The iPod Meme
This was a drive by tagging.
According to the rules I read over at Persistent Illusion, after you read this meme, you have to do it, too.
If your life were a soundtrack, what would the music be?
Here’s how it works:
1. open your library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. put it on shuffle
3. press play
4. for every section, type the song that’s playing
5. next section — press the next button
6. don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool
opening credits: Paul Simon - The Boy in the Bubble
waking up: Snow Patrol - It's Beginning to Get to Me
first day at school: Suzanne Vega - Frank and Ava
falling in love: Switchfoot - Meant to Live
breaking up: Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes
prom: Reda Darwish - Marhaba (KICK ASS belly dance drum solo try that in a prom dress
life’s okay: Shawn Mullins - Beautiful Wreck
mental breakdown: Pat Monahan - Cab
driving: U2 - Beautiful Day
flashback: Sonia Dada - Old Bones
getting back together: U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
wedding: Coldplay - God Put a Smile Upon My Face
birth of child: Edgar Meyer - Old Tyme
final battle: Anna Nalick - Paper Bag
death scene: Angelique Kidjo - Salala
end credits: Indigo Girls - Least Complicated
If you read this, your NEXT!
Monday, December 31, 2007
On to the next project....
Not so fast. I want to bask in the glory of this one for a bit. She's lovely, and every thing I could ask for. I'm speaking about the lovely Lady Oriel of course! Nothing particularly pithy to say today. I'm happy that my investment of time and energy has yielded such lovely results. I have to say that the pattern was accurate and easy to read and sizing was spot on.
I would not recommend this for beginner knitters. It's an easy pattern to learn, but the increase and decreases could be a little daunting for a new knitter.
I substituted a different yarn for the silk ribbon yarn. It's my first substitution which went so well. My means for choosing another yarn was to search for one with a similar weight and yardage. I had a few choices, but only the alpaca and silk of the Elann Peruvian Baby silk was of fibers I knew I could wear close to my skin without itching. Plus the price totally rocked. 36.00 instead of 152.00
I plan to post pictures at Ravelry.
I would not recommend this for beginner knitters. It's an easy pattern to learn, but the increase and decreases could be a little daunting for a new knitter.
I substituted a different yarn for the silk ribbon yarn. It's my first substitution which went so well. My means for choosing another yarn was to search for one with a similar weight and yardage. I had a few choices, but only the alpaca and silk of the Elann Peruvian Baby silk was of fibers I knew I could wear close to my skin without itching. Plus the price totally rocked. 36.00 instead of 152.00
I plan to post pictures at Ravelry.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Wrapping up the year and the Lady Oriel
It's nearly the moment of truth. I placed all of the held stitches onto waste yarn for the front and back of the Lady Oriel and then blocked her, within an inch of her life. Tonight I hope to knit the front and back together and pick up all of the stitches for the neckband.
It's always a dicey proposition when you make an article of clothing. I'm not talking about generica, like hats and scarves. It's one of the reasons I stopped sewing clothes for myself. At the end, with all the work put in, does it really suit you?
As exhibit A I give you a lace jacket I knit several years back. It's gorgeous to look at and to touch. It's soft, slightly fuzzy, and very elaborate. It belongs on someone much more petite than I - the tall, lanky, white girl with the face of an old woman. I've worn it a handful of times and was never comfortable in it. After 4 months of knitting, ripping and finally finishing, it's a thing of beauty that sits in my closet. I hope the Lady Oriel isn't like that.
The entire lace jacket is knit, not a single seam sewn. The lace pattern took me sixty eleven tries to get right (and in some places it's still not right). I had to buy another skein of yarn once I was on my way because the knitting and ripping had felted the hell out of the mohair and silk yarn. I'd never heard of a life line being used in lace knitting so ripping was cause for much weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. I just leapt in and began, and learned, and cried in frustration and relief, and purchased more yarn until I finished something that just wasn't right for me.
If that doesn't sound crazy, I don't know what does. Still at this end of the year it seems like a good metaphor for me. Just try your damnedest to complete the thing with honor. Pay attention, give it what it needs and cross the finish line. Sometimes it's the project you finish, sometimes it's the project finishing you.
