Goodbye Blogger
Goodbye Blogger
Goodbye Blogger
We've gone and moved away!
http://www.knottygirls.com/jenlablog
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|||Laura|||
*****warning: extremely opinionated rant to follow*****
On my way in to work this morning I heard that the traffic report on the radio was sponsored by "July is the 'National Don't Leave Your Infant Unattended in the Car' Month." What the fuck kind of moron would do something so dumbass as that, that we need an entire month to remind them to pull their heads out of their asses? How about, next year, July can be "National Rectal-Cranial Extraction" month. Or better yet: "National Stupid People Shouldn't Breed" month? That makes more sense to me. Cut it off at the source!
Now, for the record, when I say "stupid people" I'm not referring to people with mental handicaps. They might have limitations or disabilities, but many are a long way away from being stupid. No. What I'm talking about those mental midgets with no common sense whatsoever. You know, the type who leave their 3-month-old daughter at home....alone....at midnight, so that they can go and catch the first showing of "Star Wars, Attack of the Clones"...the ones who go on vacation for 2 weeks, and leaving their toddler home alone, with only the tap water running so that she might access water. Yes, both of these example really did happen, and both these children survived, because a concerned neighbor called child protective services. But there are many cases where parental stupidity, neglect and laziness have had fatal outcomes. I hear of more and more incidents every year, and it's really starting to piss me off! Especially when there are so many loving, educated and well deserving couples out there who want children but for one reason or another, can't have them.
I think that there should be a test, a sort of scenario-filled obstacle course/essay question/practical knowledge exam series they have to complete. If they pass, they get issued a breeding license stating that they are authorized to reproduce, with a requirement for recertification every 4 years, just like a driver's license. If they don't, manditory sterilization is in order, and a card issued that states "Too stupid to breed" that they have to carry around in their wallets right next to the condom. Can you just imagine the cheesy pick-up lines at singles bars?
Well, I may have just pissed off a whole lot of people with that rant.....so I'll now distract you with some knitting stupidity of my own.
Please note exhibit A -
The circled part is the error, more specifically, where the arrows are pointing. Now, it's only 1 flame that's fucked up in the entire shawl (so far). And I had to really search to find the mistake to take a picture of it.
I must be having a serious OCD episode, because this error bugging the ever-living shit out of me. I have already decided that I'm not going to drop down to it and reknit it. I mean, if anyone can find where the "split wick" is in this picture, I'll be suprised as hell!
Besides, it's not as if I'm keeping the shawl or anything, so I won't be reminded that it has a flaw every time I go to wear it. Have I completely lost it, or are there others out there who are bothered by their own less-than-perfect knitting?
Well, in any case, it's going to my MIL for her birthday. She's always cold in the winter time. Will the split wick make her any less warm when she wears it? No. So, I'll just keep rationalizing the error to myself, and hope that it just goes away on it's own (not bloody likely).
|||109096942911149542||| Give me a friggin break!
>|||109080232765971162|||Dude, Where's My Connection?
|||jenifleur|||
Yep, my router was fried. Interestingly enough, whatever happened also screwed up our dsl account and it had to be reset (several times) by tech support. Once that was fixed, and we isolated the router as the problem, we went to CompUSA to buy a new wireless one. We got a netgear, but we couldn't get online with it, meaning we couldn't register the product and tech support (which is in India) won't help you until you've registered the product. Neat trick, huh? So we take it back but CompUSA wants to charge us a restocking fee of 15%. Now this sounds like a scam to me. You don't even need a working product, just some packaging and some dummy units. Sell them for a high enough price to make 15% of that be profitable, refuse to help people use it and then charge them to take it back! Brilliant! Rather than make this post sound like a re-working of the jury duty/discover card debacle, I'll cut to the chase: we bought our new LinkSys at Best Buy and guess what-I'm on the internet-wirelessly.
I spent every minute since trying to get our new blog ready and it's almost there, though I still can't figure out how to do some stuff, we might just move anyway.
I have 3 FO's, too. I finished the Renaissance Tunic and made 2 (christmas present) beanie hats over the weekend. I don't have pics yet-I got the internet back, remember?-but I hope to show them to you very soon on the new blog....
|||109092389212347452|||Back in the Game
Also-to those of you stuck in the queue at California Knit Blogger's Ring, my apologies, I just couldn't get on to admit you. But we are up to 60 members now!
Now, I usually don't like change. In fact, some could say I'm extremely resistent; the great sequoia, the MIGHTY OAK! scoffing at the winds of change. Eh, who am I fooling, I HATE change. Why fuck with the status quo? Well, when the status quo has become the big sucking black hole in our otherwise-perfect blog universe, it's time to cut bait.
