Speedy Willie

SpeedyWillie.org Exposé: 7 Page Views in Last 13 Days.

With the current global economic climate, expectations are those with little disposable income would tend towards products and/or services that cost little with relative high value.  Examples include accepting food samples at the grocery store, finding five dollars in a pocket of jeans (left), and reading SpeedyWillie.org. 

With that said, SpeedyWillie.org should be awash in high volume internet traffic, offers of sponsorship, and mentions in non-internet related media.  FALSE.  Not only is SpeedyWillie.org not one of the most popular free internet websites, it likely ranks near the bottom of the list.  In fact, if the organization that compiles that list were to have brought this website up on its internet browser on a day like February 12, 2009, THAT ORGANIZATION would have been responsible for the lone "hit" of the day. 

The fact is, there have been 7 page views in the last 13 days.  So, we are in the process of building a comprehensive marketing program meant to re-invigorate the target market for SpeedyWillie.org.  Slogans are still being sorted out, but "It's not much, but it's free" (left) is leading the pack so far. 

Pens, maybe?  Pens with the website on them is an idea.  That seems like something that would be reasonably priced, but then there's the distribution of the pens to worry about.  How do you get the pens into the right people's hands? 

Here's a non-starter:  Facebook Fan Page.  29 fans  does not a groundswell make.  Maybe if there was a purpose for it?  That could help in the long run. 

What it comes down to is word of mouth, and that is where the 1.6 repeat visitors per day come into play.  I'm talking to you, whomever you are.  Lets get some positive chatter going for SpeedyWillie.org, this is a team effort after all.

Week 16: Packers at Bears

It's Monday night and it's the last home game of the season! 

Questions abound:  Are we going to make the playoffs or not?  Is Speedy Willie going to start?  Is everyone going to die an icy death?  No, maybe, and yes, as it turned out. 

The south lot was NOT the destination for the final tailgate of the season, which meant we could arrive earlier than 3:30 p.m.  That was the plan, but of course it didn't work out like that.  Getting the bus moving was delayed because one member of the party was late getting off work.  Unfortunately, that meant cousin Bob had to wait about 45 minutes in the freezing cold for us to pick him up.  That kind of thing builds character. 

We met up with the Lee's "Bear Force One" recreational vehicle in the McCormak south lot, and a good time was had by all.  It was not insanely cold, so it turns out everyone survived.  Bears won for the third time in a row. 

The tailgate was a reunion of sorts, as many of us gathered for the 3rd consecutive Bears/Packers game.  Chuck & Bob & their Dad, and all the Lees, and Kenny and the aforementioned Bob, Tony & his buddy.  First time we've all been rolling in specialty vehicles though: a new tradition is born!

Other than the Bears giving away car flags, I don't think anything else exciting happened.  James spent 40 minutes trying to sled down a snow mound on a piece of cardboard, and that was kind of funny. 

A lot needs to happen to make the playoffs, and if we just miss, the Bears will be rewarded with a garbage draft pick...  Oh, well. 

Week 15: Saints at Bears

Thursday night is no night for football. 

Here's what Thursday's are best for:  Bowling leagues, working in the garden, thinking about a second career as a taxi driver, ironing your clothes for Friday, sharpening your typing skills, planning a vacation, canceling magazine subscriptions, making a dentist appointment, dart leagues, trying to remember if you need to have your tires rotated, writing a letter to the editor, My Name is Earl.

Selling belongings on eBay, putting new cheese on the mouse traps, hot dog eating contests, using the hose to clean off the driveway, softball leagues, catching up on laundry, buying new shoelaces, ordering pizza, resetting your WIFI network because you forgot the password, The Office, working overtime, returning phone calls, changing batteries in smoke detectors, getting the oil changed, updating your facebook page, going for a bike ride, taking a nap.

Concerts, returning books to the library, balancing your checkbook, window shopping, updating a blog, piano lessons, dance lessons, trying to set up a slingbox, reschduling a haircut, clipping coupons, etc.

What I'm trying to say, is that I didn't go to the game, and have no idea how the tailgate went.  The point is, Bears on Thursday's is a terrible idea.  Big win though, 27 - 24.  Speedy Willie rules.

Week 14: Jaguars at Bears

With the cool Canadian winds whipping off Lake Michigan, Week 14 greeted tailgaters with sub freezing temperatures, and some real characters in the parking lot!  Fate parked Speedy Willie right in the middle of a raucous devils brigade of Bears fans all bound and determined to shake off the cold with a nip of bourbon and some hot meat off the grill.

The tailgate was highlighted by some excellent music, provided by our resident DJ.  So well received, were the tunes that a fellow lot lizard slithered up to SW and asked what station we were playing so they could turn it on as well.  "Sorry," I told him, "This is the SPEEDY WILLIE MIX!" And I slapped that jerk right in the face!

There was delicious Italian flavored meats provided to the large group of revelers surrounding the bus, and everyone enjoyed the various libations offered.  This week, we didn't even need to buy ice!  Thank you Father Winter! 

As the game started, and everyone with tickets traipsed off to their seats, only Dominic, Adam & Jen were left to enjoy the game from Speedy Willie's warm insides.  The game itself was a bit of a blow out, and featured many slick plays on both sides of the ball. 

Then, about 15 minutes in, the big guy from the truck next to us returned.  He was trashed and had "lost his ticket."  We made a tremendous mistake and invited him to watch the game from SW.  Detailed spared, his other buddy showed up and proceeded to down whatever remained in our liquor inventory. 

This is the same guy that took off most of his clothes and walked across flaming coals on the asphalt?  Am I remembering this correctly?  Doesn't matter.  Good tailgate + Good Game = Speedy Willie.