MindThatMoves

Blog, Blog, Blog…

Blog: Just-Spotted.com

Blogger: Kelly

Hometown: I'm a California girl. Originally from Ventura County, but Orange County has been my home for nearly ten years.

Favorite Happy Hour: Honestly, the strongest thing you'll catch me drinking is a Cherry Coke. So for me, Happy Hour is all about the food - Yardhouse, Kimera, McCormick & Schmick's, Haven Gastropub all have amazing food. You can't go wrong with any of these choices!br /> Best Bar to take an out-of-towner to: Orange County is quickly becoming food truck country and I'm a huge fan. So I'm always quick to suggest one of the local food truck meetups. OC DinDin-A-GoGo is probably my favorite. It happens every Wednesday night and generally features two to five different trucks (but often times more). We love bringing our lawn chairs, picnic tables and making an "evening" of it. With multiple gourmet food trucks on site, you can be sure that there will be something for everyone to love.

Tell us about your blog.
Just Spotted is the premiere guide to living, visiting and dreaming about Orange County. Written as a family and kid-oriented approach to Orange County, Just Spotted is run by two real moms (Kelly & Coleen) living real lives, in the real OC. We seek adventure in the everyday, and Just Spotted is the place where we highlight those adventures. Just Spotted is a free public service and online resource offered to provide Orange County residents and visitors a wealth of knowledge with daily posts on things to do, where to go and places to eat and shop in Orange County. With thousands of daily page views, over six thousand Twitter followers and nearly 2,000 “likes” on Facebook, Just Spotted really and truly is Orange County’s hottest “spot” on the web.

Why’d you start your own blog?
I started Just Spotted without much thought. As a new-ish mom, having just left the "corporate" world, I was suddenly experiencing Orange County through new eyes. Already a blogger, sharing my adventures on an Orange County dedicated blog seemed only natural. I knew I wanted to create a place that Orange County families could use as a resource to explore the amazing-ness that ‘is’ Orange County.

What do you want to get out of your blog?
I love the satisfaction I get when I realize people are actually reading and using Just Spotted, in the exact way I envisioned it - it gives me butterflies. I am constantly amazed (and extremely grateful) for the opportunities Just Spotted has given me to help other local companies develop their own social media and local marketing strategies.

‘12 for Tuesday’ or today is Wednesday. What’s 12 Things Every Person in Orange County should do or visit?
As you’ve probably already guessed, I {heart} OC in a big, pink, puffy heart kinda way. We literally have it all - restaurants, attractions (um, hello? Disneyland), beaches, museums, shopping galore. But, there's so much more to Orange County. Here's my list of 12 Orange County Hidden Gems, that you probably didn't even know existed.

1. Angel Stadium Tour
2. Centennial Farms
3. Environmental Nature Center
4. Great Park Balloon
5. John Wayne Airport Tour
6. Laguna Koi Ponds & the Pacific Marine Mammal Center
7. Lyon Air Museum
8. Marconi Automotive Museum
9. Metrolink Train trip to Zoomars
10. Mission San Juan Capistrano
11. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
12. Tessmann Planetarium

Best thing about living in Orange County?
I love being 15 minutes from everything - the beach, Disneyland, fantastic shopping and so much more!

New Year’s Resolution?
To spend even more time exploring Orange County with my kids.

Blog: TheDirty.com

Blogger: Nik Richie

Hometown: I grew up mainly in Mission Viejo, but currently back and forth between Newport Beach and Coto de Caza.

Favorite Happy Hour: I’m really into Fred’s in Huntington Beach, it’s my little hideout and I love Mutt Lynch’s too.

Favorite hang out: Mutt Lynch’s is my spot; I like the little hole-in-the-walls. I’m not really a big Sharkeez guy, it’s too ‘909’ for me.

What’s something only a local would know about Orange County?
First of all, the OC is the best place to live in the world. But, there’s a place I like going to called Bootleggers down in Crystal Cove, it’s a nice little hip spot. If you’re taking out a “Dreamkiller” or some girl that’s trying to crush you, that’s my little hideaway.

Who is Nik Richie?
Nik Richie is a God. A God amongst Men. I created a website called TheDirty.com and it’s crushing the internet right now. I’m “The First Ever Reality Blogger” and I just tell it how it is.

