I’m not here to make friends

Jenn and I actually have called America’s Next Top Model “America’s Next Top Best Friend” since that Jade freak-out session a few years ago. (Yes, it’s a very guilty pleasure.)

Friday is free Slurpee day

Really.

It’s that time of year when the sun is hot and the Slurpee® drinks are free-zing – emphasis on the FREE part. July 11, aka 7/11, is the day that 7-Eleven, Inc., the world’s premier convenience retailer, celebrates its birthday and says “thank you� to its customers with free Slurpee drinks at participating stores. This year’s 7-Eleven® Day marks the company’s 81st birthday. Customers can pour their favorite Slurpee flavor in colorful, 7.11-ounce “Birthday� cups throughout the day, while cup supplies last.

7-Eleven is the home of the Big Bite® Oscar-Mayer all-beef hot dog and the number-one retailer of grilled hot dogs. And to celebrate National Hot Dog Month in July, participating 7-Eleven stores are offering a quarter-pound Big Bite hot dog and Big Gulp® drink for just $1.99 throughout the entire month, a real value at a time when consumers’ incomes may be stretched dog-gone thin.

But there’s more… New for July is the first ever Monster Energy Slurpee drink, called Black Ice. Black Ice is a black-colored energy Slurpee drink packed with a full load of Monster’s potent energy blend. This is the first frozen Monster beverage and the first variety not sold in a can.

“In appreciation of our loyal customer base, we started giving away Slurpee drinks on our 75th birthday in 2002,� said Jay Wilkins, 7-Eleven brand manager for Slurpee and Big Gulp® fountain drinks. “Customers thanked us, and we’ve been doing it ever since. Now July 11, or 7-Eleven Day, has become Customer Appreciation Day or try-your-favorite-Slurpee-on-us day.�

Viral marketing through the newly redesigned www.slurpee.com web site with its Slurpee Nation social network along with Slurpee street teams in select cities and store events across the U.S. play a big part in spreading the “7-Eleven Birthday/Customer Appreciation/Free Slurpee� message.

It’s nice of 7-Eleven to celebrate James’ birthday this way. (We’ll be going to Knott’s Berry Farm on Saturday for our celebration.)

More Liz Phair interviews

One of the good things about the 15th anniversary reissue of Exile in Guyville (and I’m liking the three bonus tracks, although other than “Ant in Alaska,” none of them really had a shot at being on the original version of the album) is that it’s an opportunity for new Liz interviews:

Bryant Park Project: 15 Years Later, Liz Phair Revisits ‘Guyville’ – The BPP replayed this on the Fourth of July, which was good, since I somehow missed it the first time around. One of my favorite interviews she’s done, although her voice spookily sounds almost exactly like someone I know.

Pitchfork: Interview: Liz Phair

NY Magazine: Liz Phair on ‘Guyville’ and the Secret to a Successful Topless Photo Shoot

I haven’t had the chance to watch the documentary DVD yet, but I’m looking forward to it.

Top 17/20 of 2008, so far

As of July 1, these are the top 20 songs played most on my iPod this year, minus the stuff played for James (which is mostly Rockabye Baby lullabies and They Might Be Giants’ “Here Come the 123s” album).

Number 13, Cass McCombs’ “That’s That,” isn’t available as an MP3 purchase via Amazon, although iTunes has it. (In fact, it’s the top Cass McCombs song there.) Number 17, “It Takes Time,” is similarly unavailable via Amazon and available via iTunes, as is number 20, “Flakes,” by the Mystery Jets.

So, here then, are the top 17 out of 20 of 2008 (so far):

The fighter still remains

The bad news is that James is still toddler-clumsy and the edge of a coffee table hurts, even if you’re less than two feet tall and trip. Still, he’s a toughie: He cried for less than 60 seconds and then was off and running again.

As always, happier baby photos can be found here.