The Red Hat Blues

Finally

2008-08-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

I've found my home.

Right here.

Not dead yet

2008-05-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

Well, finding a new job is taking forever. I'm annoyed and frustrated and exhausted all the time. It just keeps getting worse and worse. . .

Anyway, I am posting this to let you all know I haven't started the whole "christineeriksen.com" thing yet, so it'll be a while before you'll see my new blog. Regardless, my new temporary blog home is my myspace blog. If you aren't my myspace friend, you can find me on, "http://www.myspace.com/springsteena"

Thank you for everyone's support. . . much love until I return.

Where Is My Mind?

2008-03-22T21:44:00.000-07:00

I will be back, but I am going to revamp my blog and name it something new and it will not be dedicated strictly to knitting.

There is so much bullshit going on, but if you listen to The Pixies "Where is My Mind?" that is the soundtrack of my life right now. I am a free radical in the sky poisoning those around me and slowly killing myself.

Nothing seriously bad has happened. I am just a mess. A big hot mess.

Hiatus

2008-03-07T22:22:00.001-08:00

... ugh ... just ugh. . .

Sew, You Ho.

2008-02-21T05:59:00.000-08:00

I love having a second job. Have I told you guys that? At the end of the day, I don't care how exhausted I am, I don't really mind that I am all frazzled. I just feel good that my bills can be paid on time and I am finally taking control of my debt. I like that in less than six months I went from my sorry ass living on credit cards to being able to buy my guitar out right with cash. It's not like I couldn't live a little smarter, like I could have spent my guitar money on a credit card first then bought it, but it's a lot better than what I was doing. Of course, going from a salary of $18500 a year at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to almost double helped a lot...

I still have nightmares of that hell hole.

oh oh before I get into the good stuff. My friend Dan needs help. I don't think you need myspace to see this link, but he's attempting to book a summer tour for his band and there are a few places that I can't help them with. So, if you know of good venues, please check out this link and either e-mail me (christine[dot]eriksen[at]gmail[dot]com) or myspace message the band. Here's the link!

So, I've been pretty productive lately on my crafting escapades. Observe:
I made different slippers for my "Congratulations on Your Baby Now We Can Drink Beer!" package.

The Pattern is called "Pocket Book Slippers." I know, I didn't get it either until I seamed them up...

Have I ever said how much I hate the term "Pocket Book"?

As far as sewing escapades, watch and be jealous!

I made this purse thing to take to shows, but it needs several mods and also the fabric is my favorite of all time.

It was about time to do a little shopping for myself too. I got a bunch stuff and all for work. I got new shoes to work at sushi with and new jeans. I hemmed the jeans!

Also, on Sunday I got a new pair of Flatties!

That's it! Little C out.

I Could Go for Miles and Miles and Miles

2008-02-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

Saturday, saturday. You are so beautiful, but you never last long. By 4:30 I have to scurry out and leave you, but for about eight beautiful hours I have you. And I love you for those moments.

So far I actually got quite a bit done for a Saturday.

My skinny little Misti scarf. I loved knitting every minute of it and the best part was it only took a couple days which is nothing for me. I think if I was going to write a beginning knitters book, this would be suggestion for a first knit or maybe those Mary Jane slippers. But the Mary Jane slippers involve seaming... hmm... Interesting predicament.

Here's another picture:

More baby booties. I used Misti Alpaca, which I wouldn't recommend because they don't really have structure like wool. I think I'll go and purchase some more yarn for more booties. I am kind of addicted...

I drank a beer.

I did manage to hem some pants I've been meaning to. Doesn't it look good? Oh yeah, that's just the awesomely sewn part of it.

Why they call them UGHs!

2008-02-12T20:41:00.000-08:00

UGH. Look at this. Even after knitting for fucking ever, I still cannot seam worth a shit.

Exhibit A:

I've tried this like six times... this is why I avoid projects that require seaming...
(I apologize for the blurriness. After I work at sushi, my hands can't be held steady for a couple hours.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Fast Stitching February

2008-02-11T17:32:00.000-08:00

First up, you all love my hair news whether you want it or not. I was blonde earlier this year, then brunette only figures I go to red. Though I am still more brunette than red.

It's mama-to-be season and a friend of mine asked me if I could put together a little somethin' somethin' for her friend's baby. This is my new "Standard Baby-Birthing Package:"

1.
Baby Booties. These puppies are from a Phildar (a French knitting magazine) issue. The Phildar and Debbie Bliss's Babies for Beginners or whatever it's called are my two favorite baby knitting books. In fact, they're the only two I ever use.

2.
Baby Jacket. I love me a good raglan. This is a good raglan. I made it up and I compiled the measurements from just about every free pattern I could find. Both sweater and booties were made of Caron Simply Soft (I don't know these heathens, they get $4 yarn.)

3.
Mama Slippers. I hear people don't give the mothers much. I'm sorry, but their vaginas expand to 10cm. That's four inches. That's a gauge swatch. No thanks. Mama gets something nice on their feet; she deserves it.

Last but not least, I treated myself to the following:

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM is for Misti Alpaca Chunkaaaay. You have to say it like that or it's just not cool.

Giving Back

2008-02-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

I know a 9 out of 10 of my knitting pals love socks. They knit them constantly and have so many pairs (and almost pairs) of beautiful colors. I on the other hand hate socks. It's not that I hate knitting socks, it's that I hate knitting things in pairs. Sleeves, mittens, the list goes on and on. Also, anything that confines my feet such as socks are a no go in the casa of Christine de Alpaca. I'm awesome. Everyone who knits socks seems to have an addiction to them. They love the yarn, the adventure, the pattern. I respect that, but I have my own addictions to feed.

Hats.

Yes, hats. Though I don't have anything new in respect to hand knits today, I love myself a good quick hat. I'm not a big on others' patterns (though they are fabulous) I just love making it up as I go, seeing knits that inspire me. I am such a hat addict.

Okay, so I will have a new hat soon, I've got a effed up schedule this week; however I do have a new blog that's really awesome that you guys should check out:

http://www.hookingforcharity.blogspot.com/

Kat in Ohio is doing a 50 pairs of 50 shops and she bought some yarn from my store. I hope it will be featured, but it appears the package has yet to get there. I think that this is a really cool project regardless, so check it out and buy a pair of booties from her shop. If I could type Mister T's accent, I'd totally say Ah Pidy Da Foo Who Don't Check It Out.

We'll Fill Our Mouths with Cinnamon

2008-01-29T20:56:00.000-08:00

I love my new guitar. Isn't she beautiful? I don't know her name yet (yes, I name my instruments) but she is splendid and I love her and I luff her. She's an Art & Lutherie. That's a Canadian instrument and just another example of a great export from America's attic.

My guitar is kind of a tricky place for me though. Right now I know two chords and my ex-boyfriendish is my instructor. It's weird because we're talking regularly again and it's reminding me what I like about him. Also, it's reminding me what I hate about him. Still, it's kind of bad and it's kind of tricky, but his sister is pleased as punch we're getting along instead of being how we were before. Messy begins to describe it.

So, I'm thinking her name may be Valencia or maybe Molly or even Sally. Maybe I"ll go for a nickname a la Cubby (my autoharp). Maybe I'll name her Wiggles... no she's far too sophisticated for that.

Quick Hat Sunday

2008-01-27T20:34:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not I'm becoming more social outside of work. I'm making lots of new friends at sushi. As for my other job, not so much. I just talk to people about their auto insurance. I hate it.

Guess what:

I AM KNITTING! I have been working on everything and today I finished the main body of a hat in about forty-five minutes. Yaay. As you guys know, one of my resolutions was to keep better track of my finished objects. Well, resolutions are apparently kind of hard to maintain... especially since it's winter so the sun goes down at like two and you get home and you can't get good light especially since flashes are made for the blind. I swear, blind people, really?

Anyway, this is my first finished object of 2008 which I finished a couple weeks ago.

It's for the Knitter Project run by Elizabeth over at geeyouknit. Of course I won't be sending it until later, but it's all tagged and ready to be displayed. I also have been working on a blanket (the brown knit featured above).

Apparently it is Quick Hat Sunday. As I was posting this I was reading some blogs and I saw this post by Melissa at knitting school dropout. I got all excited because earlier today I wanted a break from my four current wips and I whipped up this little number.

It's just a regular garter stitch hat in Twinkle Soft Chunky. It took me maybe an hour max, but I love the instant gratification. One thing you may notice, I'm wearing my glasses in the picture. I've started wearing my glasses all the time because I thought I had pink eye. Well, it turns out I'm allergic to my makeup. Yep, I'm allergic to my Bare Esentuals. That's the only brand I know for now, but I'm not really risking my eyes on other make-ups for a while. Besides, I have fabulous glasses and get a lot of compliments on them.

I'm frogging my old red and grey sweater to turn it into a scarf:

I've decided to put off knitting sweaters until things settle down. I have a brownish red hat, a purple alpaca hat, the blanket, the scarf, and a baby sweater on the needles right now. The good news is I get to bring it to sushi and work on them as I please :D.

