There's this poll on the Internet this morning asking which people which party they think is more responsible for the country's current financial situation, Republicans or Democrats. Now, while there has certainly asked some odd poll questions in the past, I think this one ranks right up there on the stupidity level.
How, exactly, is a specific political party responsible for a financial crisis? I read an article predicting exactly this type of financial situation about five years ago -- and the reasons for it made a lot more sense then blaming any specific group of people with the same political ideals. The article said people would start saving more and buying less (they have). It said that the housing market was a bubble that would soon pop (it has). It said that inflation would soon cause the price of staple items to increase disproportionately to wage raises (it has). And it said that rising oil prices would put a crunch on people as gas prices went up (yep, that's happened too).
The only one of those items that I can even associate with any political party is the fact that oil prices are connected to the war somewhat. But the price of oil is dependent on so many other things too (Katrina, Rita, and Ike ring any bells?), and it was going up prior to the war, so even there I think the connection is a little shaky.
Despite my opinion on various people in Washington (or lack, thereof, as some of them frankly don't deserve one), I think this poll is shooting in the dark. It's just one more attempt at passing the buck off on other people. The situation is frustrating, there's no doubt about it, and we want someone to blame for it. But the truth of the matter is, there really isn't anyone to blame, because the crisis has happened because of things we've all done, not just one particular person or group of people.
*sigh* Ok, off the soap box.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Ravelympics and other things
Ok, so this is rather late, but I thought I'd post about what all UFO's I got done during the Olympics. This isn't officially my Ravelympics projects (mainly because I knew that if I posted it and made it official, nothing would get done. I do know that much about myself), but I did want to see if I could get them done while the Olympics were going on.
So I decided to work on a few of my UFO's and just see if I could get them done.
UFO #1: My rosebud socks, knit for myself, started last spring.
Progress prior to 080808: Halfway up the foot of one sock
Yarn: LionBrand Microspun.
Pattern: Invented on the fly. Ask me nicely, and I might consider sending it to you.
UFO #2: White Shawl, started last May to be completed for a friend who is expecting a baby this fall
Progress prior to 080808: All done but the border
Yarn: LionBrand Sportweight
Pattern: Debbie Macomber's Alix Prayer Shawl
UFO #3: Big Green, started last fall, to be a Christmas present for an undisclosed recipient. Despite what the picture looks like, it really is made out of green yarn.
Progress prior to 080808: back complete, front done to the armholes
Yarn: Cascade 220
Pattern: Patons' Aran Raglan, adapted to a vest
UFO #4: Hooded Cardigan, started sometime last winter, to be another Christmas present for another undisclosed recipient. There is no picture of this, not because I wasn't able to finish it, but simply because I just never got around to it.
Progress prior to 080808: Both fronts, back, pockets, and one sleeve complete
Yarn: Caron Rainbow Tones Blue Ombre
Pattern: Ummm, the name of the book escapes me at the moment, but it's a hooded cardigan knit from the top down with a knit-on button band and divided kangaroo pockets.
You're just going to have to believe me when I say that this one is all done (except for the buttons, because the undisclosed recipient has insisted on putting them on herself and confiscated the sweater to do so -- I hope).
Prompts? You bet. Here are three:
A tall oak tree, half dead, standing against the sky.
A pink ribbon nestled among blond curls.
Someone came to my door last night...
So I decided to work on a few of my UFO's and just see if I could get them done.
UFO #1: My rosebud socks, knit for myself, started last spring.
Progress prior to 080808: Halfway up the foot of one sock
Yarn: LionBrand Microspun.
Pattern: Invented on the fly. Ask me nicely, and I might consider sending it to you.
UFO #2: White Shawl, started last May to be completed for a friend who is expecting a baby this fall
Progress prior to 080808: All done but the border
Yarn: LionBrand Sportweight
Pattern: Debbie Macomber's Alix Prayer Shawl
UFO #3: Big Green, started last fall, to be a Christmas present for an undisclosed recipient. Despite what the picture looks like, it really is made out of green yarn.
Progress prior to 080808: back complete, front done to the armholes
Yarn: Cascade 220
Pattern: Patons' Aran Raglan, adapted to a vest
UFO #4: Hooded Cardigan, started sometime last winter, to be another Christmas present for another undisclosed recipient. There is no picture of this, not because I wasn't able to finish it, but simply because I just never got around to it.
Progress prior to 080808: Both fronts, back, pockets, and one sleeve complete
Yarn: Caron Rainbow Tones Blue Ombre
Pattern: Ummm, the name of the book escapes me at the moment, but it's a hooded cardigan knit from the top down with a knit-on button band and divided kangaroo pockets.
You're just going to have to believe me when I say that this one is all done (except for the buttons, because the undisclosed recipient has insisted on putting them on herself and confiscated the sweater to do so -- I hope).
Prompts? You bet. Here are three:
A tall oak tree, half dead, standing against the sky.
A pink ribbon nestled among blond curls.
Someone came to my door last night...
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Ready for a Brand New Beat
School starts today.
Oh bliss, oh joy, oh wonder of wonders. School starts today. School starts today. School starts today.
And even though it is ending, summer still is here, and truly the time really is right to go dancing in the street.
Join me, won't you? SCHOOL STARTS TODAY!!!!
Oh bliss, oh joy, oh wonder of wonders. School starts today. School starts today. School starts today.
And even though it is ending, summer still is here, and truly the time really is right to go dancing in the street.
Join me, won't you? SCHOOL STARTS TODAY!!!!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
In response to
Ok, H and A, these are for you.
1. The faithful blue sky.
2. All was silent except...
3. John Donne, Shelley Winters, Ethelred the Unready, Sacagewea, and St. Andrew are all in the room next to you. You have the werewithall to take one of them to dinner. Who do you choose, and why?
Have fun.
