More randomness--quickly because I have to work on yet another English aria. When will I find one that works?!
--Inspired by Cathy's email linking to a fourfour post: Orange Plaza has its own entry on deadmalls.com! Some of the anecdotes aren't quite right (there indeed were stores downstairs! And that Chinese restaurant owned by Phillip Chu's family), but it's pretty accurate. Yay suburban decay!
--I was unaware of Obama Girl until this afternoon (that's another song--but this one is even funnier)...
Especially the part where Giuliani Girl wants to be "Number Four". Hilarious.
--Helen's pillow is done, and it will go into the mail once I have her new address (hint hint) along with a little something cute and fun for Margaret. I'm plugging away on the RRR bag (it seems to be going a lot quicker than the last one) and have also worked on the second of the Holey socks, but not much.
--Can you believe I'm starting to think about holiday presents already? I did start last year's gifts in August, so I guess I'm not so far off. I've been collecting new scarf patterns, and there will be some slippers and mittens in the mix as well. It's hard to talk about while it's still over ninety degrees...
--New Star Trek movie!! A PREQUEL!!! With the very hot Zachary Quinto (aka Sylar!!!!) as Young Spock!!!!! This news merits extreme punctuation!!!!!! They're still not saying who'll play Young James Tiberius Kirk...and I really can't think of anybody who really resembles a young William Shatner. Ryan Phillippe comes to mind, but I think that's only because I saw Cruel Intentions the other night. (What's with Sarah Michelle Gellar's hair in that movie? Seriously, it's weird looking.) It may have to be a newcomer...
--And in other nerd news, we saw The Simpsons (movie) Friday night, and it was really great--though I could've used more Ralph Wiggum. The only negative to the experience was with the HORRIBLE movie trailers. You'd think for a PG-13 movie they'd know better than to show previews for painfully awful kids' movies. Paul Giamatti as Santa Claus, anyone?
--I have started picking up items for my VV Swap partner...I almost bought a mug with my city's vital statistics that I saw at Starbucks. I may still go back for it. But is that too cheesy?
--And lastly: the first Led Zeppelin box set is now on sale at my local Costco. I saw it, hugged it, and was able to put it down--which I guess means I'm not crazy enough to buy a CD version of something I've had on tape since I was fourteen. :)
Tuesday, July 31
Thursday, July 26
Well, my plans to post yesterday were derailed by errands--most notably a trip to the DMV to re-register my car. (It expired two weeks ago! And I never even got a letter in the mail! The DMV in this state is full of slack-ass jive turkeys, man.)
Random notes:
--Colossal thank-yous to the Great Muggle Army for not spoiling the ending of Deathly Hallows before my name makes the front of the queue at the public library! I am too stubborn to buy this book when I got the other six from the library and survived just fine. :)
--I have been the epitome of unmotivated lately, just kind of mopey on the couch (which doesn't stop the knitting, but household tasks and music-learning cannot bear this). And I think I've figured out the problem--um, my back is killing me. It's bad enough to interfere with my singing, a lot. And the Alexander lessons are helping in the long run, but it doesn't help acute pain too much. Massage does not help for more than an hour. Lying on the floor with my head on a thin book seems to work, but I wonder if I ought to try chiropractic. I know a lot of them are flakes and scheisters, but I'm getting a little bit desperate. It's really interfering with my quality of life--I mean, it has for years, but this is getting ridiculous.
--I have been much better about updating the blog, but there are many people--colleagues and old friends--who I really need to email. The Jeopardy! news gives me a window, but still. I think I need to devote myself to writing one email a day until I've caught up with everyone. Some people can get a group email, I suppose, but I'd rather not have to resort to that...
--Helen's pillow is nearly done. I decided to make the half of the back covered by the envelope flap plain black, mostly because it will be partially covered anyway (and partly because, I'll level with you, I'm not a huge intarsia fan--not with this many color changes per row). I'll block it out a bit, then baste the sides together around the pillow just to see where it wants to live--then I'm going to do applied I-cord in light blue around the whole perimeter of the pillow. (I was thinking about a crocheted border, but it's just not that kind of pillow. I haven't decided if it ought to have tassels yet.)
