Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Travel - PRESS09

Only a week left until Sock Summit. It's weird to finally have it come to fruition. The dream of attending is such a long ago slightly forgotten memory. I can't even remember how long I've actually been waiting. It seems like forever... and now... it is just a week away. WOW!

As most know, I've had some ups and downs with SS09. I was flabergasted at the committment of the instructors/designers! I was reeling in the fact that I would be in the same place as Barbara Walker and that she was instructing "Creative Mosaic Knitting!" Everyone knows how much I love color work and this would literally be the event of a lifetime. Learning and perfecting techniques from a world class Master!

Of course much to the disappointment of many, registration didn't go so well. Fortunately I did get a few classes, but alas the elusive BW was out of reach, sort of. THERE is supposed to be an author signing on Friday afternoon. Fingers crossed I can get through that line and gush over her, just a bit. I also hope to meet a few other amazing designers as well. This will definitely be one unique and awe inspiring journey. I am so looking forward to this.

I feel like I have so much to do in the next week to be ready and prepared. I have to make some lists and just get my head straight. I have to make sure I have all the class confirmations, swag confirmations, etc. I need to remind myself 24 hours in advance to check in for my flight so I get a good spot in line and a good seat.

I just verified with the hotel they DO NOT have an airport shuttle service. However the nice receptionist told me to check the MAX Light Rail and there is an airport train that heads to the convention center and my hotel is a couple blocks down! Yay for public transport! I love these cities with trains... I wish Columbus would get on board (pun lightly intended). So that's one worry gone away.

For those that are curious... here is my "rough" itinerary
1. Flight leaving wed 8/5 5:15PM
2. Arrive PDX 9:40PM
3. Thurs AM class Socks Without Wool /Amy Singer 9-12
4. Thurs PM class Making the Next Monkey / Amy Singer 1:30-4ish?
5. Thurs Eve Opening Night Reception in the Ball Room 7PM
6. Fri. AM Class Three Traditional Beginnings / Nancy Bush 9-12
7. Fri. Afternoon, book signing and SHOPPING in the marketplace! WOOT!
8. Sat. All day class, Argyle Socks / Anne Berk
9. Sat. Eve, Rav meetup, still waiting on location for that.
10. Sun. 8/9 Leave the summit early... flight home leaves at 10:25am

So as you can see it is a very full schedule but I am sure it will be a ton of fun. I'm so excited and can't wait to see a little bit of Portland. It will be my first time that far west so it's definitely an adventure!

If anyone wants anything... let me know this week so I can add your wishlist to mine. I am taking an extra suitcase to ensure all the goodies have room to come home! And I know you are all laughing a little bit... but you know me and yarn... it's one temptation very hard to resist!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Travel - Day 2 Boston

So I'm writing from memory, hopefully will have most of the details. Good thing I photo'd with twitter to help me along the way. PS, this was going to be a GOOD photo post except left the camera USB at home, so cannot upload pics yet. Will use the ones from Iphone though.

First thing was a visit to the Aquarium.

At the aquarium. It's drizzling. on Twitpic

This is a foggy view of the harbor I took while waiting in line.

View of the harbor. on Twitpic

It was really nice. They had a great variety of fish and I liked the layout. It basically all ramped and you can gradually walk up and view all the tanks. The center section looks like the Guggenheim. So you have the option of walking up the center in a spiral and down the outside walks which are angular or vice versal. Or just keep going up and down. This would make more sense in pics, so come back later for the visual. :)

So upon entering the building, you can go down some stairs and there is a jellyfish exhibit. After viewing, go back up and the first section you come to is the Penquins.

Penguins. on Twitpic

They had a nice big area and there were quite a bunch of them. A few were noisey, but mostly they just stood around, some swam. Then we walked around, took a bunch of pics and then out to the new exhibit that just opened. It's an open air place. They have 3 new seals there. It just opened the day we were visiting (good timing). It was very nicely done. The platform is really beautiful and the ceiling is neat as well.

New open air exhibit. Just opened today. It's really nice. on Twitpic

After the aquarium, we crossed the street and headed to the Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall area. I really liked it! They had tons of vendors, restaurants, eateries, snacks, kiosks, etc. Lots of fun to look and browse. They had upscale places, too, like a Coach Store, Nine West, etc. We browsed there and I had some lunch.

Afterwards, we took a long hike to Windsor Button. It's a local craft store. Reminds me of a 5 & dime. Anyway... tons of buttons!!! It was pretty interesting and if Brian wasn't waiting outside for me, I would have def spent more time browsing. But they have all sort of odds and ends for all crafts. Even a pretty ok selection of yarn. I did buy one skein there because I really liked the colors. A lot of the yarn wasn't marked with a price, so that was a bit irritating. And none of the bins were marked, etc. But if you are in need of buttons, this is the place to go, for sure!

Oh. And new sock yarn.  The color is called providence.  :). ... on Twitpic

After that it was pouring down rain, so we opted to head back to the hotel. Worked out well as there was a T stop right near us. We came back, I had a nap and Brian swam. Rather than go back out, we decided on dinner at the hotel restaurant. It was TERRIBLE!! Anyway, then back to the room and watched SYTYCD!