Tuesday, October 4, 2011

A Fond Farewell to Forks (and Many, Many Thanks...)

I'll admit I stared blankly at the computer screen for quite a while trying to get my jet-lag-addled brain to form a cohesive thought tonight. And honestly, I'm pretty sure what follows will not be cohesive nor even somewhat resembling the English language. This flying-from-the-west-coast shit just kicks my ass. I slept all afternoon after getting home yesterday around 11:30am -- and then had absolutely no problem falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow last night. And even with all that sleep, I still nearly nodded off at a red light this morning on my way to work.

Or maybe it was because I just miss this and it makes me so sad I just want to close my eyes.

In a nutshell, our Forks 2011 adventure was amazing once again. I'm not going to lie... this trip was an assload of work compared to the first time around. With the closing of the Twilight Lounge and The Lodge, we were saddled with the task of finding a location and someone in town who could provide some food. Not an easy task, but JJ and STY hit it out of the park (with just a wee bit of help from me). It was a challenge -- think three brides trying to plan the same wedding -- but we pulled it off and I think (and hope) everyone had a great time. I know I did!

I would like to take this opportunity to give a huge thanks (on behalf of all of us) to the decorating committee who volunteered their time and Twilighty stuff to transform the Elks Lodge into an Cullen-y oasis. This room went from drab and boring to Twilight-esque in a matter of hours. We were so worried about the glaring fluorescent lights in this room, but with a million strands of white Christmas lights, our bad lighting concerns were quelled. The eleventy billion posters covered colorless walls. And the tables were adorable with the red, black and white table coverings and various accessories, plus balloons that Myg spent hours blowing up BOTH NIGHTS because regular balloons don't last.

 My pictures just can't do this justice -- but you get the idea.

 Red Bella made this amazing banner for us. Among other amazing stuff!
Did I mention it was amazing???

Everyone was crazy about the raffle items...and stood at attention awaiting their number to be called. Or they sat in the back tweeting porn and nearly missed out on their prize. (I'm looking at you @donnersun!!)

There was this one poster that we all coveted. None of us had seen it before. I literally wanted to climb up the ladder and dry hump that thing all night. I was mesmerized by it the entire weekend. There's just nothing better than Twilight-Edward.

I mean seriously... how have I never seen this before? We were all plotting how we could get our grubby paws on it after the party was over.

We also can't forget all those Twitards who pitched in and helped us clean up. That was the part we were least looking forward to... It's always fun making the room look pretty, but cleaning up sucks ass. I couldn't believe it -- we were like a tornado of cleaning. Everybody was so amazing. By midnight on Saturday, it was almost like we never existed. I can't thank everyone who pitched in enough for all they did to help!

And last, but certainly not least, we would like to thank everyone who donated items for the raffle on Saturday night. We were thinking we'd have a handful of stuff to hand out -- not the case! This group is so freaking generous it makes me teary. We had oodles of swag to give away and it took forever. I mean, it took so long that we almost didn't get it all done. Did we mention that Red Bella made us dozens of RPattz pillowcases? Both standard and body-pillow size??? Holy fuck where those things awesome!

Lindsay Rae thought her Beardy Rob pillowcase was delicious! I did too.

Ok, one more note before I go. If you don't know @Rottymama you are missing out. This woman has a heart of gold so big, I'm surprised it fits in her chest. She crafted the centerpieces for the tables at the Elks Lodge with pieces all relating somehow to Twilight and arranged it all in baskets. And they all came out so cute! (Totally bummed I don't have a picture.) She sold raffle tickets for each one and at the end of the second night, she had raised over $400 that went to get Christmas gifts for the underprivileged kids in Forks and the local tribes. So cool.

This weekend in Forks once again reinforces what I already know: Twitards are fucking awesome and thoughtful and amazing and fun and crazy and lots of other adjectives I can't think of right now because I'm half brain dead. I love you all!!

This is my squinty sad face at Ruby Beach on our way back to Seattle... *sniff*
Farewell Forks......

33 comments:

  1. I'm all choked up and I wasn't even there!!! sniff sniff

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  2. I agree, thanks to the decorating committee! It takes time and effort to do that shit - a huge hug to you all. And I'm very selective about who I hug.

    Thanks to the Twitarded crew for running all over the place to get things done and I know it was a bitch to do! I mean, who would have thought they did catering in Forks!!!

