Wool & Words

The Knitblog is Dead...Long Live the Knitblog

Just a bit of random canoodling...read at your own risk.

So January One posted her thoughts on the state of knitblogging today and I have to say that I agree with her in many ways. She recognizes the impact that Ravelry has had on knitblogging; I would even go further and say that it's probably had a huge impact on the flow of knitting projects, that projects and KALs might pick up more interest on Ravelry in communities than on individual blogs. I can't remember when I last read a KAL post on a group of blogs.

There are all sorts of blog types; googling "types of blogs" brings up different ways to classify them. Knitting blogs, to me, generally fall into the category of "personal blogs." The author(s) share their current projects, happenings in their knitting and personal lives, show us what they're doing, where they've been, who they went there with, who they met there, what they learned along the way. Knitbloggers share personal experiences and the bloggers we are most drawn to have distinct personalities. We read them because we want to know them, see what they're up to, hear what they have to say, share our opinions with them, share our projects, share their projects, share their joys and sorrows, share.

Bloggers put themselves out into the ether(net), hoping that someone will read what they have to say. They show, they tell, they exhibit. Blog readers return to the exhibitions they find most compelling, interesting, amusing or they follow people they know in real life (which doesn't mean the blog is uninteresting, just that the motivation for regular reading takes on a different character).

In the end, I don't think the knitblog is dead...yet. I do think that for some, the desire to blog was born from a desire to share projects and to have dialogue about projects, to document their knitting lives. Ravelry has now provided the ideal place to document, share, and dialogue; the only thing missing is something blogs never had anyway--a chat feature. So many bloggers, the bloggers for whom these were the primary activities desired, are likely to post less frequently. I know that I really don't feel compelled anymore to share knitting projects on the blog. I take little interest in blog posts about projects. The blogs I read are the ones where I feel a connection to or have an interest in the personality of the blogger behind it. I go to Ravelry to find the information I'm seeking about projects, yarns, patterns, communities. I go to blogs for people.

As long as we're interested in people, and as long as people with good writing chops and interesting things to write keep writing, knitblogging will be around. I think we'll just be shifting from knitblogging as something we do as a community, as an activity that defines us and connects us to knitblogging as one of many forms of electronic communication that knitters use to share, keep in touch, tell stories. Another means of connecting.

Peaceful Thoughts and Prayers

If you have any to spare, please send them to Claudia.

I'm alive

If anyone is still reading, I am still alive. Steve and I just got through a lovely weekend of parties/showers and we're feeling all the love of so many wonderful friends and family members!

In 2 days I'm headed home for my last few days of singlehood. The wedding is May 10, final grades for UGA are due May 13, and I've got to have my apartment all packed up for a move on May 29. A week or so later, we're off to Jackson, MS. A lot to do in very little time.

So my life consists of:
paper grading
favor making
dishcloth knitting (only thing I can manage now!)
home & office packing

and any other bits of planning/doing associated with finishing up and moving on. I'll try to pop back in again soon with some pictures!

Blog Pruning

I can't leave this blog for so long. I just pruned approx. 700 spam comments from what appears to be a 3 day period. I guess there was some sort of spam holiday this past weekend...

Life is busy, too busy. Grading/teaching, wedding, moving, knitting--to much of some ings and not enough of the rest kind...Off to bed!

What's Going On?

Twice in 7 days. Twice.

What is happening?

In Other News

I have news. Soon.

January was a rough month

15 posts in January. Not a bad start for the year, but I have to do better!

Just back from a campus visit; exhausted in the good way, with lots to think about. I've got a long row ahead of me this weekend and I think I'll be setting up the bedroom command center...

Good Dinner Long Day

Tired, but full; had a great dinner with friends tonight in Athens and am relaxing after a long day.

Confession: I haven't knit a stitch since Friday. Any idea why?

Whew!

I disappeared! If you came looking and I wasn't here, sorry--I somehow missed the email to re-up my domain name subscription. Ah, that internet.

First day of classes was today. I'll be headed to bed with a hot toddy now...

Long Day?

I spent most of the day today at home, working on some school-related projects. I found a bit of time to finish watching the first season of Heroes on Netflix (love the streaming video feature), which reduced me to tears. That felt good.

Evening was a bit less sedentary; I attended the January meeting of the Atlanta Knitting Guild, where we heard a great talk on color forecasting. Best news? Gorgeous lapis blue in upcoming palettes, which made me really excited, cause I love a good blue. My fingers are itching now for some tasty blue yarn...

It's Cold Outside

I went to Albany, NY. I walked through Chicago. I didn't feel nearly as cold in either place as I've felt today in GA.

More tomorrow when my fingers have warmed up.

Heading Back Tomorrow

It's been a good week--in a weird way. I had a TON of grading to do and I got it all done in time, but that means that I spent the majority of my time in Albany grading papers. Thankfully, I suppose, week 2 of new baby means lots of time indoors, especially when the universe keeps dumping snow on you.

It's all quite beautiful, but also cold and treacherous. I aspire to be like snow someday. But not today.

The baby is, of course, excellent. Meet Henry Hunter.

He's a handsome little devil and already a favorite with the ladies; we went for Mom's checkup today and the nurses just couldn't get enough. Of course, he does display a more serious side.

Too. Stinking. Cute.

Back in GA on Saturday. Tomorrow I travel by train.

One-Minute Update

I've got a minute, so here goes.

1. I'm an aunt! My sister had her baby last week--a son! He's adorable and I get to see him in 2 days! More later.
2. I'm going to Albany, NY for 10 days. I will be cold.
3. My car is feeling sad. Someone dented its bumper last week. Not pretty.

Photos to follow later this week of all events.

Take That!

Something happens after Thanksgiving has passed and I realize that the year is almost done. Normally this sends me into a frenzy of pre-Christmas concerns and end-of-semester gyrations, but this year it also means preparing for the big disciplinary conference (it's good to be on the job market) and a visit to my sister's home to help out with the baby (still waiting...). So all I can say to this mad dash to the end of the year is take that!

November 2

It's the first Friday of the month, which means it's Game Night at the yarn shop. We're having bbq (mmm) and salad (mmm) and we'll be playing some something or other after supper.

And that's about all I've got for now. I'll be posting about what I did yesterday tomorrow.

It's Worth A Try...

I need to get my blogging groove on--what's the point of finishing my doctorate if it means I don't have time to blog?

I know that doesn't follow, but work with me here.

So this is post #1 in NaBloPoMo for me. I need a topic. Hmm. Let's start with what I'm doing today.

I'm sitting on my couch right now watching disc 3 of Season 1 of Lost. I broke down last week and signed up for the Netflix trial. I'm catching up on the backstory of Lost, which I faithfully watched last season, even when I wasn't entirely sure of the background. It's just good storytelling.

While I'm watching this, I'm alternately knitting on the oldest project in my queue--the Stripeosausus scarf--and doing a spot of spinning on my drop spindle. This is the 4th try with the scarf and I'm quite happy with it. I used a tubular cast on and am working a 1x1 rib--it's squishy and soft and yummy and I'm going to finish this thing, by golly! The spinning is going fine; once I spin up this last bit of fiber, I'll be plying the two small balls of singles together. Great fun.