What’s a typical day like for you?
I wake up usually at 5:30 in the morning, make coffee and start working on east coast posts. I put about 150 to 200 posts a day across the world and usually go all the way through ‘til 8 o’clock. Then I go out and drink a little bit and get my swagger on; I party every Thursday, Friday, Saturday night.

What made you want to start the site?
I was actually at RA Sushi having lunch by myself and I was eavesdropping a couple chicks talking about plastic surgery and how crazy Britney Spears was and another one was talking about who slept with who the night before and I thought “why is there nothing on the internet about real people?” TMZ is so popular and Perez but those are all celebrities, why not create one on real people and turn real people into celebrities. So, I ripped the whole reality TV thing and put it on the internet.

How many submissions do you get a day and how many of them actually get posted?
I get about 1,000 to 2,000 a day and only 25% make the website, I’m very picky. If something I think is too crazy and just doesn’t sound real or this girl has herpes or something that’s too far fetched. For me it’s all fun, I have a very sarcastic humor about myself and if I see an image that is eye popping I will post it on the main page and if not I’ll throw it in one of the area pages.

How many times have you been sued?
I’ve been sued quite a few times by a lot of celebrities and professional athletes, but I win every time fortunately. But, not as much as people think. If someone really doesn’t want it up there, I can take it down. If it’s too crazy and you’re going to lose your job or you’re a schoolteacher and you’re looking at little girls or whatever it is; I pick and choose my battles. The thing is that the internet is a ‘Wild Wild West’, there’s no government, there isn’t anyone telling you what you can and can’t do. Fortunately in the United States, it’s the first amendment and it’s so powerful and what I’m doing is new wave media, it’s never been done before and we’re just capitalizing on that market.

How often do you get death threats?
I get more stalker stuff from girls that want to try and kill themselves or just want to be with me or they think they’re in love with me, that’s the extent of it, but I don’t get a lot of death threats.

What would you be doing if you didn’t have TheDirty.com?
After living this life, my goal after everything is said and done is to open up a little place called ‘Nik’s Hideout’ on some island somewhere and make it a bar with the best happy hour ever.

Blog: NoSexAndTheSuburbs.com

Blogger: Stacey Soleil

Hometown: Long Island, NY – probably where my attitude comes from.

Favorite Happy Hour: 3-Thirty-3
Best Bar to take an out-of-towner to: St. Regis at Dana Point

What is something only a local would know about San Diego?
Honestly, I think there are more cougar bars in Orange County than any other county in the world. Don't ask me how I know either.

Tell us about your blog.
My blog is basically a reflection of my personality, so I tend to write about whatever is going through my mind or whatever is happening in my world (regardless of how inappropriate that may or may not be at time). One thing I can say, regardless of what I am writing about, I prefer to blog with an authentic voice - so depending on my mood that tone can definitely vary. You've been forewarned.

Tell us about yourself.
Let's see, I like fine wine, long strolls on the beach and tiny puppies that get toted around in designer purses. Yea right, ‘f’ that stereotypical OC fluff, I'm a thirty-something hip and sassy Mom (with a capital 'M' because it's a very important title), who loves rock concerts, social media and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice with Grey Goose. How's that for a cookie cutter OC Mom?

Why’d you start your own blog?
Honestly? I was bored. No really, I was sitting on my couch, hating the freaking suburbs, frustrated with my current situation, and so I did what I always do to get through tough times - I resorted to humor. I didn't think anyone would actually read my blog, but I didn't even care, I just needed to write and laugh. So believe me, I was more surprised than anyone when my blog was awarded the best 2010 Humor Blog in Orange County by just-spotted.com. Ironic, don’t you think?

What do you want to get out of your blog?
Well, at first nothing, it was for me [laughs]. But now that I know people are actually interested in my blog and what I have to say, I suppose I should use it for the greater good of mankind? [Laughing] Who am I kidding? I just want to keep having fun, and hope that my readers will continue to laugh, and stay looped in to what is hip/happening (for people “our age”) around town. Heavens know we need to stay busy to actually survive in the sexless suburbs.

How often do you refrain from saying, “I probably shouldn’t put that in my blog or that’s too harsh for the blog?”
[Laughing] Every single day! But I usually post it anyways. Hey, I've got a reputation for being candid and for not filtering, so why start now, right?

Would you let your kids read your blog?
I was going to say no, but both my son and daughter (tween and teen) just informed me that they read it all the time and think it's hilarious. Look, I don't hide my humor - I am who I am, both at home and online. I am sure that won't win me any June Cleaver Awards, but it's cool, I don't leave anything to Beaver anyways.

