We’re super excited about our event tonight! Thanks to everyone who responded--and a special thanks to those who cancelled on time so we could give your spot to someone on the waiting list.

Registration for the event is closed, but don't worry—we’re planning another one as I type this. (Details TK soon, I promise!)

But I just wanted to say this, because of one the NY Edsters brought it up recently: Coming to an event alone is hard.

Walking into any room full of strangers is hard--but it's especially hard at a networking event, where you know you’re supposed to mingle and chat. Even really outgoing people can find that tough.

But sometimes you have to do it. Maybe you just moved here; or maybe all your friends are accountants. And it's OK if they are. You'll be really thrilled about that around tax time.

However, we really do try to make the events as friendly, casual and comfortable as possible--whether you come with three friends or by yourself. I'm always there a little early, so if you feel weird, you can come 10 minutes before the event starts and hang out with me. I may make you help set up signs or nametags. But I'll ask nicely.

And we try to keep an eye out for the people who come by themselves. I respect that, and I know it's sometimes awkward. So I try to introduce those people around a bit more, get them talking with someone I know they may have something in common with.

The bottom line: If you come by yourself, you won't leave without knowing at least a couple of people.

And then--through the miracle of the Internet--you can contact them (or anyone else) on our message board.

Ask for job advice. Suggest getting coffee and talking about the local media market. Or just try to find a friend who, like you, enjoys yoga. The boards are there; and they're yours to use.

So don't sweat it if you’re coming alone tonight, or if you come alone to the next event. We'll do our best to make you feel at ease--that's why we're here. =)

OK, I admit it, I've got it--albeit, a mild case--but I've been amazed that for the past three days, almost every conversation I overheard when walking on the street, sitting in restaurants or just talking to friends involved the Olympics.

It's kinda nice to see people so excited about something; but there have been a couple of downer points this week.

1. That adorable little girl singing "Ode to the Motherland" on Friday night? Turns out she was lip-synching--because the real singer was deemed not cute enough, according to AP.

AUGH. That is terrible! The kid is 7 years old! How can anyone be that unattractive at 7? (She really isn't--sure, she's gonna need braces at some point, but come on. Check out a picture of her here--along with the fake singer--if you're curious.)

It's just so shady and lame, and many of the people who had questioned China hosting the Olympics because of human rights issues and other concerns were very vocal about the whole incident just being inappropriate. It was.

2. And then, this. According to Gawker, a Hong Kong paper earlier this week announced that it had a 21-point memo from the Chinese government's propaganda unit with rules about how the national media needed to cover the Olympics.

According to the head of the Beijing Olympic committee, "no such 21-point document." However, Gawker by pointing out that the Sydney Morning Herald got its hands on the  same document, and published it. Ouch.

It's not pretty. And it has added some more unease about China hosting the Olympics.

I don't really know if the games should stand apart from politics--maybe if the Olympics really are just about athletic excellence, that's all they should be about--or if the committee has a responsibility to factor in a country's past when choosing it for a future games site.

But I do know it's whack that the Chinese government allegedly created those rules--if they are indeed the real thing--and I sincerely hope that "unattractive" 7-year-old was given another reason for not being able to sing in public. 

What do you think? Post your take on our Hot Topic message board ...

Who doesn't want jobs and friends?! =)

We know you're looking--the message boards are getting a great number of views, which we're thrilled about--but we want you to know you can post to any of our boards, too!

These message boards are your place to post jobs at your company, ask for contacts at other publications, meet up with freelancers for a work day or a number of different things. So feel free to use 'em!

In fact, to make life easier for all of us, we just added a new board--called Hot Topics (although we're definitely accepting suggestions for a better name, if you've got any. It's late, and I'm not feeling super creative.)

The new board is specifically meant for discussions about stuff going on in the local market--the kind of stuff you read about and are just dying to talk with someone about. Now you can do that, in the comfort of your own home, without feeling crazy nerdy if the person at work you try to chat about it with isn't at all interested. Hooray!

And we still have our general board and our job board, which we're making a big effort to add to more frequently. Feel free to post any jobs you've heard of ... it's super easy and you can do it under any name you like by just following the on-screen prompts.

You can find all the boards here--so check 'em out today!

We're lucky enough to be able to hold our Aug. 26 event at A Mano--who has been gracious enough to hook our guests up with free beer, wine and snacks!

Which we're excited about, because we tend to get hungry around 6 p.m. (which is when the event starts), and we've had A Mano's wood-oven pizzas before--they're awesome. (Just go ahead and tell your mouth "you're welcome" now, because it's going to thank you for it.)

We'll also be reviewing resumes to offer tips ... it's going to be a fun, free, relaxed and casual event--but space is limited! So e-mail erin@ed2010chicago.com today to reserve your spot!