I started the day with a good bit of work--catching up on email and checking my job search stuff (too much to keep track of). When the dvd is done, I'll be back at work, prepping tomorrow's classes and looking at my schedule.

Gosh, I hope I can find better stuff to blog about tomorrow.

And the Next Day

Thanks for the thoughtful comments about wedding planning; I'm pretty laid back (at least, that's what I'd like to think) and I find I constantly have to bring these "expected" activities to the forefront of my mind to inspect them and determine whether they are or aren't worthwhile. The website/invitation/photography thing is of interest, too, because it plays into my interest in rhetoric. Thanks for reading along.

In other news, nothing to report. I've scheduled a viewing of two films for one of my classes this evening and I brought my knitting, so that's what I'll be doing until about 8:30 tonight. With any luck, I'll finish the pocket on the sweater and get some significant work done on the baby bunting that I don't think I've told you about yet.

No, it's not for me.

Enjoy your day, my lovelies. I'll be back.

At Home...At Last

It's been a crazy month since graduation. I went right back to work, prepped the semester, started teaching and running orientation sessions for many many many freshmen--it's been all that I can do to keep my head above water. I worked and worked and worked some more. Then the Labor Day weekend arrived and the inevitable happened: I got sick.

I always get sick at breaks. The day before a long weekend I get a little tickle in my throat or a mild headache and I know that all my dreams of home productivity, of catching up on my personal life needs, of taking care of business are gone. I haven't been to a movie in ages--I missed the most recent Harry Potter flick--and I've eaten out much more than I should because I don't have the time or energy to clean the kitchen and buy groceries. And things go on like this, week after week, until I get a long weekend and then I get sick...and the cycle continues.

Enough of that whining. I'm working on getting better.

As for my knitting, it goes along. I'm working on a vest right now, in Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed (soooo soft and luscious!) and socks (always socks), and thinking about white lacy things. I would show you pictures, but I recently upgraded to Vista and my card reader isn't responding. At least that's something I can work on from my bed...

Have a great weekend!

Thunder and Lightning

I'm sitting here listening to the thunder, which I hope brings much longed for rain to cool the Georgia heat. School is back in session and I'm taking a moment to enjoy the pleasant sensation of my ass on the couch. No knitting to hand, I'm afraid; I have preparations for tomorrow's lessons to make. Still, it's good to be back to teaching, back to the schedule and the routine, back to productive working.

In other news, we now have a date and a church, so I think we'll be getting married next year. I really need to enjoy this brief respite, eh?

When next we meet: my Sockapalooza package, which is absolutely lovely.

Too Hot to Blog

or knit, or read, or think. When I finally get myself home, it's all I can do to fill a glass of water and pour myself into bed. My head hurts.

People, stay hydrated and use sunscreen. Back when temps have cooled enough to think.

The Gown Adds 100 Pounds. . .

. . .but it feels good all the same!

I'm graduated, finished, complete in that whole school thang! Have a glass of something tasty wherever you are for me!

Back tomorrow with some knitting content! 

In Spite of It All

My back is aching, my mind is wandering, my eyes are heavy with sleepiness, and if I never see the inside of my car again, it will be far, far too soon.

My Sockapalooza 4 socks will be delayed due to a miscalculation on my part that means the first sock I knit is too small. My house is an absolute wreck, my parents will be here in less than 48 hours, and while they are staying at a local hotel, they will certainly wish to see my home and I'll have to either deny them or bear the shame.

My trip home was good, but not as productive as I'd hoped. We know when and where we want to marry, but cannot set either in contractual stone until the Person Who Does the Reservations returns from the summer session break. My grandparents are all in good health, though, and I got to spend lots of time with them.

And I am home and in my favorite cotton nightgown and in my bed and all is right with the world. For that, I am thankful.

Rainy Day

We're having a sort of blustery, dreary day here in Watkinsville. I've been slaving over my computer, doing the "Finger Dance of the Curly Quotes" (a ballet envisioned by MS Word) while I try to get my draft ready to distribute to my committee so that I can--can you stand it!!!--defend my dissertation on Tuesday.

Deep. Freaking. Breath.

So, on this rainy, icky day I've been listening to E.L.O. and thought I'd share a bit of blue sky with you.

Have a good one!

Good Causes

In the knitting world, we love a good cause. In my 3.5 years of blogging (has it really been that long?), I've seen knitters raise money and/or knit for:

• Disaster Relief
• Mongolian Children
• Doctors without Borders
• Animal Shelters
• Illnesses and deaths

Knitting brings us comfort when we are faced with the sufferings of others and gives us a way to show those who suffer that we care enough--to think of them, to knit for them, to give them the benefit of the work of our hands.

It's hard to see people in pain.

For the last couple of months I've watched the story of Gerry, Annie Modesitt's husband, unfold along with the rest of the knitting community. I kept thinking, "surely he'll be OK."

Gerry has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma. Annie has been selling her Red Carpet Dress pattern to help raise money to defray the expenses associated with his care. Not only do they have to worry about the medical expenses, but they also have to consider childcare; Annie is the sole breadwinner and her work requires travel to yarn shops all over the country so that she can teach folks like me.

Main Street Yarns, my LYS, is helping to raise money and give Annie our love and support. At the blog, We Love Annie, you can find a button to place on your blog and some information about how you can help out (and maybe win a prize to boot!).

We support so many causes; this time we get to support one of our own.

Let It Shine Shine Shine

I'm going to indulge in one more Manilow moment. Barry sings "Daybreak"--a personal favorite among favorites. The bit with the accordion at the start is cute and funny.

The lyrics do me in every time; I can't help but smile and think of how beautiful the world really is.

Singin' to the world
What's the point in puttin' it down?
There's so much love to share
I'm singin' to the world
Don't you see it all comes around
The feelings everywhere
We've been closin' our eyes
Day after day covered in clouds
Losin' our way

Hey, but it's daybreak if you wanna believe
It can be daybreak ain't no time to grieve
Said its daybreak if you'll only believe
And let it shine, shine, shine
All around the world

Go shine in the world today!

I love Barry Manilow

With the fire of 10,000 suns I love him.

Here he is in 1975--just a pup then. Love the feathered hair and bedazzled shoulders. He's doing a "Mandy/Could It Be Magic" medley on this one.

I'm on some weird music kick this week, I suppose. Another favorite: Neil Diamond.

OK, enough of the sparkly boys. Back to the writing.

Sweetness

Mondays can be brutal. This may help:

Ruth rescued a momma-to-be who was living on the mean streets of Watkinsville. And then there were babies. Four. Here are two. That little black one looks like he's getting ready to attack. The kitties spent Saturday at the shop to give momma a rest and to meet the world. One got adopted out and three remain. If only I weren't allergic...

Testing...

