This Wino Wednesday post was inspired drinking cheap red wine on a flight.

I spent an entire evening flying on an airplane. In coach class. I’m not complaining because I think it was the most “feel good” flight I had. Why? Well let me tell you:

1. I discovered and watched a great movie…Bottle Shock. This made #2 on my list so enjoyable. By the way, if you haven’t seen it, you should. It’s *that* good and based on a true story.
2. I had someone bringing me wine. So what that she charged me $7 for every mini bottle of the cheap juice. It tasted so good. That’s mostly because of #1 on my list.
3. My MacBook Pro battery life lasts forever. And by forever, I mean for a long time. I love that machine.
4. I bumped into a Salt Lake City friend as I ran onto the plane. Literally. I was very late and the last one to board. She was in first class. Bitch. (Not really, she’s a doll.)
5. I had wifi onboard. Crazy being in touch with people thousands of feet below you.
6. There was an empty seat next to me. My petite 5′4″ frame totally needs the space. Okay really, all the shit I was lugging around needed the space.

After this flight, I felt rejuvenated and refreshed. It was amazing. Of course, that could have been the wine helping my heart be so happy. Don’t argue…RED WINE IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEART!

Wino Wednesday…this weekly feature is designed to share my wine alcohol related stories.

Tags: Friends, movie, plane, wine

Isn’t there a saying in life along the lines of “just ask”. Wait, I think I’m confusing it with “don’t ask, don’t tell”.

Anyhow, something I’ve learned in life is sometimes you just have to ask. Oh that’s it…”just ask and you shall receive.”

So here it goes.

Anyone want to sponsor me for BlogHer 2010? And by sponsor I mean send me. It’s August 6-7, 2010 in New York City.

Last year I wanted to go to BlogHer 2009 in Chicago but I lost the opportunity because I procrastinated. That won’t happen this year. Nope. I have girlfriends going so I’m committed.

Here’s what it will take.

• Full conference pass for only $198. But wait, that’s not all. There’s more.
• Round trip ticket for me to NYC. It only makes sense that I fly first class, being sponsored and all. Plus it’s a bloody long flight from Salt Lake City to New York City and I need to be fresh when I arrive. Plus the free cocktails and food on the flight will help lessen the cost of food and drink once i arrive in NYC.
• A room at the hotel where BlogHer is held for two nights. This year it is at The Hilton New York. Rooms are only $199 per night. But again, as a sponsored guest, I think a suite or an executive level room is only fair. Plus I plan to have my girl friends up to my room to drink wine before every event. Including breakfast.
• Limo service to/from JFK to the hotel. This isn’t as expensive as you might think. And it beats a taxi cab that smells like vinyl, cigarettes and puke.
• Business cards to be designed and created in order to advertise the hell out of www.offthechest.net and Susan Mercedes. That’s how this stuff works, I think.

Optional sponsoring items:

• Spending money. NYC is expensive as hell. And a girl has to eat, drink wine, shop, go to museums and whatever else one does to spend money in a big city.
• Wardrobe money. This would need to be arranged prior to my trip. There are several events where I would be expected to look hot. New clothes always help.
• Additional nights on either end of the trip. It may be fun to make this a conference AND a vacation.

For all of your generosity and sponsorshipness, you’ll get several things in return: my love and gratitude, a plug on my blog (if you want), that warm fuzzy feeling one gets when they help others and a better blog to read after I learn lots of new blogging magic. All this stuff is golden.

And if you’re considering this honored sponsor role, I’m happy to chat with you at susanmercedes@offthechest.net. But act quickly, because I have to be booked before February 28th. I can’t afford a repeat of last year. Remember? I missed going. Because I procrastinated. We’ve only got about 7 weeks to plan this.

*fingers crossed*

Tags: blogging, BlogHer, conference, Travel, trip

Sometimes you just have to say “Fuck it!”

I just did. And it feels fabulous.

I was given the opportunity to fly to Las Vegas this weekend. Hotel is already covered, I just have to get my butt down there.

I sat on the fence for 45 minutes doing the normal second guessing game. “No, I really shouldn’t.” “I don’t really have the extra money with Christmas around the corner.” “I really should stay at home and do chores that I’ve been putting off.” “No, it’s too last minute.”

“Stop that!”, said my crazy side.

So I booked the trip.

And here’s how I justified it. Who wants to die having passed up fun times with few hundred or thousand dollars in their pocket? Not me. I’d rather die breaking even and having a blast up until then.

Of course, this is under the assumption that I have Elle (my 10 year old daughter) financially covered in the event of my premature passing. And I do. So there, I am responsible!

I’ll share my adventures with you upon my return. xo

Tags: gambling, trips, Vegas