Northern Illinois Boat Show

This last weekend was the Northern Illinois Boat Show at the Lake County Fairgrounds and the couch was ready to GO! Friday night we snuck it in the back door of the place. Once it got inside, it became part of the party!

FOTF had O-Bombs flowing so the couch naturally flocked to that area.

The couch spent the rest of the weekend at the BK Boat n Sleds booth and got a lot of attention and recognition from forum folks.

I even got the head of the Fox Lake Fireworks committee, Noreen, to join me on the couch for the official picture.

The boat show may be the only place that really offsets the oddness of the couch. Surrounded by hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of boats, the couch really looks out of place. I was very careful not to leave any plaid rub burns on any fiberglass as I left the place.

Heartland Blood Drive

There is a first time for everything and I have gotten to experience a lot of the "first times" with the couch. This is one of those times. I met up with the Young Professionals of Mchenry yesterday for a Heartland Blood Center Blood Drive. This was my first time giving blood and, like many others, I am not the best around it.

I had a little war going on inside me. I was nervous, but I was also fighting that nervousness and I thought that I was winning. Until someone walked in and said "Nervous?". I asked if I looked nervous and the whole room agreed that I did. When a room of people tell you you look nervous, your nervous.

I got in the bus and found my station and the nerves continued. I was cracking jokes the whole time so that kept me busy. All in all, it was not as bad as I built it up to be in my head. The staff at Heartland was great and made everyone feel very comfortable..... maybe a little TOO comfortable. I ended up missing the picture on the couch due to the free cookies and juice. "I think I need some more cookies."

To make matters worse, I lost the picture of the couch at the drive while I was uploading it here..... Time to donate more BLOOD!

V.I.P Facebook List

If you are a fan on the Couch's Facebook Page, then you should already know about the V.I.P. list. This is a list of people that shared, tagged, and spread the word about the Couch. This list started about 5 days ago and already has grown to 9 people so far. It isn't many, but it is a start. Why be on the V.I.P list? What's in it for you?

Well first off, you get your name on the couch. Now, the couch isn't huge so, this list is going to start filling in fast. If having your name on the couch was not cool enough for you, then wait till you see this part. As a V.I.P., you get to kick any NON-V.I.P. off the couch so you can relax on it. That's right, if someone says..."I don't see your name on it, Jerk" after you tell them they are sitting in your spot. You can tell them to lift the cushion and BAM.....there is your name. Now there are a couple ways to get on the Couch V.I.P list.

First, you can tag the couch in your status on Facebook. To do this, type '@' in your status and a drop down menu will appear. Immediately after the @ start typing Doug's Couch. You should see 'Doug's Couch' pop up in the list. Click on it and it will appear in the status bar. You can type whatever you like before or after it. This will also appear on the Couch Facebook page, so I will see this style post and add you to the list!

Another way you can add yourself to the list is to share the Facebook Page. To do this, cut and paste the web address onto your FB page, or scroll down the Couch page to the last line on the Right hand side. It should say 'share'. If you do share the link and I don't see it, please post on the Couch page so I know to add you to the V.I.P List.

Thanks to everyone that has check into the blog, Facebook, Twitter, and in real life. The couch is all about having fun and seeing where it goes. The more we spread the word, the larger it can get and the more fun we can have!

Join me on Facebook!

Blizzard of 2011

The couch usually makes trips to different locations and events, but this time things were different. This time, the blog post came to the COUCH, in the form of 3 feet of snow! That's right, the couch got a picture with Blizzila...aka Snowpocolyps, Snowtorious B.I.G., Tsnownami, Snowprah, or whatever name you will remember it by. This was an epic one so I could not miss the opportunity to get the couch out there.

This picture was taken at Bk Boat n Sleds' shop in Lakemoor, IL. As you can see in the background, the snow is about 3-4 feet deep. The couch is sitting on about 18 inches of snow. This picture happened so quickly that the couch didn't even know what was happening. It was all warm and sheltered in the shop and the next minute it was tossed out into the Blizzard of 2011.

Join me on Facebook!

Also check out how to be a V.I.P Couch Fan and kick other people off the couch!

New Year, New Couch, New Memories

Introducing the 2011 Couch !!

They say "history repeats it's self" and that is true in regards to Doug's Couch. Just like the original DC, this couch came to me. After the retirement of the Couch was announced, I started to get emails and comments about people missing the couch. Then I started missing having a couch around myself. I started looking on craigslist and I put a few feelers out there for a couch that could handle the life of Doug's Couch. There was no couch that really fit the bill.
Then Patricia spoke up.

