Virtual and Free Dais

2011-09-02T15:49:00.002-04:00

So it has been some time since I posted, and believe you me, I have been kicking myself every time I have not gotten one out by Friday. I feel that many things have happen since we last spoke, and I will try to get to it all.

My husband and I are taking full advantage of having HBO. It was because of this that we watched the Gloria Steinem documentary. We then proceeded to sleep in different rooms. Two completely unrelated events, but I know that the question will be asked. Even though we both consider ourselves politically conservative, we both loved it. The documentary allowed some great conversations to commence. Despite my aforementioned political stance, Gloria has always been something of a hero of mine. When I was in college, I was able to pursue the path I wanted with very little sexual prejudice (it was still there, however). It also reaffirmed my stance on my own feminism. But that, folks, is perhaps another rant for another day.

Now a rant that I want to address now.

I turned 30 two weeks ago. This has been something of a low point in my life. First of all, I am shocked I made it this long. I really am. Secondly, is the list. I am sure we have all made them. Those little promises that we make to ourselves that things will fall into place one day. For me, that was supposed to be my 30^th birthday. It came and went, and my life has not improved. When I was a teenager, I figured I would have traveled extensively throughout Europe by now. I was supposed to be a New York Times bestselling author. I should have been working on a second masters, or even a PhD by now. I should have a nice condo and a record deal. My teenage self would have probably offed herself had she seen me now; unemployed, broke, and overweight.

Everyone says to be more optimistic, and accentuate the positive and all that crap. I tell you what, it is hard to right now. However, for the sake of a more balanced post, I will answer in teenage self.

In the past 30 years, I have graduated college, twice (something that many informed me was impossible). I married a wonderful man that not only puts up with me, but agreed to do so for all eternity. 4 months ago, I paid off all of my student AND credit card debt. Twice, I have made it to South America. I have also been to New York, Los Angeles, California, all the corners of Florida, Park City, Utah, Indiana, Georgia, Alabama, both Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia, and that is all the states I remember off the top off my head. I have seen both US Disney parks. I have performed in Carnegie Hall. I have read the entire Harry Potter series and seen the movies.

Despite my current melancholy, I realize that this is just the tip of the iceberg. I am working on my novel, live in a beautiful cottage where I have my own office.

O yeah, about that.

I am finished.

Wow! Another post!

2011-08-15T16:47:00.000-04:00

This week marks my second month as a (house)wife. While I have managed to have dinner on the table just about every night, and a well-made bed in the morning, I have had much difficulty getting much else done. Mainly, my office.

This was a second bedroom of the house Husband and I are renting, and I immediately claimed it for mine. So, it made sense that, as I was moving all of my stuff in, it got dumped into the “office”. The only drawback was the fact that I did, eventually have to sort it all out. Being that this is something for me that rarely involves making a home for the husband and myself, it got put on the back burner.

I am pleased to say that that is not happening anymore. After weekend warrior-ing it the past two months, I am pleased to say that our dining room, living room, kitchen, and bedroom are about as together as they will ever be. That leaves the two bathrooms, and my office.

Now, this is something that I have been dreading. Simply because I have minimal to zip organizational skills. But I can do this, and I will persevere, and I will probably blog about the progress. You know, to keep me on track.

Some months ago, Ruth wanted to see and read more about my knitting. I have done a substantial amount of that as well. Since I have gotten married, I have completed:

A baby blanket

A hat to match my Gryffindor Scarf

And 1 Jaywalker

I am also turning 30 exactly one week from today, a fact that I am none too happy about.

Now, with pictures!

2011-08-05T20:08:00.000-04:00

Again, I have not written in a while. I do have a good excuse for that. You see, right after I wrote my last post, I got a teaching job. Not a real one, mind you. A teacher at a school that I subbed at regularly offered me a medical leave position. In other words, while the usual teacher is on medical (in this case, maternity) leave, they hired me to fill in until the end of the school year.

It was nice to have a teaching job again.

It was not nice when people reminded me that it was temporary, and that I was “just a sub.” Which they did. With frequency.

I barely had time to turn in grades before people reminded me that it was 2 weeks before my own wedding. In those two weeks, if I was not moving, then I was sleeping. The stress I had is something that I would not trade with anyone.

I also would not trade my wedding day.

Like anyone’s wedding day, it was far from perfect. The florist managed to get my order wrong, and the guests were ready for the reception before the DJ was (my fault – not his). As I told myself when I first got the hint that the flowers were wrong, I could get caught up in the knit-picky details that didn’t really matter, or I could focus on the things that did.

Care to guess which I chose?

Then came the honeymoon. We went to Captiva Island. We did honeymoony things, went fishing, and ate some amazing Gulf seafood. Even though we moved from the Gulf Coast when I was a baby, I will forever maintain that it is in my blood, and that there is no finer quality seafood than what is found on the Gulf of Mexico.

And then, on the last day, we flew kites. That was my favorite.

Now, here I am, a housewife. Took a while to get my laptop set up. Actually, its taking longer than I thought to get settled.

But that is a story for another blog post.

More ranting

2011-03-09T22:23:00.001-05:00

So I am trying my hand at something literary. No stories, no action. Just a girl, her computer, and her pain. So, there is not too much to it. I already have 500 words or so, so it is turning out to be something. I am only going to give it about 600 more before I finish it. My goal is to finish it before Spring Break.
Enough of that for now. What I would really like to bring your attention to is something I saw on 60 Minutes over the weekend. At first, I could not believe what my eyes and ears told me. 60 Minutes, a national news program, was doing a piece on the increase of homeless children. The part of our nation that they chose to highlight was Seminole County, Florida, where I have lived since I was 18 months old. This, along with the neighboring counties of Orange and Osceola, are becoming the fastest-growing in the nation in relation to this burgeoning demographic.
I’ll be the first to admit that I cried when I saw the looks on these children’s faces. My heart broke even further when I recognized some of the faces as children I have encountered. Once my heart broke, it was not pain, or even sympathy that oozed out like a yolk. It was anger and frustration. Anger because I had heard previously that the school board was cutting programs that were designed to help these children. Angry that, even though I am a part time nobody, I was not made aware that things were getting this dire. I was frustrated. I was frustrated that this was happening to my hometown. MY hometown. And as of right now, there is absolutely nothing I can do. I have just enough income to take care of my own expenses.

200 word rant

2011-01-10T22:38:00.002-05:00

So, I have not written in a while. In fact, for the past, what, 3 years now, it has been downright sporadic. But still I press on. Why, you might ask? Why do you still press on, even though you know no one is reading this, and having a blog is no longer a free pass to the cool kids table? Well, folks, I don’t really see is as a choice. I am a Writer. That’s right, with a capital W. Some people are born to be doctors or lawyers or candlestick makers, and their paths are laid out in front of them as clear as crystal. Mine was to. But here is the difference between theirs and mine; doctors and lawyers have paths that are socially acceptable and profitable. Those of us who have to write or go insane (or both simultaneously), there is not a whole lot of profit to be had. And it is not all that socially acceptable, either. Think about it. When you ask someone what they do, what pops in your head when they say, “O, I am a writer.” Same thing you think when you realize the person you are talking to is an underemployed 29 year old who still lives with her parents.

Let's try this again

2010-08-28T19:30:00.000-04:00

So, yeah I am back...hopefully for good. Rather than to suppliment the following post with the bad and the ugly, I'll do just a quick little update.

Like alot of other Americans, I am currently unemplyed. Yup, a teacher with a masters is currently unemployed. And I just turned 29. So I am 29, unemployed, and living at my parents house. Yeah, life is just...peachy.

Actually, life is peachy as of late. Having nearly everything material either taken away or locked away in storage has made me really more greatful for the things that no one take away. I have wonderful parents who let me back into their home after two nears being very happy empty nesters. My fiance has been my rock and my support and truly, my everything. I am more lucky that the average person to have him.

Also, I am taking this time to really, really examine my life. I loved my two years teaching, and I love the profession. But, until I am regired, I am looking at another source of revenue. I have been a writer since I could reach my Grandma's typewriter. I am sure those first "stories" were nonsense, but if childhood play is any indication of what you are suppose to be, then the signs don't get much clearer than that. I can only hope that you will come with me on the journey.