1. The faithful blue sky.
2. All was silent except...
3. John Donne, Shelley Winters, Ethelred the Unready, Sacagewea, and St. Andrew are all in the room next to you. You have the werewithall to take one of them to dinner. Who do you choose, and why?
Have fun.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
New Topic
There's been talk in the news of late about lowering the drinking age -- from twenty-one possibly to eighteen, or even lower. (Check it out if you haven't already heard.) Naturally this has spurred a great amount of debate -- on both sides. Both those for and those against are getting strongly involved and heated on this subject.
I'm pretty neutral on the subject (I'm much more interested in the idea about college professors wanting to do away with correct spelling -- I mean, really? Correct spelling? What is the world coming to?) Anyone else have an opinion (on spelling, drinking, or otherwise)?
Now, about MP. I am not trying in my previous entry to say that I dislike the man. He's a great athlete, and (never actually having met him) I'm sure he's a very nice human being. He is also super incredibly fine on the eyes (and he has big feet). But what I would like to point out is that there are over two hundred countries competing in the Olympics, and even if each country has only one representative, that still leaves over two hundred more athletes that are competing. So how about we give some of them some airtime too?
now, iam going two due a whey with awl mai core wrecked spelling. Moo vying awn now.
I'm pretty neutral on the subject (I'm much more interested in the idea about college professors wanting to do away with correct spelling -- I mean, really? Correct spelling? What is the world coming to?) Anyone else have an opinion (on spelling, drinking, or otherwise)?
Now, about MP. I am not trying in my previous entry to say that I dislike the man. He's a great athlete, and (never actually having met him) I'm sure he's a very nice human being. He is also super incredibly fine on the eyes (and he has big feet). But what I would like to point out is that there are over two hundred countries competing in the Olympics, and even if each country has only one representative, that still leaves over two hundred more athletes that are competing. So how about we give some of them some airtime too?
now, iam going two due a whey with awl mai core wrecked spelling. Moo vying awn now.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Mutterings
I am tired of Michael Phelps.
Yes, he's a great athlete. He's a phenomenal swimmer, and what he has done this past week in China is spectacular and deserves heaps of praise. But really? Enough is enough. We've figured out that he's won more gold medals than anyone ever in Olympic history. We got that. Let's move on now. He's a great athlete, and he makes for some really great eye candy out of the pool, but he isn't nearly as beautiful or as graceful to watch as Nastia Liukin, who has the potential to match Shannon Miller's 1992 haul of five gymnastic medals in one Olympics. So how come we don't hear about her and all the other medalists? Or for that matter, the other medalists from other countries?
Let's talk, for instance, about Louis Smith, the British gymnast who took bronze in Pommel horse, the first Olympic medal in gymnastics for Great Britain since 1928. Or about Oksana Chusovitina, the German who won silver in the vault at the age of 33. Or Walter Dix, the American who beat out two previous world champions to take home bronze in the men's 100 meters. Or Blake Russell, the only American even to finish the woman's marathon, in 27th place. Or Paula Radcliffe, the Brit who dropped out of the woman's marathon in Athens with only a few miles to go, but who pushed herself this year to finish 23rd. Or Stephanie Brown Trafton, who won gold in the woman's discus, the first time an American woman has won in the event since 1932. Or Paolo Espinosa and Tatiana Ortiz, the synchronized divers who took bronze in the 10 meter event, the only medal Mexico has won so far. Or Mariel Zagunis, Sada Jacobson, or Becca Ward, the American fencers who swept the medals in Women's Individual Sabres, then worked together to win bronze in the team event.
But I can hear you saying it now. Those aren't swimmers. It isn't the same. Well, ok. But what about Kirsty Coventry, who has one four medals (one gold, three silver), the only medals her country of Zimbabwe has won so far. Or Rebecca Adlington, the Brit who edged out favorite Katie Hoff in the woman's 400 free. Or Oussama Mellouli, who won the gold medal in the men's 1500 free, the only medal Tunisia has ever won in swimming, and the only one they've currently won this year. Or Grant Hackett, the Aussie who came in second to Mellouli in an attempt to be the first person to win gold in the event in three straight Olympics, and shortly after learning that his wife had been taken to the emergency room after suffering a serious fall in her hotel room.
Oh, but those aren't Americans? Ok, how about this. Let's talk about Rebecca Soni, who won the gold medal in the 200 breast, upsetting Aussie favorite Leisel Jones. And Dara Torres, who will, at the age of 41, go home with three silver medals, and, when she was lining up to swim in the semis for the 50 free, noticed that another swimmer had to replace her suit because of a rip and asked the officials to hold off the race until she had arrived (the other swimmer didn't place into the finals, but at least she got to race), and when Dara was edged out of the gold later in the finals by 0.01 of a second (the same margin by which Phelps won his 100 fly) simply hugged the gold medalist and joked that she shouldn't have filed her nails the night before. And don't forget about Natalie Coughlin, who won the gold medal in the 100 back and will be going home from China with six medals, more than any other American woman has ever won in a single games.
I think Jason Lezak (you know, the American who chased down Frenchman Alain Bernard in the men's 4x100 free?) said it best: When interviewed about his performance, he said quite frankly (and I'm paraphrasing here, obviously) that he didn't swim his absolute best so that Phelps could keep his record performance alive. He did it for himself, for his teammates, and for his country, and because the Olympic spirit and creed demanded it of him, and he would have swum that way whether Phelps was on the relay team or not.
Well said, Jason.
On a totally different note, Here. Discuss.
Yes, he's a great athlete. He's a phenomenal swimmer, and what he has done this past week in China is spectacular and deserves heaps of praise. But really? Enough is enough. We've figured out that he's won more gold medals than anyone ever in Olympic history. We got that. Let's move on now. He's a great athlete, and he makes for some really great eye candy out of the pool, but he isn't nearly as beautiful or as graceful to watch as Nastia Liukin, who has the potential to match Shannon Miller's 1992 haul of five gymnastic medals in one Olympics. So how come we don't hear about her and all the other medalists? Or for that matter, the other medalists from other countries?
