Convergence
We're at the International Myeloma Foundation's Short Hills conference, and it's been a very good experience.
I was more - enervated - than I thought I would be when we arrived yesterday. I can go along for periods sort of forgetting that Gerry's ill, but you can't quite push all of that down De Nile when you're at a MM friggin' convention.
There are some excellent question and answer sessions, very good information, and Gerry's having a chance to interact with other MM folks. I'm signed up for a care giver's breakout group today at 3:00, which I'm really looking forward to. MM patients are NOT allowed to go, so it will probably be rather, ahem, honest.
Max is squared away his NJ best friend's house for a few days, in heaven, and Hannah's hanging out with us today at the conference going online and reading.
As is the way with August, most of her friends are gone away to camp or family vacations, but one of her BEST friends will be arriving home today, so we're anxiously awaiting the arrival of JJ!
I'm scooting back and forth between the info sessions and Hannah. She's okay on her own, but I can tell she feels better when I'm around.
So we've taken over a small cafe table as Mac Central and I'm blogging while she's surfing. Kowabunga, dude!
Folks here run the gamut of having been diagnosed as recently as July, to having been fighting this disease for 18 (EIGHTEEN!) years. Amazing.
The newest diagnoses are the most afraid, they have the scared, "How much time to I have, doc..." looks on their faces. As the length of their fight grows, folks look much more philosophical - "Every day IS a gift!" - which is sort of how we've felt for a while, now.
File Under "Sucks"
My cousin, however, is having a pretty rough ride. It looks as though she will be moved to a nursing home, the doctor spoke with her about end of life care and she's pretty wrung out over what will happen to her eight (8!) dogs. Three standard poodles and five malteses. Anyone want to give a loving home to a needy doggie?
I need to get down there, stat. I need to be here. I need to drive Gerry and the family back to MN, but I NEED to be with my cousin. I'm looking into options. I also need to finish an article by next week on shaping. Those are the only things I need to do, but they're big ones.
Right now I need to call my cousin, then scoot back in and sit with Gerry. Then check on Hannah. Need, need, need.
Note to comments: Thank you so much for your kind words. Sadly, truly, I am just about the only blood relative around for Jan - and she for me. There's an amazing sister in law who has gone far above and beyond the call of duty, and very, very good friends - but there are some things that need to be handled by me, I'm it.
That's Not Fair!
Because of a thread on Ravelry there's been a lot of new interest in the Ruffled Roses Scarf, and the attending odd emails from folks telling me how unfair it is that I only offer it to Yarn Shops.
Heads up - Life Never Promised To Be Fair. (I guess this is one free pattern that you'll have to either skip, or wait until you visit a yarn shop, sorry...)
I think right now I'm feeling less patient with folks who rail at me because I'm committing the horrible faux pas of offering a free pattern to yarn shops only. Here's what I need - more patience.
Other Unfair Stuff
I noticed when I started to submit a class to TNNA recently that they've changed their policy so that they will only cover a half night's hotel room for teachers. I'm so dismayed by this that I can hardly express my frustration. Folks attend TNNA for a variety of reasons, but the fact remains that Teachers and Designers are a large part of TNNA. As a trade organization which is supposed to be supporting us, and representing our needs, too, I find this so short sighted.
It's a penny wise, pound foolish economy for TNNA to try to save money in this way. There are other economies they can engage in without asking Teachers to give 6-8 hours of full teaching time in a day, then go back to a room and share it (thus not getting as much rest as is necessary to teach another day)
I know some folks like to share a room, and I don't mind when I'm at a conference and NOT WORKING. But when I'm working - when I have to give so much to my students, I require a LOT of rest. No matter how much I may like a roommate, it's just impossible to fully relax when dealing with another human being in the room.
If TNNA can't afford a private room for each teacher at the convention center, then how about arranging a block of rooms at a nearby less expensive hotel? I think that sort of sucks, too, but I think it would be more respectful.
Even so, though, I doubt that TNNA would have taken any of my classes for the next convention in San Diego (they haven't had any of my classes for the past 2 sessions) And - unrelated - the workshops and classes have been less full than usual. I see it as a downward spiral, fewer folks attending TNNA, fewer folks seeing a REASON to attend TNNA, classes become less interesting and compelling, fewer folks sign up, etc., etc..
I'm not the only teacher who has decided she doesn't want to "donate" time and money to TNNA to make the convention a success. F'heaven's sake, if a yarn shop can afford to hire teachers and cover a private room, why in the world can't TNNA?
I was more - enervated - than I thought I would be when we arrived yesterday. I can go along for periods sort of forgetting that Gerry's ill, but you can't quite push all of that down De Nile when you're at a MM friggin' convention.