Checking In

Quick update:

• Still writing.
• Still recovering from a trip to Detroit last week for a conference. Visited City Knits while there--nice shop with a nice atmosphere.
• Prepping my little head for my fall teaching assignments. I'm being released from comp to teach later British lit (1700-now, which is a freaking huge chunk of goodness) AND the undergrad Romanticism survey (!!!!!!). I'm teaching a writing class this summer, so I'm a bit worried about the mental gear-shifting that I'll have to do in August, but I'm really excited about focusing on literature for a while.
• Knitting: Well, I'm almost done with the KPS sweater (just needs sleeves and bands), just finished a pair of socks, and I'm looking at lots of baby things (not for me, but someone special--you know who you are!).
Posted by KnitNut at 05:29 PM | Comments (2)

Observations Following a Recent Doctor Visit

Urine is diagnostic magic.

Every time I visit any doc, I have to pee on command. This gets harder each time and I really don't understand why I just don't get a cup from them the night before so that I can bring it in fresh. But I digress. Urine can apparently tell them something about EVERYTHING that's going on in my body. Someone should just tell House to have his patients pee in a cup every few hours; might cut down on all those lumbar punctures and MRIs.

Overhead costs must be next to nothing.

As I sat in the office, I noticed that the room was full of non-medicinal supplies covered in ads. Allegra-supplied hand soap (what?). Tissues hawking Seroquel. A magazine rack from Lilly. I wanted to request a gown to see what it might be selling. The best, though? I looked between my knees at the paper covering the exam table and realized that I'd been sitting on a giant Viagra ad. Lots of little blue pills (which, I discovered, are trademarked by Pfizer).

Advertising leads to mistrust.

As I sat in the office bathroom, desperately trying to produce the required sample (see #1 above), I was staring at a long, red poster discussing the dangers of osteogenesis imperfecta and counseling ladies in red hats to see their doctor to find out more. There were great photos of the cross-sections of healthy and not-so bones, and a super magnification of one bone area to show a microfracture. Very cool and scary--who wants such holey swiss cheese holding up their bodies? Must drink more milk. I felt, though, a bit skeptical and I realize it's because I don't trust the word of a company. The poster was not quite an ad--they weren't hawking a particular product--and yet it felt suspect because it was provided by a pharma co. I sat there and stared at the red-hatted ladies and tried to figure out what they were selling. What was the angle? Why was I being encouraged to worry about my bone density? Surely it couldn't be just because I should be concerned, eh?

When did I grow to be so mistrusting?

It Hurts!

My head is aching, so I'm off to bed at the end of a very long week.

Thomas, I'm sorry. I'll try to hold off on the 24 spoilers, although I can't be held accountable if I crack. I'm just not that great when it comes to pressure! ;-) I must say, though, that you'll know when you get to the moment as you watch the series--I knew it was going to happen, but I really hoped...I'll stop now, k?

Knitting report:

-Still knitting on that KPS sweater. V. slowly
-actually CROCHETING something. I feel very adventurous
-Signed up for Sockapalooza 4

Dissertation? Well, I worked my little tuckus off, and I'm soooooo much closer to done. I have a table of contents and a list of tables and appendices. Now I just need 2/3 of a final chapter and a conclusion. Sooooooo close.

Dude CUT OFF HIS ARM!!!!

Taking a 24 Break. Damn!

Still knitting on the top down cardigan; not much time for knitting right now, but hopefully I'll be able to get back into it around tax time...

Be good to one another out there. I'm just working away...

Nothing to See Here

So ends another Spring Break. I have little to show for it. A bunch of laundry done. Clean sheets and towels. Minimal grocery shopping (but forgot to buy coffee--merde!). Some school-related work, mostly in preparation for my trip to NYC on Wednesday for CCCC (which is the big conference for rhetoric/composition folk). Looking forward to the trip to the city, but I have SO much work to do.

I have been wallowing in guilt over the work not done. When will I learn that I need to honor the Break part of Spring Break? Sigh.

Still working on the KPS Cardigan (and my Hanne--pics soon!), and still reading Infidel. And still writing. Slowly.

Spring Haiku....with pictures!

Scenes from an obliging tree

Pretty bird chirping

A new life nesting, waiting

Said tree, "It's a girl!"

It's Done

So now we have to read it:

A Million Penguins: A Wiki Novel

Someone Has a Sense of Humor

I've got papers to finish grading this weekend and I knew that if I stayed in my apartment, I'd end up spending all of my time on the couch trying to grade while watching some Jane Austen adaptation (I'm in a "Welcome Spring with Austen" spiral). So I got up, showered and dressed, and came down to the local coffee shop to grade papers. I've got my coffee, had a lovely sausage biscuit for breakfast and 2 hours later I've graded exactly 2 papers.

In the morning prayer today there was a petition about doing for others in our daily work (I don't have it with me, or I'd give you the real petition, which was much more eloquent that that statement). I kept thinking of it in terms of my students: how the attention I would pay to their papers today would be a gift to them. LOL--I think God's got something else in mind today!

I'm going to soldier on and keep grading, but hopefully I'm done with interruptions for a little while. I love small town life, but sometimes the city's cloak of anonymity is appealing.

Friday Feast

First some knitting:

I'm working on a sweater that should be done by early next week--joy! Khaki pants and springtime here I come!

On to the Feast--

I've been reading this blog for a while now...guess I should participate:

Appetizer
Where on your body do you have a scar, and what caused it?

On my right forearm there's a dark mark. The mark is actually a piece of pencil lead from a 3rd grade injury; someone ran into me with a pencil, the lead broke off, and here we are today. My 30-something mind doesn't want to ponder beyond that.

My right hand, between my index and middle finger, sports a lovely shiny scar from my accidental pickup of a broken soda bottle (back in the day where you turned in your empties). More that I don't want to contemplate. I still love a Coke in a glass bottle, though.

Soup
What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?

When I was young (what is it with my youth?), my father had an auto accident in his van. I was in the backseat of the van, and the middle seat had been removed to make room for various bits of equipment. This was long before carseats (which I would have been too old for, anyway) and I don't recall functioning seatbelts. A truck ran him off the road and straight into a lightpost. The van's front (a VW bus) wrapped around the post.

My father was unharmed. And I swear to this day that the blanket we were sitting on somehow ended up covering the equipment and cushioning our fall.

Salad
Name a television personality who really gets on your nerves.

Tyra. Fucking. Banks. I hate her.

Main Course
What was a funny word you said as a child (such as "pasketti" for "spaghetti")?

Not a clue about this one. I think I was likely more funny when I tried to use words that I didn't know the meaning of. Maybe.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I have always thought the bayou was beautiful.

That was fun!

Although I do not hope to turn

For today, T. S. Eliot's "Ash Wednesday"

Mambo!

Forces have gathered in New Orleans to celebrate. Do a little "Mardi Gras Mambo" of your own at home:

Alive and Kicking

Writing and teaching, teaching and writing. Not much in my brain to share, but know that I miss you, sweet blog and blog friends! I've turned my attention toward some lingering summer knits from last year; maybe I'll actually have a lightweight item or two to wear when spring arrives!