--My next project: the last time I went to R. and F.'s place for lunch, F. was really intrigued by my Reduce Reuse Recycle bag, which I was using as a swimsuit bag. They've just closed on a house less than two miles from us, and I figured the RRR would be fun as part of a housewarming gift. I actually think we need more bags--I've been bringing my own to the store almost all the time now. (We always get funny looks from the people at the Farmers' Market, though. You'd think they would get it more than anybody. Oh well.) Yes, the plastic was hard on my hands, but it's worth it!
--Next on my to-do list: make a new recording! I think my regular accompanist is flaking on me--she doesn't seem as friendly as usual--but I have a few other names I might use. I think for the moment I'll record "O don fatale" and "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" and hold off on the Wagner for now. And I need an English aria--Dido's Lament is ready but blech, kind of boring. I have this aria from Dead Man Walking that's really simple, but heartbreaking, but I really need to coach it dramatically before I offer it up to anyone. Oh, and La traviata rehearsals start in two months! Have to get that (easy!) music learned as well. No stopping now!
Also--Viewer Mail! (lol)
--Thanks for the aran sweater comments! There really aren't any body-conscious ones out there, are there? Totally weird. There are a few possibilities out there--I could always make one a size too small, and add waist shaping (which wouldn't screw up the pattern visually if the side panels were moss or seed stitch! aha!). And there's a candidate in the new Interweave, though I'd have to take a look at the pattern first (great stuff in there, by the way). Also, it seems like something in Fitted Knits--which I've been coveting anyway--might at least whet my appetite until I develop mad aran sweater-designing skillz...
--Yay Tori Amos! I'm glad I'm not the only one who is so mnemonically affected. Yanno, I haven't listened at all to To Venus and Back in probably six years--I was going through such crazy emotional shit when it came out in 2000 that I've always immediately associated the songs on it with feeling lost and depressed. Which is a shame, since it's a great CD. Well, it's settled--I'm going to listen to it right now! :)
Random notes:
--Colossal thank-yous to the Great Muggle Army for not spoiling the ending of Deathly Hallows before my name makes the front of the queue at the public library! I am too stubborn to buy this book when I got the other six from the library and survived just fine. :)
--I have been the epitome of unmotivated lately, just kind of mopey on the couch (which doesn't stop the knitting, but household tasks and music-learning cannot bear this). And I think I've figured out the problem--um, my back is killing me. It's bad enough to interfere with my singing, a lot. And the Alexander lessons are helping in the long run, but it doesn't help acute pain too much. Massage does not help for more than an hour. Lying on the floor with my head on a thin book seems to work, but I wonder if I ought to try chiropractic. I know a lot of them are flakes and scheisters, but I'm getting a little bit desperate. It's really interfering with my quality of life--I mean, it has for years, but this is getting ridiculous.
--I have been much better about updating the blog, but there are many people--colleagues and old friends--who I really need to email. The Jeopardy! news gives me a window, but still. I think I need to devote myself to writing one email a day until I've caught up with everyone. Some people can get a group email, I suppose, but I'd rather not have to resort to that...
--Helen's pillow is nearly done. I decided to make the half of the back covered by the envelope flap plain black, mostly because it will be partially covered anyway (and partly because, I'll level with you, I'm not a huge intarsia fan--not with this many color changes per row). I'll block it out a bit, then baste the sides together around the pillow just to see where it wants to live--then I'm going to do applied I-cord in light blue around the whole perimeter of the pillow. (I was thinking about a crocheted border, but it's just not that kind of pillow. I haven't decided if it ought to have tassels yet.)
--My next project: the last time I went to R. and F.'s place for lunch, F. was really intrigued by my Reduce Reuse Recycle bag, which I was using as a swimsuit bag. They've just closed on a house less than two miles from us, and I figured the RRR would be fun as part of a housewarming gift. I actually think we need more bags--I've been bringing my own to the store almost all the time now. (We always get funny looks from the people at the Farmers' Market, though. You'd think they would get it more than anybody. Oh well.) Yes, the plastic was hard on my hands, but it's worth it!