So, our posts might be a little thin until we get our new site up and running, but we're still here. One good thing to come out of all this suckage is that I am forced to learn ftp, and other nifty computer-type stuff so I'm not such a needy co-author. I think I might actually be helping for once. Either that, or Jen's just throwing me bones, keeping the tard busy so I can't bug her while she does the real work.
Everyone have a great weekend, and here's something good for a giggle or two.
"I think there's a spy among us..."
Isn't that so cute you just want to puke?
|||109062226397460736|||Hit the Road Jack....
See this kitten? It's pretty cute, huh? Well the reason its rolling over like that is because blogger sucks so much its killing the cute little kitten.
I can't get the blog to publish to our home page. I can't find another service that lets us both multiple author and customize the look fully. I have word press but I can't seem to make it look like anything other than a word press blog. It's the cookie cutter blog syndrome. This is all your fault, blogger. Damn you, blogger, damn you to hell.
|||109052470275080094|||This is the Part Where Being a Tard Kinda Sucks
But I start to make the post and what do I find this morning? A new surprise from Blogger. I'm getting pretty fucking sick of their daily surprises. Now I can't upload photos except with that Hello shit which makes each pic a separate post unless you do heavy editing-BULLSHIT! Pardon us while we find a new home...
|||109051532135048169|||The Post That Almost Was
So, I finally decided on the Fantasy Naturale:
Mainly because I selfishly decided to keep the Flash for myself to make a sexy tank. Hey, the only thing I've knitted and actually kept for myself was Roadkil 2.1. Even Sassy's Ass Mat has gone to my parent's elderly (13+ years) cat who can better appreciate it. I guess that's the only thing she'll lay on anymore, so my dad totes it from room to room when he wants her with him. It's really very cute! And besides, Mikey's dad would absolutely KILL me if I made anything purple for his #1 (first born) son. It doesn't matter that "Gorgeous Boy" is the sensitive, intelligent artistic one, or that, in a few years, unbeknownst to his father, Auntie La's gonna teach GB how to knit...oh, I haven't told you that story, have I?
When Gwyn and I were knitting together in the music room in Colorado, Mikey came in a paid us a visit. I was shaping the crown on Red Vines at the time, using my dpns. After talking with us for a couple of minutes and clapping Gwyn's bucket hat onto his head, he leaves the room, to return a minute later with a small plastic container shaped like a Coke bottle dispenser, saying to me "Let me know when you need some more."
Now, being a notorious Coke drinker, I thought he was pretending, and wanted me to inform him when I was done with my Coke bottle so he could "get me another". I dutifully gulp down the last swig of my Coke while knitting more, and announce..."Ok, Mikey, I'm ready for more"
He opens the lid of the plastic container, and pulls out 5 toothpicks, hands them to me, and states, ok, now you can finish the hat. Well, whaddayaknow! Smart kid. He's not quite 5. Then, after I feel a tug on my yarn, I look down at my feet, and he's wrapped the other end of the yarn around his toothpick as if to make stitches, and is trying to knit. Hot damn!
So I figure when he's 7 will be a good time to start teaching him. To hell with his homophobic father. If the boy wants to knit, I'm gonna teach him how to knit. My NASCAR-watching naked ape of a brother will just have to get over it. Besides, with the way Mikey was flirting with Gwyn, and with the way he comes up to me and says "You're a GIRL, and I'm a booooyyyyy" I don't think my brother has anything to worry about. I think Mikey is a step up in the evolutionary chain of the male of our species. No stupid male posturing or chest thumping for this boy.
I just hopes he survives the ass-kicking he's gonna get from his younger brother in another year or two. Now that kid is ALL boy, chest thumping and all.
Just for Jen |||109043616090479755|||The Return of Eddie Munster
Life doesn't want to cut you a break sometimes. My husband just took a job in Cancun for the next three months. For some couples, being apart is okay, but that's not how we are. In ten years, the most time we've spent apart was a week and it sucked. I really, really hate this. I can't tell him that, because although I am selfish, I don't want it to show.
So I'm wallowing in self pity at the moment about how lonely the next three months are going to be; how much work I will be doing keeping house and hearth together while he plays in Cancun; how he will be missing my birthday; worrying about what to do if my grandmother dies while he's gone (she's not well); how all our plans for the next 3 months are cancelled now. Plus, you know, all the typical worries. What if something happens to one of us and we're so far apart, etc. I'm trying to get over it, I promise. Hearing how excited he is about his adventure (that I'm NOT a part of) should help but for some reason it doesn't. I know, I'm a bitch. But I don't want him to go. As soon as I stop crying over this, OD on anti-depressants and sack up, I'll try to have something decent to post. In the meantime, La will dance like a monkey for your amusement.
|||109043553608228054|||Pity Party for Jen and You're All Invited!
