2016-02-19 - Friday - Catching up with friends

I've been enjoying using Periscope lately, watching and chatting with friends far and wide.

This week I've checked in with Michael Kline, Adam Field, Will Baker, and someone I haven't chatted with for a long time: Angela Walford.

It was great catching up with Angela in her new studio in Seppeltsfield, South Australia. We had a nice chat about pots, obvara firing, mutual friends, and of course, Doctor Who.

Angela and I met online several years ago while blogging. A bunch of us connected via blogger and had a great time sharing ideas and stories around the world. When Facebook came along a lot of us went there, then Instagram. Some of us have gotten back to blogging and it's a nice change to the rapid-fire rhythm of Facebook.

In 2011 Angela came to Shelby, NC with Doug Fitch and Hannah McAndrew (now Fitch) for a great workshop. It was wonderful meeting everyone IRL (In Real Life) and we all had a great day. There were so many great memories and one was Angela and I discussing Doctor Who.

I can't recommend Periscope enough. Catching up with old friends and meeting new ones is wonderful.

In video.

In real time.

Wow.

I forgot to take a screenshot during the scope
so I had to get one from the replay.

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2014-02-19 - Wednesday - Bowls and trips and such

Got my last bowls back from the firing and was pleased with the new things I tried.

I ran by Clayworks to pick up the Bowling for Dollars bowls and take them to Shelby.  The Bowling for Dollars event was scheduled for the next day so I had to get them there at the last minute thanks to the bad weather we had last week.

Ju-Ian walked into the studio just as I was getting ready to leave.  She wanted to see the Treasures of the Earth show at the Cleveland County Arts Council so she accompanied me on my trip.  We enjoyed the ride and the show but had to hurry back to Charlotte since Ju-Ian had supper plans and I had to get to class.

Last of my 2014 bowls.

Planning on a major handle for pot on the left.
Wasn't crazy about the other one so I started a face on it.

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2013-11-16 - Saturday - Busy busy busy

Saturday morning I went with Karen and Stephanie to Toast in Dilworth for breakfast.  It was a delicious avocado, tomato, bacon, and Parmesan omelette.  Highly recommended.

After that Ju-Ian and I went to Shelby to the Carolina Pottery Festival at the brand new LeGrand Center.  More than eighty artists were in attendance and we spent several hours there.  On the way back we stopped at Red Bridges Barbecue for a late lunch.

Once we got back to Charlotte I dropped Ju-Ian off and headed over to Matthews to see a show my friend Max was in.  As usual, Max's work was extraordinary.

After that, it was back home again, then off to the Southern Christmas Show with Karen and Stephanie.  We always enjoy the show and this time was no exception.  Lots to see and purchase although we did way more looking than buying.

Busy day of walking.

The Carolina Pottery Festival

The Southern Christmas Show

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2010-11-23 Tuesday - Horrific Sight

Tonight I was driving home from Shelby on Route 74 at about 7:30 when I noticed a black column of smoke silhouetted against an already dark sky.  I was thinking, "I don't remember a smoke stack there...".

As I got a bit closer I noticed that there was an area of trees that were bright with the light of flames and I thought someone was having a bonfire.

Traveling further down the road I saw that the trees were lit very brightly and was hit with the tragedy that this must be a forest fire.  I immediately thought about calling 911, but thought I would wait to get closer so I could see if the fire department was already there.

Rounding the last bend in the road a terrible tableau opened up and seared itself into my memory forever.  There was a house on fire not one hundred feet from the road on which I was driving.  I often use the word conflagration, but I don't think I really understood the meaning of it until tonight. 

There was no part of that house untouched by flames.  Every surface, every edge, every molecule it seemed was combusting.  It was literally a fire in the shape of a house.  It was a hellish nightmare of flame.  It was the most horrible sight a homeowner or anyone with loved ones could imagine, and yet it was also mesmerizing in a "can't look away" moment.  As terrible as it was, I couldn't take my eyes off it as I drove by in what seemed like slow motion and I will never forget it.

It's odd, but I remember thinking there was also a strange beauty to it.  If one can remove or at least postpone the tragic aspect of it, the house was completely illuminated by the most unearthly light imaginable.  That same light shone on the trees surrounding the house and lit up the area almost like daylight.

The fire department was there, but no one was making any effort to extinguish the flames.  I guess it was a total loss and I prayed to God that nobody was in that building.

I remember thinking all these thoughts in less than a minute while looking at it.  I was, after all driving down the highway and it soon disappeared from view, but not from my memory.  Never from my memory.

This is not an actual picture of the house, but the closest one I could find to what I saw.

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2010-05-06 Thursday - Shelby

I was working in Shelby on Thursday and that means I got a chance to go to Alston Bridges Barbecue for lunch.  I always look forward to getting some barbecue when I go to Shelby.  There are two well known barbecue restaurants in town and I prefer Alston's over Red's (or also known as The Lodge).  Red's is the one everyone knows since it's on the main highway, but Alston's is closer to where I work when I'm there.

If you're ever in Shelby, stop anyone and ask them where Alston Bridges Barbecue is.  Go there and get a "chopped sandwich with sauce and slaw and a sweet tea".  If you really want the complete experience, get the hush puppies.  You won't be disappointed.