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!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
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.
This is a foggy view of the harbor I took while waiting in line.
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.
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.
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!
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!
First thing was a visit to the Aquarium.
This is a foggy view of the harbor I took while waiting in line.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Travel - Day 1 Boston
Woke up earlier than planned. Good thing because it took longer to get ready than I thought. And Scot arrived a little earlier. So we loaded up and headed towards the airport. We just rounded the curve to 270 and I realized I forgot our boarding passes. So we turned and went back. Got those and back to airport. We skycapped our luggage and went to find our gate.
The flight to Baltimore was a bit bumpy but uneventful. We grabbed a bite to eat and missed the boarding call for our plane. Whoops. Lucky for us they announced over the loudspeaker so we were the last ones on and got split up. It turned out great though because I got to sit beside a very nice businessman. He travels a lot and had extra drink coupons so he got me a free glass of red wine. We chatted the whole way. I told him about knitting and future plans for sock summit. He was fascinated and didn't look at me like a crazy person. He said if I got bored I could make him something. So he gave me his biz card and wrote his home address on it. I thought that was strange but whatever. So now I'll have to add him to the list of gift recipients. :)
And lest you think anything bad. He knew I wad married and he is as well. No flirting going on.
While at the airport and on plane I did do some knitting. I started a sock. But then I got a bit of motion sickness so I put it away. I have one cuff done so far. I could be knitting now while on the train but am writing instead.
After we arrived in prov. We caught a shuttle to the train station. Now we are headed to Boston. And we'll grab another train to get usto the Hotel. It's been a good day do far although Bri has been a cranky pants. Oh well.
ETA: Made it to the hotel, it was a bit hairy there for a moment. We walked several city blocks to a 'T' station, got on a train to an Aiport Shuttle stop, got on airport shuttle to Logan International... where we got the FREE shuttle to the Hotel. After a ridiculous traffic tie up, we made it to the hotel. Good grief, we were on all modes of transport today except horses and donkeys!
As we were quite pooped from the long travelling day, we called a pizza place and they delivered us a couple of really GREAT NY Style Pizzas. They were quite yummy. And then we went for a swim.
Not sure of the agenda for tomorrow... but I'll be updating the twitter feed all day if you are interested.
Follow me here.
The flight to Baltimore was a bit bumpy but uneventful. We grabbed a bite to eat and missed the boarding call for our plane. Whoops. Lucky for us they announced over the loudspeaker so we were the last ones on and got split up. It turned out great though because I got to sit beside a very nice businessman. He travels a lot and had extra drink coupons so he got me a free glass of red wine. We chatted the whole way. I told him about knitting and future plans for sock summit. He was fascinated and didn't look at me like a crazy person. He said if I got bored I could make him something. So he gave me his biz card and wrote his home address on it. I thought that was strange but whatever. So now I'll have to add him to the list of gift recipients. :)
And lest you think anything bad. He knew I wad married and he is as well. No flirting going on.
While at the airport and on plane I did do some knitting. I started a sock. But then I got a bit of motion sickness so I put it away. I have one cuff done so far. I could be knitting now while on the train but am writing instead.
After we arrived in prov. We caught a shuttle to the train station. Now we are headed to Boston. And we'll grab another train to get usto the Hotel. It's been a good day do far although Bri has been a cranky pants. Oh well.
ETA: Made it to the hotel, it was a bit hairy there for a moment. We walked several city blocks to a 'T' station, got on a train to an Aiport Shuttle stop, got on airport shuttle to Logan International... where we got the FREE shuttle to the Hotel. After a ridiculous traffic tie up, we made it to the hotel. Good grief, we were on all modes of transport today except horses and donkeys!
As we were quite pooped from the long travelling day, we called a pizza place and they delivered us a couple of really GREAT NY Style Pizzas. They were quite yummy. And then we went for a swim.
Not sure of the agenda for tomorrow... but I'll be updating the twitter feed all day if you are interested.
Follow me here.
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