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You can't blame a guy for trying!
|||109035096495939519|||Hell's Half Acre
Oh the irony! While other similar reenactment (and at this point I would say "higher calibre") groups are doing events like the 500 year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth I's death at the Huntington Library, or the Newman Center's annual fundraiser, the GSA is doing porn. Fan-fucking-tastic! I LOVE how Karma works! They wanted to earn their own reputation, and I guess they're doing JUST that. I now understand why some people were reluctant to hold "dress" rehearsals. I HAD attributed it to their laziness, as had been the case in the past.
On the knit front, I didn't realize I was so transparent when it comes to my yarn habit, but last night, my DH proved otherwise. We were discussing the upcoming Fabulous Fiber Fest in Santa Monica, and all was fine and dandy until I mentioned that there would be vendors there. The rest of the conversation went"
DH - So, then you're gonna take a couple-hundred bucks extra to buy yarn with?
LW - No, I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more yarn until the TKGA convention.
DH - Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.....
LW - No, seriously
DH - (using his best La voice) Oh, I know I promised myself I wouldn't buy any yarn until October, and that I have enough yarn in my stash to last me a couple of years, but this yarn is the most perfectest yarn in the whole wide world. It's so soft and squishy!! Just feel it. It's BEGGING to go home with me. Can't you hear it? It's chanting "take me home, take me home" I can't ignore that! And I'm sure that some day I'll find the perfect project for it. Oh, I MUST HAVE THIS YARN!
LW - blink-blink blink-blink
Wanna know what's scary? He's right. This from a man who has never been yarn shopping with me, has pegged me dead-on. He had me busting up so much I completely forgot that we were supposed to share the dish duty, and I did them all.
I had never laughed so hard in my life....well, not until I read the email announcing the GSA's new "position" on history.
|||109034359689510784|||Come Again?
Body's done and I got a good, solid start on the first sleeve. I'm really ready for this one to be done. I have officially got
in a bad way. The instant I see brown tweed I'm ready for autumn. Of course, we here in L.A. don't actually have autumn, instead we have more summer. In fact, La and I were hanging out over the weekend and we were talking about how much we hate summer and about how damned hot it was last November. Plus it barely rained or got cool over the winter and we were tortured with an early summer this year. We feel we have a right to some normal weather and we think it should start in September like everywhere else. We are MELTING, people! I am a delicate little flower who does poorly in the heat. I can't keep my mind off of what to knit next. Since I'm almost done with the project from the Fall 2002 issue of IK, I'm feeling downright "caught up". Should I:
finish the boring blanket
work on my TKGA swatches
knit a monkey
I think I can trust you to come up with the right answer here.
|||109027927272306413|||Knitting-finally
*doing your taxes
*running out of ink on the adding machine in the middle of doing your taxes
*registering for jury duty
*speaking to anyone who works for LA County Courts
*housework
*laundry
*getting a notice that even though you just did 6 OSHA classes, they decided to add another at the last minute
*balancing your checkbook
*attempting to close a Discover card account
*temperatures in the 238-372 degree range
Now let me state that mixing ALL of those things with PMS in a single day is a really bad idea. It's a wonder I am a free woman today with the way yesterday went.
the jury has reached a decision, you're an asshat
I call to register for jury duty and it's one of those press 1 for this, etc. menus. One of the options was press if you've had a name change. Well, they have my old name from my first marriage, which ended more than 10 yrs ago so I press it. This takes me to some woman who answers with her mouth full with a "hello?". No dept, no name, just hello and doughnut mush. Then she tries to tell me I didn't change my name. According to her, getting married isn't changing your name. Interesting because I've had to fill out name change forms for my taxes, my passport, my driver's license, my social security, the list goes on. I should have referred them to this woman who says it's not a name change, it would have saved me a lot of trouble. Her explanation? "you're still you" ??????? And she's a rude fucking blowpig the whole time, too. I swear upon all that is wooly it's a good thing I was only on the phone because if I had encountered her in person I would not have been able to restrain myself from punching her in the nose. So I wrote L.A. County Courts a furious letter which I hope makes me come off as a crackpot and they never call me again. Here you can only get called once every 12 mos and I swear those fuckers call me on the day my 12 mos is up. I know people who've never been called. And it's impossible to get out of it anymore here in L.A.
