One of the cool things about being a spokesperson is that you get put up in some very unique hotels. In this case it was the Mondrian hotel in Scottsdale. Just walking into the lobby was like walking into someone's wild imagination. The interior designer obviously dreamed in black and white, and the artwork was pretty exotic; huge lamps that looked like naked people hugging, stuffed lambs, big white fluffy clouds hanging from the ceiling, couches that looked like cows... I loved it.

So of course, always finding everything an adventure in life... I took a bunch of pictures. I think the kid in me will never grow up, which is just the way I like it, and it's also a way for me to share the things I do with my mom who is home recovering from an extended hospital stay. I tell her all about my trips and show her all the pictures... then she feels like she came with me.

After checking into the hotel, I had a few hours to kill before we all went out to dinner.

Since the Mondrian was only two blocks away from Old Scottsdale... a small village of stores, I decided to take a walk on over. Last time I was in Scottsdale, I bought a beautiful matching blue opal necklace, earrings and bracelet... so I decided to stop into that same store again, Zaiman's, and see what my buddy John was up to.

John gave me a huge bear hug as a greeting and proudly showed me that he hung my autographed picture on the wall. I checked out to see what other opal pieces he had, and I found a gorgeous butterfly necklace.

Since there was still time and many more stores to peruse... I walked into the next store, called, Terra-Rosa. I saw some cool insects in bottled glasses that I knew my friend's kid, would love. Then I spotted it... more opal jewelry. I wound up staying an hour, yes, a full hour talking to the owners, Leslie and Carl. Turns out they were from Queens, so we started reminiscing about the neighborhoods. They said that it was cool that a "celebrity" was in their store and then they proceeded to tell me of the extra work they did in movies once.

At the end of our talk I felt like I had new friends. They asked for an autograph picture as well. I wound up buying a beautiful pair of opal earrings from them that I wore on some of my TV shows. (Jeez, I'm starting to notice a trend here, ask for an autograph, I buy jewelry... I better watch this... because if I buy something from everyone that asks for an autograph, I'll go broke!)

After a few hours of buying frenzy... and a bag full of new opal jewelry pieces, I decided to head over to CVS for some practical items – never know when you need an emergency snack in the room at 1 a.m. Plus the night air was gorgeous, and I missed my 100 block weekly walk with my pal, John Basedow. So I walked the few blocks to where everyone told me the CVS was. Apparently this CVS was not easy to spot. I finally found it tucked away in a shopping mall. I signed some more autographs for the counter girls in CVS, and then headed back to the hotel. At least that was the plan. Somehow on the way back, after all my twists and turns I couldn't find the hotel.

I knew it couldn't just disappear. Turns out the white walls blended in with the background, and I didn't recognize it. (You see this is why I could never work for the FBI.)

Once back in my black and white hotel room, I had enough time to change and then head to dinner with the gang; Kate, Dwyer and Missy. We didn't stay out late because the next day was a big media day... starting at 5 a.m.

The next morning I was ready to fast-talk my way to the Arts Festival for Qwest.

I was interviewed at 3TV's Good Morning Arizona (sound familiar to you blog readers? –Yup the station I write this blog for.)

I was interviewed once again by the lovely Tara Hitchcock and Dan Davis. Tara gave a perfect lead in for me to rattle off and display my fast talking talents.

"So Fran, can you sum up why you are in town in 30 seconds or less?

I give her a smile and then at super high speed I said,

"Sure. As you know I'm the Guinness book of world records fastest talking female clocked at 603.32wpm... since I obviously like things fast, I'm here to spread the word about the blazing fast high-speed Internet offerings from Qwest Broadband. (You know that Qwest customers offer a price for life guarantee? I think that's cool.)

Tara just looked at me and smiled... so I continued.

"Anyway, I'm going to be doing all this at the Qwest tent tomorrow at the Tempe Festival of the arts, between 1 to 3 pm. At the tent I will demonstrate my fast-talking, challenge visitors to try my high seed tongue twisters, sign some autographs, take some pictures... the works. The festival is great. It will feature artwork from more than 450 artists and families can enjoy entertaining art activities at the Kids innovation station. For those who love to dance, they can check out local and regional bands at the Qwest Main Stage... But wait... there's more... for the wine connoisseurs out there, the Arizona Wine Festival will have wines on hand for you to taste. So come on out and hit the Tempe Festival of the Arts and the Qwest tent for some fast-talking. See ya there!

The reporter laughed, "I'm exhausted! Did you take a breath?"

I laughed, "Yeah, one".

We shook hands and I was whisked off to the next interview.

Each interview varies in time and format. On some, they just want a whirlwind summary. Others want me to do a weather report fast, still others (like the radio shows... want me to read lyrics from songs fast...) The interviews were all great, I did some repeat shows like with Jan D'Atri (She has a lot of energy like me and wanted me to play a trick on her co-host live on air... she wanted me to cut her off with my fast talking every time she began to talk... her Co-host was a good sport about it.) I met Jan while doing a Girlfriends Getaway weekend for breast Cancer. The bottom line is as long as I'm comfortable, I'll do anything to amuse the audience, yet get out the information.

After a full day of fast-talking it was off to another fabulous dinner with the gang. We got into some heavy discussions about life, and our favorite books. (My two favorites "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" and the "Alchemist.")

Friday morning we are up early again at 4:30. We head over to KOOL-FM. Bill Gardner and the KOOL Morning Crew were great. I wound up staying for extra segments. We took callers, gave away gifts and just had a blast.

I get a kick when fans call in to talk... they are usually very enthusiastic and fun to banter with, and each man seems to want me to talk to their wives and challenge them.

Anyway, after all the morning media, we head over to the Tempe Festival. There were hundreds of tents set up with gorgeous, unique items. I made mental notes of which ones I wanted to visit later. Never can have enough unique artwork. The only down side was that it was raining a bit. Okay, let me correct that... it was a torrential downpour! Not the thing you want to have during a one-day outdoor event.

People were wearing garbage bags over their heads.

Luckily we had a huge tent, so it was a good stake out place for the brave souls that came out to the festival. There was a big sign advertising that I was there and ready to entertain, and entertain I did.

I took pictures with people, signed autographs, led them over to the Qwest experts so they could test out the broadband service... when the crowds got light, and the water was starting to flood some of the tents...I made up a song to entice people to come into our arena...

"Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, come inside the Qwest tent now, and check our fast speed."

People laughed, some came in, some sang. But we did get everyone smiling on this rainy day.

I stayed my three hours in the tent, and then it was time to head back to the hotel to pack, then to the airport and onto a plane back to New York.

On the plane, I smiled thinking how wonderful my life is, that I can entertain people for a living... if only there was a way after all the travel that I could snap my fingers and avoid the long flight... after all, it would be nice to be home at the speed of Qwest.

For more information on Qwest go to www.qwest.com.