Ok, lets start a new contest for the 5,000th comment on Friday Puppy.
I think I’m gonna up the ante a little bit. When I was blogging (I hate that verb) for the Times Union, I had a party at my house for 10 people (and their guests) who were the 4,991-5,000th comments. It was fun. I’ll tell you though, I didn’t expect blog readers to be such booze hounds, and as a result, I embarrassingly ran out of champagne, kicked a keg of High Life and about 5 bottles of vodka. One of the readers actually got so drunk she fell over into my garbage cans. Truth.
So this is the prize for the reader who leaves the 5,000th comment on FridayPuppy.com (with my projections, should be some time around the end of winter)…. you will win a trip to sunny Panama City, Panama. (yes, the country). I’ll pay for the flight and pay for the accomodations for 3 nights. I won’t be going with you, however. You can obviously bring a friend to go with you, but that’s on your dime. You’re probably reading this and thinking, “what the…“, so let me explain:
About 4 years ago, I got it in my head that I should switch the money I had in mutual funds, and buy a property in Panama. I’ve never been there, but Panama is always at the top of the list of countries that foreign investment magazines and websites suggest investing in. And then, the accountant I had been using for Bombers ended up selling her beautiful house in Albany and moved to Panama. I was like, “what the…”. Since then, she has been living there in the most amazing house on the country side with ocean views and tropical plants and wildlife all around her. She has a kiwi tree. She absolutely loves living there. And after talking further to her about Panama, I decided it sounded like a good idea. Admittedly, I wasn’t planning on moving there or even visiting there often, so I bought a pre-construction condo in the high end shopping district of Panama City (Punta Pacifica), and was planning on selling it after it was built. Flip that house. You know, like they do on TV. Sounds simple, right?
What I didn’t count on was the market crashing. I tried to sell it, and no one bought it. The realtor I was using in Panama was like, “ay papi, it’s not a good time to sell su casa.” So…. I have a condo in Panama City, Panama that just sits there. Obviously, I’m not flying to Panama, that’s crazy talk. So if nothing else, I think of it as an investment property which will hopefully become a good return on my investment (please God please God please God).
But anyway, Panama is supposed to be absolutely beeeeautiful, and it’s lately developed a great reputation for being a really fun, modern city to vacation in.
So there you have it. In summary, if you are the 5,000th comment, you will win a flight to Panama City, will get to stay in my condo (yes it’s furnished), and you will come back and give Friday Puppy a full report on what Panama City is like. It’s like you’ll be the travel correspondent for Friday Puppy. And plus, it will be cool for me to hear what fun there is to be had in Panama. I wish I could give you suggestions on what to do, but like i said, I’ve never been there.
(*Here’s the disclaimer. I need to give the thumbs up on you as a person, if you’re the 5,000th commenter. If I meet you, and you turn out to be a freak show, it’s off. And then the trip will go to the 5,000 and 1st person. Kapeesh? I mean cmon, I can’t have you falling over into the garbage cans of my new Panamanian neighbors.)
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I’m not sure if I missed it but will you be posting any pics from the party at your place?
That sounds so good right about now :)
This is a great idea! Now I’m going to have to stop lurking and comment every day!
Do you need a passport to Panama? What about shots, and special shots needed?
Sounds awesome… (must figure out how to mass post this message a few thousand more times)
Sweet. I will be commenting as much as possible!
Wow Matt, that’s really generous! It all sounds fantastic.
oh,no…have I become a blogging,booze hound? Well,before you all ask,no it wasn’t me who went dumpster diving,lol
You should post some pics (if there were any) from the 5000th comment party…I wanna see the reader who fell into the garbage cans….hahaha
<–5,000th end game
matt you really can throw a party.
I am getting my passport ready for this one!
With contest like this this blog, and Bombers just became my #1 on my to do list (the blog is already however part of my daily routine, and Bombers is my wing destination on Monday night), but still.
If you are trying to buy our love – its totally working!
Wow…Matt you are truly a generous person!!!!!!!!
I was surprised that Steve didn’t post anything or there are no pictures, etc. What’s up with that? Would love to hear what your Mom had to say also!
I just find it so darn funny that you own a place in Panama and never once have been there. Haven’t you made it to London recently and even Hawaii?? This is way less time in the air. That sounds like a great contest though. I’d love to go!
