Can you be too popular in social networks

At this point, I am heavily linked to FACEBOOK and LiNKED IN.
I have decided to stick with those two.
(I got two invites from TAGGED today and yours)

I already have about 400 contacts on FACEBOOK
and
about 250 on linked in

I am now getting more updates on people putting their baby to bed, painting their bathroom, etc

This is not about hot flashes

Yesterday I started test driving a Ford Taurus. The driver before me must have left on the "warm the seat" function and I could not figure out how to turn if off.
Today I signed up for a pole-dancing class to review for yogayaya.com

I must be hot today

Not too hot

I was asked to judge the Fiery Foods competition in Fort Worth

But I JUST got back from Mexico and it made me realize that I am not as skilled at eating HOT HOT HOT foods as I thought I was.
I was the weiny of the whole gourmet group.
I think in all fairness to the contestants, I should pass

So I asked them to keep me in mind for ice-cream, cheese, chocolate, cocktails.
I am a really good eater

Re-entering the cyberworld

I am working in a business center with only one of three computers working--and they are shared by 800 people. And this after 10 ten days of almost no computer access and no cell phone reception.

I felt deaf, blind and dumb.

Yesterday I plunked myself in front of the single working computer and in an act of great selfishness, kept working away. When other people came in, I said--I think the other two are broken--you might want to remind them at the front desk.

I put all my stuff in a shopping cart--water, phone, medicine, notes, press kits, mail, etc. Instead of a bag lady I was a cart lady

In an act of great kindness, my massage therapist is loaning me her laptop. I did not ask. She saw how stressed I was and just offered. That should get me through until my new computer arrives.

Fractal Fourth

I have spent the Fourth of July in many interesting places. I have attended firework spectaculars in Switzerland, viewed Bastille day fireworks in France, watched the bi-centennial celebration in New York--but it will be hard to beat the Fractal Fireworks that ended a fractal presentation in the Albuquerque Planetarium.

As I walked back to my hotel, I realized when I looked up that there were fireworks on either side of me--some from the Balloon field and others from the nearby military basse.

The fractal show is the first Friday of every month. There are four shows in a night--hourly starting at 6pm

Creator Jonathan Wolfe is a genius--a scientist and artist. Fractals are his passion. His shows are scientific and sensuous.

Plan any trip to Albuquerque around a first Friday

Worst dinner ever

I dined at a formerly favorite restaurant and had a meal that was so
outrageous it would make a funny documentary.

We arrived and they had our reservation. There were only two other
tables filled in this lovely upscale restaurant.

I choose the 7 course degustation menu. After an elaborate (it seemed
like a 15 minute lesson) explanation of the menu choices. I finally
ordered.

The head waiter came by and explained they served an unsalted butter
from France. It was beautifully presented on a square glass crystal
plate.

Then he offered to "salt" our butter to our specifications with "FLEUR DE SEL".
I was so impressed as I watched him carely grind the special salt on
our butter square.

My second course was a peppery puck that tasted like cardboard. I
could not discern any other ingeredient besides pepper. When the
server noticed I had only taken one bite, he asked if I was enjoying
my mysterious pepper puck. I said that although it may have been well
prepared, it was just too peppery for my taste.

He replied that a lot of the diners felt that way.
(shouldn't he tell the chef--not me?)

By the third course my companion asked what I thought we were supposed
to do with the butter? I teasingly said dunk our fingers in and then
lick them.

After the third course, the girl who was busing tables came over and
asked if we would like more bread. MORE BREAD? We had never even
gotten any.

THE SECRET INGREDIENT

My fourth course was a corn risotto with pancetta. It seemed to have a
smokey, off taste. When I found a piece of plastic in the dish, I put
it on my bread plate and gave it to the buss girl. I suggested she
give it to the chef so that none of the other diners would get that
bonus ingredient.

No one apologized. No one offered to replace the dish or bring me
something else.
The meal just continued.

My dinning companion said--it is a shame they are already comping us
because we really deserve to be comped for this meal. My meal alone
was $125 without wine.

After more courses and a not very exciting dessert--when I leave a
chocolate dessert it is definately below par--

The waiter brought a check. Without opening it, I said, " I would like to put a tip for you on American Express."

He then asked me how I would like to pay the rest of the bill. The bill was close to $300 without tip

I explained that we had been invited to be guests by the Public Relations person.
They said no one had told them.

I suggested they check.

After about 20 minutes of wandering around, they finally came back and
said we were right--the meal was supposed to be comped.

I again told the server I would like to leave a tip on my American Express.

He replied, No, Mam, you can't tip us. We don't deserve it.

It was the first thing I think he did right.

My computer died. Please send condolences

Instead of flowers, please send a technician

I feel like my best friend died.
Actually, it was my computer.
It went everywhere with me. I spent more time with it than anyone or
anything else.

