Miss Lori says Craftsman is looking for someone to get SCREW*D

As you know week before last I was a guest at the CraftsmanDIY event here in Chicago. Believe me, no one was more surprised than I was by the invitation. When you think of Miss Lori, my guess is power tools are not the first things that come to your mind. (Well, maybe if you are frustrated with me. But that is a different story.~Tee Hee Hee) I tried to dress a little less Miss Lori and a lot more industrious…well, for me. I got my kids off to their schools and zoomed downtown to the Craftsman Experience studio a little after the opening bell. I slapped on my safety glasses and dove right into the projects. Most of the time I had absolutely no idea what anyone was talking about, but I smiled a lot so I think I gave the impression that I was a knowledgeable team player. (Thank goodness for that acting training!) I may not have been tool literate, but what I am is interested and motivated. I really want to learn how to do for myself, for my family for my. In this economy I can’t afford not to be.

The day was AWESOME and really wet my whistle, but it was only just a day. Now what do I do? Well the answer may lie in an opportunity that just landed in my inbox. If not for me, then maybe for you. Yes, you. Put that coffee down it’s time to pick up a wrenchy thingy. You may be SCREW*D!

The Craftsman^® brand launched a search this week for the next breakout reality star to be part of a new interactive online series, SCREW*D: Where Survival Comes Down to the Right Tools. Applications are being accepted now through Thursday, July 7 at craftsmanscrewd.com and at select events in Chicago and Los Angeles. The ideal candidate will have little to no tool skills whatsoever, (I’ve got no skills!), but must be ready to face anything in pursuit of DIY knowledge, as well as have an engaging personality and be comfortable in front of a camera, (Yeah, that doesn’t actually sound like me at all~HA!). Whoever is selected for the challenges ahead will earn up to $50,000* and free room and board for the duration of the show. (Wait, would I have to bring my kids?)

Scott Freidheim, executive vice president at Sears Holdings and president, Kenmore, Craftsman & DieHard said; “We’re about to witness how Craftsman tools can empower a DIY novice to successfully complete a range of tasks that enable them to overcome extreme conditions.” (My house is an extreme condition, trust me!)

Anyone with swagger and a sense of humor, but hapless with a hammer, is encouraged to apply by creating a video no longer than two minutes in length that answers the following questions:

1) Tell us your story: why do you want to learn to work with tools? What do you want to build that you don’t know how?

2) How unhandy are you? Show us a recent project that went awry. OR give us a tour of your toolbox (or lack thereof)

Applicants are encouraged to be as creative as possible, showcase their personality and demonstrate why they should be chosen for this opportunity. Use of props and pictures, or other creative treatments is highly encouraged. Online submissions are being accepted at: www.craftsmanscrewd.com

In addition to online submissions, open auditions will be held in Chicago and Los Angeles from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time on Sat., June 25, (Aw man, I am performing a concert at Whole Foods Willowbrook that day honoring The Special Olympics. Maybe I could work some power tools into myself.) The audition in Chicago will take place at the Craftsman Experience, 233 W. Huron, and in Los Angeles at ASG Casting, Inc., 4144 Lankershim Blvd, Suite #202, in North Hollywood.

The same criteria for the online submission process apply to the open auditions. Please come prepared with answers to the above questions and bring props, pictures and/or other creative treatments as necessary.

If chosen, the individual will undergo a series of grueling boot camp training sessions led by Craftsman experts, (I don’t know but I’ve been told, I need tool skills to help my house get sold!). Ready or not, after each training, the chosen hero will be taken on a series of extreme, high-risk tool and survival challenges with only Craftsman tools and the brand’s online community to guide him/her along the way, (I loved MacGyver!).

The role as hero of SCREW*D will start Aug. 14 and continue full-time for 12 weeks. All semi-finalists must pass a background check to be eligible for further consideration. Candidates must be available from Aug. 10 – Oct. 23 and must be willing to travel to remote, wild locations to put new-found tool skills to the test in a variety of demanding challenges, (Oh man, my Summer tour goes until Oct 2. Maybe I can get an understudy Miss Lori~hmmm). The chosen candidate will earn compensation of up to $50,000, as well as room and board in Chicago’s River North area, (I’d need an understudy Mom too, but with that paycheck I could afford it!)

This adventure show begins on Aug. 14. Be sure to mark your calendar to engage with our hero via Facebook and be entertained by his/her misadventures and mishaps along the way. (Heck you can do that with me everyday. I’m chock full of misadventures!)

So what are you waiting for? Drag out those dusty tools, write that project punch list and power up your video camera. Make your own audition video and maybe you will get SCREW*D!

SMILE On!

Miss Lori can be found Musing from her Minivan at MissLori.TV , Wearetherealdeal.com , YoungChicagonista , ChicagoMomsBlog , and ChicagoMoms.com. You can also see her Activating to Be Great at Miss Lori’s CAMPUS on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.