Day 3: A Roller Coaster of a Day
Thursday was the first day of classes and I was signed up to take one of Lily Chin’s classes in the afternoon, so I was able to sleep in a little. The Radisson has the Sleep Number Beds and the first two nights I had difficulty finding my correct number. I’d woken up on Day 2 clearly in pain due to my setting of #45. I thought a firmer bed would help the back problems I already have, but apparently not. Oh well.
This was Lily’s “Tips and Tricks” class, which was primarily information from her latest book, “Couture Crochet Workshop.” It was nice to be there to see what was explained in the book in greater detail. She also presented some other tips and tricks not mentioned there, some of which I already knew (by figuring things out on my own) and others I didn’t know.
The Misperception: Skip Ahead to the Funny Parts and Just Let Me Rant, OK?
As the class went on, a little – dare I say “little” – misperception took place which pretty much ticked me off – not at the person who said something which was perceived by Lily in the wrong way – but for the mere fact of the way the situation was handled and perceived.
Have you ever had that happen? Have you ever had Person A innocently say something to Person B about YOU, but was taken in the wrong manner or wrong context and that lead to a misperception? And without getting into it – because I put it behind me that day – the manner in which the comment was taken and dealt with was, well, let’s just say, not how I would have handled it in that same situation – had the shoe been on the other foot. The crazy part is that I had neither said nor done anything! It all happened around me.
I was fuming in my seat. No, REALLY. Anger was my middle name for awhile that afternoon. A break came and I left…for a long while. I’m normally a fast walker so I high-tailed it for the Market, forgetting that it wasn’t opened yet, thinking that the yarn might cheer me up. I didn’t get that far when someone I am acquainted with stopped me and we chatted for awhile. At one point in the conversation I explained what had happened and how I was stirring in my juices trying to figure out the best way to handle it – a situation which I neither created nor participated in, but made me look like an ass. Just talking about it helped A LOT and I was able to go back into the class with a plan of action. I’m a firm believer in fate. It was fate that caused me to run into that person who helped me work out my anger.
After the class ended, I approached the situation head-on and just explained the misperception, outlining my points clearly and re-itterating that I had no ill intentions, that I was just there to have fun and enjoy myself. The reaction I got made it seem that my comments were well-received. SO, I hope that it’s buried for good.
Sorry to be so careful with my choice of words but the last thing I want is for the misperception to grow a life of its own. Ya dig?
Moving On: Major Rant Over, Minor One Begins
Just keep skipping ahead…
Pictures are coming. I swear
Thursday night Cari Clement spoke to the crocheters during her Keynote Address. She did a bang-up job getting people excited about crochet as a fashion statement. I found her interesting to listen too and I enjoyed her sense of style. Let’s just say if I look that good at her age, I’m blessed for life! I love how she rocks this young style – leggings with a patterned, empire waist top as almost like a dress with wide-rimmed groovy glasses – and it works so well.
After her speech, we got a preview of the Market. You bet I was there scoping out the digs. What I noticed right away was the lack of crochet there. It was A LET DOWN. I barely saw a booth with something crocheted in it. I could spend hours going on and on about my feelings on this, but in the end, there was mostly knitting.
The Elegant Ewe had more than several crochet books that interested me, including a Tahki booklet with a few of Doris’s pieces in it that I liked (purchased the next day). I also flipped through the Loop’d Loop book by Teva. I thought of buying it there but it’s already on my wish list (Larry? CAN YOU HEAR ME?) As well, the next day Doris was doing her “Amazing Crochet Lace” book signing there and brought some of her garments to decorate the booth. So some crochet was to be had. I couldn’t believe I spent two hours in there. Time flew! But it wasn’t all about the crochet.
“Funny Parts” From Here on Out
While I can’t say the specifics of what happened Thursday evening, I will say we had a seriously fun “hang” in someone’s room. My best friend Kah Lua arrived and it was all uphill from there. ‘Nuff said. took of me and Vashti in the Knit and Crochet Lounge, as they were calling it, at about 2:30 in the morning. I’m sure I was saying something incoherent at that point.
