Eight Crazy Nights (or Days).

Today is day eight of ten in sunny southern California. Sorry I have been slacking on the blog posts... but I've been busy!

Thought I'd share some random highlights/happenings from my time here-

• Our meeting went fabulously. This was the third time I've done this particular one, and I couldn't be happier with the way everything turned out.
• One of my least favorite things about my job is when a meeting is over, and I have to say goodbye to all the wonderful people I've been working with over the last several months. This year, I had especially excellent event managers and suppliers. Not only did they do a fantastic job, but they were fun to hang out with, and all around great people.
• On both Tuesday and Wednesday, CSI Miami was filming right outside our space at the convention center. Some of our attendees got photos taken with the stars.
• Friday, after the meeting was over, Rachael, Dawn and I did the Hollywood thing... we went to a taping of Wheel of Fortune (three shows, actually - watch for me on April 24, April 25, and June 6). Then, as we were walking off the lot, we saw ADAM SANDLER! We were pretty excited about that. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to have cameras with us, so there is no proof. But I promise it happened. He said hello to us. :)
• We got pretty lost in Bel Air around 10pm on Friday night. That was interesting. We were having issues with our GPS lady. But then we got it all figured out. Turns out we were way up in the Hollywood Hills and there was a pretty sweet view.
• Today I met up with my parents, who are here on vacation. We went to Disneyland! Fun times... however, we were pretty bummed that Small World is closed for refurbishment. 
• Also today, I decided that the thing I hate most in this world is when people are making out in line for a ride. Seriously... get a room.

I think that's enough for now. More later!

A Sad Day for Herman

[Author's Note: I am being very vulnerable with you, blog readers, because until now, only a select few have ever heard about Herman.]

I think it was sometime in middle school when streetlights were installed in my neighborhood. It just so happened that one was installed directly in front of my bedroom window. I'm not sure how it came about, but at some point, I decided this streetlight needed a name. I think I may have been on the phone with Holly when we came up with Herman. Or maybe not. Either way, I remember sitting in my room late at night talking with Holly about Herman (while we watched the "YOU-FOES" go by in the sky). 

Herman's soft glow was cast into my room during most, if not all, of my teenage years. He was there during the ridiculous middle school crises (Will you call him and ask him if he likes me?), and the drama of high school (Dad, you were SUPPOSED to tell him I'm not home!). He stayed with me through high school when some important friendships were on the rocks, and for the first year of college, when I was home pretty much every weekend.

Today, I went home for a [very] brief visit. As I rounded the curve toward mom and dad's house, the first thing I noticed was that Herman no longer stood tall and proud as he once did. I I asked mom what happened to him... and found that it was just yesterday that he was hit by a car. However, she informed me, his light still worked, even in this abnormal, sad state.

My old room is now Emma's room. I can only hope that Herman will continue to watch over her as he did me for so many years.  

The Kiosk People

We all know that I love a good trip to the mall. However, lately, the annoying kiosk people have made my mall experiences a little less enjoyable. You know... the lotion people... and the hair straightener people.

I try to stay as far away from them as I can, avoid eye contact, and look like I'm in a hurry. But that never stops them from saying, "Miss, can I ask you a question?" By asking me if you can ask me a question, aren't you already asking me a question? Sometimes I keep walking. Other times I tell them no.

This week, I went to different malls two days in a row at lunch. (I was on the hunt for a certain sweater, but that's a story for another time.) It happened both days. Just once at Circle Center, but twice at Greenwood Park. After I said no to his initial question, the guy asked if I had used a straightener. If I had used one that day, it obviously didn't work because my hair was pretty curly. Maybe that's where he was going with the sales pitch...

So, lotion people and straightener people, LEAVE STEPH ALONE! I don't want your lotion, or your straightener, or your hair extensions. I just want to shop in peace.

Three Things I Learned about Texans

I spent a couple of days in Austin this week, and I learned three things about Texans.

