No One's Happy
I just got an email that stunned me, so I wanted to clear something up on my blog, in the open, because I know how easy it is to take a comment and run with it. A few days ago in my blog I made what I thought was an innocent comment,
"The first class was colorwork, everyone did the amazing plaid (I remember the class having a hard time with this when I taught at Lambikins Hideaway, and I suspect that it was my teaching that was the main difference...)"
Now, if anyone was following my blog last year when I taught at Lambikin' Hideaway, you will see that I absolutely adored that shop. A D O R E D it. I loved the owner, the students, I loved the classes and the shop and the wonderful woman who kindly put me up at her home for an extended period of time. I loved the yarn that they sell so well that I used it in for a skirt in my upcoming book, Romantic Knits.
It is a most amazing shop, you should visit it, drive out of your way to go there and buy a lot of stuff. Spend time with the regulars, read a magazine and enjoy their fine, fine silk.
What I meant by the comment was NOT that the group at LK was in any way slow, or couldn't grasp a concept. What I meant was that the class at Stitches N Scones got it SO fast, so immediately, that it blew me away.
The closest comparison to this class was at Lambikins Hideaway, where it was a tougher class (and I'm entirely certain that it was my teaching which was the difference)
My post was intended to convey that I didn't think that I did as well at LK in the colorwork class as I did this past weekend teaching the same class!
I realize I shouldn't have used the name of the first shop, I usually don't do that, and I chalk it up to a combination of blogging on the road (minor exhaustion) and - ironically - feeling so positive about Lambikins Hideaway that it just didn't occur to me that the comment would come out as a negative toward anyone but myself.
I didn't mean to cast aspersions on anyone's skill, or any shop's clientele. But since I did use the name of the shop, I felt it was incumbent on me to mention it in a posive light in this post. You can't cry over spilt milk, you need to wipe it up.
I did not intend for my earlier comment to be disrespectful in any way to Christine or her wonderful shop.
Geeze, I feel like John Kerry. I think I'm going to go on blogging hiatus for a bit.
"The first class was colorwork, everyone did the amazing plaid (I remember the class having a hard time with this when I taught at Lambikins Hideaway, and I suspect that it was my teaching that was the main difference...)"
Now, if anyone was following my blog last year when I taught at Lambikin' Hideaway, you will see that I absolutely adored that shop. A D O R E D it. I loved the owner, the students, I loved the classes and the shop and the wonderful woman who kindly put me up at her home for an extended period of time. I loved the yarn that they sell so well that I used it in for a skirt in my upcoming book, Romantic Knits.
It is a most amazing shop, you should visit it, drive out of your way to go there and buy a lot of stuff. Spend time with the regulars, read a magazine and enjoy their fine, fine silk.
What I meant by the comment was NOT that the group at LK was in any way slow, or couldn't grasp a concept. What I meant was that the class at Stitches N Scones got it SO fast, so immediately, that it blew me away.
The closest comparison to this class was at Lambikins Hideaway, where it was a tougher class (and I'm entirely certain that it was my teaching which was the difference)
My post was intended to convey that I didn't think that I did as well at LK in the colorwork class as I did this past weekend teaching the same class!
I realize I shouldn't have used the name of the first shop, I usually don't do that, and I chalk it up to a combination of blogging on the road (minor exhaustion) and - ironically - feeling so positive about Lambikins Hideaway that it just didn't occur to me that the comment would come out as a negative toward anyone but myself.
I didn't mean to cast aspersions on anyone's skill, or any shop's clientele. But since I did use the name of the shop, I felt it was incumbent on me to mention it in a posive light in this post. You can't cry over spilt milk, you need to wipe it up.
I did not intend for my earlier comment to be disrespectful in any way to Christine or her wonderful shop.
Geeze, I feel like John Kerry. I think I'm going to go on blogging hiatus for a bit.
31 Comments:
*Sigh* just too many emotions on sleeves these days. It's All Saint's Day! Rejoice!
I knew what you meant the first time you said it. Don't stop blogging :)
When I read that post, the only thing that went through my mind was that you were being too hard on yourself! I thought it was totally clear that that was a self-deprecating remark and had nothing to do with the class in question.
Please don't take a blogging haitus just because someone misunderstood an innocent remark. (I know I post things that could be taken the wrong way practically every time I post.)
Annie,
I totally understood that the comment was about your teaching skills, rather than your previous classes' knitting skills.
I'm sorry someone read it wrong and it stressed you out.
Oh, for heaven's sake! What is wrong with people? I thought you were being hard on yourself - how could it be taken any differently? I can't believe how touchy people have become - nobody seems to ask for clarification any more; they seem to just read and blow off! At least they didn't go to the media. :)
I understood it the way you've explained it. I certainly didn't hear/read anything negative. Teaching isn't the easiest thing around and when I do it, I'm always learning.
Gillian
Please don't go on a hiatus. I perfectly understood that it was you referring to your teaching that made the difference between the first and the second and not as a slam against the other shop. Before someone got themselves in an upset, they really should have verified it with you. It's hard to always gauge the way something is written and how someone else may perceive it.
It's funny, I remember reading that and thinking it probably was the teaching. I know when I teach something the first time I discover all the ways I could have taught it better and file it away in the back of my brain (wish I was organized enough to make notes). I find the second time I teach I am still fine tuning it. There is always room for improvement.
I hope they read your new entry and understand.
Annie,
I will add my 2 cents that your original comment was clearly disparaging *your* teaching skills, not the intelligence/whatever of your previous class. However, I know some folks are sensitive and could skip over that part, or make assumptions that it's the same teacher and the difference is the class. Oh, how I wish we could be consistent from day to day, but the reality is that some days you're "off" on your game.... (actually, both teacher *and* student are capable of this). Try not to take it too hard. Today's post should certainly have cleared up any misunderstanding.
