I just took a look at our Twitter page and had no idea we were over 5,000 followers. Wow!

So in honor of each of the 5,014 followers we have on Twitter (to whom we owe every piece of our growth and success), I’m going to do the unthinkable:

I’m going to run.

One meter for every one of you. 5,014 meters. A 5K + an additional 14 meters to the water fountain.

If you know me at all, you know I’d rather sing karaoke in front of thousands, kiss a snake, eat stinky cheese, talk to a complete stranger, or listen to country than run. Even like 10 feet. I hate running.

But thanks to everyone who’s supported us to this point, and faithful runners who inspire me like Chanthana, Kate, Jacqueline, Sue, Tim, Carla, Paige, and Heather, I’m dedicating my first real 5k to all of you who have been the true backbone of our business for the past eight months.

And from the bottom of our mixing bowls, we at the Foiled Cupcakes team all thank you.

Now I just need to find a race. Any suggestions?

- Mari

P.S. A special thanks to Fleet Feet for getting me all set up with new shoes for my first run. (How did they know that I’d do pretty much anything to have an excuse to buy new shoes?)

Here’s my recap of IDEA Conference 2009 from a non-UX perspective:

1. I met a lot of great people. UX people are shockingly fun. I say that with all the love in the world. I thought they’d all be uber nerdy. Lucky for me, I was TOTALLY wrong.

->1a. Everybody should hire a UX professional to review their website for usability, function, and beauty.

2. I discovered that there are lots of things about Toronto I haven’t experienced. But walking around for miles kilometers in 4″ heels? Yes, I’ve done that. (See photo of my feet wincing in pain, courtesy of @russu.)

3. The dollar store across the street from the nail place we went to on Yonge Street sells flip flops with the word “babe” (not “bebe”) embossed in rhinestones. They’re $1.49, so not an actual dollar, but worth every penny over the $1.00. (See #2.)

4. Apparently, bribing people with cupcakes from Miss Cora’s Kitchen (69 Kensington Avenue, Toronto, ON, CANADA) is enough for them to create their own cult Social Media Fan Club for Patrick Swayze.

Thanks for hosting us, Toronto, and thanks for inviting me, IDEA09! You’re a bunch of beavers.

-Mari

P.S. If you’re interested in a fo’ rizzle recap of #IDEA09, check out blogs by Whitney or Luke.