AAW Symposium Update 2005

Wednesday Well, I guess I am as ready as I will ever be. I had to go out of town on a business trip (Phoenix! It's 116), get in Wednesday night, then drive the 500+ miles to Kansas on Thursday morning.! I have some new products to show (did you know I sell sandpaper ;) ) and got three pieces of new work to show off. It combines glass and wood together, and I don't know of anyone doing this type of work, so we will see how it goes. I have enlisted the help of several people to take photos and write up some stuff (so I guess I will be buying some drinks), so this should be a pretty good symposium for the web readers!
Thursday 21:15 That is sure one long boring drive, and what is with the only place to eat along I35 north from the Kansas border is a McDonalds every 40 miles. We went to the opening of the themed exhibit for this year "reTURN to OZ". The photos have been added to the new "reTURN to OZ" page. Many wonderful pieces with obvious ties to the wizard of oz, and many wonderful ones with not so obvious ties.
Friday 22:00 A long day, but I am sure that all had a great time. I have heard that this is one of the most attended symposiums with over 1000 registered. I have added some photos to the vendor floor photos, including new lathes from Robust, a new Jet and a new Stubby. Special thanks to Bob Matern from the Dallas Area Woodturners for photos of the instant gallery and some of the collaboratives. Tomorrow is not as long since the banquet is in the evening. I also found out today that the symposium next year (late June) is on Thursday-Saturday! No Sunday.
Sunday 21:00 Sorry I didn't get around to updates for Saturday, you tend to get in too late after the banquet and auction that has over 100 pieces. They did raise a record $60K + for the education fund though. Sunday was it's usual reduced wood festivities, some what. I did indulge and get some Ziracote. There was a critique today by the Masons and John Jordan. Mrs. Mason actually picked one of my pieces and had very good things to say about it. The audio was absolutely horrible because of how big the room was and no carpets so the sound just bounced all over the place. Maybe it will be better if it makes it to video. Thanks to all of those who shot and generously gave their use of their photos. Mike Schwing Jim Meier Bob Matern I have uploaded ALOT of photos into the instant gallery area. Some of the most wonderful pieces I have seen ever! Enjoy.
One of the OK clubs manned the "come and try it out" section. Seems the kids were less hesitant and stepped right up to give it a go	Registration and AAW merchandise sales	People waiting to get into the vendor are at 8:30 am