A Few of My Favorite Things

2008-01-20T18:41:00.001-08:00

I am just a busy girl. There isn't much getting around it, but I love how busy I am and I love being so many places at once sometimes. It keeps me energized and alive. Working 60 hours a week isn't a big deal to me. It's just time making cash and running every which way Sometimes, I hate working and working and working. My free time is sucked dry, my friends I barely see, my love life. . . it's not like I really had one before but I REALLY don't have one now. There's no time. Or men. Well, even with the business and the non stopping etc, there are things that stop me in my tracks. Things that I must stop and appreciate because they don't happen all the time.

1. Unexpected appearances of my favorite singer in a band I've started listening to again.

2. New yarn skeined.

3. My sweet Cubby.

4. Learning something new.

5. Cuddling with my Josie-Josie.

So I'm purchasing my new guitar very soon. I've knit some. I've skeined some. Mostly, I've been practicing my guitar. My ex/teacher and I are getting along, but I may have to chock it up to creative differences and separate ways. We went out last night and hung out with a couple of our friends. It was a little odd. Then again, Elizabeth did warn me. He was kind of clingy. Also I got bit. I think the key is to not get drunk around him also to hurry up and get better at playing so I can break off all ties. Again.

FRIKITY FRIK FRIK!

2008-01-14T19:21:00.000-08:00

I have a new addiction. iTunes. Seriously the people at Mac make it too easy to buy music. So, I've decided to start adding play lists to my blog repertoire especially since I don't really have any new knitting to post and/or anything interesting to say.

-- oh wait. --

I did something bad. I really really want to learn guitar and so I turned to one of my exes to teach me. I know it is a slightly bad idea, but we had more fun last night than we ever did going out. It was nice to just hang out and pretend like I could play. Even though I know just two chords, I can't wait until my fingers get calloused to play more than thirty minutes. I sound pretty rad.

Hm... so this play list is the Unfinished Object mix:

1. The Good That Won't Come Out (Rilo Kiley)
2. Still Trying (nathan and stephen)
3. Tire Swing (Kimbra Pierce)
4. My Baby's A Dick (The Elected)
5. Night of the Living Dead (Tilly and the Wall)

I think it's just enough to read the titles of the songs to know. Hehehe.

Sprout, You Can Still Be Saved

2008-01-09T08:10:00.000-08:00

I thought he was dead. I mean what was I supposed to think when his last limb just dropped so quickly? His leaves were yellow for weeks and weeks until they just dried up and fell out? I switched everything from a warmer spot to a less sunnier one and he still just coughed and sputtered. This morning I stroked the dirt a bit, wondering what I should do with a pot filled with dirt that hadn't been watered in two weeks when something caught my eye.

(I know this pic is huge, but I. LOVE. THIS. SHOT.)

Walter is alive!

Walter is coming back. I think he just hibernated.

Moving on.

I dyed yarn yesterday. I'm crazy, did you hear? And as I was dyeing I noticed something looked a little... bloody.

And last but not least, Josie is missing her Christiney.

In knitting news, my blanket is actually going pretty quickly. I've been working on a Clementine Shawlette for my mother and I'm already to chart C. My new sushi boss LOVES knitting too! She is Korean and can only read Japanese patterns, so I'm teaching her how to read patterns and she's already picked out her first project!

I'm also trying to devise a plan on how I will be spending my sushi money. I think 50% must go towards paying down my debt. I don't have much, but I have enough that I have to take control and just pay it off. The other half will probably go to sprucing up the apartment and getting much needed storage. I just realized I've been dyeing all this yarn it get it out of the way, but now it's just skeinlets in the way and until I list them I must find a way to handle them. We'll see.

Oh oh oh! I also found out that I can get on the internet in the two hour break I have from sushi in the middle of the day at the cafe by it, so I may just start bringing my laptop and cozying up for a couple hours.

And as far as perks on the sushi job, yes I am getting free sushi.

Well, I have to leave and I don't have pants on. Peace!

The One Where Christine Does Something Stupid . . . er.

2008-01-06T20:43:00.000-08:00

BEHOLD.

A glorious wonderment of yarn has been dyed and created. For now, you can check them out on my blog; however, I am not listing them for a while and this is why.

I got a second job. I decided part of the reason I am feeling really blah is I am not managing my time and making the most of my free time. So it kind of fell in my lap. I was at sushi as usual and my sushi man Kevin asked me if I'd help out. I worked at Sushi Mobo about two years ago for six months while I was still in college and Kevin wanted someone who wasn't completely green. So I'm helping out for the time being. I have Sundays off. I'll be working about 24 hours a week at sushi as well.

Also, keeping on my feet will definitely help me drop the weight.

So, my blog readers, I'll be here and there as often as I can, and I'm sure I'll be able to post regularly. However, for the time being I will probably not participate in swaps.

I AM A POSTING FIEND!

2008-01-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

I LOVE MY NEW CAMERA! It's totally encouraging me to take more pictures hence more posts. I keep saying, 'What will this look like with my new camera?" Well, I guess we see what it does look like.

SO... here are my New Year's Resolutions:
1. Keep better track of my Finished Objects.
2. Finish the sleeves on all sweaters.

(Exhibits A, B, and C)

3. Keep working out 3-4 times a week.
4. Grow the cajones to ask out Cute Grocery Store BOy
5. Learn how to use my camera.
6. Cook more often.

Salmon Teriyaki Owns Your Soul

I'm well on my way to all but number 4. I will try my very hardest though, sports fans. Oh oh oh. I forgot to mention a little diddy:

The Graffiti series is coming. It's coming.

Happy New Year Bitches!

2008-01-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

So a couple (or more) weeks ago I bought some roving for some needle felting-- I almost typed needle welding and that would be a different sport certainly-- from fibrespace. That's the Canadian spelling for those of you keeping track at home.

Ocean
and

Forest

Lovely eh? I don't know what I'm going to do with it now though. I think I may do an art project or attempt spinning again... though the later will most likely not happen. I feel pretty fancy, you know, using the word later.

Since I finished my Marie Antoinette swap scarf, now I can focus on the rest of my knitting. Specifically this:

It's for my project over at the knitter project. I am in the body part and I'm almost 1/4 done, but I will probably have to make it larger. Oh it's a blanket. I luff it.

Check out this wicked cool picture I took with my SLR:

And here's a fantastic picture of Josephine. I was going to make her eyes red, but I'm not that evil... okay I just didn't think about it until I was writing this post.

Everything Is All The Same

2007-12-30T15:23:00.000-08:00

I think my blog could be renamed "A Frustrated Life" because it seems as though every day I am frustrated and when I'm not frustrated, I'm asleep. But alas, it seems frustration has even hit me in my sleep. I haven't been sleeping well and so I wake up frustrated. It seems that every week once one problem is solved all the rest are still there. Last week I was frustrated because I was splitting my time between my apartment and my parents' house and my sister was there too so it was even more hair pulling. One week it's money problems, another it's man problems, and yet another it's my messy apartment or my parents. Well, this week it's my stupid rules at my stupid job and my parents.

As we all know, I was sent home Friday because of my contagious eye. Though this was freaking sweet, I am a little nervous due to my quickly diminishing bank of Paid Time Off. Granted I have a good two days left, but I don't want to use them quite yet. I need some to carry over next year. The crappy thing is I don't know if I'm supposed to go to the doctor and get a note to go back to work or not. They have all these stupid rules at my work and if you're out for more than three days, you need a note from a doctor. Well, technically it hasn't been three days. Anyway, it doesn't matter because I don't know if I'll be able ot return to work tomorrow or not since my eyeball drops don't start making significant progress until Monday. I guess we'll see.

The other thing that's frustrating. My parents. I live closer to them than my brother and sister and it's annoying getting calls from them demanding I do thing with them. My dad has pretty much stopped listening to everything I say and he called me to ask me if I had to go to the doctor's when we already had a huge long convo about it. Then they're bitching that I don't go to church enough. I'm sorry but once a week is fine with me and I'm sorry but I don't really have much free time to myself and I don't like sharing it with old people who don't know anything about me. Today an old lady came up to me and asked me if I was visiting my parents and also if I was still in school. Conversation is as follows:

Lady: "Are you in school?"
Me: "No, I graduated from college in May."
Lady: "Oh, so you still live at home..."
Me: "No, I'm on my own. Just working."
Lady: "Because you didn't go to college."
Me: ". . . No, I graduated from college in May."

Ugh. I'm just so annoyed because my parents are still trying to control my life. I swear if I get a call from my parents once a day it's unusual. I feel like I'm going to rip out my hair.

In other, more enjoyable news. . . Ladies and Gentlemen, we have ourselves a finished object:

It's a scarf for my Marie Antoinette scarf. I love it and I think the pastelly colors are great. Oh team, I have to get moving. I have a date with my friend and her husband. He's leaving next Monday for Bah Rein (sp?) and this is the last time I'll see him for a year!

OH also: My New Years' Eve Resolutions:
- Keep better track of my FO
- Keep working out 3-4 times a week
- Grow the cajones to ask out Cute Grocery Store Boy

Cat Refuses to Help Owner with Mess. Details at 11.

2007-12-29T16:42:00.000-08:00

I spent the day hanging around the apartment when I realized. Today is the day I am going to start cleaning up my apartment. It will be a long hard road, but it's certainly achievable. My bathroom vanity area and living room are now clean and my dishwasher, at one point, was empty. Of course Josephine put in her part. . .

