Today I was busy dealing with a case of the Mondays (so much to do, so little time!), and didn't get my daily dose of rain until after 6 PM.  That's when I umped on my email and blog and discovered....I'D BEEN DISCOVERED! 

Okay, to my credit, I am a published writer and was almost a television star.  (I turned down an offer to be in a commercial advertising a Mexican tienda...) 

But even though I'm not on a Mexican-whoa-oh-radio  ad, I've been blessed with something truly special:  A HIDDEN GEM DESIGNATION!  Here I've been telling anyone that would listen just what a GOLD MINE Active Rain is....and it looks like someone thinks I'm not only special, I'm a GEM!  (*blushing*)

I'd like to share a story from Belgium while I'm still sitting pretty. I met my best friend when I did a study abroad in London (we were from different universities, but in the same program).  She was planning on going on a weekend coach tour to

Sure enough, there were 2 empty seats.  The tour guides were two British lads, one being the driver and the other being the "voice" of the ride.  The voice had a name but my friend and I quickly forgot it when we saw his rugged smile---his new moniker was Chippy.  Well, we hop on the coach, make it from London to the port city of Dover, England and Chippy tells me, "I've got good news and bad."  (Aside:  why do people ask which you want to hear first? Doesn't that just add unneeded drama?)  

"The bad news is the two girls who missed the coach this morning are going to be taking the chunnel and meeting up with us at the hostel.  I won't have a seat for you then.  The good news is, there's a bus back to London for just 10 quid."  

My friend was so worried.  At this point, it's around 7:30 AM and I'm in no mood to hop on a bus.  I don't get up that early on a Saturday when I'm overseas for nothing!  I tell the chap, no worries, get me to the hostel and I'll find my way back on my own."  Of course my friend still worried--but I laugh in the face of danger  travel woes!  

I enjoyed the ferry from Dover to Calais, France, and then rode into the quaint city of Brugge. I've never liked waffles, but trust me, these are worth the trip.  I lived off of chocolate and waffles that day.  The group was carted off to a nice restaurant (I ate mussels for the first time, a tip from a Kiwi girl along on the journey) and later a pub, where everyone there was at least 6' tall (I'm 5'2").  After a night with the giants, it was back to the hostel.  

In the morning, Chippy greeted his brood of followers with the question, "Do you know how I got home last night?  'Cause I don't!" 

Apparently he had enjoyed a few too many strong Belgian ales.

I shared breakfast at the hostel with the group, went and got my ticket for the chunnel, played in a lovely park with a stray cat, and then was off.  My friend stayed for the remaining tour of a cemetery (she still wonders what that was about...) and was later coached back.  All's well that ends well.

What's this got to do with being a hidden gem?  Well, I this story has some valuable extracts.  Humor me:

1.  Investment:  I had to wake up early on a weekend in London, and you'd better believe I was going to make it to Belgium, no ifs, ands or buts.  My time is valuable---so is yours!  If you have taken the time to activate an account on Active|Rain, USE IT!  You've made it this far. 

2.  Yes, I Know:  Chippy may not know how he got home, but I know how I got discovered.  I did a little scratch 'n sniff...

What is this Scratch 'n Sniff??

Scratch some backs, and even if they don't scratch back, chances are they--or someone else--will SNIFF YOU OUT.

As one of my earlier post shared, it's okay to pay some dues first and the get your feet wet.  I like to read other blogs---it's the pulse of this community.  I actually do care what others have to say---whether it's a heartfelt rant, success story, tip or market analysis. 

When I take the time to make a comment, others are rewarded by knowing I read what they had to say, plus I get 25 points.  When I take the EXTRA time to provide insight, it helps drive traffic back to my blog.  It also establishes credibility.  I was really flattered by a comment I received from Harley Ramsey  who said that I "walk that walk."  At the end of the day, you can blog a lot, but do you actually offer something to OUR COMMUNITY?  

In addition to reading others' blogs, I want to include others in my blog.  I decided to capitalize on something I know matters as a stager---visuals.  I used a timeless graphic format---the comic strip---and incorporated photos and cute quips to tell a story.  Now you can read Part 1 and Part 2 of my Staging Girl adventures, and rest assured that 3 is on the way!  I've got a GUEST STAR LINEUP you don't want to miss.

Well, this blog is longer than I intended, so I'll wrap it up (plastic wrap courtesy of Fernando?).  Thank you Margaret, for your kind words and designating me as a hidden gem.  I've gotten such good feedback, and when it comes from someone who I respect (I'm one of her subscribers to boot), it's that much more meaningful.  Bottom line:  get out there, scratch some blogger backs, and get sniffed out of the crowd!