discover this: my way
By the time I got off the phone with the blowpig I was ready for a fight. So I called Discover to close my account. Now if you ever need to close a Discover account, I suggest you wait until you're good and angry because those mother fuckers will keep you on the phone for hours trying to tell you how you really aren't going to be able to live without having a Discover card. And they ask you questions in an accusatory manner and as if you were a naughty child: "What if you ever need to rent a car? (Damn! I didn't think of that!!) What are you going to do, pay CASH for everything? (Oh no! Will people think I'm uncool??)" etc., etc. Then they transfer you to a manager who just can't believe how idiotic you are. I suggested to him in forceful terms that perhaps he should let me worry about my car renting future and stay the fuck out of my business. He informs me that he can offer me 0% financing on balance transfers and I inform him I have no balances to transfer. He snorts. "None?" He looks it up. Lo and behold, no balances. Now cancel my account, loser. I've never had the legal disclaimer read to me in a more pissy manner, but it's closed.
martha stewart living in prison
Now today I turn on the computer and blogger has changed its format for posting again. I just got used to the new old way and now there's a newer way. Wonder how many bugs this one's got? Also, I see Martha got 5 months in jail. What a waste of jail space. Hit her where it hurts her the most-fine the crap out of her-and let's all move on. But then I'm against jail time for crimes of that type anyway. Hey, you might hate her, but she did a lot to turn "housekeeping" into something to be revered. Besides, I love her creepy, emotionally devoid droning way of talking. I'd love to make a movie where lots of creepy MarthaZombies are stalking innocent housewives in dimlit sets.
taxing weekend
So what's on tap for the weekend? Me, I've got taxes and taxes. We filed an extension because we were on a show with hellish hours when April 15th rolled around. Our accountant is going out of town in August so we have to finish them this weekend so we can drop them off in time for him to work on them. Cross your fingers for me that we don't owe big time again. Then, I plan on drinking myself sloshy in celebration of having that done. I might smash some stuff, too, it's hard to say. Everyone live a little for me this weekend, ok? May your temps be low, your drinks be ice cold and your days filled with laziness!
|||109000385316496920|||Mixed Bag of Bitch
That's odd. According to the iC.A.Tg it's 212 degrees in the shade. hhhhhhhhhhh Fucking little drama queens!
So, summer finally hit Southern California. That's just great. Well, at least the 6th and final Critter Knitter Blanket is done. I've got 3 more shawls in the line-up; 2 our of mohair and 1 out of merino. Yeah, just what I need, to be smothered by a lap full of fluffy snuggly warm yarn! I think I'll intersperse the shawls with small projects done in cotton. I've got one more bottoms-up hat to do for the nephew with the big noggin. He has informed me that, THIS week his favorite colors are blue and green (but I know his all-time favorite color is purple...*sniff* a boy after my own heart. So which do you think?
This...
...this...
or this...?
I think I'll try some things in the Knit a Square, Make a Toy book, and one of the tanks that are in the Filatura Di Crossa Spring/Summer book, I've got alot of mercerized cotton since I floozied on several skeins originally intended for the bucket hats for my nephews.
Also, I COULD knock out some of the UFOs I've got lingering. 3 of them entail sewing, and the office/library-sewing/crafts/junk room is the coolest room in the house. One problem. Enough time has elapsed since the last time I cleaned out that room that the crap stored in the corners has started to creep towards the center, and is threatening to take over the room. You can't turn your back on it for a minute. So now I've got to blaze a trail back to the sewing machine. Sad thing is, alot of it is my stuff this time, so I can't blame it on the DH. It's just too hot to be moving and stacking, sorting and organizing all sorts of shit. I think I'll hire a guide with a huge machete and a trash bag.|||108992438413797280|||I'm one hot mama!
Yesterday, partly to avoid doing the stuff I need to do, I decided to go to the L.A. Farmer's Market. Look what I got for $20:
How do you like my Martha Stewart shot? Martha might not approve of the drill press and band saw on the floor of the dining room in the background, though. Red Leaf, Watercress, Spinach, green onions, summer squash, mushrooms, brussels sprouts, 2 bunches of radishes, a red pepper, some pears, some seedless black grapes, 3 cucumbers and 2 bags of raw peanuts. That's about 4-5 days worth of veggies for us if you include the 8 tomatoes, garlic, ginger and onions I already had and the numerous apples I need to go buy (DH only likes a particular kind). The peanuts, which are the peasants of the nut family (per discussion with an acquaintance over the weekend) will be turned into boiled peanuts. If you are southern you may be familiar with this-boil peanuts in heavily salted water for several hours, turning the nuts to a slightly mushy salty consistency. Sound gross? Even a lot of southerners don't like it, but I do! And raw peanuts are hard to come by here in L.A. I just signed us up for an organic vegetable delivery service which will bring us a box full of lovely produce once a week for $25, this could be the thing that saves my sanity as it will prevent me driving to the market every couple of days.