    Anyhow, a fond farewell to Forks for the very last time....it was like leaving a very good friend and knowing that you wouldn't be seeing them again...... *sniffs*

    X

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  3. I've really been looking forward to this update-sounds like a blast.

    Maybe next year...

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  4. There is no way to show my gratitude to all of the wonderful women that made last weekend so amazing. I was astounded at how well everything was organized, from the decorations to the drunk bus. I consider myself very lucky to have been a part of this event, even as a relative outsider who knew a total of about 3 people (and that is the twitter version of "knowing" someone). Thank you to everyone who helped to make a lifetime memory for so many of us.

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  5. This post really made me smile. It's true - Twitards rock!!

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  6. Thank you all SO much for making this another fuckawesome trip! I couldn't believe how great the lodge looked, and how much amazing poster/sign/deco action!! I too, coveted that poster...I totally bought it from amazon yesterday morning. It's on its way.

    And...I DO love my pillowcase. JMFHF, it is fucking amazing. So much love to @RedBella for hooking us up with so much beautiful swag. She is so talented!! I'm afraid to defile it, but more afraid to wash it after said defiling...I don't want to ruin the gorgeousness that is what is now referred to as my "naptime" pillow. (Let's be honest, not much sleepin' gonna happen when I'm lying on that piece of delicious.

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  7. Such a great time!!! Amazing on so many levels!!! Most wonderful ladies ever!

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  8. I wrote an amazing comment but blogger stole it. I think the main points were this:

    1- I miss your face and gorgeous smile so freaking much!

    2- I love everyone.

    3- Twitards on the East Coast 2012. That way you three don't have to do anything except show up.

    4- It's weird to miss so many people at once. It hurts!

    There was more and it was written better than that but you get the idea.

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  9. Looks like a good time was had by all! That "Edward Glass" poster is my fav. If you want it, google "Edward Glass".

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  10. I've had that poster for over 3 years! It was displayed in my classroom when I was a teacher. It was a crowd pleaser - even the boys liked it because of the glass.

    This trip looks like a blast - again!

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  11. Truly awesome. Just got home. Flying all the way from the west coast to the east coast sucks. God bless those diehard twitards who came all the way across the pond!

    Thanks to everyone!

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  12. Gosh I have tears in my eyes & I haven't even started to write.

    You Ladies know, if you build it they will come.
    I met great people this weekend. I truly wish there was more time to spend with all of you, but I really enjoyed just been in the same room. You ladies really rocked the weekend—the hostess with the most’est!

    Everything was awesome! The food was great—the pasta, yum! The deco & clean up committees did awesome—thanks hubbies for helping! I can’t believe all the posters and things everyone brought. We started out slow but with direction from JJ, STY & LKW the aaaahhhhmmyyy went to work!

    Thanks to ALL of you who bought tix for the raffle and who just donated.
    Also, to Trixie/Tess-JennyK for donating the FSE and for Lindsay Rae being the winner of that—hope that wasn’t your gas money. It put the donation over $400! The kids of Forks & the Tribes thank you!

    I know that planning this was very, very, hard work. Thanks for all your blood, sweat & tears! I sofa king enjoyed the weekend! I may be dragging my ass at work and have a shit load of work to come back to but I WOULDN’T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING!!
    Please say you’ll consider another in the future, east coast? OK, think about it? Too soon? Love ya!!!
    Christine
    PS I should have put ALL my tix in the pillow case bag! And I want a copy of the group picture Gus!

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  13. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this gathering so amazing. I vote for an east coast gathering next year.

    I went to Forks to meet in person so manny people I know on-line. Little did I know how many new friends I would meet while there.

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  14. You are all lucky lucky buggers. I can't wait for all the up-coming Forks2011 posts!

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  15. I can't believe that it never occurred to me to get a picture in the little photo area - and I could have even worn my wig! DAMMIT! I am so oblivious sometimes (and drunk the rest of the time). {{{sigh}}}

    I may force Gus to recreate this picture set-up for me - THAT bummed - lol...

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  16. Who did you "kill" to get the poster?

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  17. I ditto everything said here: great parties; wonderful and warm new friends; East Coast rendezvous; the kindness of Rottysmom and co.; the talent of Red Bella; the energy and effort spent by our Twitarded blogstresses. All, and more, so great that it may prevent me from giving in to a crazy desire to move to Forks and just disappear.......