Patricia knew of a couch that was sitting alone in a house in Fox Lake. A couch that had been left to fend for it's self. A couch that was once a part of someones everyday life, but now was in solitude. It was time for that to change. THIS was the couch that was destined to meet more people than it has in it's entire life. THIS was the couch that was going to be famous one day. THIS is the couch that was tired of sitting alone in a cold house.

This is Doug's Couch!

P.S. I have owned the couch for less than 4 hours and it has been dropped from 6 feet in the air, a leg broke off, it has been stepped on, and it ripped a little. I have also pulled a matchbox car, a broken PallMall and a McDonald's toy out of it's undercarriage. This is gonna be a good year.

Join me on Facebook.

"Barking for Boobs" and a Couch for Cleavage

This post is a long time over due... The couch was out at the 2nd annual Bark for a Cure Dog Walk. I was invited out by Michelle of the Pink Angels. The event was a great success! They had a ton of people and dogs come out for the 5k walk. The couch played a part of the event too. For a small donation, you could get your picture taken on the couch. It didn't take long for the couch to go to the dogs again. The last time I had an event with Camp Bow Wow, we had about 4 dogs on the couch... this event took the record with 9 dogs on the couch at once!


This event was a GREAT time!

Couch for Cleavage!!

Breast Cancer is definitely something to bark about!

Show your support in the fight against breast cancer by participating in the 2nd annual Bark for a Cure Dog Walk event on May 15, 2010 from 8:30am to 12pm. Take a leisurely stroll with your "best friend" at Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry, IL and then enjoy more doggy fun including: bobbing for hotdogs, nail trims, vendors and more!

Registration is $25 ($5 for the second dog) by May 5, 2010 (extended from April 30). Go to www.Tiny.cc/BarkforaCure to download registration forms. All proceeds from this event go directly to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer to help fund breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

Questions can be directed to Michelle at Michey14@yahoo.com or call 815-474-4556.

Key's Martial Arts Academy

The couch made a stop out in Mchenry, IL to see some of the Team members going to Nationals from Key's Martial Arts Academy. You could feel the talent in the room with these kids. If you doubted that there was some serious skills here, all you had to do was look at the trophy collection (there were two that were taller than I was)...this place doesn't mess around. Key's has a bunch of different classes for all ages. When I was there I saw little kids kicking and punching away and by the time I left, there were older folks coming in for Aikido (it sounded like I may get hurt so I skiddadled) lol.

I heard some stories and saw some videos online about the students here at Key's. There is a respect that these kids have that most kids these days do not have. It was refreshing to see that. In return, they gain respect from others. One of the passions that the members of Key's Martial Arts share is the stopping of Bullying in schools. After seeing these kids in action... I wouldn't want to mess with them.

With the issues that I have had with the new couch, I may be interested in checking out thier self defense classes so the couch can't take advantage of me anymore..

"YOUR NOT THE BOSS OF ME COUCH!"

P.A.D.S. of Mchenry Sleep Out

I met up with a group that I belong to, the Young Professionals of Mchenry, for a benefit for Homelessness Awareness. The event was hosted by PADS of Mchenry and was held in Crystal lake. Participants at the event raised donations and then slept outside in make shift shelters, tents, or in the elements for the experience of being homeless.

The couch got some attention right away. We brought it through the parking lot and hopped the curb then BLEW a wheel off the back of it. I half assed attached the wheels on this one and they didn't last 300 feet! Luckly, the couch was able to limp over to the event area. Once there, it didn't take long for people to come over and see what the deal was. As ussual, randoms had to sit on the couch...it is just that inviting! One guy just shook my hand and said "nice couch". It was very random.

Star 105.5 FM was at the event also. The morning guy, Joe Cicero, came over and was pretty excited about the couch. He and Ryan Wild, the night guy, were at the event for the night. It was cool to talk Joe for a while and he even posted pictures on the 105.5 site!


After the event at Lippold Park in Crystal Lake, our group headed out to Mchenry where we would be sleeping for the night. Kari, owner of Camp Bow Wow Mchenry, offered her front yard as a sleeping ground for us.


We had a few people sleep in boxes, one person on a flat box, a tent, and a guy on a couch. It was a nice mix. Luckly, years ago I purchased a sleeping bag that was rated for 30 degree weather. When the low that night hit 33, I was tucked in nice and tight. I slept pretty well concidering I was on a couch outside and about 40 feet from a busy road. There was also a gas station across the street that lit the night up pretty well.

The sleep out was a good time. Our group raised about $700 and we really bonded that night. The couch got some nice attention too. It was an interesting experience and it really made me appreciate what I have.

Out With the Old and In With the New

This is the last post for the 2009 couch and the first post of the 2010 couch. The 2009 couch had some great memories to it. I am sure we all have our favorites. My favs of 2009 was The Thirsty Troll Fest and New Glarus Brewery. The year went very quickly and there were some great milestones!

