Tapioca Tundra

Nothing like a sultry afternoon to bring the musical stylings - and odd naming conventions - of Michael Nesmith to mind. Just ran across a First National Band album while cleaning up my media shelves, as a matter of fact.

Sultry is possibly even a bit mild to describe the weather -- and perhaps it reflects the wrong type of day. The sun has been out for a good portion of the afternoon, but the humidity has been a bit oppressive, even after the little bit of rain we got overnight and this morning. It's fun to say, though: sultry. Sultry, sultry, sultry. Makes you want to go dancing in some central American plaza in full skirts and a daring peasant blouse. Sultry.

The weekend is coming....

Hope everyone has a good Memorial Day - I'll be in town but most likely away from my computer for the most part. Please remember and pray for our troops both at home and overseas!

Übergeek, übergeek...

...She's übergeeky...

Oy, but I'm an odd little duck. I get so excited over the strangest things. We moved a database from Oracle to SQL server last weekend, which sent me into paroxysms of delight. Okay, maybe not paroxysms...but my work week has definitely been better for it.

To pile on the geeky shame, when a couple of us went out for lunch that day, we stopped in at EB Games, where I had to pick up a copy of this. Say it with me -- COWS!!!!

This afternoon, I topped it off by really doing the happy joy dance when this arrived in my mailbox. Hours upon hours of LOTR goodness! Now my only quandary is whether to keep it or return it and wait for the extended release (which I thought I was pre-ordering). Apparently the trilogy is not available as a whole to pre-order yet. In reality, though, am I really willing to spend probably twice as much on a DVD set that I will only probably watch a total of two hours extra content? I really only want the extended scenes in the movie itself - the rest is glitter. (Where's J? Less glitter, more glue! :)

Ok, step away from the geeky...back to actual crafting content. I was helping one of my crochet students work through a fabulous tank pattern - Brit from Rowan magazine #35. It's a Kim Hargreaves pattern, but it seems to be extremely wonky! Anyone out there in blogland tried to work this pattern? Most net stitch patterns I've dealt with previously work over 2 repeat rows, not 3, and we could never get the stitch count to come out right. She's decided to move onto another similar KH pattern from a different Rowan book - Cotton Tape, I think, and the pattern is called Jade. This one is done over two repeat rows, and looks to be a lot more straightforward. Odd, that one designer can come up with three versions of a net stitch pattern all in the same publishing year, and one is so different from the other two. Granted, the UK/Australian crochet terms aren't helping my poor student any, either. Thankfully the big magazine explains exactly what they mean by each stitch in their technical section so she can refer to it when she's at home.

Tonight is the KIP at Texpresso (we've started calling it Knitspresso) - if you're in town, I hope to see you there!

Mondays can surprise you

It has been such an odd day. I was so sleepy this morning, I neglected to hit snooze on my alarm and actually got up and went into work an hour early. Things kept crashing to the floor - the gentleman who sits across from me has a motorized wheelchair that has a bad axle (kept veering into the wall) and then the facilities guys decided to do a cube reconfiguration in the middle of the day and kept dropping things. Big, loud things.

Tonight, I completely spaced on the singer appreciation dinner I was supposed to attend. It came out okay - I ended up meeting the Monday night crowd at Schlotzsky's on Lamar, which gathering I usually end up missing due to chorus rehearsal. Judas was our last performance of the season. Since I got in some knitting time, I worked on Victoria a bit, and I am proud to say I got two more rows done. I now have about an inch done on the tank, it is NOT twisted, and I have only the remainder of the body to go! :D

Perhaps tomorrow will be better, work-wise. Or not. Eh, no matter - pass the margaritas.

Home again, home again, jiggety jog

Ahhh, the concert is over. Post-concert relaxation is good - come home, take off the Big Black Sack (tm), and cool off for a bit. The church where we performed was much, much warmer than usual tonight. I thought I was going to melt in all that polyester.

The concert itself went well overall; as soon as the review comes out in the Statesman I'll link it here. Well, I may link it here - the gentleman who usually reviews Chorus Austin concerts doesn't seem to like our organization much. Ah well, we had fun. :)

Next concert: Mozart's Requiem in June!

The best laid plans of mice and men...

