So I was keeping a secret on the blog so that I could keep a secret from a reader, my dear friend Greg. He was having a party to celebrate a major milestone birthday. This meant a trip to New York. Sunny and I colluded in order that I could visit with her as well. A plan was hatched, plane reservations made and I needed to hold my tongue whenever my Greg and I spoke. Next I needed to find a way to the airport in Columbus and once again my neighborhood rocks! I sent out an email asking if anyone happened to be traveling to or from Columbus on the days I was traveling. Maureen, who was our first "face" of South Park, happened to be switching her work days around which meant she was leaving at the perfect, albeit ungodly (6:15am!), hour for my flight.
Let me tell it was an absolute treat to get to speak with her at length. Our conversation rambled all about and we learned we had some studies in common (African-American women poets), though hers was far more extensive whereas I merely dabbled. The hour and a half ride quickly passed while we chatted. I simply must set up more time with her soon!
Skybus had no lines, it was easy breezy to check in and the security line was, well, non-existent. What a delight to have such a short flight and to see Sunny's smiling face just on the other side of the gate. Originally I had thought we would have Thursday and Friday to loll about before I headed to Brooklyn on Saturday with only a trip to see my friend Denise who works at a local yarn shop.
But oh no Sunny had plans, lots and lots of plans. Oh my. We drove from the airport to the house for a very quick drop off of bags and such. Seriously that's all we had time to do before we were off to meet their friend Amy at the ever delicious Wobble Cafe. After a nice, if slowly delivered lunch, my folks dropped me off at Denise's store which was a tumble of activity. She swore it had been totally quiet for weeks, until just before I walked in. No matter, I fondled yarn, helped customers match yarn and review stitches in between which we gabbed in shorthand.
From there I hopped on the Metro North to find Sunny lying in wait. We traveled down to meet up with her friend Yanna for whom she brought two shopping bags of books that I hauled from the station to her house. We grabbed a quick dinner at a lovely, tiny hole in the wall Spanish restaurant around the corner from her home. Then we grabbed a cab to land in the lower east side to hit the Yippie Cafe & Museum. I cannot remember the last time I was on the Bowery but it has to be at least 15 years, potentially more. Let me time it has changed. It was quite sad for me to learn that CBGBs is no more, having spent many hours there when my friends' played. It is quite likely I saw lots of about to be famous bands that I no longer remember because it was so loud, the acoustics so miserable and I really only went when the Turncoats were playing I hardly noticed anything else.
It was a bit surreal at the "museum" and just about everyone there was there because they were performing for some event title "Water Not Weapons". The Raging Grannies (Manhattan branch) were performing, hence our need to go since Sunny is full out committed (she designed the website linked above). I found a quiet spot on a lumpy couch and decided to see if I could remember how to do a two circular cast on for my socks. Shortly after the Grannies performed we slid out of there to the Bleeker Street subway station. Again, I cannot recall how long it's been since I was in that station but I have fond memories and it made me happy to the insignia on the wall in it's beautiful blue design.
By the time we arrived back at the house it was after 11pm and it had been a very long day. I was grateful that there was nothing scheduled for Friday because I don't think I could have done a damn thing more!
Friday the only adventure was a lovely dinner with their neighbor Barbara and her delightful daughter Emma who is coming out of her shell. I had never heard Emma talk to much! She even remembered my name, laughed at jokes and made her own joke. It was great, as always, to see Barbara. I feel so blessed to know that my mother has such a good friend literally across the road.
More later my dears!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
In which our herione has contracted the Black Plague
Oh my lovelies I have so much to tell you and show you but I have been afflicted most awfully with a terrible bug the likes of which I have not experienced for two decades. In between fevered thrashing and the ribs smacking coughing I think of all the writing I need to do and crawl back into sleep.
I have knitting to speak about with photos, a party I crashed (well not technically but...), seeing new and old friends, lovely ride shares. Just lots of things. But it will have to wait until my fever stops rising and falling to more than normal.
So everyone stay happy and well, send healthy thoughts.
I have knitting to speak about with photos, a party I crashed (well not technically but...), seeing new and old friends, lovely ride shares. Just lots of things. But it will have to wait until my fever stops rising and falling to more than normal.
So everyone stay happy and well, send healthy thoughts.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
It pays to be (politely) indignant
When I received that email from the temp agency that I mentioned recently, I quickly fired off an email back saying that I was confused as to how they could think I did have the skills required for their listings. It was nicely worded and I pretended that perhaps they simply meant I was not a fit for a particular job I applied for through the website.
I wasn't too surprised when I did not receive any other further correspondence. However yesterday the phone rang and it was someone from the "Workplace Group". Apparently the problem was my "extensive background with non-profits". I'm sorry but I was unaware that answering the phone, filing, data entry and general office tasks were done sooooo differently in the corporate capitalistic world. After a short discussion she set up an interview date with me to go over my background and do assessment testing.
Monday was the interview with the unknown company. It went well, I could do it with my eyes closed and I would be bored stiff within about two weeks. Right now it's part time but they are looking for full-time. Not what I want or need especially since I will be gone in June and August for other work.
Next week I have an interview for a call center job (that requires 6 weeks of training!) and one with the above mentioned temp agency. In the face of a large number of no response from applications and a hefty handful of "no thanks" emails, it's feeling a little better knowing that there is work in the future and some hope of more in other places.
Still, today is my day to face the computer with an unhealthy mix of hope and dread as I search the web for more job possibilities. Wish me strength.
I wasn't too surprised when I did not receive any other further correspondence. However yesterday the phone rang and it was someone from the "Workplace Group". Apparently the problem was my "extensive background with non-profits". I'm sorry but I was unaware that answering the phone, filing, data entry and general office tasks were done sooooo differently in the corporate capitalistic world. After a short discussion she set up an interview date with me to go over my background and do assessment testing.
Monday was the interview with the unknown company. It went well, I could do it with my eyes closed and I would be bored stiff within about two weeks. Right now it's part time but they are looking for full-time. Not what I want or need especially since I will be gone in June and August for other work.
Next week I have an interview for a call center job (that requires 6 weeks of training!) and one with the above mentioned temp agency. In the face of a large number of no response from applications and a hefty handful of "no thanks" emails, it's feeling a little better knowing that there is work in the future and some hope of more in other places.
Still, today is my day to face the computer with an unhealthy mix of hope and dread as I search the web for more job possibilities. Wish me strength.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thank god for the internet
So my cell phone rings, hit answer and say, leaving my phone on the stove is not the smartest thing huh? Clearly I thought it was TGF calling, because well no one really calls me. When there is no laughter at the other end I cautiously say "hello?". It's some woman asking for Dharma Rants to set up an interview for some job or other. She was rather brusque and not exactly forthcoming with any information so I set up a date and time (Monday afternoon if you're interested) completely unaware what job I am interviewing for, which is an odd feeling. I have been applying right and left to a wide variety of jobs so walking in completely clueless? Not an appealing idea, not at all.
With just the address and the initials that I hope stand for the business I hop on the computer. Whew! Now I know that type of company and have narrowed it down to two positions. Now if I can find which of the sites I used to apply for this job I might have an idea of how to present myself on Monday. It's an agency that does "community-based support services for children adolescents and adults with developmental, emotional, physical, employment, and social needs". Okay at least now I have an idea of the presentation style I should lead with.
With just the address and the initials that I hope stand for the business I hop on the computer. Whew! Now I know that type of company and have narrowed it down to two positions. Now if I can find which of the sites I used to apply for this job I might have an idea of how to present myself on Monday. It's an agency that does "community-based support services for children adolescents and adults with developmental, emotional, physical, employment, and social needs". Okay at least now I have an idea of the presentation style I should lead with.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Another several bite the dust
So last week I received an email from a temp agency that said:
Unfortunately, we will not be able to assist you in your job search at this time. Your background does not fall within the required skill set of positions for which we typically recruit. We wish you the best of luck in your job search.
This is so patently ridiculous that I could not help myself from writing Ms. Sarah back and asking how that could possible be true given I have over a decade of experience doing clerical/administration/data entry/etc which is the primary area of their temp jobs. I have heard nothing back.
Also in my email last week was a rejection letter for a job I don't really remember applying to but I applied to so many in the last two or so weeks, it's quite possible this was one of them.
Last week I spent at least 45 minutes doing an online assessments for one job, followed the next day by an hour more of assessment testing at their facility. Again for a fairly basic and well within my competency range mid-level administrative job. Today I heard back that:
we will not be extending you an offer of employment at this time. We will retain your application on file for a period of one year.
Well bully, you know? I spent at least an hour, possibly more, today searching for jobs. Nothing of any real note and it was rather depressing. However it does seem that I have been hired for another job like my DNE gig but this one is in California. So I get to head to the west coast in June for a bit and I am hoping to see some friends in the Bay Area before or after heading south to the camp. Nowhere near as lucrative as DNE but it's still money. It's kind of funny. My second year doing DNE I moved to the west coast and I thought, well at least I'll get to the east coast once a year. If this other gig works out it will be my "at least once a year trip" to the west coast. I would get to still maintain my identity as a bi-coastal girl. Pretty cool, huh?
Unfortunately, we will not be able to assist you in your job search at this time. Your background does not fall within the required skill set of positions for which we typically recruit. We wish you the best of luck in your job search.
This is so patently ridiculous that I could not help myself from writing Ms. Sarah back and asking how that could possible be true given I have over a decade of experience doing clerical/administration/data entry/etc which is the primary area of their temp jobs. I have heard nothing back.
Also in my email last week was a rejection letter for a job I don't really remember applying to but I applied to so many in the last two or so weeks, it's quite possible this was one of them.
Last week I spent at least 45 minutes doing an online assessments for one job, followed the next day by an hour more of assessment testing at their facility. Again for a fairly basic and well within my competency range mid-level administrative job. Today I heard back that:
we will not be extending you an offer of employment at this time. We will retain your application on file for a period of one year.
Well bully, you know? I spent at least an hour, possibly more, today searching for jobs. Nothing of any real note and it was rather depressing. However it does seem that I have been hired for another job like my DNE gig but this one is in California. So I get to head to the west coast in June for a bit and I am hoping to see some friends in the Bay Area before or after heading south to the camp. Nowhere near as lucrative as DNE but it's still money. It's kind of funny. My second year doing DNE I moved to the west coast and I thought, well at least I'll get to the east coast once a year. If this other gig works out it will be my "at least once a year trip" to the west coast. I would get to still maintain my identity as a bi-coastal girl. Pretty cool, huh?
