jcaroline's blog

I went to NYC and all I got was ...

  ...the latest information on how social media is changing everything.

I just got back from Blogher '10 in New York.  Here is what I learned:

1.  Women control 85% of household spending.

2.  A "pink twitter" is a combination of lemonade, vodka and grenadine.  I really thought it was... oh, never mind.

3.  AOL still exists.  Who knew.  Apparently they now make business card holders and IPod speakers.

4.  I did not win an IPad, but the free box of Ph-Balancing tampons completely made up for it.

5.  I taped a video segment for 5 Minutes for Mom, and can say proudly, I gave them absolutely nothing they can use...

6.  ...though I think my comment about locking my doors while blogging to combat internet security issues was genius.

7.  There are a ton of really talented writers and artists in the blogosphere.  Watch for Kirtsy's auction of art pieces based on inspiring blog posts.

8.  I must get rid of the ".typepad" in my blog name.  It's so 2009.

9.  A Mr. Potato Head and PlayDoh can completely make up for being gone for five days.  For a four-year-old anyway.

10.  I am now inspired to get back to a regular blogging schedule, so beware.

Wiley Book Party holds Life Lesson

Wiley Publishing had a book launch party for Sandi Henderson, Melissa Averinos and Anna Maria Horner during Quilt Market.  It was held at this very cool restaurant called Cosmos in the Graves 601 Hotel (no connection to architect, Michael Graves).

Anyway, here is my pictorial essay of the event.

Here is the friendly staff setting up the drink luge.  This one is a little more fancy than a traditional drink luge- they expect us to use glasses.  (I had never heard of one before, but they run the alcohol through the ice block to chill it.  In the extreme party version, you just drink off the ice block as it runs off.  I wouldn't waste my time- a good old-fashioned shaker chills the drinks much better.)  Note the candles to highlight the luge and in the lower right of the picture as table accents.

The restaurant created "signature" drinks honoring each author.  I tried the Anna Maria, which was very good.  I was tempted to try all of them, but since they were 99% alcohol, I decided I better tone it down a bit and continued with drinks that were only 50% alcohol.  Note the glow of the candles reflecting in the menu.

Raise your hand if you knew where this was headed.  Yes, a guest's scarf caught on fire as they filled up their glass at the drink luge.  Caught on fire.  Like flames.  Her friend had to pull it off of her neck and stomp it out on the floor.  Fortunately, the only thing injured was the scarf.

Though I've always said, "It's not a party until someone catches on fire", do watch your candle placement around your drink luge.