Did you finish?

I wasn't even trying for it - didn't even really enter it. However, I started and completed a project during the Olympics. It is a crocheted hat, done from Noro. Truth be told, it wasn't a difficult accomplishment, unless you consider the fact that I started it yesterday afternoon, and finished the whole thing in just over 3 hours all told.

My personal challenge I did not complete - although you might say I got the bronze for even starting on it. I, like Lindsay Kildow, wiped out with an injury early on -- managed to somehow pull a muscle rather severely in my side. Also like Lindsay, I did continue to attempt the completion, although the muscle strain proved too much for me to go the distance. Even so, I got some of the cleaning done and there is definitely a visible difference. This week I am going to continue my housecleaning quest. I really have to get some organization going on around here. :D

If it doesn't hurt, you're not doing it right

Man, I had so much fun last night - went out to a fabulous Chinese restaurant (Din Ho, anyone?) to celebrate a friends' birthday (I didn't realize he was just 6 months older than me!) and then we went to do karaoke at The Common Interest. There were actually some good singers there for the most part - only a few howlers - but I bet they didn't expect a bunch of semi-pro singers to walk in and start having fun. Heh. Unfortunately most of the songs I am familiar enough with to sing are totaly chest-voice for me, so I am a little hoarse today, but I had fun and got a lot of compliments. We danced like mad, drank like fools, and had so much fun I'm still glowing from it. However, I do recommend reigning yourself in a bit if you already have a pulled muscle in your side. I don't hurt as badly today as I did when it first started bothering me, but I definitely feel the burn.

Right now, I'm just trying to catch up on my Olympic coverage - watching mostly the Champions Gala. I love figure skating - what other sports give you a very classy exhibition after the medal ceremonies? So far I've only seen Stephane skate, but I must say his choice of music (You're Beautiful by James Blunt) and his skating style were very complimentary. He showed a wonderful artistic interpretation of the song while including those elements I've been missing in the new scoring system - blur spins, split-leg jumps, and just an overall smoother skate. I can't wait for the rest of the program.

Perhaps I'll even get back to knitting my UT scarf. Perhaps. Ah, there's time for knitting later this afternoon. :D

I, too, can F an O

Sometimes small problems can yield good things. I had to take a sick day yesterday, but I finally finished the Irish Hiking Scarf I was working on as a gift for my chorus director. Gave it to him yesterday, and he loved it!

The scarf is knit using, as I mentioned, the Irish Hiking Scarf pattern from Hello Yarns. I used Karabella Aurora 8 in black and dark heather grey - just under four skeins of the former and less than one of the latter for the stripe sequence at either end. Time to knit: about 10-12 hours, over the last two weeks.

...and now, back to Olympics coverage.

Fun with avatars...

...or, it's freakin' cold here today!



Yeah, who ever said it could get below freezing in Central Texas? I am so thankful for a good heater and I really wish I didn't have to get out on the roads at 7 am this morning. However, the city was on the ball and sanded down the bridges, and amazingly enough there were no accidents or cars skidded off to the side of the road that I could see. Granted, there was probably only a small amount of ice on the bridges, but you have to understand that people here don't know how to drive when it's wet out, much less icy. Now to climb back under the covers for a few hours until I have to go out again this afternoon. God bless technology (and DVD players with remote controls) that bring this post to you direct from my very warm bed. :)

Vanessa would be proud

Yes, I am cleaning my apartment again. I cleared out one large area of my dining room -- mostly bags of yarn and projects that got set down in the same area and just...accumulated. At any rate, the table itself is still being used as a staging area for the item sort, but I gave away two big bags of yarn and I've gotten rid of a lot of plastic bags and other detritus that tends to go with purchases.

Off to watch some Olympics, then more cleaning. Woohoo. :D

Knitting, schmitting

Everyone seems to be doing the Knitting Olympics this week (and next, natch). I opted not to, knowing that my crafting time would be severely curtailed by rehearsals and concerts and such.

I can proudly say, however, that I've started my own personal Olympic challenge - to get some of my apartment straightened up. Were I to have more faith in myseld, I'd say I'd make the place spotless by closing ceremonies. Realistically, that just ain't gonna happen. I figure if I can get my laundry all done, the entry way cleared out again, and perhaps the kitchen and bathroom completely clean, I'll have achieved a minor miracle. It won't stop there, but those are my minor goals to get me started. (For those of you who habitually keep a spotlessly clean house, or spend more than an hour at home other than sleep time during the week, trust me - you don't wanna know how bad it can get. The place isn't filthy, but I have a lot of stuff. Hush, V. And L, and E, and all of my other friends who've been over or have seen my car. Unless you want to come help. :O)

The Time is Now...