Damn, I missed the garbage can incident. Guess we left too early.
Whoa…what an amazing gift! Out of control, crazy awesome gift.
Yea Erika, I must have missed that too! Wasn’t me, I swear :P
Yea, I hope there wasn’t and lasting effects from the trash-can trip, Girl you know who you are. It was a good time, and thanks again Matt for the fun. Matt, no comments from Mom and R. ?
“Panama!” – David Lee Roth
You have to be the craziest SOB out there…. and that is the exact reason I read your blog. Here’s to wishing for good luck….(btw Matt, you are the sh*t)
booze hounds HaHaHaHa…
Your prize is a big as your………Burritos…..(which I had the other day and could only eat half) but anyway the kid in me and my kids do this as well, feel when you have something, you have to be the first to try it. You are too kind. Or mabey too smart are you setting the winner up to see if it’s safe first? Just kidding
Wow, I’m glad I made the first party! I will already be in tropical paradise for winter! But, that’s very unique & different..Good Luck 2 everyone! :)
Oh please tell me you have photos and will post them on the blog?? This Monday has started off hellish and I need something to make me laugh today even if it’s at someone else’s expense. Yeah, apparently I am a b*&^h like that.
This is insane! Any age restrictions? Reading/commenting on your blog just moved up in my daily routine, wayyyy up!
I can’t believe you had a party for people that posted on your blog. Thats a riot and totally random. Some serious maddness could have happened, more then just the garbage can.
Wow, what an idea!!!! Ill be commenting as often as possible :)
i am going to start commenting more. i still can’t believe that you’ve never been, you’re ridiculous. if i don’t win i may just take a trip down there and ask to use your place anyway.
@ Smythe,
i had my friends and my italian mother (who used to beat us with a wooden spoon) on site in case anything crazy went down. It actually was a ton of fun, and with the exception of some balancing logistics, everything went smoothly.
Now the Panama song has been stuck in my head for 39 minutes….the people that sit near me thank you!
That’s a lot of booze for 20 people! We still haven’t gotten an answer, where are the pictures? What was the primary mixed drink? How about appetizers, did Mom make everything?
@ Bar…
I have photos, I just wasn’t going to put them up because I feel weird about posting photos of people who didn’t ask to be put up on the internet. But I ordered a bunch of food from Utica, and my mom brought it with her when she came.
I can attest that it was a great party – great food, drink and excellent company, including some really cute puppies! In defense of my fellow blog readers, there were way more than 10 people there drinking up all that booze. And, no, it wasn’t me falling into Matt’s garbage cans.
P.S. Hi, DMF!
You truly are a crazy motherfucker.
Can’t wait for you latest blogging venture (something about singles).
I think you should do a post for each day of the week.
Mangy Mondays — post a picture of one of Albany’s many homeless, solicit donations throughout the week, food, clothing, money etc. Then give it to the person.
Tipsy Tuesdays — Videotape the drunkest undergrad at Bombers’ that night and post it the following morning, hilarity will ensue.
That’s all I got for now, but I really see this going places.
Your blog is incredibly random…..but in a super refreshing and fabulous way. It makes me :)
And for the record…so would Panama!
Matt, with this prize I dont think you’ll have a problem hitting 5000 comments before black friday… Isn’t it still cheaper to feed the booze hounds?
Matt – the “5000th” party was an absolute blast. I’m sorry that someone whose name starts with “C” and ends in “olleen” fell in your trash cans (must have been after I left)
The food was amazing (I couldn’t get enough of the Utica Greens), the soundtrack for the evening was perfect, and we were all in great company.
I, obviously can’t speak for everyone, but, I’d say that if you wanted to post the pictures from that night, then by all means, post them!
_the other matt
I agree w Tammy,great party and many thanks.Hi DMF,lolololol
This sounds so awesome! I am commenting everyday from here on out..! :)
Did I miss the party pictures? I was so bummed I didn’t make the cut! Booo. Panama sounds amazing. I want in!!!!
@ Tammy and @ Edna… Hi… and you think I should use the DMF then??!! The party was a successful Blast… Thank you again Matt….