1. They can make "sin" into a two-syllable word.

2. They like whiskey with their chocolate.

3. They come up with unique ways to have fun.

Not Your Typical Business Traveler

Most every time I travel, two things happen:

1. When the parking shuttle drops me off, and the guy says, "Have a good trip!" I always say, "You too!" Then I walk away with my suitcase, thinking, "Crap! He's not going anywhere!"

2. Though I am traveling for business, I am far from what I consider the typical "business traveler." 

• I am not wearing a suit and heels. I stick with jeans if at all possible, especially in the evening. And never heels in the airport. Never.
• I am usually not carrying a professional-looking black bag. I prefer the backpack, because it allows more freedom to do other things.
  
• I am never on the phone talking about business "transactions" and asking if I just "need to come down there and take care of it." Instead, I am texting Meghan about some lady's hilarious hair.
• I am not going to read The Wall Street Journal on the plane. If I'm reading anything, it's going to be People Magazine. (Or maybe something for school.)

Fun Weekend!

This weekend, Kate and I headed to Chicago to see Bon Jovi. It was my fourth Bon Jovi show... and I hope I get to go to [at least] four more! There's nothing quite like hearing thousands of people singing, "Shot through the heart, and you're to blame... You give love A BAD NAME!" Plus, Daughtry opened, which just added to the awesomeness of the evening.

There's always an interesting mix of people at Bon Jovi shows. Last night, our favorite was the lady next to me. She was middle-aged, half-drunk, and thinking she was hot stuff. I'm pretty sure she was there alone, too. Anyhow, about halfway through the show, she lit up a cigarette. That's definitely not allowed in the United Center. Kate and I were trying to figure out what was going on, and the people behind us were talking about it too, so I shot one of my famous looks to smoker lady. "No?" she says to me. "No," I reply with my best nasty attitude. So she put out the cigarette. (If you are wondering what my "best nasty attitude" no sounds like, just give me a call and I'll demonstrate.)

The girl behind us did a really good job with this photo. I was trying to explain how I wanted it to look, which is kind of hard when it's really loud. But there we are. With Bon Jovi. Probably the closest we'll ever get!

The production elements of the show were pretty fun. I kind of hate that I can't go to an event without noticing and analyzing random details, but I blame it on my career.

This may win the prize for most random event of the year, so far. John lives in Germany and we hadn't seen each other for about five years. But through the magic of Facebook, we figured out that we were both in Chi-town, so we met for a drink about 1 am. Totally past my bedtime. But totally worth it.

Kate and I really wanted to stay for nights 2 and 3 of Bon Jovi at the United Center, but alas, we had to come back to reality. It was fun while it lasted though... and a much-needed break from the craziness of the past few weeks.

To trust... or not to trust?

For more than a month now, I've been "one of those people." You know, those people who go camp out at their favorite Panera/ Paradise Cafe/ Mo Joe's, etc, for hours on end with their laptop and big stack of stuff to do.

When you're somewhere for upwards of eight hours, and you drink your coffee or tea beverage of choice, it's bound to happen. You're going to have to pee.

So there you are, all your stuff spread out, including your beautiful new MacBook. Do you leave your stuff at the table while you get up to pee? Do you assume people are generally good and will leave your stuff alone? 

Over the past few weeks, I've seen lots of this. Most people just leave their stuff, get up and do what they need to do, then come back and all is well. I have even done this, though I'll admit it makes me a little nervous.

But today... I was enjoying my favorite sandwich at The Abbey while reading one of the week's many assignments. There were a few other people there, eating, studying, etc. I noticed a man walk by me, laptop in hand. Then I watched him go into the restroom. Yep, he definitely didn't trust his fellow customers. He'd left everything else on the table, just not the coveted computer. That was the first time I'd ever seen someone take their laptop with them, and the first thing that came to mind was "ew." If I did take the Mac to the restroom, I would at least put it in my bag so I could hang it on the hook!