Woot.

One down. one to go

Concerts are exhausting, but very rewarding. We performed both Faure and Durufle's Requiems last night, to a rather large audience for a Friday. Tonight's the last performance, at NWHills United Methodist - 8 pm if you're in town and want to give it a listen. It's going to be great! :D

Present....CHEST

One of the things I love about singing for the Texas Choral Consort is that our director is such a hoot. There is a bit in the Requiem (Durufle, I think, since Barry was up there) that required the sopranos to sing sustained but soft high notes, espressivo. We weren't expressing ourselves enough, so Barry thrust out his chest and said "with PASSION, ladies". The gal next to me and I started giggling a bit -- I whispered "mit TETAS!" (ok, I know it is two separate languages) and she whispered back "avec BOSOM!" and we totally lost it. It's rather hard to sing softly and sustained with passion when you're giggling like a couple of fools and trying not to let the director see you.

Hm and hm again

It's always ... interesting ... when you do a look up of the search terms that directed people to your site. For quite a while now it has been completely normal -- looking for curlique patterns, crochet stuff, knitted baby booties, etc.

Today's term of the hour? Mardi Grad bad girl pics. Sorry guys (or possibly girls, who knows?), whether or not my top comes off, you're not getting a picture of it. I'll tell you when I'm shakin' 'em, though -- how's that?

New Experiences and an AFO

I am heartily sick of sinus problems. So sick, in fact, that I gave something new a try today -- new to me, that is. Yup, I gave in and tried a neti pot. Granted, I am still a bit stuffed up, but I felt clearer right afterwards than I had in a while, so hopefully after a few more treatments I will finally be able to breathe normally again.

The Almost FO is that pair of socks for Becky I've been working on since, oh, November or so. One sock done, down to just the toe shaping on the second - should be all done tomorrow! If I can get the scarf done this week as well (to gift before the concert next weekend) I'll be ecstatic -- and if not, I'll have it done soon thereafter. Since it got (a little) cold again here this week, it should be an appreciated gift. And if not, ta 'eck wid 'im. Heh.

A Blogger's (Silent) Poetry Reading

As seen on Grace's Poppies...

O Lord, We Praise Thee, Bless Thee, and Adore Thee
by Martin Luther

O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,
In thanksgiving bow before Thee.
Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish
Our weak souls that they may flourish.
O Lord, have mercy!
May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary
That our sins and sorrow did carry,
And Thy blood for us plead in all trial, fear and need:
O Lord, have mercy!

Thy holy body into death was given,
Life to win for us in heaven.
No greater love than this to Thee could bind us;
May this feast thereof remind us!
O Lord, have mercy!
Lord, Thy kindness did so constrain Thee
That Thy blood should bless and sustain me.
All our debt Thou hast paid; peace with God once more is made:
O Lord, have mercy!

May God bestow on us His grace and favor
To please Him with our behavior
And live as brethren here in love and union
Nor repent this blessed Communion!
O Lord, have mercy!
Let not Thy good Spirit forsake us;
Grant that heavenly minded He make us;
Give Thy church, Lord, to see days of peace and unity;
O Lord, have mercy!

February already?

How did another month go by so fast? I tell you, this getting older thing is for the birds. Heh.

At any rate, February is FUFO month! That's right, another shot to finish up those unfinished objects. Mine are to the left, being modeled by Mr. Perfect. On his arms are the scarf for the aforementioned conservative gentleman (hey, I started it in January - that makes it a FUFO candidate for February, even if I am going to frog it and start over), a UT scarf in broken rib for myself (don't know WHY I chose broken rib), and those neverending socks for Becky - which only lack toes. There are quite a lot of things not in the picture, including a repair job that I promise I am working on and not ignoring - my home time is very limited these days and I refuse to take it out where it might get damaged or have something spilled on it. At any rate, I will probably end up starting at least one new thing in February, but I will endeavour to hold off on that until more of these are finished!

...and here's something cool I nicked from Lolly --