OK, I'm startin' to get a little excited . . .

Create a Post
JDS

JDS

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Dec 5, 2006
Posts
107
Loc
North Texas
My wife and I got out envelopes today from the WCAF show. We both got all the classes we signed up for, except I forgot to sign up for one and now it's closed. (Oh, well . . . :shrug: )

I'm taking all basic and "hands on" classes while she goes to the business stuff. She's a bean counter and I'm not so it should work out well.

I wish the trade show was open longer - I'll be the one at a dead run down the aisles between classes.

OK - this is important - How do we tell who the Grumblers are? Seriously . . . is there some type of badge, ribbon, feather, neon sign, large pink hat, or SOMETHING we can do to tell who we are? I would like to meet the folks on here so I can ask lots of questions to prove that I'm a complete rookie at this.

Thanks!

Jerry S.
 
I think at Atlanta there was a Grumble ribbon to attach to their badges. I asked here about that for WCAF, and was told "If there are Grumbler identifiers available, they will be at the WCAF registration desk, just ask."

So, until we know otherwise, how about "HI! I"M JERRY S. AND I"M A GRUMBLER!!" every time you walk into a room?
or....
each of us who are going, post a picture of ourselves here before we go?
or...
list the classes we're taking, and see which we have in common
or...
show up Sunday night for the Grumbler Buffet, and/or Tuesday night for the Limo to Chinese food.
or...any other ideas??

I'll start wth my classes, who will we meet in there?:
Sunday
*Shadowbox class 9-4
*Defining the Mat: Fillets and More
*Grumble Buffet at 7:30 (can I hitch a ride with someone, that last class ends at 7, taxi's freak me out by myself and I can't run that fast!)
Monday
*Wizard University
*Bob Carter's "Think Like a Retailer, Not Like a Framer"
*Lifesaver Beginner
Tuesday
*Baer's Frabric Wrapping class
*Lifesaver Session B
*"Creating the Perfect Retail Space"
*Grumble Limo to Chinese Dinner (got my ticket today, thanks Rob!)
Wednesday
*Trade Show day for me, then flying home that evening

Holy cow, from the looks of that, I'll be easyto find! Just look for the woman with the reeeeally tired look on her face, dragging her -uh- briefcase....and a GREAT BIG GRIN!!:D

Okay,who's next??
 
Val, you're correct. The Grumble ribbons will be at registration.

BUT, it never hurts to make sure to make a point with each and every vendor that you are a grumbler. I can't speak for any other companies, but at Frank's Fabric [booth 2101] and Garrett Moulding [Booth 1904] which I both rep for, we understand that the mere presence of your even lurking these pages says that you are engaged in being a better more knowledgeable framer. It also sends a message that "I speak to a solid group of framers that covers not only my town, but the entire country or in the case of international companies, many countries."

In business, as far back as I can remember, the adage has always been, "make a customer truly happy and they will tell five other people, make them very unhappy and they will tell 250 people".

The grumble goes well beyond that adage. Make sure they know who you are. And make sure you stop in and say hi.

And while we're at this "make sure they know you're a grumbler", make time to stop in and thank Peter at United, and Cornel at American Choice for their great support of the framing competition 2 years in a row. And stop in and than the folks at Wizard International for their support of the day in and day out.:thumbsup:
 
Yup. You'll see me in several of your classes. I am the one wearing red and black (my Standard Travel Wardrobe) and trying to keep her SmartMouth closed. I like the pink hat idea, though. I may work on that for next year... Oh, yeah and I am both Old and Substantial. I look a lot like my dad, but that doesn't help YOU much does it?
 
So, Ellen, how much do you look like your picture that I keep seeing in PFM and the PPFA magazine? I'd better find you, since I'm your roomy! (I am still your roomy...aren't I??)

It's kinda hard to describe ourselves...let's see....I'm the one that looks like....uh.....a Q-tip! Yeah, that's it, a 5'3" (or 5'4", depending on which leg I'm standing on) Q-tip!! Oh yeah, and I look like my mom, too.
 