Saturday, March 08, 2008
A touch of nostalgia
For the first time all winter the forecasters were right, we are getting a snow storm of some consequence. It started yesterday morning. Here is a photo from yesterday late morning.It snowed all day, mostly not very heavy but very steady. TGF was released early from work yesterday which was kind of nice to have a full evening together unexpectedly. Some photos from last night.
All those spots in the photos?
Snow falling.
Since she also had today off, I took the boy out for his morning bathroom break which was a full on romp because he adores the snow. You would think he had been raised in the stuff what with his whining to go out because there is snow, making doggie snow angels, and burrowing his snout in the stuff. This morning several more inches that had fallen and I shoveled the front and back steps as well a bit of the sidewalk. I also discovered that we had moved from a blizzard warning (early afternoon yesterday) to a Level 2 Snow Emergency (as of sometime later yesterday)
A bit later I was taking a shower and thinking it would be lovely day to see Jeriann and Cody except the roads suck. Somehow from there my mind drifted to snow days like this in Massachusetts. When Michele and Mike lived across the street and it was day like this they could cross the street or call my ex and I to come over for pancakes. Snow days and pancakes became our ritual in the winters they lived there. A pang of homesickness, nostalgia, and a wistfulness to somehow recreate something like that overtook me. It is rather amazing that tears didn't start flowing.
Since I left Massachusetts Michele and my friendship deteriorated most horribly. Various things conspired to make it all much worse. In the end I decided to stop reaching out to her and have had no contact with her for over two years. I have missed her terribly since I left the east coast, I missed her more when it became untenable to continue to try to maintain a friendship. She was my housemate for about 3 years, lived across the street from me after that for another 2 years. I was present at all three of her children's births. We were like sisters but also more. She was very angry that I was left, that was part of the break, maybe a large part.
Earlier this week I finally dragged my butt to the post office to check the mail since I also had to put that scarf in the mail. It had been so long that I had to go back to the counter to collect my mail because the box couldn't hold it all. In between the junk mail, bills from credit cards that I haven't informed of my home address was a hand addressed envelope. The return address and handwriting were instantly familiar. She had written and wanted to try to rekindle our friendship, she missed me. I was caught so off guard that the only reaction I had was to laugh, rather hysterically, all the way home. In the end I emailed her, explained the lag time in responding (it was postmarked almost a month earlier). The next morning I had a response from her. I wrote a longer post answering some questions, like what the hell was I doing in Ohio (the envelope had the Casa de Cedar address). I haven't heard back from her and truthfully long to hear her voice so may give in and call. I am cautiously excited that I may be able to build a new road with her, to have my friend back in my life. But the snow and pancake days are clearly over.
Almost the same shot about 24 hours later.Saturday, March 01, 2008
Onto happier things
All in favour of distractions, say I!
So knitting it is then. A photo essay of sorts.
I saw this pattern eons ago back when I thought cables where hard. Cables are not hard but this pattern has errors. The yarn is my trusty steed, Cascade 220, colourway 9474. It's the same stuff I made a pair of Fetching out of so it's what's left from that adventure. While I have been loving this yarn and the needles (Inox circular size 6), I am not enamored of how it's turning out so although I am almost done, I think I will frog this one.
Pictures of entrelac have danced in my head for a very long time now, first catching my attention when the knitting blogosphere was all about the Lady Eleanor wrap. I had convinced myself for awhile that I had no interest in anything like that but I lied. When knitty.com put out a tiny pattern for a head wrap/ear warmer thingy that was nothing more than a test swatch of entrelac I became obsessed. I also used this as an excuse to spend about $12 on some Plymouth Boku which is a cheap alternative to one of the Noro yarns, I forget which one. It does break, or at least this first ball does, more than I like. This project is almost finished and the other ball will be used to make some fingerless gloves or something like that so it's a set. TGF really likes it so it may go to her. I do love how the colours are working out in the pattern.
My consignment project, Fans of Family is done! Done I tell you, I blocked it yesterday and wove in the ends tonight. I love this pattern. So much that I wo
uld consider making it again, which if you notice I hardly make the same thing twice, so this is high praise. The yarn was a delight, Misti Alpaca Laceweight, held doubled throughout. I ran into a snag with this as I seriously underestimated the yardage needed but Ravelry came to my rescue. I love this thing and hope the recipient loves it to. I struggled to find a pattern that seemed like a good match for the goal of something not too warm, but pretty, and would offer me a bit of a challenge. It took some time for the 20 row repeat pattern to develop into a rhythm but after 20 repeats of the pattern, I established a bit of a flow with it. It looks quite lovely to me, but I'm biased.
Yesterday my friend Andi surprised me with a visit and spindle spinning lesson. Jennie gifted w
ith a drop spindle and some GORGEOUS roving before I left the west coast but I really didn't want to start with it because well it deserves more talented hands. Andi brought me some more basic roving in blue and gray to spin. Somewhat foolish perhaps I decided to spin the two colours together, however the result is kind of nice. Like any good teacher Andi noted that my drafting was getting more consistent already. I love a good liar!
More knitting news soon I'm sure.
Notes on stripping wallpaper with ugly picture soon too.
With the luck of the Goddesses without Husbands as Glamour Gal would say, I will have positive job news for me soon!
So knitting it is then. A photo essay of sorts.
I saw this pattern eons ago back when I thought cables where hard. Cables are not hard but this pattern has errors. The yarn is my trusty steed, Cascade 220, colourway 9474. It's the same stuff I made a pair of Fetching out of so it's what's left from that adventure. While I have been loving this yarn and the needles (Inox circular size 6), I am not enamored of how it's turning out so although I am almost done, I think I will frog this one.
Pictures of entrelac have danced in my head for a very long time now, first catching my attention when the knitting blogosphere was all about the Lady Eleanor wrap. I had convinced myself for awhile that I had no interest in anything like that but I lied. When knitty.com put out a tiny pattern for a head wrap/ear warmer thingy that was nothing more than a test swatch of entrelac I became obsessed. I also used this as an excuse to spend about $12 on some Plymouth Boku which is a cheap alternative to one of the Noro yarns, I forget which one. It does break, or at least this first ball does, more than I like. This project is almost finished and the other ball will be used to make some fingerless gloves or something like that so it's a set. TGF really likes it so it may go to her. I do love how the colours are working out in the pattern.
My consignment project, Fans of Family is done! Done I tell you, I blocked it yesterday and wove in the ends tonight. I love this pattern. So much that I wo
uld consider making it again, which if you notice I hardly make the same thing twice, so this is high praise. The yarn was a delight, Misti Alpaca Laceweight, held doubled throughout. I ran into a snag with this as I seriously underestimated the yardage needed but Ravelry came to my rescue. I love this thing and hope the recipient loves it to. I struggled to find a pattern that seemed like a good match for the goal of something not too warm, but pretty, and would offer me a bit of a challenge. It took some time for the 20 row repeat pattern to develop into a rhythm but after 20 repeats of the pattern, I established a bit of a flow with it. It looks quite lovely to me, but I'm biased.Yesterday my friend Andi surprised me with a visit and spindle spinning lesson. Jennie gifted w
ith a drop spindle and some GORGEOUS roving before I left the west coast but I really didn't want to start with it because well it deserves more talented hands. Andi brought me some more basic roving in blue and gray to spin. Somewhat foolish perhaps I decided to spin the two colours together, however the result is kind of nice. Like any good teacher Andi noted that my drafting was getting more consistent already. I love a good liar!More knitting news soon I'm sure.
Notes on stripping wallpaper with ugly picture soon too.
With the luck of the Goddesses without Husbands as Glamour Gal would say, I will have positive job news for me soon!
Friday, February 29, 2008
3 Steps Forward, 4 Steps Back
That's how it feels this morning. Seriously I have been meaning to post about knitting (with photos!), cooking successes (which means like Mikey, she liked them), and who knows what else but instead y'all get this. Oh, I know photos of "the wallpaper expedition in the kitchen".
The good news is that TGF is getting the job title and more salary starting March 8th! This is the position we moved her for and expected her to start October 1st. Of course she didn't even start training for her job until about 3 weeks after that date and has been working less than full time ever since. With this piece of information we were feeling a piece better (that news came through last Friday - I never said I was capable of breaking news postings!).
As I indicated in another post "American Video" did not hire me, which is probably just as well as I would be bored out of my mind but on the other hand there would be some moola coming in which is very much needed. Monday I had an interview at (using the real name here for a change) Jenny Cr*aig. Yeah, yeah I know. Many people scoffed and laughed at the notion. Y'all can get a bigger laugh by knowing I came home from the interview to sit down on my couch with a half gallon carton of ice cream. Yes I did, you can bet the ranch on that. By Tuesday I figured I didn't get it. Today I got an email confirming that. Maybe I should have taken out my nose ring for the interview.
Next month I have an interview for a call center job that wouldn't begin training me until April 22nd. Lovely. I hear it's a great place to work but I need cash now, not in two months from now, maybe, if they hire me.
This week I have probably spent 20 hours online looking for jobs and applying to as many as possible. Yesterday I registered with a temp agency and applied for two jobs through them.
In the meantime the bills are stacking up. Then more steps backwards. Wednesday night when leaving work a mishap caused TGF to lose a contact lens. Now granted these lenses were barely working for her as her script has majorly changed in the last few years but it's costing a whole lot of money from thin air to replace them. And they won't be here for 7-10 days! She is pretty blind right now using really old glasses to see with, poor thing.
Then, this morning I saunter downstairs to find a grumpy looking sweetheart. Now for those who know her it could just be that she has only had one cup of java as she is so NOT a morning person. But no, someone hit her car. It appears that they hit it and dragged it a few feet based on where she parked when she came home. No note, nada. The blinker is gone on the front driver's side and she is worried about driving it. Great, you know?
Okay my coffee is almost gone, time to job hunt. See y'all around the proverbial water cooler.
The good news is that TGF is getting the job title and more salary starting March 8th! This is the position we moved her for and expected her to start October 1st. Of course she didn't even start training for her job until about 3 weeks after that date and has been working less than full time ever since. With this piece of information we were feeling a piece better (that news came through last Friday - I never said I was capable of breaking news postings!).
