1. There is a major program here this afternoon.
2. Chaos will reign supreme during said program.
3. I will probably end up with a tick between my eyes.
4. The fact that today is Friday makes the chaos worthwhile.
5. That, and the fact that the Yankees lost last night.
6. And that I'm going on vacation this weekend.
7. Now if I can just find the other sock.
8. And remember my camera.
Friday, October 07, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Where the Wild Things Are
So in a moment of sheer insanity, about two weeks ago I cast on this sweater, with the intention of finishing it for Rhinebeck (which is in two weeks).
Last night, I sat down to finish the two sleeves. I had maybe ten rounds left. Things were going well. This was great, I thought. I'll finish the sleeves and the ribbing on the body of the sweater tonight.
Right. This is how last night went:
7:00. Sit down in front of tv and turn on Orioles/Red Sox game to knit to. Marvel on the fact that this is actually my tv knitting.
8:30. Finish the sleeves. Perform happy dance.
8:45. Cast on stitches for body after measuring gauge on sleeves. Twice. Place stitch markers every 50 stitches in the process.
8:45-9:20. Work on the ribbing of the body of sweater.
9:25. Realize that, in spite of careful placement of stitch markers, I have failed in the most basic of skills that is counting and cast on 40 extra stitches. Rip out.
9:30. Rain delay in Baltimore. I console myself with restarting my ribbing by switching channels to watch the Yankees/Rays game.
9:30-11:00. Work on ribbing, after counting twice to make sure I have the correct number of stitches this time. Swtitch back and forth between the Yankees/Rays and the Phillies/Braves.
11:00. Play resumes in Baltimore. By this point, I have worked approximately 7 rounds of ribbing.
11:00-12:15. I'm not entirely certain what exactly I did during this stretch of time. I thought I was knitting, but by the end I had only worked a little over 2 rounds.
BUT HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT DID YOU SEE THAT GAME IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST GAMES EVER TOTALLY WORTH THE LACK OF KNITTING MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS STILL GOING CRAZY!
12:15-12:45 Finish the tenth round of ribbing while trying to catch my breath and get my heart rate back under control.
12:50 Take a few very deep breaths and realize I need to go to bed, despite the fact that I am still super-adrenaline filled.
Yeah. That was last night. THIS IS TOTALLY WHY BASEBALL IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST GAME EVER!
Bucky Dent and Mookie Wilson? Meet Robert Andino, Dan Johnson, and Evan Longoria.
Where the wild things are. Maurice Sendak truly has never said it so well.
Last night, I sat down to finish the two sleeves. I had maybe ten rounds left. Things were going well. This was great, I thought. I'll finish the sleeves and the ribbing on the body of the sweater tonight.
Right. This is how last night went:
7:00. Sit down in front of tv and turn on Orioles/Red Sox game to knit to. Marvel on the fact that this is actually my tv knitting.
8:30. Finish the sleeves. Perform happy dance.
8:45. Cast on stitches for body after measuring gauge on sleeves. Twice. Place stitch markers every 50 stitches in the process.
8:45-9:20. Work on the ribbing of the body of sweater.
9:25. Realize that, in spite of careful placement of stitch markers, I have failed in the most basic of skills that is counting and cast on 40 extra stitches. Rip out.
9:30. Rain delay in Baltimore. I console myself with restarting my ribbing by switching channels to watch the Yankees/Rays game.
9:30-11:00. Work on ribbing, after counting twice to make sure I have the correct number of stitches this time. Swtitch back and forth between the Yankees/Rays and the Phillies/Braves.
11:00. Play resumes in Baltimore. By this point, I have worked approximately 7 rounds of ribbing.
11:00-12:15. I'm not entirely certain what exactly I did during this stretch of time. I thought I was knitting, but by the end I had only worked a little over 2 rounds.
BUT HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT DID YOU SEE THAT GAME IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST GAMES EVER TOTALLY WORTH THE LACK OF KNITTING MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS STILL GOING CRAZY!
12:15-12:45 Finish the tenth round of ribbing while trying to catch my breath and get my heart rate back under control.
12:50 Take a few very deep breaths and realize I need to go to bed, despite the fact that I am still super-adrenaline filled.
Yeah. That was last night. THIS IS TOTALLY WHY BASEBALL IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST GAME EVER!
Bucky Dent and Mookie Wilson? Meet Robert Andino, Dan Johnson, and Evan Longoria.
Where the wild things are. Maurice Sendak truly has never said it so well.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Best Time of the Year
Today, I woke up, and there was fog outside.
Now, I realize that to many of you, a foggy September morning doesn't seem like much, but to me, it speaks of wonders and miracles and awesome loveliness that comes but once a year.
One of the most wonderful things about the world is that there are four seasons, and what happens between September and December is nothing short of miraculous. Every September, I can count on the maple tree in front of my house beginning to blush red, on whispers of fog curling down the street, and the apple trees becoming heavy laden with red and yellow freckles. And each year, I am struck dumb with the awesomeness of the beauty of it all.
I could say that fall is my favorite time of year because the kids have gone back to school, and the chaotic, oppressive heat of summer is over. And they do, and it is. But that's not why fall is my favorite.
I could say that fall is my favorite because it's that inbetween time of the year, when you don't have to worry about your heat or your A/C, and you can just lounge around in your jeans and be comfortable. And this is true. But that's not why fall is my favorite.
I could say that fall is my favorite because it's full of apple dunking and hay rides and corn mazes and all sorts of fun things that I loved to do as a child. And it is. But that's not why fall is my favorite.
I could say that fall is my favorite because it's the time that kids get to dress up as pirates and princesses and Lost Boys and roam the streets like ghouls, scaring away demons and devils. And they do. But that's not why fall is my favorite.
I could say that fall is my favorite because it's the time of festivals. Of people bringing the harvest in, of apples and pumpkins polka-dotting the fields, of the celebration of harvest and home, and of food and warmth and love. And this happens, and it is absolutely wonderful. But that's not why fall is my favorite.
Fall is my favorite time of the year, first and foremost, because of its utter beauty. Fall is the time when God reaches out with His paintbrush and covers the earth with a loveliness that is never seen any other time of the year. It is the time of the year when trees burst into flame, when ice faeries dance on the grass in the early morning, when the sky is full of an ocean of blue-ness, and when the smoke of little cat feet fog creeps and curls around the fields. It is my favorite time of the year, because there is nothing, NOTHING more beautiful in the natural world than a maple tree in the fall, and after seeing one you know you could stand before one all day, almost crying at the loveliness of it all.
Happy first few days of fall.
Now, I realize that to many of you, a foggy September morning doesn't seem like much, but to me, it speaks of wonders and miracles and awesome loveliness that comes but once a year.
One of the most wonderful things about the world is that there are four seasons, and what happens between September and December is nothing short of miraculous. Every September, I can count on the maple tree in front of my house beginning to blush red, on whispers of fog curling down the street, and the apple trees becoming heavy laden with red and yellow freckles. And each year, I am struck dumb with the awesomeness of the beauty of it all.
I could say that fall is my favorite time of year because the kids have gone back to school, and the chaotic, oppressive heat of summer is over. And they do, and it is. But that's not why fall is my favorite.
I could say that fall is my favorite because it's that inbetween time of the year, when you don't have to worry about your heat or your A/C, and you can just lounge around in your jeans and be comfortable. And this is true. But that's not why fall is my favorite.
I could say that fall is my favorite because it's full of apple dunking and hay rides and corn mazes and all sorts of fun things that I loved to do as a child. And it is. But that's not why fall is my favorite.
I could say that fall is my favorite because it's the time that kids get to dress up as pirates and princesses and Lost Boys and roam the streets like ghouls, scaring away demons and devils. And they do. But that's not why fall is my favorite.
I could say that fall is my favorite because it's the time of festivals. Of people bringing the harvest in, of apples and pumpkins polka-dotting the fields, of the celebration of harvest and home, and of food and warmth and love. And this happens, and it is absolutely wonderful. But that's not why fall is my favorite.
Fall is my favorite time of the year, first and foremost, because of its utter beauty. Fall is the time when God reaches out with His paintbrush and covers the earth with a loveliness that is never seen any other time of the year. It is the time of the year when trees burst into flame, when ice faeries dance on the grass in the early morning, when the sky is full of an ocean of blue-ness, and when the smoke of little cat feet fog creeps and curls around the fields. It is my favorite time of the year, because there is nothing, NOTHING more beautiful in the natural world than a maple tree in the fall, and after seeing one you know you could stand before one all day, almost crying at the loveliness of it all.
Happy first few days of fall.
Monday, September 12, 2011
What About the Rest?
Yesterday, I was watching the Mets/Cubs game on tv, and the big story during the game was all the ceremonies throughout the game. Yesterday was, of course, a big anniversary, and since the Mets were home, well, it was important for the city to remember.
But...
Ten years ago, I was living in an area that was within broadcast range of all the Boston news stations. And when I was watching all the ceremonial loveliness last night, it got me thinking. New York lost that day. She lost A LOT, and the events of that Tuesday morning will forever be engraved in the hearts and minds of the people of the city. But the two planes were both out of Boston, and they were both headed to Los Angeles. Which means those two cities both lost, too.
But last night, there was no mention of the victims from Boston or L.A. In fact, it feels like the passengers on those two planes have become the forgotten ones, the ones no one really remembers, or even cares about. Whenever anyone mentions 9/11, most people focus on the police and firefighters who lost their lives when the towers fell. Or the passengers of Flight 93, who gave their lives so more would not be lost. But that doesn't mean that we should forget the people who were on the two planes who crashed in New York. But we have. We have forgotten them, and last night was a perfect example of the fact. And I find that horrifically sad, not just because, during the original aftermath, I saw the local news put faces to some of those people, but also, because every passenger and crew member on those two planes was a loved one to somebody. And they deserve every bit of remembrance as anybody else who died that day.
So, to all the people of Boston and L.A. who did lose a loved one ten years ago --
Here's to you.
But...
Ten years ago, I was living in an area that was within broadcast range of all the Boston news stations. And when I was watching all the ceremonial loveliness last night, it got me thinking. New York lost that day. She lost A LOT, and the events of that Tuesday morning will forever be engraved in the hearts and minds of the people of the city. But the two planes were both out of Boston, and they were both headed to Los Angeles. Which means those two cities both lost, too.
But last night, there was no mention of the victims from Boston or L.A. In fact, it feels like the passengers on those two planes have become the forgotten ones, the ones no one really remembers, or even cares about. Whenever anyone mentions 9/11, most people focus on the police and firefighters who lost their lives when the towers fell. Or the passengers of Flight 93, who gave their lives so more would not be lost. But that doesn't mean that we should forget the people who were on the two planes who crashed in New York. But we have. We have forgotten them, and last night was a perfect example of the fact. And I find that horrifically sad, not just because, during the original aftermath, I saw the local news put faces to some of those people, but also, because every passenger and crew member on those two planes was a loved one to somebody. And they deserve every bit of remembrance as anybody else who died that day.
So, to all the people of Boston and L.A. who did lose a loved one ten years ago --
Here's to you.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Fabulousness
This is just about the awesomest thing I've seen in a long while. Enjoy and share with everybody!
Thursday, September 01, 2011
The Wind Blows Backwards All Night Long
And rain makes applesauce. (With apologies to Julian Scheer)
So Hurricane Irene came through this past weekend. It gave us about sixteen hours of steady rain, and tropical force wind on Saturday night.
So on Saturday night, I came home from work, and promptly sat down on my couch with my crock pot, my paring knife, and a peck of apples, and began to cut them up. They simmered in the pot all night long, and on Sunday morning, I not only had a well-drenched lawn, but a yummy bowl of applesauce.
Homemade applesauce is, to me, the epitome of comfort food. Not the Motts stuff you buy in a jar at the store. But the kind where you actually cut and peel and season the apples yourself. Where you put everything in the pot and drift off to sleep and wake up in the morning with the whole house smelling of cinnamon. Applesauce was something my mom would make in the fall when I wee, and on cold, rainy days, I would enjoy coming home from school to a bowl of warm, yummy sauce. Mmmmmmmm. Comfort food.
The world needs a little comfort these days. With everything that happened last week, the earthquake on Tuesday, the suicide on Wednesday, and the hurricane on Saturday, homemade applesauce seemed just the ticket.
And what better time than on a night when a hurricane is blowing outside? The wind blows backwards all night long...and rain makes applesauce.
Next stop: steeking the vest
So Hurricane Irene came through this past weekend. It gave us about sixteen hours of steady rain, and tropical force wind on Saturday night.
So on Saturday night, I came home from work, and promptly sat down on my couch with my crock pot, my paring knife, and a peck of apples, and began to cut them up. They simmered in the pot all night long, and on Sunday morning, I not only had a well-drenched lawn, but a yummy bowl of applesauce.
Homemade applesauce is, to me, the epitome of comfort food. Not the Motts stuff you buy in a jar at the store. But the kind where you actually cut and peel and season the apples yourself. Where you put everything in the pot and drift off to sleep and wake up in the morning with the whole house smelling of cinnamon. Applesauce was something my mom would make in the fall when I wee, and on cold, rainy days, I would enjoy coming home from school to a bowl of warm, yummy sauce. Mmmmmmmm. Comfort food.
The world needs a little comfort these days. With everything that happened last week, the earthquake on Tuesday, the suicide on Wednesday, and the hurricane on Saturday, homemade applesauce seemed just the ticket.
And what better time than on a night when a hurricane is blowing outside? The wind blows backwards all night long...and rain makes applesauce.
Next stop: steeking the vest
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Random Update
1. Summer Reading is OVER. Yay!
2. School starts on Monday. Yay!
3. There was an earthquake here yesterday.
4. It was a magnitude 5.8.
5. No one was hurt.
6. But it was all people could talk about the rest of the day.
7. This is because we don't normally have earthquakes here.
8. I put books on plate tectonics and earth science out on display.
9. It still might be all people can talk about for the rest of the week.
10. I need to do some gardening.
2. School starts on Monday. Yay!
3. There was an earthquake here yesterday.
4. It was a magnitude 5.8.
5. No one was hurt.
6. But it was all people could talk about the rest of the day.
7. This is because we don't normally have earthquakes here.
8. I put books on plate tectonics and earth science out on display.
9. It still might be all people can talk about for the rest of the week.
10. I need to do some gardening.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Totals
So this is pretty image-heavy, but here's my totals for Tour De Fleece:
First Up:
Vicki's Ocean. I don't have it all photoed here, but there was 24 ounces total. Combed superwash merino top, which I spun over the fold and did a 4-ply to create a worsted/aran weight yarn. There's about 1100 yards total. I believe there exists plans for it to become a vest.
