Anyone want to hop on a plane?

[Amber]

cause I need a companion tomorrow night  . I just received a last minute invite to an exhibit that would be fantastic to attend but I'm too shy to go alone  . It looks like such a great show featuring some work from artist that are members of the provincial crafts council and it's being hosted by The Honourable Herménégilde Chiasson, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick at the Government House in town. This looks like such a great exhibit, titled "Flow", and I really, really wish my husband was home for this! The location is beautiful and the chance to meet some local figures who are intimately involved with our provincial fine arts scene would be so exciting, but I need a companion! I messaged my aunt, she's a perfect date *smiles*, but I don't think it'll be enough notice for her.
Shucks, it would be so neat to go to something like this and I would love to bring my husband, he'd be perfect since he would schmooz so well! This is a picture of the old building and it's stunning, I've never been inside and it would be so neat!

[Anne]

Oh Amber, hope you can find someone to go with you, this is the kind of networking you want to do!  In our business it's often who you know and this could probably open more doors for you.  Good luck!

[ct4mom]

Wow Amber that sounds like a wonderful opportunity. I'm sure if you went alone there would be some very nice people that would take you under their wing. Good Luck

[AglassAct]

Oh yes!! Go alone . Feel the fear and do it anyway! You will probably be so glad that you went.

Deb

[Amber]

I'm still looking for a date, I might go alone but I hate being  in a large group of people and likely the only one who doesn't know anyone *yikes*... I have this nervous habit of talking non-stop once I have an ear *lol. Oh, I wish the mister were here! I'm still waiting to hear from my Aunt to see if she can come, cross your fingers for me!!

[Kev]

Sounds like a great time Amber...not one to be missed..nothing ventured...nothing gained.

[Malinda]

Oh go.....I'm sure you will be glad you did and I'm sure you will fit right in too!

[Becki]

Oh, for goodness sake, go girl!  There's bound to be someone you know and if not just approach someone who looks like they might be in the same boat and start talking!  Sounds like a wonderful opportunity!

[Linde]

Just think of the people you might never have the opportunity to meet again if you don't go. I'm shy also, and have learned that, I just have to push myself to do things that I might find uncomfortable and most of the time I glad I did. No one will knows but you that you are feeling awkward being there alone ...chin up and keep smiling and go and have a wonderful time.

[Amber]

I'm trying to work up the balls to RSVP as one *lol. You'd think I would know someone there having grown up here, but I've only been living here again for about 10 months, before that I moved away in 2001 when I was 20, so it's a 50/50. My aunt can't make it because she has company coming in from Nova Scotia, so I just left a voice mail for my grandmother whose out with her bridge club at the moment and worse comes to worse I'll but out a message on facebook to see if anyone is free *lol.
It's a great chance to meet some people and I'm somewhat used to events like this, with Jon's work we go to annual balls and such often but most everyone there is military or a military spouse and we're all used to moving around and being "new" so to speak . So this is a bit different and out of my element, unless they plan on sneaking in a bugle and have traditional military speeches *lol.
Wish me luck in finding a show companion!

[memaribeth]

It sounds so exciting, Amber!  I hope it works out for you to be able to attend.  I can hardly wait to hear all about it!

Smiles!!!

[Lou Ann]

Amber

If you are going to succeed in the "show arena" you have got to get over this shyness, buyers don't buy from people who just sit there and wait for them to start the conversation... so go even if you have to go alone, this is an opportunity you shouldn't let go by...

LA

[Amber]

Thank for the advice and forgive me for wanting a companion for this event, silly me.
I think you'll have to admit that when manning a booth of crafts even when traveling, yes I have done this though they weren't of my creation, you have something that people are expecting you to discuss and be informed about.... you have at topic. Same with other areas that I have worked, when you have a service/item and people come to your area that is what is discussed. This is different, I have never been to an art exhibit of this caliber, I can find no information on what is being shown so I can't brush up on the who or the what, and I have to address the host as 'Your Honor'... so forgive me for being shy.

[Lou Ann]

Thank for the advice and forgive me for wanting a companion for this event, silly me.
I think you'll have to admit that when manning a booth of crafts even when traveling, yes I have done this though they weren't of my creation, you have something that people are expecting you to discuss and be informed about.... you have at topic. Same with other areas that I have worked, when you have a service/item and people come to your area that is what is discussed. This is different, I have never been to an art exhibit of this caliber, I can find no information on what is being shown so I can't brush up on the who or the what, and I have to address the host as 'Your Honor'... so forgive me for being shy.

