Free Rides in Giant Inflatable Select 55 Beer Balloon

By Marisa Cutaia, Fri., May 13 2011 at 12:19 PM

Categories: Happening

​Sure, the commercials are catchy... partiers exercising off their beer before they've finished slugging it down. But Select 55 is betting that's not enough to win your loyalty, especially from a low-cal beer.

To get your attention, a 168-foot hot air Select Bottle is floating over Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. That's the size of the Statue of Liberty or the ego of "The Situation."

"It's serene up here, and that's a word I would never use to describe the Hard Rock," says Boca Raton resident Tana Velen while hanging precariously from the bottle, 50 feet up.

The 15-story bottle of beer floats over the sprawling off-white compound this weekend as part of a nationwide tour of 55 cities. But a balloon, really?

Hey, baby, nice ride.

​"Anheuser-Busch did a full release last year of the lightest beer in the world," Budweiser rep Dan Vint said. "And what's lighter than hot air?"

This bottle is more than just hot air; it has been traveling the U.S. of A. for three months. If you are brave enough to try it, tethered rides are available. The balloon is weighted to solid ground by an SUV and a sedan.

"We brought this idea to the Hard Rock to celebrate their seventh anniversary, and they jumped at it," he said. "Wherever people are out having fun, that's where we are."

Sure, because what makes sense after losing your money and getting hammered? A balloon ride!

Tethered rides are available for ages 21 and up tonight and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. in the main parking lot, winds permitting. Visit facebook.com/Select55 for tour schedule.

Sweet nectar of the gods

I don’t know how people get through the day without coffee. I adore it. I need it. It’s my addiction. There is nothing more appealing than getting up on a Saturday morning with nothing to do but sit with my daily cup of Joe, and I use the term cup loosely, and watch tv or check emails. Some people are stoners, or into the harder drugs, or they drink themselves into oblivion. Not me, I’ve always been a caffeiner.

In my younger days, it was Mountain Dew for breakfast followed by a constant flow of tea. Later I discovered coffee and espresso shots. Oh, the extra shot, how I adore thee! More recently there was a bout with hybrid sodas. That was intense.

A long time friend once told me that it’s easier for her to get out of bed when she knows the coffee is already there, brewed and ready to go. No filters to fuss with or grounds to spill in a slumbering stupor. Perpetually oversleeping, and always late, she spent a few months setting her pot up before bed, hoping the promising aroma of java would ease her into the day.

To her surprise, the experiment proved very successful. She enjoyed her morning primping ritual because, with said coffee in her system, she felt she could rip herself from her oversized pillow top on time. She was more put together, (closer to) on time, and of course more awake. Leaving for work wasn’t the flustered throwing together of things like B.C. (Before Coffee). Truly, this was a magical and inspired plan.

I’m much the same way. Different coffees, flavored creams, yum! I’ve grown to be somewhat of a connoisseur. Kona, Arabica, Jamaican Blue Mountain, Café Britt, I’ve sampled them all. So delicious. I’ve even learned about coffee. How and where the beans grow, what makes the different flavors and the difference in roasts.

Without my morning cup, the world has no color, the traffic seems tighter and I rarely remember getting dressed in the morning. Once at work, with my good friend caffeine, I notice things. Important things. Like I have black shoes on with my brown pants or I left my cell phone unplugged on my couch at home and the all important, “where are my keys?”

So the coffee gives pep, that’s for sure, but what happens when the pep isn’t enough. My cup-a-day habit grew. It grew like the hulk. There was a time when I was having several larger cups of coffee a day, but it was nothing compared to my Vault addiction that I intensified to. No one, and I mean no one should ever drink anything that glows like it’s radioactive with ultra neon colors.

My java proved no match for the hybrid soda and energy drink. Sure, it’s harmless enough, until you can’t get through a meeting without it. It’s amazing. Sleep is a thing of the past. Think of what I can accomplish while those other schmucks waste their time snoring. You snooze you loose!