It's always a dicey proposition when you make an article of clothing. I'm not talking about generica, like hats and scarves. It's one of the reasons I stopped sewing clothes for myself. At the end, with all the work put in, does it really suit you?
As exhibit A I give you a lace jacket I knit several years back. It's gorgeous to look at and to touch. It's soft, slightly fuzzy, and very elaborate. It belongs on someone much more petite than I - the tall, lanky, white girl with the face of an old woman. I've worn it a handful of times and was never comfortable in it. After 4 months of knitting, ripping and finally finishing, it's a thing of beauty that sits in my closet. I hope the Lady Oriel isn't like that.
The entire lace jacket is knit, not a single seam sewn. The lace pattern took me sixty eleven tries to get right (and in some places it's still not right). I had to buy another skein of yarn once I was on my way because the knitting and ripping had felted the hell out of the mohair and silk yarn. I'd never heard of a life line being used in lace knitting so ripping was cause for much weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. I just leapt in and began, and learned, and cried in frustration and relief, and purchased more yarn until I finished something that just wasn't right for me.
If that doesn't sound crazy, I don't know what does. Still at this end of the year it seems like a good metaphor for me. Just try your damnedest to complete the thing with honor. Pay attention, give it what it needs and cross the finish line. Sometimes it's the project you finish, sometimes it's the project finishing you.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Christmas Song(s)
So I did end up knitting last night, while waiting for the Holiday concert to begin. After drinking a cup of tea late in the afternoon I was awake enough to knit. The concert was one of the best ever. I was far from counting the songs till it was done.
It began with the "Show Choir" that my daughter is part of dressed up like the Whos from Whoville. They sang a few songs from the How the Grinch Stole Christmas soundtrack. Dressed up like Whos, from Whoville.
Next my other daughter sang with her choir, and then back to oldest to sing with the small group that rehearses in the morning. Back to youngest playing in the orchestra and then both of them - one playing violin and one singing. They performed a Requiem for the father of the choir teacher. It was truly lovely. They finished with the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's Messiah.
It made me so happy I wanted to cry. I was too happy to cry so I just smiled real big inside.
The best part of the show came later when Ellie performed her interpretive dance for us in the garage. I'm telling you, she's got some Lucille Ball in her.
It began with the "Show Choir" that my daughter is part of dressed up like the Whos from Whoville. They sang a few songs from the How the Grinch Stole Christmas soundtrack. Dressed up like Whos, from Whoville.
Next my other daughter sang with her choir, and then back to oldest to sing with the small group that rehearses in the morning. Back to youngest playing in the orchestra and then both of them - one playing violin and one singing. They performed a Requiem for the father of the choir teacher. It was truly lovely. They finished with the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's Messiah.
It made me so happy I wanted to cry. I was too happy to cry so I just smiled real big inside.
The best part of the show came later when Ellie performed her interpretive dance for us in the garage. I'm telling you, she's got some Lucille Ball in her.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Lack of sleep will do that to you
I worked hard on the Lady Oriel this past two days. Last night I hit a wall. I baked cookies for our cookie exchange here at work, and then drove out to the airport to pick up my sweetie.
I finally laid my head down at 12:20 am. It wasn't pretty this morning.
The Mister snores alot when he's tired. Which is like saying that hurricanes are windy or the ocean is salty. It's so essentially him. We'd had the presence of mind to set up the bed downstairs for one of us. It's sad when you spend your first night together in a long time in separate beds - and we aren't even mad at each other. But, it exhausts him to worry that he's snoring and waking me, so he wakes himself all night.
It's this torturous, rasping sound that rises to a crescendo and never really falls back to quiet. It's the most noise I've heard anyone make with just their nose. If it wasn't so tiring to hear him laboring away like that I might laugh and enjoy it. Sisyphus himself couldn't be as worn down pushing that damn rock as the work that my sweetie performs in his sleep. Breathe in like a Tyrannosaur, breathe out like a steam engine up an incline hauling 500 fully loaded cars.
