Tuesday, April 24, 2012

I've arrived.....

.......at Ranger Headquarters in New Jersey, where I will be camping out in the Education room for the next couple of weeks, alongside Tim and Mario. We are here getting ready to teach 2 weekends of Ranger U and also tons of product development...

As usual, with me, there is always a bit of a crisis involving the journey. The day started early, so we could miss the morning traffic, only to get stuck in every set of roadworks possible. Every detour led to more roadworks and more delays. With the clock ticking, Mr Babe of Deliciousness took his apprehension at me missing a flight and materialised into into temper at other inconsiderately rude road users. After a wtf from me, tempers flared even more with the result of me jumping out of the car at kerbside and making a run for it...straight into the wrong terminal with not a lot of spare time.!! So was the other terminal close..?? No it frikkin wasn't. Apparently it was a 25/30 min walk. Well considering I had two, on the limit, suitcases, carry on, lap top bag AND not a lot of time before gate closing I obviously wasn't going to make it. Cue lots of  hysterical panic hyperventilating.

Rushing outside to find a taxi was proving unsuccessful as they were all lined up waiting for people. Was it possible to order a taxi...? No... Aaaaargh.

Suddenly one of the taxi drivers got out of his cab and came towards me. "Are you Caroline..?" he said. I can be who ever you like if you take me to terminal 2, I relied laughing. Amazingly enough, after I had explained my situation, he agreed and bless him, whizzed me round there quick as a flash, only charged a couple of quid and refused to take a tip...Get in there.....thank you, thank you, you will be rewarded in taxi driver heaven.!!!

So in I go and check in by the skin of my teeth. Quick upgrade to economy comfort and I was off on the first 9 1/2 hr leg of the journey. We landed in Atlanta to a massive immigration queue..  After an hour more panic set in when I realised that there was an extremely good chance I wouldn't make the flight. Oh well here goes. Out of immigration, queue to pick up baggage, queue to re check baggage, queue to go through security again. Set off alarms at security with a lone hair grip, wait to be searched by female, waited and waited, hyperventilated and waited a bit more. Eventually when no female was forth coming I was sent back through the scanner minus offending hair grip and happily processed through to the other side. 

Straight to information desk....Where does Newark flight leave from..??  it leaves from gate 48 terminal B...cool which terminal are we in now. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek we are in E terminal. So how do we get there.?? Down a floor, run down the corridor, wait for train shuttle, fight your way in, stop at every other terminal along the way. Eventually reach terminal B, run back along a corridor, up a flight , ask at information, find out you are still a long, long way away, realise you are going to have to kick up your Dr Martens and make a run for it.....

Cue one mad women in fifties clothing, nostrils flaring, wild scary look in eyes, beehive bobbing ten to the dozen hurtling herself extremely ungracefully down the corridor, taking out unsuspecting passengers, right left and centre, with her carry on case. I arrived at the gate at 4.12pm and flung myself over the counter pleading and praying that the 4.20 flight hadn't closed. It was a wonder the poor women didn't have me removed immediately. I was panting, taking deep breaths and trying to explain, whilst all the time the only thing I could say was..." Have I made it, please tell me I made it..." only to receive the reply "Yup, its been delayed 2 hrs...??? Wtf...??? you mean my heroic Marathon sprint, which lets face it, that's what it was!!!!!!, and at my age deserved the very least a standing ovation and a bouquet of flowers...!!!...was all in vain.?? Bejeezus...how ruuuuuuuuuuude.!!

Any hows I finally made it to New Jersey and was greeted with a Chinese and a bottle of beer, don't mind if I do..lol.

Today started with a quick trip round the supermarket for supplies...mainly Diet Dr Pepper, lol and then it was straight to HQ. First thing I wanted to do was run up and down the shelves of my product and announcing to all and sundry..."These are mine.. yes mine, my name, look...can you see yes it's me.!"  Eventually I realised that the only person remotely interested in my overexcited witherings was me, so I breathed into a paper bag, regained my composure and carried on.

But I did sneak some pictures just so I can prove to myself it's really true, lol.

Here's where some of the inks are


boxex and boxes of stencils


Some of the staff who pick and pack the orders


Boxes of stamps



Complete outers of the ink sprays


And whats this...?


Heres a clue...


No.? Okay how about now...

 
Yup , they are mixing up a whole vat full of melted chocolate ink. Tomorrow I am going in whilst they are bottling and I am going to see the procedure from start to finish. Soooooooooooooo frikkin excited, I can tell you, lol.

Here's the lovely Justin


  and the lovely Alain


Always great to see the lads, but just wait till you clock this. Unbelievable to see it, in person, in all it's glory.

What is it...? I hear you cry...

It's only the actual coat Alain was wearing in his extreme stickling video. you remember...the one where he got a vat of Stickles poured over him, from a great height.!!!


 Here's the gorgeous Sherri, who's in charge of the whole pick and pack department, and ensures that all my Dylusions are delivered correctly to the stores.