Next?
The Wicked Witch yarn. Combed merino top from Made By Ewe spun over the fold and 2-plied into a fingering weight. There's about 400 yards total. This yarn was immediately claimed by Earthling. I think she may do socks.
Nextly...
There isn't a picture of this all spun up, but this is corriedale cross top from Spinners Hill spun worsted and navajo-plied into a sport weight. There's about 6 ounces total, although I only spun up 4 during the challenge as the remaining 2 ounces had already been spun up.
Then there is
This bit of loveliness from Fiber Fancy -- merino/mohair blend combed top, spun to fingering weight and kept as a single. There's 540 yards -- it will make a lovely scarf or shawl.
Next, we have
Corriedale top from Gale's Art, spun worsted and navajo-plied into a heavy fingering weight. I was thinking socks or a scarf.
Then there is
This absolute beautiful wonderfulness of BFL and silk from Bullens Wullens, which was spun into 820 yards of laceweight and kept as a single. This, I know will make something totally lovely and lacey. There will be beads, and it will be MINE, MINE, all MINE.
And finally, there is this
Combed corriedale top from Gale's Art spun worsted and navajo-plied into an aran/chunky weight. This yarn has been gifted, and I'm pretty certain the recipient will absolutely love it.
So that brings the total to
24 ounces of the teal
4 ounces of the wicked witch
4 ounces from Spinners Hill
4 ounces from Fiber Fancy
8 ounces from Gale's Art
4 ounces from Bullens Wullens
That's 48 ounces total, which is the 3 pounds that I was gunning for at the beginning. I'm still totally impressed that I got it all spun up. Notice that what ISN'T there is the angora/wool blend that I had been working on, which means that I actually spun a little more than 48 ounces. But the angora/wool isn't done yet, so I'm not counting it in my totals.
The question now becomes, what do I spin next?
First Up:
Vicki's Ocean. I don't have it all photoed here, but there was 24 ounces total. Combed superwash merino top, which I spun over the fold and did a 4-ply to create a worsted/aran weight yarn. There's about 1100 yards total. I believe there exists plans for it to become a vest.
Next?
The Wicked Witch yarn. Combed merino top from Made By Ewe spun over the fold and 2-plied into a fingering weight. There's about 400 yards total. This yarn was immediately claimed by Earthling. I think she may do socks.
Nextly...
There isn't a picture of this all spun up, but this is corriedale cross top from Spinners Hill spun worsted and navajo-plied into a sport weight. There's about 6 ounces total, although I only spun up 4 during the challenge as the remaining 2 ounces had already been spun up.
Then there is
This bit of loveliness from Fiber Fancy -- merino/mohair blend combed top, spun to fingering weight and kept as a single. There's 540 yards -- it will make a lovely scarf or shawl.
Next, we have
Corriedale top from Gale's Art, spun worsted and navajo-plied into a heavy fingering weight. I was thinking socks or a scarf.
Then there is
This absolute beautiful wonderfulness of BFL and silk from Bullens Wullens, which was spun into 820 yards of laceweight and kept as a single. This, I know will make something totally lovely and lacey. There will be beads, and it will be MINE, MINE, all MINE.
And finally, there is this
Combed corriedale top from Gale's Art spun worsted and navajo-plied into an aran/chunky weight. This yarn has been gifted, and I'm pretty certain the recipient will absolutely love it.
So that brings the total to
24 ounces of the teal
4 ounces of the wicked witch
4 ounces from Spinners Hill
4 ounces from Fiber Fancy
8 ounces from Gale's Art
4 ounces from Bullens Wullens
That's 48 ounces total, which is the 3 pounds that I was gunning for at the beginning. I'm still totally impressed that I got it all spun up. Notice that what ISN'T there is the angora/wool blend that I had been working on, which means that I actually spun a little more than 48 ounces. But the angora/wool isn't done yet, so I'm not counting it in my totals.
The question now becomes, what do I spin next?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Update
So no pics today, but a quick update on TdF totals:
8 more ounces of the teal superwash merino spun and plied (you've already seen it anyway, do you really want to see more? It really does look exactly like the others.) So far, I have about 650 yards spun up total. There are 8 ounces left to do. V has announced she wants a vest out of it.
3 ounces spun of the BFL/silk blend that I got from Bullens Woolens at MDSW this spring (I think the website is under construction), and I swear that this stuff is so lovely, I'm tempted to eat it.
4 ounces spun and navajo-plied of a random colorway of Gales Art corriedale. There's about 370 yards, so I'm hoping for socks. Maybe.
That's a total of 34 ounces spun so far. I'm still behind by about 2 ounces, but the BFL/silk wonderfulness is spinning up so nicely, I'll probably be able to finish that, plus get a good start on the last 8 ounces of the teal tonight.
8 more ounces of the teal superwash merino spun and plied (you've already seen it anyway, do you really want to see more? It really does look exactly like the others.) So far, I have about 650 yards spun up total. There are 8 ounces left to do. V has announced she wants a vest out of it.
3 ounces spun of the BFL/silk blend that I got from Bullens Woolens at MDSW this spring (I think the website is under construction), and I swear that this stuff is so lovely, I'm tempted to eat it.
4 ounces spun and navajo-plied of a random colorway of Gales Art corriedale. There's about 370 yards, so I'm hoping for socks. Maybe.
That's a total of 34 ounces spun so far. I'm still behind by about 2 ounces, but the BFL/silk wonderfulness is spinning up so nicely, I'll probably be able to finish that, plus get a good start on the last 8 ounces of the teal tonight.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Behind
And I'm officially behind on Tour de Fleece.
So far, in addition to everything I posted last week, I've also completed this:
That's about 300 yards of 4-ply, aran weight merino, that I'm spinning up for the lovely V. (Somewhere, there's a tag. I've lost track of who the vendor was.) There's not quite 8 ounces total, and I have about 16 more of this to go.
I also have this bit of fantabulousness:
That's 4 ounces of a merino/mohair blend from Fiber Fancy, and I'm uber proud of this yarn. It's the first time I've ever been confident enough in my singles that I'm not going to ply it. There's about 540 yards of that gorgeousness right there, and each time I look over at it, I'm tempted to give it a little pat and a smile. Sigh. My Precious.
Then there's this as well:
The tag on this is long gone. I think it only came with a receipt, which has long since met up with the trash can and eloped. But it is a wool/angora blend, hand dyed with black cherry Kool Aid.
Now, I realize that looks like a lot, but Dudes, it totally isn't. Today is Day 11 of the Tour, which means that I'm supposed to have 22 ounces spun up by the end of today. The problem is, I only have about 19, and I don't foresee myself actually doing three ounces today. Two, maybe. Can we say two? I think maybe I'll be able to finish two ounces today.
After the black cherry bunny comes more of the teal merino. Wish me luck.
So far, in addition to everything I posted last week, I've also completed this:
That's about 300 yards of 4-ply, aran weight merino, that I'm spinning up for the lovely V. (Somewhere, there's a tag. I've lost track of who the vendor was.) There's not quite 8 ounces total, and I have about 16 more of this to go.
I also have this bit of fantabulousness:
That's 4 ounces of a merino/mohair blend from Fiber Fancy, and I'm uber proud of this yarn. It's the first time I've ever been confident enough in my singles that I'm not going to ply it. There's about 540 yards of that gorgeousness right there, and each time I look over at it, I'm tempted to give it a little pat and a smile. Sigh. My Precious.
Then there's this as well:
The tag on this is long gone. I think it only came with a receipt, which has long since met up with the trash can and eloped. But it is a wool/angora blend, hand dyed with black cherry Kool Aid.
Now, I realize that looks like a lot, but Dudes, it totally isn't. Today is Day 11 of the Tour, which means that I'm supposed to have 22 ounces spun up by the end of today. The problem is, I only have about 19, and I don't foresee myself actually doing three ounces today. Two, maybe. Can we say two? I think maybe I'll be able to finish two ounces today.
After the black cherry bunny comes more of the teal merino. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
So Far
So here's my progress on TdF so far. First up? The Wicked Witch braid from Made by Ewe.
It's four ounces of merino, and there's about 340 yards of the green and black, and about 60 yards of the green by itself. This, I think, will be turn into a very loverly cowl. Or it might be a gift. We shall see.
Then, I've been working on a lot of this bit of wonderfulness from Spinner's Hill
There's six ounces of Corriedale total, although about 40% of it was spun up already. I'm going for about a sport weight, navajo plied. No project in mind as of yet, though.
The Corriedale should be all spun up into a single tonight, and then it will be on to something else. Hmmmm....Decisions, decisions...
It's four ounces of merino, and there's about 340 yards of the green and black, and about 60 yards of the green by itself. This, I think, will be turn into a very loverly cowl. Or it might be a gift. We shall see.
Then, I've been working on a lot of this bit of wonderfulness from Spinner's Hill
There's six ounces of Corriedale total, although about 40% of it was spun up already. I'm going for about a sport weight, navajo plied. No project in mind as of yet, though.
The Corriedale should be all spun up into a single tonight, and then it will be on to something else. Hmmmm....Decisions, decisions...
Thursday, June 30, 2011
TdF Prep
So Tour de Fleece. The goal is to make some sort of challenge for yourself that you think is going to be difficult (but not impossible) for you to complete spin-wise during the Tour de France. For some of my friends, that goal is to spin a little every day. For another it's to come to the grand finale party.
My goal is three pounds. Which is so far beyond the realm of impossibility that it's laughable. Added to this is the fact that, in order to get ready for TdF, I have told myself that I need to finish A) the grab bag on my drop spindle and B) the Falkland that is on my wheel. By TOMORROW.
I can foresee strong drink in my future. And wee hours of the morning.
My goal is three pounds. Which is so far beyond the realm of impossibility that it's laughable. Added to this is the fact that, in order to get ready for TdF, I have told myself that I need to finish A) the grab bag on my drop spindle and B) the Falkland that is on my wheel. By TOMORROW.
I can foresee strong drink in my future. And wee hours of the morning.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
I Don't Like Change
This may not come as a surprise to some of you. But I thought I'd put it out there all the same and announce it. This means that when I spend an afternoon at an open house for a retirement village for my parents (who, I might add, are nowhere near old enough for a community such as this), it does not go well.
I also don't like pressure, but I think this is my own fault, because I was the insane person who decided that she needed to finish up the Heartbeat top and my grab bag prior to the start of Tour de Fleece, which starts this weekend. I have approximately 1/3 of an ounce left in the grab bag, and a little less than an ounce left of Heartbeat.
There are 48 days left in Summer Reading.
This does not bode well for my state of mind, I fear.
I also don't like pressure, but I think this is my own fault, because I was the insane person who decided that she needed to finish up the Heartbeat top and my grab bag prior to the start of Tour de Fleece, which starts this weekend. I have approximately 1/3 of an ounce left in the grab bag, and a little less than an ounce left of Heartbeat.
There are 48 days left in Summer Reading.
This does not bode well for my state of mind, I fear.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Lest We Forget
"Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair."
-- Irving Berlin
Today is Memorial Day, the day set aside to remember all our heroes (fallen or standing) from wars past and present, and all the sacrifices that they made. Ever since the French and Indian War -- the first major international war fought on American soil -- broke out in 1754, countless men and women have paid the ultimate price in the names of freedom, honor, and patriotism. Many of those are unnamed, known, as the tomb in Arlington states, only to God.
2011 markes the 165th anniversary of the Seige of Fort Texas, the 150th anniversary of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. But it doesn't matter whether the men and women whose sacrifices we remember are from a long ago, virtually forgotten war, or if they're from a conflict that is still ongoing today. What is important is that we remember them. That we remember what they did. And that we are grateful to them. And that we will NEVER, EVER forget.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair."
-- Irving Berlin
Today is Memorial Day, the day set aside to remember all our heroes (fallen or standing) from wars past and present, and all the sacrifices that they made. Ever since the French and Indian War -- the first major international war fought on American soil -- broke out in 1754, countless men and women have paid the ultimate price in the names of freedom, honor, and patriotism. Many of those are unnamed, known, as the tomb in Arlington states, only to God.
2011 markes the 165th anniversary of the Seige of Fort Texas, the 150th anniversary of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. But it doesn't matter whether the men and women whose sacrifices we remember are from a long ago, virtually forgotten war, or if they're from a conflict that is still ongoing today. What is important is that we remember them. That we remember what they did. And that we are grateful to them. And that we will NEVER, EVER forget.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Random on a Friday
This is a holiday weekend.
The holiday means that H and I are going down to the Green Valley Book Fair on Monday.
The Pole socks are done.
The toe of one needs to be ripped out and reknit.
I need to figure out some way of putting up the chart for it.
The silk is done on the wheel.
Except for setting the twist.
The silk did not like to draft.
I told it to behave.
It didn't.
Because it's silk, I'll forgive it.
There are 615 yards.
Anyone have any pattern ideas?
The holiday means that H and I are going down to the Green Valley Book Fair on Monday.
The Pole socks are done.
The toe of one needs to be ripped out and reknit.
I need to figure out some way of putting up the chart for it.
The silk is done on the wheel.
Except for setting the twist.
The silk did not like to draft.
I told it to behave.
It didn't.
Because it's silk, I'll forgive it.
There are 615 yards.
Anyone have any pattern ideas?
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Monday, May 02, 2011
A List
Of everything that has captured my attention this past week.
The Pole socks. There's no picture of these, just because I haven't taken one yet. Sock one is finished. Sock two is halfway down the leg. I've really been having fun with these -- cables and socks -- it's the perfect combo.
The weather. FINALLY a great weekend. It's been all April showers, rain and dreariness all month long, and then on Saturday, the sun came out, and there was perfect blue skies. Perfect for hiking around Greenwitch Village.
My general lack of sleep. When you get up at 4am two days in a row...
The Persephone shawl. It's blocking on my bed. Apparently, I don't know all that much how to pin out semi-circular shawls -- this one took about 30 minutes before I got the pins right.
