Do I Have A "Good Side?"

Yesterday's end to the school day and kick off to vacation had its challenges. We were able to bid, "adieu" to the 6th graders without incident. However, the 5th graders had something of an extended and highly unplanned stay. A small fuel truck managed to slip a bit on the Winter Wonderland we've got going on here. There was neither damage nor leakage, but righting the downed mini-tanker required that the street be blocked off. This posed a problem for certain vehicles like buses and parent driven mini vans, all of which are necessary for getting students out the door in a timely fashion. Thankfully, the delay wasn't too long and we were able to hustle the little darlings off for an extended stay with their mommies and daddies so we could get on to the business of missing them. 

That's OK. For every dark time there is a some light. And today, that light was focused squarely on a gaggle of local stitchers, all of whom decided that they wanted to be one of 1000 Knitters. That's right, The Panopticon himself made the trip up to deepest, darkest Maine and was shooting local knitters at Purl Diva. 

 

Let's face it.  Not much of the Knitting Glamour comes to Maine.  So, when the opportunity to be a part of this sort of project heads east, we make the effort.  Even those of us who lack social skills, photograph poorly and who tend to babble in the face of stressful situations such as being social or having a picture taken will put on matching shoes and make the trip.  You suck it up.  This is knitting history in the making, gosh darn it!

Thankfully, others in my area were of the same mind.  And so it was that The Sheep, Noolie and Patty met up with Brenda (whose ability to navigate and schedule an arrival are beyond amazing) and headed north.  We arrived in a timely fashion and even found a moment to stop for coffee along the way.  And we were also able to pencil in a few minutes to spot Dr. Mel walking The Cutest Dog Ever outside the shop and hoot 'n howl at him until we had his full attention.  

He is good about the hooting and howling, bless him.  

Oh, and yarn shopping...  We were also able to sneak in a little yarn shopping.  I didn't mean to buy yarn.  In fact, I clearly said to myself before I left, "Don't buy yarn."  I blame Patti.  She forced me and not a single soul made an effort to stop her.

Society has really broken down, I fear.

But, even with all these hi-jinks, we were numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6 in line to be photographed.  There was a little bit of a wait, but minor really.  And I like to think that I helped to fill the time nicely by telling everyone within earshot thirty or forty times that I am now on vacation and do not have to work.  People feigned exasperation.  But I think that, deep down, they appreciated the distraction.  I'm a giver, you see.  I like to do my part to keep morale up when in a "waiting" situation.

Besides, I was number 6 so I had more time to kill than the rest of our group.  A bored Sheep is a Sheep who will eventually get herself into trouble.

Franklin is a delight and gentle soul with a gift for putting less than "natural" subjects at ease.  That said, I lack a few of the necessary skills for a career in modeling.  It is my understanding that you sometimes have to actually look up at the camera.  I am not so good with this.  I have control issues and a fear of my soul being stolen.  I am also one who is easily distracted by my inner dialogue:

OK.  Look up.  Otherwise it'll just be a picture of your dark roots.  And even in black and white, this is not a good look.

Wait...If I look up then I might throw a glare off my shiny nose thanks to that three million watt bulb over my head!  This will kill the light balance, I'm sure of it!  Maybe if I just look down a little bit...

Crap.  That gives me a double chin.  I don't want a double chin. Why, oh why didn't I staple that into place before I left??????

 

I can't find the right head angle!  Now, I'm just a dark rooted, breaking-the-camera-shiny-girl with twenty five chins!  Ack!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe I could try a head tilt...

Great.  Now my sinuses are dripping.  Equalize the pressure in your head before you do something to really embarrass yourself!!!!!!!  Do you think he'd object to one of his knitters having a tissue wadded in her left nostril?

And so on and so on and so on...  

But, as we decided on the ride up, when you are one in one thousand it really doesn't matter in the long run.  You are one face among the many.  The only one who will be looking for my shiny, drippy visage is me.  But, I got to meet Franklin!!!  And hang out with my peeps!!  Best of all, though,  I was able to join 999 other knitters in telling our story as string wranglers.  

I probably should have had a color touch up and a hit of decongestant before I headed over, though...

SA