Month: April 2016
Walking In Vegas ( more thoughts and pics in the random series )
One of the best ways to learn and see what is place is like is to just wander. Whether I’m traveling to train/teach a seminar( or when I was fighting) or being paid travel and write/promote it’s something I always do. I never though I’d get paid to write about trips or get my picture taken. I’m still rough in doing so but folks seem to like it.
Because I take so many random pictures when I’m walking around to get the vibe, I started doing posts with them. You’ll see some earlier ones if you scroll through the archives. This one is Vegas ( I’ll likely do 50 on it because I have soooo many and am there often!) And has things from random street to Caesar’s and Miracle Mile. You’ll also see around The Mirage and Treasure Island plus a bit more. Just walking around the outside areas in Caesar’s complex could be multiple articles. Stunning and well kept as are most of the places. Take a look. After the pics we will discuss why you want to shoot like this as a travel blogger and I’ll pitch you using me to Promote you! Hey, gotta pay for my drinks right?
There are tons of slick, network style travel producers out there. People who really want to see what a place is like and get help deciding go to blogs. Try these kinds of pictures and see the response. It helps your reader !
If you want your product repped in our travels or to have us do our famous and fun promo for your hotel/restaurant/casino then email tompkinscontent@gmail.com today. Using our lifestyle experience of travel from fighting and seminars plus twenty years on Wall Street to Promote you. We get you noticed and talked about in a good way. We build relationships not just hype and hit.
Follow @combatsportlife and @tompkinscontent on twitter
Check out today’s link
https://m.facebook.com/westbrookstable/
Quick Review of A Great Meal @ The Bread Company In Urbana ( lots of pics)
Let me start with a couple of short statements. I’ve been going to this place with my wife since she was my girlfriend ( A loooong dang time! ). We don’t get there as much because of my travel schedule but this meal reminded me I need to change that! Awesome!! Second, at some point I’ll do a full review and the inside pics. We ate al fresco and it’s true Street side cafe experience. Love it, but the inside is so very cool that I feel almost criminal not showing you. I’ll have to make that happen. So now on to the thoughts on food and the pictures!
The place is known for its bread obviously, and rightfully so. If you love the classic euro/Swiss feel and food this place is truly a destination for you. They are also known for fondue and it is wonderful. This time we changed gears and tried things there we had not before. As is normal for us, we just kind of ordered several things and ate whatever. And fed each other lol. Almost 50 and together for over three decades and still like young daters lol.
Besides all the bread they brought us first, we had the crab cakes ( my wife’s true love! ). Served on a bed of greens they were outstanding. Obvious use of proper breading made in house. We also ordered a pizza margherita. Let met say I am not a crispy crust guy. This was great. It had that just scorched edge to it. We both loved it.
We also had the fried goat cheese. Again an obvious perfect use of bread crumbs that just happened to be available in a place famous for bread. Perfectly crisp with creamy melting goat cheese inside. Served with a plated bed of honey and strawberry. Simple yet perfect.
Beverages you say??!! Why yes we might have. They carry a few JT Walkers beers and that makes me happy. JT’s is literally walking distance ( done it!! ) from my house. Maybe a mile. I love the Hail To The Chief IPA. It’s one of my go to beers when I’m around here. So of course that’s what I had. Fabulous as usual. My wife had the sangria. She is a sangria snob. Orders it often. Rarely impressed lol. She liked this one!! I have to guess that’s a good sign. Take a look at my usual random picture set and we will talk location ( and advertising/sponsorship). Take a look at things we love as well Things we love
The restaurant is located in what we use to call the Tbird plaza. Why, because it used to house the third movie theater and tbird pizza. The theater is now the famous canopy club! This is all on the UIUC campus on the Urbana side. Right near Krannert Center. I know we are rural farm folk ( which I love ) but I’ve traveled the globe for fighting and marketing work. This area is truly world class. Take a trip and enjoy it. If you’re from the Chambana area and haven’t been here, I’ll be coming for you!! Seriously though go enjoy this place and this area.
