Knitting Wizard
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
First a dearth
and then a plethora of postings.
I have two things to speak about right now.
The first thing is that you find friends and really, really great people in the least likely of places. One of my complaints about my LYS was that I never felt as though I was really welcome there. I felt like I was in the way and that they mostly liked me because I was fairly self-sufficient. I wanted to teach (really, I did) and I wanted to be helpful, but I never felt that there was an opening or any way that I could be.
And then a new LYS opened last March. And I went in there and I was still treated like I was fairly self-sufficient (which I still am), but suddenly, I was welcome to come in and knit and I met some really nice people. In fact, my first experience with one of them was a fairly heated discussion about who was getting certain available colors of Mission Falls 1824 Cotton in order to make Fiona. Since my first long conversation with my husband also involved a fairly heated discussion, somehow that friendship was meant to be. (Besides, we found out we sat near each other at Caps games.) And I really seemed to connect with the shop owner and her cousin. In fact, her cousin suggested that I try a particular sandwich one day and I haven't ordered anything else since then.
I've had a bad September with work and it still isn't looking good since I'm schedule to work both weekend days. I wasn't going to stop by my LYS Sunday, even though I knew Phyl-Phyl was going to be there because I was just exhausted. Only my Helen's Lace dragged me back out of the house. And I was looking rough when I walked in there.
Unbeknownst to me, the three women mentioned above had decided I was having a rough month and Kristine made me stop by today on my way home because there was a present waiting for me. I don't like presents very much and I hate surprises. Really, I do. I think I tolerated that gift certificate to my favorite day spa very well. And thank you very much, Kristine, Kirsten, and Phyl-Phyl. I felt very loved today.
And then we come to another passion of mine. In case you haven't figured it out, I'm as big a sports fan as I am a knitting fanatic. An ongoing complaint of mine is that Peter Angelos, the owner of the Baltimore Orioles, keeps claiming that Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia are part of his territory. And then the Orioles wives get on television to tout their charities (which really are a good thing and I don't begrudge them any of it) and this year I heard them make a point of saying that everything you donate to their food drive STAYS in Maryland.
Ummm... excuse me... Mr. Angelos says that Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia are his territory and that we can't have our own baseball team because our team is the O's. So, why is it that I'm supposed to drive to Baltimore (1 hour on weekends w/ no traffic, 2+ hours during the week each way) and donate to the charity of my baseball team only to be told that nothing I donate will go to Northern Virginia. If 15% of the fan base (a number I have pulled from my rear end) is in NoVa, why doesn't 15% of the proceeds from the charity work go to NoVa? Why is there such an issue made out of every donation going to Maryland?
Well, it's because D.C. and NoVa would have to move up the food chain in order to even be red-headed stepchildren. It's because we aren't really part of the fan base. We only count when it comes to Angelos and his "poor me" whining.
Seems to me that the region manages to support two football teams in fine fashion. And it also seems to be that the region can support two baseball teams the same way. Especially since the Expos are a National League team and the National League is a completely different animal than the American League. Besides, we can take Metro to see a D.C. team, which means 1) someone else drives me to the game and 2) it takes less than 3-4 hours travel time.
Will we ever truly switch allegiance? Probably not. I've developed an appreciation for the DH. On the other hand, people in both cities will have a chance each year to see the premier hitters and pitchers in both leagues. I'm only seeing this as a win-win situation.
Besides, I want to start watching my Cubbies again. I want to be a bleacher bum.
Helen's Lace
This is the color I chose for my Helen's Lace. It's called Manzanita and it is not a color I would have normally chosen. It's a little warmer than anything I usually wear since I'm winter woman (in the Color Me palette). Gimme rich, deep, bright colors and I'm a happy camper. This is so not a Carol color.
And this is what I'm planning on making with it.
The pattern is Sandy Terp's Frost Diamonds Scarf. It comes in a kit from Moonrise for $45, but I took a class from her in July on Russian Inspired Shawl Construction and was able to purchase the pattern only. It uses two ounces of Zephyr, so I think I should be fine with my four ounces of Helen's Lace.
That is, of course, after I finish Lisette, my poncho, and Ernest for my husband.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Almost forgot
I love my Helen's Lace. I love my Helen's Lace. I love my Helen's Lace.
State of shock
I was told something at work today that left me speechless. Yes, really. I know that the people who really know me cannot believe that, but it is true.
My friend and cube-brother, Greg, spent some time reassuring me, telling me that the real reason I was so upset was because I thought the person was an idiot. He's right, I know that, but I'm still brooding because that's what I do best.
I was informed today, by a laughing and gasping manager, that I have a problem with gays. I was also informed that the person who thinks I have gay issues also thinks I may have the same problem with blacks.
Now, I was raised in small-town, white-bread Illinois so part of me can see where that comes from, although I don't think my accuser knows that.
If the above statements are true, I am the most miserable person in creation and I have the worst job in the world. Why? No, not because my next officially scheduled day off is October 9 (yes, really). It's because my client manager is a black woman and my project manager is a gay man. Considering that my project manager and I have already decided that if my husband and his partner die, we're getting married (sexual orientation notwithstanding), the idea that I have an issue with gays honestly left me utterly dumbfounded.