Off to work on my taxes.......|||108991396460072383|||Veggie Tales
Unfortunately, the husband hates it. It sucks because the only sweaters he likes are plain. I may be selfish, but knitting a plain stockinette sweater is just not appealing. He could go buy a stupid plain sweater. He sort of likes this one, though:
Could I stand knitting basketweave for that long? Unfortunately what I think he likes best is the color. And the color I have bought already is not that one. It's a charcoal grey. hhhhhhhhhhh. Men. Is it just me or does he come off as picky as any girl? There's the whole sock thing and now this.
Let's see, I also liked these:
The gloves are cute, I don't know if I'd make them cashmere, though, because I'm really hard on gloves. Oh! That reminds me-does anyone know off the top of their head where I can find a convertible glove pattern? The kind that have half fingers and a mitten cover that folds back? I've googled and can't find one. Anyway.. The felted flower bag I have mixed feelings about. I waver between thinking I'd like to try felting and thinking why the hell would I go to all that trouble to knit something then felt it. It's very sassy and autumny, though. The keyhole top I like, but I think I'd like to see it in darker colors, like a monochromatic grey to black or possibly some browns.
Now onto the things I'm not so enamoured of:
The first one is a Veronik Avery. Now, usually I think she makes attractive patterns even if I never ever want to attempt one again. But this? I have a throw on my couch that looks exactly like this. Maybe it's me, but I don't think chenille looks good on humans. The slant front cardigan I actually think looks interesting, but I can't picture it on anyone I know. Possibly because it's modeled by an older lady? But I know several of those and I don't think they'd like it. What is it about this design? And the third one is the Jo Sharp design. Yuck. Frumpy, ugly, it would make Lara Flynn Boyle look chunky. Funny because the featured Debbie Bliss design looked terrible too in the issue where she was featured. Weird.
Now for the skirt/sweater-
I feel sort of "meh" about this, probably because it wouldn't look good on me, but if you go look at the web-only patterns, there is a lovely skirt pattern! I think this is one of the better things they have to offer this issue and it's not even in the magazine. What about that skirt with the keyhole top in matching colors?
Alright, the last thing I'm going to mention is the Indian Summer Top:
Which is only pictured in the issue, the pattern is available only online. I'm wondering if I could pull this off if I lengthened it. It's pretty cute.
There is a whole lot more in the issue that isn't worth mentioning to me, but I know some people will find love and make me see the light. I've also been wondering if anyone else has experienced this with IK: when I am looking at the mag in a public place the guys all make comments about how hot the models are. Numerous times I've heard: "Oh, she's cute!" Is it just the guys I know or what?|||108982646802393193|||Fall IK Review
If I'd had passed this guy on the street and he was wearing modern-day clothes, I wouldn't have given him a second glance, but I swear, if he'd had put on that bomber jacket he's carrying, I'd have probably asked him to marry me, and that wouldn't have made my hubby too happy.
Men sure knew how to dress back then.
And so did the women. I mean, how gorgeous is this?
And she's in uniform!
Speaking of women in uniform, the group I was the most impressed with was the 45th Field Hospital, U.S. Army Nurses Corp Living History Association, which is part of the California Historical Group.
Actually, I was so impressed by their display and who they represent; women who took an active role, contributing to our victory, I'm considering becoming a member. I know, it's quite a departure from the "LittleMissSissyLaLaOverdressedAndSwimmingInJewelsandVelvet" representation I'm used to, but hey, change is good. At least I keep telling myself that. Besides, I won't have to make my uniforms, and I can smoke in public.
Through the course of the weekend I was only able to do about 1 1/2 repeats on the Candle Flame Shawl. It seemed like everytime I started a row, an attendee would ask me questions, intelligent questions, questions I didn't mind answering, in fact, just the opposite, I enjoyed answering. In fact, on Sunday, I think I was talking for 3 hours straight. It's nice to get the women's point of view out there. How they lived, what they wore, how they thought and felt...in a nutshell, how they lived. I LOVED this event. Can you tell?|||108975119388014234|||Yankees and Redcoats and Krauts, oh my!
That's us, La and Jen knitting at the re-enactment event. It was the best historical event I've ever attended. So good in fact, I left drunk with the idea that I'd like to get back into it. Then I woke up this morning recovered. Occasional attendance, perhaps-joining a group, no. I retain my healthy fear of the drama and toil involved with committing. I have a lot of photos, I'm thinking of just doing a photo album and linking to it for interested parties, so hopefully by tomorrow.
The Legion's only female member went on a recent trip to Maine where she picked up a spindle and some wool and we did some spinning together. It was nice to have another newbie spinner to spin with. We spoke to some experienced spinners and got advice on drafting from a period distaff. It's was a busy but fun weekend. I got 2/3 of one sock done but other than that and the spinning, no progress to report. More later when I've recuperated....|||108967426727789886|||Weekend Recap Pt. 1
Pretty friggin bright huh? Unfortunately I'm only about half-way done with it with no hope of finishing by 4:00 on Sunday. Damn! I guess I'm just going to have to take a trip up to Jen's next weekend. And what is the excuse this time for the snails-pace on PB? This:
The DH saw this picture and asked "What is that? A thong on a stick (steek)?" Considering the non-love of Knitty's new offering I found that really fucking funny. I almost replied: "Yeah, honey,....wool underwear to go up the crack of my ass! And when I'm done, I found this fab pattern for you, and it's free!"