As I indicated in another post "American Video" did not hire me, which is probably just as well as I would be bored out of my mind but on the other hand there would be some moola coming in which is very much needed. Monday I had an interview at (using the real name here for a change) Jenny Cr*aig. Yeah, yeah I know. Many people scoffed and laughed at the notion. Y'all can get a bigger laugh by knowing I came home from the interview to sit down on my couch with a half gallon carton of ice cream. Yes I did, you can bet the ranch on that. By Tuesday I figured I didn't get it. Today I got an email confirming that. Maybe I should have taken out my nose ring for the interview.
Next month I have an interview for a call center job that wouldn't begin training me until April 22nd. Lovely. I hear it's a great place to work but I need cash now, not in two months from now, maybe, if they hire me.
This week I have probably spent 20 hours online looking for jobs and applying to as many as possible. Yesterday I registered with a temp agency and applied for two jobs through them.
In the meantime the bills are stacking up. Then more steps backwards. Wednesday night when leaving work a mishap caused TGF to lose a contact lens. Now granted these lenses were barely working for her as her script has majorly changed in the last few years but it's costing a whole lot of money from thin air to replace them. And they won't be here for 7-10 days! She is pretty blind right now using really old glasses to see with, poor thing.
Then, this morning I saunter downstairs to find a grumpy looking sweetheart. Now for those who know her it could just be that she has only had one cup of java as she is so NOT a morning person. But no, someone hit her car. It appears that they hit it and dragged it a few feet based on where she parked when she came home. No note, nada. The blinker is gone on the front driver's side and she is worried about driving it. Great, you know?
Okay my coffee is almost gone, time to job hunt. See y'all around the proverbial water cooler.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Make it stop!
Someone come over and turn off the damn tv or at least keep it on Spike! For some damn reason I have stopped on a marathon of Girlfriends where I caught the cycle of the break of two best friends (which of course being television gets resolved in church on this one).
I have watched this show on and off since it first aired though as an over 30 year old white lesbian, I am hardly the target audience. But they are women I have known and sometimes the writing is really good. Besides since Living Single went off the air where else can one see a show about black women.
The issue of friends and the relationships keep coming up, mostly in hard, hard ways. I am definitely looking at what I do that is good, bad, supportive, and where I lack. It's always easier to want others to do x, but the great challenge is to apply those ideals to yourself at least every time you want them done by someone else. I don't think of myself as terrible friend, not at all, but I know I could be better and I know I have messed up recently with one relationship very badly. Rather than beat myself up endlessly (which is my tendency) I am owned up to the mistakes with the person, not that it repairs anything but still it was the right thing to do. In addition I am trying to take all this in and use the experience in the most positive way.
If only I could get away from the Universe's messages for a short spell.
I have watched this show on and off since it first aired though as an over 30 year old white lesbian, I am hardly the target audience. But they are women I have known and sometimes the writing is really good. Besides since Living Single went off the air where else can one see a show about black women.
The issue of friends and the relationships keep coming up, mostly in hard, hard ways. I am definitely looking at what I do that is good, bad, supportive, and where I lack. It's always easier to want others to do x, but the great challenge is to apply those ideals to yourself at least every time you want them done by someone else. I don't think of myself as terrible friend, not at all, but I know I could be better and I know I have messed up recently with one relationship very badly. Rather than beat myself up endlessly (which is my tendency) I am owned up to the mistakes with the person, not that it repairs anything but still it was the right thing to do. In addition I am trying to take all this in and use the experience in the most positive way.
If only I could get away from the Universe's messages for a short spell.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Television Mimics or Guides Me?
Yesterday was not a good day. Not at all. Not even a little.
(Yes I read a lot of Dr. Seuss why do you ask?)
A few days ago, last week maybe, I made mention of a terrible split with a friend. Well that dispute raised it's head again on Wednesday which was upsetting but believe it or not was made worse yesterday. Worse is not only means thoughts and words forming obsession thoughts but nausea, shaking, crying. It was not a pretty day.
In the midst of all of that Charmed was on in the background and it was the episode where the sisters are at risk of losing their powers for being too blatant, careless, and maybe taking them for granted a bit too much. I have always identified the most with Phoebe, (although I have a lot of Piper too what with the cooking thing/potion making/mama thing) and others have said that as well. The resolution in this episode is that she loses her active powers. At the same time I was recognizing that as much as I have learned and tried to not fall back on bad habits, I still had work to do.
So I guess this is my public acknowledgment that I am more human, much more fallible that I like to remember. The work on oneself is never done and I guess this was another knock on my walls to come down a bit, to learn that doors and windows are a good thing. It feels like I have been fed a lot of humble pie in the last few months. (For those wondering, nosy Jbeeky, my blogger BBF!, I did not get the job at American Video. I am choosing to believe they had equally bright but more under than over qualified candidates that would not bolt the first chance they got.) What this all also means is that I need to reach out to my friends instead of hoping that they just know what I need. That I need to put some ideals aside and move in a different direction. That I need to work on getting real sleep one of these years. That and a million other ways that I need to continue to strive toward a better version of me.
(Yes I read a lot of Dr. Seuss why do you ask?)
A few days ago, last week maybe, I made mention of a terrible split with a friend. Well that dispute raised it's head again on Wednesday which was upsetting but believe it or not was made worse yesterday. Worse is not only means thoughts and words forming obsession thoughts but nausea, shaking, crying. It was not a pretty day.
In the midst of all of that Charmed was on in the background and it was the episode where the sisters are at risk of losing their powers for being too blatant, careless, and maybe taking them for granted a bit too much. I have always identified the most with Phoebe, (although I have a lot of Piper too what with the cooking thing/potion making/mama thing) and others have said that as well. The resolution in this episode is that she loses her active powers. At the same time I was recognizing that as much as I have learned and tried to not fall back on bad habits, I still had work to do.
So I guess this is my public acknowledgment that I am more human, much more fallible that I like to remember. The work on oneself is never done and I guess this was another knock on my walls to come down a bit, to learn that doors and windows are a good thing. It feels like I have been fed a lot of humble pie in the last few months. (For those wondering, nosy Jbeeky, my blogger BBF!, I did not get the job at American Video. I am choosing to believe they had equally bright but more under than over qualified candidates that would not bolt the first chance they got.) What this all also means is that I need to reach out to my friends instead of hoping that they just know what I need. That I need to put some ideals aside and move in a different direction. That I need to work on getting real sleep one of these years. That and a million other ways that I need to continue to strive toward a better version of me.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sad Sex
So yesterday, as often on weekday afternoons, I was watching Charmed. Yes I confess, I am a huge fan and watch the episodes over and over. Every once in awhile I catch on, particularly from the early Pru years that I missed. I can't imagine that there are any I haven't seen but every once in a while... I digress.
It's the episode where Piper and Leo get trapped in that nether world, the way station between life and death. While there they sadly reflect on their relationship and the stresses. From there an intimate moment develops which creates the next offspring. As with other times, in other movies, and television shows grief in particular but often great sadness turns to great passion. I have never.ever.experienced this. Is something wrong with me? I suspect not. I suspect it's a bizarre plot to further confuse the emotional life of people in these united states.
I have had moments of great grief but never has a tearful moment led to tender sex. Perhaps it's because tender, gentle sex is not my mainstay. Of course sometimes the image is of passionate, wild sex but again, never in my life. I consider myself a pretty passionate person but never does a trip down the path of grief lead to lovemaking. Is it me? I swear half the time I see this sort of thing on television I wonder if it's real, or is it more of the prince charming syndrome? On soap operas (yes I watch those too) these people never seem to have to struggle to find a baby sitter for great nights out, no kid ever walks in as they're about to get down to business. I know, I know, this stuff is created as an escape but it's such an unrealistic image of real adult life and kids watch this stuff! Between soap operas starting at age 11 and reading Cosmo by age 14 I was seriously unprepared for the real world! I feel like I should be able to sue someone - you know like the line from Dennis Leary's stand up routine when he asks about suing James Taylor for turning him into a pussy and thus not getting laid during the 70's.
Seriously had I known then what I know now about images and sex, my god, would my life be different. Who knew Audra Barkley was wearing hairpieces and false eyelashes? And that Victoria Barkley was shot with vaseline on the lens and had already probably had a face lift in the 60's, and Heath was wearing a girdle? Watching it a repeat in afternoons I certainly had no idea. All I knew was as thick as my hair was, I could never make it look like Audra.
Lately on All My Children (hush now!) Kendall and her husband Zach have been having sex practically everyday. Now of course this probably to cover her guilt at having sad sex with an ex (Aiden). Kendall and Aiden were grieving the disappearance of their mates and in a fit of immense grief that they were actually dead, they had sex. See how it works? Again, another thing I don't do, have sex because I feel guilty about something I've done, not done, whatever.
Grief and guilt are just not aphrodisiacs for me.
Perhaps the solution is to stop watching television. Yeah, that'll happen. Not.
It's the episode where Piper and Leo get trapped in that nether world, the way station between life and death. While there they sadly reflect on their relationship and the stresses. From there an intimate moment develops which creates the next offspring. As with other times, in other movies, and television shows grief in particular but often great sadness turns to great passion. I have never.ever.experienced this. Is something wrong with me? I suspect not. I suspect it's a bizarre plot to further confuse the emotional life of people in these united states.
I have had moments of great grief but never has a tearful moment led to tender sex. Perhaps it's because tender, gentle sex is not my mainstay. Of course sometimes the image is of passionate, wild sex but again, never in my life. I consider myself a pretty passionate person but never does a trip down the path of grief lead to lovemaking. Is it me? I swear half the time I see this sort of thing on television I wonder if it's real, or is it more of the prince charming syndrome? On soap operas (yes I watch those too) these people never seem to have to struggle to find a baby sitter for great nights out, no kid ever walks in as they're about to get down to business. I know, I know, this stuff is created as an escape but it's such an unrealistic image of real adult life and kids watch this stuff! Between soap operas starting at age 11 and reading Cosmo by age 14 I was seriously unprepared for the real world! I feel like I should be able to sue someone - you know like the line from Dennis Leary's stand up routine when he asks about suing James Taylor for turning him into a pussy and thus not getting laid during the 70's.
Seriously had I known then what I know now about images and sex, my god, would my life be different. Who knew Audra Barkley was wearing hairpieces and false eyelashes? And that Victoria Barkley was shot with vaseline on the lens and had already probably had a face lift in the 60's, and Heath was wearing a girdle? Watching it a repeat in afternoons I certainly had no idea. All I knew was as thick as my hair was, I could never make it look like Audra.