And now I am back....again.

2010-03-13T08:26:00.002-05:00

If there is anyone still out there waiting for my next post, here it is. Although I am not one for excuses, I am going to take this opportunity to catch you up on the good, the bad, and the ugly things that have been dominating my life since September.

The Good

The first day of Christmas break, The Boyfriend took me on a daytrip to one of my most favorite spots in the world; St. Augustine. There, atop the Castillo de San Marcos, he informed that, as his princess, I "deserve a castle on a day like today." In the split second before he got down on one knee, I honestly thought he was talking about the weather. It would be goood of me to be able to retell the (I'm sure) prolific speech he gave as he was on that knee for what felt like two, maybe three hours before he slipped the ring on, but I was too busy listening to the sound of my heart beat in my ears and trying to remember to breathe so I wouldn't pass out or have a seizure or just plain die before I could say yes.

Since then, I have been able to recieve a generic marriage prep packet that we have been working our way through. The coolest part is that we decided to never be at home when we work on it. So we do things like go to Downtown Disney and windowshop.

I would like to go into detail abot self-planning the wedding, but it is kind of typical stuff that is actually quite boring. If you have a topic that you would like me to get to in the future, let me know.

The Bad and the Ugly will come as I try to make this blog-thing a regular Saturday morning activity.

See? I told you I was back!

2009-09-06T08:11:00.002-04:00

Well fellow citezens, I survived the first few weeks back at work. The routine of the daily grind has me stumbling back into reality. Atleast my students feel the same.

Speaking of my students, let me brag to say I have a FANTASTIC homeroom. They are sweet and funny. Their creative energy and exuberence can be daunting, but for the most part, I gladly rise to the challenge.

Well, the last time we chatted, I was deep in the fandom of Twilight well, that is not the case anymore.I know I have said it 100 times before, but I have now found my poast-Harry Potter obsession. Steampunk. Looking back, I had been into it for a while, having read 2/3 of His Dark Materials and 12/13 of A Series of Unfortunate Events. This is a train I can get on. Or maube just a phase. Let's find out.

As you can se, I am still reading Jane Eyre. I am going to finish this book if it kills me.

Unitl next week

The Return of the Gryffin...

2009-08-08T10:56:00.002-04:00

So, yeah. I know it has been 8 monthes since the last posting. If there is ANYONE who has been waiting with baited breath for my return, let me just say, I am back. Well, atleast I am back for now.

In the past year, I finally got my dream job, a teacher. As much as I love it and don't regret, it was tough. Everyone always says that the first year is tough, but they are never very thourgh beyond that. My first year wasn't SAT tough, eating something you dont like infront of the person who cooked it to prevent rudeness tough, or even grad school tough. This was Survivor tough - if the location of Survivor was the 9th ring of hell, and the challenge was you are expected to claw your way out onto actual land without dirtying up your clothes or messing up your manicure.

But somehow, like countless first year teachers before and after me, I survived. I had a great support system; My tough, loving, take-charge mother, my supportive, loving dad, and my super, fantastic Boyrfriend. I had to give up somethings this year, like the blog, and my waistline, but I am here now infront of you. and I am back.

So yeah...

2009-01-04T00:30:00.002-05:00

I am, in fact, alive, folksies.

I have not faded, nor abanodned you, my faithfull readers (both of you).

I have just been to busy to blog. And when I say busy, downtime has become something more literal for me. As in when my head is down on my pillow time.

It is my new year's resolution to have no more excuses. Now, this is a loaded resolution, and it will be hard. But I think I can do it. But, true to my character, I have a back-up plan, which is to break-up this resolution into smaller bits, including (but not limiting to):
- Getting back into the blogsphere
- Getting my lazy butt running again.
- Reading 1 classic novel
- Learning to knit intarsia
- Knit one thing that scares me.
Catching up is something I will have to indulge in later. In the meantime, know that I have drank the red kool-aid, joined the herd, or whatevern other witty cliche belongs here. Yes, I am a fan of the Twilight series.

Now that I have a moment

2008-05-08T10:02:00.002-04:00

I can catch you up and breath a minute. Holy cow, ya'lls. I know it has been a while, and I apologize whole heartedly. If you know me personally, you understnad why the super-long absense. If you dont, I have something to say to you; Grad School.

School
This has easliy been the hardest semester of my life. The classes were not the issue. After all, in one class we had to warch amazing movies and write one paper essays about them. (Speaking of that class, if a professor ever tells you that a final is so easy that you shouldnt have to study - dont listen.) Unfortutnately, it was the negativity that some spread like a plague infested fog that made it bad. I am very glad that I learned that, how ever late in the game it was. School is soooooo much easier when you don't try to socialize. This lead me to my decision to take two of my last three classes online.

Yes, you heard me right. I have three classes left. Beside internship. Looks like Ill be graduating soon. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Reading
Since I was a kid, I have always taken pride that I am not one for trends. Only dead fish go with the flow. I don't even listen to top 40 radio stations, and snicker at those who do.

HOWEVER.....

I think I have found my post-Potter obsession. It used to be His Dark Materials until I read a few things in the third book that made me say, "So THAT is why people are getting their panties in a wad about this."

So, like some rabid fangirl, I am joining the Twilight bandwagon. But I am not at it alone. Boyfriend has agreed to read it with me. Here is the thing though. For obvious reasons, I am choosing until after summer school to begin reading it. But I have it. Which means simply that the curiosity is rapidly eating a hole in the brainpan.

Oh, yeah. Still knitting sweater. And another pair of socks

Yeah, I am a fangirl...

2008-02-05T15:36:00.000-05:00

I am quite busy right now, with all the scolastic stuff I have to do. I will, however leave you with this. I, myself am not a Browncoat,* but have been indoctrinated into the fandom, since 98% of my closest compadres are. I saw this and laughed very hard. Enjoy!

*Browncoat: a fan of the TV series Firefly and the subsequent movie Serenity

So, yeah.......

2007-12-13T22:26:00.001-05:00

SO I have been a bad blogger, and I really dont deserve any cookies.
So much has happened that I am going to have to relay it in spirts.

First of all some CONGRATULATIONS are in order:

- To Mr. Franklin Habit. He got a book deal from Interweave Knits. Expect it to come out Fall of 08. Also expect me to be there when the local bookstore opens so I can snatch up a copy.

- To the fearless leader of one of the local knitting group that I belong to. As of a mere 20 minutes ago, she announced her engagement! Hop on over to her blog to wish her the very best.

- To Ms. Brenda Dayne. Her son got married last month. She made the adorable dress the bride is wearing.

- To J.K. Rowling. She made the top ten facinating person thingy that Barbara Walters did last week. Not only did she make #1, but she beat out Hugo Chavez, thus preventing me from having to throw things at the TV. Ahem.

- To Miss Lime from the Lime and Violet podcast and to my dear friend Veganclaw. They both have made it through that painful rite of passage known as the first semster of graduate school. Both, as far as I know, are unscathed from the experience, but I will keep you posted should facts arise that point to the contrary.

Part two, what I am knitting/reading shall be next.

The Long and short row of it

2007-11-12T11:11:00.000-05:00

So ya'll? What is up?

Plenty here, let me tell you. After frogging and knitting and frogging and knitting no less than five times, the heel of my Walking in Sunshine socks is finally turned. The good news is, it earned me (I felt) ndouble frogging points on chorewars. And, after having many guage issues and frustrations, I frogged out 6 inches of my sweater, and cried the entire time.

In other knitting news, I have FINALLY 100% completed my house scarf. I have abandoned the sweater (for now)so that I can finish up the sock, and really get kicking on the super secret present.

School is ok. I am just glad that it is almost over.

And in other news, the weather is chaning. Many people bemaon this time of year, and I am not one of them. Despite growin up in Fla, I love cold weather sooooooooooooo much, and loath the hot. I am really hoping this gloriously chilly 70's degree (or so) (yes, when you are a native of Florida, anything below 84 is chilly) stays fora while.