I am completely enamored with this pattern. Love Love Love! Pure unadulterated love. I want to ignore everything else, other knitting, work, home, family, and just knit this shawl. hhhhhhhhhhhhhh But I can't, if for no other reason but the needles I have it on are short 7s, and if I knit too far, too fast, I'll have to transfer it over to the circs before the weekend, and, last time I looked, Denise Interchangeables are not historically accurate.
Jen's birthday mohair is finally going to make it to her hot little hands, basket and all.
I'm hoping she wants to take the yarn out and squish and pet it. I've got some goodies for her tucked beneath the yarn, that, if it sits out in the sun too long, will melt.
In addition to fighting Candle Flame lust, I've been getting ready for this weekend of historical (hysterical?) reenactment. I printed out several pages of the candle flame shawl repeat onto parchment, and then bound it in a leather cover; searched out and found my sterling silver pen (not period, but close e-fucking-nough for this event); did about 20 minutes of hand-sewing (oh the horror!); packed the rest of my shit...well, packed is a little too strong of a word. "Set it aside" is closer to the truth. I leave the packing to the DH, because we always disagree when it comes to that, so, instead of an hour-long discussion, I just get my shit ready, set it out, and help him when he asks for it. The end result is that everything gets packed and hour sooner, in the car/truck in a nice neat box. It works, and that's all that matters. So, almost time to get Rentarded again.
Everyone else, have a great weekend!
|||108940766652984575|||...So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades...
I've finished the back of the Renaissance Tunic and on the front I'm up to the neck hole opening-here, look:
So it's time to start that slit, basically. I was thinking I should be able to move the percentage bar on this up a bit, but then I realized that I consider the sleeves and collar to count for about 50% on this one. What portion do most people count the sleeves as on sweaters? A third? Two-thirds because they suck so much? I think I may get some after hours time to work on this during the weekend. I can only do so many consecutive hours of socks, so this should make for nice evening by the fire knitting.
I wish the fucktard neighbors would stop shooting their damn firecrackers off already! Fireworks are illegal here, but it doesn't seem to do a thing to stop them. My poor dog is beside himself. We sedated him over the weekend, but I don't want him hopped up on goofballs for too many consecutive days. One pop and he crams himself into a tiny corner and shakes all over. I think he was in 'Nam in a former life or something.
Have a good weekend, I'll see you Monday with pics!|||108939317233699898|||You Must Remember This
Speaking of riveting content: I haven't knit one stitch since Saturday. This is the longest I've gone in I can't remember how long. So guess what, no knitting pics today. I'd like to think I'm going to knit today, but unless someone reading this is willing to come over and clean my cat litter box, scrub my bathroom and vacuum and mop my floors and pack up for the outing this weekend, ain't gonna happen.
I checked my 50 sites in the Knitting Blog Ring today and I got 9 new sites. Which means 9 sites before my section got booted for either bad ring code or lack of updates. So update! Or leave a notice if you're going to be away for awhile... Anyway, it's funny how many of my daily clicks are in my "sector". It's like looking out for your buddies. Oh! Rings-we're up to 49 sites in the California Knit Blogs Ring. Not too shabby for one state.
Question: Is it wrong to spend $15 of your unemployment check on a pedicure? And another $4 on an ice-blended to drink whilst having the hooves spiffed up?
|||108932634532420443|||How Not To Win Any Writing Awards
A finished 36 X 36 (well, sort of) GRAPE APE
I would have taken pictures of it sooner had I been able to wrest the camera from Junior earlier. Now, in his defense it IS his camera. One day I'll get my own, but now, I'd rather spend money on yarn.