I'll have my Grumbler ribbon.

I have one from a previous show that I bring in case the registration person is clueless. (a common occurrence.) In fact, if they tell you there isn't a Grumbler ribbon, ask to talk to the manager. Sometimes they're under the counter and only one person knows they're there!

I like the hat idea! Maybe beanie caps with the propellers on top?

I apparently look like Rob Markoff. At the last show I can't tell you how many people said "Hi Rob" to me. I guess it's hard to tell us bald guys with beards apart. (I don't think we actually look alike, but who am I to argue if they think I look like a good looking guy like that!!)

See you all there!
 
Or you can make your own ..........

I scanned in my buyer's badge from Atlanta a few years ago and made some minor changes to it. I do this each year now and people have no trouble figuring out who I am. I slide this into my badge holder in front of my real badge and keep the UPC strip on the real badge to the back in case I need to use it to use it.

decor-badge.gif
 
OK, here's my agenda;

Sunday
*Mat Cutting Back to Basics - all day
*Grumble Buffet - if I can find it

Monday
*Framing Works of Art on Canvas (Lecture) 9 - 11am
*Upscale Designs (Lecture) 1 - 2:45 pm
*Upscale Designs (Workshop) 3 - 6 pm

Tuesday
*Creative Mat Cutting Made Easy all day
Don't care for Chinese food so I'm probably out on the dinner

Wednesday
*Trade Show and fly out that afternoon

Hope to meet some of you there - I'll probably be easy to recognize - I'll have on my cowboy boots and my wife will always have a "Hi! I'm a realtor" smile on her face. (But I wouldn't trade her for a speckled pup!)

Hope to meet you!

Jerry S.
 
Val said:
I think at Atlanta there was a Grumble ribbon to attach to their badges. I asked here about that for WCAF, and was told "If there are Grumbler identifiers available, they will be at the WCAF registration desk, just ask."

So, until we know otherwise, how about "HI! I"M JERRY S. AND I"M A GRUMBLER!!" every time you walk into a room?
or....
each of us who are going, post a picture of ourselves here before we go?
or...
list the classes we're taking, and see which we have in common
or...
show up Sunday night for the Grumbler Buffet, and/or Tuesday night for the Limo to Chinese food.
or...any other ideas??

I'll start wth my classes, who will we meet in there?:
Sunday
*Shadowbox class 9-4
*Defining the Mat: Fillets and More
*Grumble Buffet at 7:30 (can I hitch a ride with someone, that last class ends at 7, taxi's freak me out by myself and I can't run that fast!)
Monday
*Wizard University
*Bob Carter's "Think Like a Retailer, Not Like a Framer"
*Lifesaver Beginner
Tuesday
*Baer's Frabric Wrapping class
*Lifesaver Session B
*"Creating the Perfect Retail Space"
*Grumble Limo to Chinese Dinner (got my ticket today, thanks Rob!)
Wednesday
*Trade Show day for me, then flying home that evening

Holy cow, from the looks of that, I'll be easyto find! Just look for the woman with the reeeeally tired look on her face, dragging her -uh- briefcase....and a GREAT BIG GRIN!!:D

Okay,who's next??
Click to expand...

I think we have the same Sunday classes, pretty much. I am going to go to the buffet sunday, but I'm planning to cab it, since I won't have a rental car. If you want to share a cab, I'm happy to do that (that offer is open to all, by the way).
 
OH My!

It is only a little over a week away...can you stand it?

I am looking to put together a possible golf foursome for Sunday AM. Anyone interested?

CLIFFFFFFFFF??????? come on. I'll give you shots.
 
Harry, my leg isn't quite working well enough for a golf game yet. :(

I'm hoping I'll be ok to play in March, but even that's a little doubtful.