In an effort to regain the active aspect of my life that was apparently so endearing, I have begun running long distance footraces. Yes, with no one chasing me. Yesterday was the Founder's Day 5K in Celebration, Fla. I was able to run a 43:50 without having to use my inhaler when it was al over and done with. Both feats are a first for me.

Finally, I am beginning to wonder if I myself had not been sorted too soon. I first became a "member" of the Harry Potter fandom (albiet a not -very -participating member)when I firts read Sorcer's Stone in Spring of '01. When the movie website came out, they had a sorting hat feature. I was sorted into Gryffindor, and, ever since, I have been a gryffindor fanantic, gluing cut-outs of the crest on my door when I lived in the dorms, but Gryffindor stickers on my knitting journals, sewing Gryffindor patches to my school bag, even making a Gryffindor Quidditch costume and knitting up a House scarf in the Scarlet and Gold. I even applied to a grad school that had Scarlett and Gold as their school colors, but, dont worry, that was not the reason. But, as you may note, a few monthes ago, I took a quizzila quiz qhere I was sorted into Ravenclaw. Exibit B is that, upon reflection, I do believe that "Wit beyond measure is Man's greatest treasure," and my favorite, all time, hands down character is Luna Lovegood. Finally, my exibit C is how I discovered, when I donned glasses, how I bear an uncanny (but perhaps more ethnic) resmeblance to a certain, well known Ravenclaw:

This was my costume this past Halloween. It is also interesting to note that more parents recongnized who I was than the kids did. I am now considereing this, not my Quidditch costuem (which gets very hot and itchy very quickly) to be the costume I take with me to Terminus.

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T15:23:00.000-04:00

So I woke up this morning to realize that the "visitor" has arrived. Having no work-related gigs today, I kinda slowly got ready and packed up, just incase some one needed me somewhere. I even ironed my slacks, just in case. When I realized that it was too late for anyone to call, I ironed the rest of my clothes, which was not alot. Then Dracula came in and wanted to know if I would iron his cloak for tonight. I informed him that I needed pain meds and a nap, and he could iron it is own damn self. After all, it is not the Dark Ages anymore, and I taught him how to iron last month. Then I went to the mdeicine cabinet, and opened it to realize that someone had placed an EMPTY Alieve bottle in there, and proceeded to start to scream, until Igor came and handed me a fresh cup of something that "Master" brewed up that would prove to be better than any IB profin product out there. After I not so politely reminded Igor of my medicine allergies, he reluctantly handed me a fresh, unopened pack of Alieve. I promptly took one, grabbed puppy, and headed for my parents bed, where there is a TV. After kicking the Wolf Man out (cause he and puppy just CAN"T get along, no matter how hard I have tried) puppy ad I settled down and took a nap.

I woke up around noon, and was pleased to see that Dr. Who had made soom homemade chicken noodle soup (the man can cook) ready, and I settled down with that and to watch Heroes online. Then Jack Skelington came over and helped me unload the dishwasher. He, Zero, and puppy played downstairs while I went upstairs to get ready for work. Which is where I am off to right now!

Laters! Happy Halloween!

I may need a hug....

2007-10-20T10:16:00.000-04:00

So, I am at the point of the sock where I need to turn the heel. This morning, I go to my room with all the necessary equipment; Socks, notions bag, the pattern, a cup of coffee, and my Vivaldi record (you heard me right. it is an actual, vinyl record). I proceeded to make up my bed, so that the happy vibes from my awesome ocean inspired quilt (I am sure whoever made it was not thinking that it looked like the oceam when they made it, but it is because it reminded me of Gulf waters that I bought it)can permeate me. I took a swig of coffee, turned on the turntable, sat in the sunniest patch on my bed, and got started. After about 45 minutes, just as side A clicked off I realized:

THE HEEL WAS OFF CENTER

I ask you, how IN THE HELL does a heel that you knit VERY CAREFULLY get to be 5 stitches off center on the right side and end perfectly on the left????? I AM SO BAD AT THIS!!!! I HATE KNITTING!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

In other Knitting news, the present is going splendedly, although it is a boring knit. THe sweater is coming along nicely, even though it has a few teeny yarn tumors where the stitches got loose for a few inches.

And in other life news, I had the BEST EVER mojito last night. It was fabulous.
Kinda wish I had it now......

O, but a tangled web we weave.....

2007-10-09T22:30:00.000-04:00

So, in the past 24 hours I have:

- Discovered there is a new Cast-On episode
- Discovered there is a New Lime and Violet episode
- Got my Ravlery Invite
- Not touched my midterm paper that is due Thursday (like, in two days Thursday)

I am also working my the heelflap of my second WAlking in Sunshine socks. I think they look like crap. Raven, are you SURE I am going to get the hang of this eventaully???

Really Quick Post

2007-09-29T12:31:00.000-04:00

Hey ya'll!

I have cheated on my knitting, but I have a really good excuse. My sock is not exactly TV knitting, and the project-that-must-not-be-named cannot be exposed to she-who-will-be-recieving-it. So, it makes perfect since to cast on for MY sweater!!!!!!!! I have a back pannel of 24 inches of stocknet, so it will be perfect for the new season of Heroes and Grey's Anatomy.

I think I may have just found my new fiction obsession.

I miss Raven. California was fun.

Random moment of fangirlish inmaturity

2007-09-20T00:12:00.000-04:00

I know that not alot of other blogs post their Quizilla results. Heck, I am sure most bloggers are way too mature and cool to even go to Quizilla.

But, I have a paper due in 19 hours, and this one was tooooo cute to pass up, so enjoy!

What do the HP characters think of you? (No obvious questions) No Boys Allowed!!

You are the shy girl. Known for being quiet-or not known- you also have great potential...and is extremely smart!! You're in Ravenclaw and you're muggle born.GRYFFINDORHarry Potter: She's quiet...but cute.Ron Weasley: *secretly thinks the same as Harry*Seamus Finnigan: Who?Dean Thomas: I've seen her studying before.Neville Longbottom: I haven't gotten the courage up to ask her out yet...Hermione Granger: She almost beat me in Charms!Lavender Brown: She's sharp!Padma Patil: Who?Parvati Patil: Same as PadmaOliver Wood: I've seen her studying with her boyfriend...Fred Weasley: Would be fun to pull pranks on if she didn't tell on us all the time!George Weasley: same as FredLee Jordan: Don't know her...Percy Weasley: I bet she'll be a prefect.Ginny Weasley: One of my good friends.SLYTHERINDraco Malfoy: Filthy mudblood...Blaise Zabini: *too obsessed with his popular girlfriend to notice you!*Crabbe and Goyle: Huh?? *scratch their heads stupidly.)Marcus Flint: Who?Pugsy Parkinson: Loser!!RAVENCLAWLuna Lovegood: She's my BFF!!Cho Chang: Pretty good fashion sense...Cedric Diggory: pretty cute...HUFFLEPUFFJustin Finch-Fletchley: I love her...she's my girlfriend...Hannah Abbott: I think Justin is going out with her.Susan Bones: Why is she so smart?OTHER:Albus Dumbledore: Sharp as a pin!Severus Snape: Okay, maybe she's DECENT in potions...but she's a filthy mudblood!Minerva McGonagall: great mind!Sprout: same as McgonagallRubeus Hagrid: Great with animals!Sibyll Trelawney: She might have the inner eye!!Gilderoy Lockhart: *recovering from memory loss*Hooch: Who?Filch and Mrs Norris: *too busy cleaning up after the quidditch players.*Dolores Umbridge: Never knew her.Bellatrix Black: Who?Narcissa Malfoy: same as BellatrixVoldemort: MUDBLOOD!!! MWAHAHA!!! (I chose that moment to leave...)
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So....

2007-09-13T10:10:00.000-04:00

So I am testing out the pix on the right, let me know what you think of the current one. The one I tried to post got all distorted and wierd and I could not get it to work. Some help in this arena would be gresatly appreciated.

On this day off, I am about to take the puppy to the park.

