Viral Storytelling with The Story Lady, Ronda Del Boccio

I can’t tell you what has happened over the last two days on Top Affiliate Challenge becaue you’re only seeing through Thursday.  I can tell you that as far as you know I am still on the show.  And let me tell you, there is plenty of drama around here.

We all went to a ballgame and fireworks last night.  John Chow whined about how watching baseball is as fun as watching paint dry.  I of course had no idea who was playing or what the score was, but it didn’t matter.  It felt so good to get away from the hotel and the computer for a while, and for me it was all about the fireworks!

I borrowed Wes Wyatt’s arm on the way in to make sure I didn’t get separated from the group.  Also went with him to go find dinner.  We had hot dogs from Omaha Steaks.  They were huge hot dogs, and Molly enjoyed her share after I got home.

Evidently, Big Jason Henderson should have taken someone’s arm too, because he did his usual trick of isolating himself from the group.  Then when it was time to go, we waited and waited in the bus for almost an hour and he didn’t show.  I mean - can’t you figure out that people are leaving?  Also the big thing is that we all have phones from Sprint.  Those are so handy!  Thanks, Sprint!  But we tried calling him several times and left messages, and no answer.

Evidently he forgot that his phone also happens to call out.  So rather than call someone - like everyone’s # is programmed in so it’s not that hard unless you’re me - he told a tale that people knew where he was and should have coome for him.

Yeah there was a big emotional scene, mainly because a lot of people were angry that we waited almost an hour, finally left, then 3 minutes later he managed to call Thor who then had to call us and we had to go back.

Wasn’t an enormous deal to me.  Heck I’ve died twice so that changes your perspective on things.  But my poor Molly dog about had her legs braided by the time we got back 2 hours later than we should have.

So you’ll see some shots from the ballgame etc. on the show you’ll see Monday. 

I must say, the fireworks t the field in Omaha are spectacular.  I had a total blast.  Thor Schrock and his wife Kimberly are doing a great job taking care of everyone.  We have our breakfast courtesy of the Victorian Suites Hotel every day.  They have a clever wqy of providing a low maintenance buffet.  Things like bagels and bread are in individual baggies so people don’t contaminate everything.  Teh fridge has waffles, pancakes, yogurt, eggs and a few other things, all individually wrapped.  Well the eggs are in shells so they don’t need baggies.

We’ve had food catered or gone out to restaurant sponsors every night.  Olive Garden, Quizno’s Billy’s, and oher places are providing our meals.

But let me tell you, this isn’t reality.  Not by a long shot.  Heck, sometimes I feel like I’m at a JOB because I’m not used to being stuck in a cramped workspacae and not being able to walk around that much.  Our room is very cramped.  You have to walk sideways to move around the room, and every singletime someone has to pass me, I have to move my chair.  Plus Collin next to me can reql my computer, which is OK but annoying.  I have to use the magnification feagture and I can’t just go around the corner of the table or I’d be sitting in the fridge.

And shoes.  I don’t wear shoes inside, but I’m constantly in shoes.  That’s not my reality.  So it’s interesting.  And naturally some people are more dedicated to the effort than others.

I had to go outside for a few minutes today simply because I’m feeling completely closed in and stir crazy.  I live in the country and sometimes coach people with a phone in one hand and a purring cat under the other, or talk to people from the chicken coop or while listening to the birds.  I’m wihtout my crigters and there aren’t really any birds or night bugs to speak of around here.

We also have some contestants contradicting themselves left and right.  One person  on our team is definitely trying to work people over on both teams, and I bet he thinks we don’t realize it.  It’s a game, but we’re all still people with emotions.

One contestant is leaking things on Twitter that he shouldn’t.  Figures.  He acts as if he’s a free agent above everyone else.  Too bad, becaue beneath the gruffness he’s a pretty decent guy.  Thing is that when brokering a deal he’ll threaten whereas I take a more uplifting approach.  He has a lot of contaacts and draws a lot of negative attention.  He reminds me of a lot of the bullies I dealt wiht all through school, yet I’ve come to have a  lot of respect for him.

Both Collins are now on record as voting themselves off and should not be surprised when other competitors take them at their word, even if they did it because of being mad at Thor.

Check out Sunday’s episode, because the elimination is pretty funny in some regards.  Friday was my birthday and something funny happened around that.

The show is getting more educational now that we’ve got the intro stuff over.  And please remember that the production is being turned around in 48 hours.  Next Internet Millionaire had 4 months to do their production and stioll ran behind.  Cut the production crew a break.  They are doing an awesome job.  They tried the first day on a 24 hour turnaround and it just wasn’t going to work.

Overall, this is a challenge but definitely not reality.  Please never confuse what you see with reality.  There are all sorts of strange things happening on this show that are not normal or typical.  However, you truly can learn a lot when you watch the show http://topaffiliatechallenge.com

I’ve been staying at the New Victorian Suites in Lincoln, Nebraska, during the filming of Top Affiliate Challenge, the world’s first almost real time internet marketing reality show.  The hotel staff is wonderful and the hotel is kept very clean.  I really enjoy the breakfast buffet, because it has everything from cereal to pancakes to bagels   I could wish for better coffee, but aside from that, the New Victorian Suites is a great place to stay in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The hot tub and pool are open 24 hours a day – woo-hoo!

Visit their website at http://www.newvictoriansuites.com