Writing samples.
In February, 2011, I was part of the staff writer recruitment process at Groupon; these were the samples I submitted to them.
Groupon: Sea Kayak Georgia
If you showed up at most places wearing just a bathing suit while holding a paddle in your hand, your next destination might be the nearest mental health facility. However, that getup would be more than welcome at today's Groupon: for $25, you get a half-day kayaking tour (a $55 value) at Sea Kayak Georgia, which is located on uber scenic Tybee Island, Georgia. Tours take place Monday through Sunday from 11am until 2pm. During the summer months (March though October) two tours are held every day at 9am until 12 noon and 1:30pm until 4:30pm. All tours require pre-registration and pre-payment at least one day before your trip, so call ahead to reserve your spot.
Sea Kayak Georgia offers everything and anything a kayaker of any ability could ask for. You can purchase kayaks and paddling gear and participate in a number of kayaking trips and activities. The certified instructors are highly knowledgable in all things kayaking and aim to teach you the power of the paddle. Two of the instructors, Marsha Henson and Ronnie Kemp, own and operate Sea Kayak Georgia. They are true kayaking aficionados, as both have been instructing, competing, and coaching kayaking and canoing for years. Sea Kayak Georgia offers a wide variety of kayaking activities to accompany everyone from kayaking pros to people who can't tell the difference between a kayak and a wild yak. The half-day kayaking tour requires no kayaking experience, just the desire to be able to move yourself in a kayak using a paddle. For those with more experience or for those who want to develop their paddling skills even further, Sea Kayak Georgia offers more advanced kayaking activities such as rough water kayaking which is held in a rough water patch known by locals as the "Triangle." And because paddling through beautiful Tybee Island is usually a lot more fun than shooting lasers at one another, Sea Kayak Georgia offers custom day trips for work and school group outings.
Tybee Island is a popular vacation destination that has hotels, resorts, and cottages visitors can stay at for multiple day trips. There are many activities people can do, such as going to the beach, camping and surfing. Nonetheless, kayaking has become the most popular activity for people visiting. So relax, have fun and find your inner paddler at Sea Kayak Georgia. Tybee Island has warm water and pleasant temperatures most of the year, which means the Inuit people, who first began kayaking in the freezing Arctic waters for hunting fish, would be so jealous of you.
Groupon: Woodland Lanes
The pinsetter may be the finest example there is of a good Samaritan in this world because it helps the pins get up every single time they fall as well as assisting old ladies cross the street. Witness this act of kindness with today's Groupon: for $5 you get Three Games and a Shoe Rental (up to $12.75 value) at Woodland Lanes in Livonia.
Woodland Lanes is a family owned establishment that has been a bowling haven for over 30 years. It has been voted the #1 bowling facility in the metro Detroit area three years in a row by WDIV 4's "The Best" competition. The facility has 32 Brunswick ProLane synthetic lane surfaces that are sure to give your ball optimal roll and plenty of confidence. Every lane is equipped with automatic bumpers which enable them to go up and down in between turns which allows bowlers of all levels, ages and eye colors to play together. Automatic computer scoring at each lane allows you to leave your abacus at home. Glow-and-bowl is a wildly enjoyable, yet legal experience where the lights are turned off and the black lights are flicked on, which makes the entire alley glow. Wearing white clothing to this event will give you the glow you want without having to ingest icky nuclear waste. Everyone from novice rollers to pin pros can join leagues at Woodland Lanes as there are over 45 different bowling leagues for all experience levels.
The spacious and colorful facility is a great place to host events and the friendly staff is eager to help you plan your next bowling themed social outing. In addition to bowling, the facility has two cocktail lounges, food and drink services, video games, and pool tables. Woodland Lanes cannot always guarantee lanes will be available so they recommend calling them at (734) 522-4515 before you visit.
Groupon: "Carmen" at Pittsburgh Opera
One reason for opera's continued popularity may be that sitting in the balcony seats is one of the few times in life you will look distinguished while quietly observing strangers interact below you. Live this unique experience with today's Groupon: for $40, you get a Balcony Seating ticket (a $75 value) to the production of "Carmen" presented by the Pittsburgh Opera. This production of "Carmen" is playing March 20, 23, 26 and 28th at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.
"Carmen" continues the 70 plus year tradition of the Pittsburgh Opera presenting great stories to opera audiences. The city of Seville, Spain is the setting of this opera that tells the story of a gypsy named Carmen, a free spirited femme fatale, who uses her beauty to seduce a young solider named Don Jose. Carmen also goes on to seduce a bull fighter named Escamillo. This leads to a love triangle involving Carmen, Don Jose and Escamillo that gives the viewer all the passion and drama they can handle minus the guilty pleasure feeling they get while watching a similar plot line unfold on their favorite teen drama. The part of Carmen is played by Kate Aldrich. The San Francisco Sentinel hailed her as "The Carmen of this generation." Her mezzo soprano voice is sure to marinate your eardrums with pleasant sound waves. Frenchman Georges Bizet originally composed "Carmen" so the entire opera is sung in French; however, familiar English translations are projected above the stage. The estimated performance time of "Carmen" is 3 hours and 5 minutes, including two intermissions in which you will feel important as many people in the audience will be looking up at you on their way to the bathroom.
Between October and April, the Pittsburgh Opera offers a free Brown Bag Concert Series which is ideal for anyone that has wanted to listen to live opera while drinking from a juice box. Before you watch "Carmen" you can attend the Pre-Opera Talk, which is held one hour before each performance and is free with your ticket. The talk aims to further inform people, through discussion, on opera and the performance they are about to see. Watching a show at The Pittsburgh Opera allows you to take in an art form that has been around for hundreds of years while giving you a proper setting in which you can use your opera glasses.
Groupon Writing Sample: Fashion Square Car Wash
Without proper cleaning, your car will lack the confidence to ask out the cute hybrid down the street. Help out your car's love life with today’s Groupon: for $39, you get Five "The Best" Car Washes ($99.95 value) at Fashion Square Car Wash in Sherman Oaks. Fashion Square Car Wash is open from 8am till 5pm, 7 days a week.
Fashion Square Car Wash was named a Daily News Readers Best Choice in 2010 and continues to beautify automobiles with their cleansing services. "The Best" Car Wash takes your vehicle on an enchanting sudsy ride that cleans the entire exterior body of the car, including the hard-to-reach crannies of the under-body. Included with "The Best" package is a coating of poly sealant that will give a car's finish the armor it needs to defeat the sun's ray battalions. A tire dressing will give the rubber circle optimal gloss; while an application of clear coat conditioner will eradicate scratches and give the body shine. Previously immune cheerios will meet their untimely demise with a full interior vacuuming. "The Best" car wash is topped off with a rainbow glaze that will further cheer up the car's coat. A complimentary air freshener fills the car with an outdoorsy musk beckoning the driver to a life of lumber and pancakes.
With the purchase of any car wash, you automatically become a philanthropist as Fashion Square donates a portion of each purchase to a charity of your choice. People can relax in a shaded outdoor waiting room making the blissful activity of sitting that much better. In addition to its variety of car washes, Fashion Square offers detail services as well as oil changes. There is an air-conditioned gift shop on site where people can shop while their ride is dancing with the spindles.