When the heck are you going to golf? Last year I barely ate breakfast and lunch in between trying to talk to everyone! I still missed a lot on the show floor I wanted to see!

This year, I cut back on my classes and deliberately blocked time for the show floor.

How in the world are you going to golf!!!!
 
Offer to identify grumblers

Hey guys,I've been lurking and see that you are trying to figure out how identify a Grumbler.Well since I'm a wana be framer for now but own a screenprinting business I'd like to make an offer to make you all some Grumbler Tees for free,I hear a little good will goes along way.Let me know how many ,what sizesand where to ship them.(maybe your hotel could give them to you upon check in). Have a great time and I hope to go next year.

Corey

sharktees@comcast.net
 
PaulSF said:
I think we have the same Sunday classes, pretty much. I am going to go to the buffet sunday, but I'm planning to cab it, since I won't have a rental car. If you want to share a cab, I'm happy to do that (that offer is open to all, by the way).
Click to expand...

I'll be happy to share a cab with you, Paul, and anyone else we can fit in. Thanks for the offer.

Ooooh, I'm sooooo excited!!
 
You will be missed, Brother Robo!!

p.s. why is that word a swear word over there and not here???

Hey, anybody see Corey's Grumble T-shirt offer up there? Thanks, Corey! And welcome to the Grumble! A newby bearing gifts, cool!
I'll put in an order for two....size medium. What will they say? (I'll send $$ for it too)
 
I too am jealous. If any of you have the time, check out the Belagio (sp) for the Ansel Adams show. May be too late to get those tickets. The wide halls and the elegance is worth the time. My first thought was, if I had chosen to be a ho........., that's the place I'd be. Oooooooooo. Have a good time.
 
I think I may just have to be there next year.

Already promised myself to have some sort of Grumble visit a year after my last one. So I'll have to miss this year as the WCAF show is a bit early in the year - or maybe not!

Seems that this is THE great Grumble (re)union and if I had a full complement of staff right now I think I'd just say 'sod it' - leap on a plane and see what happens - too late for many or any classes, but you wouldn't want to be sitting next to me in one of those anyway - I'd be coasting!
 
Thanks for the offer Corey. I, however, am not much of a tshirt kind of gal. Like right now I am wearing an undershirt, a turtleneck, & a chenille sweater. The thermostat says 70. I HATE winter!!!
 
Hi Corey -

I wasn't ignoring you . . . just took awhile to get back online. I appreciate the T-shirt offer but it would only work for one day - that is, unless we wore the same shirt for four days. That could get old!

I guess I was thinking about a ribbon or button or something that could be attached to a shirt or jacket.

Thanks again and welcome aboard . . . you'll find a lot of friends here!

Jerry S.
 
Only 8 days!!! I'm getting excited, but am excruciatingly busy getting everything done before I leave! Paul and Val-my Sunday class runs late too--is there room for another person in that cab? Is there somewhere I could meet you?

Corey-thank you so much for your really generous offer. I LOVE great big oversize T-shirts! (...Cuz they fit! I'm a "fluffy" retired-blonde grandma!) I was trying to think of logistics, though, and just couldn't come up with anything that would work in such a short amount of time. As for a common Grumbler ID-how about everyone wearing some special color--however they want. Like "Green for Grumbler"? A ribbon, a hat, a big green "G" painted on the side of your face?
 
Mary M said:
Only 8 days!!! I'm getting excited, but am excruciatingly busy getting everything done before I leave! Paul and Val-my Sunday class runs late too--is there room for another person in that cab? Is there somewhere I could meet you?

Corey-thank you so much for your really generous offer. I LOVE great big oversize T-shirts! (...Cuz they fit! I'm a "fluffy" retired-blonde grandma!) I was trying to think of logistics, though, and just couldn't come up with anything that would work in such a short amount of time. As for a common Grumbler ID-how about everyone wearing some special color--however they want. Like "Green for Grumbler"? A ribbon, a hat, a big green "G" painted on the side of your face?
Click to expand...