We aren't even going anywhere near the black issue because that's even more ridiculous than the gay issue.
So, my question is this, how stupid do you have to be to start making comments like this when you've been at a job a total of 10 days? I'm scared to death to ask what I said to make this person go down this path because I'm afraid I'll actually look at him and say, "Good lord, what kind of an idiot are you." (I do have a problem with stupid people.) I will take reassurance from knowing that he informed the manager on our contract that she was out of line to touch him on the shoulder at work. (You know, where you barely touch someone's shoulder as you say, "excuse me" to get their attention as you walk up behind them.)I hate being touched and even I don't have a problem with that.
Live and learn. Maybe he was projecting.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Just too tired
For words. That's me. I actually had a day off work yesterday and I just about slept all day long. In between on-call phone calls, that is.
I've ditched the cape and I'm officially doing a poncho using the Manos and the color stripe progression from the cape. I'm going to be happy with it.
Some day I'll fix the colors, etc. at the left side. Just not today. Too tired for words. Is it October 8 yet?
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Happy Anniversary
This is for my wonderful husband, Mark, with whom I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary yesterday. I love you, my dearest, and always will. You are the heart of my heart.
And we had a luscious lobster dinner at Morton's of Chicago, the steakhouse, last night. He had two lobster tails; I just went for the whole lobster.
And, on a yarn-related note, I picked up the Alchemy Yarns Synchronicity poncho kit yesterday, in Water, of course. My fingers are just all tingly from handling that silk. Yay silk!
And thank you, Phyl-Phyl, for reminding me that, yes, I'm worth it.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Thank you, Secret Pal
No, it isn't installed yet, mostly because I'm still too wiped and not thinking clearly, but my wonderful SP sent me a new blog layout that I'm going to work on installing this weekend when I have had a lot more sleep.
In the meantime, though, thank you, SP!!!
Monday, September 13, 2004
Six Feet Under
Oh. My. God.
I actually semi-screeched twice on Sunday night while watching the above-mentioned show, which led my husband to ask if I was all right. A co-worker fell asleep (yes, there is something wrong with him) and woke up to see one of the closing scenes. His words today: "Don't tell me what happens, but did I see xyz?" My reply: "You know, I can't answer that because it would make me tell you what happens."
I swear to you, SFU is the best show on television. Oh, except now it isn't because that was the 4th season finale last night.
Wow. I stand in awe of Alan Ball and company.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
It's September
Which means it's also football. And the Redskins won!! However, my picks this first week in my football pool absolutely bit, but that's okay because they always bite the first week and I'll come back, stronger than ever. (Yeah, right).
September also means Annual Close. Yes, with capital letters, even. Due to yet another allergic reaction to medication I got half a day off on Friday and didn't have to work Saturday, but I did have to work today for 6.5 hours and I'm on all week and just praying for an 8-hour day or two. I'm planning on 9 for each day and just hoping I can get away with that. Yes, I am well compensated.
So it's back to Lisette and I'm really enjoying her now. I'll take pictures once I start the armhole shaping (in five more rows) on the back and then make sure the camera and the computer work together and all that fun stuff. I am discovering, however, why I don't like doing the pictures thing. It's a lot less work to just sit here and type rather than taking pictures, reading them into the computer, getting them uploaded, and then referring to them here. Heavens, this time of year, I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
On the other hand, I got a pretty cool postcard from my Secret Pal. Thanks, Secret Pal!!! It was pretty cool. I got a new movie from Netflix (The Punisher) and your postcard on the same day.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
U. S. A.
Wow! What a third period! And the final score was Keith Tkachuk 4, Russia 3.
Okay, so I didn't get to see Ovechkin other than one shot where they were comparing him to Chris Chelios (Chelios has been playing in the NHL longer than Ovechkin's been alive). But Ron Wilson (former Caps coach) put my Konowalchuk (former Caps captain) and Halpern (current Caps player) on the same line with Jamie Langenbrunner (poor, poor Devil). Have I ever mentioned how much I love checking lines? I love checking lines. Of course, I also adore Steve Konowalchuk and his picture is up in my cube at work (right next to Adam Oates -- be still my heart).
Tonight was our night. After going 1-2 in the preliminary round robin, we won when it counted. Yippee!!!!!
Have I ever mentioned how much I love hockey?
Sunday, September 05, 2004
More SP3 Questions
22. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? Tweety. Followed closely by Scooby Doo.
23. What is your favorite holiday? New Year's because the Caps always have an afternoon game. President's Day is also good because I'm ready for a day off work by mid-February.
24. Is there anything that you collect? Shot glasses from places that I been to.
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Posting Overload
Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, I love movies. I mean I really love movies. I appreciate a good plot (by which I mean, I can't predict the ending within the first 10 minutes of the movie). I appreciate twists and turns and seriously good suspense.
