Vote for Crile :: Bring Vern Yip to Wyoming!

The Journey to Contesthood

They Put Me In The Movies

9/4/2007 What? I won? I WON! …it’s been a long and curious ride.

Hey, I WON! I really did! I just pinched myself and I’m not dreaming. I'm really sitting here at my new desk, in my fancy Aeron chair, typing away at my fantastic HP Tablet PC. The HP 3-in-1 is on my right, the snazzy new printer on my left. Zune’s playin’ tunes in my ears. Hmmm… I wonder who borrowed my new camera? For those keeping track of Tank, he’s spread-eagled on his new doggie bed, totally blissed out from AOD (Attention-Overload-Disorder) and too many biscuits.

Whoa, Nellie… It's been hard to keep quiet. Hi Mom! I won! Thanks to everyone for participating in the videos, the voting and the enthusiasm of this process. Thanks to everyone who came over to play… let me see if I get everyone… Erin, Erin (not a typo, there were two of ‘em), Rodney, Chris, Kelly, Jessica, Dave, Vern, Craig, Jason, Tom, Bob, Jim, Lloyd, Floyd, Gilbert, and anyone else who was around that day. Y’all come back now, hear? You too Roby! Thanks to all the behind-the-scenes folks too… if you didn’t make it to Wyoming this time, consider yourself re-invited.

Thanks to friends, family and colleagues for tuckering out their little mice voting for me. I’m truly humbled by the outpour of good wishes, encouragement and plain ‘ol votes that got me from the top 10 semi-finalists to one of the three finalist positions. Over 100,000 votes were cast and I was one of the top recipients. That makes a guy feel real good!

You can pretend you were here for the remodel by checking out the video. Get the story from Tank’s perspective at his blog.

Mum's the word

8/4/2007 Well, ya know I know, but I ain't tellin'

No matter what happens, I get a really cool Compaq notebook computer with a tablet display to scribble on.

Rebecka and Nancy were worthy fellow competitors, so if either of them win the big makeover we'll all be happy for them, right?

Your votes are what got me to the finals. Thanks again!

Time flies when you're in a contest

8/2/2007 It's down to the wire, now.

These contest folks really move - it was only a month ago this all started, and in a couple weeks it'll all be over. The public announcement of the winner will be made when the remodel is complete, around September 4.

If I win, I believe I will have some sort of virtual office warming party here on-line. Proabably a pot luck.

Which reminds me... Vern, I know some great caterers around here. Does your crew prefer Western BBQ, Chuckwagon, or Mexican? It's your choice. See you soon?

Finalist!!!

8/1/2007 You heard it here first. I made the finals!!!!

Now we wait... but only until Friday, when the judges render their final decision as to who gets the Office Makeover.

Tank and I are crossing fingers and paws, and stocking up on steaks and veggies for grilling when Vern's team arrives.

Come on, Vern! We're ready!

All over but the shoutin'.

8/1/2007

Tank and I are on virtual pins and needles waiting to see if we made the semi-finals. I've flipped through all the news channels, but I can't find the election results anywhere. I looked on-line, too. How could they be reporting on anything else?

But you can relax - I will make no more pleas for votes.

Maybe I'd better go check out MSN...

Let's win this one!

7/31/2007 In case you were wondering, not everyone who lives out in beautiful Wyoming wears buckskin, eats with a dirty fork and chews tobacco. I just got back from a wonderful weekend with my family in Caleeforn-eye-ay, where my nephew took me and two of my great amazing grown up "kids" on a tour of SF bay in his big ole 44' sailboat. I am soooo cosmopolitan. The other two were busy doing important things, perhaps like voting for their good ole pa.

Remember, when you vote for me, you are also voting for the future of America and all things good, and my Mom, who makes delightful Apple Pie. She votes for me. You should, too. My brother even votes for me, and we disagree on almost everything. (Hi, Tom!) I think he thinks I might give him my copy of Office 2007. He wants it pretty bad.

Did I mention that I want this office remodel realllly bad? Yep, bad enough to BEG for your VOTE. DId you note that I used ALL CAPITAL LETTERS? Today is the last day! Let's kick out the stops. I have no idea what the totals are so far - the contest judges run a tight ship - but we've gotta be close... Let's go out tonight with a bang!

If I win, everybody gets a turn autographing my new tablet PC.

Thanks! Now go vote!

Please?

Thanks!

