I’ll try to tackle that one tomorrow!

The kids have hunter Ed tomorow night. I might try to clean up and install Thesis while I wait.

Selling vacation lodging online is a mixture of science and art.  Just like selling clothing, electronics or even FOOD – what you “name” something is as important as what it looks like or how it functions.  Think about a trip to a restaurant…are you more likely to pay $17.95 for a “hamburger” or a “Double Decker BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger”?

I’m a newbie to the “Math” of SEM – but every since SES NY in 08 I’ve been fascinated in the numbers & behaviors that make up turning clicks into money.  I’m working on getting a Post Click Marketing program going at work and I’ve spoken a few times on the topic at various conferences.  The highlight being SES San Jose when I was on the stage with Scott Brinker of Ion Interactive (the founders of the phrase “post click marketing”) and Tom Leung – the fella that invented Website Optimizer at Google.  Wow that was a rush.

This time I’ll be on the stage at the inaugural SMX Search Analytics conference and sharing space again with Scott.  We will be joined by Andrew Goodman, our moderator and John Quarto-von Tivadar (who has the coolest job title in the world – Chief Scientist and Thinking Officer!)  I’ve never met John and Andrew but I’m betting we’re going to have a blast talking about Traffic Segmentation and why it matters.  I have a feeling I’m going to be talking about segmenting traffic through SEO means and Scott and John will be addressing PPC avenues – (I’m speculating here, but that’s ok it is MY blog, right?)  I’m also really excited to be traveling to Toronto – I’ve never been and even had to go apply for MY FIRST PASSPORT in order to attend.

Last time I was in Canada folks – I was like 10 yrs old and my mom was in charge that time   We’ll see how I do, but right now I have credit card and currency anxiety.  If I can get through the 3 days by swiping my credit card or signing things to my room – I’m good.  If I have to exchange money I’m fucked – hopefully Blackberry has a currency converter application.

If you’re headed to Toronto for the conference March 31-April 1 – let me know, I’m leaving the evening of the 1st but will be in the afternoon of the 30th – I’m always up for dinner & drinks with new friends.

Happy “Heart” Day everyone.  I had a good but very mellow day – Hubby, Kids & I went to breakfast then I was gifted with a spa certificate good for an hour long “full-body” massage and a full body wrap.  I’m going tomorrow around lunch and then for a haircut – it’s a mom day – YEAY.

I’ve never had a “full body” massage – why do they call it that – do I need to shave my legs all the way up to my armpits or what?  I’m modest even around my hubby – how much “full body’ing” is this stranger I’ve never met before going to do?  Okay, Hill – suck it up – you can do it and you WILL relax!

I have a few more posts brewing here – hopefully I’ll keep going as I seem to go gangbusters and then fall off the face of the blogging earth.  I just have so much going on.

Highlights – Landing Page Opti session RAWKED!  Organic Site Reviews session was great too! Dinner at Benihana – which is a Las Vegas tradition – and I’m up about $100 on the slots – so all in all a great day!

Oh & I saw the Bellagio fountain show today for the first time – was AWESOME.

Bellagio pic courtesy lemoncat1

When I was trying to decide which BB to buy, I was reading reviews all over the place and the most noticeable “issue” people had was with the keyboard. It’s touchy – and I wont say I haven’t gotten pissed off a few times – but for the most part I’m learning how to use it.

Not only is it a phone, and a killer email client (I get both my outlook and gmail on this phone) it also has a pretty nice camera, a video camera that doesn’t COMPLETELY suck, a MP3 player that will even play itunes music if it doesn’t have some sort of Apple/Itunes restriction on it (not entirely sure what it is, but only about 1/2 of my purchased ITunes music will load over into the Blackberry.)

I’m so happy with the photo quality I’m not going to bring a camera to Pubcon next month – I’m going to use my BB and bring an extra memory card (just in case as my lappy will download from a SD Card.) I’ll post some photos I took with the Pearl below.

Overall very happy with the purchase, only “downside” is the “hard to get used to” keyboard but I’m getting there. The trackball is a freaking stroke of genius – makes navigating and working the phone really really simple

Sandy the Office Wonder Pooch

Madison the Brat (11 going on “are you moving out yet?”

Aerik, er..I mean “Darth Vader”

My husband bought a new motorcycle this summer – so that’s his sunny-weather transportation.  I need me some convertible.

Isnt she cute?  I think I’ll call her “Blondie”

Now I just need to convince hubby to buy her for me

My husband just went to dispose of said snake, he’s not allowed to tell me where he put it – but i’m pretty sure he put it on the other side of the fence, which is just wire – so the snake can come back. The result of his laziness is that I will not be venturing into the back yard for a good month…maybe more.

Here’s a funny story to illustrate my irrational fear of snakes. We (hubby, kids, me) were camping a few years ago and had a very nice weekend up near Ruedi Reservoir near Aspen, CO area. We were packing up to go and as we hauled out of the campground, I walked to the dumpster to throw our trash away. I dump the bag and turn around and there is a snake between myself – and the truck and safety. THis snake was so small it could have been a piece of very VERY thin rope…and about 5 inches long – MAX. I start freaking out and jumping around like an idiot – scaring Mr. Snake…who slithers under the truck. I run towards the truck – thinking I’ll climb in the bed, then crawl through the window to safety when Mr. Snake heads towards the back of the truck – underneath it. My husband takes a break from laughing so hard he’s about to pee his pants to jump out and grab said snake by the tire….at which point I’m looking for a bushy stick – because that’s what the Crocodile Hunter does when confrnoted with a scary and dangerous creature. My kids are about to pass out from laughing at this point.

Hubby grabs the snake – it bites him and i loose it – screaming about first aid kits and the fact we’re 2 hours from the hospital. At this point in time i find out Mr. Snake is so small – his little teeth cant even break the skin…so hubby wont die a slow death from cellular poisoning. After being yelled at and almost smacked in order to get me in the truck – hubby succeeds in getting me into the truck – and letting the little snake go….

…..I’ve never been back to that campground – and dont have any desire to go again.