Let's talk, for instance, about Louis Smith, the British gymnast who took bronze in Pommel horse, the first Olympic medal in gymnastics for Great Britain since 1928. Or about Oksana Chusovitina, the German who won silver in the vault at the age of 33. Or Walter Dix, the American who beat out two previous world champions to take home bronze in the men's 100 meters. Or Blake Russell, the only American even to finish the woman's marathon, in 27th place. Or Paula Radcliffe, the Brit who dropped out of the woman's marathon in Athens with only a few miles to go, but who pushed herself this year to finish 23rd. Or Stephanie Brown Trafton, who won gold in the woman's discus, the first time an American woman has won in the event since 1932. Or Paolo Espinosa and Tatiana Ortiz, the synchronized divers who took bronze in the 10 meter event, the only medal Mexico has won so far. Or Mariel Zagunis, Sada Jacobson, or Becca Ward, the American fencers who swept the medals in Women's Individual Sabres, then worked together to win bronze in the team event.
But I can hear you saying it now. Those aren't swimmers. It isn't the same. Well, ok. But what about Kirsty Coventry, who has one four medals (one gold, three silver), the only medals her country of Zimbabwe has won so far. Or Rebecca Adlington, the Brit who edged out favorite Katie Hoff in the woman's 400 free. Or Oussama Mellouli, who won the gold medal in the men's 1500 free, the only medal Tunisia has ever won in swimming, and the only one they've currently won this year. Or Grant Hackett, the Aussie who came in second to Mellouli in an attempt to be the first person to win gold in the event in three straight Olympics, and shortly after learning that his wife had been taken to the emergency room after suffering a serious fall in her hotel room.
Oh, but those aren't Americans? Ok, how about this. Let's talk about Rebecca Soni, who won the gold medal in the 200 breast, upsetting Aussie favorite Leisel Jones. And Dara Torres, who will, at the age of 41, go home with three silver medals, and, when she was lining up to swim in the semis for the 50 free, noticed that another swimmer had to replace her suit because of a rip and asked the officials to hold off the race until she had arrived (the other swimmer didn't place into the finals, but at least she got to race), and when Dara was edged out of the gold later in the finals by 0.01 of a second (the same margin by which Phelps won his 100 fly) simply hugged the gold medalist and joked that she shouldn't have filed her nails the night before. And don't forget about Natalie Coughlin, who won the gold medal in the 100 back and will be going home from China with six medals, more than any other American woman has ever won in a single games.
I think Jason Lezak (you know, the American who chased down Frenchman Alain Bernard in the men's 4x100 free?) said it best: When interviewed about his performance, he said quite frankly (and I'm paraphrasing here, obviously) that he didn't swim his absolute best so that Phelps could keep his record performance alive. He did it for himself, for his teammates, and for his country, and because the Olympic spirit and creed demanded it of him, and he would have swum that way whether Phelps was on the relay team or not.
Well said, Jason.
On a totally different note, Here. Discuss.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Totally Random
All this past week, there's been talk in the news about US cyclists arriving in Bejing wearing masks against the pollution. These masks were made and designed by the USOC, and the Chinese knew darn well the air around the city is polluted (they've been trying to clean it up for years). So why have the cyclists been made to apologize?
The big story in the local newspaper this week is on how government employees need to cut back on their use of gasoline. The roaring inferno that took place next door seems to have gone unnoticed, except as a tiny insert in another paper. The county website seems to be uninterested in it as well.
I'm debating whether or not I should officially announce my Ravelympics project, or just work on it on my own and see if I get it done in the sixteen days. Thoughts?
A, this is for you: A wooden stick, lying charred black against the green grass.
The big story in the local newspaper this week is on how government employees need to cut back on their use of gasoline. The roaring inferno that took place next door seems to have gone unnoticed, except as a tiny insert in another paper. The county website seems to be uninterested in it as well.
I'm debating whether or not I should officially announce my Ravelympics project, or just work on it on my own and see if I get it done in the sixteen days. Thoughts?
A, this is for you: A wooden stick, lying charred black against the green grass.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Oh Dear
Today on Aol.com, there was an article on various companies that were closing several stores for flagging sales. The list had several big names on it: Linens 'n Things, Macy's, Home Depot, Talbots, Starbucks. Most of them I wasn't too worried about. I don't shop at very many of them (Starbucks excluded), so I'm wasn't going to be too concerned about a lot of them.
Until I saw that A.C. Moore made the list.
Repeat after me: They will not close the one closest me. They will not close the one closest me. They will not close the one closest me.
Maybe we can send out vibes so our stores will be safe.
My dad celebrates an undisclosed number of years today. Any commenters, please take the time to wish him well.
Until I saw that A.C. Moore made the list.
Repeat after me: They will not close the one closest me. They will not close the one closest me. They will not close the one closest me.
Maybe we can send out vibes so our stores will be safe.
My dad celebrates an undisclosed number of years today. Any commenters, please take the time to wish him well.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Some things I have learned
1. The amount of time my derrier can comfortably remain on the back of a bike is approximately 2.5 hours. After that, all bets are off.
2. I need new bike shorts.
3. A 4 hour bike ride, no matter how early in the day it is done, has the capability to wipe a person out for the rest of the day.
4. I am hideously out of shape.
5. By the time one has biked for 3.5 hours, the concept of pride is nonexistent. No matter how slight the hill you are trying to ascend and how many other people are on the trail with you and will look at you and probably laugh, you'll still get to the top faster if you get off and walk.
6. Lemonade tastes very good, especially when you have just biked for three hours.
Oh, and Jon? Happy birthday, even though it is a day late.
2. I need new bike shorts.
3. A 4 hour bike ride, no matter how early in the day it is done, has the capability to wipe a person out for the rest of the day.