Crile

We are the world

7/31/2007 In case you were wondering, not everyone who lives out in beautiful Wyoming wears buckskin, eats with a dirty fork and chews tobacco. I just got back from a wonderful weekend with my family in Caleeforn-eye-ay, where my nephew took me and two of my great amazing grown up "kids" on a tour of SF bay in his big ole 44' sailboat. I am soooo cosmopolitan. The other two were busy doing important things, perhaps like voting for their good ole pa.

Remember, when you vote for me, you are also voting for the future ofo and all things good, and my Mom, who makes delightful Apple Pie. She votes for me. You should, too. My brother even votes for me, and we disagree on almost everything. (Hi, Tom!) I think he thinks I might give him my copy of Office 2007. He wants it pretty bad.

Did I mention that I want this office remodel realllly bad? Yep, bad enough to BEG for your VOTE. DId you note that I used ALL CAPITAL LETTERS? T

Party time!

7/30/2007 We're planning an election night party here on the ranch. All contestants and sponsors are welcome! Bring your kids and pets, too.

In the meantime, feel free to cast some more votes.

Don't know where all those network news trucks are gonna park, but we'll find room :).

Might as Well Vote Again!

7/29/2007 Other than a fine new uncluttered office space, what I reallllllly want is the Compaq "tablet" computer they are giving away.

I have an iPaq PDA that I use for for contacts and appointments, and one think I love about it is using the stylus to do things without a keyboard. And guess what tablet computers add to the laptop experience? That's right, styli! if I win, I'll be using the "snipping" tool to snag things and paste into e-mail. Kinda like clipping articles from a paper paper.

I already use speech recognition (see the big microphone in my contest picture? It's not for recording songs - you wouldn't want to hear that - it does my typing!)

... and all this foreshadows the days ahead of "surface" computing - but I guess that's for a future contest - which will be your chance at fame. I'll vote for you next time - in the meantime, please you vote for me! Again!

It's Friday - do you know where your votes are?

7/27/2007 Lesseee, now... We are getting down the the wire. Time to vote again.

Did you see the automatic reminder thing I made up for Microsoft Outlook? Just click here, say "open", and voila! Outlook will remind you every day to vote for Crile.

I got my new Office 2007 the other day! Wow! I really won a prize!

Today, I'll fire up Microsoft Excel to do some statistical analysis on the polling data, throw together a few PowerPoint slides, and print some quick Publisher posters targeting those last-minute undecided voters. Then time for a printout of the voter registration database from Microsoft Access, and to the phone bank!

Or maybe I'll have Tank do it. He really loves the new Office 2007 ribbons.

I need some "fun" in my "form follows function" office

7/26/2007 My current office is functional - I can do my job, and find the things I need when I need them, and move around without knocking things over. But dang it, I hate how it feels!

Vern Yip has a knack for crafting designs that are more than functional (although he does that very, very well). His designs beckon to be experienced. If I win this contest, I look forward to seeing Vern's team create an office space I can enjoy.

In the meantime, I'd better give ole Tank a biscuit before he drives me completely whacky with that "I'm so lonely" look.

Vern Will Like Wyoming

7/25/2007 The more I think about it, the more I'm sure Vern will enjoy his trip out here.

So roll up them sleeves and vote some more, gang!

Remember, party at my house if it all works out in our favor! Yep, I said "our" - we're all neighbors, right? And if you need to use the new printer some day, you know where to find me!

Around the World in 8 Days

7/24/2007 The contest masters won't let us in on the vote totals, but we do know that our website is getting action from Brazil, Russia, Lithuania, Germany, UK, China, India, Australia (or is that New Zealand??), and most of the good ole USA.

Here's hoping that all you are voting as well as gawking at the scenery :).

For those of you who use Microsoft Office, try downloading this file which will put a reminder in your calendar to vote for Crile every day until 8/1/07.

Your brazenly promotional friend,

Crile

Get Out The Vote!

7/23/2007 Wow! One more week to go.

I'm goin' nuts here on the last week of voting.

Oh, by the way, have you voted again? The record so far is 50 at one session by my New Zealander pal Patti. Can you beat that??

Did I mention that we use Microsoft Office to write this blog? That I used an HP scanner to scan in the Vern Yip picture? (Forgive me, Vern, for putting that hat on your head. But I think it looks darn good...)

Free Video Game!

7/22/2007 I don't know about you, but I've been having a blast with those fuzzy character matches.

They call those things "CAPTCHA", and as Microsoft Research explains it, "Since OCR software can identify distorted characters quite well, CAPTCHAs add visual clutter to their images, but this also makes the challenges harder and more annoying for humans."

Well, one person's annoyance is another's video game, so don't let those CAPTCHA's stop ya. Embrace 'em and vote again.