The Duchess of Cambridge. The woman is riveting. I don't envy her all that much (ok, let's be honest, I do a little), but there is nothing more beautiful than two people in love with each other. This is what is so fantastic about a monarchy -- the pageantry, the beauty -- we just don't have exciting events like this here in the US. And THE DRESS. Is there absolutely anything more I can say about THE DRESS?? Wasn't it just the other week that V and M and I were all bemoaning the lack of sleeves and lace on wedding dresses?
The Pole socks. There's no picture of these, just because I haven't taken one yet. Sock one is finished. Sock two is halfway down the leg. I've really been having fun with these -- cables and socks -- it's the perfect combo.
The weather. FINALLY a great weekend. It's been all April showers, rain and dreariness all month long, and then on Saturday, the sun came out, and there was perfect blue skies. Perfect for hiking around Greenwitch Village.
My general lack of sleep. When you get up at 4am two days in a row...
The Persephone shawl. It's blocking on my bed. Apparently, I don't know all that much how to pin out semi-circular shawls -- this one took about 30 minutes before I got the pins right.
The Duchess of Cambridge. The woman is riveting. I don't envy her all that much (ok, let's be honest, I do a little), but there is nothing more beautiful than two people in love with each other. This is what is so fantastic about a monarchy -- the pageantry, the beauty -- we just don't have exciting events like this here in the US. And THE DRESS. Is there absolutely anything more I can say about THE DRESS?? Wasn't it just the other week that V and M and I were all bemoaning the lack of sleeves and lace on wedding dresses?
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Sigh
You ever wonder why sometimes people make big huge deals about things that aren't important? Like when there are so many really important things that need to be discussed and accomplished, and being IGNORED, because of these really unimportant, minute things?
This whole issue about the Birther Bill is bugging me. I mean, let's, for the sake of grins and giggles, just set aside the whole Certificate of Live Birth that was produced to public scrutiny three years ago, along with the announcements made BY the hospital to local newspapers. Because, really, if those things aren't good enough for you, I don't know if there's really anything that is. But the thing that is REALLY bugging me about this whole issue is WHY ARE WE EVEN ARGUING ABOUT THIS???
(I'm wondering maybe if the issue isn't so much of WHERE the dude was born, but WHEN -- like maybe he wasn't really born in 1961, but rather in 1958? Note to self: check up on citizenship status of people born in territories.)
But seriously. Why is it such an issue? Why are we so confounded hung up on this? Why, when I go onto cnn.com, is it the BIG HOT TOPIC? Especially when there are so many other topics out there that I think are far more important and merit much more discussion.
Like maybe, I don't know, the BUDGET?
This whole issue about the Birther Bill is bugging me. I mean, let's, for the sake of grins and giggles, just set aside the whole Certificate of Live Birth that was produced to public scrutiny three years ago, along with the announcements made BY the hospital to local newspapers. Because, really, if those things aren't good enough for you, I don't know if there's really anything that is. But the thing that is REALLY bugging me about this whole issue is WHY ARE WE EVEN ARGUING ABOUT THIS???
(I'm wondering maybe if the issue isn't so much of WHERE the dude was born, but WHEN -- like maybe he wasn't really born in 1961, but rather in 1958? Note to self: check up on citizenship status of people born in territories.)
But seriously. Why is it such an issue? Why are we so confounded hung up on this? Why, when I go onto cnn.com, is it the BIG HOT TOPIC? Especially when there are so many other topics out there that I think are far more important and merit much more discussion.
Like maybe, I don't know, the BUDGET?
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Rain, Rain
April showers bring May flowers...
When we were little, Earthling and I would continue with little ditty: April showers bring May flowers. What do May flowers bring? Pilgrims.
What do Pilgrims bring? Thanksgiving.
What does Thanksgiving bring? Food.
And we would go on and on from there, culminating in some really weird and sometimes disgusting things, until we were told to stop. This was probably one of these bizarre and annoying games we would make up on long car rides.
This week, however, April showers may bring May flowers, but they also bring dreary days, low storytime attendance, and bored children.
When we were little, Earthling and I would continue with little ditty: April showers bring May flowers. What do May flowers bring? Pilgrims.
What do Pilgrims bring? Thanksgiving.
What does Thanksgiving bring? Food.
And we would go on and on from there, culminating in some really weird and sometimes disgusting things, until we were told to stop. This was probably one of these bizarre and annoying games we would make up on long car rides.
This week, however, April showers may bring May flowers, but they also bring dreary days, low storytime attendance, and bored children.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Things That Make You Go Hmmm...
Why does it always have to rain on my day off?
How many calories does a person burn when swimming for 45 minutes?
Why two really good looking guys would be WORKING on a Friday night.
Why it is so blasted tedious to cut out 160 circles of rabbit heads.
Why does mohair wrinkle?
And WHY is it somehow MY FAULT that V refrained from telling her husband about the two looms she bought until today?
How many calories does a person burn when swimming for 45 minutes?
Why two really good looking guys would be WORKING on a Friday night.
Why it is so blasted tedious to cut out 160 circles of rabbit heads.
Why does mohair wrinkle?
And WHY is it somehow MY FAULT that V refrained from telling her husband about the two looms she bought until today?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Deal With It
There was a kid at the library the other day who was whining his behind off. Apparently, he wanted to do something, and his mother told him he couldn't, which caused him to throw a tantrum, right in the middle of the library.
My usual response to whining children is that, if they're planning on providing me with whine, they should at least provide the cheese, strawberries, and crusty baggette too. It usually gets a laugh out of my coworkers -- and the exasperated parent. And it's enough that the kid usually stops whining -- at least enough to stare at you in a confused manner.
This time, however, it just ticked me off. Because you know what, Buddy? Sometimes, life isn't a bed of roses. Sometimes, you DON'T get everything you want. Life. Isn't. Fair. In fact, sometimes, life downright SUCKS. And the sooner you figure that out, the better.
And in the meantime, while you're figuring that out, I'll go and tell my friend, who just lost her baby, or my aunt, who is dying of cancer, or all the people over in Japan who just lost their entire homes and livelihoods that they really need to get some perspective on life, because what they're suffering right now is NOTHING compared to being yelled at by your mother for not behaving as you ought.
btw? Here are links to MSF/DWB, the Red Cross, and the Japanese embassy in D.C, so please don't hesitate to pop on over to any of those sights and give what you can.
My usual response to whining children is that, if they're planning on providing me with whine, they should at least provide the cheese, strawberries, and crusty baggette too. It usually gets a laugh out of my coworkers -- and the exasperated parent. And it's enough that the kid usually stops whining -- at least enough to stare at you in a confused manner.
This time, however, it just ticked me off. Because you know what, Buddy? Sometimes, life isn't a bed of roses. Sometimes, you DON'T get everything you want. Life. Isn't. Fair. In fact, sometimes, life downright SUCKS. And the sooner you figure that out, the better.
And in the meantime, while you're figuring that out, I'll go and tell my friend, who just lost her baby, or my aunt, who is dying of cancer, or all the people over in Japan who just lost their entire homes and livelihoods that they really need to get some perspective on life, because what they're suffering right now is NOTHING compared to being yelled at by your mother for not behaving as you ought.
btw? Here are links to MSF/DWB, the Red Cross, and the Japanese embassy in D.C, so please don't hesitate to pop on over to any of those sights and give what you can.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Food for Thought
What makes something a fairy tale?
According to the University of Chicago, a fairy tale is a specific type of folk tale, which, according to Merriam Webster, is " a characteristically anonymous, timeless, and placeless tale circulated orally among a people."
This would seem to indicate (to me, anyway) that a fairy tale has no actual author -- that it is a tale passed down orally from generation to generation until someone finally decides to write it down. That it might take on a slant of a particular culture or people, but that there is no known person who originally told it. Which makes sense to me. Stories like Rapunzel and Rumpelstiltskin and Hansel and Gretel might all have first been originally written down by the Grimm brothers, but where did the original versions come from? They were probably all stories that mothers told their children, who told their children, who told their children, and so on and so forth, with each generation altering the story ever-so-slightly, until Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm came along and wrote down what they believed to be the "purest" form.
Which brings about the next question. If fairy tales are supposedly anonymous, with no clear-cut orginal author, why is The Little Mermaid considered one? That story has an author. Not just a transcriber who happened to be the first person to write it down. It has an original author. Moreover, it doesn't even follow the traditional, happy ending, girl-marries-boy-moves-to-palace-and-lives-happily-ever-after format. So why is it considered a fairy tale?
I think I'm going to keep my compilation of Andersen's works in the 830's from now on.
According to the University of Chicago, a fairy tale is a specific type of folk tale, which, according to Merriam Webster, is " a characteristically anonymous, timeless, and placeless tale circulated orally among a people."
This would seem to indicate (to me, anyway) that a fairy tale has no actual author -- that it is a tale passed down orally from generation to generation until someone finally decides to write it down. That it might take on a slant of a particular culture or people, but that there is no known person who originally told it. Which makes sense to me. Stories like Rapunzel and Rumpelstiltskin and Hansel and Gretel might all have first been originally written down by the Grimm brothers, but where did the original versions come from? They were probably all stories that mothers told their children, who told their children, who told their children, and so on and so forth, with each generation altering the story ever-so-slightly, until Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm came along and wrote down what they believed to be the "purest" form.
Which brings about the next question. If fairy tales are supposedly anonymous, with no clear-cut orginal author, why is The Little Mermaid considered one? That story has an author. Not just a transcriber who happened to be the first person to write it down. It has an original author. Moreover, it doesn't even follow the traditional, happy ending, girl-marries-boy-moves-to-palace-and-lives-happily-ever-after format. So why is it considered a fairy tale?
I think I'm going to keep my compilation of Andersen's works in the 830's from now on.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Let's Check Our Facts
So last night, on the news, the weather guy said that today, it was to be rainy all day, with high winds gusting up to 40 mph.
My immediate reaction was, "Bummer. And on my day off too." And then I woke up this morning.
Currently, there is sun shining into my bedroom. There is a breeze, but I don't think it's anywhere near 40 mph.
Rainy. All day. Riiiiight.
I'm off for pancakes.
My immediate reaction was, "Bummer. And on my day off too." And then I woke up this morning.
Currently, there is sun shining into my bedroom. There is a breeze, but I don't think it's anywhere near 40 mph.
Rainy. All day. Riiiiight.
I'm off for pancakes.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Bizarre
So, I was doing laundry the other day, and I decided to check the laundry instructions for my bathing suit (I'm trying to get back into the habit of swimming three times a week). And I noticed that on the tag, it stated,
"Use non-chlorine bleach."
Ummm....yeah.... Somehow that makes sense if you don't think about it.
"Use non-chlorine bleach."
Ummm....yeah.... Somehow that makes sense if you don't think about it.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thoughts
Really fascinating discussion on the ALSC listserve right now about whether or not popularity should come into play when awarding the Newbery. The conversation is getting pretty heated -- I guess some people have some really strong opinions regarding this.
So for good measure, I went to ALA's website and looked up the criteria considered for the Newbery. And found the following:
And yet, it begs the questions. Should it consider popularity?
If the JNM were awarded solely on popularity, The Adventures of Captain Underpants would have won. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid would have as well. But they didn't. They didn't win, because while they are fabulous in getting a child to read, I have yet to meet a single person who thinks that they are REALLY WELL WRITTEN. Are they popular? Yes. Do they get children to read? Absolutely. But are they well written enough to stand the test of time to become some of the great classics in children's literature? I doubt it.
But then again, there are several Newbery winners that don't measure up to that either. A couple of years ago, I put the book Smoky the Cowhorse (it won in 1927) on display on the end of a bookcase. Where it sat for over a month. Several months later, I put The Wheel on the School (winner in 1955) out on display. A month later, I could make fingerprints in the dust that had gathered on the top.
There are plenty of winners out there that have stood the test of time and are still quite popular, ten, twenty, thirty plus years after they won (A Wrinkle in Time and Bridge to Terabithia are two really great examples). But as the previous paragraph illustrates, there have been some real flops as well.
For the record, my definition of a good book is one that I will recommend to children, and that is still being read and checked out five years after it's published. Does popularity, whether fleeting or enduring, make a book good? No. But should we consider, in addition to all the other criteria, the potential for enduring popularity when handing out awards?
This year's Newbery winner, btw, is Moon Over Manifest, by Clare Vanderpool.
So for good measure, I went to ALA's website and looked up the criteria considered for the Newbery. And found the following:
Interpretation of the theme or concept
Presentation of information including accuracy, clarity, and organization
Development of a plot
Delineation of characters
Delineation of a setting
Appropriateness of style...
[E]xcellence of presentation for a child audience...
The award is not for didactic content or popularity.
And yet, it begs the questions. Should it consider popularity?
If the JNM were awarded solely on popularity, The Adventures of Captain Underpants would have won. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid would have as well. But they didn't. They didn't win, because while they are fabulous in getting a child to read, I have yet to meet a single person who thinks that they are REALLY WELL WRITTEN. Are they popular? Yes. Do they get children to read? Absolutely. But are they well written enough to stand the test of time to become some of the great classics in children's literature? I doubt it.
But then again, there are several Newbery winners that don't measure up to that either. A couple of years ago, I put the book Smoky the Cowhorse (it won in 1927) on display on the end of a bookcase. Where it sat for over a month. Several months later, I put The Wheel on the School (winner in 1955) out on display. A month later, I could make fingerprints in the dust that had gathered on the top.
There are plenty of winners out there that have stood the test of time and are still quite popular, ten, twenty, thirty plus years after they won (A Wrinkle in Time and Bridge to Terabithia are two really great examples). But as the previous paragraph illustrates, there have been some real flops as well.
For the record, my definition of a good book is one that I will recommend to children, and that is still being read and checked out five years after it's published. Does popularity, whether fleeting or enduring, make a book good? No. But should we consider, in addition to all the other criteria, the potential for enduring popularity when handing out awards?
This year's Newbery winner, btw, is Moon Over Manifest, by Clare Vanderpool.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Twelfth Night
Generally speaking, I've lost some of my love for Christmas over the years.
Don't get me wrong. It's still a wonderful holiday, and I enjoy it very much. It's just that, as I have grown older, I've become disillusioned with all of the secularism, over-indulgence, and greed that has come to mark the holiday. Christmas is, after all, first and foremost a religious holiday, and it should be a time for people to remember family, love, and faith, rather than a time for shopping like hysterical maniacs and driving oneself crazy with gifts and food and whatever else.
