The planaganza.com team took a trip to San Francisco this past week for a bit of Silicon Valley inspiration!  Although the trip was split between both business and pleasure, it was interesting to see where the “magic” happens for so many web innovations.  It reenergized me to get planaganza out there and moving.  Who knows…one day the Bay area may be the place planaganza calls home!

RBs

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On the heals of what the media is dubbing the Virginia Tech Massacre, my prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of those who were harmed.  I think as with every loss of life as devastating as this, people begin to think about their own mortality and begin to remember how precious life really is.  It is my belief   that this precise incident and those like it are why we should celebrate every minute of life (this is the essence of Planaganza) .  We need to cherish those events that may appear even too small to acknowledge.  In the hustle and bustle of life in America, its often hard to do this, but when its all said and done those are the moments in time that help to get us through tragedies like this.

We love you VT

As I was driving south on Interstate 95 this weekend, I was intrigued by the new Volkswagon billboard ad campaign.  The ads highlight the new Volkswagon Beetle Convertible with the tagline “Dare to be happy”. My personal favorite read, “Woe isn’t you. Dare to be happy”.  That is great!  As a person who detests the victim, “woe is me” attitude, I loved this ad!  It literally made me laugh out loud.  Afterall, isn’t happiness the goal of life–to carve out a place for yourself and have fun doing it?  For me, that’s what Planaganza is all about.  Celebrating the milestones of life and having fun doing it.  Pursue your passions, enjoy every day, dare to be happy – its definitely a break from the predominant negativity of today’s world.  Be the light someone needs to see today!

Other VW ad taglines:

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Yes ladies…I know what you’re thinking –Why am I giving men pointers on planning bachelor parties?  Well think about it deeper.  If we give the men we love “tasteful” alternatives to the wild, unadulterated shindigs we imagine them having otherwise (since I think I can safely assume that none of us have actually been to a bachelor party), then we can all rest easy when he says, “Babe, Bob and Jason are planning my bachelor party.”

So fellas, what is the real purpose of the bachelor party?  I would venture to say that its not to get so plastered that you wake up fiance-less the next day!  The true purpose of a bachelor party is to share your last moments as a “free man” bonding with your closest friends. Here are a few suggestions to accomplish just that!

1. Fantasy Sports Party

From Yahoo! Sports to ESPN, fantasy sports have taken over the lives of men every where!  What better way to celebrate your friends last days than by pretending you are the general manager of an all star baseball team.  This event would of course be an abridged form of the traditional fantasy sports leagues that typically last all season.  For this event, the host can hold a draft prior to the event based on a certain game that will be on the night of the party, i.e. the Yankees vs. the Red Sox (go Yankees!).  However, instead of guests drafting an entire team each guest will draft one player (so choose wisely fellas). The host can choose various actions during the game for which guests can earn points in addition to hits, catches and strike outs.  Guests can earn and lose points for close up shots on their player during the game or sightings of fan signs that have their players names on them!  Its all in good fun.

2. Climbing Adventure

Go and burn off some of those pre-wedding jitters.  Rock climbing can be exhilarating and very therapeutic! Race your friends to the top or take it slow and steady, stopping at intervals to grab a snack and rest. Don’t live near any towering mountainsides? Check with your local fitness club or recreational facility for a climbing wall.  Granted you won’t be able to feel the wind blowing through your hair but as a guy, did you really care about that anyway?

3. SoundStage Lounge

Recreate those college days you long to recapture with an indie artist lounge! Rent out the VIP section of a cool lounge and hire some indie artists to play the guest of honor’s favorite music genre. Guests will appreciate the originality. Have old college photos on hand of your betrothed friend. They are sure to create endless hours of reminiscent conversation!

4. Video Game Tournament

It’s inevitable that when you get married playing video games for hours on end will either come to an abrupt end or decrease in frequency drastically — depending on your wife-to-be. So why not have one final all nighter with you and your buddies. Set up your favorite gaming stations throughout your home or if you have a more generous budget rent a space and a few flat screens. Let the games begin! My personal pick — NBA 2K7!

It dawned on me today as was working on the Planaganza site that there are more “events” to plan than I originally thought.  Buying a new home is, in fact, a life changing event that requires extensive planning. However we tend not to think of home buying when we discuss event planning.  The same is true of having a baby or starting a new business.  These are the extra special events of life that truly deserve preparation and creative thought.  Maybe we should put as much effort into planning these events as we do our parties, brunches and socials.  Just a thought.
RBs