I watched the buildings whiz by outside the car window. Each one was a little different in size and shape but they all had one things in common. They were all flashy and sported neon signs. And I am pretty sure there were no others like them on earth.
This place really was surreal if you thought about it. I had been here a couple times before but each time I am surprised. These were the places that I had seen on TV and now I was experiencing it for real.
In this place, people abandon all reason and sanity. People let loose with no fear of consciences. What happens here, stays here.
But I guess how could you blame them. Where else in the world can you see a pirate ship, then walk to New York and then view a pyramid with plans to have a ride on an Venetian gondola?
This city is magical.
The car coming to a stop and my door being opened by a valet brought me back from my world of thought.
I set foot out into the sun and the heat hit me. It was October and even though the locals seemed fine and even expected the heat of the dessert, it was shocking to me. I am a mid-western girl and the month of October was suppose to be cool, not hot.
This was my first time actually staying in one of the casino hotels. My excitement bubbled up in my stomach and I wanted to jump around and scream like a small child on Christmas morning but I held my composure.
The door to the lobby was held open for me as Jeff ushered me through the door. When my eyes adjusted from the out door sunlight to the light of in doors my breath was taken away by the beauty. The marble clicked under my feet as I walked and the gold trim sparkled in the sunlight.
I couldn’t help but smile at my surrounds. I felt like I was in my movies.
But as we stood in line to wait to check into our room, my bubbly excitement began to turn into something else.
Suddenly, my stomach felt like it was in my throat. I had to steady my breathing for it was rapid and shallow and if this kept up I was sure to hyperventilate.
The reason I was in this city of sin was for a blogging conference. In a few hours, I would be surrounded my favorite bloggers and then some.
I know and love these people in my computer but seeing them and meeting them without the safety of my computer was a whole different ball game. I began to let my eyes wonder around the room.
Was that lady standing by the fountain a blogger?
Was she blogging anonymously and know me but I didn’t know her?
Was the lady on the phone a blogger?
Was she one of the trolls that I read about that left nasty comments for people?
Was that lady checking into her room a blogger?
Wait?
I know that long dark hair.
I know that voice.
I know that silhouette.
I know that laugh.
I watch her interact with the hotel personal and my heart began to race.
“Jeff. Jeff. Jeff,” I said slapping him in the shoulder. “I think that is Mama Kat.”
Jeff looked at me and looked over in the direction that a gestured in, “Um, ok.”
“You, don’t understand,” I said trying to keep the pitch of my voice in human level so that all the dogs in the vicinity wouldn’t begin to howl. “Its Mama Kat! My blog idol. She is just so awesome.”
And then a little squeal escaped my lips.
Jeff looked at me like I was crazy and said, “Well say hi then.”
Say hi! Say hi? Could I do it? Could I actually talk to her? I opened my mouth and tried to speak but nothing came out. I cleared my throat and tried again.
“Kathy?” I said trying to sound not like a crazy stalker. Kathy is actually Mama Kat’s name, I said it because well, I didn’t know what else to say. “Kathy?”
She looked over her shoulder, confused at who was saying her name and then she saw me. She turned back to the counter and I was crushed, thinking that we was disgusted by me but then she turned back around.
“Jen!” Mama Kat said, tripping over her luggage to get to me.
And as we hugged, I heard a little squeal level her lips and that is when I knew, I had met my blogging idol and she was awesome. This was awesome and we were awesome.
This post is part of Writer’s Workshop
LOVE this post!!! I can’t wait to meet you at a blogging shin-dig one day!! I will so squeal. CUTE pic!
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation´s last [type] ..SHIT Happens
Love the photo, and the post. I want someone to exclaim that about me….*snort*
Julie {Angry Julie Monday}´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday- Movember
Julie… you may have not known it, but I did squeal a little when I met you in San Fran. I was *so* nervous about meeting you. Seriously.
Julie´s last [type] ..The facebook un-friend day…
Hooray for blogging idol meetings! Maybe I can meet you someday, funny lady.
Awwww….so glad you got to be your blogging idol. How fun!