My family is big on tradition. We always go to church on Christmas Day, we always give gifts for each of the twelve days of Christmas (and the ones received on January 1 are always a calendar and a puzzle), we always decorate the tree and give out stockings on Christmas Eve, and we always have a big family dinner. Always. I can't remember a year when we didn't do all of this. It's always been a part of what makes Christmas so special.
But this year, some of the traditions have changed a little. The dinner was at the nursing home where my grandmother lives, instead of at my aunt's house; and instead of giving gifts out each day for the twelve days, we gave them all on two; and some of the gifts we ordered for each other didn't arrive on time (one of them still hasn't).
But does any of that make it any less Christmas? Does the fact that your holiday season didn't go quite as you expected make the day any less special, or holy?
On this, the twelfth and final day of Christmas, I hope you have a merry one. And as Charles Dickens once said, may we all truly know how to keep it well.
Don't get me wrong. It's still a wonderful holiday, and I enjoy it very much. It's just that, as I have grown older, I've become disillusioned with all of the secularism, over-indulgence, and greed that has come to mark the holiday. Christmas is, after all, first and foremost a religious holiday, and it should be a time for people to remember family, love, and faith, rather than a time for shopping like hysterical maniacs and driving oneself crazy with gifts and food and whatever else.
My family is big on tradition. We always go to church on Christmas Day, we always give gifts for each of the twelve days of Christmas (and the ones received on January 1 are always a calendar and a puzzle), we always decorate the tree and give out stockings on Christmas Eve, and we always have a big family dinner. Always. I can't remember a year when we didn't do all of this. It's always been a part of what makes Christmas so special.
But this year, some of the traditions have changed a little. The dinner was at the nursing home where my grandmother lives, instead of at my aunt's house; and instead of giving gifts out each day for the twelve days, we gave them all on two; and some of the gifts we ordered for each other didn't arrive on time (one of them still hasn't).
But does any of that make it any less Christmas? Does the fact that your holiday season didn't go quite as you expected make the day any less special, or holy?
On this, the twelfth and final day of Christmas, I hope you have a merry one. And as Charles Dickens once said, may we all truly know how to keep it well.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Things I Don't Get
Braille on drive-through ATM's.
Decaf espresso.
Lo-carb peanut butter.
Kosher salt on pork barbecue.
Why, if global warming is such an issue, incandescent bulbs are not made illegal, all automobiles aren't required to be hybrids, and all newly constructed buildings aren't required to use alternative energy.
How it can be this !@#$%^& blasted cold when it isn't even winter yet.
Decaf espresso.
Lo-carb peanut butter.
Kosher salt on pork barbecue.
Why, if global warming is such an issue, incandescent bulbs are not made illegal, all automobiles aren't required to be hybrids, and all newly constructed buildings aren't required to use alternative energy.
How it can be this !@#$%^& blasted cold when it isn't even winter yet.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Sneg!
Neige!
Khioni!
Nix!
Mainly just flurries, and it didn't do much besides dust the walkways, but still -- it was snow!
Khioni!
Nix!
Mainly just flurries, and it didn't do much besides dust the walkways, but still -- it was snow!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
To Celebrate
Yes, my friends. I have successfully written a 50,000 word novel in the past 30 days. I thought it would be extremely nervewracking and involve blood, sweat, and tears, but I found that as long as I made my 1700 words a day, it wasn't too bad. All that is left now is to write a little introduction. Maybe this is something that could actually get published someday...
Happy Saint Andrew's Day!
Friday, November 26, 2010
I feel like I should go traveling some more.
visited 23 states (46%)
Create your own visited map of The United States
visited 10 states (4.44%)
Create your own visited map of The World
Happy Thanksgiving.
visited 23 states (46%)
Create your own visited map of The United States
visited 10 states (4.44%)
Create your own visited map of The World
Happy Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Hickory Dickory Dock
Pros about this month:
I have finished the Noro sock and have started another one out of Cascade Heritage.
I have approximately 29,000 words in my Nano at the moment.
I believe I am exactly where I need to be plot-wise in my Nano at this point in the month.
The first part of the last Harry Potter movie has hit the theaters.
It is exactly seven days until Thanksgiving.
Cons about this month:It is a typical cold, dreary November day.
The sun is not shining, and the wind is blowing.
I am behind on Mr. Greenjeans.
I may be coming down with another cold.
It is a month before Christmas.
My Christmas knitting is nowhere near completed.
Right now, the mouse is partway up the clock. Where's yours?
I have finished the Noro sock and have started another one out of Cascade Heritage.
I have approximately 29,000 words in my Nano at the moment.
I believe I am exactly where I need to be plot-wise in my Nano at this point in the month.
The first part of the last Harry Potter movie has hit the theaters.
It is exactly seven days until Thanksgiving.
Cons about this month:It is a typical cold, dreary November day.
The sun is not shining, and the wind is blowing.
I am behind on Mr. Greenjeans.
I may be coming down with another cold.
It is a month before Christmas.
My Christmas knitting is nowhere near completed.
Right now, the mouse is partway up the clock. Where's yours?
Friday, November 05, 2010
Don't Let It Hit You on Your Way Out
The universe, I have decreed, is out to get me.
I can tell that you don't believe me, but it's true. This week has been such a stressful doozy that if I could go back in time and just skip these past five days, I would. Really. I've spent the said past five days struggling with a MAMMOTH head cold -- one so horrific that I've seriously been tempted to call in sick every day this week (and didn't only because I would have felt unjustifiably guilty doing so for just a cold), and all I've wanted to do when I get home is crawl into bed with a cup of tea and some Motrin and SLEEP. And to cap it all off, it happened to coincide with a certain time of the month when my hormones are all out of whack.
I've been participating in NaNoWriMo this year, and really I've been so wiped out that the only thing I've been able to get done this week is make my daily word count. And when I say the only thing? I mean the ONLY THING. There has been no housework done. There has been no cooking done (other than the brewing of water for the tea). There wasn't even any KNITTING done until last night (See? I told you this cold was a doozy).
The upside to this whole week is that I have 6800 words written and the toe of a sock.
The downside to this whole week is that I have 6800 words written, the toe of a sock, and a house that has officially reached its capacity for disorganized filth.
This weekend is going to be busy. First on the list? The dishes.
I can tell that you don't believe me, but it's true. This week has been such a stressful doozy that if I could go back in time and just skip these past five days, I would. Really. I've spent the said past five days struggling with a MAMMOTH head cold -- one so horrific that I've seriously been tempted to call in sick every day this week (and didn't only because I would have felt unjustifiably guilty doing so for just a cold), and all I've wanted to do when I get home is crawl into bed with a cup of tea and some Motrin and SLEEP. And to cap it all off, it happened to coincide with a certain time of the month when my hormones are all out of whack.
I've been participating in NaNoWriMo this year, and really I've been so wiped out that the only thing I've been able to get done this week is make my daily word count. And when I say the only thing? I mean the ONLY THING. There has been no housework done. There has been no cooking done (other than the brewing of water for the tea). There wasn't even any KNITTING done until last night (See? I told you this cold was a doozy).
The upside to this whole week is that I have 6800 words written and the toe of a sock.
The downside to this whole week is that I have 6800 words written, the toe of a sock, and a house that has officially reached its capacity for disorganized filth.
This weekend is going to be busy. First on the list? The dishes.
Monday, November 01, 2010
Interesting
Apparently, this is who I am most like in the HP books...
Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.
Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
To Do List
1. Start packing for MM
2. Do laundry. Presumably so I can pack for MM.
3. Try to determine whether or not the pile of dishes in my sink is large enough to warrant washing them.
4. Attempt to get over my frustration that two championship teams, who are supposedly the best in their respective leagues, would commit SIX ERRORS (including two in one inning), hit two batters, and throw a wild pitch all in the same game.
5. Continue working on the Ravensong sweater.
6. Vacuum.
Somehow, I'm not seeing all of these things happening tonight.
2. Do laundry. Presumably so I can pack for MM.
3. Try to determine whether or not the pile of dishes in my sink is large enough to warrant washing them.
4. Attempt to get over my frustration that two championship teams, who are supposedly the best in their respective leagues, would commit SIX ERRORS (including two in one inning), hit two batters, and throw a wild pitch all in the same game.
5. Continue working on the Ravensong sweater.
6. Vacuum.
Somehow, I'm not seeing all of these things happening tonight.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Never Mind
Recently, coworker of mine got married, and a bunch of us brought in goodies in celebration. One person (who is allergic to wheat), brought in gluten-free pumpkin blondies.
I asked her for the recipe, and she said that it was just a mix that she added pumpkin to -- because it was too much of a hassle to make gluten-free flour herself. When I asked why, she said it was because there needed to be a whole bunch of different flours that needed to be mixed together. Otherwise it wouldn't taste like wheat.
Which got me thinking: Why does it need to taste like wheat? Granted, wheat has certain properties that provide a finished baked good with a certain flavor and texture, but so do other grains. And those other grains might create a totally different flavor or texture that is favorable to that of wheat. Corn has one flavor and texture. Rye has another. Wheat has a third. None of them are "better" than the other -- they're just different. They taste differently, they feel different in your mouth, and they provide different nutrients.
I have an angora sweater in my closet. It is one of the softest, warmest sweaters I have ever owned. I absolutely loved making it, I love the way it feels against my skin, and it has an unbelievable halo of fluff that adds to its beauty. But angora has other properties besides being soft and warm and fluffy. It sheds like there's no tomorrow, it's not very elastic, and even though I've always hand washed it, there are areas of the sweater that have begun to self-felt -- just from the friction of everyday where. I knew this would end up happening when I knit the sweater, because THAT'S THE NATURE OF ANGORA. My wool sweaters do not do that. But wool is not nearly as soft or as warm as angora. And it usually doesn't create a halo when it's knit up either.
My angora sweater does not have the same properties as my wool ones. That's because angora is a completely different fiber, and therefore creates a completely different fabric than wool. But I knew when I began knitting the sweater that it would turn out different from my other sweaters -- that it would shed, that it would self-felt, and that it would not be very elastic. That's just the way angora is, and when I knit with it, I accept those properties and try to find the right pattern that will accomodate them. And it doesn't mean that I have to go around combining it with a whole slew of other fibers, just so it will feel, act, and look just like wool.
Grain is like that. So corn doesn't have gluten, and tends to create a totally different meal than wheat. That doesn't mean that it doesn't taste good, or that it is unacceptable to bake with, or that it can't be used by itself. When I bake with cornmeal, I understand that it is different than flour -- that it has different properties, and will therefore create a baked good that tastes different than if I use wheat. Which is why, when I use cornmeal, I look for recipes that will take advantage of those properties.
In the beginning of her book No Sheep for You, Amy Singer says, "Though these fibers are novel, there's nothing novelty about them. They're seriously yummy and worth getting to know and knit. No fiber will ever duplicate everything wool does naturally. Scientists have spent more than a hundred years trying, and the best they've done so far is...acrylic? Never mind. I've got a book full of gorgeous fiber to share with you, and none of it squeaks. NSFY is not about us against them. It's about having great stuff for everyone to knit with."
So why can't we do the same with grains?
I asked her for the recipe, and she said that it was just a mix that she added pumpkin to -- because it was too much of a hassle to make gluten-free flour herself. When I asked why, she said it was because there needed to be a whole bunch of different flours that needed to be mixed together. Otherwise it wouldn't taste like wheat.
Which got me thinking: Why does it need to taste like wheat? Granted, wheat has certain properties that provide a finished baked good with a certain flavor and texture, but so do other grains. And those other grains might create a totally different flavor or texture that is favorable to that of wheat. Corn has one flavor and texture. Rye has another. Wheat has a third. None of them are "better" than the other -- they're just different. They taste differently, they feel different in your mouth, and they provide different nutrients.
I have an angora sweater in my closet. It is one of the softest, warmest sweaters I have ever owned. I absolutely loved making it, I love the way it feels against my skin, and it has an unbelievable halo of fluff that adds to its beauty. But angora has other properties besides being soft and warm and fluffy. It sheds like there's no tomorrow, it's not very elastic, and even though I've always hand washed it, there are areas of the sweater that have begun to self-felt -- just from the friction of everyday where. I knew this would end up happening when I knit the sweater, because THAT'S THE NATURE OF ANGORA. My wool sweaters do not do that. But wool is not nearly as soft or as warm as angora. And it usually doesn't create a halo when it's knit up either.
My angora sweater does not have the same properties as my wool ones. That's because angora is a completely different fiber, and therefore creates a completely different fabric than wool. But I knew when I began knitting the sweater that it would turn out different from my other sweaters -- that it would shed, that it would self-felt, and that it would not be very elastic. That's just the way angora is, and when I knit with it, I accept those properties and try to find the right pattern that will accomodate them. And it doesn't mean that I have to go around combining it with a whole slew of other fibers, just so it will feel, act, and look just like wool.
Grain is like that. So corn doesn't have gluten, and tends to create a totally different meal than wheat. That doesn't mean that it doesn't taste good, or that it is unacceptable to bake with, or that it can't be used by itself. When I bake with cornmeal, I understand that it is different than flour -- that it has different properties, and will therefore create a baked good that tastes different than if I use wheat. Which is why, when I use cornmeal, I look for recipes that will take advantage of those properties.
In the beginning of her book No Sheep for You, Amy Singer says, "Though these fibers are novel, there's nothing novelty about them. They're seriously yummy and worth getting to know and knit. No fiber will ever duplicate everything wool does naturally. Scientists have spent more than a hundred years trying, and the best they've done so far is...acrylic? Never mind. I've got a book full of gorgeous fiber to share with you, and none of it squeaks. NSFY is not about us against them. It's about having great stuff for everyone to knit with."
So why can't we do the same with grains?
Thursday, September 30, 2010
A Contribution
Helen
Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino Angel (58% Merino, 30% Mohair, 12% Nylon, 366 yards), 1 skein
Needles: 5 mm, US 8
Gauge: Flexible (it's a scarf, not a bikini), but try for 15 stitches to 4 inches in stockinette
Suggested measurements: 11" by 85"
Techniques required: Provisional cast-on, yarnovers, decreases, chart reading
Notes: Only Right Side rows are included in Charts A and B. Do not forget to work the wrong sides.
Chart A is repeated twice across the row; Chart B is repeated 5 times across the row.
The charts are included at the end of the instructions. Click to enlarge.
Merino Angel is limited edition, so it may be difficult to procure. Any heavy fingering or sportweight mohair or mohair blend will work.