And here she is with her extremely gorgeous daughter, The lovely Elizabeth. They are just so darned cute, the pair of them.


Nearly had a serious melt down when I thought I had lost the files with all the work for my How to book. Again, cue hyperventilating and severe gnashing of teeth. I knew there was no way, if completely lost, that I could start again from scratch at this late date. On the verge of tears and with every available swear word known to man, on the tip of my tongue, we trawled and trawled through the files. Just as I was about to admit defeat...there it was. Thank frikk for that was about all I could muster as the tears now turned to tears of relief, lol. Things soon settled down after that as I staked my claim to a large area of the \education room. I was a bit like a dog, marking out my territory, although I did draw the line at cocking my leg up at the comfiest chair. Once I got into the swing of things there was no stopping me working and creating, so I stayed for a few hours after closing. I could have gone home, but wanted to crack on seeing as \I was in the zone, so to speak. |well, |I was greatly rewarded with the arrival of |Tim and Mario and the news that we were going out to dinner at my favouritest restaurant.

Oh yes the one and only sawa....sushi restaurant extraordinaire...what a result..!!!




Topped off with a McDonalds flurry and a quick putting the world to rights, we headed on home. And here I sit, freshly bathed and moisturised, blogging, whilst listening to the dulcet tones of their snoring, lol. It's a glamorous life and someone has to do it.....so it might as well be me.!!!!!

Enjoy xx


38 comments:

Nitasha said...

Glamourous indeed, Carolyn...ummm I mean Dylan! LOL! Thank you so much for sharing your dramatic, heart stopping trip! So happy that you arrived safely! I was in stitches reading this!

Linda M. Cain said...

I thought *#$% like that only happened to me!!!! Ha! what at hoot you are. And a great story teller as well.
So glad you made it there in one piece. Have a blast at Ranger U!
Knock their socks off!!!

~Linda

Sandra Hall said...

7 am here in the UK and me and my lover have had a grand old chuckle at your escapades... only you Dy, only you! Atlanta is one BIG airport huh? I think they have tube shuttles to get about don't they? Anyway, you're there and it sounds exciting - getting to watch your product actually being made! Wow. Keep us posted won't you :D x x x

Unknown said...

well i really enjoyed the read and fits of pmsl in between ...what a brilliant start for the day..considering it persitentley hissing down with the wet stuff i realy needed a boost in my ever flagging oh dear what!!! another dsy in paradise ...er not!!!great read hope you enjoy your stay hugs sassyx

Sid said...

Loved your account, but you made it !!

Laura said...

I don't envy you the journey, nor all the panics but the rest is awesome and enviable! relax and enjoy now the worst is over.... fingers crossed.

mamakat said...

Glad you made it! I spend my evening using some of that scrumptious ink of yours and some of your stamps and some of your stencils working in my journal. Thank you very much! Hope the rest of your stay is less stressful.
Sincerely
Kathryn

Pat Crossland said...

Enjoy, Can I PLEASE have your autograph on your return to Harrogate....
Pat

Helen said...

It could only happen to you.... hope the rest of your trip is uneventful but filled with fun. Keep that Kaz in line, now she is also likely to hyperventilate!!

Bernice Hopper said...

How about flying from Birmingham? You can fly directly to Newark, New Jersey from here! HOwever glad you arrived all in one piece. Have a great time.

Donna B. said...

Glad you made it OK after all the "excitement" you had getting there!!! Sounds like it's going to be a super fun trip! Have a great time!!!

Artyjen said...

Have fun after all that stress of the travel! ;)
xoxo Sioux

Anonymous said...

That trip sounds like a nightmare! But you are where you suppose to be so all ends well.
Have a blast!
/Anna

Michelle Webb said...

Wow how exciting and frustrating was that experience. You wrote it so well I could feel all your stressed out tension. So pleased that it all turned out good in the end, and topped off with sushi...mmmmmm. I would love to be a fly on the wall at your Ranger U classes, I bet they're a lot of fun. Have a great time. Michelle x

CraftygasheadZo said...

Oh my! What a trip, I can only imagine what you were thinking as you ran from here to there! Glad you got there in one piece though. Zo xx

Miranda said...

glad that everything turned out Ok Dyan, our happenings read like some exciting novel...fabulous good feel your desparation waiting in all the queus
have a lot of fun at Ranger and design lots more of your fantastic stuff
hugs
Miranda

ellen vargo designs said...

Unbelievable! Glad you made it one piece, luggage and all! Have a great time teaching Ranger U, and give great big hugs to Kaz & Kate for me... wish I could pop up the road for a visit! xxx

Diana said...

oh my goodness.. i love how you described it so well that i was sitting here at my desk with flared nostrils as well!!! and hot damn girl if ever i meet you i will be sure to bring flowers and a bit of something something to swill to congratulation you for your marathon!! i've done one and flowers and a nip is a must!!!!
enjoy Ranger and all your students!!

Lynn W. said...

..... And BREATHE! Take time to enjoy yourself away from rainy old England.

