It's official, and we have t'shirts to prove it!

Well, it's official! We are launched and tomorrow is the big day to kick it off with all of you. Here's a snapshot of the team modeling our new launch party t'shirts-- yes, we plan to pass them out at the parte'.

If you can't make it, but are dying to have one, please let me know and I will see what I can do to mail it to you!

Featured in the photo are (from L to R): Back: Matt, Vytas, Jason, Kyle, Kevin, Brian, 2nd: Tim, Andy, Front: Jolie and Meredith. Yes, Leon is missing!!!!!!

Also, join me in wishing Meredith good luck! Meredith and Mr. XXXX have been helping us out for the last few weeks with a few side projects. (THANKS GUYS!) Meredith is moving to Barcelona on Tuesday, so please bid her safe travels! We cant wait to have her back online. :) And, Mr. XXXX, we can't wait to read more movie reviews...

PARTE'--- Viewpoints is official!

Viewpoints.com has officially launched. That's right. In case you didnt notice, last week was a big week here at VP. We released a new version of the www.viewpoints.com website. Our search tool is now rock solid. Go, ahead. Try it. Search for anything. You better find it. :) And, even better, you can search along multiple criteria. Try it out if you havent already.

Also, I wanted to take a moment to invite each of you to the viewpoints launch party. We will be hosting our official party at Cabaret Club in Chicago on September 28th from 6-8pm. Cabaret is located at Hubbard and State Street in downtown Chicago. Simply send me an email at: jolie(at)viewpoints.com to let me know you will be coming. We hope to see you all there! It is sure to be a great time.

And, thanks to each of you for helping make the site a success to date. We couldnt do it without you! This celebration is for you!!!!!!!

I have been MIA, but I am BIGGER and BETTER!

Hi All.

I am back and in action. I was on vacation for Labor Day week-- hence, my MIA status.

It was so great to hang out with my kids for a whole week! We had a great time swimming, going to amusement parks, fairs, bowling, etc. It was a week full of pure amusement. I have sooo many reviews that I need to write. I better get on that!

I also have to get on something else. Weight loss!!! I gained 5lbs on vacation. Is that possible? My scale must be wrong!!!! Or, it could be the dessert that I had every night for dinner. Oh well. I guess that's what being on the road will do to you!

So, what can I do to shed these pounds from vacation. Let me know if you have any pointers. My plan right now is to eat healthy this week and drink lots of water. But that puts a kink in my lunch plans. No pizza, subs (okay, maybe the Subway Jared kind, but I dont like those!), Chinese, etc. "What should I have for lunch?" (Note: I really dont like to pack a lunch!)

To help inform my options, I stumbled across a site called the daily plate. It tells you calories for the food in your home and in the restaurant. Check out PotBelly's where I get a sandwich about twice a week. Ouch! Okay, so that really wont help with the weight loss. On to plan B. Perhaps a salad.

Okay, enuf about me and my vacation and weight gain. I am sure you want to know what is going on at Viewpoints. Well, lots!!! While I was gaining weight and eating TOO MUCH dessert on vaca, the team here was working hard on the release of some new functionality-- new and improved search. We previewed it yesterday and it is awesome. Expect to see it over the next week or so. I know from your comments/feedback that you are very much looking forward to these improvements!

Also, to help improve search yourself, take a moment to complete the additional questions when you write a review. For example, if you are reviewing a hotel, input the hotel name and then tell us a little bit more about it. This will then allow people to search your review on multiple variables.

Lastly, for those of you that didnt know, we are hosting our official launch party on September 28th. For those that can make it, we would love to see you there! It is from 6-8pm on September 28th in Chicago at the Cabaret club.

Look forward to seeing you all there. And, it's good to be back-- even if I am a little fatter. :)