Haunted by the music from that Geico ad where the caveman is on the people mover at the airport? See the video by the band, Roykksop.

Monkey!

I've got a new friend:

No gender. No name. I'm pondering.

The new Dreamy Monkey was a gift from my friend, Teggin. She spotted it in a shop and had to get Maurice a new friend. I'm a bit concerned about the pairing. Maurice, after all, is a very clever monkey. I'm afraid that this dreamy one might get talked into all sorts of hijinks.

Cyberspace Poetry Reading

"Unsaid"

-Dana Gioia

So much of what we live goes on inside–
The diaries of grief, the tongue-tied aches
Of unacknowledged love are no less real
For having passed unsaid. What we conceal
Is always more than what we dare confide.
Think of the letters that we write our dead.

From Interrogations at Noon

Read more Gioia here.

Why?

And A New Month Begins

Snow/Ice day today, which was really kinda silly since there wasn't much of anything resembling either on the ground. But no matter--I got a day "off" today, which I enjoyed in the laziest of ways. Cordelia (my Hanne Falkenberg sweater) grew by about 2', which is impressive when you're working on size 2 needles. There's a bit of double knitting in the pattern (to make the belt casing), so I'm learning new things at the same time that I'm enjoying thought-free garter stitch. Life is good.

I'm also working on a sock in Tofutsies. I like the yarn, but I feel a bit out of season sync; this yarn feels more like a spring/summer thing, and I'm in a wool mood.

It is a dreary rainy cold day after all.

Hello World

I've been:

• grading papers
• working on my dissertation
• knitting (just finished a scarf)

Back soon...

Thwarted!

Such great plans I had for today, assuming the weather would cooperate, providing just enough ice to close down the town, but not so much as to shut off my power and heat. No such luck, I'm afraid. A thin sheet of ice on my windshield necessitated the use of my scraper for the first time this season, but the roads were shiny only with rainwater.

I spent some time on the Grey Vest last night. I sewed the shoulders, put in the neckband (I think it looks pretty spiffy) and started seaming the sides. I'll spare you photos until it's completely finished; it's grey, it's wool, it's vest-shaped in appearance. A visitor might think I was knitting for a busty banker.

Wherever you are, stay warm and ice-free!

The Good Life

As we head into the holiday weekend (good), I thought I'd share with you (also good) a couple of (good) podcasts I enjoy:

Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

and

Mr. Manner's Quick and Dirty Tips for a More Polite Life

Be excellent to one another and to words.

Buddies Are Good

After my classes today, I headed over to the library to work for a bit. I have a study carrel, but I hate using it because it's isolated and I always fall asleep when I'm in there. Instead, I usually hang out in this open area on the first floor that's bustly, but not too bustly or noisy. There's a little food area there as well, which can be mighty convenient.

Of course, all of this is nice, but when you're working on your computer, you kinda get setup and comfy, which makes packing everything up again to go to the bathroom an unappealing prospect. Of course, your kidneys will kick your ass later if you put it off. Whatever is a girl to do?

My solution? I need to find a writing partner so that I can go to the bathroom. It's hard to write a dissertation.

I Haven't Moved an Inch

Unless you count the walks to my car, the bed, up the stairs to my office, the shower, the refrigerator. I admit, I'm intrigued by the 100 Miles thing, but I think I'll have a better chance of sticking to the belly dance regimen. I need finger cymbals. I think when I was a kid they were called castanets.

The lure of the couch is seductive. Coffee or tea within an arm's reach. Chunky, funky suede ottoman boxes to rest my weary feet. Knitting nearby*. Laptop on lap. Jane Austen adaptations on the small screen. This is the life!

*Endless miles of grey wool and stockinette. At least I'm on to the vest front now!

Supernaturally Strange Weather?

All this weird weather going on has called to mind one of my favorite passages from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. In Act II, Scene 1, Titania and Oberon meet in the woods and quarrel over, among other things, their various infidelities. The following speech is often cut from productions, I assume because it doesn't clearly and directly advance the plot, although I think it's critical to underscoring their shared power.

Titania tells Oberon that their arguments are causing some strange weather:

 These are the forgeries of iealousie,
And neuer since the middle Summers spring
Met we on hil, in dale, forrest, or mead,
By paued fountaine, or by rushie brooke,
Or in the beached margent of the sea,
To dance our ringlets to the whistling Winde,
But with thy braules thou hast disturb'd our sport.
Therefore the Windes, piping to vs in vaine,
As in reuenge, haue suck'd vp from the sea
Contagious fogges: Which falling in the Land,
Hath euerie petty Riuer made so proud,
That they haue ouer-borne their Continents.
The Oxe hath therefore stretch'd his yoake in vaine,
The Ploughman lost his sweat, and the greene Corne
Hath rotted, ere his youth attain'd a beard:
The fold stands empty in the drowned field,
And Crowes are fatted with the murrion flocke,
The nine mens Morris is fild vp with mud,
And the queint Mazes in the wanton greene,
For lacke of tread are vndistinguishable.
The humane mortals want their winter heere,
No night is now with hymne or caroll blest;
Therefore the Moone (the gouernesse of floods)
Pale in her anger, washes all the aire;
That Rheumaticke diseases doe abound.
And through this distemperature, we see
The seasons alter; hoared headed Frosts
Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson Rose,
And on old Hyems chinne and Icie crowne,
An odorous Chaplet of sweet Sommer buds
Is as in mockry set. The Spring, the Sommer,
The childing Autumne, angry Winter change
Their wonted Liueries, and the mazed world,
By their increase, now knowes not which is which;
And this same progeny of euills,
Comes from our debate, from our dissention,
We are their parents and originall

Read it aloud a couple of times; the language is beautiful, the imagery gorgeous, and the end statement always makes me wonder whether I am putting out too much negativity into the world.

My favorite line right now: "The human mortals want their winter here." C'mon guys! My handknits are languishing!

Text from Project Gutenberg

Wind Blows

All of the windy stormy weather has taken its toll. Here's what my office mate and I saw on the walk back to Park Hall today after lunch:

Here's a shot from the building porch:

Definitely a sad day. This was the last tree standing after the Great Tree Removal several years ago. No shortage of trees on this campus, but now Park Hall is Very Large Tree-Less.

A fond farewell to our tall leafed friend, who shaded many a lounging, reading student.

Better Than a Resolution

Crazy Aunt Purl sure does know the stuff. Her Libra horoscope for 2007:

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 23)
One of the interesting things about Libra is how well they seem to play with others. Libras really get a feel for people, and they can see an almost eerily clear picture of another's personality in record time. Your To-Do this year is a side-effect of all that philosophizing and summarizing you do: Turn your crystal-clear human perception skills on YOURSELF. Spend some time figuring out your own whys and hows, what you want for the future, get a very clear picture in your head of who you are and who you want to be. By the way, this is like asking a Libra to cut off a leg. So easy! To Don't: Don't keep a list in your head of all the wrongdoing or misdeeds or he-said she-said so-and-so. It's a natural and normal part of your people skills, you see people for who they are, and sometimes you don't like a lot of it. But we're all just human, including you, which is why this year it would be a good idea to stop making lists of all the ways others are broken (or need fixing, depending on whether or not you are a glass half-full sort of Libra) and focus on your own personal list.