Ok, so I didn't get up and get going like I said I would yesterday. In fact, my back hurt so I laid back down with a book for a few minutes, ended up falling asleep and woke up again at 1. I did, however, go and get my hair done when I finally got around to getting up.

Small aside here, because I have to explain something about me. I almost never schedule hair appointments (unless I really need a trim) - they are expensive and risky to boot: what if you really hate how it comes out? You have to live with it for at least a couple weeks to a month! So, my warped and twisted philosphy is to walk into a good salon when I have the time right then for the appointment. If they have an open appointment, great - if not, it wasn't meant to be. My chosen salon yesterday was only able to fit me in because someone didn't make their timeslot. Worked for me.

For the commissioned birthday scarf, I found a couple other possibilities - one being Lana Grossa's Leggaro Stripes (color 413). Another was either Happy Multi or Funny Multi (have to go check the label but it's in the car) in a pink, white, and blue colorway. After I showed them to the person who wants the scarf, she chose the latter. I am happy that I was able to find a novelty yarn that fit the bill - I was dreading making a plain-jane garter stitch scarf from regular yarn, and I didn't want to come up with a pattern-stitch scarf for someone who seems unwilling to pay more for the extra work.

Well, I have to go to work today, and the concert is tonight (NW Hills UM Church, for anyone in Austin thinking of attending!), so that's all for now. Enjoy your weekend!

Another Pleasant Valley Friday

Ahhhh...a day off is nice - except it's because I have to work tomorrow afternoon. *bleah* Ah, well - I'll enjoy it while I've got it.

Last night at rehearsal (only one more to go!) I started a pair of baby booties from Bernat's Cotton Tots. It feels very nice, but I have a feeling that this yarn is going to be given to pilling. I'd also run out and gotten a few balls of Eros for a lady's granddaughter -- the lady in question told me the girl likes pinks and blues and she wanted a fancy scarf like the others I'd knitted at rehearsal. Of course, the lady did not like the colors of ladder yarn I could find to those specifications (more blue!) so now she wants just regular yarn. I couldn't make her understand that part of the appeal of the particular scarf she'd asked me to make was due to the nature of the yarn. Well, I'll run out again today and see what else I can find, as I certainly don't keep a lot of "girlie blue" in my stash.

Now the question is, how to kill the remainder of my day off before I have to go to rehearsal tonight? Sleeping late isn't an option (ok, I already slept later than I'm used to, but I had to get up eventually!) --- hm. Well, at the very least I can go out and run errands - so, ta! Hopw everyone has a fabulous Friday!

Book report, and back to the singing

I finished reading Knitting Into the Mystery this week. I think my friend V was right, and the book is just too ecumenical for me (actually V, we were both right). Normally this is not something that I see as an issue (although as a Christian it saddens me to know that some friends are not), but it was not what I was expecting from this particular book and so parts of it were a bit of a letdown. It's like reading the Left Behind series when you yourself believe that the Book of Revelations should be seen as more of a parable instead of taken literally - you get some spiritual food out of it, but it leaves you not quite fully satisfied.

Ok, religious bit over.

Tonight is the second to last rehearsal for Judas, and the concert is Saturday night. Thankfully I have tomorrow off work - since I have to go in Saturday - and can relax for a bit. Two of the ladies in the Chorus have commissioned works from me for next fall; no hurry, but the sooner I get started the less I have to worry about forgetting altogether. Hm, perhaps I need to start a WIP in the Wings section to remember what else I need to work on... Whoops, gotta go! Have a great Thursday!

Tank redux

Okay, I am loving knitting the lace for my Victoria tank, but it is just too much to be a simple travel project (i.e. when I have to go to rehearsal and actually pay attention sometimes). I'm just deathly afraid that I'll screw up one of the lace repeats and have to rip it all out.

So... I am looking for a simple tank pattern that works up quickly, to be knit with this cotton tape (about sport weight I think) that I brought back from Italy. Sadly, there is no suggested gauge or needle size on the ball, so I'll have to wing it. (Ja, I know, do a gauge swatch -- well, I will, I just wanted tank pattern suggestions!) :) Anyone have input? Nothing sleazy, mind - a size 18/20 bod just doesn't lend itself well to overemphasizing the curvature... :D I've thought about the Shapely Tank and Cleo -- but the first doesn't seem to be a quick knit (although when I first tried the pattern it was when I'd first started knitting) and the second is just a leeetle too revealing.