There are some excellent question and answer sessions, very good information, and Gerry's having a chance to interact with other MM folks. I'm signed up for a care giver's breakout group today at 3:00, which I'm really looking forward to. MM patients are NOT allowed to go, so it will probably be rather, ahem, honest.Max is squared away his NJ best friend's house for a few days, in heaven, and Hannah's hanging out with us today at the conference going online and reading.
As is the way with August, most of her friends are gone away to camp or family vacations, but one of her BEST friends will be arriving home today, so we're anxiously awaiting the arrival of JJ!
I'm scooting back and forth between the info sessions and Hannah. She's okay on her own, but I can tell she feels better when I'm around.
So we've taken over a small cafe table as Mac Central and I'm blogging while she's surfing. Kowabunga, dude!
Folks here run the gamut of having been diagnosed as recently as July, to having been fighting this disease for 18 (EIGHTEEN!) years. Amazing.The newest diagnoses are the most afraid, they have the scared, "How much time to I have, doc..." looks on their faces. As the length of their fight grows, folks look much more philosophical - "Every day IS a gift!" - which is sort of how we've felt for a while, now.
File Under "Sucks"
My cousin, however, is having a pretty rough ride. It looks as though she will be moved to a nursing home, the doctor spoke with her about end of life care and she's pretty wrung out over what will happen to her eight (8!) dogs. Three standard poodles and five malteses. Anyone want to give a loving home to a needy doggie?
I need to get down there, stat. I need to be here. I need to drive Gerry and the family back to MN, but I NEED to be with my cousin. I'm looking into options. I also need to finish an article by next week on shaping. Those are the only things I need to do, but they're big ones.
Right now I need to call my cousin, then scoot back in and sit with Gerry. Then check on Hannah. Need, need, need.
Note to comments: Thank you so much for your kind words. Sadly, truly, I am just about the only blood relative around for Jan - and she for me. There's an amazing sister in law who has gone far above and beyond the call of duty, and very, very good friends - but there are some things that need to be handled by me, I'm it.
That's Not Fair!Because of a thread on Ravelry there's been a lot of new interest in the Ruffled Roses Scarf, and the attending odd emails from folks telling me how unfair it is that I only offer it to Yarn Shops.
Heads up - Life Never Promised To Be Fair. (I guess this is one free pattern that you'll have to either skip, or wait until you visit a yarn shop, sorry...)
I think right now I'm feeling less patient with folks who rail at me because I'm committing the horrible faux pas of offering a free pattern to yarn shops only. Here's what I need - more patience.
Other Unfair Stuff
I noticed when I started to submit a class to TNNA recently that they've changed their policy so that they will only cover a half night's hotel room for teachers. I'm so dismayed by this that I can hardly express my frustration. Folks attend TNNA for a variety of reasons, but the fact remains that Teachers and Designers are a large part of TNNA. As a trade organization which is supposed to be supporting us, and representing our needs, too, I find this so short sighted.
It's a penny wise, pound foolish economy for TNNA to try to save money in this way. There are other economies they can engage in without asking Teachers to give 6-8 hours of full teaching time in a day, then go back to a room and share it (thus not getting as much rest as is necessary to teach another day)
I know some folks like to share a room, and I don't mind when I'm at a conference and NOT WORKING. But when I'm working - when I have to give so much to my students, I require a LOT of rest. No matter how much I may like a roommate, it's just impossible to fully relax when dealing with another human being in the room.
If TNNA can't afford a private room for each teacher at the convention center, then how about arranging a block of rooms at a nearby less expensive hotel? I think that sort of sucks, too, but I think it would be more respectful.
Incidentally, the TNNA Teacher/Designer Guidelines Group recently finished working on a document where we list a full night's private hotel room as a necessity. Ironic, huh?
Even so, though, I doubt that TNNA would have taken any of my classes for the next convention in San Diego (they haven't had any of my classes for the past 2 sessions) And - unrelated - the workshops and classes have been less full than usual. I see it as a downward spiral, fewer folks attending TNNA, fewer folks seeing a REASON to attend TNNA, classes become less interesting and compelling, fewer folks sign up, etc., etc..
I'm not the only teacher who has decided she doesn't want to "donate" time and money to TNNA to make the convention a success. F'heaven's sake, if a yarn shop can afford to hire teachers and cover a private room, why in the world can't TNNA?
Feed me, baby!
17 Comments:
I hope you will find some way to fit all the needs together and still have some energy left. Hang in there!
Hmmm.....Annie, what does Annie need? You are an amazing woman doing amazing things for everyone around you. What are you going to do for yourself today? You deserve it!
So very sorry to hear about your cousin. Given her concern for dogs, then she must be a very kind person.
