The Toyota Live Farewell

Thank you, Toyota Live......Goodnight!

 The Ugly Cry....you know, the one Oprah always talks about. 

Every good ending....and beginning starts with a Magnolia cupcake.

Chicago Auto Show 2012: First Weekend

Here we are again:  back in Chicago and up on the Toyota Live stage and on the huge LED wall.  This year, our guests include Bears, Cubs, Turtles, Snakes, and Fire.  Yes, some are local sports heroes while others are visitors to from the Shedd Aquarium.  Either way, the Windy City always provides colorful characters on our stage....especially 1985 Chicago Bear, Steve McMichael.  If you've ever met him, you know what I am talking about!

Check out my insider's perspective on the Toyota Prius for the Chicago Auto Show's daily web series. (And holy close-up shot.....back up, camera dude!)

 Dancing on the stage at the Charity Preview to the Biebs. "Baby, baby, baby, oh!"

 There's a turtle on the stage....we named him "Prius" since he is hydrodynamic like the hybrid which is aerodynamic.

Hanging with Steve McMichael after the show.  He's pretty funny and larger than life.  

 I just have to say that Earl Bennett liked me way better than my co-host.  Hahahaha.......

Um, I had the opportunity to wear a Superbowl ring.  POW!  It was huge on my little fingers.  Thanks, Steve!

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a little less lovable than New Orleans, but I have to say that Vegas knows how to build some really cool crap.  Yeah, I said crap.  It's all smoke and mirrors topped off with a vice den of gambling, strippers, and drugs, but I sure love the food, the shows, and the shoes.  Vegas in photos.........

 The MGM Lion hangs out in a boxing ring.  

 What's Vegas without a little bit of nudity?  You're welcome.

MGM had their lion-keeper sleeping with the lions.  I guess it is better than sleeping with the fishes.

 At the NAB edition of Digital LA at The Library/Club Marquee with Jen Friel and Kevin Winston.

Hanging at Digital LA-Vegas Edition with AJ Tesler and Matthew Troyer.

 Chandelier Bar at The Cosmopolitan at City Center.

 It's tacky and pretty all at once.  Ah, Las Vegas!

 Sorry for my schmaltzy taste, but Barry is my dream concert.

 See?  Vegas builds cool crap.  The lobby of The Cosmopolitan Hotel.

On the balcony of The Library at Club Marquee while the people grind below.  Yep, I said grind.  

Photos 4 and 5 courtesy of Digital LA.

Photos from Chicago Auto Show 2011

Here are the final photos from a jam-packed 10 days, with a 36-hour jaunt to LA, in Chicago.  We had tons of great guests on Toyota Live, we gave away a 2011 Prius, we announced the official name of the Prius Family (Prii), and I even had time to host the Entune live broadcast on the West Coast.  Now, I begin an exciting and hectic week surrounding the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.  Never mind that I got home at 3AM, I am ready to hit the red carpet!

Hanging with Chicago Bears player, Anthony Adams....

The set for Entune and a part of my 36-hour whirlwind tour back to LA.

"This is Toyota Live!"

Up on the jumbo LED wall at the Chicago Auto Show!

And the winner is.....Prii!  When you see two hybrid vehicles, you say, "I just saw two Prii."

There's two of me!

Hanging with Katelin, our amazing NASCAR race girl and Toyota Live M&M snack provider.

Welcome to Chicago!

Well, here we are, a little over halfway through the season and at the toughest show on the circuit.  Now, don't get me wrong, Chicago is a fantastic city, but we are here at the toughest time of the year:  everyone is exhausted from back to back cities, we are at the height of flu and cold season, the weather is cold, and this is the show that has the highest attendance across the U.S.  Yet, this show offers more excitement that even NAIAS cannot match.  

We have amazing guests who stop by our show like Scotty Van Hawk of Four Feathers Racing who is one of the Top 5 AMA Pro Racers in the U.S.  He spent last weekend signing autographs for fans after his interview on the show where he revealed he has broken 84 bones in a sport where speeds can top 197 MPH.  Wow. 

And a three year guest to our show, Ramblin' Ray from US 99 Chicago.  I really enjoy Ray's visits, he is never at a loss for words and oh boy, he tells it like it is.  He has a partnership with Toyota that includes a Tundra that he loves to kick up to 110 MPH. Shhhh, don't tell Toyota.  Check out his website and photos from past Toyota Live visits: Ray's Tundra. 

This was our first attempt at a photo on Valentine's Day. Was it the camera or was it the champagne?

                                              

Our second attempt worked out much better!  My favorite friends from the Mitsubishi team. Yes, we do hang out with other manufacturers.

                                              

The larger shows also offer a glimpse of the show on the large screen.  Here I am looming over the

FT-CH turntable:

                                          

The crowds were in full force over the 1st weekend of the Chicago Auto Show:

                               

Other fun guest included an annual visit from members of the Chicago Bears:  Robbie Gould and Hunter Hillenmeyer. I have to say I was a fan of Robbie after interviewing him.  He's pretty charming. 

The other reason I love this show?  My little cousin.  Isn't she magical?  

                                

Yep, a nap backstage and a photo kindly taken by my co-host, Matthew Troyer.  Not my best look, but it sure sums up the week so far:  Lots of fun, but lots of work!