Lately on All My Children (hush now!) Kendall and her husband Zach have been having sex practically everyday. Now of course this probably to cover her guilt at having sad sex with an ex (Aiden). Kendall and Aiden were grieving the disappearance of their mates and in a fit of immense grief that they were actually dead, they had sex. See how it works? Again, another thing I don't do, have sex because I feel guilty about something I've done, not done, whatever.
Grief and guilt are just not aphrodisiacs for me.
Perhaps the solution is to stop watching television. Yeah, that'll happen. Not.
Ramblings on the radio
So while driving to and from Columbus yesterday to meet up with an online friend from New Jersey (she was driving her daughter around to do the college tour thing) I flip radio stations. A lot.
I must say Rush, yes that Rush, kind of cracks me up. It was never easy for me to find him on air in other places I lived, but here, pretty easy. Definitely that says something about the area, no? Anyhoo. Some quotes that stood out:
"If Hilary steals the nomination..." Exactly how would she steal it? Because let me tell you from his tone he seemed to think she could arrange it to win by paying people off, or something. Let's all ignore the fact that there it is looking more and more like Barack could be awarded the nomination.
"Hilary the domineering and abused wife of Bill..." It feels like those are two very different life states and seems like they are diametrically opposed and hence not possible to co-exist.
In a "dialogue" (I use that word loosely) with a caller, Rush asked this african american man if Barack won the presidency, could say that racism would be gone, something we didn't have to worry about. The caller said of course not, to which Rush asked "so why is it important to have a candidate that 'looks like' you?" He just so doesn't get it. However I will say just hearing this snippet made it sound as though Rush was only a misogynist and not a racist as well.
Then another program I flipped to had a woman speaking about, well it sounded like, keeping safe because of, I don't know but something specific. But noooooo. Super christian woman who wouldn't have a private conversation with a man, wouldn't drive in a car with a man that wasn't her husband or a family member. No "meetings" in a closed room without a third person. She bcc'ed emails to her husband to make sure she hadn't crossed a line. On and on it went. Really all I thought was, are you that afraid of your desires? Are you so unable to differentiate between thinking and doing something? Do you trust yourself so little and your correspondent that you potentially cross a line of confidentiality? It was spooky! Frightening, even.
What I learned is that I should never ever verve from my NPR stations.
I must say Rush, yes that Rush, kind of cracks me up. It was never easy for me to find him on air in other places I lived, but here, pretty easy. Definitely that says something about the area, no? Anyhoo. Some quotes that stood out:
"If Hilary steals the nomination..." Exactly how would she steal it? Because let me tell you from his tone he seemed to think she could arrange it to win by paying people off, or something. Let's all ignore the fact that there it is looking more and more like Barack could be awarded the nomination.
"Hilary the domineering and abused wife of Bill..." It feels like those are two very different life states and seems like they are diametrically opposed and hence not possible to co-exist.
In a "dialogue" (I use that word loosely) with a caller, Rush asked this african american man if Barack won the presidency, could say that racism would be gone, something we didn't have to worry about. The caller said of course not, to which Rush asked "so why is it important to have a candidate that 'looks like' you?" He just so doesn't get it. However I will say just hearing this snippet made it sound as though Rush was only a misogynist and not a racist as well.
Then another program I flipped to had a woman speaking about, well it sounded like, keeping safe because of, I don't know but something specific. But noooooo. Super christian woman who wouldn't have a private conversation with a man, wouldn't drive in a car with a man that wasn't her husband or a family member. No "meetings" in a closed room without a third person. She bcc'ed emails to her husband to make sure she hadn't crossed a line. On and on it went. Really all I thought was, are you that afraid of your desires? Are you so unable to differentiate between thinking and doing something? Do you trust yourself so little and your correspondent that you potentially cross a line of confidentiality? It was spooky! Frightening, even.
What I learned is that I should never ever verve from my NPR stations.
Monday, February 11, 2008
It's been a whirl!
So last week I was feeling sorry for myself, and in many ways not much has changed with people in my other home lands, having no schedule, no scrilla, suffering with the greatly reduced sunlight of Ohio. However. In other ways, wow.
Emily decided that she needed to pick up the Amish Friendship batter sooner rather than later so she came by on Thursday after work. She is really fun to hang with and I swear there is a part of me that watches us and feels like our banter (because it really is banter that we do) is reminiscent of Lorelei and Sookie of the Gilmore Girls. How cool is that? Okay it's also probably terribly wrong and represents an inflated sense of our (particularly my) cleverness but it's fun nonetheless. I'm not saying who is who because it's not entirely clear and doesn't really matter because we have fun.
Friday plans held up and after filling out an application at "American Video*" for a clerking job (don't ask!) I headed to Yellow Springs. Dru ran late but I had fun rambling around looking at stores and chatting up one of the owners of Living Green, she was SO friendly. Dru and I chatted for a long time after our meal was done, it was nice catching up.
My dear sweet Jeriann called and we talked until my battery died on Saturday. It was a very wide ranging conversation and really nice to reconnect. In addition that day I scheduled an interview at "American Video", again, don't ask.
On Sunday I confirm that TGF is cool with me disappearing Sunday night to go down to the Insomniac Knitting Group that starts at 8-ish. At 5pm I leave for the interview and by the time I get home TGF has gone to the 'rents. After the lovely {ahem} time at American Video, I am SO grateful that Andi is coming by to whisk me off in her unheated chariot to some knitting.
The interview went great, really had fun chatting with Dan* and was told there are three steps to getting hired. I passed the first round because Dan really likes me. Next on Monday I take a two hour standardized test. Then if I pass I meet with the regional guy. For a frigging clerk job at a video store! Oh and get this, I will need to remove my nose ring when at work. ARHGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!
I mean I worked at Smith College School of Social work and didn't need to remove it. I left the interview furious, feeling like crying, thinking of my cousin saying to me many, many years ago "How the mighty have fallen". I couldn't think of anyone to call to bitch about this with and instead sat on the couch, watching bad television, eating potato chips and playing Zuma (so addictive!) on my computer.
As I said, thank, as Glamour Gal would say, The Goddesses without Husbands for Andi inviting me to join her last night. She got the full vent about the interview, patient woman. It was way too much fun. Aleza has apparently been reading my blog (hi honey!) and was just thinking about writing to invite me to join them. Michelle was just too much fun, it was great to see Anna again. Danielle was a blast! It was after midnight by the time Andi and I were back in the car.
Tonight after my North Dayton Knit Night I am driving down to Jer's place to help out with The Most Awesome Nephew Ever since she has to go out of town for work. So the next two mornings I will be making sure he gets on the bus for school. How cute is that?
*Neither store name or store employees are real to protect, um, me
Emily decided that she needed to pick up the Amish Friendship batter sooner rather than later so she came by on Thursday after work. She is really fun to hang with and I swear there is a part of me that watches us and feels like our banter (because it really is banter that we do) is reminiscent of Lorelei and Sookie of the Gilmore Girls. How cool is that? Okay it's also probably terribly wrong and represents an inflated sense of our (particularly my) cleverness but it's fun nonetheless. I'm not saying who is who because it's not entirely clear and doesn't really matter because we have fun.
Friday plans held up and after filling out an application at "American Video*" for a clerking job (don't ask!) I headed to Yellow Springs. Dru ran late but I had fun rambling around looking at stores and chatting up one of the owners of Living Green, she was SO friendly. Dru and I chatted for a long time after our meal was done, it was nice catching up.
My dear sweet Jeriann called and we talked until my battery died on Saturday. It was a very wide ranging conversation and really nice to reconnect. In addition that day I scheduled an interview at "American Video", again, don't ask.
On Sunday I confirm that TGF is cool with me disappearing Sunday night to go down to the Insomniac Knitting Group that starts at 8-ish. At 5pm I leave for the interview and by the time I get home TGF has gone to the 'rents. After the lovely {ahem} time at American Video, I am SO grateful that Andi is coming by to whisk me off in her unheated chariot to some knitting.
The interview went great, really had fun chatting with Dan* and was told there are three steps to getting hired. I passed the first round because Dan really likes me. Next on Monday I take a two hour standardized test. Then if I pass I meet with the regional guy. For a frigging clerk job at a video store! Oh and get this, I will need to remove my nose ring when at work. ARHGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!
I mean I worked at Smith College School of Social work and didn't need to remove it. I left the interview furious, feeling like crying, thinking of my cousin saying to me many, many years ago "How the mighty have fallen". I couldn't think of anyone to call to bitch about this with and instead sat on the couch, watching bad television, eating potato chips and playing Zuma (so addictive!) on my computer.
As I said, thank, as Glamour Gal would say, The Goddesses without Husbands for Andi inviting me to join her last night. She got the full vent about the interview, patient woman. It was way too much fun. Aleza has apparently been reading my blog (hi honey!) and was just thinking about writing to invite me to join them. Michelle was just too much fun, it was great to see Anna again. Danielle was a blast! It was after midnight by the time Andi and I were back in the car.
Tonight after my North Dayton Knit Night I am driving down to Jer's place to help out with The Most Awesome Nephew Ever since she has to go out of town for work. So the next two mornings I will be making sure he gets on the bus for school. How cute is that?
*Neither store name or store employees are real to protect, um, me
Friday, February 08, 2008
I knew I was forgetting something
For at least a week or so I kept thinking that there was a birthday I was forgetting about. TGF was February 1st. Jennie was January 29. Aunt Suze February 5th. My grandmother's would have been, I think, 90 on Wednesday. There wasn't another one I could conjure up until the 13th.
Suddenly yesterday I see an email with the subject "Re: Where you can find us" - the title I gave a post I wrote to many people once we had established residence. It was from Elaine, a former client. Her lovely daughter turned one and her mama was touching base with me. This birth was a hard one, I wrote about it here (it's labeled graphic because for some it would be, not for me but others maybe).
This is just the sort of thing that makes me ache to go back to the work. It is so special to be present at a birth, clients touch you in a major if short lived way. Those last moments of a birth, those first moments a new life in the room, it's like breathing in god. Somewhere in the chaos of the year since that birth, my subconscious remembered and kept nudging me. Had Elaine not written, I would have never realized what I kept searching for, and I could only begin to tell her in my email back to her how much it meant to me to hear from her. To hear how happy she is with her life as a parent, how much her daughter fills her with joy. I miss witnessing the glimmers of that doing doula work. I don't miss being on call but I miss the work, the joy in those rare moments that are not replicated by anything else I have even done.