Anyone? Bueller? :D

I told you there'd be pictures...

...and for a change, I managed to make time to format them!


Click me to see the real-life gnome!

This hat was made from Red Heart Supersaver in Burgundy, on size 7 16" circular needles. One of these days I might even get around to writing down the pattern! The recipient of the hat (as seen in the linked pic) did actually like the hat - so much so that he's going to make sure to wear his gnome shoes tomorrow so I can get a full effect pic. :D

Da Gnome Knows

I was in a finishing frenzy this weekend. Okay, so I only finished one more thing, but I was inordinately proud of myself for doing so. The Beatrice socks are officially completed!

Today is the day when the real-life gnome gets his hat (and cameras are on stand-by to capture the moment). Pictures will be posted when I get home! (I know, I know, famous last words.)

So...they won't be my last words. I am going to try to keep up with the blogging this week, but no promises -- our Judas Maccabaeus concert is this Saturday at NWHUMC. This means that I have a 3 hour rehearsal every other night this week. Joy! At least it will give me a bit of knitting time beforehand and during breaks (though I wish I had the cojones to take my knitting up onto the stage with me...).

Have a great Monday!

Overheard

"It's not cheating if you don't wriggle." - one of the girls at Knitspresso night.

"No shoes, no shirt, no service. Doesn't say a darn thing about pants." - someone else at Knitspresso night.

Well, I finished the gnome hat last night. It isn't quite as pointy as I'd like, but I really don't want to frog and redo all the decreases, so it'll have to do. It is cute -- pics later this evening if I don't get sucked into something else.

Interesting search terms

Once again, boys and girls, it is time for us to visit the land of "You got here how?!?". Yes, the endlessly amusing list of odd search terms that people use to get to this blog.

Top on the list: punished photo gallery school. I don't even want to know.

The In-Your-Dreams entry: pics naughty girl. This is one I really don't recommend you Google unless you want some less than desirable results.

Less odd, but fun: silly hat craft. I'm pretty sure I've never put those words together (before now), but I think the Gnome hat, at least, qualifies.

Somehow apropos: rip-it sweater. I've been frogging a few things, lately.

Never gonna happen: crocheting swimsuit. Nope - nuh-uh, not gonna do it, wouldn't be prudent at this juncture.

Quite a few people manage to drop in by using the terms "utopia yarn". I've never used this yarn, but if anyone has samples they don't want, you're more than welcome to send them. :D

Beer, Burgers, and Baseball

This week I won tickets to go see the Round Rock Express. The only problem - the game was at 12:05 pm. Thankfully my boss let me take a half day (well, considering I won the tickets through work...). :)

As far as ball games go, this was a bit of a slow one. By the fourth inning, we were down 2 to 6. Sadly, the Express just couldn't make up the difference - the game ended as a loss, 4 to 10 to Wichita.

It was still a pretty good day at the ballpark -- threatening rainclouds kept the breezes coming, and I got a bit of knitting done while watching the game, sitting on the Berm-side rockers. Not to be outdone by the MDS&Wers, I even had a fried Twinkie. Good, but messy. Did you know that Twinkie goo crystalizes when you deep fry them?

I think I'll have to rip out the decreases in the gnome hat, though, as I may have been decreasing too rapidly. I want it to come to a point, but not too soon! :D

Gut Idee!

Lisa and Sammi have declared May the "finish unfinished objects" month.

Sounds like a good plan to me - I've first got to finish the Gnome Hat, then I think Victoria tank and E's doll dress are up on the menu (I heard that, E!). Oh, and the Daria purse. I still haven't found the remaining yarn for Flutterby, so that's still stalled.

Well, gotta get some work done - I'm off for an Express baseball game at noon (weather permitting)!

At the tone, please leave your message...

Ok, just playing with my template - I'll have most of my links and whatnot back to normal by this evening. :D

Happy Monday!