So many ways that this is so very perfect for me. I need to see myself clearly and not worry about others--that whole "yank the log out of your own eye" thing. Deciding who I am and who I want to be? So hard! I live in indeteminancy, which can be useful; makes quick changes easier, you know? I'm comfortable on the edge of possibility, looking out over the different versions of Me that I can be, and jumping into those roles as I see fit.

But this isn't the most productive, forward-moving way to live. I've often thought that I just kind of drift through life, blowing around like that freaky feather in Forrest Gump. Accidental-like, on a breeze. Loose, free.

The irony, of course, is that I'm anything BUT loose and free. I'm a creature of rooting habits. I hate moving. I can easily get so acclimated to seeing noone that it can be hard for me to come out of myself enough to be social with anyone. Once in an established routine, I feel discombobulated when I can't follow it for whatever reason. I rely on solitude for comfort and recharging. I'm not Holly Golightly.

Good things to think about, finding who I am and who I want to be. I'll just go chew on that for a while.

Happy New Year!

We had a great time last night celebrating the new year and two special birthdays: Steve's and his brother-in-law, Wally's. Good food, great margaritas, excellent conversation, spectacular fireworks.

Today there is football. I'm off to the shop for a bit of football free knitting.

A Few Photos

We saw a few sights on the trip:

Santa has a new workshop. Apparently, business isn't so good these days.

This was taken a new (and very nice, otherwise) outdoor mall. I think they wanted to have the Santa experience for the kids and parents, but didn't have an appropriate central location. So the metal building, so versatile and portable, was pressed into service. A bit too pedestrian for Santa, don't you think?

Next, an homage to the unofficial state bird of Louisiana.

This fella was standing right behind a trio of seasonal Nutcrackers, reminding them that he, not they, was going to be around long after the gifts were opened. Cool statue, but a strange item.

Finally, a musical interlude.

My nephew and a buddy preparing for their Christmas Eve concert for the family. Santa-aunt got him a music stand for Christmas...

Hope your new year is full of interesting encounters and family fun. Steve and I are headed to a party tonight (he's got a cold--send him lots of healing thoughts!), and will be hanging out at our fave LYS, Main Street, and recovering from the long drive back from LA.

The Visit, So Far

First, thanks for the compliments on the Swing Jacket and the Christmas wishes! I've had spotty (well, mostly non-existant) email access lately. My parents aren't very into high speed connections. Life moves slooooowly here.

Anyway, to aid my memory* and share with anyone interested, my holiday thus far:

Saturday:

Steve and I loaded up his car and made the journey to the swamplands. We stopped off somewhere in Alabama (Montgomery, maybe?) and had a tasty lunch and did a bit of shopping. I had this idea that I needed a lap desk for my laptop (you know, the squishy bottom kind?) and we found one at a Target in the pre-teen bedroom section. It's got a shiny silver pillow bottom and a lime green plastic top. Score!

When we got in, my dad handed Steve a drink and then fried up some catfish. We strung lights on the tree and then fell asleep.

Sunday:

Christmas Eve means shopping. We managed to only visit a couple of stores and no trips to the mall--hurray! Steve and I attended 2 masses--the Sunday mass and the Vigil. I'm sure that's not what the Church intended, but we wanted to be able to sleep late Monday. My brother, Mike, and his bride, Mindy, arrived in the afternoon, which was lovely. We're just missing our sister, Emily, and her husband, Kevin.

Sunday night we went to an annual gumbo/party thrown by my nephew's mom, Melissa. The gumbo was really good; Melissa had frozen turkey broth/drippings for her Thanksgiving dinner and used that in the gumbo stock--excellent idea! My nephew, Trey, has started playing the trombone, and a trumpet player was also in attendance, so we had a small concert.

Monday:

Visits to grandparents, lots of food, and gift-giving were the order of the day. I made out like a bandit: Steve got me a Knitting Pattern a Day calendar and the 10th Anniversary edition of the BBC Pride and Prejudice mini-series. My dad pulled my name in the draw and got me a gift certificate (exactly what I wanted).

Tuesday:

Shopping and errand running with my mom. We had a few family visits: saw my Uncle Matt and family, my Uncle Joseph and his family (including new grandson, Christian--cutie!), and our parent's friends, Grady and Betty, who are really like family to us all. Long day capped off with a Scrabble game. Mindy kicked our asses.

Wednesday:

All I have to say about this day is that I wanted to call the Knitting Hen's therapist. 'Nuff said.

Thursday:

Today I am catching up on a spot of web reading. Steve is out fishing with my dad and Trey. My mom is at a meeting. The house is quiet. I think I'll take a shower and head into town to do some work.

*With any luck, I'll update this post with pictures (and perhaps a video!) when I get to a functional internet connection.

I Thought This Was Fun

25 Gadgets That Actually Save Money

In other news, I'm just trying to get ready for the visit home. We had Christmas on Sunday with Steve's family. After a fun gift exchange, I'm now learning bellydance. No film--at 11 or ever--but I must say that it's great fun and VERY HARD.

Done

I've just turned in my final grades for the semester. Done. Done. Done.

Where's the wine?

No Fritalian

For your late morning (or early afternoon) amusement:

Fritalian (Dunkin' Donuts Commercial)

Don't Forget to Breathe

In my blog-surfing, I came across a post on Creating Passionate Users (great place to muse on things technological) that made me turn off the T.V. and blog--but only for a moment.

The Asymptotic Twitter Curve

A quote:

We're evolving much, much, much too slowly... Brain 2.0 isn't coming anytime soon. And we're all feeling the enormous weight of not being able to keep up. We can't keep up with work. We can't keep up with our social life. We can't keep up with the industry, our hobbies, our families. We can't keep up with current events. We'll never read a fraction of those books on our list. And we are hurting.

Worst of all, this onslaught is keeping us from doing the one thing that makes most of us the happiest... being in flow. Flow requires a depth of thinking and a focus of attention that all that context-switching prevents. Flow requires a challenging use of our knowledge and skills, and that's quite different from mindless tasks we can multitask (eating and watching tv, etc.) Flow means we need a certain amount of time to load our knowledge and skills into our brain RAM. And the more big or small interruptions we have, the less likely we are to ever get there.

Reading this was like reading my mind today. I've been turning over my daily routines, considering the things that I do that keep me from doing. Like email. I have 4 email accounts that I check regularly. 4. FOUR. Note the "regularly." That means that there are others that I check irregularly. What the heck is that all about?