I've been having just too much fun with my SLR. I have like 5000 new pictures of Josie now... yeah... anyway. Here's a pic of a finished object I didn't catch in time for the right light.

yaay! More to come more to come.

Of All the Sickness God Gave Us Pink Eye

2007-12-28T12:26:00.000-08:00

I have pink eye and I am unable to return to work until further notice. I have the sickness goldmine.

In other news, my parents got me a fancy SLR camera. Isn't that shot incredible? Love to you all. I'll be posting more since I have the next three days off!

Yaay for Christmas!

2007-12-24T19:08:00.000-08:00

I love the holidays and spending time with my family. Except for my sister. She's really getting to me. I'm sick of hearing her complain about Colorado Springs.

Anyway, I'm working hard on all my yarn projects. Here are some shots of my progress on my knitter project scarf.

Looks fabulous huh?

We got to leave early today from work. It was so great! I got to spend time with my aun and uncle.

Well, I'd love to post more, but I ran out of day light to take pictures. I would like to wish everyone a fabulous holiday and love you all to death!

English Kids Have All the Fun.

2007-12-19T12:41:00.000-08:00

Friday I saw the Golden Compass and I am happy to say I wasn't struck down with spite from Jesus. A lot of people say it is about children who kill God and it's just atheism etc etc, but let me tell you why you really shouldn't see it.

The movie flat out sucked.

I had high expectations, I mean Tom Stoppard is one of my favorite playwrights. He is phenomenal, so his adaptation, I presumed, would be spot on. Not so much. Every time a character spoke it was like in another language. Half of the time it made no sense The plot line was just lame. Though I do want a giant polar bear. Oh they call them ice bears in the movie... which is one of the reasons why it was confusing. Like they had animals and would call them basically what they were only less creatively. I.E. a group of people called the "gyptians." Not Egyptians. Not gypsys. Gyptians.

I've been really good about working out lately. Part of the reason why I haven't been around much at all. I have been knitting and I don't have ANY pictures. I'm so lame. This four day a week schedule is just different, so maybe I do want to work five days a week with shorter hours... we'll see.

Can I just say I *hate* perfume commercials? Sure it may have something to do with the fact most perfumes give me a migrane, but still. They're so damn annoying. If you stink, perfume ain't gonna help you, girl!

In Josephine news, I bought her a new set of bowls and she LOVES them. Hopefully she won't be eating more. . .

Holy Bajolies!

2007-12-15T19:29:00.000-08:00

It has been non. stop. over here since Wednesday. I'm not really used to waking up that early, so it's really hard for me to get moving in the mornings. I mean this is the first time in six months we've had to be at work before 9:30. Seriously!

Thursday I got home and I just laid low. I think. I don't really remember. . . I worked out.

Friday I worked from 7:30-6 then I worked out. Midway through my work out Allie called me with an idea for a girls' night. We ate sushi and watched The Golden Compass (which wasn't that good.) and I didn't get home until 12.

Today I worked from 8-4:30. I got my hair cut (just a simple change) and went to dinner with Crystal after. Love her! Anyway, I'm home early at 8:35 and Josie is begging for attention.

I have a lot of progress on my knitter project scarf, but I will have to show everyone tomorrow.

I'm sorry this has no pictures, but I haven't slept in three days and I need to relax. I'll be back soon :D.

Fourth Day Frustration

2007-12-12T15:54:00.000-08:00

So, I thought I'd be totally stoked to have all four days off this week, but I'm a little bored and it doesn't help it's mostly because when it snows I go into anti-social mode. I love laying on the couch all day with a good knit and daytime TV to watch, but house sitting has been such a hassle this time. It wasn't too bad, I split my time just about even, but I'm kind of mad at myself for sitting on the couch for so long the past few days and not working out since Thursday. . . of last week.

Well, no biggie, I took a week off of working out... and kind of my diet. Tomorrow I'll pick up the pace again and since I'll be just spending all my time with the lovely Josephine at my apartment, I will definitely want to be out of the house. I may go and work out now. I'm a little bored.

Most of all I'm effing frustrated! I have been trying to knit a scarf ALL DAY. ALL DAY and nothing I mean NOTHING has come out of it. I've been using THREE different yarns and trying about SEVENTY different stitch patterns. I start to like it then I think, "NOPE." I think I'm just going to force myself to knit through it now. You should see my tags for the knitter project. "I've finally foudn the stitch now I can get rolling talking about what I'm really thinking about." -- an hour later -- "False alarm." It got to the point I just stopped writing tags. I have two, granted, but I am not going to continue until I've forced myself to decide on a stitch. After seeing Julie at Team Knit's Quoddy Scarf, we may have a winner though. I just need to get over my Hand-Dyed weirdness. Also, my green Malabrigo isn't very variegated it's kind of weird...

Anyway. I am off to try and do at least SOME progress today. I need something to show for the 10 hours of knitting I've been doing. (Yes literally.)

I think I'm just in a slump. Or maybe I'm just excited about my holiday bonus tomorrow!

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, EYES!?

2007-12-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

This is an ADD post.

It seems like my eyes are just against me. I can't keep them open and I can't effing get over how itchy they are. Stupid eyes. Don't even get me started on my sneezing.

So, I decided on my knit for the knitterproject! It's going to be a throw for the end of my bed that matches my bed frame. In other words, brown.

House sitting is a pain in my ass because it snowed and got all icy. Yeah, that's all I have to say about that. The good news is something really cute came out of the snow:

Let's see, I have gotten a LOT done with my yellow raglan sweater. It's beautiful. I'm halfway done with one sleeve!

I'm going to try and go sheepless in 2008. You can find out what I mean on ravelry. I'll post more about it later.

I just made the most rancid batch of cookies known to man shortly followed by a sweet chocolate chip batch. I'm very hard on my cookies. I'm taking them to work tomorrow. I am so much better at cupcakes than cookies.

I washed my sheets and I ironed my fitted sheet. It has changed my life. Also, I washed my down comforter. Not quite sure I was supposed to do that. In fact, I'm about 90% sure I wasn't supposed to do that.

Josie helped as much as she possibly could.

URGH.

2007-12-06T06:40:00.001-08:00

My parents called me last night to inform me I'll be house sitting for them until Wednesday so it's going to be VERY hectic around here. Starting today I have to juggle my time with my parents' house and my apartment, since I can't take Josie to their house (my sister is highly allergic to kittykins and she'll be coming for X-mas very soon!) and Misty can't come to mine (my neighbors tell on me.)

Luckily my new four work day schedule starts next week, so I'll be off Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The bad news is Monday is a 10 hour day (7:30 to 6). watch me squirm to juggle that one. Misty isn't that high maintenance, but I definitely can't just leave the house untouched and let her out twice a day. She's used to a little bit of company. My dad said that she's started to sleep in his closet every time she sees the suitcase come out. Aw, she doesn't want him to leave! The tough part is I can't just leave Josie in the apartment. She gets cabin fever during the winter and if I'm gone more than eight hours things get torn up. I am so screwed when it comes to my carpet in this apartment... I don't know what to do anymore. I was really hoping I'd enjoy my four days off. I won't be getting that many off for a while.

Anyway, it looks like another weekend I won't be able to take care of MY stuff, I'll be running around taking care of everyone else's. Maybe my brother will come down and he'll be able to stay with Misty. Probably not.

And of course me sitting half dressed reading blogs is definitely helping in my time crunch. It's this vain thing I've started doing I can't stop looking at myself because there are little tiny places I've lost weight in. Wee!

le sigh

2007-12-04T21:33:00.000-08:00

I don't know what's going on with me lately. It seems as though I'm not doing that great emotionally. I think it's the time of the year and I've been thinking about all the things that are going on and went on around the past year and it's kind of bringing me down. Last night, I couldn't finish my work out. I felt really dizzy and I threw up. I tried to go to work today and after an hour I was feeling like shit. Everyone said I looked super pale. I have been sleeping on the couch and watching TV. I think I was just really dehydrated. I guess we'll see.

So in other news, I was modeling for my bff J's photo shoot (pictures to come later) and I ended up with a nice bruise.

It actually resembles New Zealand! I think it is a prophecy that I should be in charge of New Zealand. Prime Minister or Headmaster or whatever they have out there...

Anyway, I found a delicious recipe for wontons! This is actually the first of my own recipes that I love and am absolutely addicted to.

The best part? They're baked instead of fried so they are totally within the ranges of my diet (ignore the fact I am inhaling cream cheese.)

My knitting needles are no longer on strike, I started a new sweater (I know.) but I'm already to the sleeves. I am getting super fast! Just call me "Lightening Needles Christine."

I'm going to bed now I may make it to pilates. Hopefully I'll be feeling okay.

The Needles Have Joined The Writers' Strike!

2007-12-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it? My knitting needles just got up an quit on me when I finished my mitt Thursday. They won't even work for me since.

I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm at like this roadblock of knitting. I decided what I want to do for my knitter project, but it might take too long. Ugh... We'll see. Maybe I'll just do a long throw not a full blanket. It has to be chocolate colored though.