Well I thought a lot about how to get rid of the 2009 couch, and I settled on letting it go quietly. It made it's way to the big living room in the sky via a pseudo viking funeral. I took it to Grayslake Landfill in a junk boat.

This is the LAST picture of 2009 Couch

Now on to the MONSTER couch of 2010. This is a vintage couch from right here in Crystal Lake. I found it on Craigslist and met Diane at her home to pick it up. She had no idea what was in store for her favorite couch. She had some great memories on it and now it will have many many more added to it's history.

The new couch is a lot heavier and about 1 & 1/2 feet LONGER than the '09 couch. It BARELY fits in the back of the truck and may require another set of swivel casters in the center. This one is gonna be more of a 'chore' to haul around, but it will be well worth it. Not only is it a traveling couch...it is HUGE and will be one of the largest couches that most people have seen.

"2010 is gonna be HUGE!"

PADS Sleep Out April 17th

I was at the Young Professionals of Mchenry meeting last week and we were discussing volunteering options. PADS of Mchenry (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) came up. They are having a "sleep out" event in April to raise donations and awareness to help homeless individuals. As soon as I heard of the event, I knew it was something that I had to be a part of.

I would like to experience the feeling of being homeless as much as I can for the night. I know that it will be more of a physical experience than anything, because I know that I am fortunate enough to be returning to my home the next morning. I will be trying my best to forget that for the night. I am going to try to really get into the situation of being homeless and forget everything I have, for the night.

The only "luxuries" I plan on having for the night is the www.DougsCouch.com couch, my BlackBerry, and a camcorder. I have chosen to bring the BlackBerry and camcorder to document the experience and to connect with my Twitter and Facebook through the night. I would like to allow people to see what I see through the night. I am not planning on sleeping in a tent or inside. I will be on the couch in the elements. I plan to bring a sleeping bag and a tarp. That's it.

I have set a reasonable donation goal of $250. I think that is attainable and I also have a feeling we can gain raise MORE than that! I do not have much to donate and I am not asking you to donate much either. If you have a few bucks to donate, that would be great. If you have more to donate, that's awesome! I will be keeping everyone posted on where I will be spending the night April 17th.... until then, lets raise some CASH!

Donate Here!

Pleas share this with your freinds also...

Northern Illinois Boat Show

Northern Illinois Boat Show March 4th - 7th

The couch made it out the the Lake County Fairgrounds Friday night for the 1st Annual Northern Illinois Boat Show. The show was held in the new fairgrounds building and the place was PACKED with boats. Chicago Searay, Munson Marine, King's Island, Great Lake Yacht Sales, Chicago Mastercraft, were some of the leading dealers in the area that brought over 35 different makes of boats to the show. The cool thing about it was that all the boats on dysplay were geared towards the local boating community. There wasn't anything that was uncalled for on the chain o lakes There was everything from Bayliner to Hustler, and Regal to Lund. There was plenty of boats that has some real "wow" features to them too.

There were a bunch of service companies set up too. Audiosmith had the new Clear Internet Service on display, Ravewaves Detailing had some great show specials, Bottoms Up had his Jersey Skiff on display, and Road Rage Design had their wrapped Kayot...wow is it sharp.

Friday night was Fun on The Fox.com night. Craig Munson, one of the organizers of the event, was kind enough to let me roll the couch right through the front door. Once in, the couch had a front row seat at the FOTF booth. Mike Deron, one of the webmasters for FOTF, made the couch right at home by lining up O-Bombs on the table in front of it.

Once the O-Bombs started, it didn't take long for the FOTF'ers to start up the antics!

Word that the couch was there spread pretty smoothly and it got a lot of attention. Most of that attention was from the Fun on The Fox crew. A bunch of them joined me for the signature "Couch Picture"

I am so glad the couch was able to get into the show. The only trouble we had was physically getting it through the front doors. It didn't FIT! With the help of my freind Bill, we tipped it on it's side and slid it through. On the way out, I had one of the fairground personel pop the center pole out.

Last but not least is Kyle. He snagged a pic on the couch before anyone else at the show!

The coolest part of the couch is SHARING. Twitter it, Facebook it, email it, scratch it into the bathroom wall... the more who know, the farther we go!

The Tribune Local Artcle

The Tribune Local Article was posted on their site a couple days ago! It is already up to 500+ views, so that's great! A lot of people are being introduced to the couch and a lot of them are probably thinking, "WTF?" That's what I love about the couch; you can not understand it, but still like it. It's a COUCH! Who doesn't like a nice comfy couch? And why keep your couch hidden and alone in your home? I wanna get out there and see the world, but I am too lazy to get up...lol

For all of you that have been waiting for the first published article of the couch, here it is.