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  18. Glad you girls had a good time. I don't know if I could sleep with Rob's bearded face beneath mine. lol. Hope many more pictures come in.

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  19. I'll cut to the chase. I NEED to know how to get a picture of The Precious on to a pillowcase. It's your fault for putting the idea into my head. There needs to be a how-to post for this.

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  20. Aww shucks guys you make me blush, I just wanted to do my small part. I just wish I could have done something for everyone, but my printer had other plans.

    I had fun making the pillow cases and body pillow cases as I always do.


    @thexxflingxxnun how I make the pillows:
    1. You need a big ass printer, mine prints up to 44" wide.
    2. You need the correct ink, I use a fabric ink for printing on T-shirts. Normal printer inks will run when washed.
    3. Since these inks only come in CMYK you need software to convert printer to print in said colors.
    4. You need butcher paper or paper that has a plastic coating.
    5. Iron fabric onto paper.
    6. Feed paper\fabric combo through printer.
    7. Seperate fabric from papaer and heat set ink.
    8. Sew together to make pillow case.
    Simple really....
    ;-)
    If you want more info on where I get everything I'll be happy to send it to you.

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  21. You are an amazing woman LKW and I'm so happy to have met you - and all the other kick ass women there.
    I'm so, so, so sad that it's all over :(
    Imma go cry now

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  23. I have a shirt with the "What if I'm the bad guy?" picture on it! It's not a far stretch to say it's my prized possession ;)

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  24. I'm too choked up to write. I've been crazy busy since I got back late Sunday night but I need to sit down and try to put my experience into words. You ladies throw a hell of a party and I'm so so glad I went.

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  25. Guess who got her duuuhrty paws on that poster? Uh-huh, I did... And that poster now has a new home in Sweden, thanks to the lovely Jene! I swear to Rob, that poster alone made this trip sooo worth it. Well, you guys might have been involved in making this trip The.Best.Trip.Ever as well... You, the poster, and the opportunity I got to be INSIDE of a full size Edward pillow case. Yup. I was inside Edward. It was gooood...

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  26. Thanks!
    Upon review of the instructions I don't think that is the art project for me. For instance, I only have a regular size printer. But if I ever meet someone with a huge printer, that will be my entire basis for becoming friends with them. sleeping on rob's face...Makes me wonder how the boyfriend would feel about having a snooze on precious bed sheets. But he's the silent suffering type so I'm not worried.
    Thank you again for the directions!

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  27. Amazing!

    Red Bella is SUPER amazing. I am proud to say I was privileged to visit her lair, where all the amazingness comes from.

    I'm so proud to be part of this family. All the tweets and photos sent to me last weekend really made me feel like I was there. Well, not really, but thanks so much to all the h00rs who thought of me.

    SparklyJul and I also really enjoyed being part of a Skype chat with some awesome twitards and Gus, eek, wondering if that's gonna make it to youtube or end up on the cutting room floor...

    Remember, still hoping to get lots of people following the new blog I set up... www.twitardsinhawaii2013.blogspot.com

    xxx

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  28. So sad it is over but it was oh so much fun.

    I have the matching pillowcase to Lindsay Rae's. Let's just put it this way...I do not call it my nap pillow.....I will let you turn that one over in your mind for a while.

    Thank you to my Twitarded sisters for making all this happen. I did not so much this year due to real life crappola. It was amazing. I knew it would be. You all rock!

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  29. My brain hurts from trying to come up with all the words to describe FORKS2011, other than amazing, incredible, outstanding, hilarious, sofa king fun, and awesomesauce. It truly is a trip I will never forget! The Twitarded ladies are the bomb-diggidty and I was able to meet so many wonderful people! I miss you all, especially my schmexy roomies @TrixieandTess and @allthingsHHH!! MWAH!
    Don't forget, RedBella, there are still some of us who did not win a pillowcase that, I'm sure, would be willing to pay for one...or five (i.e. ME), if you are interested. :)

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  30. hahahaha Yep. I was totes sitting in a corner of the Elks Lodge tweeting gay porn and nearly missed my pillowcase. And it was the only thing I put tickets in for. Thanks for calling me out on that, twatsnot. ;)

    I think it's fair to say that everyone had an amazing time and we all can't thank you guys enough for putting it all together. I know it wasn't an easy thing to do but in the end I think it was all worth it a million times over. xoxo

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  31. Great post! Please keep posting things like this. I'm so glad to be part of this community.

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