Cruising for votes

7/21/2007 Last night, L and I sped 40 miles to Laramie for a culture fix. We ran into former off-the-grid, solar and wind powered friends S & S who have moved to town and put together a neato family complete with handmade backyard swingset. I think they could use a home office, too, but they said they'd vote for us anyhow.

Jazzman and life-poet Pete Queal encouraged us to live life like jazz and play jazz like life as we all shared happy hour brews with Pat and Brandt and a couple serious German Philosophy professor types. Should we go after the academic vote?

We also collided with Jesse, Derek, and other TriHydro folk (names, please?) on the sidewalk, and lobbied for the techie geek vote. They were amenable I think.

So the race is on.

Getting the Word Out

7/20/2007 Running in a contest like this turns out to be a great way to renew old acquaintances. I've already got one dinner invitation, although I shouldn't have told my pal Bill to vote for me, because he thinks another contestant someone named Rebecca is better looking and he might vote for her instead of me.

Make up for Bill's lost vote - vote for Crile now !!! Heck, do it 50 times and show him a thing or two...

Wow! Semifinalist!

7/20/2007 How did this happen? I'm flabbergasted.

I thought it was a telemarketing call, when they opened with "Hello, I have good news". "Sure, what, I get to buy a timeshare in Costa Rica?", I thought.

But no, it's real. We're in the game.

WE WON!

No kidding, we won! OK, he did most of the work, but I charmed 'em.Here's the video.

Here's the short story: Once upon a time, Crile entered the Microsoft Office 2007 Makeover contest, then wagged his tail off campaigning for the win. He sat up and begged for votes. When a reporter said "Speak" he did...and he shook a lot of hands too. Then he got The Call. Hollywood was on its way. (Actually, the gang came from North Carolina, Seattle, Wisconsin, Atlanta, Sacramento, Colorado and Wyoming too.) He was wined and dined. I got some biscuits and lots and lots of attention. And a new bed for the new office. Life is good. No, life is GREAT.

The Winning and the Win were a blast. We're hoping the gang'll come back again some time, and they don't even have to bring presents. (Note: Biscuits aren't presents.)

Questions, Blueprints and Color Swatches

Yup, we're one of the three. A million thanks to all the folks who helped us get here! Hope you took the opportunity to try out Office 2007 while you voted...it's a winner too!

What a day! I tried to sneak a peak at his answers to the Office Makeover Questionaire he was filling out but no luck. Ditto re the drawings he was getting into...I did get to listen in on the interviews he gave today tho...the excitement is contagious around here!

I'm hoping to get a look at some color swatches or something so I can nudge appropriately. He's 100% in favor of whatever the design team comes up with. Me, I'd like something that'd set off my eyes.

Thanks again voters, we'll let you know!

Guest biscuits

Guests mean biscuits.

I like biscuits. Bring the kind that look like little bones. I like peanut butter flavor. Those little colored ones are good, too, Actually, I never met a biscuit I didn't like.

Does Microsoft make biscuits? Does HP make biscuits? Does Vern make biscuits? If they do, I'll give 'em a taste test.

Good Times

Ah, things are calming down.

What was he doing all that clicking for last night?

He said he's trying to get me a new floor to sleep on. Sleeping is something I can relate to.

Small Town with Long Streets

While "the Master" was out hobnobbing with the stars, I was busy drumming up support. I made a call to the Governor, 'cause I figured he oughta know that his State was in the running. Then I called my Senators (no, I can't vote, but they're still mine) and asked their staff to check out this contest and the new Microsoft Office stuff.

They are all nice folk who don't mind chatting with white-haired folks like me.

Okay, thanks for listening. Please vote some for me. I can't reach his keyboard.

It's a Very Good Year!

I Love Microsoft Office 2007. You gotta try it!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Wonder what I'd look like as a brunette? Nah...why mess with perfection?

My New Career?

I'm wondering when my video will go viral. I've got lots more where that came from, and my style has matured since that first video for this HGTV/Mircosoft/HP Office Makeover Contest.

I'm into Method acting now. I think about biscuits and I really drool.

Fan Mail

Hey! I'm getting fan mail! Fan mail! Blogging is great for a dog's ego.

Sunday Funday

OK friends, it's not a day of rest when it comes to voting!

We're in the home stretch now. Let's go out Cowboy Style, with a Real Bang!

If we get half a million votes from Wyoming, it'll look like the whole STATE voted for us. That's just what, a couple hundred votes from each of my closest friends?

We can do it!

