This doesn’t have a whole lot to do with art, but I wanted to share the roller coaster that has been my life for the last 24 hours:
4:30 p.m. yesterday
I call Jane Robinson, who is coordinating my art marketing workshop in Jackson, Michigan this weekend. I frantically tell her that we’re expecting 12-18” of snow in Denver and that United Airlines has started canceling flights. This is uncharted territory for me. Weather has never threatened the cancellation of one of my workshops. I’m a nervous wreck.
5:45 p.m. yesterday
Jane calls me back. Wonders if I could get a flight out before the storm comes in. Like NOW.
6:15 p.m. yesterday
I determine no flights available. Resume packing.
All last night
Wait anxiously for the storm to come to see how bad it will be. Keep curtains open so I can keep track of the snowfall.
4:00 a.m. this morning
Wake up to see what the status is. And . . . Not a flake of snow on the ground! All that worry for nothing. The dire forecasts had me thinking I was crazy for even considering getting on the road to the airport, let alone flying somewhere.
5:00 a.m. this morning
I leave for the airport and head out on an 8 a.m. flight. Roads are clear. I breathe a sigh of relief.
8 a.m. MT to 12:45 p.m. ET
I experience one of the most hostile airplane rides I’ve been on in a long time. It’s like we were skiing the monster moguls or surfing killer waves–in a 757! I apologized to the passenger next to me preemptively because I was sure that my coffee was going to go all over her. (Luckily, that didn’t happen.) Tail-wagging upon landing led to a number of audible gasps from passengers and led me to comment, “It better be windy out there.” Indeed, it was. I feel like the fierce Rocky Mountain foothills winds have followed me all day.
3:30 p.m.
Arrive in Jackson. Check out the Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History, where the workshop will be tomorrow. It’s lovely!
Now
I’m winding down after a long day. I’m about to break from my workshop preparation and read a few more pages of Eat, Pray, Love. This is definitely for women, and I’m devouring every word. Don’t know what took me so long to get around to reading it. Cynthia Morris told me some time ago that it’s a must-read and she’s right. Elizabeth Gilbert’s writing style is fun and colorful. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I hear we have at least 60 people coming to the workshop tomorrow–from all over and a number from out of state. I’m psyched! And I’m up for a good night’s sleep so I’ll be full of energy tomorrow.
5 thoughts on “And now, we break for this message from our sponsor”
Good luck, Alyson! I am sure the workshop will be great! I am eager to hear about it. ~ Diane Clancy
Hi Alyson, I FEEL for you. In 2005 I was on my way to Denver to give a two day workshop on how to paint digitally. At 4am before leaving for the airport, I got a frantic email that a blizzard was heading their way and was I still coming. I said…well, hope the hotel has a good restaurant and lounge and we are coming. Got there, weather was beautiful and sunny. That night the blizzard came at 3am and buried us. We got to the location by following the snowplows to it. Everyone showed up! They are used to this sort of thing. Documented it and the next day the sun came out and it all melted. I also got a gorgeous painting out of it. http://marilyn.blogsome.com/2005/04/12/colorado-on-snow/ I need to add your blog to mine. Found you through Barney Davey. Marilyn Sholin Blizzard Painting: http://marilyn.blogsome.com/2005/04/14/blizzard-05-painting/
Alyson, This does sound like a roller coaster ride. I could relate to this story because of our weather patterns here in the Northwest, one of the hardest areas to predict. It is common for a dire weather prediction to come over the local news and also common to have it NOT happen. Not that this is a bad thing, it just keeps us on our toes. Have a safe trip home. Margret Short
Thank you for yesterday’s wonderful workshop in Jackson, MI, Alyson. I discovered you on the internet last year and have been spreading the word about your services to my art friends and even got one of them to come with me to the workshop. The marketing information, interaction/networking with other artists, and the opportunity to ask you questions face to face made this an extremely beneficial event to attend. I’m working on newsletter and blog ideas today so I can put them into action ASAP. Patrice Erickson Fine Art Portraits and Landscapes
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