4. I am hideously out of shape.
5. By the time one has biked for 3.5 hours, the concept of pride is nonexistent. No matter how slight the hill you are trying to ascend and how many other people are on the trail with you and will look at you and probably laugh, you'll still get to the top faster if you get off and walk.
6. Lemonade tastes very good, especially when you have just biked for three hours.
Oh, and Jon? Happy birthday, even though it is a day late.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
We've All Had Them
A list of things that were royally ticking me off (some still are, others, not so much):
My hair -- for the reason that it never does anything that I want it to do.
Cable cast-ons -- and any other project that, after you use it to cast on 200 stitches (as opposed to your favorite long-tail because you didn't want to get to stitch 192 and realize you only have enough tail left for three more) and VERY CAREFULLY join it to start knitting in a round, requires you to realize that even after your very best intentions? It still manages to finagle in a twist.
Toilets -- mine in particular, especially when it is clogged, like it is now. I am suspecting that this is my own fault, but that still doesn't change the fact that I can't seem to get it fixed, which means that when I wake up in the middle of the night and have to pee -- this is a major problem. Hopefully it will be fixed today.
All the various and sundry people who, whether intentionally or not, all conspired to make my afternoon something out of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre yesterday. It's like they all got together and said, "Hey! I know! Let's all see how many little pieces we can chop B's self-esteem into before she turns into a raving, screaming lunatic!" (Actually, I've never seen TTCM, but it sounds like that's what happens, and if you happen to be someone who has seen it? Please do not irritate me further by telling me anything different.)
This is all a roundabout way of saying many, many, many thanks to my dear sweet friend, the lovely V, who took me knitting last night and paid for my dinner. And to all you wonderful people who e-mailed me regarding comment cards, because you are all lovely and all deserve such glowing comments from patrons.
My hair -- for the reason that it never does anything that I want it to do.
Cable cast-ons -- and any other project that, after you use it to cast on 200 stitches (as opposed to your favorite long-tail because you didn't want to get to stitch 192 and realize you only have enough tail left for three more) and VERY CAREFULLY join it to start knitting in a round, requires you to realize that even after your very best intentions? It still manages to finagle in a twist.
Toilets -- mine in particular, especially when it is clogged, like it is now. I am suspecting that this is my own fault, but that still doesn't change the fact that I can't seem to get it fixed, which means that when I wake up in the middle of the night and have to pee -- this is a major problem. Hopefully it will be fixed today.
All the various and sundry people who, whether intentionally or not, all conspired to make my afternoon something out of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre yesterday. It's like they all got together and said, "Hey! I know! Let's all see how many little pieces we can chop B's self-esteem into before she turns into a raving, screaming lunatic!" (Actually, I've never seen TTCM, but it sounds like that's what happens, and if you happen to be someone who has seen it? Please do not irritate me further by telling me anything different.)
This is all a roundabout way of saying many, many, many thanks to my dear sweet friend, the lovely V, who took me knitting last night and paid for my dinner. And to all you wonderful people who e-mailed me regarding comment cards, because you are all lovely and all deserve such glowing comments from patrons.
Friday, July 04, 2008
My Turn!
So Tuesday I listed twenty-six things I liked about Canada in honor of their independence day. Today is July 4, and it is now our turn. So to all my Canadian friends, here are twenty-six things that you may or may not know about your fine neighbors to the south:
A is for Apple Pie. You don't really get anymore quintessentially American than this. There's a reason the phrase goes, "as American as apple pie."
B is for Baseball, our national pasttime.
C is for Chevrolet. It's also for the Civil War, because precious little did more to help define us as a nation.
D is for Delaware, the oldest state in the union.
E is for Everyone who has helped make this country great.
F is for Franklin. Besides writing Poor Richard, inventing central heating and bifocals, and figuring out that lightning and electricity are related, Ben also founded the first lending library in the nation.
G is for Gettysburg. 'Nuff said.
H is for Hot Dogs and Hamburgers. Because that's what we all eat today.
I is for the Imperial System. Why we don't use the Metric system like everyone else in the world, I have no idea, but it doesn't look like we're going to change anytime soon, so for now, I'm reveling in being different.
J is for Jefferson. That all men are created equal and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness stuff? That's pretty cool. But founding the Library of Congress? That totally rocks.
K is for Key. The "Star Spangled Banner" is a devil to sing, but kudos to the guy who wrote the lyrics. K is also for King, because MLK, Jr really was a great man.
L is for Lion Brand. I don't actually use their yarn a whole lot, but they have lots of neat patterns (and they're all free). L is also for Lincoln, who was arguably the greatest leader our country has ever had.
M is for Memorial Day, the day we remember all our fallen heroes of past wars. It was first celebrated back in the late 1860's (called Decoration Day then) to commemorate all the men and boys who had been killed in the Civil War. It's been celebrated every year since then. (So to all my Canadian friends who gave me flack about the way Nov 11 is or is not celebrated down here, we aren't being rude, disrespectful, blase, or apathetic toward our fallen soldiers. Memorial Day had been celebrated for 50 years prior to the end of WWI.)
N is for Native Americans. Thank you for making this country so great before it was stolen from you.
O is for the Oregon Trail, and all the people who traveled it.
P is for Patriotism. We got a lot of it. And that's a good thing, because a country is only as good as the people who love and defend it (note, I said country, not its leaders).
Q is for Quakers, who not only helped to settle the land, but also help to remind us that war is never the answer.
R is for Railroads, who helped to connect the land in ways never thought of before. R is also for Religious Freedom, the reason why many of the people who settled here came in the first place.
S is for States Rights. I will admit that these have gotten us into trouble in the past (Note C,G, and L), but when it comes right down to it, I personally think it's great that the different states have so much autonomy.
T is for Twain. Because it just wouldn't be a list about the US without at least one reference to our favorite writer. Please go read Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer if you haven't already.
U is for Underage Drinking, which contrary to what many of my Canadian friends think, is a REALLY BIG DEAL here. We don't care what the drinking age is in other places. Here, it's 21 or bust.