Happy Birthday Hattie.
Suddenly yesterday I see an email with the subject "Re: Where you can find us" - the title I gave a post I wrote to many people once we had established residence. It was from Elaine, a former client. Her lovely daughter turned one and her mama was touching base with me. This birth was a hard one, I wrote about it here (it's labeled graphic because for some it would be, not for me but others maybe).
This is just the sort of thing that makes me ache to go back to the work. It is so special to be present at a birth, clients touch you in a major if short lived way. Those last moments of a birth, those first moments a new life in the room, it's like breathing in god. Somewhere in the chaos of the year since that birth, my subconscious remembered and kept nudging me. Had Elaine not written, I would have never realized what I kept searching for, and I could only begin to tell her in my email back to her how much it meant to me to hear from her. To hear how happy she is with her life as a parent, how much her daughter fills her with joy. I miss witnessing the glimmers of that doing doula work. I don't miss being on call but I miss the work, the joy in those rare moments that are not replicated by anything else I have even done.
Happy Birthday Hattie.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
In which our herione finds redemption in whining the other day
So a few hours after posting my blog post, my friend Jeriann sends me an ecard. I write her demanding that she fess up to reading my blog. She says, Of course, how else do I know what's happening. BUT I was going to write you anyway, so there. Cool beans.
An acquaintance from California reads my post and emails me - how lovely!
Also get an email from my pal Dru who we finally visited up in Columbus (great visit) asking if I'm free for coffee on Friday. Hey I have no life, of course I could do this, just need to put gas in the car.
A neighbor writes me asking for my blog addy. I give it to her but tell her not to judge me by "today's post" (my lonely whine from the other day). She writes back later to say, "I am very glad you and TGF are here and making this your home". Man I love that woman. She welcomed us with open arms from day one.
Today I find out that I have won two more blog contests. I told TGF about it saying, If only I could turn this ability into cash!". So a shout out to Keanalee over at Meowfish Pie Knits and Melissa over at Misfit Knit (don't you love that name?).
Tonight my buddy Emily (from Dainty Kitty) emails that she is free to cook, knit, and generally pal about next Friday.
Earlier today I finally made the sweet bread from the funky batter called Amish Friendship Bread that Dru so kindly gift me with. This stuff is like a chain letter, you get the stuff, feed it, divide it, use some to bake with and the rest you give away or keep. But you are warned that if you give it all away you will never know when you might get it again (as if this is a bad thing - I read someone gained 5 pounds because of this stuff in 6 weeks!). On a list I'm on I threatened to send it my friend Supee because she thinks she lives too far away being in California and all. Another lister is begging me to send to her in Oregon - will do!
So while a lot of things are the same my mood is much improved.
An acquaintance from California reads my post and emails me - how lovely!
Also get an email from my pal Dru who we finally visited up in Columbus (great visit) asking if I'm free for coffee on Friday. Hey I have no life, of course I could do this, just need to put gas in the car.
A neighbor writes me asking for my blog addy. I give it to her but tell her not to judge me by "today's post" (my lonely whine from the other day). She writes back later to say, "I am very glad you and TGF are here and making this your home". Man I love that woman. She welcomed us with open arms from day one.
Today I find out that I have won two more blog contests. I told TGF about it saying, If only I could turn this ability into cash!". So a shout out to Keanalee over at Meowfish Pie Knits and Melissa over at Misfit Knit (don't you love that name?).
Tonight my buddy Emily (from Dainty Kitty) emails that she is free to cook, knit, and generally pal about next Friday.
Earlier today I finally made the sweet bread from the funky batter called Amish Friendship Bread that Dru so kindly gift me with. This stuff is like a chain letter, you get the stuff, feed it, divide it, use some to bake with and the rest you give away or keep. But you are warned that if you give it all away you will never know when you might get it again (as if this is a bad thing - I read someone gained 5 pounds because of this stuff in 6 weeks!). On a list I'm on I threatened to send it my friend Supee because she thinks she lives too far away being in California and all. Another lister is begging me to send to her in Oregon - will do!
So while a lot of things are the same my mood is much improved.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Drowning in the Silence
My neighborhood is fabulous. I have my choice of knitting meet ups almost seven days a week. This Saturday I went to another SPLWE (South Park Ladies Who Eat) party which was WAY too much fun. But I have no local friends, only the faint glimmerings of friendship in the future. Maybe. Hopefully. I have joined a committee for my neighborhood association, but it's not like having friends.
The truth is my phone hardly rings. My friends from my other homes states rarely call, many hardly email. For some this is a long pattern. My beloved Abby sucks at staying in touch, we regularly go for many, many months without phone calls. It was certainly unexpectedly lovely when we got a gift basket from her and the hubs for the new year. But I have called her and left messages, I miss hearing her voice. However, like I said, this is a pattern in a friendship that is over 30 years old.
Last week I did something that outside my comfort zone and emailed a neighbor letting her know I'm around a lot, that I know she's is home with kids a lot. We had a lovely lunch date at her freaking gorgeous home. It was so nice, so like my old life, only not, because this was the exception, because she and I are just forging a connection.
When I moved away from Massachusetts it was a catalyst in many ways for a horrible break up of a friendship that had meant the world to me. I haven't spoken to that person for over two years because I had to make the break. I had to stop giving chances only to have nothing offered in return. One of my great fears in leaving California was this loneliness returning (I had a hard adjustment to the west coast), and of other friendships not surviving my relocation. One friendship has totally disintegrated already in a horrible email exchange where I felt attacked. It shook me for weeks, it is so hard when someone nails all your insecurities. Mostly I don't talk about it because it is still painful, and pushing it away is much easier right now.
Several weeks ago I spoke to Greg (our friendship anniversary date is 9/26/84 as discovered recently in his journals) about that debacle. Moving away, he said, always uproots things. Some things can be replanted but they are always changed. Some things do not survive the upheaval.
He is right of course but as someone who is apt to keep trying, to keep calling, writing, who is unrealistically optimistic about a lot of things I bristle at this notion. I do realize that relationships always need time to resettle, to adjust to new boundaries and perhaps I am just having a hard time letting that happen and want everyone to adjust already dammit!
Because I need my friends with me in spirit even if I can't sprint over to their place anymore.
The truth is my phone hardly rings. My friends from my other homes states rarely call, many hardly email. For some this is a long pattern. My beloved Abby sucks at staying in touch, we regularly go for many, many months without phone calls. It was certainly unexpectedly lovely when we got a gift basket from her and the hubs for the new year. But I have called her and left messages, I miss hearing her voice. However, like I said, this is a pattern in a friendship that is over 30 years old.
Last week I did something that outside my comfort zone and emailed a neighbor letting her know I'm around a lot, that I know she's is home with kids a lot. We had a lovely lunch date at her freaking gorgeous home. It was so nice, so like my old life, only not, because this was the exception, because she and I are just forging a connection.
When I moved away from Massachusetts it was a catalyst in many ways for a horrible break up of a friendship that had meant the world to me. I haven't spoken to that person for over two years because I had to make the break. I had to stop giving chances only to have nothing offered in return. One of my great fears in leaving California was this loneliness returning (I had a hard adjustment to the west coast), and of other friendships not surviving my relocation. One friendship has totally disintegrated already in a horrible email exchange where I felt attacked. It shook me for weeks, it is so hard when someone nails all your insecurities. Mostly I don't talk about it because it is still painful, and pushing it away is much easier right now.
Several weeks ago I spoke to Greg (our friendship anniversary date is 9/26/84 as discovered recently in his journals) about that debacle. Moving away, he said, always uproots things. Some things can be replanted but they are always changed. Some things do not survive the upheaval.
He is right of course but as someone who is apt to keep trying, to keep calling, writing, who is unrealistically optimistic about a lot of things I bristle at this notion. I do realize that relationships always need time to resettle, to adjust to new boundaries and perhaps I am just having a hard time letting that happen and want everyone to adjust already dammit!
Because I need my friends with me in spirit even if I can't sprint over to their place anymore.
More Ravelry Love
I think about writing various tidbits every day, I really do. It's not that my life is so exciting that this happens, but somehow I seem to always have things to say but no motivation to write. Or do a lot of things actually. But that's another post ;-)
So I was working furiously away the Fans of Family scarf for my California friend's mother-in-law. It was becoming apparent that I would not have enough yarn but yet I kept deluding myself that somehow like the oil during that famous Maccabee story that there would be enough as I needed. But no, like most religious tales it's clearly an exaggeration.
Like any good 21st century knitter I hit the internet. Now for those of you readers who are not invested in the fiber arts (for example I dream about knitting and more recently spinning) a lot yarn is dyed in batches, or lots. Some yarns look much the same between dye lots, others, not so much. Now the yarn I was using, Misti Alpace Laceweight was a gift from Jennie, who purchased it quite awhile ago. The yarn I was using was dye lot 1. Hm, this could be a problem, although I suspected their dye lots might be consistent but who knew. I looked on Ravelry but no one was selling the right colour and dye lot. So I posted an ISO (in search of) listing asking for an exact match. The ever so lovely moderator, Somebunnyslove, responded by finding several who had the right colour, and one who had the right dye lot as well. I decided to risk it by writing to the person to see if they had any desire to sell it even though it was not listed on their trade/sell page.
My question was quickly answered and she said yes! At the same price she bought it for even ($6.00, and of course shipping costs). It arrived today and I am so happy. I have been stalking others on Rav who are selling more of this stuff because I am really enjoying it. Next time I think I will use it single stranded to see how that feels in the hands.
So I need to head back to work on that project. The sleeve of doom has been finished and the second has been started. The cabled headband is languishing though it could probably be finished in a few hours. I long to cast on at least three other projects but am trying to hold off until the scarf is done since there is a bit of a deadline attached to that one.
So I was working furiously away the Fans of Family scarf for my California friend's mother-in-law. It was becoming apparent that I would not have enough yarn but yet I kept deluding myself that somehow like the oil during that famous Maccabee story that there would be enough as I needed. But no, like most religious tales it's clearly an exaggeration.