Ugh. I haven't slept well the last couple days. Of course staying out late and rinking was not a good idea.

Also, computerized toothbrushes are freaky.

Project Runway 4: We Just Let The Freaks In

2007-11-28T21:06:00.000-08:00

Okay. I'll admit all I seem to watch these days is the E! Channel (Um, hello! Joel McHale is HOT!) and Bravo. So that's why a lot of my posts are inspired by that. Okay, but that detracts from the point. This season of Project Runway is just a walking freak show. I mean there are the obvious ones who get your goat like the crazy ass hippie chick and the little snotty asshole designer who is WAY too full of himself, but let me tell you what is really bothering me... THE HATS. COME ON! How come these people are so super fashionable, but all of their hats look like they've come off of go-go dancers, blind pimps, and/or Ashton Kutcher? I'm not even annoyed by the personalities anymore. I hope everyone wearing an awful hat gets voted off. (I haven't completely finished this weeks episode of PR, so I"m crossing my fingers this comes true.) Ricky, I want you off first.

In news that actually pertain to real life (or at least knitting life), look at the fabulous mitt I designed to go with my new hat:

I'm going to make the other one tomorrow, but I'm calling it the Snuffy Mitt. It's not snug, it's like wearing a sleeve with a hole in it... I'm going to wear the m to work because they're going to be SOOO comfy.

So, I mentioned last post that I've been kind of short on time but only because I haven't been skimping on working out. I wanted to give you guys a little healthy snack if you're in a crunch for time. Elizabeth suggests "open bag, eat pretzels". Here's my favorite snack that satisfies my sweet tooth but doesn't break my diet.

1. Cut up apple (I use Honeycrisp Apples, if you haven't tried one go out buy one and eat it immediately. I don't care if you don't like apples. These apples will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.)
2. Open light vanilla yogurt
3. Dip apple in yogurt
4. Eat.

If you're super lazy what you could do is put the yogurt in a bowl and just dip the apple and take bites out of it. Yes, I contemplated doing this.

Just try and beat this presentation, contestants of Top Chef!

I am off to enjoy a nice warm bed and late wake up time.

I sneeze in fifteens

2007-11-27T19:54:00.000-08:00

I might be getting sick. I know. Seriously.

Anyway, I was hoping to finish my new hat or at least have pictures and I do have one of the two. I don't have a completely finished hat. Finished involves sewing and considering I didn't even start eating dinner until 9, it's only 10 and my stars are not aligned in my favor because I have no needle small enough to sew. Here's what I have so far though:

The yarn is Malabrigo Merino Worsted. The colorway is Applewood. I bought it for my birthday (yaay!) and the pattern is from Son of a Stitch N Bitch, it's called the Half-Pipe Hat.

I should mention, my lack of posting is due to the fact I've been working out like the girl from Flashdance. It's ridiculous. I've hit the 35 minute mark with working out and someone at work is calling me skinny... which is ridiculous also, but motivating. I am EXHAUSTED!

Now I'd like to start a segment called "Why I am Never Getting Botox" and by segment I mean here's a paragraph as to why Botox is disgusting. I'm totally loving the show, "Real Housewives of OC" and there was a little scene where Tamra, the new, loud, obnoxious, blondest, hottest (and by hottest I mean fakest) housewife, gets Botox in her forehead. Before she gets her Botox splooged (it's the only verb i could think of that was nasty enough to describe Botox) into her face, she comments how people over forty have a distinct look-- oversized lips, fake tan, and "so much Botox your skin is shiny." What about too blonde, fake boobs, and no wrinkles regardless? And when is it EVER socially acceptable to grab your son's ass? Note to everyone reading this: just because Botox is readily available, doesn't mean you should use it. Unless you are getting your "woman" parts rejuvenated... that just becomes necessary at one point.

Oh.My.Yarn.Balls. Speaking of Botox, what is wrong with John Cusack's face!?

I have to go and try to understand what happened to the youthful boy we all fell in love with.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

2007-11-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I sure did. Our table was FILLED with food. We had TWO tables worth for six people.

Thanksgiving is no match for my father.

I had a cute cake this year from my family. My brother and father made it together...

Cake is no match for me!

I've been doing a little bit of knitting. From Friday to Saturday I was house-sitting and I would have been finished with a hat, but it was kind of small so I started a new one. I bought some malabrigo for myself for my birthday (Sarah Lou can be blamed for it.) the colorway is applewood, it's beautiful. I decided to make a halfpipe hat from Son of a Stitch N Bitch. I'm not very far:

The other knit I've been working on is a modified boobholder. I thought I was going to make it faster, but I've been really busy.

I'm pretty far on one sleeve:

On Thanksgiving I did finish one knit.

* JULIE FROM TEAM KNIT DON'T READ ON! *

I have been trying to get my shit together and finish the packages for my swaps (yeah it's a month late), and I finished ONE swap package of two.

Whoo! It's a red knit hat a la Zissou style. I'm really hungry so it's time to stop by Safeway and gather up food. Mmm...

Gobble! Gobble! Slaughter!

2007-11-21T21:49:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I've made it to 23 and not been dead. I know amazing. Thank so much for the kind words and birthday wishes. Makes me happy. I had a good birthday and the celebration is not over! IT IS NOT OVER.

I think I have an in with the CGSB (Cute Grocery Store Boy) and by in I mean he might not be gay. I KNOW! The other day I was picking up potatoes for my Irish Mashed Potatoes and we actually started chatting. CGSB asked me if I had big plans for Thanksgiving. I told him about my plans and my b-day being on Tuesday. I asked him if he had big plans and he said he didn't have any.
Well, last night (after my birthday dinner), I went to the grocery store (it is now physically impossible for me to stop eating) and he said happy birthday to me! I know! He asked me how old I am. I told him 23 (I can't believe I'm not dead!) and he said I thought I was younger. I didn't ask him how old he thought I was or how old he is for that matter. I think ti's cute though. We'll see.

This wave of exhaustion just hit me, so I'm going to go to bed and eat lots of food tomorrow and post more about what I'm working on. i am going to try and post pictres tomorrow as well. I haven't had good lighting lately.

OMG I'm not dead.

2007-11-20T14:57:00.000-08:00

+ 20.

Happy Birthday to Me!

The last title was supposed to be about Richard Simmon's arm PIT hair

2007-11-18T10:35:00.001-08:00

Okay. We have a lot to cover today so hang on.

First, thank you all so so much for the kind words about my Misty. I saw her yesterday and it just made everything so much harder. She has these eyes that are just so loyal. Words wouldn't put them to justice. . . sigh. I'm not going to make many updates about her condition, because some days she has good ones and some days she has bad. We're taking her to the vet tomorrow.

Speaking of things that need to go to their respective doctors. I might have pink eye. That's right. I woke up this morning and my eyes were encrusted with sleep. It sucked balls. I am really hoping I don't have pink eye for my birthday. It's not really a present.

Yesterday, I stumbled upon a show called Kid Nation. I heard about it before and I totally knew it was kids running a town, but I never sought it out. I really wanted it to be a reenactment of Lord of the Flies, but I kind of knew there were too many people and (unfortunately) TV wouldn't totally let that happen. Still, when I saw it I couldn't stop watching. I mean most of the kids are more mature than the men I've dated which isn't that big of a surprise. Oh, but the main reason why I cannot stop watching, is because I kind of hope that the producers will stop stepping in and the kids will find a cliff and wild boars and the next thing we know-- disaster. I mean, seriously, how dramatic can this show get? Yeah those kids are home sick, but do they have to show it ever episode? Kids have memories of ants, because they fight then they make up. They don't remember the fight they had five minutes ago. There are no drug-destroyed minds or destroyed relationships unveiling. I'm waiting for rabid animals to be released. I plead with you, producers of Kid Nation, one hungry tiger. Just one. I'm not even asking for it to be rabid.

In knitting news, I have to tell everyone. You must must check out my Wes Anderson Swap Group. You say you aren't a Wes fan, that's fine, but we have tons of other swaps. Here's a link. Oh and you can suggest a swap that you'd like to do.

I started another sweater this weekend, I know I have way too many on the needles right now (Okay I'm finishing up a sleeve, starting on the body of a hoodie and have three sleeves to do.), but I need a quick sweater. I'm almost to the sleeves. I have to continue. I have a hat I'm trying to work on but I left it at my parents. I must finish it to send it off though. Ugh.

I'll be dyeing today and tomorrow. My next theme is going to be GRAFFITI. I'm so excited, but all of a sudden I'm sleepy.

. . . I had more knitting news, but I can't remember it.

I think I might take my hand at sewing. I don't have to work until Wednesday. yaay vacation! Okay, I'm off to take a nap then it's time to get started with a shower than dyeing.

Richard Simmons doesn't have arm hair...

2007-11-17T07:01:00.000-08:00

So, this week has been just kind of blah. My stats at work are going so much better which makes me feel good. I've been trying to squeeze time in to work out, but I think once my lease is up, it will be time to get a roommate. Josie is just so unhappy alone all day. I guess we'll see once that happens. I've been trying to fit more time in for workouts, but she freaks out. I should try not to revolve my life around my cat.

