I spent most of last week in Chicago for the AWP conference. Lots of good panels, lots of inspiration. The place was dirty with poets and publishers looking for poetry collections. Poets may not make a lot of dough, but man, they sure get the prettiest books. I became even more smitten with letterpress printing, but it's doubtful my work will ever get such artistic treatment. Unless I go over to the poets, of course.
While there, I ate well: Italian, German, Greek. And diner. Diner food was a staple. They don't know from diners in my neck of Connecticut, so it was a treat to hang at one a few times. I saw some beautiful buildings and took a train ride out to the 'burbs to see the B'hai Temple. As a woman who loves lace, this building had all sorts of appeal to me.
I didn't get much done while away in terms of grading, knitting, or reading, all of which were on my to-do list. I spent my day off on Monday pen in hand, student papers on the table, and there is another weekend of it ahead of me, I fear. I'm in the middle of knitting a strip for a charity blanket for my SnB, and it just goes on and on at this point. I'm struggling to remember that I should just enjoy the process; I really want to get my hands back on some yellow silk that has been developing into a Swallowtail. Soon enough, and what a reward it will be after the beige acrylic that has been in my hands for so long. I did get through one book while I was away, and I'll post its review in the next few days.
When I can steal a few hours from grading and dog duties, I've been slipping off to the Weaving Center in Hartford to work on the sampler I'm making. I'm learning to weave from a stellar teacher, but I simply don't have large blocks of time to get in to make as much progress as I'd like. I did weave a plaid pattern today, though, and aren't I proud!
I'm proud, too, of the gift my parents gave me for my fortieth birthday: a new-to-me loom. Gracing my office (well, taking up a large chunk of it) is a refurbished LeClerc Artisat four-shaft 36" loom. I had saved up for this baby, and my parents surprised me by generously picking up the tab for her. She came from the Loom Doctor, who is a dolly, and she's warped with some 8/2 cotlin, so as soon as the grading goes away, I can start to play.
Being away made me realize how much time I do spend on line. Some of that time is my relaxation, the way others might watch a television program. Some of it is out of loneliness, wanting to keep in touch with friends. Some of it is frivolous, though, and I decided to pare down my on-line interactions. I'm giving up Facebook and Twitter for Lent, and I'm going to see if I can get rid of one of my e-mails. The number of blogs I read has doubled in the last two years, and I can't keep up, so I plan to pare down that list. All of this may burgeon again once summer arrives, but if I'm going to accomplish what I want to with my writing and fiber, it's time to step away from the computer. That doesn't mean I'm going away entirely, just letting go of so much on-line play time.
Play time will take a slightly different form for the next year, as I've joined up with Penny to participate in Project 365 in an effort to improve my photography skills. I'd like a better camera at some point, and I plan to earn it by learning to use what I've got to the best of my abilities. Look for more, and here's hoping, better pictures at Chez Golightly.
That's where I've been, and where I'm going. What about you?
I think it’s important to step back from time to time and really look at where our days go. The internet should not be our be all end all. I’m glad you’re going to carve out more time for other interests, my Bev. Although, I will miss you.
xo
Stepping away….you are brave and I applaud the move! I have been askew for years now since the internet burst forward….it is both a blessing and a hindrance. Do share how you plan to wean. Balance is important.
Oh wow, that AWP…and you lived to tell the tale! Sounds like you had a great time and weren’t swallowed up whole.