V is for Virginia. Besides being where I happen to live, it's also the name of the first person of European descent known to be born in the US. It was also the home of several US presidents, where the capital of the Confederacy was, and where the last major battle in the Revolutionary War took place.
W is for Washington. Again, 'nuff said.
X is for EXpats. Whether we like to think of ourselves like this or not, the truth of it all is that the majority of Americans are, or are direct descendants of people who came here from other place.
Y is for Yankee Doodle. Only Americans can take a song that started out as an insult and turn it into part of our national identity.
Z is for Zee. Because contrary to many parts in the English-speaking world, that's how we pronounce the last letter of the alphabet.
Happy Fourth to all my American friends. Have fun and enjoy the fireworks.
A is for Apple Pie. You don't really get anymore quintessentially American than this. There's a reason the phrase goes, "as American as apple pie."
B is for Baseball, our national pasttime.
C is for Chevrolet. It's also for the Civil War, because precious little did more to help define us as a nation.
D is for Delaware, the oldest state in the union.
E is for Everyone who has helped make this country great.
F is for Franklin. Besides writing Poor Richard, inventing central heating and bifocals, and figuring out that lightning and electricity are related, Ben also founded the first lending library in the nation.
G is for Gettysburg. 'Nuff said.
H is for Hot Dogs and Hamburgers. Because that's what we all eat today.
I is for the Imperial System. Why we don't use the Metric system like everyone else in the world, I have no idea, but it doesn't look like we're going to change anytime soon, so for now, I'm reveling in being different.
J is for Jefferson. That all men are created equal and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness stuff? That's pretty cool. But founding the Library of Congress? That totally rocks.
K is for Key. The "Star Spangled Banner" is a devil to sing, but kudos to the guy who wrote the lyrics. K is also for King, because MLK, Jr really was a great man.
L is for Lion Brand. I don't actually use their yarn a whole lot, but they have lots of neat patterns (and they're all free). L is also for Lincoln, who was arguably the greatest leader our country has ever had.
M is for Memorial Day, the day we remember all our fallen heroes of past wars. It was first celebrated back in the late 1860's (called Decoration Day then) to commemorate all the men and boys who had been killed in the Civil War. It's been celebrated every year since then. (So to all my Canadian friends who gave me flack about the way Nov 11 is or is not celebrated down here, we aren't being rude, disrespectful, blase, or apathetic toward our fallen soldiers. Memorial Day had been celebrated for 50 years prior to the end of WWI.)
N is for Native Americans. Thank you for making this country so great before it was stolen from you.
O is for the Oregon Trail, and all the people who traveled it.
P is for Patriotism. We got a lot of it. And that's a good thing, because a country is only as good as the people who love and defend it (note, I said country, not its leaders).
Q is for Quakers, who not only helped to settle the land, but also help to remind us that war is never the answer.
R is for Railroads, who helped to connect the land in ways never thought of before. R is also for Religious Freedom, the reason why many of the people who settled here came in the first place.
S is for States Rights. I will admit that these have gotten us into trouble in the past (Note C,G, and L), but when it comes right down to it, I personally think it's great that the different states have so much autonomy.
T is for Twain. Because it just wouldn't be a list about the US without at least one reference to our favorite writer. Please go read Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer if you haven't already.
U is for Underage Drinking, which contrary to what many of my Canadian friends think, is a REALLY BIG DEAL here. We don't care what the drinking age is in other places. Here, it's 21 or bust.
V is for Virginia. Besides being where I happen to live, it's also the name of the first person of European descent known to be born in the US. It was also the home of several US presidents, where the capital of the Confederacy was, and where the last major battle in the Revolutionary War took place.
W is for Washington. Again, 'nuff said.
X is for EXpats. Whether we like to think of ourselves like this or not, the truth of it all is that the majority of Americans are, or are direct descendants of people who came here from other place.
Y is for Yankee Doodle. Only Americans can take a song that started out as an insult and turn it into part of our national identity.
Z is for Zee. Because contrary to many parts in the English-speaking world, that's how we pronounce the last letter of the alphabet.
Happy Fourth to all my American friends. Have fun and enjoy the fireworks.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Here We Go Round...
"Mistress Mary" talks about Mary I of England.
"Rock-a-bye Baby" talks about James II of England.
"Ring Around a Rosy" is about the bubonic plague.
"Humpty Dumpty" is apparently about a canon that fell off a castle rampart during the British Civil War.
And "Baa Baa Black Sheep" is about taxes imposed on wool during the Middle Ages.
But I've got to wonder about "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush." Where does it come from?
It's not the poem itself. That may come from the fact that the plant happens to grow in the courtyard of a particular British prison, and that the inmates used to exercise around it everyday.
But I am curious about the wording. Because mulberries don't grow on bushes.
The Bible says that mulberries grow on trees (Luke 17, if you're interested).
The above mentioned prison says that the foliage within its grounds is a tree.
The forestry department at Virginia Tech says that mulberries grow on trees.
And, (most importantly in my opinion) the mulberries that grow wild right outside my apartment building (and are free game to any of the tenants) grow on trees.
So why does the rhyme say bush? It's not the only one that references mulberry bushes -- alternate words to "Pop Goes the Weasel" talks about mulberry bushes, too.
Any thoughts?
"Rock-a-bye Baby" talks about James II of England.
"Ring Around a Rosy" is about the bubonic plague.
"Humpty Dumpty" is apparently about a canon that fell off a castle rampart during the British Civil War.
And "Baa Baa Black Sheep" is about taxes imposed on wool during the Middle Ages.
But I've got to wonder about "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush." Where does it come from?
It's not the poem itself. That may come from the fact that the plant happens to grow in the courtyard of a particular British prison, and that the inmates used to exercise around it everyday.
But I am curious about the wording. Because mulberries don't grow on bushes.