You get the idea.
Long story short, I'm tired in a whole new way. Conversation is too much of an effort. I'll just grunt in acknowledgment. I did go to the gym, but I could do that in my sleep. Oh look! I did do it in my sleep. Knitting lace is entirely out of the question. I'd only have to rip back from the abyss and cry alot.
Instead I'll go to the Choir Orchestra concert. Mind you this is High School so it's not the Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom of years past. (See the Yarn Harlot's post The Kid with the Viola wasn't too bad) These kids can play, and sing. Most of the time it's lovely. I'll be counting down the moments till I can climb into bed.
I finally laid my head down at 12:20 am. It wasn't pretty this morning.
The Mister snores alot when he's tired. Which is like saying that hurricanes are windy or the ocean is salty. It's so essentially him. We'd had the presence of mind to set up the bed downstairs for one of us. It's sad when you spend your first night together in a long time in separate beds - and we aren't even mad at each other. But, it exhausts him to worry that he's snoring and waking me, so he wakes himself all night.
It's this torturous, rasping sound that rises to a crescendo and never really falls back to quiet. It's the most noise I've heard anyone make with just their nose. If it wasn't so tiring to hear him laboring away like that I might laugh and enjoy it. Sisyphus himself couldn't be as worn down pushing that damn rock as the work that my sweetie performs in his sleep. Breathe in like a Tyrannosaur, breathe out like a steam engine up an incline hauling 500 fully loaded cars.
You get the idea.
Long story short, I'm tired in a whole new way. Conversation is too much of an effort. I'll just grunt in acknowledgment. I did go to the gym, but I could do that in my sleep. Oh look! I did do it in my sleep. Knitting lace is entirely out of the question. I'd only have to rip back from the abyss and cry alot.
Instead I'll go to the Choir Orchestra concert. Mind you this is High School so it's not the Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom of years past. (See the Yarn Harlot's post The Kid with the Viola wasn't too bad) These kids can play, and sing. Most of the time it's lovely. I'll be counting down the moments till I can climb into bed.
Monday, December 17, 2007
My Christmas Wishes
Bah Humbug aside, these can be some of my favorite days. There is no pressure to be outside and I can bake and cook to my heart's content and no one thinks the worse of me. Except me, when I eat 3 scones in one day. I know, it's pathetic, but they were sooooo good.
I've finished my shopping and sent off all of the cards I'm going to send. I've done a better job of not feeling guilty about what I have or haven't done this year. My kids are heading to their Dad's for this Christmas, in Hawai'i. That's a tougher nut to crack for me. I don't seem to have what it takes to let that one roll off of my back. Maybe that is why I've been so cranky about all things kids and Christmas. I'm feeling like the Grinch and my heart is three sizes too small.
So my Christmas wishes, aside from world peace and an end to hunger are as follows:
That my children will continue to find their way in the world in such an exemplary fashion as they have so far.
That Marc will find more peace in that belfry he calls a head. He deserves it at least as much if not more that most.
That my parents will continue healthy for a little while longer. I'm just not ready yet.
That I can begin the dig to creativity and unearth the fossilized remains in belly dance, knitting, blogging and in the kitchen.
That I can find employment that pays well while I am enjoying myself and staying busy. I know, Universe, that I've got to be a lot more specific, but right now it's all I got.
OK, ready set - GO!
I've finished my shopping and sent off all of the cards I'm going to send. I've done a better job of not feeling guilty about what I have or haven't done this year. My kids are heading to their Dad's for this Christmas, in Hawai'i. That's a tougher nut to crack for me. I don't seem to have what it takes to let that one roll off of my back. Maybe that is why I've been so cranky about all things kids and Christmas. I'm feeling like the Grinch and my heart is three sizes too small.
So my Christmas wishes, aside from world peace and an end to hunger are as follows:
That my children will continue to find their way in the world in such an exemplary fashion as they have so far.
That Marc will find more peace in that belfry he calls a head. He deserves it at least as much if not more that most.
That my parents will continue healthy for a little while longer. I'm just not ready yet.