Like any good 21st century knitter I hit the internet. Now for those of you readers who are not invested in the fiber arts (for example I dream about knitting and more recently spinning) a lot yarn is dyed in batches, or lots. Some yarns look much the same between dye lots, others, not so much. Now the yarn I was using, Misti Alpace Laceweight was a gift from Jennie, who purchased it quite awhile ago. The yarn I was using was dye lot 1. Hm, this could be a problem, although I suspected their dye lots might be consistent but who knew. I looked on Ravelry but no one was selling the right colour and dye lot. So I posted an ISO (in search of) listing asking for an exact match. The ever so lovely moderator, Somebunnyslove, responded by finding several who had the right colour, and one who had the right dye lot as well. I decided to risk it by writing to the person to see if they had any desire to sell it even though it was not listed on their trade/sell page.
My question was quickly answered and she said yes! At the same price she bought it for even ($6.00, and of course shipping costs). It arrived today and I am so happy. I have been stalking others on Rav who are selling more of this stuff because I am really enjoying it. Next time I think I will use it single stranded to see how that feels in the hands.
So I need to head back to work on that project. The sleeve of doom has been finished and the second has been started. The cabled headband is languishing though it could probably be finished in a few hours. I long to cast on at least three other projects but am trying to hold off until the scarf is done since there is a bit of a deadline attached to that one.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Knitterly things as promised, finally
It is a parade of finished, UFOs and in progress works. Grab a cuppa.
For Catherine who is undergoing chemotherapy I made two different hats.
The first one
was an easy decision because the name of the pattern is Santa Cruz. I've been on an email list with Janice for several years and Catherine is her partner. Back in July 2006 they came to California for a family wedding, they live in Albion, MI so this was a unique opportunity to meet up with them. Several us were able to do a fabulous meet up on a beach in Santa Cruz, hence the pattern being a no-brainer. This was with yarn gifted from Adrienne.
Then I decided to use the fabulously soft yarn I had purchased for a hat for Catherine and make a second. I mean why not? This alpaca yarn was so soft and not very expensive. Still have one ball left, maybe another hat for TGF because it's a great colour for her as well.
Many man
y moons ago I purchased a measly two skeins of Elsbeth Lavold's Silky Wool because it was on sale and the perfect colour for TGF. After giving her a few option of hat designs she chose Odessa, which I had been wanting to give a go. This is a very easy, but with just a bit of elegance pattern. It was not the best match up of yarn and pattern but it was her choosing so that's good. Since TGF is not a bead girl this was not made with beads.
I really liked the pattern and got bitten by the pseudo-designer bug. It struck me that it would be really cool to use that stitch pattern in a pair of fingerless gloves. A
gain not the best match of pattern and yarn but these are a super basic prototype and I will make another pair in a more appropriate yarn soon. Perhaps experimenting with different thumb designs as I found an article in an old Interweave Knits on thumb gussets. I may even have two volunteers for test knitters when I'm ready. I am way too pleased with myself over this thing. A bit of preening was tempting as I finished the second one. Greg's word "chuffed" came to mind a lot. Next on the list is to try a scarf pattern to create a whole "set". However this test piece will be with another yarn as I am out of the silky wool.
Since se
eing the pattern when it first came out a few months ago in Knitty I have been a bit enamored with it. I kept imagining using the silky wool with it. Once the hat and mitts were completed I realized I might have enough yarn left over to make Tudora. To get the right gauge I used two strands at a time. Really quick pattern, just a few hours total, over two days. This is a gift for a friend. Just needs a button which I may have the giftee choose themselves. I absolutely adore the feel of the fabric knitted up two stranded.
Another pattern over at Knitty that has been very popular is Foliage. I gathere
d up a bunch of yarn, again from Adrienne and turned this out quickly. In my mind I thought this hat might be for me. I wore it to NY and Sunny threatened to steal it. When I saw Deb briefly in Cleveland during my return trip she noted how nice the hat was. Had I not been so tired and our time so short I would have realized sooner it was really her hat. I sent it to her after weaving in the ends. I am fairly certain that the pink colour is someone's homespun fiber. It makes me so happy to hear that she is wearing to the farmer's market with her daughters and on hike at dusk.
Eons ago I mentioned a project I was making for our niece, T'Mane. If I had finished last spring, as intended, she probably could have worn it this summer. There was just a tiny bit left but it suffered from my knitting inertia this spring/summer. It will unfortunately need to be frogged. For now it sits as a UFO.
A quick project that I finished and wore today is a little lacy headband out of Lion's Brand Microspun in a bright dark purple. The pattern is from Interweave. Quick, a little narrow maybe but keeps my bangs (which are below my chin now) out of the way.
Recently a friend in California asked if she could "commission me" to knit a project, perhaps two. Aft
er a few go rounds she let me decide on the pattern and yarn (#3105). As of this afternoon I have 40% of it done. It's going rather well now that I have the pattern down a bit more. Hopefully I will have enough yarn or things will get awful messy and crazed around here if I need to find more in the same colour which won't be the same dye lot I'm sure! If this goes well she may ask me to make something else. Kinda cool. Hell just being asked was one of the coolest things ever.
The sweater from NaKniSweMo is still on the needles. I had started the first sleeve, doing 12 out of 16 increases but decided it was too sloppy and ripped all the
increases out. I am just about back to the 12 increases, I think. Then of course there is the second sleeve which I hope won't suffer from a variation of "second sock syndrome". Part of the problem is I really don't like the needles I am using, not very smooth or quick (Clover size 8 double points) I had hoped to finish by TGF's birthday but I think that is looking more and more unlikely as I have less than a week. The commission is due the same time. I suppose if I do nothing else but knit this week it could all happen.
I think that catches all of y'all up on my knitting world. There are a host of projects I really want to start but the sweater and scarf need to be finished soon! There are socks, maybe for me, some projects for Sunny and Lindsay, more for TGF, testing the pattern I wrote, developing a scarf version - so much to do!
For Catherine who is undergoing chemotherapy I made two different hats.
The first one
was an easy decision because the name of the pattern is Santa Cruz. I've been on an email list with Janice for several years and Catherine is her partner. Back in July 2006 they came to California for a family wedding, they live in Albion, MI so this was a unique opportunity to meet up with them. Several us were able to do a fabulous meet up on a beach in Santa Cruz, hence the pattern being a no-brainer. This was with yarn gifted from Adrienne.
Then I decided to use the fabulously soft yarn I had purchased for a hat for Catherine and make a second. I mean why not? This alpaca yarn was so soft and not very expensive. Still have one ball left, maybe another hat for TGF because it's a great colour for her as well.
Many man
y moons ago I purchased a measly two skeins of Elsbeth Lavold's Silky Wool because it was on sale and the perfect colour for TGF. After giving her a few option of hat designs she chose Odessa, which I had been wanting to give a go. This is a very easy, but with just a bit of elegance pattern. It was not the best match up of yarn and pattern but it was her choosing so that's good. Since TGF is not a bead girl this was not made with beads.I really liked the pattern and got bitten by the pseudo-designer bug. It struck me that it would be really cool to use that stitch pattern in a pair of fingerless gloves. A
gain not the best match of pattern and yarn but these are a super basic prototype and I will make another pair in a more appropriate yarn soon. Perhaps experimenting with different thumb designs as I found an article in an old Interweave Knits on thumb gussets. I may even have two volunteers for test knitters when I'm ready. I am way too pleased with myself over this thing. A bit of preening was tempting as I finished the second one. Greg's word "chuffed" came to mind a lot. Next on the list is to try a scarf pattern to create a whole "set". However this test piece will be with another yarn as I am out of the silky wool.Since se
eing the pattern when it first came out a few months ago in Knitty I have been a bit enamored with it. I kept imagining using the silky wool with it. Once the hat and mitts were completed I realized I might have enough yarn left over to make Tudora. To get the right gauge I used two strands at a time. Really quick pattern, just a few hours total, over two days. This is a gift for a friend. Just needs a button which I may have the giftee choose themselves. I absolutely adore the feel of the fabric knitted up two stranded.Another pattern over at Knitty that has been very popular is Foliage. I gathere
d up a bunch of yarn, again from Adrienne and turned this out quickly. In my mind I thought this hat might be for me. I wore it to NY and Sunny threatened to steal it. When I saw Deb briefly in Cleveland during my return trip she noted how nice the hat was. Had I not been so tired and our time so short I would have realized sooner it was really her hat. I sent it to her after weaving in the ends. I am fairly certain that the pink colour is someone's homespun fiber. It makes me so happy to hear that she is wearing to the farmer's market with her daughters and on hike at dusk.
Eons ago I mentioned a project I was making for our niece, T'Mane. If I had finished last spring, as intended, she probably could have worn it this summer. There was just a tiny bit left but it suffered from my knitting inertia this spring/summer. It will unfortunately need to be frogged. For now it sits as a UFO.
A quick project that I finished and wore today is a little lacy headband out of Lion's Brand Microspun in a bright dark purple. The pattern is from Interweave. Quick, a little narrow maybe but keeps my bangs (which are below my chin now) out of the way.
Recently a friend in California asked if she could "commission me" to knit a project, perhaps two. Aft
er a few go rounds she let me decide on the pattern and yarn (#3105). As of this afternoon I have 40% of it done. It's going rather well now that I have the pattern down a bit more. Hopefully I will have enough yarn or things will get awful messy and crazed around here if I need to find more in the same colour which won't be the same dye lot I'm sure! If this goes well she may ask me to make something else. Kinda cool. Hell just being asked was one of the coolest things ever.The sweater from NaKniSweMo is still on the needles. I had started the first sleeve, doing 12 out of 16 increases but decided it was too sloppy and ripped all the
increases out. I am just about back to the 12 increases, I think. Then of course there is the second sleeve which I hope won't suffer from a variation of "second sock syndrome". Part of the problem is I really don't like the needles I am using, not very smooth or quick (Clover size 8 double points) I had hoped to finish by TGF's birthday but I think that is looking more and more unlikely as I have less than a week. The commission is due the same time. I suppose if I do nothing else but knit this week it could all happen.I think that catches all of y'all up on my knitting world. There are a host of projects I really want to start but the sweater and scarf need to be finished soon! There are socks, maybe for me, some projects for Sunny and Lindsay, more for TGF, testing the pattern I wrote, developing a scarf version - so much to do!
Monday, January 21, 2008
In which our herione continues the job search
I know, I haven't posted in forever. I threatened fiber photos and updates, nothing. It seems I am less than inspired, the words aren't bubbling up right now.