So, 5 Critter Knitter Coalition Blankets down, and one more to go. Pickinic Basket is turning out not so ugly. In fact, it's got a Rastafarian feel to it, which is kinda cool. It's just really REALLY bright. Maybe it'll go to an animal shelter in Jamaica, NY. (ok, bad La, no doughnut!) Thank goodness dogs are color blind, else I would feel a little guilty about sending this one, knowing that whichever snuggly gets it will be kept awake at night cuz, I swear the blanket emits it's own light. I just wish the basket-weave pattern I chose to do didn't look so "crafty", you know, in that over-blown cabbage-rose print, scrapbooking TACKY kind of way. **Note to self: No more rainbow colorways and basket weave blankets.**
So, I was just reading Patti's blog and her comment on Jen's last post regarding camera-shy poochies. Saber loves the camera....except when, in one hand I'm holding the camera, and in the other, something looking suspiciously like it was knitted. He gets that "Oh please, please PLEASE don't point that thing at me" look on his face. And then it's on! Gives me some exercise though, as I chase him around the kitchen table, out to the living room, around the coffee table then back again. I guess modeling scarves and bottoms-up hats is beneath his dignity. I mean, c'mon.....how can this:
or this
be beneath his dignity? He sniffs crotches, smells ass and licks his own balls! He sits on the floor between the hubby and I and drools all over himself, while simultaneously give each of us in turn us the "Oliver" (please sir, can I have some more??) look while we're eating dinner. He's a dog, for pete's sake! It's not like he's a cat or anything. I mean, can you picture me trying to get these to pose in anything that wasn't made specifically for them?
I think not! Just LOOK at them. Don't they just SCREAM "Epitome of Grace, Poise, and all things Dignified"?
I swatched "Candle Flame" today. I guess my merino is a lighter weight than the Lamb's Pride, probably a light-worsted, so the 10s made for a rather loose swatch, even though it knitted to gauge. I'm going to try it again on my 9s tonight and see how much tighter it will be. I hope the 9s will get it, because I don't think I have 8s in wood, and my 7s are short. On a pattern like candle-flame,
|||108923350709094443|||FOs and Dignity
I've only mildly been aware of Marlon Brando passing, Torii Spelling getting married (congrats! I guess my invitation got lost in the mail.) and the latest ludicrous attack on the first ammendment. **no, this is not me getting political, I thought it was funny**
I did make a spindle yesterday, to be more historically accurate than the ones I bought in order to pass the time this weekend. Two whole days away from the computer with no access to food or alcohol (unless I bring it) should make for some good knitting and spinning time. Sitting on the ground trying to look up men's skirts is only amusing for just so long. I'm actually near to finishing some of this preparation work and may get some actual knitting time soon, maybe I'll even come up with an interesting post. Hold your breath.|||108914065846438141|||Not Knitting
Grape Ape is at 34", so two more repeats and it'll be done. While at my folks' house yesterday, in between playing with my mom's new kitten (who is cute as hell), untangling her from my many balls of yarn, and kicking everyone's ass in our annual 4th of July card game, I started on my 6th and final KC binkie. I was GOING TO modify a scarf pattern for it, but I didn't like the way it was knitting up. Hell "didn't like" is an understatement. It looked totally retarded. So I frogged it, and decided to just a knit a straight old basket weave. I don't have enough time to futz around with modifying a pattern, I've got less than 1 week to get these both done.
Now the pattern's turning out fine, I can tell that there's definitely a weavey thing going on. I just don't like how the yarn is knitting up. Gotta have something to bitch about, right? When I grabbed the bright, vibrant TLC yarn (the only red-heart product I can stand for short periods of time) I thought "Cool, primary colors...will be nice and happy" But the colors aren't falling the way I envisioned. Eh, I guess I'm allowed one ugly blanket, right? RIGHT???? And it's only 18 inches. It's not like I have to look at it for very long.
What I'm really chomping at the bit to get at is the candle flame shawl. Since I've put Salty Penis on an indefinite time out, I'm going to make it for my MIL for her birthday in August, and hopefully, HOPEFULLY Salty Penis will redeam itself enough to go to her for Christmas. Jen found the pattern corrections for me (thanks!), so now all I gotta do is sort through the multitude of patterns I have printed out but have not managed to organize or put into a system (and if you know me, you're shocked as hell right now), and find the pattern. And though I love LOVE my Denise interchangeables, I'm itching to wrap my hands around some wood.
****Cute kitten note: She'll run headlong as fast as her skinny legs will carry her, and the slick hardwood floors will allow here without slipping (picture cartoon running in place, and you get the visual) towards the couch, flings herself into the air, to face-plant herself vertically on on the bottom part, arms and legs outstretched, pointing towards the 4 corners of the wall, claws dug in. (You know, the Garfield-stuck-onto-the-rear-window-with-suction-cups pose), and then just hangs there for a good 5 seconds, before she continues her climb up to the seat of the couch. Now that's some funny-assed shit, and cute as hell!****
|||108906706598582053|||Meh....a lotta nothin
What are all of you doing this 4th of July Weekend? On Sunday the DH aka, The Grillin' Man and I are going to my folks for a BBQ. First, I am going to hug a fireman, and then the rest of my family; get introduced to my mom's new kitten, Daisy Kay, and then sit down to a serious game of Shanghai Rummy, while the boys get their grill on.