Then…. came…the…. crash…Zzzzzz.

Those sleeps were the best ones ever. My bed could have collapsed under me, a hurricane could have hit only my bedroom, and a helicopter possibly landed on my roof. Nothing woke me. Alarm clocks were no match. It was like a drug-induced coma, or so I would imagine.

I loved my fusion drinks but I never got into the hard stuff. No Red Bull here. Not for crazy Petey. As a college kid, underage but still the life of the party, his drink of choice at social gatherings was Amp. We would know it was going to be a long night when he showed up with a four pack. He was not satisfied until he was twitching and tweaking, but oh man, once he hit that level, look out!

One time after several Amps he ran and climbed the wall of us house to sit on the roof. At another, he dressed in a full gorilla suit he found in one of the tenant’s closets. Amp makes you crazy. Why? Who knows, but it sure makes for some interesting party pictures and stories.

I guess everyone has his or her addiction and we all use caffeine in our own special way. Crazy Petey was great because while he was trembling from the delightful caffeine and sugar concoction, he was also completely sober. Many nights he was chauffeuring those who had too much to drink home safely. Many nights I’m sure he was up to see the sunrise.

Oh, and my friend…. yeah, she fell off the wagon. It seems that frantic dressing and speed driving is the way to go for her.

You need to read this blog - My Awesome Friday

In the name of spontaneity, Anthony, Jessica, Eitan and I ran away for a day of fun on Friday. We all called in sick/personal/braindead and went to Orlando to hit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. It was no normal day though, we saw the Ellen DeGeneres Show being filmed.

I, being a huge Ellen fan, couldn't wait:

Anth decided (foolishly) to go along with the 3 hour drive there and back all on Friday.

I brought the idea of going to Jess and Eitan, they were thrilled:

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Ellen rocked and they sold shirts, of which I did not get, that said "I danced with Ellen, Orlando 2007"

Yup, that's as close as we got. Oh well, we did see Lynard Skynard perform.

They still rock, even if all the original band members are dead/incarcerated/quit. haha.

The Ellen show we were on is scheduled to air Monday at 4 (Broward), on NBC. We were in the middle of the crowd that Lynard Skynard performed in front of. Luckily Jess wore a bright salmon shirt, and Eitan a blue hat, so look for us!

Better yet, we renewed our annual passes as Easter gifts to each other. Yay! Anyone up for a day trip - let us know!

Spring Break is here

Feel that twinge of warm in the air? That's right, spring is around the corner. More importantly, Spring Break is coming and Trapeze is celebrating. This month we are hosting the wildest masquerade this side of the Bayou. Both Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale will be transformed into the French Quarter. We ordered beads by the truckload, but ladies, we're making you work for them (flashes). We have some other crazy tricks up our sleeves you won't want to miss. Costumes are encouraged and the colors of the night are purple, green and gold. Or check out our Spring Break themed parties below.

Kick off with our monthly VIP Party on March 11. Sign up here for Atlanta or Fort Lauderdale. Make sure you list your city in the subject line.

Sat., March 12 Spend Saturday as a sexy scout honoring Girl Scout Day. You know, there may be some badges that you ladies didn't receive as a scout.

Sat., March 12 SDC encourages you to do it like the Romans did, orgy style. It's Animal House but sexier. Togas are encouraged.

Sun., March 13 Meet Little Allen on the beach for a day of sun-soaked fun. Then hit the showers for a trip to Trapeze.

Sun., March 13 Since it's still a bit cool out, let's heat up the night in the club. Have a splash in our pool or soak in the Jacuzzis. Bathing suits optional.

