I just finished watching the panel discussion on social media at the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Winter Show (See: http://www.vimeo.com/8924432 Search #guerillapanel) Several people I follow on Twitter ( @theclimbergirl @highsteph @wude72 @pembaserves) sat on a panel and discussed what got them started in social media, their experiences, and what makes "virtual" interactions successful.

*Let me just preface this by saying this is the first time I’ve posted for the Space Tweeps, but I blog on my own and my style is a bit… rough. I’m hoping to sound smooth and polished in this entry but if I fail you can blame my blog and it’s encouraging readers.

I grew up in a house with liberal arts-type parents. Neither Mom nor Dad is very “nerdy.” They do, however, have two key elements that I inherited that when combined created a good science nerd: Order and Curiosity. I get my love of organization from my dad. We both obsess over “things to put things in” and would live at the container store if allowed. Both my parents bequeathed curiosity – but my mom pointed mine in a particular direction: Up. I remember listening to her tell me stories about the space race, listening to the first man on the moon, and playing with her big brothers who taught her all about the stars. I remember cold winter nights being dragged out of bed by my mom at 2am because there is some kind of celestial event and we needed to see it… only to get out there and sit in the freezing cold under the clouds, all alone in the dark. Meh, it can’t always be picturesque. I was sure I’d be an astronaut when I grew up. I’m still hoping I will be.