You’re also a Social Media Queen - if you were limited to one social media outlet, which would you choose: Blog, Twitter, Facebook, or Foursquare?
Easy, Twitter. I tend to use it the most anyways. It's short, sweet (or in my case, not so sweet) and instantaneous. Perfect for our ADHD world. In fact, if you're on Twitter you should follow me and I'll follow you back (@StaceySoleil).

Where will social media be ten years from now?
All over the place! Even your OBGYN will be sending tweets about your tw*# in ten years! I can just see Planned Parenthood's Foursquare PSA campaign now, “Hey ladies, check in to our clinic while getting checked out. Show your check in to the receptionist for a free condom!”

Will Facebook and Twitter fall crumble like MySpace did?
Of course. It's the nature of the beast, something better will always come along. Social media is like dating after all.

New Year’s Resolution?
To get in the best shape of my life and then frequent nudist colonies.

Blog: EatInOC.com

Blogger: Daniel Schoonover

Hometown: Orange, CA

Favorite Happy Hour: Haven Gastropub in Orange, I could eat their Homemade Potato Chips every day. Not to mention I love their beer selection, even if they don’t have “happy hour” prices on them!
Best Bar or Restaurant to take an out-of-towner to: Mama D’s in Newport Beach. My wife and I accidentally found it years ago when the place we were going to dine was busy - their staff is the friendliest in all of Orange County and they make a killer Homemade Ravioli.

Tell us about your blog.
Eat in OC is first and foremost about my wife (the elusive Mrs. DanGarion) and I and our adventures in eating. I started out blogging about restaurant reviews and the occasional food news story. I’ve always been the sort of guy that loves to cook as well, so lately I’ve also been blogging about my cooking challenges and posting recipe success and failures.

Tell us about yourself.
Born and raised in Orange County I work for a local cable company as an instructor. I’m married to a beautiful girl that is also a lifelong OC resident. We spend our free time shopping at Target and working on home improvement projects on our house while taking care of our two cats and one dog.

Why’d you start your own blog?
I’ve done a lot of technical writing for my day job throughout the years and was looking for way to improve my creative writing. We also had a really bad experience at a Mexican restaurant that will not be named on Main Street in Huntington Beach, that I needed to vent about so I wrote a review on Yahoo years ago about it, after I had a number of reviews I moved on to Yelp, and then realized I might as well just make my own blog instead.

What do you want to get out of your blog?
Honestly I don’t really expect much out of it, it’s already become much more than I ever expected. I’ve made some wonderful lifelong friends through my blogging experiences. I think with this interview I may have hit my peak!

If you had one day left in Orange County where would you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and what would you order?
I’d start the day with Eggs Florentine at the Filling Station in Orange near Orange Plaza (The Circle). Next stop would be Break of Dawn in Irvine to try one of Dee Nguyen’s amazing creations, I don’t even care which one it is. Then it’s off to dinner at the previously mentioned Mama D’s in Newport Beach, Bowtie Pasta and Chicken with Mama D’s Original Pink Sauce. To top it all off I’d have a Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cone at Han’s Homemade Ice Cream in Santa Ana.

What’s the #1 food item in Orange County?
Have you ever had that homemade hot sauce at Break of Dawn in Irvine (Vietnamese Dragon Chili)? You could put it on just about anything and make it great, but what it really goes great with is their Skillet, the best breakfast item I’ve had in OC.

Best new restaurants?
Looking back at my reviews for the year, I didn’t do many reviews of new restaurants in Orange County in 2010. There was Bruxie (the new waffle sandwich place in Orange) and Five Guys in Orange, which isn’t anything new, even though it is great. I’m also really impressed with the guys from Dos Chinos, the gourmet food truck that frequents Santa Ana, it’s great late night food, and they are just so nice! Lastly, the previously mentioned Break of Dawn.

How do you typically choose a restaurant: price, location, atmosphere, or cuisine?
I’m a creature of habit, if I like the taste of it, none of the rest really matter. I’ll drive for good food, and I’ll even put up with an obnoxious atmosphere every once in awhile to get something I really like. But if it is something new, it’s typically cuisine that brings us there.

New Year’s Resolution?
I don’t really make resolutions, why make a resolution if it’s probably just going to be broken.

MORE MIND THAT MOVES INTERVIEWS:

//John Shahidi, CEO of Rock Software