The Bible says that mulberries grow on trees (Luke 17, if you're interested).
The above mentioned prison says that the foliage within its grounds is a tree.
The forestry department at Virginia Tech says that mulberries grow on trees.
And, (most importantly in my opinion) the mulberries that grow wild right outside my apartment building (and are free game to any of the tenants) grow on trees.
So why does the rhyme say bush? It's not the only one that references mulberry bushes -- alternate words to "Pop Goes the Weasel" talks about mulberry bushes, too.
Any thoughts?
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
In Honor Of
Because today is July 1, I thought I would take the opportunity to give honor to our fine neighbors to the north. Here are twenty-six things I bet a lot of you don't know about them:
A is for Alpine. Because even though I don't drink beer, sometimes, I feel you really do have to live here to get it (yes, I know that's a semi-old slogan). It's also for Atwood (Margaret), and Anne (of Green Gables).
B is for Basketball (I bet you didn't know it was invented here). It's also for Blue Jays (I'm not a fan, but I think they deserve mention as the only MLB team NOT in the US)
C is for Curling. Ever seen Men with Brooms? Great Movie.
D is for Diversity. 'Nuff said.
E is for Eh? Yes, they really do say it.
F is for Fundy, the Bay of. High Tide, Low Tide, any kind of tide. Once you've lived on it for four years, you'll never think of tides the same way again.
G is for Garlic Fingers. Go north and have some.
H is for Hockey (of course), Halifax (a great city), and Hopewell (because those rocks are just darn cool).
I is for... well, I looks very much like the number 1 -- the number one country in North America in terms of size. Yes, it really is bigger than the US.
J is for Joey's, the best pizza place in the world.
K is for Kathy, down right the absolute coolest person in the place.
L is for Loonies. How come we can't give our money cool nicknames?
M is for Maple. Period. Yes, it can stand for other things, like Maritimes, or Molsen, or Macleans, or Mount Allison, but when you get right down to it? M is for Maple.
N is for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, and Nunavit. More of Canada's political subdivisions start with N than another letter.
O is for Oil. There's more in Canada than there is in the US, believe it or not.
P is for Patons. (You didn't think I'd go through a list without bringing up at least one reference to yarn, did you?) It's also for Poutine, the absolute best, most delicious comfort food in the universe. Look above at G for directions.
Q is for Quebec. What else?
R is for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who usually wear dark blue and drive Chevrolets. They train in Regina, another great R (I've never been there, but I'm sure it's a wonderful place).
S is for Sackville, the home of Joey's. And many other things, but you really should consider stopping by just for Joey's.
T is for Timbits. Again, 'nuff said.
U is for Universal Health Care. A shame we don't have something similar in the US.
V is for Vimy Ridge. If you don't know anything about this WWI battle, well....
W is for Winter, which has a tendency to last ad nauseum, but really is one of the prettiest times of the year.
X is for X-files, which were filmed there.
Y is for Yukon. I've heard it's very nice up there. And without it, we would have no Call of the Wild.
Z is for Zed, which is Canadianese (I should say Commonwealthese, actually, since they say Zed in Britain and Oz too.) for the last letter of the alphabet.
Happy Canada Day to all my Canuk friends. I hope you all have a great one.
A is for Alpine. Because even though I don't drink beer, sometimes, I feel you really do have to live here to get it (yes, I know that's a semi-old slogan). It's also for Atwood (Margaret), and Anne (of Green Gables).
B is for Basketball (I bet you didn't know it was invented here). It's also for Blue Jays (I'm not a fan, but I think they deserve mention as the only MLB team NOT in the US)
C is for Curling. Ever seen Men with Brooms? Great Movie.
D is for Diversity. 'Nuff said.
E is for Eh? Yes, they really do say it.
F is for Fundy, the Bay of. High Tide, Low Tide, any kind of tide. Once you've lived on it for four years, you'll never think of tides the same way again.
G is for Garlic Fingers. Go north and have some.
H is for Hockey (of course), Halifax (a great city), and Hopewell (because those rocks are just darn cool).
I is for... well, I looks very much like the number 1 -- the number one country in North America in terms of size. Yes, it really is bigger than the US.
J is for Joey's, the best pizza place in the world.
K is for Kathy, down right the absolute coolest person in the place.
L is for Loonies. How come we can't give our money cool nicknames?
M is for Maple. Period. Yes, it can stand for other things, like Maritimes, or Molsen, or Macleans, or Mount Allison, but when you get right down to it? M is for Maple.
N is for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, and Nunavit. More of Canada's political subdivisions start with N than another letter.
O is for Oil. There's more in Canada than there is in the US, believe it or not.
P is for Patons. (You didn't think I'd go through a list without bringing up at least one reference to yarn, did you?) It's also for Poutine, the absolute best, most delicious comfort food in the universe. Look above at G for directions.
Q is for Quebec. What else?
R is for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who usually wear dark blue and drive Chevrolets. They train in Regina, another great R (I've never been there, but I'm sure it's a wonderful place).
S is for Sackville, the home of Joey's. And many other things, but you really should consider stopping by just for Joey's.
T is for Timbits. Again, 'nuff said.
U is for Universal Health Care. A shame we don't have something similar in the US.
V is for Vimy Ridge. If you don't know anything about this WWI battle, well....
W is for Winter, which has a tendency to last ad nauseum, but really is one of the prettiest times of the year.
X is for X-files, which were filmed there.
Y is for Yukon. I've heard it's very nice up there. And without it, we would have no Call of the Wild.
Z is for Zed, which is Canadianese (I should say Commonwealthese, actually, since they say Zed in Britain and Oz too.) for the last letter of the alphabet.
Happy Canada Day to all my Canuk friends. I hope you all have a great one.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Didn't Your Mother Ever Tell You....
The other day while I was at work, I was checking out this woman's books when she commented, "You don't look any older than 15."
I said nothing, just continued checking out the books. She looked at me for a moment, then said, "Are you older than that? Not by much, surely. Sixteen?"
