I'm Back...

I was out of town for the last two days at a meeting in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, so I haven't been able to blog!! I got a few emails from people checking on me as I hadn't blogged in a while, and that was nice. Baby Cables is cursed, I think, as the needle on my Lantern Moon circulars separated from the cord while working on it on the plane yesterday and a number of stitches fell off. I got them back on, but the splittiness of this yarn (that "cashmere" I bought from China) is making me quite dissatisfied with the project. Not sure what I'm going to do - it might bite the dust this weekend.

Speaking of weekend, I plan to see the Twilight movie at some point, and get Jim some new clothes. I was looking at this book on shirtmaking before I left and I may even attempt to perfect my skills in that regard for him. He has broad, square shoulders for his overall size so I think it could be fun to find a way to give him a more fitted look in the body of his shirts while fitting his shoulders, as I think he wears his shirts too loose usually in order to accommodate the shoulders and long torso that he has. Our legs are almost the same length - that's how long his body is compared to his legs. I do have long legs for a short person, but still, it's interesting that they could almost be the same as his. For now, we'll buy his clothes, but I'm thinking about delving into the whole menswear thing soon.

On my trip, I got to fly first class both ways, because our company rule is that you can fly first class if you're traveling with one of our top VPs. Well, I was originally supposed to be traveling with the VP but he ended up cancelling on the meeting, but my flights stayed as first class. I had flown business class a few times, but not first class, and I definitely think we're going to upgrade to it for our South America trip in March. It was sooooo nice. I wore my knit dresses both days of the trip, as they pack perfectly, no wrinkles anywhere in sight - and funny story - when I sat down next to my seatmate on the flight back yesterday, I was wearing my yellow, gray and black print dress (Simplicity 3775).

My seatmate said, "Oh, I noticed you walking across the airport because I LOVE your dress. It's so perfect and colorful!" I thanked her and told her I actually made it myself, to her surprise (My thought - "HA - betcha didn't expect someone in "First Class" to be making her own clothes! I like messing with their heads a little.") Then I noticed she was reading the first Twilight book and so I commented on that, (excitedly) saying" Oh, you're reading Twilight!". She said, "Yeah, I'm channeling my inner fifteen year old girl" and you could tell she was a little embarrassed. I said, "Oh, I LOVE it - I read all the books in the series and I can't wait to see the movie." Then the flight attendant came by and started saying how much she loves it, and how funny it is that we're all 30 and 40 something women, but loving the teen angst. We all had a lot of fun talking about it for a few minutes.

Flight story #2: On my flight down on Wednesday morning, I was attempting to start on Vivian with some yarn that I've since decided won't work for it, and the flight attendant exclaimed over how much she loved the pattern as she had just recently learned to knit, and that she and the pilot bring their knitting and knit together on layovers. Then Weenie Guy sitting next to me (I should have Kinneared him) decided to pipe up and say that he didn't think you were supposed to bring knitting needles on planes (UGH) so I had to get into that whole conversation with him. He looked more than a little frightened of my bamboo circular needles. I said, "Don't worry, I couldn't do much damage with this even if I wanted to." Then I let him think about that one for a while. At the end of the flight, flight attendant asked me to write down the twistcollective.com web site for her - and I also took the opportunity to evangelize for Ravelry and gave her that link and my ID on there to look me up. It was a really nice interaction and flight overall, with the exception of Weenie Guy.

So those are my goofy stories. My takeaway? Knitters and/or Twilight readers are taking over, and flight attendants are much nicer and cooler in first class.

Comments

[Jenny]

Welcome back! Too funny about the flight attendant & seat mate being into Twilight! I thought the book was better than the movie, but I was really just drooling over Edward the whole time, so I'll have to go see it again for a more accurate review. ;)

[Andrea]

Sounds like a great trip overall except for Weenie Guy. You know I loved Twilight. I'm going to see it with a girlfriend tonight in fact. We had to buy our tickets on Monday, as they were starting to sell out.

[Stephanie]

It is amazing how many women I know who have read Twilight. I'm going to see the movie on Monday night and with the exception of my teenage niece, the rest of us are over thirty!

[sheila]

Glad you had a nice trip and enjoyed your stories... LoL @ Weenie Guy.

[Stacey_CrimsonPurl]

Tee hee! We are taking over!!

[Michelle]

He he good stories! And yay for your dress compliment!

[Sammie]

Hi Robin,

Sounds like a fun trip! I think loads of 30 something women like Twilight. I'm baby sitting my grandkids tonight so my DIL can go to the first night opening of the movie! She is 34 - about the same age as you. She is so into the books, has read them all a couple of times.

Sammie

[adrienne]

glad you had a good trip! I saw Twilight last night at midnight or would that be this morning? LOL it was GOOD!

[Arizona]

Funny stories! I've always wanted to fly first class. I hear you actually get some LEG ROOM in first class. lol! Luckily you didn't have aluminum needles on the plane...that really would have freaked out Weenie Guy.

[Kasia]

Welcome back! I love your stories!

[Debby]

I just know you'll have your own haute couture shop in Chicago very soon.

Some of the best literature out there today is being written for young adults. When I was a YA librarian I couldn't believe all the great books out there that I knew adults would like if only they'd heard of them. I love Sarah Dessen's books and also Joan Bauer. Their female characters are strong, original, funny, and honest and I think even we 30 somethings can relate to what they experience.

[knittymuggins]

Hee! Great stories!! I take all my opportunities to "evangelize" (great word!) for Ravelry when I can too ;) Glad you got to fly first class! We got upgrades for free on our honeymooon to Hawaii because R. knew the folks at the airport from work. It's such a treat, isn't it?

Welcome back & have a great weekend!

[Carol]

When I grow up I want to fly first class too! When I save up enough cash. Right now my spare change is going into a 'shoe fund' Next year's trip to Italy will result in at least 1 pair of fabulous designer shoes if it kills me!

[marjorie]

It sounds like you had at least a little fun on a business trip. I was once upgraded to first-class, and it was unbelievable--by time I got to NY from SF, I had no idea how much wine I drank (they just kept refilling my glass). It was the only flight I recall where I wasn't nervous about turbulence--I wonder why.

What do people think can be done with knitting needles (besides knit, of course)?

[tiennie]

Sounds like a very fun flight! I think that the first class flight attendants just have more time to interact with passengers since they have less passengers to take care of. It's so luxurious to be in first class. :)

[Lisa]

I'll GO SEE TWILIGHT with you!!!

I seriously doubt that it is a Jim-movie.

Maybe Friday after lunch?

[Kat]

Robin, That is so funny about the Twilight book. My 14-year old daughter just borrowed that from her friend yesterday and is reading it right now.

[Kat]

BTW, before you know it, we won't be allowed to bring pens or pencils planes too. 'Cuz they also pose a "weapon" threat.