Sure, there's always room. I would imagine people wanting to share transport could meet in the lobby at a certain time. It also occurs to me that the monorail goes from the Hilton to the Paris Hotel. Here's the monorail link:

http://www.lvmonorail.com/
 
Mary, are we all in the same late class..."Defining the Mat:Fillets and More"? If so, we'll meet in there!

Also, Baer said there will be Grumble ribbons (Or Grumble-somethings) at the registration desk, be sure to ask when we check in. I think in Atlanta they were ribbons that attached to the badges.

Paulsf, since our last class is over at 7, and everyone's meeting at the Paris at 7:30, would that give us enough time to wait for, catch and ride the monorail? Sounds like fun, but we don't want to miss dinner! Maybe the monorail home after?
 
ribbons!!!!! whats with you people! This is Vegas baby!!! We need Grumble boas!!! Oh better yet sequined bras. I'd love to see all the male grumblers in those.
 
Oh, MAN!! I could get behind Grumbler boas! I will swing over to the Local Crapstore to see what they gots for a reasonable price. We could have them just among us - the UberGrumblers! TWO levels of Grumbedom! BUT, are you guys up for it, even if just for the buffet and the Chinese dinner?
 
T-shirts for grumblers

I agree wearing the same shirt for 3-4 days could get nasty,but I figured that if you wore them the first day then after that you all woud know each other.Oh well I gave it a shot hope you all have a great time.

Corey
 
I'm up for a boa!

But, let me repeat the GRUMBLER ribbon paradigm, because I think some of the newbies aren't getting it.

At Registration You ASK FOR a "GRUMBLER" RIbbon. Also, in my case, I will get a "HITCHHIKER" robbon and a "PPFA MEMBER" ribbon. They stick to the bottom of your badge holder. THen the next one sticks to the bottom of the previous one. They usually have "SPEAKER" ribbons, and last year they had "CPF" ribbons I believe. (I didn't get one of those, because I didn't want to trip on them.)

It totally surprised me that so many people asked what "Hitchhiker" and "Grumbler" meant. I'm amazed how MANY people are just technology ignorant. And, that was vendors at least as often as attendees.

So, ASK WHEN YOUR REGISTER. If they don't know what you are talking about, ask for a supervisor!
 
It's a jungle out there.

Cliff Wilson said:
...It totally surprised me that so many people asked what "Hitchhiker" and "Grumbler" meant. I'm amazed how MANY people are just technology ignorant. And, that was vendors at least as often as attendees...
Click to expand...

As picture framers go, Grumblers and Hitchhikers are probably the most involved with others in the industry. We communicate. We go to trade shows, distributor events and other gatherings of framers. And, of course, we associate here.

It's easy to forget that we represent a small percentage of framers in just the USA. Most small-shop independent framers do not go to trade shows. They do not know these forums exist. They do not realize the importance of technology in framing, such as POS systems or CMCs. Most framers subscribe to our major trade publications, but I wonder how many actually read them.

Believe it or not, there are still some framers out there who think their local markets are still suffering from recession, and that one of these days their business will return to "normal" -- like it was in 1999. I meet one or two of these head-in-the-sand framers at nearly every distributor meeting I attend. I just want to give them a hug and tell them the truth.

It's no wonder our segment of the framing industry is shrinking. :icon11:
 
umm Jim you forgot something

Jim, you forgot one important element...are you going for the boa or a sequined bra!

I think as an industry leader you should go for the sequins....come on Jim whatdaya say?
 
C'mon Pauly! Where's your sense of adventure?? It's Vegas, Baby!
Paulie's a wuss, Paulie's a wuss


What color boa?? Green??

JPete said:
My first thought was, if I had chosen to be a ho........., that's the place I'd be.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah...... Hmmmm......maybe not a boa. Ribbon'll do.

I take that back, Paulie.
 
I'm game. How about you?