The woman was clearly in her retired years, so perhaps anyone younger than 40 looked infantile to her, but we'll ignore that for now. And we'll ignore the fact that no teenager would ever be working behind the reference desk at a library (at least not at mine). We'll also ignore the fact that, regardless of how someone wants to look when they are 40, it's quite rude to tell a 20-something that they look like they're in high school (Think about everything a 15-year-old can't do that a 20-something can. And honestly? Who are you more likely to respect?).
But we'll ignore those facts, because there's something else that was bothering me more. When I was a child, I was taught that there are three questions that you never (NEVER EVER) ask an adult for two reasons: A) It's none of your business and B) It would be rude.
How old are you?
How much do you weigh?
How much money do you make?
There is exactly one reason (and one reason only) that you should be asking a stranger any of those questions: if it's an integral part of your job (The sales clerk at the liquor store has the right to know). Otherwise, regardless of how old you are, or how old the person you're asking is, you NEVER EVER ask these questions of anyone. I don't know the ages of most of the people I work with -- and I'm on first name basis with all of them.
So, since when did growing older excuse people from basic politeness? So this woman was old enough to be a grandmother. So what? Does that mean that she can just ignore basic rules of etiquette? In fact, if she was indeed a grandmother, then it stands to reason that she was responsible for installing manners into at least one other person, which means she should be familiar with the fundamental laws of decorum. And if she feels that she can go around asking complete strangers their age, I shudder to think how her child was raised.
So if you happen to see someone who you think doesn't look their age? Unless it is your responsibility to make sure they are old enough to do the activity they're trying to do, keep your mouth shut. Whether they look their age or not, IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS how old they are.
I said nothing, just continued checking out the books. She looked at me for a moment, then said, "Are you older than that? Not by much, surely. Sixteen?"
The woman was clearly in her retired years, so perhaps anyone younger than 40 looked infantile to her, but we'll ignore that for now. And we'll ignore the fact that no teenager would ever be working behind the reference desk at a library (at least not at mine). We'll also ignore the fact that, regardless of how someone wants to look when they are 40, it's quite rude to tell a 20-something that they look like they're in high school (Think about everything a 15-year-old can't do that a 20-something can. And honestly? Who are you more likely to respect?).
But we'll ignore those facts, because there's something else that was bothering me more. When I was a child, I was taught that there are three questions that you never (NEVER EVER) ask an adult for two reasons: A) It's none of your business and B) It would be rude.
How old are you?
How much do you weigh?
How much money do you make?
There is exactly one reason (and one reason only) that you should be asking a stranger any of those questions: if it's an integral part of your job (The sales clerk at the liquor store has the right to know). Otherwise, regardless of how old you are, or how old the person you're asking is, you NEVER EVER ask these questions of anyone. I don't know the ages of most of the people I work with -- and I'm on first name basis with all of them.
So, since when did growing older excuse people from basic politeness? So this woman was old enough to be a grandmother. So what? Does that mean that she can just ignore basic rules of etiquette? In fact, if she was indeed a grandmother, then it stands to reason that she was responsible for installing manners into at least one other person, which means she should be familiar with the fundamental laws of decorum. And if she feels that she can go around asking complete strangers their age, I shudder to think how her child was raised.
So if you happen to see someone who you think doesn't look their age? Unless it is your responsibility to make sure they are old enough to do the activity they're trying to do, keep your mouth shut. Whether they look their age or not, IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS how old they are.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Only Three More Months
Until school starts again. In the meantime, I'm knitting myself a poncho, which will at least help me deal with the blasted ice box the HVAC system thinks I need to be in at work.
Three months. I can do it. I know I can.
Three months. I can do it. I know I can.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Catching Up
I've finished my butterfly socks.
Knit from something akin to Lion Brand Glitter Spun. The pattern is made up. The color is a bit off, due in part to the lack of natural light when I took this picture. At the time, I had all the lights off and the curtains drawn in my apartment in an effort to escape from the (insert filthy explicative of your choice here) heat wave that we were going through earlier in the week.
I've also completed my forest green socks, knit from one of the skeins I bought at Maryland Sheep and Wool. The pattern is my own standard sock pattern.
I took the remnants and knit a pair of toesies,
which, contrary to the photo are actually done now. They're a little short, but I'll manage.
Knit from something akin to Lion Brand Glitter Spun. The pattern is made up. The color is a bit off, due in part to the lack of natural light when I took this picture. At the time, I had all the lights off and the curtains drawn in my apartment in an effort to escape from the (insert filthy explicative of your choice here) heat wave that we were going through earlier in the week.
I've also completed my forest green socks, knit from one of the skeins I bought at Maryland Sheep and Wool. The pattern is my own standard sock pattern.
I took the remnants and knit a pair of toesies,
which, contrary to the photo are actually done now. They're a little short, but I'll manage.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Sometimes....
We humans are a weird bunch. I realize this is not news to any of you, but it has really come to my attention in recent days -- so much so that I feel forced to comment on it. Of course, I am including myself in this bunch. I would never dare to accuse other people of being strange without making the statement about myself in the process. I'm sure I lead the pack in some areas.
Food is where we are definitely the weirdest. I pity the poor alien anthropologist whose job it will be to observe us someday. Think about it. I will gripe about $4 gas, then go and spend the exact same amount of money on some fancy drink from Starbucks. I will eat beef, and I will eat goose, but absolutely refuse to eat veal or fois grois. I will also not eat tomatoes or peanuts, but throw the tomatoes into a pot and cook until mush, or grind the peanuts until they're the consistency of soft butter, and I'll eat them both with gusto.