Instructions
Using a provisional cast-on, Cast-On 50 stitches. Knit one row.
Row 1 (RS): K2, work Row 1 of Chart A across, K2
Row 2 (and all other WS rows unless otherwise noted): K2, p to the last two stitches, K2
Work Chart A a total of 21 times, ending with a Right Side row.
Transitional Row (WS): Knit all stitches, increasing once across, 51 stitches.
Work Chart B once, ending with a Wrong Side row.
Bind off all stitches Purlwise.
Pick up the 50 stitches from the original Cast-On edge, and make certain you are ready to start a Wrong Side row. Knit one row, increasing once across, 51 stitches.
Work Chart B once, ending with a Wrong Side row.
Bind off all stitches Purlwise.
Wet block to desired measurements. Toss one end over a shoulder and parade through the streets of town like the diva you are.
Chart A
Chart B
Chart Legend
o yarnover
/ k2tog
\ ssk
^ sk2p
.........................................................................................................................
(c)2010, Bethany Hait. This pattern is provided free of charge. As such, please feel free to make a copy for personal use, or make this scarf as a gift or a charitable donation. Please do not make copies of this pattern for others, sell the scarf or pattern for profit, or redistribute or reproduce it for any other reason.
Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino Angel (58% Merino, 30% Mohair, 12% Nylon, 366 yards), 1 skein
Needles: 5 mm, US 8
Gauge: Flexible (it's a scarf, not a bikini), but try for 15 stitches to 4 inches in stockinette
Suggested measurements: 11" by 85"
Techniques required: Provisional cast-on, yarnovers, decreases, chart reading
Notes: Only Right Side rows are included in Charts A and B. Do not forget to work the wrong sides.
Chart A is repeated twice across the row; Chart B is repeated 5 times across the row.
The charts are included at the end of the instructions. Click to enlarge.
Merino Angel is limited edition, so it may be difficult to procure. Any heavy fingering or sportweight mohair or mohair blend will work.
Instructions
Using a provisional cast-on, Cast-On 50 stitches. Knit one row.
Row 1 (RS): K2, work Row 1 of Chart A across, K2
Row 2 (and all other WS rows unless otherwise noted): K2, p to the last two stitches, K2
Work Chart A a total of 21 times, ending with a Right Side row.
Transitional Row (WS): Knit all stitches, increasing once across, 51 stitches.
Work Chart B once, ending with a Wrong Side row.
Bind off all stitches Purlwise.
Pick up the 50 stitches from the original Cast-On edge, and make certain you are ready to start a Wrong Side row. Knit one row, increasing once across, 51 stitches.
Work Chart B once, ending with a Wrong Side row.
Bind off all stitches Purlwise.
Wet block to desired measurements. Toss one end over a shoulder and parade through the streets of town like the diva you are.
Chart A
Chart B
Chart Legend
o yarnover
/ k2tog
\ ssk
^ sk2p
.........................................................................................................................
(c)2010, Bethany Hait. This pattern is provided free of charge. As such, please feel free to make a copy for personal use, or make this scarf as a gift or a charitable donation. Please do not make copies of this pattern for others, sell the scarf or pattern for profit, or redistribute or reproduce it for any other reason.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Worms
I just read this article on Yahoo! News.
OK. BEGIN RANT
First off, there's a difference between deciding that Book X does not support the mission or policy of the parent institution and therefore should not be included on the library shelves, and banning it. Lauren Myracle probably wouldn't end up on the shelves of the local college library, or in the library of the local law school, but that doesn't mean that the book is BANNED from either of them, just that it doesn't support either institution's curriculum. Peter Spier, Norman Bridwell, or Margaret Wise Brown probably wouldn't end up there either.
Secondly (and more importantly), NO ONE, not even parents, has the right to ban a book for someone else. If this parent truly feels that strongly about this book, then she can make the decision about it for HER CHILD (and she should be strongly encouraged to do so). If her child brings it home, it is her right (and responsibility) to say, "Honey, I don't want you reading that book right now, because I think it deals with issues that are more appropriate for older children. Let's take it back to the library so you can pick out something else, and in two or three years, you can check it out again."
But to say that she doesn't want ANY child who is the same age as her child to be exposed to the book is NOT within her rights. She does NOT have the right to say, "I don't believe that this book is appropriate for any child under the age of 10, and therefore, I do not want any child who is under the age of ten ever to have to come into contact with it." And it isn't her decision to say whether or not the book supports her school's curriculum, either -- and that would be the only reason why the school librarian would decide not to put it on the shelf.
Not every book in every library is all sugar and roses. There are some really racy or violent or disturbing tomes out there. There are books in my library that (if I had children) I would not want them reading. Mein Kampf comes to mind most readily. There are also books that, if I had young children, I wouldn't want them to read until they were older. Like Twilight. But if someone else were to pick up either Mein Kampf or Twilight and decide they wanted to read it, that's their right to do so, regardless of their age. And regardless of what I, or ANYONE ELSE, thinks.
So lady? Learn to do your own darn job and review the books your child picks out. And let other parents do the same for their kids.
END RANT
OK. BEGIN RANT
First off, there's a difference between deciding that Book X does not support the mission or policy of the parent institution and therefore should not be included on the library shelves, and banning it. Lauren Myracle probably wouldn't end up on the shelves of the local college library, or in the library of the local law school, but that doesn't mean that the book is BANNED from either of them, just that it doesn't support either institution's curriculum. Peter Spier, Norman Bridwell, or Margaret Wise Brown probably wouldn't end up there either.
Secondly (and more importantly), NO ONE, not even parents, has the right to ban a book for someone else. If this parent truly feels that strongly about this book, then she can make the decision about it for HER CHILD (and she should be strongly encouraged to do so). If her child brings it home, it is her right (and responsibility) to say, "Honey, I don't want you reading that book right now, because I think it deals with issues that are more appropriate for older children. Let's take it back to the library so you can pick out something else, and in two or three years, you can check it out again."
But to say that she doesn't want ANY child who is the same age as her child to be exposed to the book is NOT within her rights. She does NOT have the right to say, "I don't believe that this book is appropriate for any child under the age of 10, and therefore, I do not want any child who is under the age of ten ever to have to come into contact with it." And it isn't her decision to say whether or not the book supports her school's curriculum, either -- and that would be the only reason why the school librarian would decide not to put it on the shelf.
Not every book in every library is all sugar and roses. There are some really racy or violent or disturbing tomes out there. There are books in my library that (if I had children) I would not want them reading. Mein Kampf comes to mind most readily. There are also books that, if I had young children, I wouldn't want them to read until they were older. Like Twilight. But if someone else were to pick up either Mein Kampf or Twilight and decide they wanted to read it, that's their right to do so, regardless of their age. And regardless of what I, or ANYONE ELSE, thinks.
So lady? Learn to do your own darn job and review the books your child picks out. And let other parents do the same for their kids.
END RANT
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday Musings
1. Do people in Greece ever wear winter scarves?
2. Today is the first day of fall. So why is the weather forecast for tomorrow slated to be in the 90's?
3. What in the world is "gator gumbo"?
4. NaNoWriMo's coming up!!
5. This weekend is the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival. I'd go...except I have to work. Bummer. Maybe I can bribe someone to shop for me.
6. I cannot believe the sheer number of books that urchins can pull off library shelves in the space of a couple of hours. How fast do kids read?
2. Today is the first day of fall. So why is the weather forecast for tomorrow slated to be in the 90's?
3. What in the world is "gator gumbo"?
4. NaNoWriMo's coming up!!
5. This weekend is the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival. I'd go...except I have to work. Bummer. Maybe I can bribe someone to shop for me.
6. I cannot believe the sheer number of books that urchins can pull off library shelves in the space of a couple of hours. How fast do kids read?
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Celebratory Randomness
1. Today is the first day of school, which makes me want to go running out in the streets tossing pennies to anyone who comes by in celebration. (And I totally would, except for the fact that yesterday, I celebrated by going with M to a Nationals game (they won), and, despite the fact that I used sun block, came back with some significant redness on my chest and face, which I'm pretty sure has contributed to the headache that I've had all day today.)
2. I'm looking for a good way to make boucle yarn (that's just an example). I'm not finding the article in Spin-Off very helpful.
3. Note to all you parents: The public library does not have a section specifically dedicated to "AR books." ANY book is an AR book. It may not be on your child's school list, but it will probably have a value assigned to it all the same. And we probably don't have the most up-to-date list from your school, and no, it isn't connected to our catalog even if we did.
4. I'm seriously sick of all the Chef Boyarde commercials about people getting in trouble by mentioning vegetables. For pity sakes, what is wrong with kids knowing that there are vegetables in their food??? Isn't it better that kids learn to enjoy their vegetables and know that not all veggies taste bad than to LIE to your children?
5. Four children came up to me tonight to ask about school reading lists. Ah, the joy of working with children who start their work early.
6. Why is the batter who is right behind the dude on deck referred to as being "in the hole?"
7. I really need to get back to work on the cabinet.
2. I'm looking for a good way to make boucle yarn (that's just an example). I'm not finding the article in Spin-Off very helpful.
3. Note to all you parents: The public library does not have a section specifically dedicated to "AR books." ANY book is an AR book. It may not be on your child's school list, but it will probably have a value assigned to it all the same. And we probably don't have the most up-to-date list from your school, and no, it isn't connected to our catalog even if we did.
4. I'm seriously sick of all the Chef Boyarde commercials about people getting in trouble by mentioning vegetables. For pity sakes, what is wrong with kids knowing that there are vegetables in their food??? Isn't it better that kids learn to enjoy their vegetables and know that not all veggies taste bad than to LIE to your children?
5. Four children came up to me tonight to ask about school reading lists. Ah, the joy of working with children who start their work early.
6. Why is the batter who is right behind the dude on deck referred to as being "in the hole?"
7. I really need to get back to work on the cabinet.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Funny
This is just about the funniest think I've seen in a while. Beats even the hamsters. I've been trying to embed the link to the video itself, but somehow, I'm missing something. So here's the link anyway.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Summer Reading
Is now OVER.
Now, if we could just do something about the school year starting earlier....
Now, if we could just do something about the school year starting earlier....
Friday, July 23, 2010
It All Goes Back to a Lack of Woods
So we're getting into the time of summer when kids are coming in Mongal hords to come and check out the stack of books that they have been assigned to read over the summer. Most of them are checked out, and of course, it all will lead, in the end, to someone (usually either me or the mother) saying, "Shouldn't you have started this two months ago?"
But it's gotten me thinking. What's the point of school summer reading assignments? To stimulate thought and mental activity when school is not in session?
To get children to read when they're not being forced to do so? To keep them out of trouble? To start the school year with some of the work done?
I think educators will say that it's a combination of all those answers, but really when it comes down to it, I think the reason for summer assignments is thus: A: to make the job easier on the English teacher in the fall, and B: to ensure that the children are not bored.
But what's the big deal about being bored? BORED children climb trees. They build treehouses. They explore the great unknowns of their backyards. They rig booby traps for their neighborhood rivals. They write dark and vampant poetry. They take bike rides and go for walks. They draw and paint. They build mud pies and make flower jelly. They sort rocks and collect flowers and steal from beehives. And they read books of THEIR OWN CHOOSING.
I could go on here, but...well...My friend M would say that it all goes back to the fact that kids are no longer playing in trees anymore.
And because they aren't bored.
But it's gotten me thinking. What's the point of school summer reading assignments? To stimulate thought and mental activity when school is not in session?
To get children to read when they're not being forced to do so? To keep them out of trouble? To start the school year with some of the work done?
I think educators will say that it's a combination of all those answers, but really when it comes down to it, I think the reason for summer assignments is thus: A: to make the job easier on the English teacher in the fall, and B: to ensure that the children are not bored.
But what's the big deal about being bored? BORED children climb trees. They build treehouses. They explore the great unknowns of their backyards. They rig booby traps for their neighborhood rivals. They write dark and vampant poetry. They take bike rides and go for walks. They draw and paint. They build mud pies and make flower jelly. They sort rocks and collect flowers and steal from beehives. And they read books of THEIR OWN CHOOSING.
I could go on here, but...well...My friend M would say that it all goes back to the fact that kids are no longer playing in trees anymore.
And because they aren't bored.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
First Impressions
How do you determine what goes into the very first line of a short story or poem or novel? How you decide what you want the first impression to be? And how do some lines become famous almost to the point of cliche, while others, even on popular books or famous classics, remain comfortably in obscurity?
There are, of course, the cliches:
"It was a dark and stormy night."
"There was once upon a time..."
Then there opening lines which don't become cliche, but do end up so well-known that pretty much everyone knows where they came from:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
"Call me, 'Ishmael'."
"Marley was dead, to begin with."
And then there are works which have no real punch to their opening lines at all, yet the greater work still retains enough punch to render the book a classic:
"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents."
"Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head."
"The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it."
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."
"Unemployed, at last!"
So what goes into the thinking up of the very first line?
Thoughts?
There are, of course, the cliches:
"It was a dark and stormy night."
"There was once upon a time..."
Then there opening lines which don't become cliche, but do end up so well-known that pretty much everyone knows where they came from:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
"Call me, 'Ishmael'."
"Marley was dead, to begin with."
And then there are works which have no real punch to their opening lines at all, yet the greater work still retains enough punch to render the book a classic:
"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents."
"Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head."
"The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it."
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."
"Unemployed, at last!"
So what goes into the thinking up of the very first line?
Thoughts?
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Vocab Lesson
Because I was really ticked off when I saw the Haines commercial last night about their new "Lays flat collar." Uhhh, People? The stranger dude was correct. It really is LIES flat, not lays.
So let's go over the definition of the two words again, shall we?
To lay: a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It means to put, to place, or to set. It is conjugated thusly: I lay the book down today, I laid the book down yesterday, I have laid the book down in the past.
To lie: an intransitive verb, requiring no direct object. It means to recline, to repose, or to be situated. It is conjugated thusly: I lie down today, I lay down yesterday, I have lain down in the past.
Not to be confused with the completely different word meaning "to tell an untruth."
So just to be VERY CLEAR about this (because really, it isn't all that difficult), if something or someone is reclining or is situated in a certain way, the word to use it LIE. I lie down in my bed. The collar lies flat. The word LAY is used only when one wishes to say that something is BEING placed or set onto something. I lay the book on the desk. She lay the silverware down on the table.
So Haines? I realize you think you were being funny, really? You weren't. Please use your words correctly.