Steph said:
...are you going for the boa or a sequined bra! I think as an industry leader you should go for the sequins....come on Jim whatdaya say?
Click to expand...

I agree, Steph, a sequined bra for every Grumbler sounds just peachy. They will look elegant under our Mylar togas. We are having our Mylar toga party again, aren't we?:beer:
 
Val said:
Mary, are we all in the same late class..."Defining the Mat:Fillets and More"? If so, we'll meet in there!

Also, Baer said there will be Grumble ribbons (Or Grumble-somethings) at the registration desk, be sure to ask when we check in. I think in Atlanta they were ribbons that attached to the badges.

Paulsf, since our last class is over at 7, and everyone's meeting at the Paris at 7:30, would that give us enough time to wait for, catch and ride the monorail? Sounds like fun, but we don't want to miss dinner! Maybe the monorail home after?
Click to expand...

No problem. We should have plenty of time, and I doubt that everything will start promptly at 7:30. I'm thinking you just want to make sure you get to sit between Baer and Jim Miller.
 
Ah, I'm busted. But there's a reason...I want to test the "Wisdom by Osmosis" theory. Kinda like putting your math book under your pillow the night before the test. Think it'll work?? (No, I'm not putting Baer and Jim under my pillow, now stop that!!) All that wonderful energy happening on both sides of me, it has to pass through me, doesn't it, and maybe some of it will stick?? :p
 
Jim Miller said:
I agree, Steph, a sequined bra for every Grumbler sounds just peachy. They will look elegant under our Mylar togas. We are having our Mylar toga party again, aren't we?:beer:
Click to expand...


Didn't you get the memo Jim....its a Stabilex toga party this year!!
 
Gets better every year.

Memo? What memo?:confused: I'm always the last to know.

Hmmm. Ooo! Oooooh! Stabiltex -- so soft, so supple, so touchable. This is gonna be fun.:popc:
 
I am OUT on the sequined bra!! It would clash with my cowboy boots.

I am also OUT on the boas . . .it would be too much like Liberace in cowboy boots!

I'll just ask for my ribbon at the registration desk.

Jerry S.
 
OK, I have two questions but I'm only brave enough to ask one of them.

What is the significance of "hitchhiker" - in relation to framing, of course?

(I'm NOT going to ask what a "red Crock" is)

Thanks.

Jerry S.
 
The Hitchhiker is PPFA's version of the Grumble.

Red crocks are what Baer wears on his feet. They're like rubber Dutch clogs with air holes. I can see why you might've been confused about that. Sequins....sheesh!

Baer's famous for his Hawaiian shirts and red Crocks. He won't leave home without 'em.

You'll see!
 
Like this
61.jpg


http://www.crocs.com/products/footwear/anatomy.jsp

and this will tell you half the reason why.

The other half is my left foot has 1/2lb of titanium rods and screws in it ["they" wont let me post the picture anymore :D] ... which isn't bad... but the right foot is a 12D and the left is a 13EEE and thicker....

Nordstrom sells a shoe that will fit both feet.... $450.
Crocs sell at Parkrose Hardware for $27. And come in Red, Purple, Blue, Green, w/Mickey holes, and Goofy holes..

But I have to go else where for the rhinestone inserts.... :D
 
I can't wait to see this in person!!:popc:

Jerry S.
 
Checking it twice, three times, four...

Okay, I'm starting to pack. Making the list:

*Camera and charger/cell phone & charger
*WCAF Binder with tickets & badge
*Sticky roller
*Cherry juice
*Knee pillow
*Tax ID# and resale letter (Do I need to bring business checks, or will credit card do? Just in case I find something I can't live without....like, say, a Seal press)
*Business cards - mine
*Business card holder book - yours
*Near-empty suitcase for bring-homes
*Reading glasses, notebook & pen & highlighter
*Jellybeans
.
.
.
What am I forgetting??
 
Create a Post
Back
Top