I can't keep track of all the fruits and veggies I've been eating. I just sit and munch on whatever is delicious and right now it seems to be Honey Crisp apples, berries, carrots. I think I'll start drinking V8. Oh and I can't even kick this yogurt habit. My metabolism is high and I just shove things in my mouth when I'm not talking.

In honor of my birthday (and the massive amounts of vacation time I somehow have), I took Monday and Tuesday off. Whoo! I'll be dyeing and on Monday, I'll be treating myself to some yarn! I need some Malabrigo after seeing Sarah Lou's haul. I also have only been to ONE store up there for like ten minutes and I didn't have any money so I just stared in awe. The store was so much better than the ones down here.

I went out with my friends last night it was fantastic. I enjoyed myself SO much even though I broke my diet by three beers...

Okay, I'm going to post this I found on Sarah Lou's blog. (I've been surfing blogs all morning.)

38 THINGS ABOUT ME

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night? Always me, but everyone else as well.
2. What were you doing at 0800? Watching "The Soup"
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? I told you, watching the Soup!
4. What happened to you in 2006? many many things, but mostly I got really really dumped. It was funny.
5. What was the last thing you said out loud? Probably, "JOSEPHINE!"
6. How many beverages did you have today? just water.
7. What color is your hairbrush? Black I think.
8. What was the last thing you paid for? Beers.
9. Where were you last night? Home, work, sushi, home, bar, home.
10. What color is your front door? Cream
11. Where do you keep your change? on my floor right now, but a jar usually.
12. What’s the weather like today? It's early but looks sunny.
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor? Mmm, Creme Brule is my favorite right now.
14. What excites you? THANKSGIVING, MY BIRTHDAY, THINGS THAT ARE IN CAPS LOCK!
15. Do you want to cut your hair? My haris are good at the moment.
16. Are you over the age of 25? No
17. Do you talk a lot? yeah.
18. Do you watch the O.C.? No and never.
19. Do you know anyone named Steven? Not with a V only Phs.
20. Do you make up your own words? A lot.
21. Are you a jealous person? Definitely.
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter “A”. Amanda.
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter “S”. Sarah. (SARAH LOU STOLE MY worD)
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list? Ali
25. What does the last text message you received say? "Yeah I'm on a solo date."
26. Do you chew on your straw? As soon as I'm done iwth my drink yes.
27. Do you have curly hair? It's wavy.
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to? to my bed to watch Best Week Ever.
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life? Probably me.
30. What was the last thing you ate? Sushi last night.
31. Will you get married in the future? With my taste in men? HOpefully not.
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks? I saw Bella?
33. Is there anyone you like right now? CGSB
34. When was the last time you did the dishes? *COUGHCOUGH*
35. Are you currently depressed? no
36. Did you cry today? My eyes are watery
37. Why did you answer and post this? I don't know.
38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey: hattie, melissa, valerie, elizabeth, and julie from teamknit

Ellen is chump. I used to love her, now I'm quickly growing to hate her so bad.

Britney needs some serious PSAs to save her. I am so loving Best Week Ever.

-- christiney out.

The Canine Blues.

2007-11-13T20:51:00.000-08:00

I have been a dog lover my entire life. I don't remember what started the love. I don't remember when it started. I just know I love dogs.

One of my earliest memories is my dad explaining God to me. He used dogs. I've always understood everything in terms of dogs. They're so easy. They just understand. I wanted to show dogs up until I was 15. My first job was dogs. I melt when I see dogs. I am fluent in the language of dogs.

But you haven't met my dog.

Misty at the height of life

I was eight when my parents finally gave in. We looked for a year. We had to fill all these requirements. There was a dog that lived across the street though. She was a Norwegian elkhound, and my sister didn't seem to be allergic. We ended up buying the same breed from the same breeder. My sister and I fell in love with different puppies. I truly believe it's the only time I got my choice when it came down to me and Jemma.

She was always mine and I was always hers and I can't really explain our bond. She's never bit. She's never scratched. She just sits and gives her love. She has this feeling of ownership for eight year old girls; they remind her of me. I taught her tricks. She was always was eager to learn. She is the most well-behaved dog ever. The last time she was on a leash she was two. Every night we slept under the same roof, she was curled in the crutch of my legs. When I had a bad day, she was there. Even when I let her down. I don't see her as often as I used to, but she's always close by.

And now I'm 23 (on 11/20) and now she's 15. And my dad called me today to tell me she can't walk very well anymore and the day is coming soon. I just wanted to let everyone meet my dog before it's too late, because she is fantastic and I wish everyone had met her in person. She would have made each and every one of you a dog person.

I'll be back in a couple days.

Yes, I do have a case of the Mondays. Thanks for violating my HIPPA rights.

2007-11-12T07:46:00.000-08:00

In all honesty, I am not exactly sure what HIPPA rights are. All I know is you aren't supposed to discuss medical problems or something.

Oh man, it IS Monday. I snoozed through Pilates this morning thanks to my alarm not going off. In other yarn jar related news, I can't count how many apples I've eaten in the past week, but it's definitely between 7-8. Has anyone else tried Honey Crisp apples? They're freaking delicious! Plus last night I had fruit instead of fries. Whooo .50 for the jar. ANother thing, grilled cheese is NOT that tasty for breakfast.

What else has happened since Saturday? Oh, I learned that if I'm filling out a special order, I shouldn't do a tutorial at the same time. Yeah, my colors were way too dark for the special order. Thankfully, I'm still waiting on more alpaca anyway, so I wouldn't have completely completed the order, since I've bought all my supplier's alpaca or something. Hm... what else, what else? Doesn't supplier sound like I'm talking about a crack deal or something?

Balls. I would continue this post, but tonight I am super busy and I have to finish getting some stuff together before I go to work. Plus, I can't eat my apple and type-- it makes my keyboard sticky.

Much love.

* Alpaca Christine's Big Sister's Guide to Dyeing *

2007-11-10T14:53:00.000-08:00

*PICTURE HEAVY POST*

If you have spent more than ten minutes with me, I really value my personal time. If I'm at home, I want to do what I want to do and though dyeing is fun, it can take time away from the important things. You know, knitting and sleeping. Another thing that I value is space. Now, I have a little bit more room than most people in one bedrooms, but every dyeing tutorial I've seen the person somehow has enough space to have forty different cups and enough space for all the yarn through all its stages plus they have like eight arms to prevent spillage!

I have a small kitchen. I don't have much room for laying out yarn or much time to kettle dye those damn things. Plus, I was born with two arms. Just two! I know, I was totally jipped. So, you don't have much space? You are in a rush for time? You haven't cracked the acid dye secrets? This is your big sister's guide to dyeing.

Now I'll show you two ways of dyeing. The first will be if you want to dye all one color. The second will be if you want a super awesome color way.

Things you need:
1) Oilcloth tablecloth (This is to prevent staining your table.)
2) Plastic cups (for the dye)
3) Gloves (I used to use rubber gloves, but they're difficult to do things with. I use silicone now.)
4) Yarn of animal fiber (i.e. alpaca, wool)*
5) Acid dyes*

* In the pictures, I'm using Catnipyarns.com's Prime Alpaca and/or Knit Pick's Bulky Naturals. As for dyes, I'm using Jacquard acid dyes.

Directions:

1. Cover your dyeing surface (I'm using my table) with the tablecloth. If this is your first time dyeing, I'd suggest putting something on your carpet to protect it as well.

2. Soak the yarn you will dye for at least thirty minutes, throw a little dishwasher soap in there as well. Tip: before I started dyeing large lots, I purchased 1 liter Gladware containers. I soaked the yarn in the containers. When I dye many skeins, I soak the skeins in my bathtub.

3. Lay a piece of plastic wrap down. I've found the oilcloth usually sticks pretty well to the plastic wrap, but otherwise you can just tape the edges down so they don't slide.

4. Now it's time to get your dye ready. I like to use cups with lines in them. To the line I'm pointing at, it's a little more than a cup. For a really rich color, I put about 1/4 teaspoon of dye for every cup. Sometimes I think it's a little too dark, so I just mix more water in it.

Tip: Chopsticks from take-out are great for mixing.

5. Squeeze as much of the water out of the skeins as you can. The more the better. Lay the skein out flat, spread it out a little. (I usually spread mine out more, but in the pictures you will see, I was dyeing two at once.)

6. Pour the dye out on the skein and press the dye into the yarn for maximum absorption.

7. Check for white spots unless you want them, then, check for them anyway.

8. Roll the yarn lengthwise. Be careful, if there's a lot of liquid left over, it may start to leak.

9. Place the skein so the plastic snake thing doesn't touch itself.
10. Put the skein in the microwave. Nuke it for 8 minutes.
11. Let the yarn cool. I put it on my porch. If you don't have a porch, just dump them out in the bathroom, make sure you take off the plastic.
12. Once the yarn is cool, rinse it with the same temperature water as the yarn is to prevent felting. Rinse until the water runs clear.
13. If it's a nice summer day and you have a porch, leave it out to dry-- just make sure it isn't directly in the sun. If you don't have a porch or if it's freezing, you can turn your bathroom (or a small room in your house with a door) into a "Quick Dry Room."