I was also interviewed by Freakin Genius Marketing in September of 2009...check it out!

Please share on your FaceBook, email, or Twitter!

Chicago Tribune Interview

Michelle Stoffel, a reporter and editor Chicago Tribune's TribLocal, came out the the BK shop last Wednesday for an interview. She had caught a couch update on Twitter and followed the story all the way back to the couch site. Obviously, I was more than excited to have her come out for the story.

She asked the whole back story of the couch and it was great for me to have to think back that far. The couch has been to some fun events and the stories that come with it are halarious. I was happy to run the history and the timeline again and really get a feel for how far the couch has come. The whole idea of the couch was to just see what happens and let the path unravel as we go...and it has gotten us this far. Who knows whats next!

I will keep everyone posted on when the article is released, and I will post it on the site.
And as always, please share this on your Facebook and Twitter... Word of mouth has been huge so I thank you for all the help!

Matco Truck

I have been working on getting the couch onto the Matco truck for about 6 months now. "Matco Tom" was a little leery at first after seeing what happen during our visit to camp bow wow. He also said that it would not fit, and the truck was never clean enough for a photo. I honestly gave up on it. I never thought that it was going to happen.

Well all the stars aligned last friday. The couch entered the Matco truck. It was a very tight squeeze, but history was made. Anyone can take a picture of a couch NEXT to a Matco truck, but we have to go bigger than that!

This HAS to be the first time any couch has been INSIDE any Matco truck and it happened right here on DougsCouch.com!

Don't go away just yet.... here is the video from the event.
Don't forget to share!

Worldwind Motorsports

The first stop of the 2010 season was at Worldwind Motorsports in Antioch. We stopped in to see owner Mike (center) and mechanic Rich yesterday. The couch has been in the truck for the last week and has been snowed on and thawed so it was a little moist. I dont think Mike and Rich cared much, they were pretty stoked it was there. While I was there, I should have had Mike get under the seat of the couch and give her the once over....make sure she is all up to par for the new season. I think it will be ok..lol

Worldwind is a full service powersport shop that repairs everything from snowmobiles to watercraft. If it's broke, the guys at Worldwind can fix it.

2010 Couch Season Has Begun

The couch has had it's time off and now it is time to get this thing back out on the streets. There are a lot of events going on this season and I am super excited to see where the couch goes.

I need YOUR help! If you have a cool event, or if you can get the couch into an odd location, please email me at Dougscouch@gmail.com.

Here comes 2010!

First Snow for the Couch!

The first snowstorm of the year came through today and my family and I took full advantage of the packing snow. What better way to start the winter season than to build a SNOWMAN! We got one going and once it was all together it was about 6' 4". I mentioned something about hooligan coming out at night and my 4 year old little girl started saying, "I hope the hooligans don't hurt the snowman."

We made a lazy snowman that did not feel like standing all night.....so we rolled out the couch. 'Frosty' chilled on the couch for about an hour before he "fell asleep" or passed out, depending on who you ask. I have heard that snowmen like to get sauced.

Before the snowman took his tumble, we were able to snag a pic of him for the blog. He said that he would be back some day to chill with us again. He by far was the coolest person to sit on the couch. He wasn't the friendliest guy though...he gave my daughter and I the cold shoulder.

Bk Boat n Sleds.com had their 1st annual snowmobile and swap show this past weekend. The couch was the the only piece of living room furniture in attendance. The weather was perfect so the couch hung outside all day.

The couch was right in the heart of things! Quite a few folks took a sec to hang on the couch and a few of them spent some serious time relaxing. I tried making some deals with the couch but no one was open to a swap. I tried trading it for a ladder, but DougsLadder.com just doesn't have the same ring to it.

After the crowd thinned and the camera's were put away....we had some fun with the couch. I had it all loaded in the truck with out it's strap and decided to perfect the "auto unload" feature. I tossed the truck in reverse and hit the breaks.... the couch dropped right out but the cap of the truck stopped it from unloading it's self completely. There was that split second when the couch hit the top of the cap that I thought to myself..."this isn't a good idea"...but it was too late.

Twitter

The couch has gotten a new tattoo. I added the twitter tag to the side of it to get some more attention out on the streets. The "honk for couch" gets some real attention so I figured I would add to it. I will also be adding the Facebook tag to it too. The more attention the better with this baby!


If you are using Twitter, come join myself and the couch. It is more of a live feed of whats up! If you are not on Twitter, you can catch the latest on the upper left corner of the blog, there are pictures and tweets.