Amber,

sorry if my tone came across wrong... I just hate to see you pass up such a wonderful opportunity to network and possibly make contacts for future commissions all because you are too shy...

I would think it would be worse talking to the military officers and NCO's your husband works with than fellow artists (and I have done that -- my husband and I were both military and had to attend those dreaded annual affairs)

Lou Ann

[PiscesGlass]

Amber, I totally understand the shyness issue, I spent most of my young adult life not going anywhere without a companion...may have wanted to go but couldn't face it.

Now, after being widowed several years ago and having friends that are married or just plain not interested in the same things I am...and I've definitely got some age on you, I began forcing myself to go and do.  I will admit that it's still difficult to go to places as "one".  But I go and usually it turns out very well, I've met people that have become good friends via some of the outings I've gone on by myself.

So my advice to you is..if you possibly can go by yourself do go.  You may wish you hadn't missed this opportunity later on.  Dress in something that makes you feel confident and positive about yourself!  Remember, that everyone there are human beings, that just may be very interested in learning about what you do.  You may have more conversations with people than you may think. 

I hope that you can bring yourself to go to the event!  Wish I could fly up and join you..bet we'd have fun!

De

[Amber]

Well I'm glad we could 'talk' this through *smiles*. It's funny with the military aspect, I had a few years to get used to it and it just seemed like everyone was in the same boat of moving every two years so we all just chatted about where we were from and how long we thought we'd be there for. Then you had a picture taken, drank some wine (some more then others) had dinner and went home. With this I have no idea what medium is being being shown or anything about the artists and I hate walking in alone AND so unprepared. I've been trying to google for info on the show and nadda is coming up. Then I started to look into the building, since it's historical that way I could at least talk about the renovations, and when I started reading more on the host and proper etiquette, I just go a bit ga-ga *lol. With the military is a bit easier for the most part because Jon is a Captain so we spent most time around Lt's, Capt's Major's and maybe one or two people were Col or Lt Col. And with military functions it was just so predictable, the military members talked shop and the spouses talked about anything but *lol. I guess I would feel better if I was more prepared or at least had someone with who knew as little as I do  . And I have know idea if there are any cliques......... o.k. I'm thinking about this waayyyy too much so I'm going to chill for now *smiles*.

[Lou Ann]

Go have a glass of wine and forget about it, you are definitely thinking too much...

You can't be the only person who has no clue what is being exhibited and I'm sure once you see it you'll be able to say something about it...

as far as the etiquette, no one is more particular than senior military officers and how much time are you actually going to be around the host anyway...

go, have fun and come back and tell us all how wonderful it was...

[Tom]

It sounds like something you should NOT miss.  I am shy and understand your nervousness about this.  I might suggest when you get there, and meet your host, be open, honest and tell them you are not aware of the program or theme for this function, ask if there is anyone available to guide you along for a short while.  With your previous experience you obviously will have all the skills you need to handle and present yourself in a sophisticated manner.

May I wish you good luck, and please let us know how it turns out for you.  Think of it as an adventure.

[Malinda]

I don't know how far this is for you to travel to but is it possible that you go alone (if it works out that way) and if you feel too uncomfortable then just leave? Nobody will make you stay :) so this will be another option for you.

[nansea121]

Excellent suggestions here!!! I can especially empathize with De's experience. I'm widowed as well after being married for 27 years, so doing things 'alone' was difficult for a good long while.

My thought on this is, you're the one who knows the most about your creations, because after all, you're the one who created them!  That's a definate plus:) Once you point out a few interesting details about your work, it'll be easier going.

Another thought. I agree with Lou Ann and others about not trying to over think this too much. Instead of trying to 'provide info' about the location, just ask questions. It will definatly show an interest on your part. You're in a different place, so it's only natural not to know much about it. You're a guest, not a tour guide:)

Please try and see your way to doing this Amber. Arrive a little early so you can get a feel for the place. Once there, all sorts of info will be available. I can sence that you're as nervous as a kitten m'dear. How many other exhibits will there be other than you? Start tiny and spread out gradually. You might feel abit jittery for the first hour, but that'll pass once you get started. Step back a little and let others make the first move until you're feelling more confident. Absorb this whole adventure as a blessing in disguise:)

It will get better. At least they'll be speaking English!!!
Here, when there's showings in Québec, I could only understand snippets of what was said 'cause my French is basic minimal to say the least!

Alan, can you add a small giggle smiley?