How to set up your Quick Dry Room:
1. Hang the yarn from a pole (I use my shower curtain rod).
2. Put a heater that will turn off if knocked over in the room. Turn it on medium heat.
3. Close the door and don't go in there too much. The heat helps it dry much faster. If you leave the house, I'd suggest turning off the heater.

And that is round 1 of how to dye skeins of yarn. I'll post the other way I dye a little later.

It might be over.

2007-11-09T06:55:00.000-08:00

Okay first-- a picture of me not looking like a crack addict:

Aren't I cute all squinty? I look super Asian.

Well, it might be over otherwise. I mean, this shows my clear talent and ability. It makes no sense to continue with living a lie. Seriously. Oh, you might not know what I mean. Red hats of course!

As you can see from my blog, its name is The Red Hat Blues. I came up with the Red Hat Blues when it came evident that I could not manage to knit a red hat. I could knit hats in other colors (and I have!), but I always have to start over at least once when I knit a hat that's red. I started singing the red hat blues, because the only reason I wanted to knit was to make a red hat a la Zissou style to please my boyfriend at the time. I had no such luck. Since that lovely year, many things have changed:
1) Shit Bag and I are no longer together. (And you wonder why I'm never friends with my exes!)
2) I have attempted over twelve red hats.
3) I have produced three red hats, two of which are wearable.
4) I have produced 0 hats Zissou style, but have produced many other knit items almost equally as satisfying!

Now, this latest hat that I've produced shows my red hat blues may be over, but we will see. (I should note that my blog is due for a move regardless. Hattie and I are trying to get the Tako site fully functional. Though I'm not trying very hard ;D.)

oh. P.S. I received my Wes Anderson package. I got this fantastic scarf that I can't stop wearing!

Oh, and I got awesome buttons I put all on the scarf!

2007-11-07T20:46:00.000-08:00

Okay so I took some quick pictures since I don't have good lighting or anything, but I managed to actually have a finished object even through all this ball licking junk that's going on around here:

Introducing Only Sweet On The Surface Beanie. I have a pattern that is currently being test knit and it will be posted, my first pattern for tako! Yaay! I totally look like a crack addict in the picture (move over Mary Kate!) but I'll be taking better pictures later.

Anyway, insurance is still insurance.

In diet news, I lost four pounds then over Halloween, I gained them back. Apparently eating everything I want as well as drinking any and all beer in sight does NOT help the diet. I repeat, do not drink tons of beer and eat whatever you want when you are ON a diet. This is seriously breaking news, people. Oh and you aren't supposed to eat ice cream. Anyway, my diet news coincides with my knitting news today. I've been on a yarn diet since August, and now I feel it's okay for me to loosen the girdle a spidge to allow more yarn into my stash. What does this have to do with my diet you ask? Well, I've decided that I will reward myself with yarn when I diet correctly.

So this is what I have so far:
$5 for every pound I lose (and that's "new" pounds so if I gain some and lose some those don't count.)
$2 for every time I avoid Chik-fil-A
$1 for every time I avoid fast food
.50 for every fruit serving
.50 for every vegetable serving
.25 for every time I avoid candy at work (and trust me I will keep track)

That's all I have so far. I'm not going to reward myself for the exercise just yet. Maybe I'll just use the gym money I get back for going 3+ times a week towards a nice big yarn haul. Anyway, I'll let you guys know how I'm doing as I go. I'll have a little "Yarn Money Tracker" on my blog for all of us to follow along.

Oh man, I have got to sleep. i really don't have much else to talk about anyway.

I want cookies

2007-11-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

For whatever reason I feel it is insanely necessary for me to have cookies at this instance.

I should also mention all the skeins that didn't sell at the art show are now available in my etsy shop. Except I kept one colorway... Smooth N Meltys. It was either that or go out and buy Smooth N Meltys and they're surprisingly hard to find. Another thing about my shop is once I sell through most of these skeins I'm raising the prices. Everyone has been commenting that I'm giving these yarns away and at the moment, my bank account is agreeing.

Ugh, I have such a case of the blahs today. I don't feel like going to work. I don't feel like sitting at home. All I really want to do is eat Chik-Fil-A and sleep. Wait... I don't see how this varies from any other day.

I think it's official. I watch The Sarah Silverman Program way too much. I woke up this morning singing about poop. This obsession is almost as bad as my Flight of the Conchords songs obsession.

Oh, I did join match.com and chemistry.com for a record 24 hours. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you'll remember I did the match.com for about a month in January. It was fun at first, but then weird people kept messaging me and I realized that though I felt like I was desperate, I wasn't desperate, I was just lonely. Besides, there are truly riveting moments in the deep five minute conversations me and CGSG have. They would be six minutes, but sometimes cute men cannot stand between me and food and expect attention. Cute guys come and go, but avocado sandwiches are always there when I need their soft green goodness. Also, when I'm hungry! Oh, but I quit match.com and chemistry.com, in case that wasn't clear. Because I need to take a breather from dating for a while. Also again, I saw and advertisement for "Love In The Time Of Cholera" and I just thought that was a sign to not date. I mean seriously, people are dying and you are making love to Benjamin Brat... this isn't Law and Order! CHOLERA IS CONTAGIOUS... I think. Doesn't it run in the water? I should consult the wiki. Oh, Norwegian elkhounds...

One of my hands is exceptionally cold compared to the other. Thus concludes the pertinent information about Christine section.

Anyway, I have eight minutes to get off my butt and go to work. Plus, I smell a new pattern to write up soon... Or maybe that's the rubber burning.

Inside A Gerbil Brain

2007-11-04T18:11:00.000-08:00

My short term memory is equal to Ten Second Tom. Let me explain. I live across the street from Safeway and I go there often. Like four times a week often. That is where CGSG works. That is where I drool over him and plan our next conversation. Usually it doesn't work... what were we talking about? Oh yeah, my ten second Tom memory. It seems like part of the reason why I'm always at Safeway is because I've forgotten something. For example, I am completely out of trash bags despite my purchasing 40 bags a little bit ago. I told myself I needed to get them. I have to get them since I'm just throwing stuff in plastic bags and throwing them in the garbage chute. It's not as gross as it sounds; the trash is being taken out in smaller quantities and I'm recycling-- and it's not because of Al Gore either! The other thing I've been forgetting is cat food. Josie has plenty of dry cat food, but since I have been so involved with the art show, I haven't been around for her, so I bribe her with wet cat food, because I'm a good cat mom like that. On the bright side, I've developed a love for turkey sausage. Mm, turkey sausage.

Tonight, my dinner consisted of turkey sausage and guava yogurt. Mmm, high in calcium and poultry. Dinners like this remind me I'm single. Or maybe I'm trying to bait my next boyfriend. Did I mention my taste in men usually results in someone who's only steady relationship is with Mary Jane? Yeah... CGSG probably dances with Mary Jane knowing my taste.

I want to introduce a new section to my blog. It's a little piece of each blog where I tell my opinion on current events/things I see on E!

First, I think everyone should know that Al Gore is a real d-bag. The only thing he's really done is created yet another reason for people to be a-holes. Seriously! Why does he get a Nobel Prize just because he showed that climate changes? That's like Hugh Hefner getting a Nobel Prize for speaking against FGM (this is a little extreme). Here's my beef. I've been learning about global warming since I was little. I thought one of the three R's was Recycling. Now we have a bunch of idiots thinking they are totally helping the environment by driving around their damn hybrid and shopping at Whole Foods thinking there's science to back up everything they're doing.

Has anyone else seen Keeping Up With The Kardashians? Bruce Jenner looks like he's had a face lift... similar to Al Gore. Or maybe the opposite. Is Al Gore still floppy? Is he still running around South Park talking about ManBearPig? Maybe I have been eating too much guava yogurt. Also, jazz dancing sounds lame.

Why are pirates romanticized? They abused women and they smelled bad. Plus, scurvy anyone?

In knitting news:

Look how nice... ooh... yeah. I frogged the collar. All I have is a finished sleeve. Yeah, I'm tired.

Damn carpet.

2007-11-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm so screwed. I was cleaning up a bunch of crap around my apartment and I found this huge yellow mark on the carpet. It's definitely yarn dye. It's big. I'm screwed.

In other news, this was what my entire stock of yarn looks like before I got it all organized.

It feels like I haven't had a weekend even though I called in on Friday. Since Thursday my life has revolved around getting everything ready for the Nocturnal Mockery Art Show. It wasn't exactly a craft show, but I still was surprised I broke even and I gave out some of my brand new business cards! Hopefully some people will make a connection and shoot me an e-mail.

I'm really excited about all the yarn I dyed. I need to start documenting everything though. It's not really the dyeing part that I need to document, it's when I make special colors like in "Smooth N Meltys" that I don't know if I could recreate. Also, I need to work on my black techniques. Those are limited edition colors anyway, because they were inspired by a holiday rather than my own personal life.

Speaking of things I need to do. I still have no idea what I'm doing for my swaps. Yeah... the packages were due yesterday. SO far I have some yarn and that's about it. My life has just been such a drab mess lately. I hope things start falling into place. For some reason, I just don't feel like working anymore. It may be my laziness finally kicking in.