@_the other matt… was it really?? I was out side quite a bit and I didn’t see anyone fall.. … into the garbage + I left promptly at 10…..
Matt—as it wasn’t me or Julie falling into your garbage cans, I second.. third??the vote…go ahead and post the pics…the party was great… Mom, Mom’s friend, Melanie, King Solomon et.al….thnx again….btw will there be any Miller High Life in your Panama fridge??
Wow! You are a generous man!…OR just smart…OR both! I’ll go with both! Anyway, sorry for being such a booze hound! I know I went through a decent amount of that vodka! At one point, I was determined to use your urinal…but since I am female, I couldn’t muster that much coordination! I was wasted when I left but I don’t think I was the one to fall into your garbages. It was a tough nite to remember…I left your party and went on to drink @ Andy’s! It was a great party…Thanks again for being a great host! Oh, and sorry for overstaying a bit…I looked at my watch and it was like 10:40!
ha! “balancing logistics” I’m so stealing that…btw and don’t take this the wrong way…I stopped into the Schenectady Bombers the other night, cool but it seemed very…well, clean and well lit. not that there’s anything wrong with that…
I just got so excited. I will be commenting like crazy now
@_the other matt, you are SO getting a public spanking!!! Oh wait that’s what you want…..so never mind, I’m not touching you again!
Hell yeah! What an awesome contest. Thanks for offering it. Bully and I will be commenting in hopes of winning a half-price honeymoon!
Hard to refrain from jumping into make a comment….how can anyone resist with that prize??
According to #39 “the other matt” it appears I share the same first name as the the person in question – and folks have asked me if I was the guilty party….but can’t take the credit. Though, I’ve fallen down on the way home more than I’d like to admit…
Have been to Panama in the 80’s …before it was a vacation mecca. Would love to see it again! Best of luck to everyone and thanx Matt!
Freakin awesome!!! You are the nicest person EVER!!!
I hope someone local wins, and not some random jackass who enters every internet contest they can find.
Now will you please write a controversial post so we can all argue about it?
Panama is an amazing, culturally rich country. Such a cool prize! My Spanish translation services are available for the winner (the more cocktails, the higher the fluency). The winner should also do some sort of photo documentation of all the Panamanian puppies – to give props to “Friday Puppy.”
[...] do you win? You have to be the 5,000th commenter on his blog. And then, if you are said commenter, you need to get the sign off from Matt. The winner will be [...]
Do we have any idea what number you’re on now? Just a clue? And yes, as Kerosena said, a controversial topic would be great for these dull, rainy days.
that sounds amazing!!! :)
Im graduating in December..Im going to attempt to get the 5,000 commet, as it would be a nice end to college.
this is soooooo exciting! What an amazing opportunity :)
I would LOVE to go to South America!!!! That’s amazing to me that you would do this!
Matt great idea! I’ve been reading your blog since you started it but haven’t commented but I’ll be joining in the commenting fun now for sure! You are so generous, thank you!
Wow I’ll need to get myself a passport and tix for the kiddos.
Please cut and paste this comment to number 5,000 when applicable.
thanks.
Scott
Pretty sure the comments will hover at 4,998 for awhile until some sucker lays down the penultimate comment.
Awesome Matt! I hope I win because I love to travel and have not yet been to Central America yet. I hear it is absolutely beautiful down there.
Good luck on the new website. I’m sure you’ll have your 5,000th blogger in no time.
Around the end of winter, eh? ;-)
Wow, that sounds amazing!!
Very cool! You’re awesome Matt.
State gives grant to Brookly BreweryOctober 27, 2009 at 3:00 pm by Steve Barnes, senior writer
From the New York Post:
The state government last week awarded $800,000 to the Brooklyn Brewery to jump-start their $6.5 million expansion in Williamsburg.
The company, along with its signature Brooklyn brands of ale, lager and beer, is converting 13,500 square feet of vacant distribution space into a beer fermentation facility, and increasing brewing capacity from 8,000 to 50,000 barrels per year.
The company will also use the funds to add 15 full-time jobs and expanding its green technology and initiatives.
