Wool & Words

I need to just add a Project Runway category...

Angela is GONE! I hate Jeffrey, but the rosettes? On linen? To travel? It was all too much. Kayne's Elvis outfit (and it really did evoke Elvis...right down to the belt buckle) was just awkward and sad, but I thought the Parisian judge was quite harsh.

Loved Laura's dress and Vincent's outfit. Hoping that Jeffrey will soon be off, but I don't forsee that happening. The troll will be around for the duration, I fear.

OK...enough of that. I've got to get back to reading Lolita. When did my nights become so sordid?

Posted by KnitNut at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

1. More than X Itemers: This is my ultimate pet peeve, these inconsiderate b*@tards who think they can just "sneak in" with their way more than allowed items. The ultimate in pretensions of privilege. AAARRRRGHHH!
2. "Keep Moving" Lane Stoppers: I don't think these folks think they are privileged. I think they are scared and/or young drivers. I have to drive through one of these lanes daily and at least 2 times a week, I'm behind someone who comes to a full stop before continuing on. READ people! Part of your job as a driver is to read the signs on the road. There are people who have done BIG GOVERNMENT STUDIES on road signs to make sure they are readable, understandable, and not distractions.
3. My Mattress: So on notice for being, while servicable, an uncomfortable mess. Your job, dear mattress, is to supply me with princess-like sleep. Get cracking.
4. Wedding Dress Designers: What do you have against sleeves? There are so many options right now for sleeve lengths and styles! I'm sick of the backfat on less-than-svelte brides duped into thinking these often-whipped confections make them look sweet and heavenly. Stop propping up the strapless bra industry and design something gorgeous in your collection for the Bride-Who-Requires-Full-Upper-Body-Support-And-Doesn't-Want-To-Work-Out. My breasts and back will thank you...as will my guests!
5. New Bathroom Towels: Enough with the lint. That is all.
6. My (Messy) Apartment: With all the technological advances we have, can't we design a self-cleaning apartment? One with many hidden nooks and crannies to hide the things we want out of sight with the touch of a button? A smartpartment? At the very least, could you have enough self-respect to call a maid service to clean you up?
7. I-Pods: OK...I know many of you own and love your I-pods. I have even toyed with the idea of purchasing one for myself. My sweet sister is the proud owner of such a beastie. But their market saturation has left me cold. You can walk up to an unmanned vending machine and purchase one in a shopping mall or airport. I'm still trying to sort the airport thing out. You'd have to have your laptop along for the trip so that you could actually have some tunes to listen to, wouldn't you? Anyway, I'm just sick of your overexposure, your 80's invoking advertisments, your insidious suggestion of your necessity to life in the new millenium. Wicked seducer, I will hold out as long as I can. You can't make me buy you.
8. Rebates: We have scanners, faxes, email, online forms and I still have to photocopy all this crap, cut parts off of boxes, and send in my paperwork to get the money you promised me? Why not package a unique id number in each product box so that I can do the forms online? Oh, I get it--you don't WANT to give me this money. Yeah. So. On. Notice.

Posted by KnitNut at 08:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Yes, it's reality TV. Yes, there's a bit too much personal business going on this season. But Lord, I love this show.

Robert should have been auf'd last week. That mumu thing was MooMoo-hideous. Jeffrey should have also been knocked out of competition (wouldn't that be a twist?) for being a general jack-ass AND designing a crap-tastic tanker of a dress for his model. Angela, Kayne, Uli, and Laura were all able to design and execute separate pieces that were well made and (mostly) flattering in the time allotted; why did these guys wuss out on the underconstructed garments they produced? Micheal and Vincent made dresses that had intriciate construction challenges (because a fitted garment and a reversible one aren't easy either), and either design could have worked on a variety of bodies. And the way Jeffrey treated his model? I still don't like Angela, but he was just downright awful to her mom.

Vincent's dress was great--wearable, age-appropriate, and timeless. Uli's, while pretty, just didn't do it for me. As a woman of a certain size, I have an intense dislike of anything that says "floaty mumu"--even when it's a diaphanous concotion of Uli-licious print. LOVED Michael's reversible dress; well, loved everything EXCEPT for the huge belt loops which just screamed bad ready-to-wear to me. But the shaping and the fabrics were great; I could see any of the women in the challenge wearing that dress (resized and proportioned, of course) because it was a flattering silouhette.

Anyone want to share their top 4 speculation? My money's on Micheal, Uli, Vincent, and Laura.

Posted by KnitNut at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Been So. Very. Busy.

I've started a new job at the University. I'm still in the English Department, still a grad student, but I'm now working in the First Year Composition office. My main role (aside from teaching) is overseeing the emma support environment. I have been working 10-12 hour days for the last couple of weeks just getting things started for the semester.

There was a (too) brief respite in the chaos, however. Steve and I just returned from a whirlwind trip to San Francisco for my baby brother's wedding. A few snaps from the trip:

We took one of those Bay Cruises (only had one morning for sightseeing) and saw the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. A highlight, though, were these fellows:

Sleepy Sea Lions

I was also amused to see the name of a Louisiana delicacy emblazoned on a waterfront building. We didn't have time for me to figure out what they were actually selling in the building, but I doubt it was that tasty treat.

Mmm....boudin

Here's a snap from the wedding. Mike and Mindy were married on Friday afternoon at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Sausalito, CA. The reception was held at The Spinnaker Restaurant in the same city. Gorgeous view, excellent food, and stellar company all around. I drank too much.

The Family Derouen

Knitting Content:

Not much of that going on right now, I'm afraid. I am working on a sock (lol) in an unfortunate Trekking colorway. It looks a bit pukey. I won't gross you out with photos. There are, however, all sorts of ideas dancing around in my head for projects. There are so many sweaters I want to knit for fall! I particualrly like Ann E. Smith's "Sienna Cardigan" in the Fall 2006 IK (p. 123), although I'd do a different color, and Black Purl's Cecelia (but in a gorgeous solid). Can you see the stockinette in my future? Ah, bliss!

Reading:

I've been trying to get more "non-school" reading in my diet. Currently, I'm feasting on Uncle Tom's Cabin and Lolita. Mmm. Slavery and pedophilia. I've got to get my head shrunk!

Posted by KnitNut at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

He shopped the ENTIRE Mall of Georgia with me on my quest for a dress to wear to my baby brother's wedding.

He didn't complain once. Not one time. And he helped me look for dresses.

He's a keeper! :-)

Posted by KnitNut at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Here's an update in handy list form:

1. Knitting: Socks and blankie, blankie and socks. I haven't purled in days. Training for the Sock Wars.
2. School: Orientations galore. I need to make two syllabi.
3. Project Runway: Glad Keith is gone. Wondering what evil will spring up next. I hope Angela thanked Laura and Michael for keeping her rosettes (which are really yo-yo's aren't they?) in check. Can't wait to see Michael's Pam Grier look. I hope his model has a gun.
4. I love the world. Hugs and kisses all around.
5. I don't love Charter. Once again they seduced me with their DVR service, then left me wanting. I think it's time to seriously consider Tivo.

Posted by KnitNut at 08:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)