I’m trying to get into the holiday spirit. Here’s one little widget that made my day. Shawn Collins passed it on to me.

Meanwhile, I’m not alone in getting ready for Cyber Monday. Reports say that 30 percent of U.S. shoppers will do more of their holiday shopping online this year, as compared to the 2006 holiday season. According to the survey, conducted by Vizu, a market research company, and sponsored by buySAFE, 46 percent of respondents would rather shop online for the holiday season than face the hassle of malls or pay the high cost of gas.

I’m rushing to get everything off my plate so I can head off the ShareASale’s ThinkTank conference in Scottsdale. When I saw the list of 80 or so attendees and the agenda I was really excited about the gathering of SAS affiliates and merchants. However, my excitement level rose even higher when I found out there might be some Texas Hold ‘Em played in a suite at the hotel on Saturday night. I’m no Jean-Robert, but I think I can hold my own as a gambler. As soon as I send the Nov./Dec. issue of Revenue to the printer today I’ll be practicing my poker face.

Has it been that long since I’ve actually written a blog? I guess so. I’ve been busy writing, editing and pulling together the November/December issue of Revenue. We send it to the printer this week, so it’s been crazy.

Yesterday I finished up (way past deadline) my Affiliate Advantage profile of super affiliate Scott Jangro, president of MechMedia. Whenever I write a longer piece (not a blog or editor’s letter, etc.) I have a very specific process. I wake up early – like 2am - put on headphones and crank some rocking music at full volume. Sometimes I listen to the same song over and over again until the feature is done. It’s like a calming thing and usually by the 40th time I can’t even hear what’s playing in my ear. But this time there was a twist on process and asked Scott via IM to tell me his favorite band so I could listen as I wrote. To bring the process full circle be sure to put on Ben Folds’ Rockin’ the Suburbs when you read Scott’s profile in the upcoming issue.

I just watched the Next Internet Millionaire (episode #7). It was a continuation of last week’s challenge and yes, someone does go home after a pathetic showing in the attempt to sell goods on eBay.

The good news is that the claws are coming out a little more and some people are definitely playing the game more strategically (a la Survivor) than others.

Facebook and Twitter. They are common topics over here at Revenue. Not only because most of the staff is using both platforms, but also because our readers are curious about how to leverage each of the applications.

Personally I have found both to be incredibly useful. Naturally, I connect with friends, old classmates, former co-workers, but I also use Twitter and Facebook to poll my community of friends on current hot topics.

If you’re like me and didn’t make it over to London for Ad:Tech and the first-ever Affiliate Summit London then you’re probably dying to know what’s been happening in the UK this week.

I haven’t heard or read a lot of updates. Even Affiliate Summit co-founder Shawn Collins, who is a prolific blogger and poster, hasn’t had any entries on either event. And I’ve only seen a scant few updates via twitter and on Facebook. Shawn and his co-founder, Missy Ward, must be crazy busy setting up the show, which takes place today.

This week’s Affiliate Thing was all about the ladies. Stephanie Agresta, a 12-year veteran of the affiliate marketing space, who recently merged her consulting business to become one of the founders of the Conversation Group, stood in as co-host for Shawn Collins. Thanks Stephanie. You did a great job.

Shawn was busy co-hosting (with Missy Ward) the first-ever (sold old!) Affiliate Summit London. Stephanie and I talked about the glut of online marketing trade shows, events and conferences this fall. Stephanie is on a panel at BlogWorld Expo that will focus on affiliate strategies (from both a publisher and merchant perspective) in a Web 2.0 world. Meanwhile, I’m moderating a panel at Online Market World about e-commerce innovation and if there is a silver bullet for online marketers.

It was my only my second time attending CJU, but there were many in attendance that were seasoned veterans of the event. This was Commission Junction’s 9th annual conference and each year it’s gotten bigger and bigger. In fact, CJ execs said the event has pretty much maxed out the lovely accommodations at the Fess Parker Hotel and Resort. I hope CJ finds a way to get around the capacity issue and continue to hold CJU in beautiful Santa Barbara.

Much of the discussions at the show and at the bar (or after hours) centered on improved communications. CJ executives seemed really intent on fostering better relations between publishers and merchants as well as between both of those parties and the network. CJ’s Rebecca Madigan’s talk was fantastic and very eye opening. I also thought nearly each time Kerri Pollard took the stage the messages emanating from the company seemed more real and sincere, which may go a long way towards more openness.

Again, I feel hopelessly behind. I’ve let the blogging slide in favor of my obsession with Twitter and Facebook. Plus, I spent most of the week at Search Engine Strategies in San Jose. That means this entry will be another fabulous compilation of what’s been happening around the industry and in my little world.

I finally finished watching the first episode of the Next Internet Millionaire. The production values were good and I really enjoyed the show, but it was just a little tame for me. However, I expect some backstabbing and nastiness to be on the way (Thor, I’m counting on you). I’ve viewed too many reality programs over the years and my threshold/desire for conflict on these show is pretty high.

I don’t have any early winner predictions for the Next Internet Millionaire, but no matter who is victorious the finale won’t be nearly as fun for me as other reality shows. For me, reality programming is a social event. My friends and I have a history of watching these types of show together.