Oh my,
What is with all the poopy heads leaving and sending mean comments to bloggers I love?
Pardon me for saying so, but it sounds like a few people have large knitting needles in places where the sun don't shine!
You said nothing bad, But EVEN IF you did, it would be YOUR opinion on YOUR blog...and free publicity for that store..all publicity is supposed to be good right?
I'm sorry Annie...I think you are terrific and I love your blog. Keep up the great work!
You know that some people will take a perfectly innocent statement and tear you to bits over it! Don't sweat the small stuff! We love you and your blog! You don't even have to defend yourself over this one...even if you did want to cast aspersions, it's YOUR blog! Cast away!
Oh, and again, combination knitting is all that I ever hoped it would be...I'm having SO MUCH FUN! Now, come teach us things in Dallas! (pretty please?)
Oh Annie, I am with everyone else. I totally understood what you meant when you made the comment. And I agree with another commenter, I think you were being too hard on yourself about your teaching skills. Commenters who want to find fault will always find fault regardless. Just keep blogging baby!
Just chiming in to say that I knew what you meant the first time you said it, just like all of the others here.
Ditto. Please keep posting, I love your blog. As a teacher, I can only repeat what others have said--there are good days and bad days and sometimes it has to do with how you teach or how the class learns. I find that non-educators think this teaching thing is easy (It's so NOT!) and that teachers just blame students.(NOT) Instead, good teachers are reflective, as you are...good for you!
We spend time wondering why one class found learning easier than another class did. It's no reflection about one class's or shop's abilities. Gee Whiz! Stop worrying about this, the emailer was doing what Bush is--trying to get inappropriate attention over a poorly interpreted statement/mis-statement. These things happen. Smart people like you will move on..and keep doing what you do best!
Huh? I read that the teacher was critiquing HER skills, not the students...Let's slow our eyes down people and read every word in context.
Best part of this whole silly saga? Back when you originally blogged about LH? You provided a link and a couple of clicks later, I ordered some yarn...OK, I've never donw that! Ordered yarn because of a good review on a blog. Really. And I had questions about my selections. The LYSO was quite delightful in corresponding with me, I love the yarn, it came quickly, and I've already used it.
Even better, I plan to keep reading Annie's blog for more great ideas, and planned to pay an in person visit to Hamiltan Ohio, one of these days soon.
Btw, Annie, John Kerry has it a lot worse than you: sounds like a lot your readers comprehended your original meaning. Unfortunately, even the Democrats were uncomfortable with what they heard. Your comparison was quite funny, though.
Knit On!
Lisa
Just one more voice reinforcing that, the way I read it, it was a comment about your teaching style being different than any comment about the student group. Let's not lose our perspective here. No further clarification was necessary.
I was thrilled to hear John Kerry say real things instead of "spin" and I would not worry about a few people who will always find something picky to complain about!
Some folks are too darn sensitive. To take something that is not directed at you personally and get upset, implies that you think it's all about you, when it isn't.
But then selfishness is about insecurity, isn't it?
I teach sewing as a career, and I understood *perfectly* your original meaning.
I'm a better teacher now than I was when I started. I know that students learn faster and understand easier now, and I know the difference is in me, not them.
*sigh* Some people will take offence at everything and anything. Obviously, you were being self deprecating and not making any criticism of the yarn store at all. For someone to say otherwise is just nonsense. Boo hiss to them...
...and 'Yippee' for you, I love reading your blog, your enthusiasm is infectious, keep up the good work Annie!
Karenx
I dont think the misunderstanding has a thing to do with anything more then.....writing something leaves out the natural voice inflections that CLARIFY what we mean. Kind of two dimentional talking vs three dimentional talking. Ok that was as clear as mud. It happens. You cleared it up. C'est la vie!
I agree with everyone else. It was extremely clear that you were casting aspersions only at yourself.
Maybe the nasty e-mailer doesn't understand big words or can't read subtly?
Tina R
I never for one moment thought you were talking about anyone other than yourself. AND I thought, "Wow, you are always learing and learning how to teach"
"Wish I could get to one of her classes!"
There.
now I pass you some chocolate and we get back to our regurarly scheduled programming!
[eating chocolate] - Hey, this is the GOOD stuff!
I promise I'll be back, just taking a few mental health days from blogging to get some writing work done, and to refresh myself!
Who knows, a little purl video may be in the offing soon...
Write on, Annie!
Once again another beautiful piece in Interweave Knits.
When do you have the time?
:)
Annie, please don't fret. I, too, understood that you were commenting on your teaching methods and style, the fact that you had been able to reach your students in a more effective way this time. Do not deprive us of your wonderful posts, please! Life is short, and we, your faithful readers (and book buyers), love to learn through your blog.... So, blog on, Girl!
I'm with Pixie purls, I understood what you meant the 1st time around :wink:
I SO WISH you would teach a class in my town, you are my knitting hero, I should knit a cape for you!
Don't stop blogging!
hugs,
becka
Oh Annie. People are so sensitive. It's not like you said they were so stupid they belonged in Iraq or anything. I agree with a previous poster, you are too hard on yourself. Be yourself. You are this incredibly talented artist. It is great that you have chosen to show other people how you do things, so we can learn a new technique or improve what we are doing.
Some people are just mean, or angry all the time, or just plain asshats! Or perhaps that person is threatened by anything outside her LITTLE world. You keep doing what you're doing Annie - and when I ever open my shop I want you teaching there as often as possible!
Annie, I've actually seen you in a snit, and this clearly wasn't one. Only an idiot could misunderdand what you wrote.
That said - what's the lovely mitred thing-in-progress in the photo?
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