In boy news, I actually talked to CGSG (Cute Grocery Store Guy). He's been checking me out (and I don't mean that romantically) for two years now... Yeah this is a big step. We talked about why people punched me in the stomach in Halloween. No one loves Britney's baby.

I also discovered a word that I will use when everything goes wrong-- "VAGAPOCOLYPSE." If you don't watch The Soup, you don't know what that means.

Lastly, I hope to get more knitting news soon unless I have to prepare for the Colorado College Annual Christmas Craft Show. Then I'll be scrambling like an octopus until December! Anyway, much love! I am absolutely exhausted from this weekend!

Is This Your Yarngasm Face?

2007-11-02T22:52:00.000-07:00

You're about to make it. I know you are. You know how I know? Because I'm about to post some pictures that are going to blow your freaking mind! The theme: Halloween. Result: Seven new deliciously sugary colors. SEVEN. Now, why this sudden splurge of coloring?

I'm packing up my yarn and going to the "Nocturnal Mockery Show" where the Colorado Springs Mafia has a table set up.

But before I head out, meet my new colors (if you only see four, it means I haven't updated the rest of the colors.)

Smooth N Meltys

Junior Mint

Smarties

Sweet Tarts

I'm tired and have to finish skeining the three colors... This might qualify as a drive-by, but I'll have more after the weekend and let everyone know how it all went!

I can Halloween, can you?

2007-11-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

Before scrolling down and checking out these pictures I need to warn you...

I am pregnant (wait for it) (wait for it) Britney Spears.

Sarah as Leela, Amanda as Bride of Frankenstein, this weird Asian pregnant Britney Spears, Casey as Jerry SIZZLER!, Jason (coughcough) as a biker.

I don't care what they say about Britney...

All she does is care for her children. She drinks plenty of beer to keep her children nourished with beer. She doesn't let just anyone take care of it.

do you like my pose in the photos? I worked on it the best I could. I'm drinking me some Fat Tire and I had a good night's sleep. Now I have to work off my Halloweenie weekend and make up for the total lack of knitting I've been doing. I have some Junior Mints with my name on them...

Needs...

2007-10-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

Everyone has needs. Whether it's hunger (my current one), sleep, or crack. Everyone has a need and sometimes they're insatiable. There are two kinds of needs as well basic and ... let's just call them unique needs.

One of my unique needs-- YARN. I bought some last week from WEBS and am waiting for that shipment, but I haven't had a splurge since August. I did buy a different kind of yarn haul.

Eight skeins of glorious Day of the Dead inspired yarn. Some of it will be part of my swap, the other part will be sold on Tako. It turned out fabulous.

on Saturday, I went to a Halloween party. It revealed two needs. 1) On Wed, I have to go as pregnant Britney Spears. I have the perfect belly (shirt in a pair of pantie hose, piece of fabric wrapped around with safety pins), outfit (pink sweatsuit) and accessories (Cheetos.) I'm going to look freaking hot. The thing that sucks is the second need. It sucks that I go to parties and everyone is coupled up. I don't really want a boyfriend. They're work and sometimes they smell bad and you should see my luck with picking men. IT just blows that I don't have someone to go to parties with so I don't feel like such a 9th or 11th or 15th wheel. Is it so hard to find a guy friend that will hang around with me and not try much? Eyeroll.

Anyway, I'm still happy that I got my dye on and I'll be listing them tonight. I totally have been procrastinating getting ready for work.

Good morning, Baltimore

2007-10-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

I am a music fiend. I love everything there has to do with music. I love instruments, writing music, lyrics, but mostly I love live shows. I love love LOVE live shows. I went to Rilo Kiley last month and they are my favorite band (Springsteen is in another category, but he wins overall who I love the most.) Last night I went to nathan & stephen, which is my favorite band from Denver. They rocked the fucking house. Oh man. They were followed by two bands that I just didn't get. I mean, I am totally one of those people who appreciates music for what it is, but I don't understand the appeal of one clashing sound being held for ten minutes long. I got two FUCKING AWESOME shirts last night though. FIVE DOLLA EACH!

Speaking of my love for music:

Meet cubbyPod. Yes, I conformed and am now an owner of an MP3 player and an iPod at that. She's beautiful though. I think Apple is psychic because I got her Friday morning. I was getting ready and I had exactly twenty minutes before I had to leave for work and I had just turned off my hair dryer when I heard the doorbell. It was FedEx! They totally had my iPod and I was able to sync my iPod in exactly twenty minutes. TWENTY MINUTES! Exactly twenty minutes!

This morning I started boogieing while listening to my cubbyPod and the next thing I knew I was cleaning! It's much better than ti was, though it needs a good finishing going over with a vaccuum and a little more organization to mandate it "clean," but either way, it's a significant improvement.

I'm returning to the land of sleeves now...

I never said there'd be no drive-by blogging

2007-10-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

I know. I know. I promised better posts with more content. But I more or less wanted to just cut down on the drive-by blogs.

But right now I just wanted to let everyone know I'm okay. Much has happened. Much there is to post about. Apple might be psychic-- details at 11.

P.S. I am working on my sleeves.

One day

2007-10-23T20:06:00.000-07:00

This Monopoly game piece from McDonalds symbolizes hope. (Note I only need one piece to win $25,000.)

Maybe one day I won't live in a messy shit hole.

Yes, this is really my apartment. Yes, I find it disgusting. No, I haven't had much time to clean it.

Maybe one day I won't eat anymore toxic waste and/or Brie cheese for dinner.

Maybe one day my furry four-legged child won't barf everyday and pretend like she's perfectly well-behaved for pictures.

I wasn't even about to take a picture of cat barf.

Maybe one day I'll be able to afford a camera that can take detailed pictures.

Maybe one day my sleeves will suddenly appear on all my sweaters.

I'm so tired. I am working on a sleeve for the red & grey sweater right now... Tomorrow I have to have to start cleaning my trashed apartment.

Oh that silly little Jack Frost...

2007-10-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

YOu know how I showed you that five o' clock shadow Mr. Pikes Peak grew? Well Colorado weather just had his own way with the city of Colorado Springs...

This is what I woke up to at about 8am. It stuck for quite a while.

See that Budget truck? Those are my new dill hole neighbors who moved in and took my garage spot and now I'm parked under the place that has leaks. They also broke the elevator in my apartment. I went to the office and I get to be an a-hole if they park in my garage spot again.

When I left church this morning I had quite a bit of snow on my car!

I also got a couple more inches on my next sweater.

Just before I frogged it... :) I'm actually to the point I stopped earlier. This one I am calling "WUTSSC." Of course I'm not going to tell you the anagram now! It would give away the ending...

Last but not least, I wound up some skeins I'd been putting off. I'm waiting for a response before I post them for sale. Look how pretty this alpaca is. You are very tempted by it...

Well, I have to get my ass kicked by Pilates in the morning. Bed time!

I didn't break an ab.

2007-10-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

-- first shop announcement. I am temporarily using this etsy shop to sell my yarn. It's taking up a lot of room right now and i want it out out out!

Good news everyone, I did not break an ab after all! For a while I thought I broke something in my stomach region since I couldn't get out of bed without dying. My body feels better now that the Pilates have stopped. (Pilates will resume Monday.) Bad news... I didn't work out today, but tomorrow I will FORCE myself to go instead of nap on the couch for endless hours.

Despite my not going to the gym today, it was over all productive. I am about two inches away from finishing the body of my SMC (which isn't that productive, but I'm about to go pick it up.) and I cleaned up one of the three piles of cat vomit. The other two were presents when I get home.

Josephine: I'm innocent! See my smile?

I spent a much needed day with Laurizzle. We haven't hung out for more than a couple hours since August, when I quit PROCOM. Before then, we saw each other almost every day for about a year. Since I worked out my budget last night (pat me on the back) I allowed myself a day out (on a conservative budget.)

We ate sushi at my favorite place, Mobo Sushi. My sushi man made up this one for me. I call this creation, "Killer Beach Party."

Poor sushis... they never had a chance...

We saw Hairspray, which I loved! OMG, it's so cute. I love musicals and I just love the message in this one-- let the person on the inside determine who you are rather than what people see on the outside.

We went to Knitter's Kove. I bought a skein of Berroco's Ultra Alpaca. It's to knit a swatch for the sweater after SMC.

Also, I got Crazy Aunt Purl's book! I'm sure you all have seen the cover, but I want to show you guys anyway.

Notice the ball winder, four hundred kinds of make up and the chair. Well, I am so happy I got some time with Laurizzle and now it's time for some much needed quality time with CAP's book and Feeney (My new nickname for Josephine.)

Ooooh, my lovely lovelies...

2007-10-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize how bad it had gotten. I really really hadn't. It was brought to my attention that my blog has been severely lacking in all departments. Lack of pictures, lack of content, lack of knitting! Now the last two weeks, I've been working on getting longer more interesting posts, but it has been going on for a lot longer than two weeks. For months even! So this is the beginning of a make over. I'm going to start blogging humorously and often and make it worth your reading.