Last week I submitted a resume and cover letter for the first job I am serious excited about since starting my search a few months ago. My fingers are crosses that I at least get an interview but I realize the institution may already have a person lined up and just "legally" has to post the position. So it's a careful balance of hope because I am totally qualified for the position, and acceptance that nothing might happen but it has nothing to do with whether I could do the job.
In other general news, we had dinner with Julie and Chris at Thai 9 in the Oregon district a few weeks back. I continue to go to knit meet ups. Last week Emily and I ventured to a new (to us) group at a local yarn store. It was definitely fun. When some one pointed a sale basket of Cherry Tree Hill yarns, Emily said "it not calling your name". My response was that TGF must be paying her to keep me in check. In truth I left with two circular needles I needed and 2 balls of Plymouth Boku (colour 4) so I could try making Quant to practice entrelac knitting.
In part I have hopes that my knitting get togethers will help me network a job, hence part of my addiction to them, aside from them being way too much fun. Soon I will work on looking at volunteer opportunities with the prosecutors office (victim's advocate) and/or CASA work. Both would fall into the categories of areas of interest, experience and would be helpful if I ever finish my degree. Also I hear that volunteering in the prosecutor's office often leads to a job (it also helps when various in-laws work in law enforcement in the area). There is the added benefit of me having a schedule, somewhere to go which would also help my moods which while mostly manageable my emotional life could be a tad more stable.
So that's the news from here. How are all you doing?
Last week I submitted a resume and cover letter for the first job I am serious excited about since starting my search a few months ago. My fingers are crosses that I at least get an interview but I realize the institution may already have a person lined up and just "legally" has to post the position. So it's a careful balance of hope because I am totally qualified for the position, and acceptance that nothing might happen but it has nothing to do with whether I could do the job.
In other general news, we had dinner with Julie and Chris at Thai 9 in the Oregon district a few weeks back. I continue to go to knit meet ups. Last week Emily and I ventured to a new (to us) group at a local yarn store. It was definitely fun. When some one pointed a sale basket of Cherry Tree Hill yarns, Emily said "it not calling your name". My response was that TGF must be paying her to keep me in check. In truth I left with two circular needles I needed and 2 balls of Plymouth Boku (colour 4) so I could try making Quant to practice entrelac knitting.
In part I have hopes that my knitting get togethers will help me network a job, hence part of my addiction to them, aside from them being way too much fun. Soon I will work on looking at volunteer opportunities with the prosecutors office (victim's advocate) and/or CASA work. Both would fall into the categories of areas of interest, experience and would be helpful if I ever finish my degree. Also I hear that volunteering in the prosecutor's office often leads to a job (it also helps when various in-laws work in law enforcement in the area). There is the added benefit of me having a schedule, somewhere to go which would also help my moods which while mostly manageable my emotional life could be a tad more stable.
So that's the news from here. How are all you doing?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Apparently I am Mohair
I received my Knitter's Review in my inbox this morning and Clara's publishers created a little quiz to help tell what kind of fiber the readers are. Well I haven't published (or even taken) a quiz in forever so I decided this would be a fun one.
Mohair – A smooth, polished surface
“Mohair is warmer than wool, with larger, flatter scales that contribute to an overall silky-smooth appearance. The fiber absorbs dye readily and, thanks to that smooth surface, reflects it back brilliantly.” –The Knitter’s Book of Yarn
Mohairs are positive and confident. You always strive to make a good first impression because you are a proud person, and you care a good deal about what people think of you. You are careful with your words and are always tactful. You enjoy having a broad base of support and respect from those whom you come in contact. You attract this with your warm, sunny, and inquisitive personality.
I was quite intrigued by the description of camel yarn
(“Camel has very little elasticity, and it doesn’t felt easily. The fiber also doesn’t bleach easily, so you’ll normally find it used in yarns whose color either masks or enhances the natural tan shade of the camel fiber.” ) since my dear friend Greg is hoping to lead an artist adventure in Morocco in April and well there are camels there. Here is a link to the rough draft of the information - if you are interested contact me so I can get a cut of his fee. Kidding! Clearly I need to win the lottery or something because I so SO desperately want to go to Morocco and this place has bunch of excellent sounding tours.
So maybe I need to knit with more mohair. We will see. I don't have much in the queue for mohair. Finishing my self designed fingerless mitt for TGF, finishing her sweater, starting a secret project, starting socks for me(!), designing a scarf pattern, a project for Lindsay, a project for Sunny. Nope, no mohair in that list. The rest of the queue (including something for Mr. Greg Frux and Janet Morgan, his lovely wife, a sweater for our "god son", something for T'Mane), still no mohair that I can think of. Of well, maybe it's an excuse to buy some more yarn.
Mohair – A smooth, polished surface
“Mohair is warmer than wool, with larger, flatter scales that contribute to an overall silky-smooth appearance. The fiber absorbs dye readily and, thanks to that smooth surface, reflects it back brilliantly.” –The Knitter’s Book of Yarn
Mohairs are positive and confident. You always strive to make a good first impression because you are a proud person, and you care a good deal about what people think of you. You are careful with your words and are always tactful. You enjoy having a broad base of support and respect from those whom you come in contact. You attract this with your warm, sunny, and inquisitive personality.
I was quite intrigued by the description of camel yarn
(“Camel has very little elasticity, and it doesn’t felt easily. The fiber also doesn’t bleach easily, so you’ll normally find it used in yarns whose color either masks or enhances the natural tan shade of the camel fiber.” ) since my dear friend Greg is hoping to lead an artist adventure in Morocco in April and well there are camels there. Here is a link to the rough draft of the information - if you are interested contact me so I can get a cut of his fee. Kidding! Clearly I need to win the lottery or something because I so SO desperately want to go to Morocco and this place has bunch of excellent sounding tours.
So maybe I need to knit with more mohair. We will see. I don't have much in the queue for mohair. Finishing my self designed fingerless mitt for TGF, finishing her sweater, starting a secret project, starting socks for me(!), designing a scarf pattern, a project for Lindsay, a project for Sunny. Nope, no mohair in that list. The rest of the queue (including something for Mr. Greg Frux and Janet Morgan, his lovely wife, a sweater for our "god son", something for T'Mane), still no mohair that I can think of. Of well, maybe it's an excuse to buy some more yarn.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
A Yarn Store Visit
Because Sunny is indulgent, and because she is the recipient of a lot of my crafting, I was able to visit Flying Fingers again. Now I was sure I knew where on Main Street the store was but as we went driving it was not where I thought. Sunny, in an unusual display of geographical acuity said, "Are you sure it's not a different store you are thinking of?" In truth we were both right. It was the same store, but they had moved from village of Irvington (where they were down near the train station as I remembered) to the tiny little hamlet of Tarrytown (in the photo showing the Music Hall, that corner is where FF lives). Both addresses were similar, 15 Main in one town, and 19 in the other. However now they were much closer to Route 9 and not the river. Sigh.
They were having a 40% off all books for the month of December so after initially fondling all the fiber I could quickly I dashed upstairs to scour for books that I have been yearning after. I found two that had been on my wish list for a few years so I felt quick lucky. Interweaves's Wrap Style, contains the Shetland Triangle wrap which has been on my list to make for quite some time. I also had Sunny skim so I could get an idea of what she might like for a future knit. Handknit Holidays has intrigued for a long time as well. I like a number of the patterns but I especially appreciate the acknowledgment of other winter holidays besides christmas.
In
addition to searching for books I had a mission to purchase a 16-inch circular needle in size 10.5 to make a second cozy neckwarmer, this time for TGF, as she fondled the one I made for Sunny frequently. I had also made a pair of matching ankle warmers for Sunny since had requested a pair some time ago. This yarn, Rio de la Plata's Merino is like crack. So soft and squishy; such a great colour. I.Must.Get.More. Unfortunately this particular line of theirs is being discontinued. Not to mention that it is far pricier than most of my yarn purchases. I completed the second neckwarmer on the way home from NY to surprise TGF with as one of her holiday gifts.
The other hunt was for yarn for boot toppers as shown in the holiday issue of Interweave Knits. Sunny thought they were adorable and I had a yen to try them as it would give me practice in colourwork. So I stocked up on four colours of Nature Spun in worsted weight: mallard (N21), regal purple (205), peruvanian pink (N85), and boysenberry (157W) . There should be enough yarn left over to make a matching tam I figure.
The women there were a lot of fun and the owner complimented me on my choice of books. She explained that the sale was to make psychological room for new books. Too funny.
Upon getting home later that Saturday I discovered that somehow the needles neither made it on the receipt or in the bag. Desperate I made plans to head back there on Sunday before going to Amy's (Sunny's friend who has the most gorgeous home!) holiday open house which we were going to stop in at before heading to Grand Central Station for an impromptu Raging Grannies event which Sunny wanted meet up with.
Sunday I meandered through extremely foggy conditions south back towards Tarrytown with a mission to get the damn needle and now with an additional mission: yarn for a leg warmer for Lindsay (Sunny's husband), for his bad leg. It had to be a superwash as he is not one for hand washing his laundry at all. There was a different woman running the counter who was delightful. Her statement that she had enough sock yarn to knit a pair a week for a year and half both thrilled and frightened me just a bit.
As I was contemplating needle sizing I mentioned something about Ravelry. "Oh! Let me look you up", she says. As she goes to my profile and clicks on my blog she says, "I've visited your site before". Wow. Of course she is on it as well and adds me as a friend (which I do later with her). From there I was able to determine that I did not have the second needle size I was pondering so I bought both pairs. Again, let me count the ways I love Ravelry.
So I left with yarn for Lindsay (Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Navy), two pair of circular needles (one of which seems to have disappeared since arriving home), yarn for me! (Blackberry Ridge lace weight in medium lilac) and a new friend. Since then I have read a bit of her blog and really enjoy getting to know Earthtones girl that way.
There will be photos of some knitting soon, I promise. (Greg, hush and put up with it. Think of it as fiber arts and just nod appreciatively even if you don't "get" it.
They were having a 40% off all books for the month of December so after initially fondling all the fiber I could quickly I dashed upstairs to scour for books that I have been yearning after. I found two that had been on my wish list for a few years so I felt quick lucky. Interweaves's Wrap Style, contains the Shetland Triangle wrap which has been on my list to make for quite some time. I also had Sunny skim so I could get an idea of what she might like for a future knit. Handknit Holidays has intrigued for a long time as well. I like a number of the patterns but I especially appreciate the acknowledgment of other winter holidays besides christmas.