On Steve Barne’s blog, this should make you happy Mat te……… LOL
Area resident launching his own brand of vodkaOctober 27, 2009 at 2:52 pm by Steve Barnes, senior writer
Alexander Bratslavsky, a Ukranian immigrant who has lived locally for almost 20 years, much of it in the wine and liquor business, will next week introduce his own brand of vodka, called Pristine.
Manufactured for Bratslavsky in Ukraine, the wheat-based vodka — made with water from the Carpathian Mountains, distilled five times and charcoal-filtered five times — will gradually roll out in liquor stores throughout the area. It will be available at Delaware Plaza Wine & Liquor in Delmar starting next Tuesday (11/3); the shop will be hosting a tasting from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, with Bratslavsky on hand.
Bratslavsky refused to compare Pristine to other vodkas by name, deeming it ungentlemanly to speak ill of a competitor. He described his new product as a “really smooth, top-shelf” vodka.
Pristine retails for about $25 for a 750ml bottle.
Bratslavsky also owns a wine and spirits business called Tovtry Importing
You are one crazy bastard! But what fun! My only complaint would be the tease of being able to bring somebody but having to foot the bill. Any good contest gives you a plus-one.
BTW, did we ever see any pictures from the other 5k party?
Please pick me. Please. Just had a baby in May, would love to get away.
i work for you so….. you should definitely send me along with whomever wins
@ Ryan….
you work WITH me.
that sounds good too. together we’re building a better burrito…bar
Oh my god, now I have to start reading you much more often. Mostly because I am a cheap bastard and the betrothed and I (yes, we’re pissed you can’t get married, too) don’t want to shell out a mint for a honeymoon.
awesome giveaway – truly!
good work! glad the followers have followed :)
#21.. Totally made me laugh out loud… and still chuckling….
(@ Ryan….
you work WITH me.) and still laughing….
Panama sounds like a great place to spend the almost winter. I wonder how many tourists from panama the capital region has in the winter – march. Gray does sell well on pamphlets, i bet.
I love comment #21 Matt ~ it’s a work ethic. Lead by example and never ask anyone to do what you wouldn’t do yourself, love it!
I think this is a great idea but how can you determing the “real” 5000th comment if you have people commenting in so many different conversations on here? Or is it just on this conversation?
@ Sarah,
it’s the combination of all the comments for all the posts.
Does furnished mean “stocked bar and food” =)
Hey Matt – out of curiosity…do you ‘rent’ out your property in Panama? I was just in Costa Rica in June and I absolutely LOVE Latin America, but always want to try somewhere new.
Let me know – and btw….LOVE your blog!!! My friend in Florida reads you all the time!
Dani B
@ Dani B, I currently do not rent it out. But I probably consider renting it for a short time basis.
hey matt do I need to live in Albany or the surrounding area. I was at your bar over the summer and had a greeat time.
John B
Dani, good question. I was going to ask the same thing.
Matt, congrats on your places on the 2009 Fever Awards, that’s awesome. I hear that they are closing the Friendly’s in Delmar, and the old CVS is just sitting there, you should buy one of those and do another restaurant, Delmar could use some more competition.
oh what the hey…here’s to being #5000 AND not a freakshow!
Maybe you could give people an idea of just how close it is to being the 5,000th comment. And really did we have to bring the garbage cans up, again. I told you all, I was recovering from knee surgery and disabled, and I PROMISE not to do it again; OK, do you all love me again or what????
I’m with Dani – start renting for those of us who don’t get to be #5000!!!
Ahhhhh, a beautiful beach vacation! Keep up the great blogging Matt!!!
Can you please buy a place in Amsterdam (Holland) and have this contest?!?
I wanna win soo bad. I am recent college grad…who is 50 grand in debt….and never gets to go anywhere!
are we getting close? is that why you reposted this??????
i would love a vacation
I would love to give this vacation to a family member!
Already have my passport and can get packed in no time at all!!!
What a great incentive and nice vacation get away. Plus the addition of “If I meet you, and you turn out to be a freak show, it’s off.” is amazing to say the least. If someone is a freakshow that you meet, we better hear about it!
does this deal come with a passport?
Are we getting closer? =)
I could use a vacation. Any guestimates on roughly when we’ll be getting there?
My guess is around the middle of February 2010; just when the snow fall is at it’s peak.
wow thats exciting!