Wed., March 16 String is good, Brazilian is better. Dig your bathing suit out of hibernation in the closet. We want to see those pasty abs out for play. We promise burgers, dogs and all other manner of charred deliciousness. It's time to put something tasty in your mouth. Atlanta | Fort Lauderdale

Thurs., March 17 Is it luck that made St. Patrick's Day fall during Spring Break? We will serve up corned beef and cabbage and a lot of green sides. Make sure you wear the color of the Emerald Isle or you could be stuck with a lot of pinches throughout the evening. Atlanta | Fort Lauderdale

Sat., March 19 Whether you were the nerd or the jock, pep rallies were the bane of your existence in school. Now the a/v squad has the chance to bed the head cheerleader. Kasidie hosts Fort Lauderdale and Swinging Atlanta hosts Atlanta.

Wed., March 23 Show off your newly acquired tan lines in the most naked party around. And remember, flashing is encouraged.

There's nothing quite like it

There is nothing like the feeling of the newsroom when a big breaking story comes in. I was sitting in the normal quiet of the sun-sentinel newsroom, working very hard (filing my taxes), then, all it takes is one person fussing about something going down. Next thing I know we are all surfing channels, faxes, websites and sources to find out what went down. There is a buzz nothing like reporters, hungry for their whos, whats, whens and whys.

That's right, I watched the details of Anna Nicole Smith's collapse and subsequent death trickle in. What a fun Thursday. Uh oh, news conference is on from the hospital, gotta jet.

A Christmas Eve Blog

This morning anthony and I had this funny conversation before getting up. I thought it would be appreciated by anyone out to finish up for the holiday tomorrow.

me: I have to run to the store and pick up one more thing, plus grab the makings for dessert tonight.

Anthony: Whoa, you can't go out today.

me: I can, it will be fine. I just need to go to Publix.

Anthony: Do you know what it is today? It's Christmas Eve. You can't go out there. You might as well think of it as if zombies are attacking. Board up the windows, load the rifle and stay inside.

me: Seriously, it will be fine. I am just running across the street.

Anthony: Ok, but I'm sure it's the seventh circle of Hell out there.

For the record I got everything in one stop and was home in the house 20 minutes later. Both the parking and shopping gods smiled on me, and there were no zombies. Merry Christmas!

A real blog - for a change

Ok, avid readers, all two of you - a real blog for you. None of that survey or cute picture crap happening here.

I have BIG news on the work front. No, I was not promoted to ruler of the universe, or even of the organization for that matter. However, I did get approval to spearhead a new campaign (with another coworker who is quite smart at this stuff) aimed at the 20 something market.

I'm super excited, because if this campaign works out, it will help feed hungry people, re-forest areas in desperate need, and most importantly show that we 20 somethings are not heartless, and do care, we just do it in our own special way, validating what I have been saying all along.

The campaign is this: Trees for Haiti. It is solely going to be based in the social networking frontier, meaning, the constituents are you guys! We are offering fruit trees to be planted in Haiti. The benefits of the trees are two-fold. 1. Planting the trees in Haiti will help hold the rich topsoil in place, instead of washing it into the ocean with every rainstorm (fun fact: most of Haiti's soil that would have sustained plants is now in the ocean, past their coral reef, thanks to the hurricanes of last year). 2. The trees provide mangos and papayas to those starving in the poorest country of the western hemisphere.

Better yet - this idea has been picked up and included in the Billion Trees Campaign, through the United Nations, see it here. Our trees will be added to the goal of the United Nations to plant a billion trees in 2008.

The trees are affordable at $10 a piece. Skip one trip to Starbucks or Jamba Juice and the tree is paid for. Pioneering a new road, those who donate trees will be on our "green" list. This means you will not get any paper mailings asking for money. We are saving more trees by not sending you anything in the mail.

We are jumping on the bandwagon of the times and after a purchase you can put a really cool widget (like the Chevy tree on my page) on your page saying you have adopted one of our trees and/or download a certificate to display your commitment to helping green our planet and help the food crisis in the Caribbean.

Let me know what you guys think - and of course I'll be posting links shortly with it. My department is looking to launch this campaign June 1 under the name Trees for Haiti. You can see new information on the organization (or join as a friend) at myspace.com/food_for_the_poor. Wish me luck!