And books? I get to read them periodically, and I long for a good book. I have a copy of Anne of Green Gables in my office. I've read exactly 1 chapter in 3 weeks because I only read it when I need something to accompany me on my walk to the library to grab lunch. What I ought to do is sit down in the cafe area at the library and enjoy the book WHILE I eat my lunch, but instead I go back to the office, put the book on the shelf, and check my email. No wonder I have 3 bottles of Tums in various locations.

When I am immersed, I'm always happy. I enjoy reading student papers, when I am immersed in them, because I'm thinking along with someone else and helping them puzzle out the best way to say something. Focusing on my own work is exhilarating, but it's so easy to give in to the songs of the Sirens Email, Cell Phone, and Internet. In a world where appearance matters so much, where the surface is everything, looking like you're busy trumps actually being busy, which can look like you're doing nothing because it's all happening under the surface.

If this were a class lecture, this is the point where I look at the students and say "Did that make sense?" They usually nod their heads and say "yes," but deep down I'm convinced that they're doing a surface assent so that I'll move on to the next thing, so that they can get back to the text message they're sending or the video game running on the laptop--wired doodling.

Enough. Go immerse yourself in something worthwhile. Become an expert in something, even if it's just watching ants travel back and forth. I'm going to read something good.

Holiday Wish List, Part 2

I love Remedios Varo. These prints are favorites:

Three Destinies

Encounter (my LiveJournal friends will recognize this one).

Revelation or the Clockmaker

Creation of the Birds

There is knitting to show...maybe tomorrow?

Things I Find Cool

'Tis the season when loved ones ask me about my desires for pressies. While I keep a running wish list on Amazon, there are some other items that I think are really cool. Just thought I'd pass them along.

Today: Gadgets

What's not to love about a device called The Tornado? This little whirlwind connects machines instead of destroying them. Come to think of it, aside from its shape, it really doesn't appear to have any tornado-like qualities. Hmmm.

Then there the Model T, a stand designed for Tablet PCs. I'm intrigued.

My toast could use some livening up. I don't really need a toaster; I just think this one is really cool.

Happy Thanksgiving

This is the day we give thanks for everything that we have. A day to count our blessings.

Thanks Mom and Dad. 38 years ago today you committed to each other.

Thanks God for the healthy delivery of my newest cousin, Christian.

Thanks blog for just being you.

Thanks Steve for making this holiday special.

And thank you, Boston, for recording "More Than A Feeling." Its pull has now extended to my home bathroom. I just don't understand it.

Now go eat some turkey.

Contagion

Why is it that every time I visit the ladies room across from my office I leave it singing Boston's "More Than a Feeling?"

Discuss.

November Calendar Girl

My calendar pic for this month was sort of "un-November," and yet...I can't help but feel that it is appropriate for the month when we prepare for the whirlwind holiday season:

This calendar hangs on my kitchen door. I've got these French ads all over my apartment, so the calendar seemed like a good idea. I particularly like the Dutch Girl "chasing dirt" with her stick...I can just imagine what's happening on the other side of the can as the dirt huddles, terrified that it's about to get a good whack!

I'm really hoping that the dirt in my home will respond to a good whacking...if I ever get around to it. Perhaps if I purchase a can of this cleanser, with its menacing, red-clogged cleaning woman, its mere presence will terrify the dirt into submission.

Thanks for hosting this contest, Deb! I'd forgotten how much this calendar amuses...

Random Web Wanderings

Items of Interest from my web browsing this morning.

If you're feeling lonely all day and would like a companion, how about a rabbit that will read you the news or your favorite blog?
Nabaztag

Sometimes, things are not what they seem...but at least you can be clean! No iPod, Soap!

All I want for Christmas...is to not see these under the tree (although some of the earrings are cool): Geeky Gifts

I'm Writing

Now that I've recovered from last week's Runway tragedy (what ever will I do without Tim Gunn to fill my Wednesday nights?), the big project in my life is writing. That's what I'm doing when I'm not sleeping, teaching, or grading papers. I like it when I have time to write. It's hard, though, to convince myself that the time should be spent writing. I've been listening to a new (to me) podcast that's helping, though: Dissertation Nation. Adrienne and Sinclair make my commute amusing and let me know that I'm not the only crazy one out there.

A bit of knitting is going on. I just finished a pair of socks and I'm still knitting away on the blankie I'm designing for my LYS. The socks are done in Lorna's Laces, Embers...mmm. The blankie is baby-sized and knit in Mission Falls 1824 Wool. Softness all around. Hurray!

Steve's taking me to SAFF this weekend--a birthday present. I'm taking two classes, one on beading and a Fair Isle class. I'm really excited, but I have to remember to pick up my allergy meds tomorrow; the sheepies and alpacas and goats and all that fiber may just overwhelm me. I hope to see some of you there; we're staying at the Fairfield Inn Airport, but we'll probably head to the meetup on Saturday night!

I'm really excited about the trip, but I must say the thing I'm secretly looking most forward to is stopping at the roadside stands to purchase some Frog Jam (Fig, Raspberry, Orange, and Ginger--mmmm!). I hope we're not too late in the year!

Project Runway

Let the walkoff begin! I can't stand it!

ETA: Well, yeah, I saw that coming. I really hated that final dress with the zippers and stripes.

I Am Stuck on Band-Aid

I wasn't going to share this picture. I've been entirely too honest on this blog about my physical misfortunes in the past. Events of the day, however, prompted me to share.

So, first, last week's boo-boo:

I was just trying to fix the LCD projector in my classroom ceiling. I jammed my leg into a desk (ouch!) and knew I'd have a nasty little bruise. This is it 5 days out. Joy.

Who knew it was just a warmup?

I fell down a hill today. Fell. Down. A. Hill. No Jack to break my fall. I was walking down from Park Hall to the Tate Center (UGA folks know what I'm saying), talking to my mom on the phone. Wham--I'm on the ground ROLLING down the sidewalk. Aside from the hurt to my pride (there's was nothing, not even a brazen squirrel, to cause my fall), I managed to scrape the hell out of my right knee, twist or sprain or something my left foot, and bruise my right hip, since my too-freakin'-huge ring of keys was in my right pocket. The phone, however, was unscathed.

A couple of nice young ladies helped me up. I am getting old.*

In Knitting News

Here's a cute sweater for you. I knitted it for my cousin's new daughter, Lilly. Sweet, eh?

*Sidenote: my legs look like hams. I need to take better photos.

What I Don't Write About

I watch crime shows. Law & Order (all of them) and Without a Trace. I like the way that everything goes from chaos to something more-or-less orderly in an hour. Makes life seem manageable. I'm a fan of Project Runway who has been suckered into America's Next Top Model. I now hate Tyra Banks. I'm also a big Adult Swim watcher. Strange mix.

I've been trying to finish Lolita, but the book just bores me. I can't start the next one (The Time Traveler's Wife--I'm not-officially-doing-that-knitting-reading-along) until I finish this one because I have this weird "one real novel at a time" thing. I have started the second of Madeline L'Engle's time novels, The Wind in the Door, and will probably finish it before I finish Lolita. It's a "real novel," but I can read it 'cause it's preparation for a class I'm considering. That's my story and you know the rest!

