Afternoon Drive with Jeff & Carly

In a recent poll at AreYouRomantic.com, NFL lovers were asked if they would be willing to give up sex in order to secure a championship.  One in four men said they would forgo sex for at least a month if their favourite team were guaranteed a Super Bowl win.

A month?  That doesn’t seem like much of a sacrifice.  Fifteen percent of men would give up sex for an entire season if their team were guaranteed a Super Bowl victory.  Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout!  That’s dedication!

What do you want badly enough to give up sex?  $100 000?  World Peace?  The Stanley Cup in T.O.?  (You know, in a parade on Yonge Street, not behind a glass case at the Hockey Hall of Fame…)  Share your hypothetical sacrifice by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is SEXSACRIFICE.  It’s valid until August 31st.

Lego Taj Mahal

If you’re looking for a challenge, Lego has one for you!  The toy company is launching its largest model ever - a replica of India’s Taj Mahal.  You can build the whole thing in your mom’s basement in less than a weekend.  To learn more about it, click HERE.

Reading this story got me thinking about Lego.  What’s the best thing you or someone you know ever built with the plastic bricks?  I don’t remember building anything particularly phenomenal or innovative (a reflection on me, not Lego), but I do remember the frustration of running out of pieces about three-quarters of the way through one of my “designs”.  Time to take it apart and start over on a smaller scale!  I also remember that after a while, all the bricks had bite marks because at times it could be so tough to pry the pieces apart that you had to use your teeth.

Looking back, Lego really was (and still is) a fun and creative toy.  What are some of your Lego memories?  Have you ever been to Legoland in Denmark, Germany, the U.K. or U.S.?  Tell us about your memories or mishaps by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is  EDIBLELEGO because I just know there are going to be a few anecdotes about swallowing some of the pieces.  (Do you eat the red ones last?)  The code is available until August 30th.

A recent MasterCard survey revealed that 15 percent of men who are married or dating are willing to go on grocery trips to spend more time with their significant other or family.  So does that mean that 85% of men would rather stay home alone or that they never shop for groceries?  The funny thing is, most women who responded to the survey said they prefer to hit the supermarket solo.

Who does the groceries in your household?  Do you ever shop as a couple?  Do you buy the same kind of foods?  And what about the single peeps?  Do you shop alone or with a friend?  Do you just pick up a few items at a time or a whole cart?  Have you ever scored a date in a grocery store?  Have you ever been on a grocery shopping date?  I have.  Not a good idea.  You end up buying a whole bunch of health food you hate or ingredients for complicated recipes you’ll never make in order to impress.  I keep hoping the Take Home Chef will accost me in Loblaws, but no such luck thus far.

Share your experience by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is GROCERIES.  It’s good until August 29th.

The Office Slacker.  Every workplace has one.  In fact, I work quite closely with ours.  I don’t want to rat him out or anything, but his name rhymes with “deaf” - which is exactly what he is whenever you try to get his attention for work-related projects.  If you’re offering free beer, though, his auditory issues dissipate.  I believe that’s called ”selective hearing”, but I digress.

Marie Claire recently published a list of ways to slack off at work without discovery and - consequently - repercussion.  Re-printed below are three of my favourites:

• Get Some Air: If you just need to stretch your legs and get out of the office for a bit, offer to do a coffee run or drop off mail for your co-workers. This way, your extended break actually crowns you the office hero. Helpful hint: if you offer up a late coffee run around 4:30pm, you’re less likely to have to juggle 8 cups of Starbucks on your way back.

• Stay Messy: A messy desk screams “busy bee” to anyone in your workspace. Keep piles of paper, old newspapers, and errant office supplies lying around to maintain the idea that you’re important and always busy. People will see the mess and feel bad about giving you any extra work to do.

• Prepare Props: If you’re the kind of person who finds it impossible to arrive on time, try the coffee-and-muffin trick. Before you leave at night, keep your computer on and put a cup of coffee and a half-eaten muffin at your desk. You’ll beat even the earliest bird in.

Have you tried any of these?  Do you have any other tips for slackers?  Or perhaps you’re on to someone at work and would like to share the behaviour you have observed.  Feel free to do so by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below.  Your Jack Nation bonus code today is SLACKER.  Unlike your cubicle mate, it’s working hard until August 28th.

Okay, so I admit I have a crush on the Most Interesting Man in the World.  You know, the one who doesn’t always drink beer, but when he does, he prefers Dos Equis.  If you haven’t seen the TV ad I’m referring to, check it out HERE.

I see there’s lots of blogging going on about him.  Is it actor Jonathan Goldsmith?  Is the character based on Ernest Hemingway?  Who really cares?  At the end of the day, he’s the man guys want to be and women want to be with.  The commercial is smart, funny and it makes me want to drink Dos Equis.  Click THIS to find out more about him and to see if you’re skilled enough to become his next assistant.

Is there an ad that affects you in the same way?  State your case by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is STAYTHIRSTY.  It’s good until August 24th.