What's on the menu? Glad you asked. German Bratwurst, Tri-Tip marinated overnight and then basted in an Argentinian Chimichurri, grilled Italian Zucchini, Polish potato-and-onion perogies, roasted garlic to smoosh over French bread, and Spanish flan for dessert. We'll wash this down with enough English Newcastle and unpronounceable Lithuanian Beer, Pina Coladas, and Margaritas to float the Titanic. Yummy.....Yup! That's what I call Everybody's All-American.
And that's just one of the things I truly love about this country: the blending of so many different cultures; their customs, their beliefs....their FOOD! Also, where else could a dirt-poor farm boy from the midwest become the leader of his country? Or for that matter, the real-life Gilligan who IS president, who Bob Denver based his character upon whose 60s T.V. show the Industry has now based a new a reality show ?
Other things you can do on the 4th:
1. Face North and wave to all your favorite Canadians. Then do an about-face and wave to all your favorite Mexicans.
2. Buy some yarn from Woolwinders, who are having a 4th of July sale.
3. Watch a movie. What are you in the mood for? Might I recommend something light? The American President? How about a couple of Blockbusters? Top Gun (yowsa! Val), Independence Day, Saving Private Ryan, Born of the 4th of July, Comedy (and I'm talking the chuckle-chuckle-snort kind of yuk-it-up guilty pleasures comedy)? Blazing Saddles, Stripes, Private Benjamin, and who can forget that genius trilogy: American Pie 1, 2 and American Wedding?. How about a classic? Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Yankee Doodle Dandy, You're In the Army Now. Anyone else have some recommendations?
4. Listen to some music, or sing
5. Watch some fireworks, thanks to Pixie
****this just in. Steph is having a Name-That-Puppy contest. Visit her web page for pictures of the prizes, puppy, and how to enter. I LOVE contests! Now back to our regularly scheduled reverie.****|||108880419592864764|||Independence Day
Oh, I know it's far from perfect. But it's better, huh? I watched the videos at www.icanspin.com . 111 yds of "yarn". To ply or not to ply? I spun/span/spinned (?!) for so long my left shoulder and my right hand hurt. But I have "yarn". Pre-drafting, I kiss you. Alright, yes-the scale of the success is not equal to my excitement. Shuttin' up.
Have a happy Fourth of July. I personally will be cooking a gigantic steak on my grill and sucking down untold numbers of beers. Because that's how I celebrate freedom. Drunk and full o'beef. To all of our brave men and women in uniform, you have my gratitude and my support. Your courage and fortitude makes me proud to be an American.
|||108879496616460342|||Improvement:
Next, I just finished my last Critter Knitters blanket, I made it from TLC Amore and I LIKE the yarn.
That's right. I like a TLC acrylic yarn. It's soft. It's machine washable. It's even chenille. So there. Now that I'm that kid in school nobody likes, I guess I'll go dress in black and chain smoke.|||108870800191809220|||Knitting Sacrilege
So, on to the 6th and final critter knitter binkie, which I am calling "Pickinic Basket". It'll be (hopefully) an 18 x 18 basket weave done in a really bright colorway of TLC, in a revised version of Textured Squares Scarf. And then I'm done with acrylic yarn for a while. Praise the Knitting Gods! Can I get a Halleluia?
Next weekend I'll be attending the reenactor's event Old Fort MacArthur Days. with The Gentlemen Adventurers, who portray Elizabethan Golden Era naval and cavalry officers. What a noblewomen will be doing among those rakes, I haven't quite figured out yet, but I will. Also, Jen will be there too with Legion VI, a shit-hot Roman reenactment group. Can we say gorgeous men in skirts? (Maybe Troy should have taken a page from THEIR book, eh?). And I hear Mouse is attending with a Celtic group. Should be an interesting sight: English nobility, Roman civilian, and Celtic woman, sitting around, knitting and spinning, chatting; avoiding all the clash, clang and boom of swords, cannons and muskets, you know...the chest-thumping, testostone-charged, naked-ape stuff the guys go there for. Actually, I'm a little more interested in this sort of event. It's a step up on the evolutionary ladder from the boob-and-beer-fest that ren fairs have become. I'm interested in checking out some of the Civil War (both American AND English) era groups, and the WWI groups. But I digress. What I'm getting at is that I need to put something "natural" onto some wood. I'm thinking this:
Which is 1,100 yards of Interlacements Dyers Choice in 100% pure merino yumminess. I haven't decided yet on which shawl pattern to do. I can either do the safe Lavender Linen Lace Shawl, which many of you will recognize as the "Brad Pit Do Me Doggy Style" Shawl, or the Candle Flame Shawl (whose link I can't seem to find right now). I have heard through the grapevine that there are errors in the CFS pattern, so we shall see.
|||108869908801508853|||I'm mad as hell (suprised?)