I want to knit, but I owe the puppy one.

And, so, yeah. I hit my head on the crazy and ordered His Dark Materials Book I from the local liberary. It is breaking one of my rules; Never, ever get liberary books while the semster is going on. But, in my defense, the amount of obsessing I have been doing about just where the heck the plot is going, I might as well just get it , read it over a weekend, and be done with it.

Right????

I am also lost for motivation to finish the dad-gum Andrea's Wish. I am on the last 2 inches, and just dont wanna finish. Blech!

Unwritten

2007-09-09T12:50:00.000-04:00

So, it has been a lazy weekend, and now it is Sunday and I still have to magically clean my room

Homework is done

Knitting is at a minimal

And I dont know what to cook for dinner Thursday night, the night I have to brownbag.

Almost finished with Andrea's Birthday wish.

I want to go to Canada, and Europe. And Thailand. I think I have been watching to much Travel Channel on my days off.

O! While working in a language arts class last week, I picked up His Dark Materials; The Golden Compass to read during break (what? did you really think that I was going to do homework?). Now, not only am I wondering where that book has been all my life, I want it for Christmas.

Like a newly wed couple, I find that I love Pride and Prejudice more than the last time I opened it everytime I open it.

Cast On Knitting Scout Blog Challenge: Homecraft

2007-08-29T18:12:00.000-04:00

Please note, I am not entirely sure if this is how Madam D wants the Knitting Scout Essay submitted, but here it is all the same.

Knitting to keep warm. Traditionally, this is the reason that people knit, I guess. When most people see knitting or think of it, they think of mothers knitting socks for their children, wives knitting ganseys for their husbands, aunts and grandmothers knitting mittens and hats to keep their nieces, nephews, and grandchildren warm. When most people think of the recipients of knitting, they see children out in the snow, brightly colored hats with those pom-pom tops weaving in and out of snow-ball fights, pastel scarves flying behind ice skaters. Grown men talking at the corner, clad in cabled, cream colored sweaters.

Perhaps this is the cause of the number one question people, especially transplants, ask me. “This is Florida, why the heck do you need to knit?!?!” I’ll admit, it was a little awkward this summer, knitting a bright wool scarf in 98+ degree heat. The humidity does make working with almost any material out of doors unbearable unless it is below 80 (commonly known to us natives as “cold weather”).

Those people, I guess, think that the only definition of warm has to do with the temperature. I knit to keep others warm on the inside. One of my first projects was to knit my mother a beanie baby sheep I found in a children’s book, to keep her pig and duck company. I then designed and knitted an 8 inch snowman out of fluffy white yarn as a present for my sister moving to college. My father, a traveling advertising coordinator, has a pair of socks that I made him. He may not always put them on his feet, but they keep out the chill of lonely hotel room nights.

I knit to warm up spaces. No matter how awkward my early attempts were, my mother takes my “learning lace” squares and puts them under knick-knacks so that they do not blend in completely with the shelves

I knit to warm me. Like many natural born fidgeters, life was full of frustration and destruction. Not only do I have a positive way to channel that energy, but a creative one at that. Long waits at the doctor’s office has yielded socks, scarves, even an afghan. Bank lines are no longer the enemy. I don’t weep when I have to wait in any line, for that matter. I rejoice, because now I can get a few more rows accomplished. Every time I bind off a project, I have pride that I completed a project.

Once in a while, a ball of wool does cross my path. I look up a pattern, knit away, package it off, and send it to a women’s shelter in North Carolina. And I remember, there is more than one way to warm someone up.

BTS

2007-08-28T14:52:00.000-04:00

So, friends, the summer has come to a close. I will once again return to being a bad blogger (no cookie) and blog when I can.
Just so you know:

- I have finished the Never-Ending Wavy Gryffindor Scarf of doomy-doom.
- I am working on Andrea's Birthday Wish. I can be a bit more open about this than other gift projects (ie: Miss's Memoriam, A certain loved one's gift) because not only do I highly doubt Andrea reads the blog, she requested it. I am STILL working on her red Ipod cozy that I have been working on on and off for the past year or so. But, I have put my foot down. No more hesitation, no more frogging to see if a different cable looks cooler. It may be a free-form cable, but enough is enough. The poor woman asked for this centuries ago, and I WILL give it to her for her birtday this year. I am already half way done (after only two houre and three rows of frogging) and I coulkd have it done next week. Just no more frogging. what is done, will be done.
- I have put the sock on hold to finish Andrea's gift, and possibly to do a simple hat for my ex-roomie's daughter.
- Still reading Pride and Prejudice. The more I read, the more I like.
- My birthday last week was craptacular. I kinda figured it would be, though. Since it always is the first few weeks of school, it gets swept under the rug easily. I have learned to not mind this so much. This is why I went to California three weeks in advanced and celebrated it that way. There were a few things that I got out of it well. Mom and I split a fantastic brownie the night of, and last Friday, Miss and I had a pizza and Shakespeare night. Which, to be note, if you are wiped out after your first week of school (or, in our case, work, since we both work for the school system, our first week back at work), no matter what your level of fanness, it is not a good idea to watch Shakespeare. Your tired brain just cannot do it.
- Classes seem doable. They always are. And Neilgirl is in them. It is always good to have a fellow knitter in class, as well.

See you on the flip!

HOLY FLYING SAUCERS BATMAN!!!

2007-08-15T07:42:00.000-04:00

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much news in these past few days....

Knitting
I am on the toe of the Walking in Sunshine socks. They look amazing. I do have to say, though, the foot part of the pattern is a bit on the baggie side. I ask you, fellow citizens of cyberland, should I soldier on, or worry about ripping back and begin experimenting with decreases and the like?

I love birthdays. Especially the part when you know that there is a package coming just for you!!! Such a package came Monday. It was the yarn that Raven and I ordered for my sweater. Incase you are keeping tabs, it is 9 skiens of Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton in the colorway "pickle." It is sooooooooooo soft and it is a fantastic shade of medium green. I like to snuggle it and fondle it and hug it....

Now, if only I had managed to REALLY steal Raven's yarn umbrella and ball winder, rather than just joking about it......

The scarf is not really being knit on right now. I am blaming the heat.

Books

As soon as I have the time to play with html, there will be a list on the right of the books I am currently reading. In the mean time, I'll just tell you about it. I am still reading Pride and Prejudice. It is getting more interesting by the read. Plus, being that I like all things femanine (except for make-up, but I'll rant post-modern about that some other day), this book is just fabulous, like my favorite skirt.

On the other side of the spectrum, I am also reading Burning Chrome by William Gibson. I picked it up at a second hand bookstore in Burbank for the fly home. It is a collection of short stories, and I am three pages to the end of the first one; "Johnny Mnuemonic." I love it. The story is esquisitely masculine. SPOILER ALERT!!!! I was glad to see the return of Molly Millions. In the book Neuromancer, she was my favorite character. When we studied this book in class, everyone hated her and her "post-modern, anti-femanistic, pro-masculine ways." I thought she was fabulous. Vintage cyberpunk IS all about the masculine, and I love how a single character just embodies that.

I guess that is not as much news as I thought it was, but important all the same.

First Attempt

2007-08-11T19:46:00.000-04:00

Hello Citizens!

Although I am no Franklin Habit, I got turned on to photography when I took a basic class in the subject just to fullfill an art requirement in undergrad. I have been a shutterbug, however amateur, ever since.

Anways, this is my attempt at showing ya'll some pictures from California, so lets see how it goes. I did not have my monster of an old-school Nikon with me, but I think my parents digital point-and-shoot was just fine.

This was when we were in Los Angeles Friday.

Being from Florida, houses on hills and mountains are not something you see everyday.

Advertisements like these were everywhere in Los Angeles.

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! We didn't go in, but my credit card is very thankful for that.

I think we took a wrong turn somewhere......

Melrose Ave.

Raven, Suzan Mischer and I in the Knit Cafe.

I am going to post now, to see how this goes.