If you want us to come eat,drink and review your place then contact us today. Beyond that if you want great promo/pics and chatter about yourself, hit us up. From social ads to full campaign work. Plus you can get a globe hopping beat up retired fighter as your spokesperson!!!! I might limp but I photograph well! Seriously, work with us. Worried about money? We can work something out. Email tompkinscontent@gmail.com today. Also follow @combatsportlife and @tompkinscontent on Twitter
Check today’s links and sponsors.
http://www.thebreadcompanyurbana.com/
A Quick Review Of Island Wing Co In Destin Florida
I usually stick to local dives and hang outs when on a beach vacation, but sometimes something catches my attention. I love wings! My daughter loves wings even more than I do. Driving along 98 in Destin headed to another area, she spotted Island Wing in a strip mall type area. Not always a bad thing but on beach vacation not always my usual haunt at the beach. It’s a chain but only a few of them and all at Beach locations.
First and possibly most importantly, they have a huge and varied draft beer list. For me this is vital. I know nobody but me cares but it is a sign of a great place! Second, it’s got a very cool island vibe to it for a place in a strip mall and its very clean.
The menu is solid leaning obviously toward wings but also chicken sandwiches and burgers. Great sauces and condiments as well as sides. I was in the mood for a sandwich instead of wings so I had the one in the picture. Very good and just spicy enough without being crazy for a normal dinner. I’ll let you look at the menu from the link to see the sauces and make your own decisions after the picture set. I had the sweet çaribbean chicken with an add of jerk sauce. My wife had the honey bourbon wing and my daughter had the Thai chili wings. Great stuff on each. A good amount and very good quality. The price was good as well for a vacation destination in a nice building.
The service was very good with an attentive young man taking care of us. The added sauce on my sandwich made the right combination of sweet and hot paired with a nice Kona Brewing draught. Can’t beat that. Take a look at the crestvof the pics and then hit the link after the jump.
Twitter
f you’re in Destin Florida or in Gulf shores check this place out but was right up my alley in food and environment. Plus Draught Beer!!!! Tell the we sent you! Check out the link and if you want to be featured here contact us at tompkinscontent@gmail.com . Also follow @combatsportlife & @tompkinscontent on Twitter
http://www.islandwing.com/
Pick Yourself Up Off The Ring Floor and Finish ( in fighting/life/business)
As a fighter we would talk about beating the count or riding the clock out of trouble. It happens no matter how awesome you are in the ring or cage. You’re going to be in that position. It will happen in business at some point, no matter how smart you are or how great your product is. It will happen in life no matter how hot you are or how much money you have. The way out is the same. I’m going to tell you a short, embarrassing story from my fight career to make my point.
A life time ago I was fighting in an absolute tournament, open weight in other words. It was part of a GP series heading into a national cup. Part of the long defunct LFF it was different than normal. No weight class (absolute) and a mix of styles. No ground but standard rules for sweeps. We usually had a Muay Thai or kickboxing format in these pro series fights but this brought all kinds in. From brawlers to guys who looked like WWE people. In the semi round I came up against a Tongan guy (Manny something lol). Well over 6ft and mid 200# I was taller then, maybe 5’9 as I’ve lost about 2 inches of my neck from damage now. I was also only about 138# then lol. I decided to get the crowd pumped right off by going back to my karate roots and throwing a flying side kick out of the box. Not a normal technique for kick boxing, and I thought it would look awesome !!! Plus executed well to the head it might set the tone or end the fight early. Sooooo, I basically misjudged where I was and missed. Classic airball miss. As I came out of the air his giant hand clocked me right in the face and took me to the canvas. My cockiness and lack of of distance judgement had just put me flat on my back. In pain, embarrassed and likely being laughed at ( couldn’t tell you because my ears were ringing) I could have easily been done. Somehow I managed to beat the count and get to my feet. I think I spent the rest of the round running from him. The next rounds I cut angles and basically side kicked his leg until he couldn’t go on( chopping the tree ). Again not standard Muay Thai but it’s what I had available, and it kept me away from those giant paws!!!