I’m diggin the house in Amsterdam idea….you know, if Panama doesn’t workout!
are you doing the 5000th commenter on the entire site?
Update: by my rough calculations, a calculator, an abacus, all ten fingers and nine of my toes (my little on the right doesn’t like work and is on strike), we have approximately 630 comments to go for the 5,000th comment. So if we all just comment 2 times daily; by the end to middle of February we should have a winner…..ok, GO…GO!
You guys were busy while I was at the movies..600 to go.
I’ll throw my hat in the ring
I’m no mathematician- hell I can’t even spell it, but I do know that I would LOVE to pass out in the closet at Matt’s place in Panama!! Heck, the big guy and I are looking to get preggers so one last booze fest would be really great…
hella sweet
Hey Jill, that’s Matt’s bed! Though he will never see it…
t’would be awesome to win!
What a great prize – that gorgeous beach is calling me….
matt, silly man, just leave your garbage cans in the closet and you’ve no worries about alerting your foreign neighbors!!
Am I having De Ja Vu?
Hmmm a nice warm trip sounds good after all this damn cold
Panama. JC. Me.
This sounds awesome right about now! This cold, grey weather is really getting to me!!
@#13, M to the S: yes, why yes you are……I brought it back. Some people bring sexy back, I bring the ol’ 5000th comment post back…
@#12, kimberlychica: now you’re thinkin’; I like that, kill two falls with one trip!
you are one crazy som o’a b!tch.
but i’ll take the trip
Sounds Great- hope I win!!
Don’t discount Panama yet…HGTV did a feature on a couple who are planning to retire there!
Matt is this the same Panama contest you did earlier? If not, did you find a winner for the last one…can you update us? @13…yes I am having De Ja Vu too!
I could soo use a vacation right now!!
Awesome!
i need a vacation. can i rush order a passport?
Wooohooo!!
I could use some sun..albany depressing lately
We must be getting closer!!!! Would love something WARM!
Maybe Erica shoud win. As long as she agrees to the intervention and rehab stint everyone over at Table Hoping is calling for (paid for by Matt, of course, after he gets shut down by the SLA).
I may not be falling into garbage cans but I’ll keep up your tradition of having a love affair with vodka down in Panama if I win.
I think I’ve seen this offer before?????
i so want to win this trip.
Would LOVE to go!!!
So, is this just a reminder to us all that this is happening? Or did you not get enough random comments during the Days of Christmas giveaways? :-P
Any hints on how close we’re getting?
To readers,
yes, this is the same contest. I reposted it just to refresh everyone’s memory about the 5,000th comment (which is coming up sooner than I thought).
Matt B.
This would be an amazing trip – Panama is a place I’ve always wanted to go and I promise I am not a freak show!
I need to win this trip!
A Man a Plan a Canal…Panama
OK So i didnt get any of the 12 days of christmas gifts(though i was close a few times) Send my ass to sunny Panama!
would absolutely LOVE to pass this on to my son and (almost) daughter-in-law. they deserve a fews days away, soooooooooooo, i hope it’s me!!!
I would love to win and give to my neice who’s dad is originally from Panama and was adopted by a couple in the US….she has always wanted to go there after hearing all the stories he told of growing up there…she’s getting married in the fall…what a cool honeymoon for her
Coming up sooner than you thought, eh? Like, might get to do it before the snow melts? Cuz that would be ideal. I have no interest in going to Panama in July (hell, I can barely take it HERE in July), but Panama in April? Sign me up!
Cool beans…I’m in.
I think this would help fulfill my new years resolution of ‘going somewhere more exotic’
I want to go to Panama!!!!!
I so want to win this one!!!!
Almost to 5000 already? Is it me??
540 or so to go….doing good.
Matt what do you mean faster than you thought? You got some championship commenters on this here site, I never doubted February was the time frame.
So I’m thinking I need to win this.
Am I there yet?
I know this isn’t the place for it, but am very happy to report that Luna has been found. Was first reported at 1:33 today. Awesome.
(Van Halen guitar) Panama!
I’m in it to win it!
http://www.10best.com/Panama_City,Panama/Nightlife/
Does your realtor send you pictures of what you think you own? Matt, are you going to pay for a hotel if your condo turns out to be something completely different? What does condo mean in panamanian? This could be a greater adventure than some may count on. I’m in.. but others should think twice before commenting. Just saying..