If you were teaching a class at TNNA again, I would take it, no matter what the topic. However, until TNNA lowers the class fee back to the 2007 rate (or even close to that rate),I will not take another TNNA class. In 2008, TNNA raised the fees from $35 to $50 for a 3 hour class, and from $65 to $85 for a 6 hour class. For the 3 hour class, it's almost a 50% increase! Dang! That's probably why the classes aren't sold out anymore. I wish I could increase my class fees that much.
So sorry to hear the news about your cousin. I understand her worry about her dogs - can local or regional breed rescues pitch in?
Annie, I hope stuff like those bizarre complaints - about your chosen method of being generous! - just rolls right off your back. You've got better things to do than give people like that even a minute of your time.
All the best to you and yours.
Hannah in the Mac Central photo looks so much like the red-haired model in Interweave Knits. She (Hannah) is so cute!
My daughter's first grade teacher has a great philosophy. Fair isn't that everyone gets the same thing. Fair is that each person gets what they need. That said, make sure that you are getting what YOU need.
Glad you got to go the MM conference. It is helpful to meet with others in your situation, isn't it? My DH has just past the ninth anniversary of his MM diagnosis (6/30/99) and the 8th of his stem cell transplant (from a related donor) 5/19/00. So we're 9 years survival - after being given a 3 year possible survival at diagnosis. Every day is a gift, and we never take life for granted (well, we try not to :) ).
Hang in there, and take some time for Annie!!
I dunno, if I were going to complain about your blog, it would be envy at knitting with yarns I won't see at my LYS for years or at all (I have a buffalo jones and its All Your Fault?). Last time I checked, I was all growed up and could just deal with it.
Meanwhile in Realityville, glad you are at the IMF conference (International Monetary Fund?) and getting some good of it. Our family is pulling for you guys something fierce.
Stephanie
Well, how very very dare you make a pattern available to some people and not to that very entitled user, the online knitter. Obviously you should put yourself to the trouble and effort of making up a pdf and so on, so that they can stash the pattern somewhere on their hard drive and never use it, which if I'm anything to go by is the fate of the large proportion of free patterns. And even quite a lot that I've paid for. You have the right attitude.
I hope you get to see your cousin soon.
Annie
You are handling "overload" beautifully ... managing to keep too many balls in the air and respond to all the needs around you ... consider yourself supported, encouraged, cheered and otherwise helped. Is there anything specific your on line friends can do ?
Paula
Annie, please remember that very important person you tend to forget - Annie! You're such a nurturer and I can truly understand wanting to be there for your cousin as well as Gerry, Max and Hanna, not to mention your fans and students. Without you taking care of you, none of us will benefit from that great heart of yours.
Insofar as the pattern: Big whoop!
- it's a great pattern I'm sure, but since I was alive before I knew of its existence I'll probably remain that way without it :)
have fun and please take care of YOU.
Annie:
First things first. I'm sorry about your cousin, but you've got a sick husband to put first. For now, focus on him. Surely, she's got family who can help for now?
And good for you re. TNNA. When you first started blogging about the (cheap) fees they paid and room-sharing, I couldn't believe it. In my business, we wouldn't consider showing up under those circumstances. Stick to your guns, Annie. You deserve it.
Annie, don't give up hope! My husband was given 3 months to live - EIGHT years ago! Just keep your faith in a higher power and search for good nutrition solutions - vitamins and enzymes that can help alleviate symptoms. When there is no cure, you must be the patients advocate.
I must be completely missing out on this Ravelry brou-ha-ha. It's a lovely pattern! one question - do I need to find a yarn shop that carries the OnLine yarn, or can I walk in to any shop and request it?
And cancer? It sucks, no matter what form it rears its ugly head in. My DH has a cancer that's supposed to kill him, but 8 years later I've still got him. I tell him (a lot) that God can't have him yet 'cause I'm not finished with him. I know what you mean about 'forgetting' about it for a while. I think that's just what we have to do to stay sane.
Your good deeds are being watched by your children. Carry on.
When you first published the pattern, I ordered the yarn for Ruffled Roses from a shop online and, of course, asked them for the pattern. They hadn't been aware of it and were pleased as punch that I'd brought it to their attention. I felt as if I'd done a good deed just by buying yarn.
As Huckleberry Finn said, going the extra mile "don't cost nothin'".
Once again my heart goes out to you and your family. I wish I could be there to help in some small way.
I'm getting a bit tired of the whining on some Ravelry threads myself. If people are going to complain about something that's free and not super hard to find, I don't have to waste my time reading it.
As for TNNA, that's a huge mistake on their part. They raised the fees *and* cut the teacher benefits?! Um, no. Bad form all around. Good for you for not wasting your time filling out the form. Teachers need to band together to make sure that we get paid what we're really worth and not treated as extras.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home