Peeps contests: The world through marshmallow bunnies and chicks

by Jamie Rhein on

Perhaps you’ve browsed through the “Peeps in Places” photo contest entries at Intelligent Travel. People have been snapping pictures of marsmallow chicks and bunnies in a variety of spots for a chance to win a Lenox China Peep or other Peeps related prizes. [Click here for larger view of Caesar Peep by citizenkafka.]

Along with being a cool idea–wish we’d thought of it–watching the slide show is a lesson in landmarks, interesting angles, and people’s cleverness. The deadline has been extended until Monday if you get some inspiration and manage not to eat all of your Peeps before you pull out your camera.

Intelligent Travel’s Peeps contest isn’t the only one. The Washington Post runs the Peeps Diorama Contest where Peeps are featured in a variety of 3-D ways.

This contest asked entries to be related to an event or concept from the past, present or future. Last year’s winner was inspired by a trip to an Egyptian exhibit. Out of last year’s 800 entries, 37 were used in this slideshow. Clicking through it is like clicking through popular and high brow culture and news stories. The Andy Warhol inspired one reminded me of the Warhol exhibit I saw three times at the Wexner Center from last August to this past February.

This year’s winner, just up today, was inspired by Edward Hopper’s painting Nighthawks. You’ll recognize the similarity as soon as you see it. Here’s the link to this year’s Peeps Show.

The Chicago Tribune also had a Peeps contest. The “Peeps on Parade” winner this year happens to be from Columbus, Ohio. Randy Rowe paid tribute to the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz with “Wizard of Peeps.” Click here for the slideshow of the entry. Yes, you can dress up Peeps to look like Dorothy and her pals.

This contest was similar to the Washington Post contest, although the results are very different. If you look through all of this year’s entries you’ll recognize some of the top news stories.

For the first time, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review got in on the Peeps action. For their first annual contest, people were asked to create a shoebox sized scene that tied into popular culture, history or the movies. This year’s winner S’Mores Motel is a clever nod to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. A couple of these entries made me laugh. Click here for the slideshow.

This morning my kids found Peeps in their Easter basket. My mind is working overtime. There’s months to come up with something good for next year. I do have an idea for Intelligent Travel’s contest though. Maybe I’ll get an entry in under the wire.

If you’re going to be traveling this year, take Peeps along with you. They’re light, and they can’t possibly melt, although they might squish a bit. Put one in a margerine tub for safe keeping and have some fun at a famous landmark. Maybe you’ll be next year’s winner, but expect some competion from yours truly.

Daily deal – noise canceling headphone sale

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is for a decent lineup of discounts on some pretty popular headphones.

Included in the sale is something for everyone. From $100 off the Creative Labs Aurvana X-FI noise canceling headphones (reviewed here last year) to 5 different in-ear isolating earbuds, starting at just $4.99.

Do yourself a favor, and get some decent noise isolating/canceling headphones, you’ll really appreciate getting some peace and quiet on your next flight!

Remember, any order over $25 ships for free, and Amazon prime members can get free 2 day shipping.

Daily deal – Creative Vado pocket digital camcorder

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is for the Creative Vado pocket digital camcorder.

This small digital video camera records up to 2 hours of content and features a 2x digital zoom, an internal rechargeable battery and a built in USB connector.

Recordings can instantly be sent to Youtube or other video sharing sites, or stored/edited on your PC.

Cameras like this have become increasingly popular thanks to their low cost and durability. I’ve used several of them myself, and often prefer them over a regular digital camera because they are much easier to carry around.

Of course, the video quality is not comparable to a high-end digital video camera, but the content is perfectly acceptable for shots of your vacation or other event.

The Creative Labs Vado normally retails for $99.99, but if you don’t mind the silver version, you can pick one up for just $59.99 with free shipping. The pink Vado version is $5 more. If your wallet has a little extra cash to spare, check out the HD version of this camera.

Daily deal – Creative Vado HD pocket HD camcorder for $130

by Scott Carmichael on

Several weeks ago I reviewed the Creative Vado HD camcorder, and was very impressed with its video quality and included accessories.

This $229 camera is well worth its price, but if you are looking for a way to snag one at a (much) lower price – read on!

Amazon is offering the Vado HD for $229.99 with an instant $100 discount when you use promotional code I4PQ9E3S.

Here is how to get the deal – add the Vado HD to your cart (make sure Amazon is the seller, and not a third party). Then at the final stage in the checkout process, add the promotion code in the box on the right.

It’ll take $100 off, and you can get this awesome HD camera shipped for just $129.99.

(Via: Fatwallet)

I Ran Iran: a feel-good film project foiled by politics

by Jamie Rhein on

I’m wild about independent films with ultimately feel-good heart. Milk and Opium is a film that caught my attention in 2007. So did Binta’s Great Idea. Here’s another film project I’m excited about: I Ran Iran. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem, from what I’ve discovered, that the film has been completed. That’s too bad. The trailer and the story behind the film are intriguing. By the end of the trailer I was smiling and curious as to what happened to the project. Intrigue and smiles means two thumbs up by me.

Here’s the scoop. Tyler MacNiven who, along with his teammate B.J. Avril, won season 9 of the Amazing Race, set out to make I Ran Iran as a way to illustrate the warmth and hospitality of the Iranian people and the richness of their culture. To do so, MacNiven set out in 2006 with his best friend, Bobak Bakhtiari, an Iranian-American, to run the the 1000 miles or so between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. Some of Bakhtiari’s family still live in Iran so family visits were also in order.

Unfortunately, the two were stopped from completing their journey a few days after it started because Iranian officials were concerned that the purpose of the run was political. It wasn’t, but from what I read in MacNiven’s explanation in this Lonely Planet article, he made an off-handed comment about Iran’s ability to pursue nuclear energy to a reporter. That comment snowballed into a political statement, something MacNiven was horrified by.

Instead of finishing their run, MacNiven and Bakhtiari were told to leave Iran. About a week after starting, lickety split, they were in Amsterdam with memories of Iran still floating through their heads as they tried to wrap their minds around the unexpected scenery change.

I’m hoping this project is able to be completed and am wondering where it now stands. Perhaps there is a funding issue. Perhaps there are political issues. From what MacNiven wrote, it’s too bad if there are political issues because from what they found, there is a warmth towards Americans by many Iranian people.

If MacNiven and Bakhtiari are unable to complete the film as they intended, I’m hoping it shows up in a larger venue in another film about the trials and tribulations of making a film in another country. I feel as if I’ve been engrossed in a book and have reached the end, but the last two chapters are missing and the author has disappeared.

Reading this story is a reminder that when traveling in another country, off-handed comments and actions can have unintended consequences. It’s unfortunate that exuberance and curiosity can sometimes kill the cat, or at least curtail its efforts.

Here’s the trailer.