I know “to coupon” is not a verb, but if we’re using Googling and scrapbooking  as such, we might as well speak of “couponing”, too.  Some people use coupons religiously, some occasionally, and some just can’t be bothered at all.  Check out this story about an Ontario couple who held on to a coupon for 15 years:

CANTON, Ohio (AP) - A Canadian couple finally took a restaurant up on an offer that arrived 15 years ago - by balloon. For its 1993 grand opening, Nicky’s Restaurant in Canton released balloons with attached cards good for a free dinner for two.

One of the balloons made it across Lake Erie and into the backyard of Margaret and Ken Savory in Waterford, Ontario. They were treated to pork chop dinners Tuesday night when they presented the card at Nicky’s.

Owner Nick Augoustinos says he was shocked that they’d held on to the coupon for so long.

Health problems had kept the couple from coming sooner, Margaret Savory said, adding: “I think that in back of my mind I was hoping that one day I would feel well enough to see if the place was here.”

I probably would have kept that coupon as well, although after fifteen years, I’m not so sure I would have been able to produce it readily.  I’m organized, but not THAT organized.

I frequently use coupons, but usually only if they were printed in the store’s flyer or if they are really worth my while, like “buy one, get one free”.  If it’s save 5% or 10%, I can’t be bothered, unless it’s a big ticket item - it’s worth hanging on to a coupon like that if your savings total $50, not so much if you save 50 cents.

Do you “coupon”?  Do you know anyone who is obsessed with them?  What’s the best coupon you’ve ever come across?  Let us know by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is COUPONING.  But hurry - it’s expiration date is August 23rd!

P.S. Which way do you prefer to pronounce it “coo-pon” or “cue-pon”?  I say the former.

TEEN DROPS OUT OF SCHOOL TO PLAY GUITAR HERO FULL TIME: Blake Peebles, 16, is dropping out of high school in order to focus on the video game Guitar Hero full time. Citing his victories in Guitar Hero tournaments, which include “gift certificates, gaming equipment, and chicken sandwiches,” Peebles thinks he has the chops to play competitively and earn money. Top gamers on the competitive circuit can earn up to $80,000 a year, though $25,000 is more common. He has a tutor that provides a private education, and his parents say he’s doing well with the more focused instruction and he now even does his homework without complaint. (newsobserver.com)

What do think of this story?  Would you let your teen drop out of school to become a professional gamer?  Is it any different than quitting school to play pro sports?  What about poker?  Or how about modeling?  Have your say by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is GAMER.  It’s valid until August 22nd.

University of Toronto

Back to school is just around the corner for kids of all ages, including those attending university or college.  Here are some facts about the teens who are leaving home for the first time this fall and will be coming of age on campus:

Students entering college for the first time this fall were generally born in 1990.

For these students, Sammy Davis Jr., Jim Henson, Ryan White, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Freddy Krueger have always been dead.

GPS satellite navigation systems have always been available.

They have never been able to color a tree using a raw umber Crayola.

There has always been Pearl Jam.

To view the complete list compiled by Beloit College, click HERE.

Which items on this list really resonate with you?  What incidents or events have made you feel old?  I remember a few years ago walking into a clothing store where I was clearly too old to be shopping and mistaking another customer for a sales associate.  Older women used to do that to me all the time.  Welcome to the Club, Carly!

Click on the No Comments/Comments link below to have your say.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is 1990 (no italics, though).  It expires on August 21st. 

As much as I love the CNE (the Polar Express, the Wave Swinger, the popcorn…), there’s always a tinge of sadness associated with the Canadian National Exhibition because you just know the demise of summer is imminent (unless you make your living selling Christmas trees , then you can’t wait until winter to make some cash, but I digress…).

Whether it’s Labour Day or the first day of school or the equinox that represents the first day of autumn to you, the countdown is on, so it’s time to take advantage of summer if you haven’t already done so.  In honour of those lazy, hazy, crazy days, here are my Top 3 Summer Activities:

1. Drive-in Movie Theatre (Still 26 locations in Ontario)
2. Eating Outside (Picnic, BBQ, Breakfast on the Balcony)
3. Swimming Outdoors (Pool, Lake or Ocean - All good!)

Do you agree?  What are your Top 3 Summer Activities?  Share your list by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is DRIVE-IN.  It’s valid until August 20th.

It’s hard to imagine only paying $0.14/litre for gas, but that’s exactly what a few fortunate customers were treated to yesterday at Jane and Sheppard.  Due to a data entry error, supreme gas at Esso was supposed to be selling for $1.40, but was actually going for $1.26 cheaper!

Have you ever been the on the receiving end of this type of error?  We’ve all been overcharged at some point in our lives, but I would think very few of us have ever been so drastically undercharged.  Did you realize it at the time?  Did you say something about it?  At what point do you think you’re morally obligated to speak up?  Have your say by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is SUPREMEDISCOUNT.  It’s valid until August 17th.