Don’t you love the word “hoopla”? It’s so fun. Dictionary tells me it’s similar to ballyhoo or hullabaloo, another pair of excellent words with a lot of vowels. I also like the Shakespearean phrase “much ado about nothing” though what I am after here is a smallish ado about some smallish bloggy things where maybe our paths will cross.
I’m off to Mexico on a junket. Cancun, I believe. It’s one of these all expense paid let us show you how fabulous our place is kinds of trips organzied by an enthusiastic and funny PR guy. The whole thing is so far from anything I’d ever choose to do on my own that I kind of can’t wait and if that makes sense to you, well, you are my kind of person.
I believe we’re staying at a big all inclusive resort though I don’t yet know what’s on the itinerary. I’m telling you now, right now, that it’s all comped, you heard it here first. And this too, truth be told, things have been so effed up and stressful at the NEV HQ lately that this kind of change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered. I am, however, somewhat skeptical of the value of jetting a handful of bloggers off to Mexico when it’s hot and muggy, it seems like a better PR tactic would be to do it when the destination is more appealing. If I end up spending the whole time in the hotel lobby drinking margaritas, ordering up a third plate of nachos, and reading yet another biography of Frida Kahlo, well, I’m okay with that.
I’m also off to Chicago. The long way, by road, with two other swell Seattle area travel bloggers. We’ve launched the TBEX Road Trip blog and are diving deep into planning. Our itinerary is published (subject to change, of course) and hey, if you’re on the way, we’d love to stop in and see you, maybe join you for pancakes at your favorite local breakfast joint or, you know, whatever. “Whatever” might mean camping on your lawn, I’m just warning you. Bits of that trip will be comped, other bits won’t be, again, I’m telling you now and I’ll probably tell you again. Repeatedly. Sorry, it’s just that I want it to be all on the level.
Did I mention Chicago? The reason we’re heading there is for TBEX, the Travelblog Exchange Conference where I’m on a panel. I’m also on a panel at BlogHer, the women’s blogging conference. I recently learned, to my terror and delight, that I’ve been selected to read at the Community Keynote — this means that, along with about a dozen other bloggers, I’ll read a selection from Nerd’s Eye View to a packed hall. No, a PACKED hall, like, a thousand people. Whoa. Yes, I know what I’m reading, no, I’m not going to tell you, yes, there will probably be recording of some kind, no, I do not know if this event will launch the career in public radio that I so richly deserve but am doing nothing about. Next question?
So, that’s the hoopla. Hullabaloo. Ballyhoo. Whatever. Use those words in a sentence today, okay? They seem so circus like and that makes a great deal of sense to me right now.
Great hoopla! We’re looking forward to meeting you at TBEX and BlogHer. And to getting a big dose of the Nerd’s Eye View humour in person. We’re still laughing at your SxSW tweets!
Oh man, I love Cancun. It’s not just frothy drinks and poolside massages – check out the Mayan ruins. Tulum, Chichen Itza, one that begins with an X that I’m blanking on…they’re all really fascinating. I’d be there with you if I could!
Enjoy those poolside massages and frozen margaritas ANYWAY.
🙂
This is really exciting! Congrats on all the fantastic, festive and comped opportunities! I’m sitting in my IT cell writing this, and I’ve got to tell you, there’s nothing I’d like more right now than an all-expenses paid trip to Cancun … but I’d take a strawberry daiquiri instead of a margarita.
Congratulations on the summer travel plans, comped and otherwise. Looking forward to meeting you at TBEX and BlogHer. Of course you’ll be all tanned and relaxed from travels in Cancun. Strawberry margarita, blended, please.
Ballyhoo! Bungalow!!
“Yurt” used to be my favorite, but my friend Matt sold me on “bungalow.” It really rolls off the tongue. Try it a few times!
I’m nearly positive you meant “…destination is more appealing” rather than “…destination is more appalling.”
I’d sure like to be in a position to be offered a paid junket like that, appalling or not. 😉
Any trip that is fully comped is a trip worth taking! Being a fan of warm weather, I’d say there’s also no better time of year to visit Chicago or any place in the north, so while Cancun may be muggy you can always go for a dip – there’s no (adequate) cure for a Chicago winter though, so consider yourself lucky in that respect! Hope it all goes well for you.
can’t wait to meet you at TBEX!!
Ohmygod, i just found your blog and I just read your meet the nerd section and ohmygod, so what you’re telling me is that you and I are twins separated at birth, except you’re living the life we’re destined to lead and I’m not. Yet.
Love the blog. A lot.
Look forward to reading more (and scoping out your Hawaii guide, since I used to live there and have an…ahem…discriminating eye).
Okay. Aside from the fact that you’re clearly younger than me, I want to be you when I grow up. It’s comin’ any day now. I even have a ukulele (two, actually).
Effin’ fantastic. What a great thing to have found on this grey Sunday.
Thanks much…