Back to reality

2007-08-09T10:31:00.000-04:00

So after a 1.5 hour trip to Salt Lake City, followed by a 4.75 hour trip to Orlando, I am safe and in one piece.

Now I get to deal with reality.

YAY

Thanks again to Raven and co. for all they did while I was taking up space as a mucousy, drippy, oozy mass.* Even at my worse, they never stopped being their best. L and D were kind while they got me to ride rides I would have ordinarily passed on at Disneyland, and were patient and tollerant as I squeed my way through Its a Small World and Pirates of the Carribean, and indulged my History geekness by telling me all sorts of tidbits throughout. N and T never showed me anything but pure, unselfless kindness as I hacked and coughed my way through Venice Beach. N even paid for my last meal.

And then there was Raven. Words can not begin to explain the gratitude I have for her friendship anyways, and this trip magnifies that. The debate shall shall continue to wage on for centuries here after among the factions about how to be a good Christian. Whatever your personal take is, mine shall ever be to lead by example. This, in a nutshell, is Raven, whom I feel very fortunate to be counted as among her friends. At least, I think I am.

Now excuse me while I go unpack, pay bills, and drop classes.

*For those of you not in the know, I got really, really, REALLY sick, and reamained so for 6 of the 8 days I was there. I am talking the whole nine yards; coughing, sneezing, bodyaches, tired, lack of appetite, and crabby/wussy attitude.

It is the End, my friends

2007-08-06T11:40:00.000-04:00

On this day in August, I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. What an amazing trip it ha been, and to use a well worn cliche, it was truly a roller coaster. Though some, I am sure, didn't like it, I really did.

And speaking of trips, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Raven and all of her friends who took it upon themselves to see that I saw as much of the Los Angeles area as possible this past week. WOW. I know that they had these plans before I was coming, but the fact that they invited me to come along and their kindness throughout is what has given me the fondest memories of my stay here.

Raven especially, took time out HER BIRTHDAY to celebrate mine by taking me to the Knit Cafe in West Hollywood, where I was able to purchase Welcome to the Knit Cafe and have it signed by the author Suzanne, who, by the way, is an extraordinarily friendly and warm person. I also bought a new tote bag for my knitting that, although the colors are a touch bright, reminded so much of northern Bogota that I had to get it. I have also purchased sone new dpns, and Raven got me to order the yarn I want for my first sweater, rather than just talking about it like I have done for the past year. And she paid for part of it as my birthday gift. Also, under her tutalage, watchful eye, and tape measure, my last effort sock has blossomed into something that actually looks like a sock instead of the bulbous messes of my past two attempts. And it seems to fit very well and snuggly, too.

See how she is?

Welcome to the Hotel Raven

2007-08-02T09:06:00.000-04:00

Hey Y'All!

Greetings from California!

Like any Florida cracker, I am wide awake at 6 whatever AM. I have been in this state since 4 whatever AM. That is because on my home planet of Orlando, it is 9 whatever AM, and I am normally wide awake and doing something. Curse the genes that made me an early riser.

So I don't completely bore you with the play-by-play of yesterday's 10 hour ordeal, I have brought you the finer details in list form.

- Orlando International Airport - Boring
- Orlando to Atlanta flight- Mostly business men, some hot. Uneventful.
- Jackson Atlanta Airport - Ate a ham sandwich, played with a dog
- Atlanta to Salt Lake City Flight - nibbled on apple cheesecake and mushroom ravioli in corn sauce (I am not kidding, though I wish I was)
- Salt Lake City Airport - Just enough time to dash to my next plane
- Saw the Great Salt Lake for the first time, as well as the Rockies. Tons of turbullance and airpockets. Did not strangle the loud little kid behind me, but strongly resisted the urge when he began to make up a song about how we were falling out of the sky and we all are going to die. And then proceeded to sing this song repeatively the entire 90 minute flight.

But I didnt kill him. Infact, no one died. And I am here safely at Raven's. Where she is force feeding me yarn. Poor me

Gasping for breath

2007-07-30T23:33:00.000-04:00

so I am taking a few days away from Deathly Hallows to get some air. WOW!!! What a tremendous and emotionally overwhemling book! And it is sooooooooooooo good. There are twists and turns that I never saw coming, some I did, and then one I just knew was coming, but it turned out very different. The true meaning of RAB was the only theory I had (I really didnt give a dpn whether or not Snape was evil). Like alot of other gits out there, I read the Epilogue first. Cause I had to know, you know?

I didnt have quite the reaction that his Lordship Franklin Habit did, but I could understand where he was coming from.

Anywho, I am in the middle of Chapter 29, but already know most of the deaths. Thanks to all thosewho warned me ahead of time.

After 5 days at the beach, in which my nose and another anatomy part(s) was the only things that got burnt and burnt most severly (What can I say? they are the things that are closest to the sun and was able to shade everything else) I have about 36 hours until I fly out to Burbank to visit Raven. While I HATE flying, I am looking forward to the trip.

In knitting, the hogwarts scarf is on hiatus, andI am nearly finished with the heel flap of the sock, which I am calling Walking in Sunshine.

Laters!

Spoil Me Not!!!

2007-07-25T09:02:00.000-04:00

I passed the FTCE Subject Area exam. That was a really difficult test. Next Stop is the Generl Knowledge that I will take after I come back from visiting Raven

And now...........

SSSSSSSSShhhhhhhhhh.....

Please do NOT disturb. Gryffin is reading.

O, and BTW, I recieved an Honorable Mention for my costume at the local Borders Costume Contest.

See you when I emerge

Spoil Me (but only a teeny bit, please)

2007-07-21T12:51:00.000-04:00

My fellow citizens

I am busy studying for the FTCE Subject Area, which I will take on Tuesday. My loving, good-intent-filled but evil parents have told me that they will (if they have not already, no one is giving me a straight answer) intercept the UPS guy so that I will not recieve Harry Potter until after the test.

This is where you come in. Please believe me when I say that I really, really hate suprises like this. So I am asking those who read it before me to please, please, please tell me who dies. I dont want to know anything else, or even how they die. I just want to know before I begin reading.

And don't lie about it just to be funny. I do have a wand. And a schnoodle who attacks for spoonfuls of peanutbutter. I am just sayin'. Seriously.

SOON TO COME: an actual blog entry, after I re-learn macro economics (the only section I failed on the practice test)

EDITOR'S NOTE: I have just received Deathly Hallows. The compromise was that I could read the epilogue before I give it to the evil parents. All I was hoping to live apparently did. All is truly well. Now, I shall return to the learning the formula of elasticity so that I can enjoy the book Tuesday without anything else on my mind.

Moz, knitting, and other such things

2007-07-19T09:17:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday I went with Miss to see Morrissey. If you don't know who that is, don't ask me. Just go to iTunes or Yahoo!Music. Just don't ask me who he is. (insert eye roll and exasperated sigh here)

But anyways, I digress. The concert was amazing. This was my first real rock concert, but my third if you count The Backstreet Boys in '96 (I don't cause it was free and, well The Backstreet Boys is as far from rock as here to Maine) and Tori Amos in '03 (sort of counts, but there was no pit, and as much as I heart Tori, her's is not exactly "rock" either). Its not that I dont like to go to concerts, it is just a very rare occasion that the stars align and I have the money and the time to go to a concert. Back in Feburay when I bought tickets, Miss informed me that pit tickets were the only option since "Only losers sit in the balcony." So I went around noon to her place, where we began to get ready. While she helped me with my eye-makeup, I introduced her to Mr. Amazing, my hair straightening iron. Although she admitted that it was truly a miraculous piece of engineering, its massive base was too wide for her short-cropped hair. We played dress up, and then headed out. In route, and during the massive traffic backups around the toll boothes, we amused ourselves with her iPod, and created our own playlists with titles that ranged from silly to, um, unladylike topics.

The opening act was a girl who was one part Meg White, one part Bjork, one part Tori, with a very light sprinkling of Karen O (The Yeah Yeah Yeahs). She was ok, but not much to blog about. After her set and a very wierd video montage, Moz appeared. Miss and I rocked out together until Groping Pink-Shirted Spaz came through, and he irrated me enough that I left to the back to get some fresh air. When I went back into the pit, I enjoyed myself until the closing song. Then I enjoyed myself tenfold. Moz chose to close the concert with "How Soon is Now?" my favorite song. I know he did not do that for me, but it is sure fun to imagine he did.