But I'm not the only weird one. The whole human race is like this. We believe that eating Rocky Mountain oysters will miraculously correct some ailment we have with our own corresponding body part (don't laugh -- that's how the whole custom started), and will eat fish eggs, monkey brain, and asparagus for the exact same reasons. We will eat chicken, and we will eat eggs, but we will not eat fertilized chicken eggs, even though they're basically the same things. My friend S from college thought rice pudding was gross, because she believes that rice and milk are two foods that don't go together, but she didn't bat an eye at a bowl of Rice Krispies. My brother will not eat cherries, but he will eat the cake part of cherry pudding that has juice in it. My coworker M will eat turnip greens by the bucket load -- but refuses to eat the turnips themselves. She'll also eat liver, but not kidneys or chitlins. And my friend T from church will gladly consume most any form of animal flesh set before her, but was sufficiently grossed out the other day when I told her where Jello comes from.
Yep. There's no denying it. We are one odd species.
Food is where we are definitely the weirdest. I pity the poor alien anthropologist whose job it will be to observe us someday. Think about it. I will gripe about $4 gas, then go and spend the exact same amount of money on some fancy drink from Starbucks. I will eat beef, and I will eat goose, but absolutely refuse to eat veal or fois grois. I will also not eat tomatoes or peanuts, but throw the tomatoes into a pot and cook until mush, or grind the peanuts until they're the consistency of soft butter, and I'll eat them both with gusto.
But I'm not the only weird one. The whole human race is like this. We believe that eating Rocky Mountain oysters will miraculously correct some ailment we have with our own corresponding body part (don't laugh -- that's how the whole custom started), and will eat fish eggs, monkey brain, and asparagus for the exact same reasons. We will eat chicken, and we will eat eggs, but we will not eat fertilized chicken eggs, even though they're basically the same things. My friend S from college thought rice pudding was gross, because she believes that rice and milk are two foods that don't go together, but she didn't bat an eye at a bowl of Rice Krispies. My brother will not eat cherries, but he will eat the cake part of cherry pudding that has juice in it. My coworker M will eat turnip greens by the bucket load -- but refuses to eat the turnips themselves. She'll also eat liver, but not kidneys or chitlins. And my friend T from church will gladly consume most any form of animal flesh set before her, but was sufficiently grossed out the other day when I told her where Jello comes from.
Yep. There's no denying it. We are one odd species.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Random Musings
1. I just read online this evening about how gas costs over $11/gallon in Turkey. I won't comment on how comparatively lucky we are here in the US with it costing $4.
2. The first week of October this year is apparently Mysteries Series Week. Must have a program -- although why they can't be celebrated in July when our theme for SRP is mysteries is beyond me.
3. Apparently (according to the people on the radio) giving children last names as first names has become the new trend. I won't mention the fact that people have been giving their kids last names for years -- My great-great grandfather's middle name was McClelland -- but we won't go there.
4. I have about 150 yards of freshly spun green (mostly) laceweight wool. Any ideas on what I can do with it?
2. The first week of October this year is apparently Mysteries Series Week. Must have a program -- although why they can't be celebrated in July when our theme for SRP is mysteries is beyond me.
3. Apparently (according to the people on the radio) giving children last names as first names has become the new trend. I won't mention the fact that people have been giving their kids last names for years -- My great-great grandfather's middle name was McClelland -- but we won't go there.
4. I have about 150 yards of freshly spun green (mostly) laceweight wool. Any ideas on what I can do with it?
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sometimes it makes you think
The other week, someone said something rather extraordinary to me (at least in my opinion). I was at choir practice, and I tend to bring muffins or cookies to practice as a little snack for everyone there. I also tend to bring my knitting (usually a sock) which I like to work on inbetween songs. Toward the end of practice, someone commented that I must be very talented, since I was able to knit socks AND make such great goodies.
At first it was flattering -- I'm glad people like my baking. But then I got to thinking. People think I'm very talented....because I know how to knit and bake?
When, exactly, did knitting and baking become such rare skills? As recently as fifty years ago, practically all women knew how to bake and knit (or crochet or some similar needlecraft). It was considered a given that she would have those two skills. When did the ability to loop string and combine sugar, milk, and flour together become so unique?
Personally, I blame the feminist movement. When women rebelled against the idea of staying at home, they rebelled against all the domestic skills that went along with it. It's a shame really. I'm not saying that the feminist movement was bad. Far from it. It gave women the power to choose what they wanted to do with their lives, which is great! But that doesn't mean that a woman has to give up all domestic abilities, just because she no longer HAS to stay at home. I am one of those rare people out there who believe that all people everywhere, whether man or woman, need to know how to sew a button on, mend a ripped seam, cook a basic meal (yes, muffins and cookies can be pretty basic), and have the knowledge and dexterity to knit and/or crochet at least a hat. Honestly. None of those things are really that hard.
But I'll still enjoy feeling flattered whenever anyone stares at me agog when I walk around carrying five really tiny knitting needles and magically creating footware with them.
At first it was flattering -- I'm glad people like my baking. But then I got to thinking. People think I'm very talented....because I know how to knit and bake?
When, exactly, did knitting and baking become such rare skills? As recently as fifty years ago, practically all women knew how to bake and knit (or crochet or some similar needlecraft). It was considered a given that she would have those two skills. When did the ability to loop string and combine sugar, milk, and flour together become so unique?
Personally, I blame the feminist movement. When women rebelled against the idea of staying at home, they rebelled against all the domestic skills that went along with it. It's a shame really. I'm not saying that the feminist movement was bad. Far from it. It gave women the power to choose what they wanted to do with their lives, which is great! But that doesn't mean that a woman has to give up all domestic abilities, just because she no longer HAS to stay at home. I am one of those rare people out there who believe that all people everywhere, whether man or woman, need to know how to sew a button on, mend a ripped seam, cook a basic meal (yes, muffins and cookies can be pretty basic), and have the knowledge and dexterity to knit and/or crochet at least a hat. Honestly. None of those things are really that hard.
But I'll still enjoy feeling flattered whenever anyone stares at me agog when I walk around carrying five really tiny knitting needles and magically creating footware with them.
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