Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Tony Stewart: 'A Man and His Monkey' To Be Auctioned for Charity
Once upon a time there was a successful NASCAR driver named Tony Stewart. Not only did he had a passion for racecars, he also had a big heart for animals of all kinds, including a Patas monkey named Mojo who came to live with the driver and his former girlfriend Krista Dwyer in 2004.
Mojo was beloved by the couple and treated to an amazing life. When not accompanying Stewart at the track, Mojo could often be found catching the race on TV and “chirping” with delight when recognizing his faithful owner on the screen.
As Mojo grew and matured, Stewart noticed a change in the monkey, he was becoming aggressive at the ripe old age of three. Could it be that Mojo sensed that he was missing out on something special? Perhaps a natural born instinct to mingle with the ladies.
You see, in the wild, a single male Patas monkey generally lives happily within a multi-female group. Sweet bliss for any form of the male species, wouldn't you say?
Like father, like son.
Stewart, understanding Mojo’s call of the wild, made the hard decision to give the primate up to the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky in late 2007, where he was introduced to the Zoo’s three female Patas monkeys and integrated into a new lifestyle.
To this day, Stewart remains loyal to his former pet and still holds him in high regard, as depicted in a recent Armor All commercial which featured a one-of-a-kind oil painting of Stewart and Mojo, each dressed to the nines in smoking jackets.
While most commercial props are recycled or locked away in a vault never to be seen again, the painting of “A Man and His Monkey,” will be auctioned off by Armor All and autographed Stewart to the highest bidder.
Fans can bid on this rare piece of Stewart memorabilia, as well as autographed firesuits and helmets from the commercial—worn by members of Stewart’s pit crew—as well as ten Armor All hats autographed by Tony Stewart starting June 4 through June 14 at http://www.ebay.com/tonystewartfoundation.
“All proceeds from the auction benefit the Tony Stewart Foundation whose mission is to raise and donate funds to help care for critically ill children, drivers injured in motorsports activities and to support other charitable organizations in the protection of various animal species.”
Don't just take it from me, hear from Tony himself by clicking the link below to learn more about the man, the monkey and the legend behind this great piece of artwork.
Article originally published 06/02/2010
Mojo was beloved by the couple and treated to an amazing life. When not accompanying Stewart at the track, Mojo could often be found catching the race on TV and “chirping” with delight when recognizing his faithful owner on the screen.
As Mojo grew and matured, Stewart noticed a change in the monkey, he was becoming aggressive at the ripe old age of three. Could it be that Mojo sensed that he was missing out on something special? Perhaps a natural born instinct to mingle with the ladies.
You see, in the wild, a single male Patas monkey generally lives happily within a multi-female group. Sweet bliss for any form of the male species, wouldn't you say?
Like father, like son.
Stewart, understanding Mojo’s call of the wild, made the hard decision to give the primate up to the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky in late 2007, where he was introduced to the Zoo’s three female Patas monkeys and integrated into a new lifestyle.
To this day, Stewart remains loyal to his former pet and still holds him in high regard, as depicted in a recent Armor All commercial which featured a one-of-a-kind oil painting of Stewart and Mojo, each dressed to the nines in smoking jackets.
While most commercial props are recycled or locked away in a vault never to be seen again, the painting of “A Man and His Monkey,” will be auctioned off by Armor All and autographed Stewart to the highest bidder.
Fans can bid on this rare piece of Stewart memorabilia, as well as autographed firesuits and helmets from the commercial—worn by members of Stewart’s pit crew—as well as ten Armor All hats autographed by Tony Stewart starting June 4 through June 14 at http://www.ebay.com/tonystewartfoundation.
“All proceeds from the auction benefit the Tony Stewart Foundation whose mission is to raise and donate funds to help care for critically ill children, drivers injured in motorsports activities and to support other charitable organizations in the protection of various animal species.”
Don't just take it from me, hear from Tony himself by clicking the link below to learn more about the man, the monkey and the legend behind this great piece of artwork.
Article originally published 06/02/2010
Confessions of an Amateur Sportswriter and a Life Less Ordinary
Although I have a rough idea, I can’t tell you exactly when Bleacher Report was established, but I can tell you when I established myself as a writer on the site. Sept. 10, 2008, just three days after attending the fall race in Richmond.
Until that point in life, “Sportswriter” had never appeared on my resume. I was a total amateur with a passion for NASCAR who took a leap of faith and put my words out there for all to see.
Surprisingly, I was welcomed with open arms and in turn, my odyssey began. In under a month, I was awarded my first article of the day.
It was sweet serendipity, who knew that I would actually have a knack for this writing thing?
Fast forward some 21 months and I have finally reached a tiny milestone, my 100th article. Yes, I know the counter shows 101, I’ll address that in a moment.
I am by all accounts a lazy writer. If writing was a full time occupation, you can bet that it would be my No. 1 focus; but this is just one of the factors that makes up my existence, and life doesn’t pause for writers like us.
My life is a constant whirlwind. I have a demanding full-time job that requires me to be on my A-game at all times and at the end of the day, can leave me physically and emotionally drained.