Ok, so I was going to post yesterday, but the Blogger update prevented me...so before I go back to the grind, I thought I'd pop in. :)

First, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY (slightly belated) to all you mothers (and hey, single dads, too!) out there. I went down to Mom's for the majority of the weekend. We actually got out and did something - took a trip to the SA Botanical Gardens. I haven't been there since I was a little kid, and it was fabulous! I got some great photos of unusual flowers and plants, and when I get some time this afternoon I'll show off a couple. Besides, I need help identifying a couple of these. :D

Progress was also made this weekend - I finished the prayer shawl for Bev. Hopefully I'll have a chance to drop it by the church this afternoon so that it can be delivered to her as soon as possible. I haven't heard any updates healthwise about her yet...

Well, now it is off to the grind (yes, I like my job, but it is still work :), so y'all have a fabulous day!

'Tis Friday again

...and boy, do I ever need a weekend. :)

Yesterday was also First Thursday, so I picked up some Kersti at HCW for the prayer shawl for Bev. I managed to get through one skein already, so I am hoping to finish the shawl before the weekend is over, so that I can get it to her soon.

I've also got to get serious about going through my trip photos to put some on the website and decide which ones to print out for my scrapbook. It's been over a month and I've only done a small fraction of the work I need to on that.

In other news, the crochet class I teach has been moved to Sunday afternoons (2 to 4 at the LYS), so hopefully I'll be getting more students. The Saturday timeslot seemed to be too hard for many of them. I'll also be doing a Habu scarf class on the 22nd of May (materials included!) for anyone interested.

Hope everyone has a great Friday and a fabulous weekend!

National Day of Prayer

Appropriately enough, today is the National Day of Prayer. This morning the Governor and countless others will be a few miles away at a prayer breakfast. There may be additional events near you.

You don't have to be a part of a group though. You don't even have to be a regular member of any particular church. Just remember that God loves you, and believe in the power of prayer.

Prayers needed

Sometimes I get...less than serious in my daily posts. Okay, I get downright silly upon occasion. Tonight I have a rather serious request, however.

One of my friends (and a member of my church) was just diagnosed this week with ovarian cancer. Stage 4. I just found out this evening before choir practice. She is still really strong (she only knew there was something wrong when she had trouble breathing one day earlier this week), so the doctors hope to put her cancer into remission via chemo. Tonight I am going to wander through my stash for yarn to make a prayer shawl, but I ask all of you to also keep her in your prayers.

Thanks, and God bless you.

Par-tay!

Yes, it is Cinco de Mayo, an important holiday to the people of Mexico, but also important to those of us in the US as well. Follow the link to read more about it. :)

Last night was the biweekly SnB down at Ventana del Soul - kind of a light crowd this time, but we had fun. Two new knitters joined us! I got another row done on the Victoria tank and I re-did the gnome hat up to the point I had to frog previously. There probably won't be much knitting for me tonight - it's the end-of-year choir party, so lots of beer will be had by all... Hey - we're a good German-American bunch! :)

Gnobody Gnomes

This weekend I started a gnome hat. Unfortunately, no pattern exists for this one, so I am making it up as I go - shouldn't be too difficult. :)

Oh, the story? Well, it's a little silly, but then again, few stories behind this sort of thing aren't. :) I have a co-worker who has these Birkenstock chef shoes. They are rubber and look very much like gnome shoes. Especially as this particular co-worker has long hair and long skinny goatee to go with them. Now he's known as the gnome (even did a little dance to go with the shoes) and I have to make him a gnome hat, which was an idea put forward by someone else on the team. Someone who will make sure for me that the gnome wears his hat at least once and a digital photo is taken of it. *evil grin*

FO report!

Yes, I have an FO report. Not one, not two, but THREE finished objects -- the Fribble2 scarf is finally done, the Flirty scarf has had the last three flowers sewn on, and the thrid of the Eros scarves is all complete. *insert happy joy dance here*

Now I can focus on things like my Victoria tank with relatively less guilt about other WIPs hanging around... :D Speaking of guilt, I notice that's a topic that has been bandied around the blogring for a few days. Quite truthfully, I don't really feel guilty when I add to the stash or start a new project. I do, however, realize that I have way too many works in progress and I do occasionally try to stem my inner dillettante. Eh - it keeps me out of trouble. :D

32 years ago today...

...my big sister was born. So...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIS!!!! :D