So let's go over the definition of the two words again, shall we?
To lay: a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It means to put, to place, or to set. It is conjugated thusly: I lay the book down today, I laid the book down yesterday, I have laid the book down in the past.
To lie: an intransitive verb, requiring no direct object. It means to recline, to repose, or to be situated. It is conjugated thusly: I lie down today, I lay down yesterday, I have lain down in the past.
Not to be confused with the completely different word meaning "to tell an untruth."
So just to be VERY CLEAR about this (because really, it isn't all that difficult), if something or someone is reclining or is situated in a certain way, the word to use it LIE. I lie down in my bed. The collar lies flat. The word LAY is used only when one wishes to say that something is BEING placed or set onto something. I lay the book on the desk. She lay the silverware down on the table.
So Haines? I realize you think you were being funny, really? You weren't. Please use your words correctly.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Lest We Forget
It's interesting how sometimes the most profound statements can be found in mundane places. The following is from a song by Lee Greenwood:
at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
Memorial Day has been celebrated here in the US regularly since 1866. It wasn't called anything then. It was just a day when people would go to the graves of all the men and boys they knew who had died in the Civil War. After a few years, it was called Decoration Day and established to be on May 30. It wasn't until later that it was called Memorial Day, and later still when it moved from May 30 to the last Monday in May .
(This would be a good time to point out the fact to all my Canadian friends that, while November 11 is indeed an important date, and that we would never try to downplay the sacrifices that Canadians or anyone else made during WWI or any other war, it's important to note that the reason November 11 is not as big of a holiday here in the US is because by the time WWI ended, we Americans had been celebrating Memorial Day for almost fifty years.)
But regardless of how it came to be called what and when, it's still the day that we Americans take the time to remember all the heroes, fallen and standing, of all of the wars in which we've fought. Because there's precious little in this world that's more important than remembering. Because the men who fought for freedom and liberty deserve to be remembered -- even if we don't remember their names, we at least remember what they did. Because without them, none of us would be where we are today.
So...in the words of Abraham Lincoln: "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."
Or in the words of Billy Ray Cyrus: "Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died"
Either way? Never forget.
at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
Memorial Day has been celebrated here in the US regularly since 1866. It wasn't called anything then. It was just a day when people would go to the graves of all the men and boys they knew who had died in the Civil War. After a few years, it was called Decoration Day and established to be on May 30. It wasn't until later that it was called Memorial Day, and later still when it moved from May 30 to the last Monday in May .
(This would be a good time to point out the fact to all my Canadian friends that, while November 11 is indeed an important date, and that we would never try to downplay the sacrifices that Canadians or anyone else made during WWI or any other war, it's important to note that the reason November 11 is not as big of a holiday here in the US is because by the time WWI ended, we Americans had been celebrating Memorial Day for almost fifty years.)
But regardless of how it came to be called what and when, it's still the day that we Americans take the time to remember all the heroes, fallen and standing, of all of the wars in which we've fought. Because there's precious little in this world that's more important than remembering. Because the men who fought for freedom and liberty deserve to be remembered -- even if we don't remember their names, we at least remember what they did. Because without them, none of us would be where we are today.
So...in the words of Abraham Lincoln: "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."
Or in the words of Billy Ray Cyrus: "Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died"
Either way? Never forget.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Why Are We Afraid to Disturb the Universe?
So the Harlot has a debate going right now over the definition of lace. She is offering her readers four choices:
A) Elizabeth Zimmerman's definition, which is "a series of yarn-overs with accompanying decreases used to make holes" (or something like that).
B) Holes are holes, regardless of how they're made, so even if they aren't stable and are simply a result of knitting at a loose gauge, the result could be defined as lace.
C) As long as the holes are stable, intentional, and create some sort of design, the resulting fabric can be called lace.
D) Some other definition.
It's amusing to read through all the different comments -- to read about how "real lace" has to have patterning on both sides and how it must be accompanied by tears, angst, and language unbecoming a knitter, or how maybe we are really too rigid in a lot of our definitions.
The comment that really struck me though, was that a lot of people chose the first definition because, well, that's Elizabeth Zimmerman's definition, and who are we mere mortals to go against the great Knitting Goddess of Elizabeth Zimmerman?
Personally, I'd go with the third definition (because I don't think that yarn overs are the only way to make stable holes, or that knitting is the only way to create lace), but all those comments left me wondering...and marveling at the irony of it all (is it actually irony? I'm never certain). EZ was, truly, a knitting goddess. She made knitting cool before it was cool, and she authored many books throughout her lifetime that provide great, helpful information for many a knitter.
But most importantly (and here's where the irony(?) comes in), she disturbed the universe. And she dared other knitters to disturb the universe. Her definition of the perfect length of a border is "until the knitter is sick of knitting it." She constantly told knitters not to be afraid of doing something new or different (her motto was "knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises"). The first paragraph in one of her books talks about her "unventing something." She believed that there was no such thing as a mistake in knitting, only new things or deviations from a pattern, and that the correct way to create a long-tail cast-on was just to pull out a bunch of yarn until it looked long enough and go from there.
Now, I don't have any problem with any of those people who chose the first definition of lace if that's truly what they believed the definition to be. But to choose it just because it's Elizabeth Zimmerman's definition?
In the movie Mona Lisa Smile, Julia Roberts' character pulls out a Van Gogh paint-by-number and says to her students, "Ironic, isn't it? Look at what we have done to the man who refused to conform his ideals to popular taste. Who refused to compromise his integrity. We have put him in a tiny box and asked you to copy him."
I couldn't say it better.
A) Elizabeth Zimmerman's definition, which is "a series of yarn-overs with accompanying decreases used to make holes" (or something like that).
B) Holes are holes, regardless of how they're made, so even if they aren't stable and are simply a result of knitting at a loose gauge, the result could be defined as lace.
C) As long as the holes are stable, intentional, and create some sort of design, the resulting fabric can be called lace.
D) Some other definition.
It's amusing to read through all the different comments -- to read about how "real lace" has to have patterning on both sides and how it must be accompanied by tears, angst, and language unbecoming a knitter, or how maybe we are really too rigid in a lot of our definitions.
The comment that really struck me though, was that a lot of people chose the first definition because, well, that's Elizabeth Zimmerman's definition, and who are we mere mortals to go against the great Knitting Goddess of Elizabeth Zimmerman?
Personally, I'd go with the third definition (because I don't think that yarn overs are the only way to make stable holes, or that knitting is the only way to create lace), but all those comments left me wondering...and marveling at the irony of it all (is it actually irony? I'm never certain). EZ was, truly, a knitting goddess. She made knitting cool before it was cool, and she authored many books throughout her lifetime that provide great, helpful information for many a knitter.
But most importantly (and here's where the irony(?) comes in), she disturbed the universe. And she dared other knitters to disturb the universe. Her definition of the perfect length of a border is "until the knitter is sick of knitting it." She constantly told knitters not to be afraid of doing something new or different (her motto was "knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises"). The first paragraph in one of her books talks about her "unventing something." She believed that there was no such thing as a mistake in knitting, only new things or deviations from a pattern, and that the correct way to create a long-tail cast-on was just to pull out a bunch of yarn until it looked long enough and go from there.
Now, I don't have any problem with any of those people who chose the first definition of lace if that's truly what they believed the definition to be. But to choose it just because it's Elizabeth Zimmerman's definition?
In the movie Mona Lisa Smile, Julia Roberts' character pulls out a Van Gogh paint-by-number and says to her students, "Ironic, isn't it? Look at what we have done to the man who refused to conform his ideals to popular taste. Who refused to compromise his integrity. We have put him in a tiny box and asked you to copy him."
I couldn't say it better.
Friday, May 21, 2010
For Thoughts
You ever notice how some patterns take forever to do, and then others you can get done really quickly? And not for any particular reason, either. I wonder why that is...
I'm working on the Francis Revisted sweater. Now, granted, it's knit on big needles, and there's virtually NO FINISHING. But still, I started it seven days ago, and I'm almost done with it. Normally, it takes me about 2-3 weeks to do a sweater, and this one will be done in about eight days. Weird.
And that's not the only one. Monkey socks are lickety split, too. Why is that, especially when other patterns out there are slow as molasses? It can't be the actual pattern: Francis is done in plain stockinette, and Monkeys in fish-scale lace. And it's not necessarily the needle size either, because I have another sweater on the same size needles as Francis that I just frogged because it's been on the needles , so what is it about certain patterns?
What other patterns out there are uber fast?
I'm working on the Francis Revisted sweater. Now, granted, it's knit on big needles, and there's virtually NO FINISHING. But still, I started it seven days ago, and I'm almost done with it. Normally, it takes me about 2-3 weeks to do a sweater, and this one will be done in about eight days. Weird.
And that's not the only one. Monkey socks are lickety split, too. Why is that, especially when other patterns out there are slow as molasses? It can't be the actual pattern: Francis is done in plain stockinette, and Monkeys in fish-scale lace. And it's not necessarily the needle size either, because I have another sweater on the same size needles as Francis that I just frogged because it's been on the needles , so what is it about certain patterns?
What other patterns out there are uber fast?
Monday, May 17, 2010
It's Raining, It's Pouring...
You ever wonder who the old man is in that rhyme?
So, in April, it got up to 90 degrees in the first week. Now, it's May, and it's back down to the low 60's. Huh. Maybe the temperature can't decide which month it is.
I'm trying to decide whether I can swing Summer's End with my Lion Cotton.
I'm going to go with the Boys vs. Girls series. Hopefully that will generate interest on both sides of the fence. But if any child comes home with ideas, I'm denying all knowledge.
Today is Gary Paulsen's birthday. Read Hatchet if you get a chance.
So, in April, it got up to 90 degrees in the first week. Now, it's May, and it's back down to the low 60's. Huh. Maybe the temperature can't decide which month it is.
I'm trying to decide whether I can swing Summer's End with my Lion Cotton.
I'm going to go with the Boys vs. Girls series. Hopefully that will generate interest on both sides of the fence. But if any child comes home with ideas, I'm denying all knowledge.
Today is Gary Paulsen's birthday. Read Hatchet if you get a chance.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Ideas
I'm looking for a series to do in the fall. It needs to be appealing to both genders, and for kids in the age range of 9-12. Anyone have any ideas? Here are the ones I've been thinking about so far:
1. Oz, by L. Frank Baum. It's fantasy adventure, which would appeal to boys, and it has plenty of strong female characters, which appeals to...well...girls. But would the fact that the protagonists are mainly female put the boys off? Also, how would I get around the fact that the program wouldn't be about the movie?
2. The Last Apprentice, by Joseph Delaney. Again, lots of fantasy adventure and great character development, but we're talking DARK here. And SCARY. Some kids might be put off by that. And then there's the fact that most of the girl characters aren't exactly the ones we want to root for.
3. Boys v. Girls, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. A different take here with present day, good-natured humor that's equally divided between girls and boys. A definite appeal to both genders...but is it old enough? The older kids might not be so into the younger siblings.
4. The Black Stallion, by Walter Farley. Horses with a male protagonist -- you can't not appeal to boys and girls here. And there's loads of adventure, with each book just a little different. But would some of the kids be put off by some of the datedness of the books?
So that's what I have so far. Anyone have any other ideas?? Comments?? Questions??
The Monkeys are done!
1. Oz, by L. Frank Baum. It's fantasy adventure, which would appeal to boys, and it has plenty of strong female characters, which appeals to...well...girls. But would the fact that the protagonists are mainly female put the boys off? Also, how would I get around the fact that the program wouldn't be about the movie?
2. The Last Apprentice, by Joseph Delaney. Again, lots of fantasy adventure and great character development, but we're talking DARK here. And SCARY. Some kids might be put off by that. And then there's the fact that most of the girl characters aren't exactly the ones we want to root for.
3. Boys v. Girls, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. A different take here with present day, good-natured humor that's equally divided between girls and boys. A definite appeal to both genders...but is it old enough? The older kids might not be so into the younger siblings.
4. The Black Stallion, by Walter Farley. Horses with a male protagonist -- you can't not appeal to boys and girls here. And there's loads of adventure, with each book just a little different. But would some of the kids be put off by some of the datedness of the books?
So that's what I have so far. Anyone have any other ideas?? Comments?? Questions??
The Monkeys are done!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Random on a Friday
1. The people at Home Depot grossly overstimated the aount of dirt I needed to garden. Either that, or I need more plants.
2. Gardening is hard exercise.
3. I hate wasps and carpenter bees.
4. One Monkey sock -- DONE! I need to start the other one though, probably tonight, soas not fall victim to Second Sock Syndrome.
5. Here's hoping that Purplicious will be dompleted by MDSW a week from tomorrow. (Is it a week from tomorrow. Wow, time flies.) That, and the ugly bumblebee socks.
6. I saw a tiger swallowtail today!!
2. Gardening is hard exercise.
3. I hate wasps and carpenter bees.
4. One Monkey sock -- DONE! I need to start the other one though, probably tonight, soas not fall victim to Second Sock Syndrome.
5. Here's hoping that Purplicious will be dompleted by MDSW a week from tomorrow. (Is it a week from tomorrow. Wow, time flies.) That, and the ugly bumblebee socks.
6. I saw a tiger swallowtail today!!
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Could We At Least Pretend?
You probably all have your favorite sports team. When I was in University, the team that everyone cared about was the Toronto Maple Leafs. In grad school, it was the Steelers. Back home, it's Penn State and the Phillies.
But even though those were The Teams to support, the news stations at least pretended that a) there are other teams and other sports out there, and b) that there are other things happening in the world that don't concern them. Like, oh I don't know...maybe an extreme weather situation, or a local crime, or some big festival going on, or a natural disaster.
The day the Eagles traded DM to the Skins, there was an earthquake in California, a local police officer was killed in the line of duty, and we were in the middle of a record-breaking heatwave. Moreover, the trade took place the day before OPENING DAY in the baseball season. But were ANY of those stories the ones the news broadcasters cared about at the top of the news hour? NO. All anyone cared about was this (apparently) shocking trade.
Mind you, this is also the same network (whom I shall not identify) who claimed that Abraham Lincoln was born in Illinois, but still. Come on, people. There is a time for sports stories in the newscast, and unless this story is so huge that it affects other parts of the news (Shawn Johnson's murder, for example), the very top of the news hour, overshadowing everything else going on in the world, is not it. And while I will admit that this was a big story, when there are other things going on in the world of other major league sports, like one sport's Opening Day, or the start of another sport's playoffs, it should not take up the whole amount of the time devoted to sports.
