IMC 2012:
Wednesday June 6,
Countdown to Zero:
This is it, the last day. I have waited for this opportunity
for over 2 years now. My sketch is ready; my supplies are packed into a giant
suitcase. I brought all my markers, all my prismacolor pencils, all my
scratchboard stuff, 2 16X20 boards, and a full set of watercolors and brushes.
SOMETHING will work. My hope is to either do a scratchboard or work the marker
technique from way back. Hopefully one of the two will be allowed. If I work
scratchboard, then I will have to scan the beast to work some color technique
digitally. No big whoo, just have to piece the scans together.
Daisy is pissed. She always looks so hurt when I leave. The
vet takes really good care of her with 2 walks a day and some playtime so all
should be good there. All will be good. And this time she gets a bath.
So, 2 big suitcases, a computer bag and a backpack and I are
on my way to the land of the all nighter. And all I have to do tonight is
sleep… yeah, like that’s going to come easily. Oh well, if not, then I will
sleep on the plane. Someone once said, there is always some weird or annoying
person on every flight… and if you don’t see him or her… then it could be you.
I will make it my mission to ensure that it is not I.
Thursday June 7th: Honest, I am me.
Michael Palin once said that it is the unique situations
that make for the best travel experiences.
Well, this trip may be quite the story or it may end before it gets
started. I have mistakenly allowed my drivers license to expire by 6 days. How
did I find this out? Why I got stopped during baggage check and was politely
informed. When they asked do I have another form of ID like a passport I
responded… a passport? No I didn’t think I would need a passport to travel to
Massachusetts. (Knowing my luck, if I did bring it, it would be expired as
well.) This will prove to be interesting since I rented a car upon reaching
Massachusetts. It is an hour drive from the airport to the college and I was
planning on heading to the Norman Rockwell Museum on the 16th. And
this doesn’t even touch the remote possibility that I may be stuck in
Massachusetts unable to get back home if National Security decides I am a
security risk and denies me access back home.
So, if I am able to get into the airport, I will next have
to deal with the rental car company, or find another mode of transportation to
get my big bottom to Amherst. I was so concerned about forgetting art materials
and getting Daisy dropped off at the vet that I never considered peripheral
challenges like State Government licensing. But on the good side, I have no
concealed liquids and all my items are in quart sized Baggies.
Well, after a couple of extra pat downs, and some finger
waving from ATF, I got in and am ready to fly to Hadley International. One
challenge down, it appears to pay off to flounder around helplessly. Performing
a 2 year old’s lip quiver just before bursting into tears appeared to help as
well. But then this is KC. The east coast may be far harsher. At least I can
get closer to the workshop… from there I can take a bus if needed. Thank
goodness I left a day early.
Well, renting a car without proper up to date identification
for some reason is “again” the law! Who’d a thunk it? So, after sitting for a
few moments in the rental car rejection chairs, I shuttled my bottom back to
the airport and grabbed a taxi shuttle from the Airport to Amherst. I made it
to the B&B. It is really nice, very quiet. I walked into town for supper,
about a mile one way, but such a lovely evening, it was a good walk. So it
looks as though the Saturday trip to Stockbridge is kaput. I still need a
couple of supplies for which I may need to taxi out. Just keep reminding myself
that I am here. Everything else fades for the next week and a couple of days.
Then reality comes swinging with an aluminum bat with nails poking out of the
end.
Friday: June 8th -On Your Mark… Wait for it!!!
So, No wheels, but I got taxied to the B&B. quite nice.
Had probably the best night’s sleep I have had in months. It was cool, quiet, I
had the windows opened, snuggled down and slept till 8:30 eastern time. I had a
wonderful breakfast of mixed fruit and nuts with yogurt, and some scrambled
eggs and a wheat English muffin and coffee. Wow. What a grand start to the day.
Managed to lug the monster suitcases down the stairs again and called a cab to
take me to the dorms at Amherst. After an hour wait, the cabbie drove me the
two miles and dropped me off. But I knew that if I walked it, it would pour,
(more about that omen later). I got registered; I am the first to be critiqued,
and the first for portfolio review. So at least we all know where the bottom
bar will be set. I walked over to the CVS and bought some alcohol and a
spritzer bottle for an illustration technique, (rubbing alcohol, not drinking
sheesh!) and got a light bite of lunch.
After that, I decided to make the long walk to the UMASS bookstore and
get the last of my needed supplies. A 2 mile walk, no problem. It is nice
outside. A slight breeze, mid seventies, what could go wrong? Halfway there,
severe rain/ Thunder/ and hail decided to anoint me with it’s special greeting.
I made it into the bookstore and got all my supplies minus one, a fan for noise
reduction in the dorm at night. Needless to say I took the bus back. It never
rained the entire trip back, and the bus fairs are free right now. Good to
know.
So, I have my stuff, Tomorrow I get my crit and start
reworking. Then we shall see what happens next.
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