So what’s my point here overall? Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Yes it hurt. Yes I was embarrassed. Yes I could have still lost. You know what would have been worse? Giving up. Laying there when I had a choice. Try!!!!! Don’t stop trying. I don’t care if it’s an issue in your marriage, or a hiccup in your social media marketing plan. Don’t stop trying. Change your tactics. Change how you do it. Don’t give up on yourself. Don’t give up on winning. Don’t give up on success.
If you need personal coaching or motivation for yourself/employees contact me. From seminars to Motivational speaking I love to help people. Also social ads and marketing on multiple channels. Email tompkinscontent@gmail.com today. Also follow @combatsportlife & @tompkinscontent on Twitter.
Walking Around The Palazzo and Venetian In Vegas (random walk pictorial )
A common theme with me is just walking around an area and enjoying it. Seeing how it’s built. Having coffee while I walk. Later having a cocktail and a measly to just take it all in. As a blogger I like to take tons of random pictures of an area. It helps people see what something looks like and how it feels. Sooo much easier to describe and hopefully allow people to have the feeling of being there.
The Palazzo, The Venetian and the Grand Canal Shoppes in Las Vegas happen to be one of the best places in the world to do that. You get both the feel of being in Italy, actually in Italy ( yes I’ve been there) plus you’re in Vegas Baby!!! Visually Stunning, great stores and food. Clean!!!! Can’t beat it. I’m going to mostly just post pictures here for two reasons. One, I’m going back there soon to do a full review. Two, I just want you to get the feel of walking it and have your own ideas. OK and it’s Friday so I’m ready to quit writing and have a drink while I grill ! I!l hoo on s bit between picture sets, but mostly just think like you are there. Describe it to yourself in the pictures you see.
From the Frescos in the lobby to getting a gourmet pizza from a Mario Batali restaurant that feels like your eating outside. Your senses will continually be stimulated in a relaxing manner. Coffee, pastries and gelato.
One of the best things though is just walking even on the walkways outside. Again it’s the feeling of where you are. Authentic and fun. Take a look.
From the simple pleasure of listening to the gondoliers singing in actual gondolas to great food. You can wander here and not spend a dime yet still be entertained. You can also spend a lot and be entertained lol.
If you would like your place/product/company featured or reviewed here, please contact us. From sponsored posts to social ads and complete marketing campaigns. Multi channel ads. Or just buy a very inexpensive link or twitter ad. Email tompkinscontent@gmail.com as well as follow @combatsportlife & @tompkinscontent on Twitter. Great Ideas for travel gear
Check out today’s links
http://www.palazzo.com/
http://www.venetian.com/
https://www.grandcanalshoppes.com/en.html
http://www.illy.com/wps/wcm/connect/en/home
Back Roads To Florida In Words And Pictures ( OK just some random fun!)
I love two lanes. I’m a kid who grew up in a tiny farm town and it’s how you travel. Out of the way cafes, old truck stops. I love it. Sadly tons of my travel these days is on a jet. That’s awesome for some things and I love the luxurious exotic places we go, but it misses something. One of the things I love about travel is seeing the little things. How people live or eat in an area, especially rural areas. Gas stations can be one of the coolest learning experiences! Where I’m from it was the hang out as a kid. Park your car in the corner with your friends, grab a soda out of the machine and talk about life.
On my recent trip to Florida we drove. We had fun and my Cajun friend who vacations in Destin often gave me a cool way to go from here. My Cajun friend who lived up here for years ( and is an executive who has testified before congress lol) so he has great love of back roads like me. I wanted to post pictures of this part of the trip. My wife shot most of them from the window of the car while I drove, so don’t expect incredible photography. Enjoy it for what it is. I’m also going to throw a few in from the bigger highways but they were unusual. Fitting for road trips. I’ll pop in and out to explain through the trip!
Most of these pictures were taken in southern Alabama and Northwestern Florida. If you get that way, a bit South of Montgomery turn off of 65 onto 31. The trip to the beach this way will take you along 31,41,87 and 4 in Alabama and Florida as well as through Blackwater River state park. Take the time and do it. See America!
The next pics are from other parts of the trip but still less photographed. Truckstop coffee. Roadside kitsch. My love!!! Enjoy. From I 57 in Illinois on down. One interesting set. A hotel in Alabama flying a Korean flag with sushi stuff on the breakfast bar. Turns out there was large Hyundai plant in the area. Just funny in rural South. Enjoy!