I love what I do. I get to teach every day, and that's always fun, even when my lesson goes crazy and I'm scrambling inside to figure out what to do next. I'm surrounded by people who are interested in words and stories and learning, and that is always stimulating. I'm privileged to watch my students develop as thinkers, readers, and writers. I work with a core group of folks who challenge my thinking and are willing to put up with my blunt and vocal eruptions at the wierdest moments. "Politic and cautious" I often am not, "full of high sentence" always.

And then there's the other teaching. I get to teach people how to do cool things with their knitting, like making holes and turning heels and crafting little boxes. I teach them and they share their lives with me--what a blessing! How wonderful, too, to have a second living room so near, where I can escape from the pressures of my (still wonderful) work and know that there will always be someone to talk with, laugh with, and, of course, knit with. I find inspiration in the yarn shop, not in the yarn, but in the people who move in its walls.

There are the members of my spiritual community (something I don't ever blog about), whose prayers I feel every single day; I only hope that I can return to them even a small measure of what they have given me. I am so often so unworthy. When we meet, we share the trials and the joys of our time apart. We give each other strength to fulfill our mission to be God in the world, to see God in all things, and to love in as perfect a way as we can.

You get to see my family periodically. I don't see them as much as I'd like, but they're always with me too. I don't write about them much; I feel that it would be wrong to share too much of their lives with you. They didn't ask me to write this blog, and I choose to keep them (mostly) private. My sister comments from time to time (hi, Em!), and her comments are as sassy as she is in real life. I wish you could meet them all--they are loving and creative and giving and solid and everything good in the world. Everything.

Same with Steve. I keep him (mostly) hidden; he hasn't asked me to, but he deserves his privacy too. I will tell you this, though--he's a MONSTER knitter. You'll see what I mean soon. He'll tell you that I taught him, but he had it figured out long before I put a needle in his hand. He watched me for months, and that part of his brain that is so good at figuring out how things go together in space just understood exactly what to do. See how I'm hiding him? I'm not telling you about those little sweet-nothing things that happen with people. He's so good at those. I love him.

When I woke up this morning, I wanted to write (a little) about the things I don't write about. They make me who and what I am. Tomorrow I will celebrate my 37th year on this earth and those 37 years have brought me right here. It's a good place to be. I know that I am blessed. Especially when gas prices are this low.

Travels and Travails

I wish that I had oodles of knitting news to share. All that I can give you is a sense of my current project.

Imagine cuddly. Imagine regal. Imagine smooth textures. imagine, if you will, 32 inches of delicious softness and you will have imagined my current work.

Travels? Steve and I have just returned from a far-too-short trip to New Iberia to celebrate the recent ordination of a much-beloved uncle to the Catholic Deaconate. Much love and good food was shared.

Travails? Well, there is the continuing matter of that Little Paper.

But my current knitting project? Magnifique!

Just Opened the Bottle of Wine

To all my friends watching Project Runway:

What.

The.

?????

I'm absolutely aghast. Where's my knitting?

We'll Always Have Paris

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?

Soooo On Notice

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 | Comments (3)

Project Runway

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.

Long Overdue!

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!

Best. Fiance. Ever.

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! :-)

Brief Update

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.

It's Thursday...

...and what a week it's been! My eyes are killing me--I think I need to get to bed soon. First, however, I've got to drink about a gallon of water to rehydrate.

Now that I'm done (more or less) with those essays that had to be read, I've slowed considerably on my blanket. Still working away on it, though, but the siren song of fall is calling and I'm itching to work on some new sweaters. Hold me back!

And Project Runway? Angela's crazy-as-s*&% bubble skirt and slutty top a la BRITISH HEADMISTRESS THROWING A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR HER DOG PATTY CAKE IN PARIS? What was up with that outfit? While I understand why Katy got the axe (and, really, she wasn't long for PR, given that she's really and truly a sportswear girl), Angela has got to go. Far away. From those combat boots.

Can't help but wonder who will be kicked out and for what--I'm on pins and needles!

What Has the World Come To?

I just heard McGruff, the crime dog, suggest that people talk to their neighbors (Just Say Hello) to reduce crime in their neighborhoods.

Are things that bad in the typical neighborhood? In the subdivision behind my duplex, someone turned in a guy who had three rooms in his rented house tricked out for a serious marijuana cultivating business. I don't know the names of my neighbors, but we wave and say hello--well, everyone around me EXCEPT for the 50-something dad and his teenaged son who have the other unit in my duplex. He NEVER says hello or smiles or waves when I see him.

Maybe McGruff is onto something...

Giving Thanks

Merci beaucoup, Carrioke! Thanks so much for fixing the blog problems. I owe you...

You Need Some Pictures

I don't have a lot, but to tide you all over...

First, some knitting. Here's the start of a sock in Cherry Tree Hill Superwash Merino, in the Java colorway. I'd take pics of the Pearl Buck, but sleeves are BORING...

Next--Steve got a new car!

It's a Nissan Altima--very nice, although I don't quite get the spoiler on the rear:

Back to work!

I'm Alive

Just want to check in..and it's Thursday, so I feel compelled to say something.

A quick update:

Trip to NYC--Fantastic! The week began with the double doctoring of my sister (a PhD AND an MD...what a gal!). After the graduation festivities, we got to do some sightseeing...in the rain, mostly. Steve and I went to Battery Park, the financial district, WTC, Chinatown, Midtown, and wandered about random bits of the Upper West Side, where we were staying (great hotel--Newton Hotel--on Broadway). We saw Avenue Q (ROFL) and visited Central AND Riverside Parks. Oh, and School Products and Habu. I bought lace yarn (of course!)--some gorgeous variegated blue merino lace weight and a skein of baby camel at School Products, and a few ounces of lovely black laceweight merino at Habu.

Every time I go to New York, I imagine myself living there. Then I get home, feel the expanse of space around me, and clutch my pillow tight. I enjoy visiting the city, but I love living in the South.

Knitting--Currently working on finishing the Pearl Buck cardi (the right front and 2 sleeves to go), knitting a red Pi shawl, and various sock projects. And a Knitting Pure and Simple Wrap Cardi in Cotton Fleece. All this yummy yarn, miles of stockinette to soothe the soul, and lovely needles that seem to knit the yarn themselves.

Writing--I'm writing and trying to finish this wacky project (I think it's called a dissertation) so that I can do the perp walk across the stage and get my colors. LOL. That was so NOT ghetto of me. Anyway...

I'll try to get something like a picture or two up soon. I'm very behind on reading blogs (but I'm really interested in everything you're doing), which is a good thing, since time reading blogs is time NOT spent writing that weird project. Have a cocktail or wine or beer or whatever you like for me. I'll resurface soon!

Falling at Your Mercy

I've tried to suss out what the issue is with the blog archive/entry pages (that weird formatting business), and I can't seem to figure it out (see post-before-last where I talked about simple knitting).