I was never a huge Morrissey/Smiths fan, but now I am using my iTunes allowance to buy all his songs. It is the least I could do. After all, he sang my favorite song as a closer.

On the knitting front, I am getting really sick of the wavy scarf.

And the sock. Well, when I began, the ribbed cuff had this beautiful spiralling pattern going on. However, once I got to the actual Jaywalker pattern, the colors became "muddy." So I frogged it and am using SPM's "sock recipe" from Knitting Rules.

Any advice or encourangement on this front would be greatly encouraged.

Predictable Euphoria and Uncharacteristic Ranting

2007-07-11T23:40:00.000-04:00

So....people.

What did you do today? How are you?

I am sorry, what was that you said? What did I do today? WHAT did I do today????

You really need to ask me?

In case you cannot figure it out, I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix today. O, my, Godiva. It was amazing. I really, really liked it. I honestly thought I would be immune from emotion, having already read the book. Not so much. The freaky beginning caused me to nearly jump out of my seat. Each and everyone of the new characters were PERFECT. Especially Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood. Luna is my personal favorite charcater, so naturally, I was very skeptical (and a bit protective) of how they were going to translate her to screen. I could not have been happier. Evanna, if you ever read this, I loved your performance better than Starbucks chai. Imelda Staunton was perfectly creepy as her pinkness Miss Dolores Jane Umbridge. And Helena Bonham Carter's Bellatrix Lestrange? Fantastic. I can't wait until Neville gets to kick her ass. Cause that is what is going to happen in book seven.

I finished my first lace pattern (needs to be blocked) and mystery project, which I did block. It looked far better than I thought it would. Still working on the Gryffindor/wavy scarf. Cast on for the Jaywalkers. I am not very optimistic, but the yarn is bright and pretty and soft.

You know what really bothers me? Blog ranting. Or ranting in general. Life is to short for ranting. Although I do understand that people do need vent every now and again.

Having said that, I was watching the Live Earth footage on line (the day of I was enjoying an outing with my mum) and I could not help to under how many effecient lightbulbs were used in lighting those stages for hours at a time. Or how much energy was used with all those amps and microphones. How earth friendly were those clothes? Were they fair trade? And just how much fuel was used to get Al Gore to each venue to make a earth-happy sermon. I highly doubt he drove a Prius from Brazil to Washington D.C.

Thank you and good night!

So it goes alittle something like this

2007-07-04T15:39:00.000-04:00

I have been avoiding using that title for quite some time. Mainly because I knew I would only be able to use it once. The pastor at the church I attend begins every single sermon/homily like this, and it never fails to make me smile. But then again, I have a great respect and love for the man. He is, after all, the reason I began attending church once again.

So here I am, on what could very well be the rainiest July Fourth in recent memory (I am sure that there have been rainier ones, I just do not recall). I went to the local conglamo bookseller to pick up my prep book for the FTCE GK* test that I am taking towards the end of summer. The good news is, there is nothing that I do not at least vaguely recall about the math portion. Which means that the rumor that there is triganometry and calculous is nothing more than a rumor. Which means that my weakest area could potentially be the timed essay writing. In case you have not noticed, I have a tendancy to ramble on, and on, and ON, and can talk just about anything to death. Whcih reminds me, if the question is "Where is one place you would like to visit and why?" is Hogwarts an acceptable answer?

My wonderful sister has made another inspirational creation; Key Lime pie. It was (as per her pastry talents) beyond perfection. The crust was crumbly and brown ad nutty and buttery. The lime part was sweet and tart and devine. The merangue was beyond words. She may get on my last nerve somtimes, and we may not always agree on everything, but as long as she continues to create the bakery items she does (from scratch mind you - the thought of instant mixes makes her gag) she will be the best sister in the world, and I will always be very lucky to have her.

No matter where you are, or your feelings and setiments, have a great Fourth of July.

*For those of you who are lost in the abbreviations, the FTCE. stands for the Florida Teaching Certification Examination. There are three parts of the exam; The Professional, Subject Area and the General Knowledge, which is commonl known as the GK or Gen Knowledge. You cannot get a teaching job if you do not pass these. Some may hire you, but then you have a very limited time period that you have to get them passed, or else you get fired. They are also exist requirements if you are earning a degree in a school of education.

Aftermath, er, without the math?

2007-06-28T20:07:00.000-04:00

This is the end my friend.

Not really, Last week was. So I finished summerschool and have moved back home. And then got really, really sick. Turns out, when you are not good to your body (even if it is during finals week) things have a tendancy to turn around and bite you in the gluts.

Lesson learned.

And speaking of lessons learned I am in online traffic school this week. Why? you ask. Because I got pulled over for speeding right as I was coming out of my last final. Oh yeah, I was still on campus. And the cost? you ask with baited breath I am sure. $105.59. For going 9 miles over the speed limit. It was greeeeeeeeeeeat. But hey, I ended the evening with an absolutely delicious omlet and Office Space, so it was not a total waste.

I have re-aquainted myself with my knitting. Not gently and gradually, as a certain Miss Violet suggested, but through myself into it (yarn) balls out. In two days, I had 50 rows completed on my wavy scarf. Pictures will be posted soon, because this is the summer I WILL learn how to do that. I also got really heavy into another washcloth (I am really liking washclothes, they may become my love) wich is my first reall lace pattern. I had some trouble with it at first, but not, as long as I do an entire repeat at a time, I am good. I am also working on the project-that-shall-not-be-named for a certain somebody.

As far as the crochet hat that refused to die? Well, may it rest in peace. After a thrid attempt, Pixie (the most experienced crocheter I know) told me to hang it up and use some lighter yarn next time. This is whyI am not really giving up, just putting it off until I find some nice, light yarn.

And last but Certainly not least. YEs, I know the top of the blog is a bit busy with both coutndowns. But, well, the bok one is too cool to pass up (run your mouse over it) and the combo one was boring

Week 6/6, Feels like 666

2007-06-21T09:47:00.000-04:00

So anyway, ya'll.
Today is the LAST DAY of summer school! My last final is tonight. The thing is, however, I have absolutely, positively, NO inspiration or (nor?) motivation to crap open another freaking book. I am done, spent, over it, finished, had it, ect, ect. I have an A in all assingments, but a C on the midterm. uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh

In my other class, the professor handed me back 3 assingmets last weekend becaseu they were borderline B/A grades, and he gave me a chance to redo them. This was nice on one hand, but a pain on the other. My last assingment to redo is due on Monday, and I may just have to take the 94. Not out of laziness, mind you. This has seriously been a case of anything that can go wrong will go wrong. It allstarted with the redo of assingment #2, which took 2 days and three computers to accomplish cause everything DID go wrong. Assignment #3 is not an improvemnt. Because it was a gynormous file (this huge, elaborate power point that I would use to teach a unit) I only saved the rough draft on my usb. Half of the final copy is saved on my parents computer (like I said, huge file). The final product is burned on a CD that my computer refuses to recognize beacuse it claims that the file is corrupt!!! I think my poor laptop is as burnt out as I am, and it just does not want to do another dad-gum assingment.

In other news, I paid rent and utilitize thgourh Saturday, so now I dont own my roommate a peny. It is a shame that she and I have only just now started hanging out, but that is just the way things have gone.

FYI - When making a salad, and you want to add a tasty flair by adding something less ho-hum then your average deli meat, do NOT add thick cut julieanned prosuito. It has a raw, chewy constitancy, and you (or, at least I did) feel like you are eating smoked earthworms.

Lesson learned

Miss Violet of LimenViolet podcast reads my blog, or, atleast she did once!!! SQUEEE!!!!!

can't... freakin...Take ...IT...ANYMORE!!!!

2007-06-12T12:09:00.000-04:00

OK peeps.
Seriously.