Just a thought Microsoft and HP...

If quacking ducks and talking reptiles can make it as advertising icons, think about what an adorable big white dog with impecable manners and gorgeous eyes could do for your sales!

Hey, I've been around your stuff all my life. It's in my blood.

Let's do lunch. Bring biscuits.

Mr. Crile Goes to Washington DC (by phone)

Crile's gotten WOW! replies from humans all over the world. He had 'em from every single state in the US! This being Wyoming, Crile gave a call to Gov. Dave, Senator Enzi and Senator Barrasso too and got help with HIS campaign from the PROS. Pretty cool, huh?

So, I'm calling in all favors from all dogs.There's a biscuit in it for you, somewhere, somehow. If you've already voted for Crile's (and my) office, g'wan and do it again. You got 'till Midnight! I wanna meet Vern.

Vern's Sybille Canyon Fan Club Starts Here

That cat-killer Curiosity got the dog...no offense to kittys...and I stayed up way past my morning nap time watching a TiVo'ed Trading Spaces marathon. You're the boss Vern. You have the vision. There's a world of possibilities here...please come and do your magic!

And the Media Melee Begins

Hey, I'm supposed to be the star here, but HE'S getting the media calls! What gives? I need a new agent. Or else I need to get to the phone first...

It's All About the Biscuits

Woke up. Started a list of things I think should be in the office. Like for instance a Dog Biscuit Bowl in a prominent but tasteful location.

He forgot my biscuit AGAIN this morning! Maybe Microsoft could make something to REMIND him that every morning, for the past 4 years or so, he's given me a biscuit BEFORE he goes to play on those computers. (If it wouldn't blow my cover as a Technology-Challenged Dog, I'd go enter it in his Outlook Reminders myself. Biscuit for Tank.)

I'm hoping Vern likes dogs and understands that we have needs too when it comes to office makeovers. Biscuits. It's all about the biscuits Vern.

The Office

Lemme tell you a little about the office, since it seems to be THE thing everybody around here is talking about since Crile became a semi-finalist in The Office Makeover Contest. I like to hang out sorta in the middle, but with my nose near the door in case anything interesting happens.

I've learned to nap thru the music, mostly...all kinds of music...I really like the once-in-a-blue moon times when he listens to Frank Sinatra.

Looking around, this place really COULD use a make over. He's got orange shelves in here. Did he tell you that Vern? Orange! He musta got a deal on the paint. Can we get rid of the plywood desk extension? Please?

And Vern, from where I sit, the carpet really oughta go. Literally, from where I sit.

Napus Interuptus

Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh boy! The UPS truck came today! (Yup, the driver, I have her trained. She brings me a biscuit.)

So, I'm dozing and I think I hear tires way up by the road...but I try to stay cool, not let the folks know I'm excited...I get up real slow-like, cowboy-style, walk out of The Office, saunter down the hall, thru my dog doors. Tires on gravel. OK. She'll drive down here, no need to hike all-l-l the way up to the gate...here she comes...getting closer...I see the truck...and I'm right there when she steps out, looking up at her. (Chicks really dig my eyes.)

Aaaah...got the biscuit. Hmmmm...big package, could be anything. Crile's all over it...oh, it's from Vern. The Contest. Cool bulletin board Vern, Crile is so into this! Wonder if Vern thought to stick a biscuit in there?

Big Day...I need a nap.

I'm a Star

So there I was catching some z's. "C'mon Tanker,let's go for a walk," I hear. Is this a nightmare? It's noon. Nobody walks at noon in
Wyoming!

There was no shutting him up tho, so I got up and followed him outside. He's got a video camera again. He doesn't think I know what it is. (I do. For heaven's sake, I'm not a cat.) Last time he pulled one of those cameras out he ended up as a semi-finalist in The MakeOver Contest, with this Vern guy.

What? So now I'm supposed to go on my regular walk and act like the papparazzi isn't on my tail? I oblige.

Oh the pains of being a Star. Check me out on the Crile's Videos for Vern page by clicking above.

Stars need their beauty rest. Nighty Night all.

The Campaign

A dog can't get a decent nap around this office anymore. It's The Contest. Phone's ringing or he's on it. He forgot my biscuit this morning. He never forgets my biscuit. What gives, and who's Vern Yip?

July 5

Woke up cuzza all the commotion. Thought the fireworks were over for another year but there's Crile jumping around. Figgered it was a rattlesnake. It wasn't. Some contest. He hasn't shut up since. Time for a nap.

He's Being Quiet

... but I think he's about to speak!