Friday: A New, Burgeoning Day:
I was up until late…doing my homework (just homework. I swear. The whole time. No drinks were had. Swear!) because Friday morning I had another of Lily’s classes and for the most part, I enjoyed it. and were in my class and I had a good time hanging out with them. This class had some to do with Lily’s “Couture Crochet” book and other parts were not. I think that’s why it is important to take a class with a designer, to get a greater feel for the topic at hand.
Friday lunch was fun. I met up with some online friends at JD’s Lounge.
And no, I can’t tell you what we’re holding because I’d have to kill you. Just kidding! (Did you believe me? You did, didn’t you?) I swear (like a sailor) that ,, Tammy, and I aren’t flippin’ you “The Burd.” Promise!
However, I can’t make any promises about these gals. They are hardcore Burd Flippers. Just Kidding! Although, doesn’t Gwen there on the right look like she’s laying down the “Momma Burd? I’m just saying…”
Somehow seems to sneak herself into many of the pictures. She’s such a DOLL of a woman, in many respects. I think she’s a great ambassador for crochet. I think it’s even funnier that she has more energy than I do. She could run CIRCLES around me people. CIRCULEZzzzz.
And hangin’ with Vashti is like a two-for one deal: you get someone fun to talk to and free entertainment all rolled into one person. She cracks me up. She’s always smiling and seems to always be thinking up something else funny to say or do. Why don’t I have people like this closer to where I live?
Oh yeah, JD’s lunch…My favorite menu item from JD’s was this Popcorn Shrimp Wrap. Ohhhh so tasty! (Plus, they had few options for us non-meat eaters).
In the afternoon, I took “Crochet by the Numbers” class and it was enlightening. And Marty told me to tell you all that if you want more information on how to use math to put some spice into your crocheting, that you ought to just sign up for her class and not ask me what we did (How did I do Marty?)
Friday night was the Annual Member meeting. I’ve never been, so I went. I had heard that it could be a contentious meeting, with people out and outright fighting in the past. So I was sure to get there on time and get a front row seat. No such luck because everyone behaved themselves. Party poopers. After the meeting they did a gift exchange. I stayed just I could get a feel for what happened. Can’t say I’ll do that again next year though. I’m not big on gifts. I didn’t grow up enjoying gift exchanges. I still feel the same to this day.
The rest of the evening was strictly PG. Winky, winky.
Saturday: D-Day:
D-Day. The Last Day. Sniff, sniff. I had already rolled out most of my stuff to my car so I didn’t have to deal with it Saturday morning, so I woke up at the absolute last minute – and then I added another 10 minutes to that – and hustled my way to Marty’s second class, “Foundation Stitches/Linked Stitches.” Drew had said it was an incredible class last year and I was sorry I didn’t sign up for it then. I was all over getting into this class and glad I did because it SOLD OUT folks. Yeap. It was the BEST CLASS OF THE WHOLE WEEK. HANDS DOWN. And Marty told me to tell you all that if you want more information on how to use linked and foundation stitches to put some spice into your crocheting, that you ought to just sign up for her class and not ask me what we did. (She made us swear people!)
In her class, Drew was sitting behind me and off to the side. He was chatting with some of the younger stitchers in the class who eventually recognized him from his blog. It was about that time that I felt the temperature in the room rising. I grabbed my camera and shot off a quick picture of Drew amidst the blaze.
It was sooo nice of the Radisson to provide that fire extinguisher for us.
After the class, I hit the Market for a last twirl. I chatted with Doris who was doing a signing. She’s another one that makes me laugh so hard. I had such a great time with her. I ran into Natalie and Ann of who have a great online store and are very nice people. I’m hoping to get my act together to get them some products to sell soon…before the End of Time. I ran into , another online friend of mine and fellow Jersey gal. I also hit The Elegant Ewe for a last time to pick up some Blue Sky Alpaca Dyed Cotton and Organic Cotton. Incredible yarn that is SOOO soft. I said “buh-bye” to Drew and Tammy and then I was off for my very adventurous