Ahhhh, a vacay on a beach sounds great right about now!!
so matt, i’m hella bored – any chance of you posting some closet video for our viewing pleasure….
… im going to use this opportunity to ask if anyone has 2 extras to the lady gaga run in nyc next week – just need one night, 2 tix…. sold out…. would love on the opportunity to go
i can’t believe it….what a nice guy…dare I say philanthropist
I sure could use a vacation, or even an evening out :)
Really want the trip!
Pick me! I’m planning a trip to Panama City in March, well kind of – I’m visiting my boyfriend’s Mom who just moved to Taboga, a small, teeny-tiny island off of Panama.
Please pick me!
there was an answer on jeopardy last night about Panama
i just wish i could remember
God i hate getting old…please send me away before i die
For those following along with this game of how TOC calculates how many posts do we have; let me make you wait no longer. According to the Worry Beads, Puca Shells and the several Rosary Beads collected along the way (sorry Father O’Brien), I have determined that we have approximately 340 comments to go before reaching 5,000.
Topic: Jay -vs- Conan – discuss
at one time (grade school) i knew all the countries and capitials in central and south america. sorry to say no more. please re-educate … send me to Panama!
thank you
Hey Folks
I am going to Mt Pinos Ski .
Anyone been there last week?
the midwest has some places that ,
really enjoyed, like Snow Creek Ski and West Virginia Snow Ski
Peace on Earth
you always know your neighbor, you always know your pal. if you ever navigated on the erie …..What …. wait … never mind
TOC here, and I have elicited a little help from my ancients…according to Pythagoras of Samos, Thales of Miletus and a shout out from Archimedes of Syracuse – no not the Western New York one, the older one…….and a chime in from that crazy group with the marks on the stick from the Shang Dynasty; they have determined that we have approximately 220 posts to go before someone wins (wins?) that trip to Panama……go git to typin’ folks!
do we still own Panama, i know we said we gave it back, but really
do i need a passport or is my nys drivers licence enough… i can get a note from mom if needed
BADGES!
do we need badges?
i don’t have no stinkin’ badges
OK, it is warm there—right
and there is no snow there?
alright then i would like to win please!
for real, did i win yet??
OK, I starting packing for the trip.
Do i need to wear one of those Panama Hats, anyone want to trade
i have some old Yankee caps
TOC here, and for the last time calculating the number of posts to go before Matt (who has the ONLY real number) chooses the winner of the Panama trip. We know it won’t be me….and since this is the last time as TOC the calculator of all time; let me tell you I moved heaven and earth to get as close to the number of comments made by us…so without further ado: According to the Patron Saint of Mathematics AND Mad Dogs (insert irony joke here) St. Hubert of Liege and the Patron Saint of Accountants, Bankers and Bookeepers….wait for it; St. Matthew, oh yes go ahead look it up…we have approximately 135 posts left to go…….and my early guess made in December of early to middle February looks like a heck of a guess…do I win a prize for that Matt?
So now that you’ve all been told how I do this counting stuff; go out and try it yourselves……and post here……Kim S I’m looking at you!
so what is the average temperature
how much rain
what’s to eat
. . . could really use a few days away – from the snow . . . . please please please
Matt,
Are you making headlines again in the TU?
“Man charged again with attempted Xanax heist in Saratoga Springs”
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=891058#ixzz0dBRPVEC5
I do not like Van Halen or David Lee Roth. That said I am still willing to go to Panama. Thank You
have i won YET????
so hey how is the 5,000 thing going my bags are packed just give me a call
hey how is this contest coming along
are we anyahere close to the 5000th
should i start packing
HEY how goes the countdown, I’m just tired of the winter, I want to get away
bags are packed
hey its me, just checking to see
nothing to see here
i’ll just move on
thx
I’m just guessing here, but I think Mike wants to go to Panama.
Damm, just sitting here freezing my #ss off. Send me south OH panama
Sunday, cold, bored, sent me to Panama
Thank You
I would like to apply for the full time position of travel correspondent for Friday Puppy. Sounds like a perfect job for me! Congrats on Bombers reopening… looking forward to all you can eat wings.