--Next on my to-do list: make a new recording! I think my regular accompanist is flaking on me--she doesn't seem as friendly as usual--but I have a few other names I might use. I think for the moment I'll record "O don fatale" and "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" and hold off on the Wagner for now. And I need an English aria--Dido's Lament is ready but blech, kind of boring. I have this aria from Dead Man Walking that's really simple, but heartbreaking, but I really need to coach it dramatically before I offer it up to anyone. Oh, and La traviata rehearsals start in two months! Have to get that (easy!) music learned as well. No stopping now!
Also--Viewer Mail! (lol)
--Thanks for the aran sweater comments! There really aren't any body-conscious ones out there, are there? Totally weird. There are a few possibilities out there--I could always make one a size too small, and add waist shaping (which wouldn't screw up the pattern visually if the side panels were moss or seed stitch! aha!). And there's a candidate in the new Interweave, though I'd have to take a look at the pattern first (great stuff in there, by the way). Also, it seems like something in Fitted Knits--which I've been coveting anyway--might at least whet my appetite until I develop mad aran sweater-designing skillz...
--Yay Tori Amos! I'm glad I'm not the only one who is so mnemonically affected. Yanno, I haven't listened at all to To Venus and Back in probably six years--I was going through such crazy emotional shit when it came out in 2000 that I've always immediately associated the songs on it with feeling lost and depressed. Which is a shame, since it's a great CD. Well, it's settled--I'm going to listen to it right now! :)
Tuesday, July 24
Mystery revealed: I went to California to tape my Jeopardy! appearance!! It was a great experience, and I accomplished my main goal (not to make a fool of myself in front of twelve million (!) people). I can't tell you what happened, but I will definitely be on TV on Monday, September 17. Mark your calendars!
Where do I go from there? I suppose there's no beating that news... Though Miss Cathy is blogging again, which is always a good thing. Visit her often! She is very wise.
I didn't have as much time as I'd thought to knit on the California trip (and much of the time was after I'd been up for many, many hours), but I did get a chance to finish one of the Holey Socks:
They're pretty, but I'm glad I'm not making them for myself--they give me total "cankles". My grandmother is blissfully above such concerns, and I think she'll like these.
And the pillow is progressing, but as before, it's pretty slow going:
This will need mucho blocking. I realized this afternoon that I've reversed the colors, which is annoying but not really that big a deal, I guess. I'm planning something different (and easier!) for the bottom section of the envelope, particularly because much of it will be covered.
More tomorrow! (I'm off of work, in a perhaps-vain attempt to eradicate this awful jet lag, and to finally get that damn Wagner aria learned! So unmotivated...)
Where do I go from there? I suppose there's no beating that news... Though Miss Cathy is blogging again, which is always a good thing. Visit her often! She is very wise.
I didn't have as much time as I'd thought to knit on the California trip (and much of the time was after I'd been up for many, many hours), but I did get a chance to finish one of the Holey Socks:
They're pretty, but I'm glad I'm not making them for myself--they give me total "cankles". My grandmother is blissfully above such concerns, and I think she'll like these.
And the pillow is progressing, but as before, it's pretty slow going:
This will need mucho blocking. I realized this afternoon that I've reversed the colors, which is annoying but not really that big a deal, I guess. I'm planning something different (and easier!) for the bottom section of the envelope, particularly because much of it will be covered.
More tomorrow! (I'm off of work, in a perhaps-vain attempt to eradicate this awful jet lag, and to finally get that damn Wagner aria learned! So unmotivated...)
Friday, July 13
Beware of dpns! Wednesday night I was laying on the couch, and when I tried to prop my feet up on the armrest, my ankle suddenly felt very weird...because there was a size 2 dpn sticking out of it. With the sock-in-progress still hanging from the needle. So I pulled the needle out of my ankle. It seemed to take a particularly long time to remove. It didn't bleed at all, and it was only sore for a few days--but GROSS!!
But here are the socks, finally finished:
Woot! They actually fit! Though I couldn't tell how long they would be from the photo in the book...I could've finished much sooner. And I've started Helen's pillow--which is turning out to be more difficult than I'd imagined:
That's my second try at the top of the envelope flap. It does look pretty cool, but it's really slow going!