In addition to the Skins, there are five other professional major league sports teams in our area (at least. There may be more, but those are the ones I'm aware of). And for those of you who are not aware, of those five, guess how many made the playoffs for the 2009 or 2009-2010 season?
One.
That's right. One. Three others finished dead last, and the fifth finished somewhere in the middle. The Skins? I would say their performance was mediocre. They didn't make the playoffs either.
Now, any NFL team is certainly entitled to make whatever trade they wish, as long as it is within NFL guidelines. But you know, maybe if the local news stations pretended to care a little more about the other professional teams in our area, do you think those teams might, JUST MIGHT, perform a little better?
Just a thought.
But even though those were The Teams to support, the news stations at least pretended that a) there are other teams and other sports out there, and b) that there are other things happening in the world that don't concern them. Like, oh I don't know...maybe an extreme weather situation, or a local crime, or some big festival going on, or a natural disaster.
The day the Eagles traded DM to the Skins, there was an earthquake in California, a local police officer was killed in the line of duty, and we were in the middle of a record-breaking heatwave. Moreover, the trade took place the day before OPENING DAY in the baseball season. But were ANY of those stories the ones the news broadcasters cared about at the top of the news hour? NO. All anyone cared about was this (apparently) shocking trade.
Mind you, this is also the same network (whom I shall not identify) who claimed that Abraham Lincoln was born in Illinois, but still. Come on, people. There is a time for sports stories in the newscast, and unless this story is so huge that it affects other parts of the news (Shawn Johnson's murder, for example), the very top of the news hour, overshadowing everything else going on in the world, is not it. And while I will admit that this was a big story, when there are other things going on in the world of other major league sports, like one sport's Opening Day, or the start of another sport's playoffs, it should not take up the whole amount of the time devoted to sports.
In addition to the Skins, there are five other professional major league sports teams in our area (at least. There may be more, but those are the ones I'm aware of). And for those of you who are not aware, of those five, guess how many made the playoffs for the 2009 or 2009-2010 season?
One.
That's right. One. Three others finished dead last, and the fifth finished somewhere in the middle. The Skins? I would say their performance was mediocre. They didn't make the playoffs either.
Now, any NFL team is certainly entitled to make whatever trade they wish, as long as it is within NFL guidelines. But you know, maybe if the local news stations pretended to care a little more about the other professional teams in our area, do you think those teams might, JUST MIGHT, perform a little better?
Just a thought.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Random on a Wednesday
Spring has sprung. Although, the weather these past two days has been much cooler than the weather over the weekend. The library has cooled down considerably.
I have 12 rounds left on my Cap Shawl (that's a Ravelry link). Then I get to the border. It is going slowly.
There are three cherry trees in bloom outside the library. It makes me happy to look at them.
I am trying very hard to get my other pair of socks done before the weekend.
I am not going to discuss the new health care bill. Unless you have actually been in need of medical care in a foreign country where the hospital was willing to treat you, no questions asked and regardless of insurance, OR unless you have been on the other end and have been somewhere and denied treatment because of a lack of insurance, really, I do not wish to discuss it.
I need to get ready for storytime.
I have 12 rounds left on my Cap Shawl (that's a Ravelry link). Then I get to the border. It is going slowly.
There are three cherry trees in bloom outside the library. It makes me happy to look at them.
I am trying very hard to get my other pair of socks done before the weekend.
I am not going to discuss the new health care bill. Unless you have actually been in need of medical care in a foreign country where the hospital was willing to treat you, no questions asked and regardless of insurance, OR unless you have been on the other end and have been somewhere and denied treatment because of a lack of insurance, really, I do not wish to discuss it.
I need to get ready for storytime.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
An Idea
Firstly: in light of what happened recently in Chile, I'd thought I'd reiterate my previous post about how lucky we are. Since some of the links point to Haiti, here are the links for the Chilean Embassy in D.C. and in Ottawa.
On Sunday, the Olympics came to a close, and we all went back to our normal everyday routine. It looked like quite a party, but it got me thinking, particularly in light of the hockey game Sunday afternoon.
I didn't watch the hockey game, just the brief moments that were retold later that night during the nightly news (congrats to all my Canadian friends, btw), but then I saw an interview with an American player afterward. The player was saying how disappointed he was for being forced to settle for the silver medal. He wouldn't even accept the reporter's congratulations.
Did you know that more silver medalists are depressed than anyone else who compete in the Olympics? Gold medalists are always happy. Bronze medalists are just happy to be on the podium, and everybody else who doesn't medal just feels sad that they didn't medal. But silver medalists, time and again, are depressed. If they only flew higher, jumped farther, ran faster, stopped one more goal, landed one more jump. Their lives are full of "if only's" and "what if's."
Which is a shame really. Because silver medal? That's pretty good! It means that out of everybody else in the world competing in your sport, you are better than all of them except for one. I don't see why people who win the silver medal are treated as though they had to settle for something.
Do you think that Meryl Davis and Charlie White are disappointed with the silver medal they won in ice dancing in one of their first international competitions ever? That Jaret Peterson is disappointed with the silver he won in men's freestyle aerials (he was quoted as saying that it tasted pretty sweet)? That Julia Mancuso is disappointed with the two silvers she won in women's downhill and the super-combined (she danced on the podium with a grin as big as B.C. on her face)? Or that Johnny Spillane is disappointed with the three silvers he won in men's Nordic combined (the first medals ever for any American in the event)?
And that's one of the reasons I didn't watch the hockey game (another reason is that I'm still quite bitter over the way I was treated by certain Canadians after the 2002 gold medal game, but that's a post for another time). I am not a fan of any sport, be it hockey, basketball, curling, volleyball, whatever, where the gold and silver medals come down to playing a game. Where in order to win the silver medal, you have to lose. Where athletes don't win silver medals but lose gold ones. No wonder the hockey player was down in the dumps about the game.
I feel like the awards for gold, silver, and bronze in these types of sports should be determined using some other method. In 1980 (that's the last time the US won a gold medal in men's hockey, and to all you Canadians out there? Regardless of how many medals we may or may not go on to win in future Olympics, none of them will ever top that one), the last game the US played wasn't against the Soviets, the team that ended up with the silver medal. It was against Finland, who finished fourth. So maybe we should go back to whatever method was used back then. Maybe then, the athletes can return home and feel like they've actually accomplished something, instead of feeling like they had to settle.
Ok, rant over, peace out. I'm going back to rooting for Alex Ovechkin.
On Sunday, the Olympics came to a close, and we all went back to our normal everyday routine. It looked like quite a party, but it got me thinking, particularly in light of the hockey game Sunday afternoon.
I didn't watch the hockey game, just the brief moments that were retold later that night during the nightly news (congrats to all my Canadian friends, btw), but then I saw an interview with an American player afterward. The player was saying how disappointed he was for being forced to settle for the silver medal. He wouldn't even accept the reporter's congratulations.
Did you know that more silver medalists are depressed than anyone else who compete in the Olympics? Gold medalists are always happy. Bronze medalists are just happy to be on the podium, and everybody else who doesn't medal just feels sad that they didn't medal. But silver medalists, time and again, are depressed. If they only flew higher, jumped farther, ran faster, stopped one more goal, landed one more jump. Their lives are full of "if only's" and "what if's."
Which is a shame really. Because silver medal? That's pretty good! It means that out of everybody else in the world competing in your sport, you are better than all of them except for one. I don't see why people who win the silver medal are treated as though they had to settle for something.
Do you think that Meryl Davis and Charlie White are disappointed with the silver medal they won in ice dancing in one of their first international competitions ever? That Jaret Peterson is disappointed with the silver he won in men's freestyle aerials (he was quoted as saying that it tasted pretty sweet)? That Julia Mancuso is disappointed with the two silvers she won in women's downhill and the super-combined (she danced on the podium with a grin as big as B.C. on her face)? Or that Johnny Spillane is disappointed with the three silvers he won in men's Nordic combined (the first medals ever for any American in the event)?
And that's one of the reasons I didn't watch the hockey game (another reason is that I'm still quite bitter over the way I was treated by certain Canadians after the 2002 gold medal game, but that's a post for another time). I am not a fan of any sport, be it hockey, basketball, curling, volleyball, whatever, where the gold and silver medals come down to playing a game. Where in order to win the silver medal, you have to lose. Where athletes don't win silver medals but lose gold ones. No wonder the hockey player was down in the dumps about the game.
I feel like the awards for gold, silver, and bronze in these types of sports should be determined using some other method. In 1980 (that's the last time the US won a gold medal in men's hockey, and to all you Canadians out there? Regardless of how many medals we may or may not go on to win in future Olympics, none of them will ever top that one), the last game the US played wasn't against the Soviets, the team that ended up with the silver medal. It was against Finland, who finished fourth. So maybe we should go back to whatever method was used back then. Maybe then, the athletes can return home and feel like they've actually accomplished something, instead of feeling like they had to settle.
Ok, rant over, peace out. I'm going back to rooting for Alex Ovechkin.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Things That Make You Go Hmmm...
First off, the question of the day: Did anyone ever notice that during medal cermonies, the flag for the silver medalist is raised opposite the bronze medalist and vice versa?
Now on to the interesting stuff.
Just saw this quote on CNN. It's apparently from the Russian newspaper Pravda and is offering its opinion about the Olympics so far:
"The utter incapacity of this country to host a major international event, due to its inferiority complex, [is] born of a trauma being the skinny and weakling bro to a beefy United States and a colonial outpost to the United Kingdom."
Huh. I guess the 29 medals the Soviet Union won in 1988 and the 125 they won in 1976 were all won by Belarusians, Ukranians, and Georgians.
For the record, here is a picture of a Cossack glove...
And the above quote was the sound of it hitting the floor. I've always wondered what that sounded like.
I'd love to see Evgeny Plushenko on Dancing with the Stars. And I cannot wait for Sochi.
Now on to the interesting stuff.
Just saw this quote on CNN. It's apparently from the Russian newspaper Pravda and is offering its opinion about the Olympics so far:
"The utter incapacity of this country to host a major international event, due to its inferiority complex, [is] born of a trauma being the skinny and weakling bro to a beefy United States and a colonial outpost to the United Kingdom."
Huh. I guess the 29 medals the Soviet Union won in 1988 and the 125 they won in 1976 were all won by Belarusians, Ukranians, and Georgians.
For the record, here is a picture of a Cossack glove...
And the above quote was the sound of it hitting the floor. I've always wondered what that sounded like.
I'd love to see Evgeny Plushenko on Dancing with the Stars. And I cannot wait for Sochi.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
What's online smut good for?
Scotty Lago won a bronze medal in men's halfpipe on Wednesday. A few days later, a couple of pictures show up on a tabloid website that cause a bit of a stir. One of them shows an unidentified fan kissing Lago's medal as it hangs just below his (fully clothed) waist. The other shows the same fan biting the medal as Lago holds it in his hand.
Apparently neither the USOC nor the USSA were amused. Lago formally apologized and left Vancouver shortly after the pictures were made public. But the tabloid that published the photos is crying foul. They're saying that Lago should have been cut some slack. More exactly, "He's a snowboarder for cryin' out loud. They should have cut him a break."
They should have cut him a break because what he did wasn't all that horrible....or because he's a snowboarder?
Does that mean that if a ski jumper or a figure skater did the same thing, they shouldn't be given any slack?
And does that mean that if the photos had been originally published elsewhere, the tabloid would still be indignant?
I don't understand how being a snowboarder excuses someone from inappropriate behavior. And I don't see why the tabloid is up in arms about it. First of all, no one is denying their right to post the photos. Nor is anyone denouncing the photographs, just the actions portrayed in them. Secondly, I might suggest to this tabloid that they check out the USSA's code of conduct, which, by the way, does not differentiate between skiers and snowboarders. And if the USSA has decided that the actions in the photos are in violation of said code, then they should have the authority to act accordingly.
*sigh.* If this were a print tabloid, I'd say my normal rule about tabloids being good for only one thing applies. As this is online, I'll have to come up with something else. Any ideas?
Apparently neither the USOC nor the USSA were amused. Lago formally apologized and left Vancouver shortly after the pictures were made public. But the tabloid that published the photos is crying foul. They're saying that Lago should have been cut some slack. More exactly, "He's a snowboarder for cryin' out loud. They should have cut him a break."
They should have cut him a break because what he did wasn't all that horrible....or because he's a snowboarder?
Does that mean that if a ski jumper or a figure skater did the same thing, they shouldn't be given any slack?
And does that mean that if the photos had been originally published elsewhere, the tabloid would still be indignant?
I don't understand how being a snowboarder excuses someone from inappropriate behavior. And I don't see why the tabloid is up in arms about it. First of all, no one is denying their right to post the photos. Nor is anyone denouncing the photographs, just the actions portrayed in them. Secondly, I might suggest to this tabloid that they check out the USSA's code of conduct, which, by the way, does not differentiate between skiers and snowboarders. And if the USSA has decided that the actions in the photos are in violation of said code, then they should have the authority to act accordingly.
*sigh.* If this were a print tabloid, I'd say my normal rule about tabloids being good for only one thing applies. As this is online, I'll have to come up with something else. Any ideas?
Friday, February 19, 2010
I Take it Back
Global Warming IS a myth. Because clearly, the four and a half feet of snow we've received this month would not have happened if it weren't. We have now received a total of about 6 feet of snow so far this winter, breaking all previous records. And there's still a month of winter left.
On to other things:
Bella is progressing rapidly. Although the pattern is not written out as clearly as I would like. Evidently, the solution to this is to take notes. But it will get done on schedule. (Probably ahead of schedule, actually.)
In my humble opinion, EP is being a sore loser. I wish I could tell him, "Dude. You just won a silver medal. So it isn't gold. Get over it. The fact is, you didn't skate as cleanly as EL. Even a muggle like me could recognize that. Be a man and accept it graciously."
I love watching sporting events on tv. It equates to great knitting time.
On to other things:
Bella is progressing rapidly. Although the pattern is not written out as clearly as I would like. Evidently, the solution to this is to take notes. But it will get done on schedule. (Probably ahead of schedule, actually.)
In my humble opinion, EP is being a sore loser. I wish I could tell him, "Dude. You just won a silver medal. So it isn't gold. Get over it. The fact is, you didn't skate as cleanly as EL. Even a muggle like me could recognize that. Be a man and accept it graciously."