Just today, I forwarded an article about how they had defined
"computer addiction" as a medical diagnosis to a few of my friends

So I guess now I will be going in withdrawal.

If anyone has any tips or advice about a computer they love--or
something they wish they had gotten--please share

What time do you start opening your wine bottles?

THIS MORNING DHL WOKE ME UP AT 8 WITH
TWO TUBS OF CHOCOLATE BANANA ICE CREAM ON DRY ICE
A BOTTLE OF TOMATO VODKA FROM THREEE OLIVES.
4 BOTTLES OF WINE (ACTUALLY THREE WERE DOUBLE PORTION BOXES)
AND SOME GREEN FOLDING CAR SACKS

MOST PEOPLE WOULD THINK IT WAS GREAT TO GET THAT ALL BEFORE 8:15 AM
sORT OF LIKE XMAS MORNING

BUT I HAD BEEN UP LATE (AND HAD TOO MUCH WINE TO DRINK) AND I JUST WANTED TO SLEEP.

THE DHL PERSON "APOLOGIZED" FOR BRINGING ME SO MUCH STUFF. I COULD NOT GET IT ALL INTO MY LOFT, SO I SAT ON THE PARK BENCH IN FRONT OF MY LOFT AND OPENED EVERYTHING. I FELT A BIT LIKE A WINO SITTING THERE. MOST OF THE PEOPLE WALKING BY WERE COMING FROM THE HEALTH CLUB--DRINKING SOMETHING LIKE POMEGRANATE JUICE.

Why I joined Facebook

I just joined on Monday because when I was in San Francisco last month I went to a cooking school at a winery called Crushpad. They sent me a noitce they had a new program called winestream with Facebook. I had to join Facebook to access it. Suddenly old friends started finding me and I got hooked.

HOw to get free gas

Tomorrow morning I am doing a segment on Fox TV
It is about free gas offers and will flash to carladynews where I will post the list
It has been a lot of research--sort of like shopping and using coupons.
Go to www.carladynews.com to find the free gas offers

Watch Madelyn on TV

I did a travel segment for First Wives World. Take a look and please leave a rating if you want to
http://firstwivesworld.com/resource/debbie-does-divorce/debbie-nigro/traveling-solo-post-divorce

A friend asked who I was dating

Haven't really dated recently. Who wants to go out with a princess who arrives home exhausted with tons of dirty underwear and then just wants to do laundry, answer emails and open the mail before she packs and goes out again.
And I expect chocolate on my pillow everynight and a good massage in the spa, a Cordon Blue trained chef---and so on

Isolation Vacation

I got a press release today that made me laugh. I have survived a night in the Ice Hotel in Quebec, woke up at 6am in the morning to go fly fishing in Alaska, and a gueling 39 day train trip thorugh Europe.

I might be able to survive without the internet (well, maybe) But I could never survive without shopping. Do they have any vintage stores underground?

No Phones or Calls, Just Snorkeling, Swimming, Deep Sea Fishing & Food



Anguilla, B.W.I – February 20th, 2008 – Remember when work was confined to the office and vacation was truly a time to relax and unwind? These days, eighty-three percent of Americans check e-mail once a day while on vacation.+ The Arawak Beach Inn on the posh island of Anguilla invites travelers to relive the days of the so-called “Dark Ages” with its Isolation Vacation. Without Internet access, TV or phones, guests will be forced to enjoy all the island, and this rejuvenating escape, have to offer. The seven-night getaway, created to help overworked guests unplug and recharge, is available year-round and priced seasonally starting at $999 per person (less than $143 per night), based on double occupancy, June 1 through October 31, 2008. *



Tech junkies looking to go cold turkey will be blacklisted and unable to purchase or have access to an Internet connection at the resort (bribes not accepted!). BlackBerries and laptops will be kept under lock and key upon arrival if guests were not able to leave their electronic security blankets at home. The office will be unable to reach guests as there are no phones in the room. And for those constantly monitoring the market or addicted to the cable networks coverage of the economy, don’t think the TV will be the savior; they will be removed from guestrooms. What’s a guest to do in this tech-starved environment? The seven-night Isolation Vacation includes:



Oceanfront accommodations, ideal for watching the waves roll in
Daily breakfast, to provide all the energy needed for a day of exploring
Four dinners at the Inn’s Arawak Café
Three-day car rental, to see take in the gorgeous sights of Anguilla**
Private day-trip to an uninhabited island complete with a gourmet picnic lunch (no chance of sneaking technology in here!)
A deep sea fishing excursion
Three days of snorkel equipment
Round-trip airport or ferry transfers


Visitors going through work withdrawal can refer to Maria Hawkins, the resident innkeeper, for ways to witness Anguilla's varied culture and history or for recommendations on beaches, local restaurants, and how to really kick back, relax and enjoy the island way of life.



