and I have an addiction.*

It's social media.

Specifically Twitter.

Last week, at lunch with a colleague, we talked about so many things including my addiction.  I told her (in some sort of confessional form of communication) that Twitter was the worst thing to come along for those of us who are also "addicted"* to learning.

It's the news stuff - in and outside the industry. It's there, 24/7/365. It comes to you and you don't have to do more than just read the updates of those you follow. (Of course there are those links to read more....)

It's the frequent updates from those in and/or writing about Iran. It's Chris Hayes (The Nation), Jake Tapper (of ABC), Jeff Hurt (who is in the association world), "SweetSue" (entrepreneur, creative thinker), Barbara DeLollis (USAToday blogger about hotels), and so many more that entice me over there. It's Ana Marie Cox (Air America among others) and Chris Cillizza ("The Fix" at Washington Post) who tweet from White House Press Briefings.  It's The Daily Beast and the airlines and airports , the hotels - individual and chains, Smith Travel Research, and ....!

And it is all applicable to my work with clients and to your work.  It all has to do with the state of the world and how we do our business.  It means I am learning all the time -- way too much me thinks.

Then again, my friend told me I'm a 'scanner' and it all made sense.

I guess maybe I'm not so bad - at least I have a general direction for my life in the meetings/hospitality/assn. communities!  

If you want to follow me it's http://twitter.com/joaneisenstodt

If you want to follow Meetings Collaborative, it's http://twitter.com/meetcollab

* I respect those who are in 12-step programs and am not, by intent or accident, mean any disrespect.  I am making fun of me -- and my varied interests and need (?) to go to Twitter too often.