I love watching sporting events on tv. It equates to great knitting time.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Channeling Dr. Seuss
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? I realized as I was driving home tonight that after putting up my rather sparkling and witty post about the upcoming Newbery awards that there is another topic out there that is much more important.
Here in the US and Canada, we are incredibly, incredibly blessed. We live in one of the richest, healthiest countries in the world, and our quality of life is incredibly high (doesn't matter if it's the US or Canada). And I can gripe all I want about some of the problems in my life, about what I can't afford to buy or where I can afford to go, or what I am able to do, but when it comes right down to it, I have it easy. Regardless of how poor I feel sometimes (and believe me, there are days), I have never truly lacked for anything. I have always had food in my cupboard, clothes on my body, and a roof over my head. Even with the economy falling apart like it has, I have never truly worried about how I was going to pay for groceries, or where I was going to sleep at night. And I know that a lot of you can say the same. We are blessed -- truly, incredibly blessed.
Since Tuesday's horrible news, I've been thinking about ways to make a difference. The situation in Port-au-Prince is NOT GOOD. Orphanages and hospitals are among the buildings that have been destroyed. Doctors and emergency personel are among the dead. Officials estimate that casualties are possibly in the tens of thousands. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in North America to begin with, and the people there need our aid desperately.
So I'm putting out a call for help. I know that a lot of us put aside some money each month for little luxuries -- whatever they are. The next time you find yourself pulling out your wallet, ask yourself, Do I really need this? Is this an actual necessity that I absolutely MUST HAVE in order to survive? Starbucks/Tim Hortons is not a necessity (I'm not saying coffee -- I'm saying expensive or fancy coffee). Yarn is not a necessity. Books (sob) are not necessities. That dinner out? A fifth pair of shoes? That fancy haircut and dye job? Seeing Sherlock Holmes, It's Complicated, Leap Year, or whatever other new flick that just hit the theatres? NOT NECESSITIES. And at the end of the next week or two, whatever money you save, could you send it on to someone whose home just got destroyed? Here are some places where you can share some of the love:
Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontiers in the U.S. and international (a word about this? if you give to this one, could you please e-mail Stephanie and let her know how much you gave? She's keeping a running total.)
The Red Cross in the U.S. and abroad
CARE
UNICEF
World Vision
Haitian Health Foundation
Haitian consulate in Washington and in Montreal
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I know we have it in ourselves to do so much good in the world. We are so incredibly fortunate. Let us give to those who are not.
Here in the US and Canada, we are incredibly, incredibly blessed. We live in one of the richest, healthiest countries in the world, and our quality of life is incredibly high (doesn't matter if it's the US or Canada). And I can gripe all I want about some of the problems in my life, about what I can't afford to buy or where I can afford to go, or what I am able to do, but when it comes right down to it, I have it easy. Regardless of how poor I feel sometimes (and believe me, there are days), I have never truly lacked for anything. I have always had food in my cupboard, clothes on my body, and a roof over my head. Even with the economy falling apart like it has, I have never truly worried about how I was going to pay for groceries, or where I was going to sleep at night. And I know that a lot of you can say the same. We are blessed -- truly, incredibly blessed.
Since Tuesday's horrible news, I've been thinking about ways to make a difference. The situation in Port-au-Prince is NOT GOOD. Orphanages and hospitals are among the buildings that have been destroyed. Doctors and emergency personel are among the dead. Officials estimate that casualties are possibly in the tens of thousands. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in North America to begin with, and the people there need our aid desperately.
So I'm putting out a call for help. I know that a lot of us put aside some money each month for little luxuries -- whatever they are. The next time you find yourself pulling out your wallet, ask yourself, Do I really need this? Is this an actual necessity that I absolutely MUST HAVE in order to survive? Starbucks/Tim Hortons is not a necessity (I'm not saying coffee -- I'm saying expensive or fancy coffee). Yarn is not a necessity. Books (sob) are not necessities. That dinner out? A fifth pair of shoes? That fancy haircut and dye job? Seeing Sherlock Holmes, It's Complicated, Leap Year, or whatever other new flick that just hit the theatres? NOT NECESSITIES. And at the end of the next week or two, whatever money you save, could you send it on to someone whose home just got destroyed? Here are some places where you can share some of the love:
Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontiers in the U.S. and international (a word about this? if you give to this one, could you please e-mail Stephanie and let her know how much you gave? She's keeping a running total.)
The Red Cross in the U.S. and abroad
CARE
UNICEF
World Vision
Haitian Health Foundation
Haitian consulate in Washington and in Montreal
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I know we have it in ourselves to do so much good in the world. We are so incredibly fortunate. Let us give to those who are not.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Announcement on Monday
The Newbery and Caldecott awards (along with all the other ALA children's lit awards) are going to be announced on Monday. As such, many libraries around the country have been holding mock elections to choose there own winners.
When you Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.
Interesting. I had trouble following the plot a little, but I think it was one where you just have to suspend your imagination, particularly where the physics are concerned. Good character development. I wonder if it will tesser well.
The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
If it wins, it will be the second Newbery for KDC. The writing style is similar to Despereaux, which may or may not be a good thing. I liked it in Winn-Dixie better, but perhaps others will like it. Lilies indeed.
All the Broken Pieces by Anne E. Burg
I'm not fond of novels written in verse, but hey, it worked for Out of the Dust, so it could work here too. It seemed sad to me, and I couldn't help wondering if Matt ever did find out what happened to his biological father.
Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me by Nan Marino
The plot was easy to follow, and the characters were believable and well-developed. But I couldn't stand Tamara, and the 1960's/1970's historical fiction was a little much coming on the heels of When You Reach Me and All the Broken Pieces.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
So far so good. It was a little fantastical, and kind of reminded me of The Underneath or The Eight with all the different plots and stories. But I haven't finished reading it, so I shall have to see.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly.
I haven't read this one yet (it's on my request list, but it hasn't come in yet), but from its reviews, it kind of reminds me of Caddie Woodlawn. But I shall refrain from passing judgement on it until I actually do finish reading it.
Did I miss anything?
When you Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.
Interesting. I had trouble following the plot a little, but I think it was one where you just have to suspend your imagination, particularly where the physics are concerned. Good character development. I wonder if it will tesser well.
The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
If it wins, it will be the second Newbery for KDC. The writing style is similar to Despereaux, which may or may not be a good thing. I liked it in Winn-Dixie better, but perhaps others will like it. Lilies indeed.
All the Broken Pieces by Anne E. Burg
I'm not fond of novels written in verse, but hey, it worked for Out of the Dust, so it could work here too. It seemed sad to me, and I couldn't help wondering if Matt ever did find out what happened to his biological father.
Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me by Nan Marino
The plot was easy to follow, and the characters were believable and well-developed. But I couldn't stand Tamara, and the 1960's/1970's historical fiction was a little much coming on the heels of When You Reach Me and All the Broken Pieces.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
So far so good. It was a little fantastical, and kind of reminded me of The Underneath or The Eight with all the different plots and stories. But I haven't finished reading it, so I shall have to see.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly.
I haven't read this one yet (it's on my request list, but it hasn't come in yet), but from its reviews, it kind of reminds me of Caddie Woodlawn. But I shall refrain from passing judgement on it until I actually do finish reading it.
Did I miss anything?
Monday, January 04, 2010
Global Warming Is a Myth
Actually, it's not, but don't tell the people in the southeast US that right now. They won't believe you.
Average temperatures for Atlanta in January are in the 40's. Average high is 52F, and average low is 33F. January is the city's coldest month, so that means that if the temperature ever dips below freezing there, it's pretty darn cold.
Last night, the base temperature in Atlanta was 23F, with wind chill of 14F. Tuesday morning, it's to get down to 19F. And that's without wind chill.
19F (-7C) in January is moderately normal in New Brunswick. It's an average low in Pennsylvania, and on the chilly side in Virginia. But in places where it's not supposed to get down below freezing EVER?
Dudes. That's cold.
Average temperatures for Atlanta in January are in the 40's. Average high is 52F, and average low is 33F. January is the city's coldest month, so that means that if the temperature ever dips below freezing there, it's pretty darn cold.
Last night, the base temperature in Atlanta was 23F, with wind chill of 14F. Tuesday morning, it's to get down to 19F. And that's without wind chill.
19F (-7C) in January is moderately normal in New Brunswick. It's an average low in Pennsylvania, and on the chilly side in Virginia. But in places where it's not supposed to get down below freezing EVER?
Dudes. That's cold.
Friday, December 25, 2009
For unto you this day...
My coworker S recently told me this story: A woman is shopping with her two children. It's the last weekend before Christmas, the malls are crowded, it's getting late, the kids are hungry and whining and fussing, and she's getting more and more frustrated with the whole experience. She's almost done, and she's struggling to get to the elevator with both kids and all her bags and her sanity. It is not going well.
The elevator is late, and when it finally comes, it's almost full, so there's barely enough room for the three of them and their bags, but they squeeze in. But by this time, the woman has had it, and all her frustration comes spewing forth, and she vents to the crowded elevator, "I don't know whose idea this whole holiday thing was, but whoever they are, they ought to be crucified!"
Behind her in the back of the elevator, a person pipes up: "He was."
Sometimes in the rush of the whole Christmas season, it's easy to lose sight of what's really important. We're so busy running around trying to get everything done -- all the baking, the shopping, the decorating -- that we forget why we're actually celebrating in the first place. That this day -- December 25 -- is, first and foremost, a birthday celebration. And that in a time when we are all supposed to be thinking about giving to others, we should all stop to think about the ultimate gift that was given to us -- Jesus.
Merry Christmas
The elevator is late, and when it finally comes, it's almost full, so there's barely enough room for the three of them and their bags, but they squeeze in. But by this time, the woman has had it, and all her frustration comes spewing forth, and she vents to the crowded elevator, "I don't know whose idea this whole holiday thing was, but whoever they are, they ought to be crucified!"
Behind her in the back of the elevator, a person pipes up: "He was."
Sometimes in the rush of the whole Christmas season, it's easy to lose sight of what's really important. We're so busy running around trying to get everything done -- all the baking, the shopping, the decorating -- that we forget why we're actually celebrating in the first place. That this day -- December 25 -- is, first and foremost, a birthday celebration. And that in a time when we are all supposed to be thinking about giving to others, we should all stop to think about the ultimate gift that was given to us -- Jesus.
Merry Christmas
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Goose Is Getting Fat
Actually, we never ate goose in our family on Christmas. We usually ate turkey. Does that mean that the goose is still getting fat, or can it stay thin?
I have finished the three out of four scarves I was planning on knitting for Christmas. I don't know if the fourth one will in fact be done in time. We shall have to see.
I have come across this website. For those nonknitters among you who are looking for gift ideas for your knitting loved ones? You might want to check it out.
Ten days until Christmas.
I have finished the three out of four scarves I was planning on knitting for Christmas. I don't know if the fourth one will in fact be done in time. We shall have to see.
I have come across this website. For those nonknitters among you who are looking for gift ideas for your knitting loved ones? You might want to check it out.
Ten days until Christmas.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Random on a Saturday
I have entered the second wave of the Black Hole of Calcutta. The first was on the leg. The second is now on the foot. Remind me never again to knit another pair of kilt hose.
I am not entirely certain I like the sleeves on Espresso (Ravelry link), but so far, I have yet to encounter the major issue that other people have complained about. We shall have to see.
It is going to be interesting to see how much of the sweater I will be able to get down before Christmas.
Tomorrow is the feast day of St. Nicholas, for those of you with Dutch or Russian heritage. I have no wooden shoes, so I think I will pass, even though I actually do happen to have some Dutch in me. (Besides, I celebrated my heritage on Monday when I wore my Bruce sash to commemorate St. Andrew's Day.)
It's snowing outside! Yay!
I am not entirely certain I like the sleeves on Espresso (Ravelry link), but so far, I have yet to encounter the major issue that other people have complained about. We shall have to see.
It is going to be interesting to see how much of the sweater I will be able to get down before Christmas.
Tomorrow is the feast day of St. Nicholas, for those of you with Dutch or Russian heritage. I have no wooden shoes, so I think I will pass, even though I actually do happen to have some Dutch in me. (Besides, I celebrated my heritage on Monday when I wore my Bruce sash to commemorate St. Andrew's Day.)
It's snowing outside! Yay!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
White
According to my middle school science teacher (and corroborated by my high school science teachers), white is defined by the absence of all color. (Confuse it not with light, which is the presence of all color.) Therefore, no matter what anyone tells you, whether they be from the fashion world, or the makeup world, or the home decorating world, there is only ever one shade of white. The absence of all color. There can be many different shades of blue, or green, or purple, or red, or brown, or even offwhite (consider eggshell, nacre, ecru, beige, taupe, bone, pearl, smoke,
whatever color used to be on my bedroom ceiling
the list goes on. That picture was snapped while H and Earthling and I were painting my bedroom. And prior to it, I would have sworn the ceiling was white. Apparently not). With lots of colors, there is a whole spectrum of shades and timbres, and it's this range that provides us with such beauty in the world. And, let's face it, it's fun sometimes to confuse a man who can't see the difference between the three blues, when clearly obvious that one is navy, one is royal, and one is denim.
But not white. No matter what anyone tells you, there is only ever one white.
whatever color used to be on my bedroom ceiling
the list goes on. That picture was snapped while H and Earthling and I were painting my bedroom. And prior to it, I would have sworn the ceiling was white. Apparently not). With lots of colors, there is a whole spectrum of shades and timbres, and it's this range that provides us with such beauty in the world. And, let's face it, it's fun sometimes to confuse a man who can't see the difference between the three blues, when clearly obvious that one is navy, one is royal, and one is denim.
But not white. No matter what anyone tells you, there is only ever one white.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Pretty
This is the tree outside my front door.
The picture is a week old. Thanks to Ida, it is no longer in its magnificence, because about two thirds of its leaves have since fallen off. But I'm thinking of sending it into TWC for its Capture the Fall thingy. Anyone have an opinion on that? It costs $10 to send in a photo. Is it worth it?
The picture is a week old. Thanks to Ida, it is no longer in its magnificence, because about two thirds of its leaves have since fallen off. But I'm thinking of sending it into TWC for its Capture the Fall thingy. Anyone have an opinion on that? It costs $10 to send in a photo. Is it worth it?
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