Also, I have to retract on my plans to make the Monkey sock for Grand-ma-ma while on the Mystical Trip of Destiny (which begins in a few hours!!)--I completely misread the instructions, and it calls for size 2 needles (the same ones I impaled myself on! maybe they shouldn't allow them on a plane, hmm?) instead of size 5's. So I did some serious research on Knitting Pattern Central, and am going to be making these instead. It calls for size 4's, but my gauge is working out almost exactly--I'll keep an eye on it, though. No saggy socks for Grandma!
So yeah, the Mystery Trip of Destiny starts this afternoon. I'm less worried about the "Destiny" part than the "Trip" part, though...there's been a bit of drama regarding the seat assignments, but hopefully Mark and I will be able to persuade one of our neighbors to switch seats so we can spend the (long) flight together. At least I have the sock to amuse me. Plus I just got a new MP3 player (from many hours of Harris Interactive surveys), and am looking forward to listening to Boys for Pele over and over again. (Eleven years ago that came out! "Hey Jupiter" was my breakup song for Davin!! For some reason Tori Amos in general brings back particularly strong memories...) Anyway, wish me crazy good luck. Hopefully I'll be able to explain my mission when I get back Thursday!
Two more tidbits:
**Knitting made the New York Times Thursday--Debbie Stoller is quoted, and the article even mentions Etsy! Coolness.
**Um, ew. No. (possibly NSFW)
But here are the socks, finally finished:
Woot! They actually fit! Though I couldn't tell how long they would be from the photo in the book...I could've finished much sooner. And I've started Helen's pillow--which is turning out to be more difficult than I'd imagined:
That's my second try at the top of the envelope flap. It does look pretty cool, but it's really slow going!
Also, I have to retract on my plans to make the Monkey sock for Grand-ma-ma while on the Mystical Trip of Destiny (which begins in a few hours!!)--I completely misread the instructions, and it calls for size 2 needles (the same ones I impaled myself on! maybe they shouldn't allow them on a plane, hmm?) instead of size 5's. So I did some serious research on Knitting Pattern Central, and am going to be making these instead. It calls for size 4's, but my gauge is working out almost exactly--I'll keep an eye on it, though. No saggy socks for Grandma!
So yeah, the Mystery Trip of Destiny starts this afternoon. I'm less worried about the "Destiny" part than the "Trip" part, though...there's been a bit of drama regarding the seat assignments, but hopefully Mark and I will be able to persuade one of our neighbors to switch seats so we can spend the (long) flight together. At least I have the sock to amuse me. Plus I just got a new MP3 player (from many hours of Harris Interactive surveys), and am looking forward to listening to Boys for Pele over and over again. (Eleven years ago that came out! "Hey Jupiter" was my breakup song for Davin!! For some reason Tori Amos in general brings back particularly strong memories...) Anyway, wish me crazy good luck. Hopefully I'll be able to explain my mission when I get back Thursday!
Two more tidbits:
**Knitting made the New York Times Thursday--Debbie Stoller is quoted, and the article even mentions Etsy! Coolness.
**Um, ew. No. (possibly NSFW)
Tuesday, July 10
I am for some reason completely taken by the idea of a sexy, form-fitting aran sweater right now. I know it's not traditional, but I refuse to wear anything baggy. Maybe I can find a conventional aran pattern and add short rows and a scoop or V-neck to it, or use a plain pattern and make it aran--but I already spend way too much time tinkering with patterns. I would like to actually follow a pattern come scritto for once (though whatever the pattern, I would make it 3/4-sleeved instead of long-sleeved)... Does anyone know of such a pattern? No rush, of course--I'm already kind of buried right now. (Though I have a feeling this is not just a whim.)
Okay, now I need to get to that Rossini aria...but before I forget, there are two new swaps you may be interested in: The Knit One, Tea Too Exchange (knitting and tea, yay) and Secret Pal 11! Will Mark kill me if I do both of these? SP11 is kind of a lot of money, but I've already preliminarily (is that a word?) signed up for it. I love buying gifts for people, and I love surprises, so these may be my new Achilles' heel...
