Sometimes the harder we try, the harder we are hit with disappointments. I had high hopes coming to Florida for 2 months this year, and decided to offer a beginner’s calligraphy class for 6 weeks. It was suppose to be at the Kelly Recreation Center here in Lakeland. Well, the class did not make I am sorry to say. I’m mainly sorry because I love the art and want to share my knowledge of it, but also I worked many hours to prepare and brought tons of supplies and ordered a box full for student’s to use. It was suppose to start today. That was the first disappointment.
The second disappointment was that I contacted the Lakeland Library way back in September or October and offered to do a free demonstration in honor of National Handwriting Day (January 23rd – John Hancock’s birthday). When I met with the person in charge of programs after I arrived here, I was very impressed with her ideas and organizational skills. She wanted me to write a press release, bring any of my work to display at the library, design a flyer for her to duplicate and spread around, and prepare a talk about the history of lettering. I, of course, complied with her requests and that accounted for several hours and trips. Carol had 3 of my pieces framed in her house, so she let me take those to the library.
Bottom line – when I went yesterday to do the demonstration, I discovered that she had never displayed my work, never duplicated the flyer, never notified the newspaper, and after I arrived, she had somebody make a sign to put at the front door. The room for the demonstration was separate of the library. It took me about 30 minutes to set up. She invited those in the library (over the intercom) about 15 minutes before it was to start. Well, only four people came. I had prepared 50 bookmarks to letter for children and used very few. None of the four were children.
I’m not inviting anyone to my pity party. I have so much to be thankful for. Dad went with me and is so supportive of all of my “crazy” ideas. We went out to dinner afterwards and he still thinks I am the most wonderful person in the world. How nice is that? AND, I am going to get to usher (with Patsy the Baptist) at the Gaither Concert in Tampa tomorrow night. Yea!
Merely a temporary setback. I am sure that if you keep at it that people will do their part and appreciate what you are offering. You should keep trying.
Sometimes you have an influence when it isn’t even apparent. I remember you talking about italics when I was in high school and college and I never sat down with you and learned it. But when I was in Thailand, I did pick it and it completely changed my handwriting (it helped that you sent me a book on italics).
This makes me want to add to the Paradoxical Commandments:
“Some people are idiots… fire them anyway.”
If you would kindly post the name and address of this person, Ted and I will take it from there, bringing on the wrath of the internet! (Did the 4 people like your presentation?)
Also: If you want to teach 300 middle schoolers on a Wednesday night, we have an opening at Edge. They could all choose to write a favorite Bible verse.
Thanks for your support and encouragement, guys. Yes, the 4 people who did come loved it and stayed a long time. Two were college students. I had put some ideas on the dry erase board and one of them was to write your name in different ways. I suggested to make it look like you were happy, then angry, then sad, etc. They were so creative and it was fun to watch them. They gave me their papers to take home with me (I didn’t ask for them) and all four who came were very appreciative. The librarian said when we ended “well, the crowd who came really enjoyed it”. Oh, brother.
Thanks, Ted, for reminding me about your handwriting. That was nice to remember.
I feel bad about Lakeland letting you down. I thought your talents would be recognized and appreciated and enthusiastically welcomed.
They did not recognize the diamond in the rough (not that you come across as rough; your black eye was almost gone and your cap was in place).
Their loss.
This is a college town. I think if it had been advertized at the college you would have had a good crowd.