The next time you take a road trip, take some time and just enjoy the journey on the road. It’s how most of America lives. See where your food comes from! For marketing/advertising or to Get us to visit your place email tompkinscontent@gmail.com. obviously if you want seminars for martial arts and fight camps we would love to help you with that as well. Follow @combatsportlife and @tompkinscontent on Twitter
Today’s links. Get yours here inexpensively.
http://www.martinandbayley.com/
A Cool Shopping Experience At Destin Commons( Thoughts &travel Pics)
As I’ve mentioned in other articles I enjoy finding unusual shopping places. I know it doesn’t fit my fighter image, but hey I promote and market. It’s like a business field trip. Plus there are always coffee houses and a place to grab a drink.
Our first day in Destin was a bit chilly for the beach so my wife and daughter thought a shopping trip was in order. I spotted Destin Commons on our way in to town. It looked cool and with checking out. As it turns out it was very cool. Besides having a great line of stores and restaurants it was visually appealing and fun to walk around. A cool fountain area in the center that looked like old Florida and had a beignet cart. That is just plain awesome. Check out a few pictures here and will talk a bit more after the jump.
There are all kinds of stores ranging from well known clothing and shoes stores to places like Books A Million. Places like Wet Seal and Sephora to the unusual like the Shark Shop ( products from the show Shark Tank). You’ll also find cool vacation location stores like Bass Pro( yesssss!) Pepper Palace and Maui Nix.
It’s a cool place to wander around, have a bite or a cocktail and relax. Did I mention there is a World of Beer there??!! Incredible place. It is entirely possible I stopped in for a bit. Zoe’s is also great for wraps and bowls. There were a number of places from casual or fast to date night. Take your pic.
If you are in Destin Florida and have some time away from the beach, this is a fun stop. Give Destin Commons a look. If you want us to feature you on the blog or do a review then email tompkinscontent@gmail.com . Also full socialad campaigns and marketing plans.
Check out today’s links.
http://www.destincommons.com/
http://www.pepperpalace.com/
http://worldofbeer.com/
Adjust Your Attitude And Set Sail For Success
This will truly be one of the shortest blog posts I ever write. Similar to when I give a quick pump speech to my fighters or marketing employees. Very short, but very important! In their case if they don’t listen it means getting pushed around the ring ( or not working for the company for the non fighters lol). Pay attention!!!
You control your attitude for the most part. Yes people do things that effect you, but you choose to stay in the state you are in. Deciding to stay angry, negative or have no passion for what you do is a choice. Unsuccessful people view it as bad things happen. Successful people view it as a choice and make the appropriate cha
So in this super short post, understand that you can make a difference. Understand that you can be successful. Change your attitude. Don’t let jerks hold you hostage. I’ve been there. I did it. I should not have!
Find your motivation. Decide what you want in life. Head that way. Is it easy? Nope!!! Can you do it ? Oh yeah!!!!!!! If you need personal coaching or help with your marketing/vision/promotion then email tompkinscontent@gmail.com and also follow twitter for @combatsportlife & @tompkinscontent
A Quick Review Of Mama Sherry’s Pizza and Wings in Destin Florida ( great meal great price)
So something that has become a tradition in our family trips is finding a place for pizza and wings. We all love pizza and hit that up wherever we are, but Beach locations require a pizza and wings place. Why?? First because it’s awesome!! Second, because we spent years travelling for fights and tournaments plus dance comps for my daughter. Now fights and rodeo with my adult children. Along the way at a dance national in Daytona, we found a great pizza and wings place after finally getting back to the beach late in the evening. After all day at the comp we just wanted to hang out. Pizza and wings ( beer and wine for mom and dad) on the beach at midnight hit the spot. The fact that it was a great deal made it better. Thus a tradition began
We are fortunate to travel all over and have luxurious travel experiences. Still, my favorite is find that great, quaint place with a great deal on this kind of food. Frankly, it’s how I got here. My loves won’t change!!!! So on this recent trip to Destin we found Mama Sherry’s. In between the high end strip malls with chains and along the road to the marina, this oasis of family vacation fun can be found. You have to either be a local, know it’s there ( because you subscribe to this awesome blog) or know how to search these places out. That said, it is on the main drag on 98 although easy to miss.
