Heading home.
Sitting at the Salt Lake City airport. I seem to spend lots of time here, waiting, hanging out, relaxing a bit.
My "job" would be so different without teaching events. Being face to face with people who have the same passion for photos, papers, stories and all the fun stuff really keeps me inspired. I love what I do. I love scrapbooking...and I love meeting other women.
Each time I go it is a completely different experience. At this event I spent a bunch of time with Tracy White. Just me and her. So, so nice to have this chance to just hang out. Essentially, she is my "boss" in one way or another...but we have also become good friends. This morning in the airport I was showing her my color class presentation (we always teach at the same time so we never get to experience the others class) on my computer and she always brings up things that stretch me, make me think about things in a different way, challenging me to be a better teacher, to capture what it is I do into words and concepts. I really value that part of our relationship.
We talk a lot about design. And about life. And how to encourage women to tell their stories.
And we like to shop. I made it to Urban Arts & Crafts a total of three times over the course of the event. Tracy and Kristi Sikora-Blankenship and I wandered down there before classes on Friday morning. We kept talking about how cool it was that we were getting out of the hotel. In the past, when I teach in the afternoon, I spend my morning prepping, resting, adjusting my class, etc. This leaves very little time to get out and explore the city. The three of us had so much fun on Friday morning that we made plans to do something on Saturday morning as well.
Saturday morning we met up with Marianne and Elsie and the five of us caught a bus to the Plaza. Nothing better than riding public transportation for another flavor of city life...sat next to Bobby. Bobby was on the hunt for a job. He was missing a couple teeth, had on the shortest shorts I have seen on a man in awhile. Bobby and I chatted it up about looking for work, the beauty of coffee, the problem with employers wanting him to cut his long hair etc. On top of my conversation with Bobby, the back doors directly across from where we were sitting on the bus kept opening when we would go around a corner. Elsie was on one side of me, Bobby on the other. Each time the doors would open Bobby would say that the ghost wanted to get off. He then put his arm around me so he could catch me in case I started to fall out the door when it opened again. Bobby got off at 40th. Totally wish I had taken his picture now.
The Plaza is a very cool shopping area with lots of shops like Anthroplogie, JCrew, etc. Good stores. Stores that are nice to browse through and soak up the inspiration of the merchandising. The colors were all about fall - those awesome chunky sweaters and darker colors. And we got to start the morning off with coffee at Starbucks. But we really went to the Plaza on a mission to check out a store called Paper Source. Holy cow it was a happy place. Amazing hanging paper choices. We all found a little something-something there.
My color class is now retired. It had a good run. Thanks to those of you who said hi and for your kindness. Kansas City was cool. The people were so friendly and charming. I loved seeing how everyone was cheering last night at the closing ceremonies. So much cheering and excitement. Good, good event.
Looking forward to getting home.
Oh my gosh Anthropologie, JCrew and Paper source?? what bliss! Just add Oilily and Urban Outfitters and I'd been in heaven! Sounds like tons of fun!
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Sounds like the best kind of fun to me. Love that you talked to Bobby--I always chat strangers up and it makes my girlfriend so nervous, but I love checking out slices of humanity like that.
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I was in your first Color Class at CKU-SJ. I learned a lot, and continue to use your ideas when I scrap. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
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Hey Ali....i never got to see that class in action....bummer, man.
Maybe one of these days I'll request an afternoon lecture time.
Cool to read your experience. I really dig Tracy too. Got to roam the streets of New York City with her last fall. Totally fun.
chat with ya when you get back.
am i still supposed to send you an iSight?
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Thank you for the info on paper source. There is one in Minneapolis, I'll have to go check it out. I was a TA for your color class at CKU-Minneapolis, great class.
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I'm always talking to strangers, my husband hates it. I'm glad you enjoyed the shopping and the company.
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You should see the Plaza at Christmas time! Thousands of lights! SO beautiful! Awesome place to go no matter what the reason!
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As a kid we rode public transportation a lot,and when the door would open and close we would ALWAYS talk about the ghost stops and make up stories about who got off and on and why. I'd totally forgotten that until I read you Bobbie story. I feel another Art Journal entry coming on............
~jane swanson from janesville, wisconsin
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You'll have to ask Tracy about when she was in Sydney - I was asking her about you - wanted to suss out the "real" Ali.... :):)
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Ali..you inspire me...we are so much alike...know some of the same people...like the same things...shop at the same places...dreaming of being in coburg today, how about you?
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Sounds like a blast!!! I am really hoping to take a CKU class from you next year! =) KC does have some great shops, and I am glad you got to explore them!
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ah yes...Paper source. did some damage there as well..love that store. SO good to see you this weekend..your class was great..loved seeing you in action! :) miley
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I love your Bobby story...I love public transport in general. So many stories. My DH always ends up chatting it up w/ the most random people. I'm glad Bobby refuses to cut his hair for the corporate world...but I hope you washed up after he grabbed you. Germophobe over here!!!
Stay away from Anthro if you have a credit card...I always find myself spending 200 bucks on teacups and necklaces. That store is like crack.
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Hope your trip home was safe and sound and you are back visiting with "your boys" again.
I was in your color class in KC. I was so anxious to take the class from you, meet you and see you in person after reading your stories, excerpts from your life and glimpses of you in your real life. It's weird. It's weird that you are a person -- yet a "celebrity" of sorts. Doesn't that feel weird? I didn't get your autograph or your picture b/c it was enough for me to just thank you for your time, a hour of your life.
As for your thoughts on KC, I'm so glad you LOVED it. KC was home to me until last October when I moved to Minneapolis. Coming to KC for me is like to coming to warmth. Like laying your head on the softest, nicest pillow ever. My mom and I shared CKU together. It was nice to be in KC, visit my favortie haunts, my family, meet cool people...but mostly, to be with my mama. I learned more than anything -- its about the relationships...the stories of CKU.
Thanks. Thanks for letting me ramble too ;)
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I loved your class. Even picked up a book at Quick Trip that had some awesome colors and design ideas. My dh was laughing at me taking a picture of tv tonight because of the color idea on it. Can't wait to make my color idea book.
I love your KC hat. Hope dinner with Jenni on Saturday was good.
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i agree public transportation is a great way to get a closer look at and absorb city life... so cool that you had the opportunity to explore, Ali...
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Having met you and hung out with you a bit at CHA, I can absolutely see in my mind's eye your conversation with Bobby - and I am LOL!!!!!
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LOVE LOVE LOVE Paper Source--my best girlfriend lives a mile from the Lincoln Park store-it's on the shopping list every time I go visit!
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Thinking of Bobby. Hoping he finds a job...
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I loved your class, I took it on Friday. Urban Arts & Crafts is one of my favorite shops here in KC. Something for everyone. I teach knitting at a different yarn shop on the Kansas side, but I try to stop by UAC whenever I can for inspiration.
Thanks for a super class!
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I LOVE the Plaza! It's been so long since I have been there, no Paper Source then. I am going back up in October and that is definitely on my list of places to check out. Wonder if Bobby found a job?
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OH FUN. FUN. FUN!
YOU RAWK GIRL...WISH I'D BEEN ABLE TO TAKE YOUR COLOR CLASS BEFORE YOU RETIRED IT.
YOU ARE THE QUEEN, MY FRIEND...THE QUEEN OF ALL THAT'S FAB! ;)
XOXO
R
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I'm so glad I got take last color class. I was in you Friday class. Best class of CKU. I was the one that asked you about the font.
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