I am on the countdown until the end of the semester, (week 5 of 6) and I have done gone and cracked. Seven assignments are due this week. SEVEN ASSIGNEMENTS. I am working on # 7 right now. And I am so fed up with it all. I cannot stand it. The worse part is that I know that once I finish up with this one, I get to start on the three assingments due next week.

yippy.

The good news is that rather than zoning out on video games, I am actually taking breaks and knitting. The new Knitty inspired this. I actually found sock patterns I would be willing to do. And, like I said above, I seriously feel like I cannot take it any longer. If I cannot stab some yarn, then an actual animated object may have to get harmed. I don't have anything or anyone in mind, really, just something that is close enough to grab without me having to participate in a whole lot of movement.

Even the fact that OoP is coming out in less then a month has failed to uplift me.

I want guy back, too. I am not sure if I can do this. But that is a rant for another day.

Sorry.....

2007-06-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

Holy cow my fellow citizens!

It has been too long
really, it really has been way to long
And that is all my fault.
So please excuse me while I go hang my head in shame, go to a corner, and cry softly.

5 minutes later...

What am I talking about?!?!?! If I don't have time to dish about my life, I certainly dont have any time to feel sorry for myself.

I really, really have no time.

Why? Beause I am insane. Well, that is what I have been hearing lately, and it sure seems like a great excuse. I am currently taking 6 masters credits (workload equivilent to 9-12 undergraduate credits) in as many weeks. typical week is that I have something due every day of the week. Two MAJOR projects dues this week. Finals two weeks from thursday. Then, 8 weeks of my partime job, a Morrisey concert, a few tests, Pottery goodness, and Raven.
So the updates will be quick, and with out detail.

Knitting
Has come to a shrieking halt. I actually look forward to the dentist this week, becauseI know it will actually allow me time to re-introduce myself to me needles. I am near positive they forgot who I am, or that there is a world outside the bag.

Harry Potter
I would love nothing more than to tell you in 100 words or more how this Summer of Potter is promising to be the BEST SUMMER EVER!!!!! but that is not getting my 6 page report on the observed behavioral patterns of teenagers now, is it?

Crocheting
The hat that I was going to learn how to do or else is in the frog pond. Again. Although, I do have to say, atleast is it round this time. Well, rounder than the last attempt.

Reading
I still manage to find a few precious nanoseconds a day to read. I am finally reading a Jane Austin book.

Academia
Last semster I recieved all A's, much to my shock, but not everybody elses. So far, I have two A's this semester

But my sanity is hanging on by a thread. As is my hard earned size 6 waist. And my spending money is locked in a jail cell in Tiajuana. Or at least, that is what it feels like.
O yeah. I also had and lost a really great guy. Yes, in the course of last semester. I know, I know.

See you in 3 weeks!

Sick and tired?

2007-02-18T16:28:00.000-05:00

Hello

I am sick. Just a cold, so dont get all emo/worrisome/voodoo on me. I have been downing medication, both alternative and Western, and hopefully, soon, everything will go.away. To make matters ever the more better, it is the weekend that the HUGE midterm project is due in Principles. Have I started it? Yes, I have. How much is left? 2/3. How much of it was left last weekend when I felt perfectly fine but decided to slack off? 2/3. And now I am having to type up a speech while on drugs. Can't wait to see how this will turn out.

In the name of instant gratification, I have forgone all WIP's to do some wash clothes. Perfect thing to do when you cant sleep.

That is it for now. peace

So much for the afterglow

2007-01-20T22:09:00.000-05:00

Well, fellow citezens, it has been a while, hasn't it?
So here is how it has all been going down;

Christmas was extremely low key this year. After the eventful year that we had, the family decided to just relax. No tree, no external decoration. No real effort in anything. We piled the presents on a chair and chilled out. And cooked and ate alot.

O yeah, in order for you to inderstand the rest, one little detail must be mentioned; I got into graduate school. That was perhaps my best Christmas present. Besides the iHome.

The following things have changed in my life now that I am a Knight again:

- I have no time for knitting
- I had to reduce my hours at job #2
- I brag about myself alot
- I truly am making a concious effort to stop procrastinating (goes into effect tomorrow)
- I have no energy for knitting
- I truly am making a concious effort to censor my opinions before the exit my mouth and sideswipe the professor (goes into effect Tuesday)
- I am on chat room websites less
- Suddenly, updating my blog is far more important, than , say homework (somethings never change)
- I have no money to go toward knitting
- TV is a true luxury.

Sad

2006-12-22T12:26:00.000-05:00

I had this really long, beautiful post about life and knitting. I spent nearly 3 hours on it. It just got erased.

I am so ashamed....

2006-12-15T17:26:00.000-05:00

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Northeast Judging by how you talk you are probably from north Jersey, New York City, Connecticut or Rhode Island. Chances are, if you are from New York City (and not those other places) people would probably be able to tell if they actually heard you speak.
Philadelphia
Boston
The Inland North
The Midland
The South
The West
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

My confederate ancestors are rolling in their graves right about now.

A Few Quick things

2006-11-18T14:10:00.000-05:00

Not much to expand upon, except a few quick things:

- My iPod is broken, and had to be sent away. I should be getting it back soon. In the meantime, I am suffering from acute iPod withdraw. It is amazing (and alittle sad) in just a year how that thing has become another apendege. the worse will be when I have to buy an whole new one in a few years.

- The job is still amazing

- The Puppy is still cute. So much so that I don't think I will ever stop refering to her as Puppy, no matter how old she is.

- Despite the news about TR Knight, I cannot stop watching Grey's Anatomy. I still am over the moon about George, and I realize that that may not ever change.

- I am right now reading Eldest. I don't want to talk about it, cause I have this paranoid vision of Christopher Paolini stumbling across my blog one day and being deeply offended of anything negative I have to say about any of the trilogy. Not that I have anything negative to say about his books, that is.

- A very strange mood has come across me lately. The balence between pessimistic Gryffin and optimistic Gryffin have appeared to tip in optmistic Gryffin's favor. I am more cheerful lately, less broading, more optimistic, writing in my journals more, waking up refreshed, and not feeling so bitter about things. It'll pass, I am sure.

- I have Raven's present. Infact, I have 99% of my Christmas shopping completed.

- It is cold outside. Finally.

HOORAY me!!!

2006-11-08T07:29:00.000-05:00

Well, I got a cold over the weekend, and decided to take Monday off. I finished the laundry, dusted a room (sans protective wear, but I figured I was on enough drugs that it really didn't matter), added the count down to this blog, and took lots of naps. Huh? What was that I said??? That's right, I said it. I added the count down to my blog. All by myself! This whole html thing is addictive.

You've heard of second sock syndrome? Well, I think I have first sock syndrome. I have about an inch left on the cuff before I start the heel. And I keep finding other things to do. Just two days ago, I thought to myself; "Self, this is an excellent time to learn how to trebble stitch in crochet." I agreed, and am now very close to finishing another sampler dishcloth thing. I think I will give it to Rachel for Chistmas.

Which leads me to another point; I think I may have become that which I loathe. One of those people who become obsessed with knitting something for the entire imediant family for Christmas. In the past, I have always knittied one or two items for a single family member. Suddenly, and seemingly without my knowledge, two projects have sprouted on my needles, and one on my crochet hook. I am not sure what to do!!!

BUT I am sure about Raven's gift for the exchange. About time, too.

WHAT?!?!?!?!? T. R. Knight is gay?!?!?!? My whole fantasty world has just come crashing down around me. I am going to be a sad, bitter lama for a few days.

Well folks...

2006-11-04T12:14:00.000-05:00

Just like the last post, I am just killing time till I head out. This time, it is waiting on Blu (who, though a Muggle, I am hypothisizing is a Hufflepuff) to call give me the 411 on 2days UCF homecoming activities. Now, I dont want all the haters out there 2 leave me comments. If you do, they wil be promptly deleted, and I shall sic Fluffy, Godric, AND Puppy on you. I have been such a bad lama in regards to posting, I know. Job has been draining, and it is all I can do sometimes to shower and go to bed. But, all the same, I heart it. I can't wait untill I fly solo on this, and own my own plane, metaphorically speaking, of course.