I’ll make this quick and to the point, then I’ll get to the pictures( what you want!!!). We had the hand tossed pizza with pepperoni. A classic without pretense. It was great. We had an appetizer of fried pickles ( my daughter’s fave from bluegrass nationals karate tourney waaay back). Excellent!! We also had wings with a honey habanero glaze. Perfect! This isn’t molecular gastronomy. This is classic people food. Enjoy it for what it vis. I love both, but this is my world!!!! I had a couple of Mama’s Irish Red ( a private label made by Bud, think Killian’s). Big beers and cheap!! My wife had a couple bof house red wines. Again cheap! See a theme?? Eat well, have fun, keep some money. OK so next are the pictures. Check out the food and drinks but also the place. Fancy? Nope. Awesome? Oh yeahhhh. If you don’t like this kind of thing you probably aren’t interested in what goes on here. Lighten up, I’ve been around the world and this is great. Check the pics and see how much after the jump.
Twitter. o all that food and alcohol that was delicious, plus old school Florida ambiance. Less than $50 with tip ( and I tip really well). It more than fed three people ( with lots of leftovers ). Easily feed a family for that or less. Finding budget eats at the beach with a family is something I will always want to show you. I’m always going to be a guy who grew up in a Midwest farm town!!!
Enjoy. Go there and tell them we sent you. If you want your place reviewed or a link here hit us up. From social care on twitter/fb to full campaigns or just getting us to stop by we want to talk to you. Affordable for any business, email tompkinscontent@gmail.com. follow @combatsportlife and @tompkinscontent on Twitter
Today’s link! Get yours here !
http://www.mamasherryspizzawingsandthings.com/aboutus.htm
Take Stroll Through Harbor Walk Village In Destin Florida (pictures and video)
Yes I’m a guy ( a hairy beast of a washed up fighter guy at that!) yet I still shop! Especially in cool locations when I travel. OK so mostly my wife, Sensei Sandy shops and I get coffee or a cocktail and people watch. Same thing right??!! A cool set of shops in an interesting place actually gets my interest. Remember I run media/marketing firm and did 20 years on Wall Street, any commerce gets my interest!
Harbor Walk Village is flat cool. From great restaurants and bars sitting right on the water to interesting shops. Yes there are normal places you would know, but there are many Beach/harbor vibe cool places. Nice to just wander around.
Several things that are different make it extra cool. A little area of food trucks that are awesome, including an airstream trailer. Gives the place a great harbor vibe. It is also the home to the Destin fishing fleet, the largest charter fleet in America. You will see Massive fish being brought in. Soooo cool!! You can go on a dolphin cruise starting here. We did that and I’ll be doing an article/review of it before too long. You can also book a pirate cruise here, looked cool if you had young children.
Since most of you are looking this to see pictures and not my incredible writing lol, I’ll start posting them. Catch you after the pic and video jump to talk a bit more about the area. The even more pics and video!!
So you can see it is a very cool area no matter what you like. We are at Harry Ts Lighthouse and Margaritaville there and I’ll do reviews of both in coming weeks. There are a ton of places to eat and sooo many looked great. I’m ready to book my return and just hang out here!! It’s a mix of cool upscale with relaxed old fishing village. Kinda dig it.
It is built with the Emerald Grande complex, condo residence and vacation rentals. Great looking place. I did not stay there but I’m looking into it for the next trip. Their website will tell you about both the complex and the village. Very informative.
Give this place a look. It was fun and relaxing, coming from a guy who is always amped up! I’ll be looking into Emerald Grande next trip( if you are their marketing rep, let’s get together!!) And you should look at all your options there. If you’d like to be included in our reviews or need promotion, email tompkinscontent@gmail.com today. Follow @combatsportlife & @tompkinscontent on twitter
Today’s Links , Get your name here
http://www.emeraldgrande.com/harborwalk-village
http://www.margaritavilledestin.com/mobile-home.html
http://www.harryts.com/