Krystyn´s last [type] ..My Pillow Pets- Holiday Gift Idea Review and Giveaway
Aw – the second time I met Mama Kat I introduced myself and she was like “yeah, we met last time” and I was all excited because I’d assumed she wouldn’t remember who I was!
There’s nothing better (well, in the blog world, that is) then meeting people in real life and having them be exactly what you expected!
Mama Kat is an idol, isn’t she? Same as me:)
Dumb Mom´s last [type] ..Blogger Dating The Romantic Side of Blogging
Aw, you two are so cute!
It’s amazing how blogging brings us so close together. How we are such close friends because we read about each other and the lives we live (and admiring the lives we want to live.)
And Jen… seriously – I need to meet you. Just a warning… when I do, I might squeal a little. Maybe.
Julie´s last [type] ..The facebook un-friend day…
Great post!! It’s so fun to meet in person and makes them even more real!
Stacey´s last [type] ..Puppy Dog Tails
Aw, you guys are both awesome! And beautiful! And I will totally squeal if I ever get to meet either of you.
Jennifer´s last [type] ..Its the most busiest time of the year
Love this story! I hope I get to go to Blissdom in January so I can meet some of my idols in person.
Love the post! and I know I will squeal like a stuck pig when I finally get to meet some of my blog idols.
And seriously, how cute is that picture!
Jenn (Mommy_Grrl)´s last [type] ..Coffee is a Food Group Isn’t it
Mama Kat is pretty fantastic, isn’t she?
angie´s last [type] ..Wordful Wednesday-Repeat
That is so great!! Isn’t it strange how normal women just like us have become sensations?
Very cool to meet your blogging idol. Mama Kat is awesome. But you are, too!
Mrs.Mayhem´s last [type] ..Heading to School
Vegas was wonderful.
I’m glad you left your “champagne” at home that time…or whatever that was you brought to Arizona that made me so sick. I don’t trust you concoctions.
Here’s to BlogHer 2011! Let’s do it folks!!
Mama Kat´s last [type] ..Writer’s Workshop- Jack
Hehe, you are too cute! I love Mama Kat but I’d love to meet you someday too!
Bethany´s last [type] ..Keeping Sane in Winter
I would squeal for you
. But yes there is something about Mama Kat
Emmy´s last [type] ..My Preemie Baby is 6 Months Old!
I felt the same way when I went to that conference!
and I love the picture I have of you, me and Kathy.
Connie @ Young and Relentless´s last [type] ..Im Moving On
LOVE it! I would totally squeal if I saw you, BTW… AND if I saw Mama Kat of course!
Awesome! I love MamaKat…and you!
Awh, you’re so sweet!!
My story goes, “I was at Bloggy Boot Camp and Jen was there…”
Oh wow! I would love to meet her (and you) . But as our oldest are getting married one day, I am sure we will spend enough time together.
cat@juggling act´s last [type] ..Did I loose my groove
It’s a lovely picture ,Eyes are the ultimate expression of beauty …:)
James Fulton´s last [type] ..Rimadyl For Dogs Review
I would totally squee if I met you in real life! And that is a super cute picture of the both of you.
Megan´s last [type] ..School Pictures- A Worthwhile Financial Investment Not
How cool. I’m scared to meet other bloggers so I admire those who have the guts to go to these things and meet others in person.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Writer’s Workshop- Open Letter to Celebrity
I am so up in the air about going to the conference in May.
I don’t know if I’m ready for my two lives to converge. I like the safe and sound behind the screen.
Just. Don’t. Know.
tulpen´s last [type] ..Finally- The Secret To Weight Loss Success- And Other Random Shit
Wow… Mama Kat is THE idol, huh? ( I just finished reading Dumb Mom’s post about this). I think you all are so brave… I am so afraid I would make a fool of myself in real life! And- non-bloggers totally don’t get it, do they? I once got all excited when Mama Kat left a comment on my blog and my husband was like, “Who? What’s the big deal?” Umm….. wow.
Jennifer´s last [type] ..November Blows Mostly