I am currently re-reading Harry Potter I, and annotating it with what I think is foreshadowing clues. I am planning on doing this to all 6 books. Out of boredom, that is why.

On the needles is my christmas knitting. Socks in a deep, dark blue merino.

My socks came out too big in the end. Is it because my feet are a mite smaller than the average women feet?

I now have an account with FictionAlley, hoping that one day, I actually write something that I can publish.

Um, that is it for now.

O! WAIT!!! before you go, check out the right side of the screen. That's right, those are new links that you see. I taught myself how to manipulate html. Allow me to repeat myself; I TAUGHT MYSELF!!! how to manipulate html. I didn't have to look it up, or buy a book about it, I did it all by myself. I am one proud lama. Up next, putting the HP movie countdown thingy here

Knitty + Greek = Friday

2006-10-06T15:25:00.000-04:00

Greetings:

As I pass the final minutes before I head over to cash my latest paycheck (The best perk of being employed) and Greek Fest 2006 >SQUEEEEE<, I decided to post my thoughts about the Fall issue of Knitty

Patterns:

Viveka
Not to sure about the color of the edging, nor the way the body is shapped, but the sleves are gorgeous and amazing. Maybe, if I ever get good enough down the line, Ill design a sweater with a body that I like, but with those sleeves

Lucie
eh, its ok. Probably never knit/wear it.

Cactus Flower
This is more MY style; loose, yet flattering. I love everything about it, but perhaps a darker red for the whole thing. And have the collar and the sweater all the same color

IVY
I just don't like sweaters with that type of closure. Period. End of story

Serrano
This is an absolutely gorgeous cardigan. I think it is the answer to my "perfect work cardi" search. I would have to alter the closure, all those little hooks would drive me batty after a while

Avast
I like this one, too. My only concern is that the yarn is too dark to show off the pattern.

Sherwood
This is a very cute sweater. It reminds me of something out of Eragon

Intolerable Cruelty
The corset detailing on the back is not my style, neither are the colors (pink = bleeck)

Little Slip of a Thing
I could see myself doing that, but in different colors. Maybe a Gryffindor or UCF color scheme.

Lizard Ridge
This is a gorgeous blanket, but looks wicked hard. Plus, I would never, EVER use Kureyon.

Red Herring
I love this pattern, but I would use contrasting, or even HP house colors for it.

Cablenet
ooooooooooooooooooooo, this is pretty. Myabe I found the socks that Raven's yarn is destine to be???

Sox on 2 stix
This is a brilliant pattern, and one that I would like to try one day.

Diamante
This is a decent and cute pattern. Being that both my sister's and my mom's feet are large, I could see myself using this pattern for them. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, these are toe-ups. Maybe not then.

Ayla
I like this pattern, since colorwork gives me the heebee-geebees. The choice of color would HAVE to change. Ooooooooooo, green back round, blue flower with yellow center.

Sugar on Snow
eh, its ok. I guess u have to be somewhere where it snows to appreciate it.

Tamarah
eh >shrugs<

Twiggy Tweed
I like it, just not in those colors

Back to School
These are the beez kneez. They are the cutest!

Peace out and OPA!!!!

My week, checking in with Satan, and other things on my mind

2006-09-30T10:12:00.000-04:00

Greeting citezens!

Wow, what a week it has been! I finished my FIRST EVER long term substituting position. It could have been the 5 days from Hell, but it was by far the greatest experince so far in this wierd path called my teaching career. Even some of the worse behaved classes were gems, even though they were in 8th grade and STILL grasping the concept of raising the hand before speaking.

And talent? HOLY COW the talent at this school! I know I was working in a magnet school, but I was expecting something like the movie Fame, with kids in leotards and black clothes quoting poetry and pirouetting down the hall. There was nothing that extreme, but I did meet a budding poet, Jack-of-all-arts, a musician, and several people who felt just lucky enough to be at a school that offers a dozen different types of drama class.

On the knitting front, I have casted on for the second sock, and am nearly finished with the cuff. Because of my ever vigiliant eye on the sunday paper, I procured cupons from oth Joann's and Michael's, and was able to get Clover size 7 dpns (no more sore hands!!!) and Clover size 13 straights at 40% off. Which reminds me; how does one go about felting a gauge swatch???

On the book front, I put down SPM's The Secret Life of a Knitter (b-day present curtesy of Raven) to pick up a historical fiction book that was lying around the room that I was at all week. It got me instantly hooked, and I read it during plan and lunch, and would bite my nails at night wondering what happened. So I highly recommend Fever 1793. It is about the yellow fever epidimic in Philidelphia in 1793 as told by a 14 year old girl. A bit on the dark and morbid side, but an o so riveting read.

Greek Fest is next weekend. So is a 50% sale at all Joann's. O, the delimmas we get ourselves into.

I have a week off due to Fall Break.

Speaking of Raven, she may think of me as a goddess among women for the b-day present I gave her, but to me, she is the greatest friend who knits EVER. Not just cause of the book (who knew that I would enjoy something by the Yarn Harlot???), but of the yarn that also came in our yearly "Knitting themed birthday present exchange." Although the yarn is so nice that I want to get really good at socks before I use it, I take it out of the stach drawer and cuddle its soft, warm, brightly colored goodness. Yes Raven, I too am a yarn molester.

And speaking of yarn, I was crusing the Socks That Rock website, when but what should to my wondering appear? O yes, I saw Gryffindor colored sock yarn, under the heading Fred Flitstone. Just thought everyone should know.

Satan is now having his personal seamstress sew a warmer lining to his cloak. How do I know this? My sister and mom are eating sushi.

Evidence that Hell is Freezing over

2006-09-14T23:50:00.000-04:00

OK

The Steve Irwin, the amazing Crocodile Hunter just passed on. Not by being decapated by a large reptile, or even by being nibbled on by a poisonous whatever. He died in a freak accident that involved a very non-aggressive fish, one that I have petted and fed for $5 at Seaworld a dozen times.

Duane "The Dog" Chapman, the lead in the AE reality show "Dog; the Bounty Hunter" is under arrest for jumping bail and missing a court date.

My dad wants to go to the football game with me on Saturday

Raven called her mother a witch.

I have recently gotten really, really drunk

Somewhere, in the inner bowels of Hell, Satan is turning to one of his minions and saying, "Is it me, or is it a bit chilly in here?"

Laborday pix comming soon, I promise!!!!

The objective

2006-09-02T06:24:00.000-04:00

I guess I should tell you just why the heck I am doing this, and what I hope to accomplish. This could possibly change as time goes on, but we will see about that.
When Raven** and Sly graduated (and Raven moving to California without ANYONE'S permission), the first few monthes were filled with really long emails and a whole lot of overages on the cell phone bills. Then, I came up with the idea to start a livejournal community where Raven, Sly, Huffster, Magnus and I could write about what is going on, and the others could read at our leisure. It was made private so we would not have to worry about boyfriends, coworkers, parents, or whoever we wanted to bitch about (as girlfriends often do) would not read it. It worked beautifully, and we were able to keep up with each other for years.

I did not think about going public with a blog until I came accross a teeny, tiny, little known podcast called Cast-On. It was through this that I learned about knitting blogs. Then came the glorious day when, through Cast-On, I first heard Franklin Habit of the Panopticon blog. I have been a fan ever since, and shall provide a link as soon as I can figure out how. While Brenda Dayne's comment has always been, "Damn, I wish I had written that," in regards to Franklin's postings, mine has always been, "I could do this, too." Then, I discovered the knitting blog, and soon, all the knitters in NYGK had one. Then, our little club itself had one. It sinched it for me when Raven began her own knittng/literary blog.

That is the how of the how and why I am doing this, I shall devulge why later.

*Names have been altered to protect the somewhat innocent

First Post

2006-08-31T08:54:00.000-04:00

Greetings to all my fellow citizens in cyberspace! I shall get more into the objective of this blog alittle later, just know that it, like me will be intersting...
Until Then