That said, I think Pirates of the Caribbean may be the best movie ever made (I just got done watching it for the umpteenth time on television and I own the DVD). Yeah, sure, argue that Hitchcock was the master of suspense. Go ahead, tell me that any number of other movies had better directors or writers or whatevers. Pirates makes me laugh. Repeatedly. Out loud, when I'm watching it by myself. The music makes my toe tap and I walk around singing it (which is fairly scary in and of itself). Besides, "Robert's your uncle and Fanny's your aunt" may be my favorite line of all time.
But the real reason is that my husband sits in his chair and watches it with me. Repeatedly. That's saying something. Really, it is.
And I haven't even mentioned Johnny Depp's performance even once.
P.S. I like S.W.A.T. too and I was fascinated by Basic, so I'll admit that my taste may actually be suspect.
P.P.S. Russia is currently losing to Canada in the World Cup and I'd like to go on the record as saying that I despise Mario Lemieux and Martin St. Louis. Vinny Lecavalier is also pretty suspect. And I want to see Alexander Ovechkin play (since he was the Caps' #1 draft choice).
The Official Knitting Wizard
Yeah, I stole this from the Knit Happens blog, but hey, it's easier than trying to take a picture of myself. Besides, if I say enough nice things about Holly's hat, maybe she'll break down and make me one!!!
I'm also questioning the red eyes. I don't wear contacts any longer and I wasn't drinking. Maybe it was the picture-taker who'd been drinking, ya think?
Friday, September 03, 2004
Secret Pal
Oh, I so love this secret pal thing. I like the stray e-mails ("stray" is not a bad thing in my world). I like the figuring things out. It all just makes me smile.
And I like the shopping that goes with it. Such a lovely excuse to spend money. Yippee!!
Okay, I have to confess. I've been bitten by the poncho bug. I'm going to make the poncho/cape thing in the current Knitter's magazine, but in purples, not the ugly nasty colors they used.
Oh, and Holly totally rocks, as does Erika and so does Shelley. Holly is an expert yarn baller and provides just the bestest ever customer service; Erika wears the funnest t-shirts (and has a really cool tattoo) and Shelley is just Shelley and that says it all. You guys just made my evening. Well, and coming home to the O's beating the Yankees (last score I heard was 2-1) and the Redskins beating the Falcons (24-0 at the half) just finished it all off. Oh, and the US was beating Slovakia in World Cup Hockey. What more could a woman ask for? Oh, well, that's later.
By the way, Phyl-Phyl, I did a google on "got gauge." Very interesting results.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
As requested
Aha, someone noticed that I'm now going to be teaching socks at Knit Happens. However, no, I'm not taking on any other classes, like Continental Knitting, mostly because I don't purl the "right" way. I purl my own way, which really shouldn't surprise anyone.
And now, without further ado, here are my answers to the Secret Pal 3 questionnaire. I'm really wondering how much of this will be a surprise to the people who know me. Yo, people who know me, let me know if any of this is a surprise, please!
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? It isn't that Red Heart and Lion Brand don't have their place; it's just that their place isn't anywhere in my world.
2. Do you spin? Crochet? I don't spin; I only crochet under protest.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) Trees. Yes, really. Oak pollen just kills me.
4. How long have you been knitting? Off and on for about 10 years. Pretty intensely the last three.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No, but I can make one if you really want me to do so.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I adore sandalwood, vanilla, and tangerine.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Does a bear poop in the woods? And it's dark chocolate, not milk, if you please.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? You mean there's something other than knitting?
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if you want to make her a CD) I can do CDs, but my music taste is fairly varied. (Brace yourself.) Anything featuring Barry Douglas on the piano is more than welcome (go ahead and google him). I love classical piano and cello (Jacqueline DuPre or Yo-Yo Ma). I like opera too. I like soft rock; I like classic rock; I like the Eagles and Don Henley and Glenn Frey and Bob Seger and Jann Arden. I'm easy when it comes to music but I'm also incredibly fussy.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? My color palette is winter, which means if it's intense, I can wear it. I love blues and purples and deep, rich greens and reds. Orange is not my friend.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I'm married; no pets, no kids who live with us. (See post below featuring a picture of my baby.)
12. What are your life dreams? World peace and knowing someone who has achieved worldwide yarn domination.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I'm such a slut. I like wool, cotton, and silk. My fingers like to be pampered. They fondled some of the most beautiful Artisan NZ and it just felt like ice cream for my fingers. (Remind me to post a picture.) I'm not so much a fiber slut as I am a color whore, though. I'm more likely to be turned on by the color than I am by the fiber.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Yes, even ick-rylic has its place.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Always lace; started a moebius from Cat Bordhi's book and am fascinated by the construction. And four-ply. I've got Lisette on the needles for a friend.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Only one? Depends on who/what I'm knitting for.
17. What are you knitting right now? Moebius, socks, and Lisette, plus the odd baby sweater.
18. What do you think about ponchos? I'm searching for the right pattern. I think the Canadian Living one has spoken to me, but I'm just not sure.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Circular, all the way.
20. How did you learn to knit? That's a good question. I think I learned as a kid, but forgot how to cast on. Once I re-learned how to cast on, it was off to the races.
21. How old is your oldest UFO? Let's not discuss it.
