Oh man…I just had an email exchange about a panel discussion I’m participating in on the 30th in NY. Despite what I’m about to write, I’m actually looking forward to it (though at the moment my face feels really warm from blushing and I keep squinching my face up and closing my eyes, which makes it hard to type).

You see, the discussion is for Specialty Retailers and is being led by the editor of Gifts and Decorative Accessories magazine. For over 50 years now the magazine’s been giving out REA’s (Retailers Excellence Awards), and Maria is going to talk about what sets some businesses apart and how the owner’s of these stores use special events, community involvement, etc. to attract customers. Homescapes won an REA in 2004 so I was asked to be on the panel.

What then is the blushing about? Well, I’m off to Dallas on Saturday and won’t be coming back until after New York so I asked Maria if there are any materials I need to bring for the discussion. And a couple of moments ago I received this quick note:

“No need to bring anything to the workshop — I will have the winning videos to show. I think the audience will enjoy them.”

*Gulp*

I’m nekkid in our video. Not Paris Hilton naked or anything. But still…yikes.

It probably sounds disingenuous to be embarrassed about something that is, afterall, still on this web-site. I’m glad we did it and it helped raise funds for a worthy cause, blah, blah, blah, but you see, when people look at that calendar on our site, they’re looking at a picture…of me, yes, but NOT ME, sitting there in front of them trying deperately not to suck my stomach in so far I suffocate.

Honestly, when Beau and I posed for that thing I knew that it would be kind of a daring way to “brand” ourselves, but I didn’t really think through some of the other stuff. For instance, I have a friend who repeatedly tells me how she originally misjudged me because of that photo…she thought I’d be WAY more fun then I am.

And then there’s the guy that sidled up to me at a business mixer and told me he kept the calendar turned to my page hanging in his bathroom…

Ew.

So “Mr. November” lives again. This should be…interesting.