If any of you know something about this business, could you have a look-see? I think the Dec. 2005 archives here are correct, but everything else is wrong. The source code for the Dec. entries seems to call a different file. My head hurts.

I'll sort it out eventually--but if you know from this stuff, I'd appreciate an email.

Hellz Yeah

Just Like the White Winged Dove

I've been singing Stevie Nicks's "Edge of Seventeen" an awful lot lately. Whenever I walk into the women's clothing area of any store, I seem to be surrounded by gauzed-tiered-flounced skirts. Even in the fabric section--I've actually seen bolts of pre-tiered fabric with the elastic sewn in. You just buy enough to circle your waist, sew a seam to close it, and wear. Indulge your gypsy fantasies at will.

More soon...pics of Sockapaloooza goodies and FO's to come!

"but the moment... that I first laid
eyes....on....him...all alone...
On the edge of...seventeen."

Running

I'm running alot these days. Not the healthy, good, booby-jiggling running. The crazy, automotive, wear-you-down running. I did finish the Sockapaloooza socks. I am kntiting green things. I am pulling my hair out. More later when I get my to do list under control.

New MT

I've upgraded my Movable Type, but I can't really see any difference. I suppose that's a good thing...

ETA: I guess I needed to post something...it's all different now. Sigh. I have to rebuild all those links...

ETA2: The individual entry & archive pages are weird. I don't have time to get into the CSS today, but I'll fix it ASAP. Let me know if anything else isn't working/looking right.

Happy Easter!

For the religious, Pope Benedict XVI's Easter Message.

For the secular, a Peeps celebration. The Peeps Research entry is particularly amusing.

Something To Say

So I'm trying to find something to say today.

Thought about sending you to read a poem in celebration of National Poetry Month.

Or maybe I could rant about the tax code.

Or dish about the latest Knitty (I'm thinking about knitting Convertible, by the way).

But I think I'll just let you look up through the trees.

I can still taste the sea

Sapelo was incredible. My bed is calling. More later this week.

Movies & Reading

On Reading:

I don't write much about what I read, in part because most of it falls in the "work specific" category. This read, though, is too much fun to keep to myself:

I picked this up while browsing Borders one night with my friend, Valerie.

A wee taste:

Living at sea tended to leave you with ratty, matted hair, but the Pirate Captain somehow kept his beard silky and in good condition, and though nobody knew his secret, they all respected him for it. They also respected him because it was said he was wedded to the sea. A lot of pirates claimed that they were wedded to the sea, but usually this was an excuse because they couldn't get a girlfriend or they were gay pirates, but in the Pirate Captain's case none of his crew doubted he was actually wedded to the sea for a minute.

Aaaarrrgghh!

On Movies

I've had some questions about V for Vendetta, so I'll sum up here. I liked it, with reservations. Cut for spoiler (and delicate political sensibilities)

I generally liked the movie--it was interesting and kept me entertained. I walked out of the theatre thinking "What did it all mean?" and am still thinking. I walked from the theatre to the nearby Borders and purchased the graphic novel so that I could ruminate at home. I'm still ruminating.

I was annoyed by the political premises that color the film and became even moreso when I started reading the novel. Is politics a big part? Of course. Any story that warns us about the potentials of harm inherent in a loss of our political voice will necessarily include politics. I just thought the film took the really easy way out by extrapolating its dystopian nightmare from current day events.

For example, the very notion that homosexuals would be rounded up and killed (and most of the spotlight on the rounding up and killing is focused on homosexuals) seems absurd to me. From what I understand about the original novel, though, the political climate in Britain at the time included serious discussion of the potential to quarantine homosexuals in the wake of the AIDS crisis. In that context, I can see the connection. In this one, I don't. As a matter of fact, the film would have worked better for me if the horrid fascist government had been solely about religion vs. religion, thereby playing out at least a scenario that speaks more directly to the current climate.

One of the overt messages is that you need to be able to speak freely. Well, I think that was one of the messages, although at times I had to remind myself of that as the focus was more and more on blowing up Parliment, an act which doesn't seem to say much to me about how to improve government. I think the film wants to fantasize about the idea that a terrorist by another name is a freedom fighter. I don't know that I can support this idea. I can imagine a government casting a group of freedom fighters in the role of terrorist, but that to me is a far sight different than a group of actual terrorists committing acts of terror. And the film doesn't give any indication that innocent lives are taken in the bombings. In fact, the first happens after a state-imposed curfew, which suggests that the building is empty. The second occurs after a year of notice that it will be blown up...again, unlikely that innocent lives are lost. The only things, really, that are destroyed, are two symbols that are essentially shells at the moment of their destruction. Not terrorism.

Still, as a film, I'm not ready to give up on it. I enjoyed it and will likely see it again soon. I need a repeat viewing, which certainly speaks volumes to quality.

What's Going On

Can't seem to compose an entry right now. Sufficient to say I've been busy. A quick glance:

Knit this:

Baby Bolero from One Skein

To gift at a shower for my friend, Sara:

And saw this:

I Am Whole

Just to update those who are interested: the bank got me all sorted out. Whew! Thanks for the good wishes!

And people, for the love of all you consider holy, check your accounts weekly! I found out about my little problem because I get a weekly account balance email--that saved my butt!

Off to lunch. Then an afternoon of Data Entry. Sigh.

And the winner is...

...Karen, who posted the 500th comment to my blog. Here's the text of the winning entry:

Oops, sorry... she-bang kinda looks bad.

I meant crapshoot.
or... umm...

Shindig. There we go.

Eloquent girl, that Karen. For her mad linguistic skillz she gets--well, I'm not quite sure what yet, but it will be good. And yarny, since she's proven to be such a fantastic knitter!

A Letter

To the Shadow Who Cleared Out My Bank Account:

You will rue the day. Rue.

To the Faceless Retail Bureaucracy That Was Hacked:

Please reveal yourself so that others will not fall prey to your shoddy security.

Thank you all,
An Angry Black Woman

Yes, the bank is making me whole. I'm just really pissed off.

ETA: Janice suggests www.bugmenot.com as a great way to get around the registration business. Thanks!

Um, Yeah

Watched the Oscars last night. A thought or two:

--Am I missing something, or is it OK for me to be offended by a song that claims it's difficult to be an exploiter of women? And can I be REALLY concerned that this ditty was chosen by the Academy (which George Clooney claims is out of touch in a good, socially conscious kind of way) as the Best Song from a film this year? ETA: Here's an essay from WaPo about the song. Food for thought.

--What was Selma Hayek wearing? Her boobs looked like they had been shifted over to the right side of her body. Color was great, fabric was great--shaping seemed way off.

--Reese Witherspoon looked luminous. Charlize Theron looked like she was heading to a prom. In 1984.

--Loved the stuffed penguins. Confused as to why noone in the audience seemed to get it or find it remotely amusing if they did. Concerned that I may be a big nerd.

--Nerd status reinforced by the fact that I thought Jon Stewart was v. funny. The ads were classic. Especially the Judi Dench one.

I'm Sadly Disappointed

I'd much rather be on the Bebop...