Okay, now I need to get to that Rossini aria...but before I forget, there are two new swaps you may be interested in: The Knit One, Tea Too Exchange (knitting and tea, yay) and Secret Pal 11! Will Mark kill me if I do both of these? SP11 is kind of a lot of money, but I've already preliminarily (is that a word?) signed up for it. I love buying gifts for people, and I love surprises, so these may be my new Achilles' heel...
Friday, July 6
I got a little distracted (by good stuff--dinner with friends and a wedding), so I posted these pictures on Thursday night and never got to finish the entry! Anyway, the knitting updates are as follows:
The cardigan is finished. Eh. I don't think it's the most flattering shape for me--especially considering how floofy this yarn is. And to think, all of that yarn retails for over $70. (Insane!!) But I do like that raglan detailing (aren't top-down raglans magical? I'm seriously in love with them), and believe it will serve its purpose well--that is, I can throw it on over a top when it's too warm for a heavy jacket. (A lot of good this will do me in July, when I'm looking forward to three-plus months more of 90-plus degree weather...but in early November, this may save my life. Or at least my wardrobe.) My original intention was to make one in black as well, but I may need to retool the pattern a bit more. (By the way, it's a fabulous pattern, and very adaptable for other sizes--I did beaucoup math to adjust it for myself, and it turned out all I needed to do was make the raglan section longer! Very cool.) I did do a bit of waist shaping, but maybe it needs more... Hell, it's probably just the extreme kawaii-ness of this yarn. If I attempt this with some boucle or plain old four-ply, I bet I'll get much more bang for my shaping buck. I did do the rib edging with regular worsted yarn, just to add a tiny bit of structure--and I used it with the Prima for the ties (which are just a very thick crochet chain).
Progress on Retro Rib Sock Part Deux. (Guess I'm in the mood for French today...) I've since turned the heel, and am working on the main body of the foot. I could get used to this sock thing, I think. I already have the next sock adventure planned--I'll be making the now world-famous Monkey Socks for my grandmother out of the ubiquitous baby-blue sport acrylic (she's diabetic, so wool's out anyway) while on yon Mystery Trip of Destiny. I specifically thought of the Monkey because, serendipitously, my kind of crappy plastic size 5 dpns are perfect for flying. I double effing DOG dare the TSA to take them from me on my first cross-country flight. They'll have to pry them from my cold, dead hands. (Sorry, the TSA's remarkably capricious treatment of knitters is like, Pet Peeve No. 2 here, just behind aggressive driving...)
The following has also just jumped onto the needles:
This is the very beginnings of a pillow for dear Helen's awesome 30th birthday, designed by myself--though an envelope-style pillow cover in stockinette is not exactly rocket science! The cool--and daunting--part of it is the intarsia pattern. Helen is part Micmaq, and the picture on the right is of a man's vest, taken at a 2005 powwow in Newfoundland (she was actually there, but I got the picture from The Interwebs). I loved the colors, and originally wanted to make a felted carpetbag with the circle pattern on it (gorgeous!), but Helen wanted something that wouldn't take as much wear. Anyway, I've just cast on, after spending quite some time working on that chart. I'm a little worried about the circles--there may be some trial and error involved. And I probably won't do the white curlicues, but I'm still thinking about it.
Whew! Well, it's time to make dinner (and wake up the sweetly napping boo), but before a sign off, a knitting meme! Though I don't know if "easygoing" fits me, bravi tutti anyway.
What kind of yarn are you?
You are Merino Wool.You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to keep you close because you are so softhearted. You love to be comfortable and warm from your head to your toes.
Take this quiz!
