The SPAM stops here

I'd like to set the record straight about something: I do not eat SPAM.

While I have eaten SPAM at times in the past, particularly at church potluck dinners as a kid and once in a while as a financially challenged college student back in the 1970s, I no longer do so.

My husband, however, loves SPAM. When I met him, about a dozen years ago, he had a favorite SPAM T-shirt he wore all the time, as well as a coterie of SPAM recipes. I married him anyhow.

So when I told my associates at IL that I was off to buy SPAM for my hurricane preparation kit, it was to soothe my husband's jangled nerves. Comfort food for the poor man, you see?

I never expected that a certain someone would tell the world I am a SPAM-eater-not that there is anything wrong with that. But a "swiller" of red wine?

Since this person has taken it upon himself to cast ill light on me (and on SPAM eaters and wine drinkers everywhere), I have vowed to make him pay. And I have asked Eric Stapp, who works for the above-mentioned lip-flapping IL staff member to help me out.

Together (and with our workmate's IL corporate credit card) we are going to make the upcoming Live and Prosper in Mexico seminar in Puerto Vallarta September 23-25 a most memorable event.

The freebies so far: Yesterday Eric told you about some compromising photos I have of his boss and that I used this leverage to entice a fabulous freebie out of him. Thanks to his indiscretion, a lucky attendee at the conference in Puerto Vallarta will get the four-night stay at the Fiesta Americana Hotel during our conference paid for-FREE. Eric's boss is also paying for the first-night hotel accommodation at the Fiesta Americana for everyone who attends the conference. And he is paying for our dinner one night while we are there-and since Eric and I get to pick the restaurant, we guarantee you won't be eating SPAM tacos.
Introducing the "SPAM cam." As a way of giving thanks for compromising photos-and in the hopes of obtaining more of them-I have just ordered several "SPAM cams." Eric and I will hand them out randomly on the first day of the Vallarta conference. If you get one, it will be your job to try and snap as many unusual photos as you can during our time together…of yourselves, us, fellow attendees and presenters, Vallarta itself, you name it. After you get home, send us your single best photo. The person we judge to have submitted the best photo will get it reprinted here (if it is fit for public consumption, that is) and will receive a very special gift. I am now negotiating with Eric's boss to determine exactly what the prize will be, but it will be big if I have anything to say about it.

And in honor of my husband, one lucky attendee at the Vallarta conference will win a free SPAM T-shirt.
Does this sound like it's gearing up to be one spicy conference? You bet it does. And we hope you will join us. Find out more here.

Regards,

Suzan Haskins
Latin America Editorial Director
International Living

P.S. And don't forget: when you call us and register for the seminar in Puerto Vallarta, just say the word "tequila" to our telephone representative and receive a free bottle of one of Mexico's finest tequilas when you come to our seminar. I'm bringing the SPAM shot glasses, too.

E-mail us at Events@InternationalLiving.com or call us at 1-866-381-8446 (toll free in the U.S. and Canada).

P.P. S. Please don't forget to ask about any special discounts you may be eligible for.

Through September 30, you do not need a passport to travel to and from Mexico.