For reservations contact the reservations office at 1-877-4-ARAWAK or e-mail relax@arawakbeach.com. For more information, visit www.arawakbeach.com.



“This intimate gem sings with island warmth and color,” says Fodor’s. Arawak Beach Inn features a pool, the Arawak Beach Inn Café, home of the Caribbean’s best pizza, a bar, and oceanfront accommodations boasting a balcony or deck with spectacular views, a king- or queen-size bed, a refrigerator, and a private bath. Most Oceanfront Deluxe rooms also include cable TV and four-poster beds. But the best part may be Maria Hawkins, Arawak’s exuberant innkeeper extraordinaire who invites guest into the kitchen to whip up their favorite meal. Maria makes guests feel at home while in paradise.



The pace at Arawak is entirely up to guests. Lazing around the pool and enjoying the Arawak Beach Inn Café’s delicious Caribbean fare and International cuisine is a popular “activity.” For more adventurous guests, inn staff members will arrange boat excursions, sailing trips, tennis, and diving for an extra fee. Deserted beaches are a short stroll away for snorkeling and letting sand seep through toes.

too big?

YesterDAy I was at the Salvation Army. A very attractive woman was trying things on in the makeshift mirror beside me.
I asked her about her opinion on a few things I was trying in. After a few, she said to me...WHY ARE YOU TRYING ON THINGS THAT ARE TOO BIG?? I explained I had lost some weight and wasn't really certain of my size.
She was a former model and we really bonded and exchanged cards. I make lots of friends while I am shopping.

A party I should have skipped

My Rochelle forwarded a press invite to a new online TV show. It was at a trendy new bar and promised appetizers and drinks.
I am not so trendy...so I decided to call the bar to find out exactly where it was.
I dialed and dialed. Turns out the number of the invitation was wrong.

THAT WAS MY FIRST CLUE
or perhaps an omen.

I arrived at the event and was not exactly sure where the "LIFT" (name of the BAR) was. I had the address and there was a long line of valet cars, so I just got in line

SECOND MISTAKE.
I spent more time waiting in line to retrieve my car than I did at the party.

I finally figured out where the entrance was. The doorman pointed me inside.
On the left was a sloppy stack of boxes with different labels. There was an office building elevator ahead.
I was not sure where to go.
I asked the doorman where the bar was? He looked at me like I was a complete idiot (how did he know so quickly?) and then he condescendingly said: TAKE THE ELEVATOR.

THE BAR IS NAMED FOR THE ELEVATO..GET IT? A LIFT

As the door opened, the access was completely blocked by a couple conversing. A hostess person asked them to move over. They seemed to not hear her. (It was loud--maybe they really did not hear her) The hostess took the man's arm and guided him into the room.

Then the hostess handed me a small cardboard box. It looked like a tiny present in a cheap box. She said, "I don't know..maybe the tickets are for a drawing at the end..so you may want to save yours."

I LATER LEARNED THE TICKETS WERE DRINK TICKETS

Food always helps--so I went looking for the promised appetizers. I finally found a man slowly passing about three dozen slices to about 300 hundred people. Since I am allergiv to shellfish, I asked him if there was fish in the sushi. He said no. Luckily, a nearby girl who had just had a piece said .."There is Crab."

SHE SAVED MY LIFE.

I decided to leave. I mean if the hostess does not know the drink tickets are drink tickets and the server does not know what was in the food, I just hoped the valet still knew where my car was.

A PREMONITION
I walked down the stairs ( no elevator on the back exit way out) hoping the valet had been slow enough not to yet have parked my car.

NO LUCK
I spent more time in the valet line than I did at the party. When they finally found my car, they had obviously moved the visor where I keep my glasses.

DRIVE WITHOUT GLASSES?
I knew that was a bad idea. So I stayed where the valet had parked my car and starting looking for my glasses. They are big and red. Should be easy to find. But it wasnt't. Everyone started honking.

WHAT NEXT
I went home and had dinner at the wonderful bistro across the street--Amuse.
Great burger, nice ambiance, and friendly servers. I wished I had never left the neighborhood

I know how Brittany feels

Whenever someone invites me to a cocktail party at a bar, I almost panic when I walk into a dark, loud, noisy room.
I am not shy. But I had to not be able to see well enough to know who I want to talk to.
I stand near the door. Then I walk to the bar. Then I look around for the appetizers.
If I don't see any food, I leave right away.
Unless Don Weitz is there and since he know everyone he will introduce me to interesting people.

Poor Brittany. Imagine trying to go to court with paparazzi all around you. I guess she decides not to go.

Maybe I should stop going to large cocktail parties at bars.