I don't think I'd ever be able to try it. I'd have to many flashbacks to junior high and high school changing and showering in gym class.  I'm a fan of fashion in public, but more power to others who enjoy the all natural look!

Brad's got a bit of family competition. Doug has gone viral. Click here for the video!

If you go to  www.johnsonville.com, they  have a bunch of yummy recipes. I tried out my verison of the 'Texas Breakfast Casserole' w/ the yummy  Johnsonville 'Brown Sugar & Honey Breakfast Sausage! Check it out and give it a try.... create  your  own yummy version!