My personal life is just as chaotic. During my time at Bleacher Report, I've packed up my belongings and moved three times, gone without Internet access, overcome accidents and illness, dealt with the craziest of roommates and other vile situations, found myself broken-hearted, and somehow through it all found the love of my life.
Bleacher Report introduced me to a life less ordinary by trusting in me to represent their brand as a member of the media by sending me to report from the infield at my home track, Richmond International Raceway, three times. It is an experience that I cherish and take very seriously.
As a fan, I had sat in the stands at Richmond countless times on the outside looking in, wondering just what it would be like to be Marty Smith for a day.
Having been given the chance, I now recognize that there are very few things more awe inspiring than having the opportunity to stand mere feet from a pit stall during a 13-second pit stop or standing on the Chase stage on a hot September night with a borrowed camera in hand, snapping photos of our modern day heroes.
Never in a million years would I have imagined that I’d be stopped by an official and asked if I was “hot?”
Had I been questioned about this a year ago I would have thought it was a bad pick-up line, but in the world of NASCAR, I now know that “hot” means all access and with a turn of my lanyard, I was able to reply, “Well, yes, thank you, I am indeed hot!”
Bleacher Report challenged me to become a better writer and believed in my words enough to syndicate my work and make me a featured columnist.
I’ve learned new ways of expressing myself and a few valuable lessons along the way; one being the art of dancing on the edge of plagiarism.
My original 100th article was deleted recently for that very reason. In an effort to publish a piece of breaking news that was sent directly to me to report on, I took the easy way out and copied and pasted a press release.
Despite the fact that I was given permission to do so by a sports marketing firm and cited my sources, the words were not my own and my article was flagged for being “non-original” content.
I am not above the law; I violated a rule and in turn was justly reprimanded.
Turns out that underneath this superhero cape that I wear proudly, I am truly human after all.
Mistakes made and lesson learned.
I will approach my next 100 with eyes wide open and in the same humorous skin that I am so very comfortable.
Many thanks to Bleacher Report, my readers, editors and fellow writers for accepting me just as I am, for the praise when it is deserved, and for the occasional kick in the pants as needed.
Without you, there would be no me. I am so very grateful for the experience thus far and for the great adventures that are sure to come.
Article originally published 06/02/2010
Until that point in life, “Sportswriter” had never appeared on my resume. I was a total amateur with a passion for NASCAR who took a leap of faith and put my words out there for all to see.
Surprisingly, I was welcomed with open arms and in turn, my odyssey began. In under a month, I was awarded my first article of the day.
It was sweet serendipity, who knew that I would actually have a knack for this writing thing?
Fast forward some 21 months and I have finally reached a tiny milestone, my 100th article. Yes, I know the counter shows 101, I’ll address that in a moment.
I am by all accounts a lazy writer. If writing was a full time occupation, you can bet that it would be my No. 1 focus; but this is just one of the factors that makes up my existence, and life doesn’t pause for writers like us.
My life is a constant whirlwind. I have a demanding full-time job that requires me to be on my A-game at all times and at the end of the day, can leave me physically and emotionally drained.
My personal life is just as chaotic. During my time at Bleacher Report, I've packed up my belongings and moved three times, gone without Internet access, overcome accidents and illness, dealt with the craziest of roommates and other vile situations, found myself broken-hearted, and somehow through it all found the love of my life.
Bleacher Report introduced me to a life less ordinary by trusting in me to represent their brand as a member of the media by sending me to report from the infield at my home track, Richmond International Raceway, three times. It is an experience that I cherish and take very seriously.
As a fan, I had sat in the stands at Richmond countless times on the outside looking in, wondering just what it would be like to be Marty Smith for a day.
Having been given the chance, I now recognize that there are very few things more awe inspiring than having the opportunity to stand mere feet from a pit stall during a 13-second pit stop or standing on the Chase stage on a hot September night with a borrowed camera in hand, snapping photos of our modern day heroes.
Never in a million years would I have imagined that I’d be stopped by an official and asked if I was “hot?”
Had I been questioned about this a year ago I would have thought it was a bad pick-up line, but in the world of NASCAR, I now know that “hot” means all access and with a turn of my lanyard, I was able to reply, “Well, yes, thank you, I am indeed hot!”
Bleacher Report challenged me to become a better writer and believed in my words enough to syndicate my work and make me a featured columnist.
I’ve learned new ways of expressing myself and a few valuable lessons along the way; one being the art of dancing on the edge of plagiarism.
My original 100th article was deleted recently for that very reason. In an effort to publish a piece of breaking news that was sent directly to me to report on, I took the easy way out and copied and pasted a press release.
Despite the fact that I was given permission to do so by a sports marketing firm and cited my sources, the words were not my own and my article was flagged for being “non-original” content.
I am not above the law; I violated a rule and in turn was justly reprimanded.
Turns out that underneath this superhero cape that I wear proudly, I am truly human after all.
Mistakes made and lesson learned.
I will approach my next 100 with eyes wide open and in the same humorous skin that I am so very comfortable.
Many thanks to Bleacher Report, my readers, editors and fellow writers for accepting me just as I am, for the praise when it is deserved, and for the occasional kick in the pants as needed.
Without you, there would be no me. I am so very grateful for the experience thus far and for the great adventures that are sure to come.
Article originally published 06/02/2010
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