Quizilla
Join
Make A Quiz More Quizzes Grab Code
The cardigan is finished. Eh. I don't think it's the most flattering shape for me--especially considering how floofy this yarn is. And to think, all of that yarn retails for over $70. (Insane!!) But I do like that raglan detailing (aren't top-down raglans magical? I'm seriously in love with them), and believe it will serve its purpose well--that is, I can throw it on over a top when it's too warm for a heavy jacket. (A lot of good this will do me in July, when I'm looking forward to three-plus months more of 90-plus degree weather...but in early November, this may save my life. Or at least my wardrobe.) My original intention was to make one in black as well, but I may need to retool the pattern a bit more. (By the way, it's a fabulous pattern, and very adaptable for other sizes--I did beaucoup math to adjust it for myself, and it turned out all I needed to do was make the raglan section longer! Very cool.) I did do a bit of waist shaping, but maybe it needs more... Hell, it's probably just the extreme kawaii-ness of this yarn. If I attempt this with some boucle or plain old four-ply, I bet I'll get much more bang for my shaping buck. I did do the rib edging with regular worsted yarn, just to add a tiny bit of structure--and I used it with the Prima for the ties (which are just a very thick crochet chain).
Progress on Retro Rib Sock Part Deux. (Guess I'm in the mood for French today...) I've since turned the heel, and am working on the main body of the foot. I could get used to this sock thing, I think. I already have the next sock adventure planned--I'll be making the now world-famous Monkey Socks for my grandmother out of the ubiquitous baby-blue sport acrylic (she's diabetic, so wool's out anyway) while on yon Mystery Trip of Destiny. I specifically thought of the Monkey because, serendipitously, my kind of crappy plastic size 5 dpns are perfect for flying. I double effing DOG dare the TSA to take them from me on my first cross-country flight. They'll have to pry them from my cold, dead hands. (Sorry, the TSA's remarkably capricious treatment of knitters is like, Pet Peeve No. 2 here, just behind aggressive driving...)
The following has also just jumped onto the needles:
This is the very beginnings of a pillow for dear Helen's awesome 30th birthday, designed by myself--though an envelope-style pillow cover in stockinette is not exactly rocket science! The cool--and daunting--part of it is the intarsia pattern. Helen is part Micmaq, and the picture on the right is of a man's vest, taken at a 2005 powwow in Newfoundland (she was actually there, but I got the picture from The Interwebs). I loved the colors, and originally wanted to make a felted carpetbag with the circle pattern on it (gorgeous!), but Helen wanted something that wouldn't take as much wear. Anyway, I've just cast on, after spending quite some time working on that chart. I'm a little worried about the circles--there may be some trial and error involved. And I probably won't do the white curlicues, but I'm still thinking about it.
Whew! Well, it's time to make dinner (and wake up the sweetly napping boo), but before a sign off, a knitting meme! Though I don't know if "easygoing" fits me, bravi tutti anyway.
What kind of yarn are you?
You are Merino Wool.You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to keep you close because you are so softhearted. You love to be comfortable and warm from your head to your toes.
Take this quiz!
Quizilla
Join
Make A Quiz More Quizzes Grab Code
Thursday, July 5
Please remind me in the future that chocolate-covered espresso beans must not be eaten as if they were M&Ms. Seriously, I can barely type.
Yah, super crazy here at work--having the day off yesterday just means I'm more swamped today. I will post some knitting thoughts later this afternoon, but here are some lovely memes to whet your appetite...
See above comments regarding espresso beans.
create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.
Dayum, this is way more than I would've thought. (Though I must admit--I've never actually been outside of O'Hare in Illinois--but we do plan to go up to Chicago sometime soon.) And actually, after my Mystery Trip of Destiny in two weeks, there will be two more states to add to that map! Which ones, I wonder? We shall see, shan't we? (I promise to reveal all eventually--even after I get back I will still have to keep a bit mum about it for a while...)
Yah, super crazy here at work--having the day off yesterday just means I'm more swamped today. I will post some knitting thoughts later this afternoon, but here are some lovely memes to whet your appetite...
| You Are an Irish Coffee |
 At your best, you are: wild, spontaneous, and outgoing At your worst, you are: too extreme and reckless You drink coffee when: you want to keep drinking booze Your caffeine addiction level: low |
See above comments regarding espresso beans.
create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.
Dayum, this is way more than I would've thought. (Though I must admit--I've never actually been outside of O'Hare in Illinois--but we do plan to go up to Chicago sometime soon.) And actually, after my Mystery Trip of Destiny in two weeks, there will be two more states to add to that map! Which ones, I wonder? We shall see, shan't we? (I promise to reveal all eventually--even after I get back I will still have to keep a bit mum about it for a while...)
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