I'm back

Brain and butt are both numb, and there is a glass of wine at my elbow even as I type.

The hotel was most excellent, and also most pricey, but if you have the buckage and are going to Jacksonville, FL, the Hyatt Regency Riverfront is lovely. My zip-lock bags of toiletries blushed when placed on the granite vanity, the bed actually was comfortable, the view out my window was fabulous, the food was great, the a/c did not rattle, and I have never seen such an impeccably trained and genuinely friendly and pleasant staff anywhere, and I am a "seasoned" business traveler. Even the soap and lotion were really nice stuff. My budget would have been happier with cheaper and I'd have told myself it was "fine," but when circumstances require paying more I have to admit there is a huge difference, and damn, it's worth it.

I did get some worthwhile intelligence and a lot of continuing ed credits out of the trip, so it was worth it.

While sitting in some of the less relevant to me and rather boring sessions I thought about how I "could be knitting!" But you know, I left my knitting in my room. I know there are people who claim they boldly knit in any situation. This has come up on KR from time to time, and last I checked there was a similar discussion on Ravelry. I know there are people who swear they knit absolutely everywhere, they'd knit at a funeral, including their own if the coffin had enough elbow room, and they say the hell with what anyone thinks.

I'm anyone, and I think that's bullshit. I don't do it. Unless I knew the speaker well enough to ask in advance if it would bug him/her, (and then I would still position myself out of the direct line of sight from the podium), I will assume that my hands working away on something like that could be a distraction that would cause those random off-topic thoughts, ranging from "WTF is she doing?" to "Oooh, what is she making?" Which would make it harder to stay focused on the topic, especially when the topic is as exciting as watching paint dry. There is no way I would walk into a professional seminar where I don't know a soul, let alone the speakers, and just whip 'em out and start knitting. We are there for a professional purpose, and I don't understand people who feel they have a God-given right to work on a personal hobby anytime, anywhere. Could I knit and listen at the same time? Of course! Is it always okay and the hell with what anyone else thinks? No, it isn't, and frankly, this Anyone is a fellow knitter who thinks you're a self-centered asshole your social skills may be somewhat lacking. /rant off.

So I do not have much progress on my next linen object, and the jury is still out on what it will be - I think I have enough yarn for the intended use, but I'm not sure yet, and random calculations on a scratch pad during the seminar didn't help much. (But random calculations of yardage required are a non-distracting way to think about knitting during a seminar.)

I am very happy to be home, and I received the greeting of a returning hero from the dogs, though they were very good for Girl in my absence. All other issues are still unresolved, so no final word on MDS&W yet. Meanwhile, Crazy Mother is on full red alert mode, my drive home was punctuated by phone calls from Cousin C, who had talked to her, and Crazy herself, and then Cousin C again, as we try to piece together what is fact and what is dramatic fiction about her current complaints. Monday, I'm calling her friggin' doctor.

But right now I am going to sit on my own couch and turn on my own TV and pick up the linen thing in progress. And pour another glass of wine.