Lynn Wild

Cardarian said...

Just reading about your journey made me hyperventilate! Running around airports is certainly not my favorite but I do it a lot too! Glad all went well in the end! Enjoy your 2 weeks at ranger - looking forward to see all the stuff that will be going on!
Hugs,
Cardarian

Sue said...

Oh the joys of International travel! I've only had to do it once and it was *almost* as bad as yours! Can't wait to see more of your adventures.

Rainbow Lady said...

Been there done that in Atlanta airport... why you no fly direct to Newark??
enjoy your time over there and thanks for the lovely picture woo hoo lol!!! Love Cynthia x

Denise Phillips said...

And how many times a year are you going through this? LOL!! Maybe next time, wear p.j.'s and a bathrobe through airport security, (with the Doc Martins:), and get dressed and freshened up on the plane before it lands....hence no hair clips setting off metal detectors! The age of dressing for flights seems to have come to an end of an era anyway, start a new trend! LOL!!! As you described your excitement over seeing the production and inventory of your fabulous products, they should have all come around you and jumped up and down with you!!! LOL! Congrats! It must have been a fabulous affirmation!!! We all jump up and down with you:) :) xx

Marjie Kemper said...

Okay, sorry you had such stress but thanks for the fun story (fun for me, laughing as I am over my tea). Glad you made it safe and sound at last. Have a great stay!

Candy C said...

If you ever decide to stop being an artist ... you could be a writer! Your way with word is extraordinary! :) But, don't ever stop being an artist...you are such a talent and extremely entertaining lady!
Glad you made it to Ranger U. I am so green with envy! I wish I was coming back this year to actually get to meet you in person!! You have a fabulous group with Kate and Kaz and the likes. Have a wonderful time!!! <3 Candy

maggie warke said...

Phew! Glad you arrived where you were meant to and in one piece! I laughed at the woman in 50s clothing hurtling through the airport taking out passengers with your carry on, and the wild look in your eye! Doc martens flying! He he, Bernice is right Birmingham to Newark 7.5 hrs 6.5 on way back, do that next time, stay at mine overnight, I'll take you to Birmingham, we cannot have the Queen of spray inks,stencilling & doodling chasing thro airports! All that hassle was hopefully downgraded by seeing your inks in production ! Yeah to you!, relax now & enjoy your trip!x

Martha Richardson said...

Sorry about your travels...hate Atlanta airpot...yuck! Did I see mentioned "how to" book...have fun!

Kaz Hall said...

Soz i nipped off for a jolly in ones private jet, A Lady in waiting has duties lol! Sorry it was a pain in the arse but so excited that you get to see your products being made!! Thats faberrooonie!
Do me a favour and go cock your leg up a couple of chairs ready for me and Kate LOL!!

loved the tour too spesh my dress your wearing ;0)

big hugs

kaz x

Debby said...

Oh my gosh I would have had a friction heart attack if I had gone through your travels! Yuck. Air travel is not what it used to be. So you will have a book coming out I hope??? Have a great time.

texasbarb said...

Whew!! My heart rate went up with each step of your "adventure". I found I was holding my breath as I read. I'm so glad you made it to the colonies without missing a flight!!!

See you in Waxahachie on May 10...can't wait!!!!

Nolwenn said...

What a trip !! Happy you arrived safe and sound anyway.
Have fun :)

How did you make your previous Dylusions inks and paints, before Rangers ?

Anonymous said...

Too hilarious, although I'm sure it wasn't so funny as it was happening. t!m says to enjoy the journey.....maybe you can enjoy your next journey. Or at least the journey back home.

Dee in N.H. said...

So glad you got there OK!! Evidently that S#*% happens to all of us. It certainly reads hilarious when It's not my fat A** racing around! Enjoy!!

Nancy said...

OMG, I'm worn out, reading all of this!! lol
Have a wonderfully fun time in NJ!

Bernice Hopper said...

Elbows pushing you out of the way Maggie. I live 9 miles from Birmingham Airport. Why woudl Dyan want to stay in the wilds of Leicestershire. lol ;o)

Geraldine said...

A terrible journey to have to go through, but an entertaining story to read. You really could be a writer. I was reading this in a computer lab at college, trying to be quite and not choke on my food, you told the story so well and so funny. Enjoy Ranger U and hope the return journey is not as eventful, best wishes.

Fallon said...

Love, love, love this entry! I'm so excited for you. Thanks for making me feel like I was running thru that airport with you! Haha. What a great little adventure! And a good start to a much bigger one at Ranger U!

susiesu said...

Am so glad you arrived safely in the end. What a wonderful story teller you are as well as a fantastic art journalist. A book? Did I miss something? A 'How to book' by HRH Queen Dyan would be absolutely mind- bogglingly gorgeous and just what I need! Have a fabulous time at Ranger and wishing you a safe and uneventful journey home. lol Susiesu xxx

Quote of the Century


"You are an extraordinary woman.


How can you expect anything ordinary to happen to you"


Louisa May Alcott