In
addition to searching for books I had a mission to purchase a 16-inch circular needle in size 10.5 to make a second cozy neckwarmer, this time for TGF, as she fondled the one I made for Sunny frequently. I had also made a pair of matching ankle warmers for Sunny since had requested a pair some time ago. This yarn, Rio de la Plata's Merino is like crack. So soft and squishy; such a great colour. I.Must.Get.More. Unfortunately this particular line of theirs is being discontinued. Not to mention that it is far pricier than most of my yarn purchases. I completed the second neckwarmer on the way home from NY to surprise TGF with as one of her holiday gifts.The other hunt was for yarn for boot toppers as shown in the holiday issue of Interweave Knits. Sunny thought they were adorable and I had a yen to try them as it would give me practice in colourwork. So I stocked up on four colours of Nature Spun in worsted weight: mallard (N21), regal purple (205), peruvanian pink (N85), and boysenberry (157W) . There should be enough yarn left over to make a matching tam I figure.
The women there were a lot of fun and the owner complimented me on my choice of books. She explained that the sale was to make psychological room for new books. Too funny.
Upon getting home later that Saturday I discovered that somehow the needles neither made it on the receipt or in the bag. Desperate I made plans to head back there on Sunday before going to Amy's (Sunny's friend who has the most gorgeous home!) holiday open house which we were going to stop in at before heading to Grand Central Station for an impromptu Raging Grannies event which Sunny wanted meet up with.
Sunday I meandered through extremely foggy conditions south back towards Tarrytown with a mission to get the damn needle and now with an additional mission: yarn for a leg warmer for Lindsay (Sunny's husband), for his bad leg. It had to be a superwash as he is not one for hand washing his laundry at all. There was a different woman running the counter who was delightful. Her statement that she had enough sock yarn to knit a pair a week for a year and half both thrilled and frightened me just a bit.
As I was contemplating needle sizing I mentioned something about Ravelry. "Oh! Let me look you up", she says. As she goes to my profile and clicks on my blog she says, "I've visited your site before". Wow. Of course she is on it as well and adds me as a friend (which I do later with her). From there I was able to determine that I did not have the second needle size I was pondering so I bought both pairs. Again, let me count the ways I love Ravelry.
So I left with yarn for Lindsay (Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Navy), two pair of circular needles (one of which seems to have disappeared since arriving home), yarn for me! (Blackberry Ridge lace weight in medium lilac) and a new friend. Since then I have read a bit of her blog and really enjoy getting to know Earthtones girl that way.
There will be photos of some knitting soon, I promise. (Greg, hush and put up with it. Think of it as fiber arts and just nod appreciatively even if you don't "get" it.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
In which our herione partied like it was...
it was the last night of 2007.
A few days before we had received an invite from Danielle, one of the lovely women of South Park. Then I heard from Chris and Julie asking if we were going. Well that clinched it in my book!
As it happened Sunday we went in search of St*ples, but somehow I would up at DSW. Go figure. Under the pretense of still being without winter boots I sauntered in. Since they had nothing that qualified I reasoned that just the other day I realized that should I ever get an interview I had nothing to wear on my feet that wasn't open toed sandals like or slinky f*ck-me pumps. Hence the hunt was on. Instantly I found something. The bonus is I now know what size I wear in Mudd. And they were another 30 or 40% off the sticker price.
So for the first time in forever I dressed up. For the first time in literally years I put on a skirt that actually bared my knees. Those who don't know me in real life, I don't generally show my knees. I do not wear shorts. I do not wear skirts. Except if I feel skinny, which is almost never. I didn't really feel particularly skinny Monday but I figure what the hey.
My outfit included my new purchase, which were positively commented on more than once that evening.
In a hunt for suitable clothing I went into the attic closet and rummaged through the black garbage bags of my belonging because I have yet to hang rods to turn it into a proper closet. For my birthday in 2006 I went to a good second hand clothing place on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley and bought this skirt on a whim (see above). It was just too cute to pass up. Since I now
had appropriate shoes that were not sky high heels nor open toe (it is winter after all!) I thought just maybe I would wear it. Then began the hunt for black tights. Amazingly I had a pair with no runs. So along with a black lace tee shirt, a velvet jacket I wore the skirt.
Of course TGF assured me I looked fine. I chose to think I did too when in truth I knew that I was sporting what my friend Barrie referred to as "hooker legs" - thick legs peeking out of skirt thinking they are all that.
The party was great, fun, noisy, good conversation and lots of alcohol. If I had one cosmo I had at least four or five. Luckily they weren't very strong so they went down really easy. Danielle and Andy were great hosts, their children adorable, especially Asher who partied with us through the dropping of the ball. Hardy two year old. Whereas their eldest, Tess (age 7), asked TGF, Andy and I to keep it down during the house tour as she was trying to sleep. Lola the middle child, age 5, pranced around in a variety of costumes. Winter's husband Chris is our new best friend, and if he tries to get rid of us we will put those phone videos we took of him doing karaoke on You Tube.
Julie is still in a soft cast after some foot surgery and we had too much fun coming up with tawdry stories for her to tell about her "accident" because who needs the truth. It is just such a bummer that they are moving away this summer to Wisconsin. Part and parcel of academia. Chris works at Antioch which is having all sorts of fiscal issues and is mere yards from the chopping block. She wisely decided to be proactive, unfortunately it means moving from the neighborhood. Anyone want a sweet house with a rented cottage in back?
Around here people identify themselves by their homes (the yellow cottage on Oak, to the left of the green Victorian, number 314) or by their pets (Hi, I'm Shana, four dogs and two cats). It is really funny but really does help to break the ice. If
people aren't proud of their house, it's their kids or their animals, or any combination thereof. After several meetings I finally know that Danielle is a philosophy professor at University of Dayton, which is a private Catholic university. Which is especially amusing as she looks about 25, has a Tigger tattoo on her chest and a pierced tongue. Have I mentioned that I love this area?
I cannot tell you the last time I went out for New Years Eve, hell there have been years of late where I don't even see midnight. This time, I partied, joked, drank, and I had an absolute blast.
When we left the winds were blowing wildly as we exited, not exactly tired but feeling we needed to get home to let the boy out and things were slowly winding down. We marveled at our luck at finding this place.
The next morning when the boy kindly woke me up around 9:15a.m. to go out we walked the green it was so quiet: no cars, no other people walking around. There was a light dusting of snow as we walked up and down the quiet path. It was a stark but somehow proper contrast to just nine hours earlier. The new year has begun.
A few days before we had received an invite from Danielle, one of the lovely women of South Park. Then I heard from Chris and Julie asking if we were going. Well that clinched it in my book!
As it happened Sunday we went in search of St*ples, but somehow I would up at DSW. Go figure. Under the pretense of still being without winter boots I sauntered in. Since they had nothing that qualified I reasoned that just the other day I realized that should I ever get an interview I had nothing to wear on my feet that wasn't open toed sandals like or slinky f*ck-me pumps. Hence the hunt was on. Instantly I found something. The bonus is I now know what size I wear in Mudd. And they were another 30 or 40% off the sticker price.
So for the first time in forever I dressed up. For the first time in literally years I put on a skirt that actually bared my knees. Those who don't know me in real life, I don't generally show my knees. I do not wear shorts. I do not wear skirts. Except if I feel skinny, which is almost never. I didn't really feel particularly skinny Monday but I figure what the hey.
My outfit included my new purchase, which were positively commented on more than once that evening.
In a hunt for suitable clothing I went into the attic closet and rummaged through the black garbage bags of my belonging because I have yet to hang rods to turn it into a proper closet. For my birthday in 2006 I went to a good second hand clothing place on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley and bought this skirt on a whim (see above). It was just too cute to pass up. Since I now
had appropriate shoes that were not sky high heels nor open toe (it is winter after all!) I thought just maybe I would wear it. Then began the hunt for black tights. Amazingly I had a pair with no runs. So along with a black lace tee shirt, a velvet jacket I wore the skirt.Of course TGF assured me I looked fine. I chose to think I did too when in truth I knew that I was sporting what my friend Barrie referred to as "hooker legs" - thick legs peeking out of skirt thinking they are all that.
The party was great, fun, noisy, good conversation and lots of alcohol. If I had one cosmo I had at least four or five. Luckily they weren't very strong so they went down really easy. Danielle and Andy were great hosts, their children adorable, especially Asher who partied with us through the dropping of the ball. Hardy two year old. Whereas their eldest, Tess (age 7), asked TGF, Andy and I to keep it down during the house tour as she was trying to sleep. Lola the middle child, age 5, pranced around in a variety of costumes. Winter's husband Chris is our new best friend, and if he tries to get rid of us we will put those phone videos we took of him doing karaoke on You Tube.
Julie is still in a soft cast after some foot surgery and we had too much fun coming up with tawdry stories for her to tell about her "accident" because who needs the truth. It is just such a bummer that they are moving away this summer to Wisconsin. Part and parcel of academia. Chris works at Antioch which is having all sorts of fiscal issues and is mere yards from the chopping block. She wisely decided to be proactive, unfortunately it means moving from the neighborhood. Anyone want a sweet house with a rented cottage in back?
Around here people identify themselves by their homes (the yellow cottage on Oak, to the left of the green Victorian, number 314) or by their pets (Hi, I'm Shana, four dogs and two cats). It is really funny but really does help to break the ice. If
people aren't proud of their house, it's their kids or their animals, or any combination thereof. After several meetings I finally know that Danielle is a philosophy professor at University of Dayton, which is a private Catholic university. Which is especially amusing as she looks about 25, has a Tigger tattoo on her chest and a pierced tongue. Have I mentioned that I love this area?I cannot tell you the last time I went out for New Years Eve, hell there have been years of late where I don't even see midnight. This time, I partied, joked, drank, and I had an absolute blast.
When we left the winds were blowing wildly as we exited, not exactly tired but feeling we needed to get home to let the boy out and things were slowly winding down. We marveled at our luck at finding this place.
The next morning when the boy kindly woke me up around 9:15a.m. to go out we walked the green it was so quiet: no cars, no other people walking around. There was a light dusting of snow as we walked up and down the quiet path. It was a stark but somehow proper contrast to just nine hours earlier. The new year has begun.
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