That I can begin the dig to creativity and unearth the fossilized remains in belly dance, knitting, blogging and in the kitchen.
That I can find employment that pays well while I am enjoying myself and staying busy. I know, Universe, that I've got to be a lot more specific, but right now it's all I got.
OK, ready set - GO!
Friday, December 14, 2007
The blessed colorfulness of it all
What, you might ask, could I be thinking about in this weather. After the riot of color we had this fall, how could I find anything colorful in this landscape of no leaves or flowers.
Well find it I did, and I need to take a picture of it. The Burning Bushes have their lovely red twigs still, and the berry canes are bare but PURPLE! I am not making this up. They are purple!
I'm knitting a sweater that is deep forest-y, evergreen tree, gray-green. It's lovely yarn and has been since I bought it, but I am jonesin to knit colors together. I spoke yesterday of my design to design a sweater. but my lack of brain power to work out the necessary math for the borders and peeries set my teeth to grinding. I purchased a Fair Isle book by Ann Feitelson and tried to decide which type of sweater I would knit. I took a Fair Isle class. I spent 30 dollars on Jamieson yarn. I swatched funny little borders and patterns without pressure. All in hopes that I would be magically transported to the Island of Fair Isle sweater success.
My math hating, blind spotted brain was NOT fooled. But then along came the Winter 2007 Knits magazine. From Knitting Daily came a quick glimpse of the promised land. I couldn't believe my eyes. Right there in the magazine was knitting Valhalla. Eunny Jang had read my mind and was so kind as to have designed ME a Fair Isle vest to knit.
OK, just to give you some background. I made my beloved a sweater a year or two back. This was not as easy or straighforward as it sounds. His sizing is challenging and he lives, most of the time, across the US. Long torso, short arms, round belly. So I did my best to knit something that resembled a sweater. It was three tries on the sleeves with weeks in between try-ons. Two tries for the neck until it was just right. It made me somewhat crazy and took ages longer than I wanted it to.
I don't have the patience to do that right off the bat with Fair Isle. Knit lace I'll leap into the craziest pattern ever with nary a second thought. But Fair Isle, no.
So I'll knit this lovely sweater using my own color combinations as soon as I finish the lovely Lady Oriel. I need to hustle up before I begin an affair that ends my relationship with the LLO. That would be a shame.
Well find it I did, and I need to take a picture of it. The Burning Bushes have their lovely red twigs still, and the berry canes are bare but PURPLE! I am not making this up. They are purple!
I'm knitting a sweater that is deep forest-y, evergreen tree, gray-green. It's lovely yarn and has been since I bought it, but I am jonesin to knit colors together. I spoke yesterday of my design to design a sweater. but my lack of brain power to work out the necessary math for the borders and peeries set my teeth to grinding. I purchased a Fair Isle book by Ann Feitelson and tried to decide which type of sweater I would knit. I took a Fair Isle class. I spent 30 dollars on Jamieson yarn. I swatched funny little borders and patterns without pressure. All in hopes that I would be magically transported to the Island of Fair Isle sweater success.
My math hating, blind spotted brain was NOT fooled. But then along came the Winter 2007 Knits magazine. From Knitting Daily came a quick glimpse of the promised land. I couldn't believe my eyes. Right there in the magazine was knitting Valhalla. Eunny Jang had read my mind and was so kind as to have designed ME a Fair Isle vest to knit.
OK, just to give you some background. I made my beloved a sweater a year or two back. This was not as easy or straighforward as it sounds. His sizing is challenging and he lives, most of the time, across the US. Long torso, short arms, round belly. So I did my best to knit something that resembled a sweater. It was three tries on the sleeves with weeks in between try-ons. Two tries for the neck until it was just right. It made me somewhat crazy and took ages longer than I wanted it to.
I don't have the patience to do that right off the bat with Fair Isle. Knit lace I'll leap into the craziest pattern ever with nary a second thought. But Fair Isle, no.
So I'll knit this lovely sweater using my own color combinations as soon as I finish the lovely Lady Oriel. I need to hustle up before I begin an affair that ends my relationship with the LLO. That would be a shame.
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