So here is for my new beginning:

On Wednesday, I woke up super early and I went to the gym for Pilates. I'll admit I wasn't sure what Pilates was before that morning. It had something to do with Yoga but it was completely different than Yoga. So my co-worker and I went to the gym and tried it out. (She had been to Pilates before). I am pretty sure Pilates was only invented to kick your own ass. I coughed today and thought I got punched in the stomach-- my abs hurt that much. It was a good hurt, the same hurt your fist may feel after punching Martha Stewart in the face. I need a minute to relish in how that would actually feel. Two days later, my abs are still feeling as though they've been mauled by Jesus. I weighed myself and I was absent three pounds. I'm not going to be a compulsive weigher, don't worry. I also haven't worked out since Wed, so tomorrow I'll have to get back in the grind.

On Thursday, I woke up to something fantastic:

No, the mountain doesn't have a five o'clock shadow. First hint of snow! Another great thing I've woken up to the past couple days... bad hair. So I pulled it back for the first time in months. I took a picture to show.
Whoo, I look super awesome, huh?

We also have a new addition to the Red Hat family!!

This is Andre! Isn't he adorable? He's a little Betta fish I purchased for work. I love him, he's spectacular.

I know this will sound like a total cop out, but my knitting right now is sporadic and I am designing a sweater and don't want to take tons of pictures until it's done. So here are some tempting progress pictures of my sweater. I'm in the home run stretch of the knit. Four inches left!

Time to get jamming. And by jamming I mean pa-jammaing.

Frustrated as yesterday, but better than last night!

2007-10-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

~~WE CAN'T GET MY NEW SITE TO WORK. URGH! I'll have the yarn up by tomorrow... if all goes wrong I'll put it on my etsy... grumblegrumble~~

-- Note to self: first, get site ready THEN post delicious pictures.

You can buy my yarn at takoyarn.com. (Sake skeinlets are $8.00; Wasabi skeinlets are $8.50. Gauges etc. are listed on ravelry but will be on the site soon.)

In other news:
manateeorama (8:46:32 PM): I'm totally obsessed with a guy who works at safeway
manateeorama (9:17:43 PM): he's super dreamy
ChizzlesGirl (9:27:51 PM): he is mc leaveme
ChizzlesGirl (9:27:59 PM): Dr MCleaveme
manateeorama (9:37:10 PM): probably

Gotta love when someone is probably right :).

Frustrated...

2007-10-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

** BEFORE I GET STARTED... have you made it to Elizabeth's blog? She needs help with her Senior Thesis and is calling ALL knitters! (It's the 10/12 post) **

As some of you know I'm in two swaps right now. A Day of the Dead and Wes Anderson. I'm so damn frustrated because it seems all my creative juices are just stopped up. I don't know what's going on. At first I was going to make little bees for the WA swap (you know, the beekeeping society) and I made one but I'm not feeling making another one for whatever reason. And then the Day of the Dead swap... holy bajolies. I can't even discuss that on the blog. At least I've waited until two weeks before I have to send out my packages! [end sarcasm]

That Pixies song, Where Is My Mind?, is on replay in my head. You know where my mind is? Insurance. And personal issues. Is it possible to be mad at someone for being mad at you? Because that's just rude! That's trumping someone's emotions. It's just a pain in the ass when you are trying to play it safe and everything comes crashing down anyway. It's not all bad. Everything will be okay soon. Just things were all shaken up and everything is settling. And by settling, everything is returning to its previous condition. I found that I should start taking life lessons from Elliott on Scrubs because she makes the same decisions I do. Aside from the doctor thing. But I'm definitely probably a commitment-phobe. See? I can't even commit to the fact I am a commitment-phobe. (I'm still definitely probably one.)

In good news, I worked out last night! It was my first time using the gym and it was great. I'm thinking maybe a 15 minute work out every day (M-F) to start then start doing 30 minutes three times a week. That will get me in a groove then I can work on the whole endurance thing. My goal is 20 real pounds. And by real pounds I mean, I can't deduct the weight of my purse when it's not on the scale. I'll be brave and post my weight as I go. This is really the only place I log things.

Current weight: 155. Goal weight (January): 135. Ideal weight (May): 120*.

The bad news is I woke up at 6 this morning and haven't really gone back to sleep. I really blame it on the increased heart rate I have. Also bad news (AND THIS IS BIG): I am giving up beer and cookies. Yeah... I can't continue to live this lie that I can continue to gorge myself on both items and stop myself when I want to. I really can't. I love cookies way too much. As far as beer, mmmmm... it's much too tasty to stop. Maybe once a week or so, but for now I think this tap must be dried. Maybe my giving up beer is why my creativity has stopped... hmm... details to follow.

*I'm 5' minus 10lbs for the massive boobs I have, I'm thinking I should weigh around 110. If I look anorexic, I'll eat more.

yarn porn

2007-10-13T14:23:00.001-07:00

"Monster Under the Bed"

Check back in the next 24 72 hours for the link to my shop update. Here are some delicious pictures to hold you over until I have the link ready.

Technical problems have stalled the update :).

Inspired by Marie Antoinette: Propriety

Inspired by Marie Antoinette: Seduction

Inspired by Harry Potter: Lockhart

inspired by Zoolander: Merman

Sally Field Wears a Wig

2007-10-10T18:59:00.001-07:00

I'm watching Vh1's I Love the 80's: 3D and they showed a clip of Sally Field in Steel Magnolias. She has a really creepy hairline. I didn't really notice that before.

Anywho, onto the good stuff. Can you guess what I'm knitting for the Wes Anderson Swap on ravelry? (Sorry for the blurriness)

If you go to my flickr, you might see a hint ;).

I was poking around blogs today and I discovered this absolute gem on a post by Julie over at Team Knit. Uhh can I hear Christine's next big project?

So I'm totally trying to manage all the knitting I have, but with a couple deadlines it's been kind of funky. I am going to have yarn as well as a new mitten pattern to post up.

One Top Chef sidebar: The fact they cut Tre and not Brian on Restaurant Wars Part II, still makes me mad. I'm glad that the reunion showed how much each chef used the same techniques.

I burned my finger on my straightening iron this morning. I'm so mad!

Okay, it's time to go back to knitting and continue watching Top Chef Reunion ;D.

Your demands met

2007-10-07T17:50:00.000-07:00

I see how it is my faithful readers. I must give everyone the whole she-bang in order for comments and attention. I completely understand though, I have been seriously slacking. So. Here is a nice long post with some pictures (not lots, because i don't have that much going on.)

First my open letter was regarding this:

Yeah, that's totally from eating shit on the stairs at Champps. The stairs were SO slippery! I just realized how cold my hands are. Thanks to GossamerFlame over on ravelry, she sent me yummy pictures of all sorts of mitts and I knew I have to make some. I'm trying really hard to think of some fantastic cabled patterns especially since the article in the latest Interweave Knits. I'm thinking Alpaca Silk, simple cables, and long "stems" as I call them. Leaf inspired, yes...

Speaking of designs:

Look how much the SMC has grown! Doesn't she look beautiful? I need some test knitters to volunteer to try my pattern. A couple things: 1. You will get detailed pictures. 2. You'll have to do a better job than me following the cable chart (and it isn't hard just looks complicated). I'm not going to sell it, but I will definitely want to compensate you somehow.

Also, as far as my yarn goes, I'm planning on listing it very soon. I couldn't stop sleeping today but as soon as I get outside I'll get pictures.

Right now, I'm starving and I have GOT to go grocery shopping. Plus, I've been trying to update my Bloggerinos list, but I'm not entirely through. If you read the blog but don't see your name on the list, leave me a comment so I can add you.

You love my open letters...

2007-10-05T18:54:00.001-07:00

Dear Champps Sports Bar,
I don't mind that you have dumbasses for waitresses or that your guacamole tasted like a used band-aid (not even a new one.) I don't really mind that the sports are a little too loud (I mean it IS a sports bar) or that I am not entitled to as many waffle fries as I could possibly eat. If I really wanted a place that had good service or guacamole that didn't taste like trash, I could go somewhere else. If I don't want sports, I could have gone to Fridays. If I want as many waffle fries as I could possibly eat, I'd stay home and eat and eat and eat. I'm not going to use this blog to complain about these things. I am going to complain about your stairs.

I'm not entirely sure what the point of making stairs a slip and slide is. Maybe it's because I'm not an architect or I don't understand modern physics, but I do understand a little thing called falling down and I even demonstrated it for the entire restaurant in case no one was aware. I've seen posters about using hand rails and I have even taken my chances by not using them, but when I use the hand rails and my ass meets the concrete at an increased speed, the lesson's moral seems to be off. And considering I have a bruise forming, a nasty gash on my arm and I have trouble sitting down, I think it's safe to say I didn't eat shit on purpose.

I just wanted to let you know why I won't be returning for your waffle fries.

Love,
The Girl Who Ate Shit on the Stairs In Front of Everyone

P.S. I also know something called "liability" and if I had the money for a lawyer I'd totally sue!

oiadf.

2007-10-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

I promised everyone a nice long update so here goes! I should note that I don't really have any pictures for this post because I haven't taken many pictures lately.

So lately it's been kind of stressful around the house. Cats are getting yelled at, needles are getting thrown, and mostly Christine has been pouting and been a bitch. It's a funny thing that happens when a man's affections are turned away.

Anyway, I've been attempting to knit more often, but it's just getting too fucking hard! It makes me mad because there were times when I worked at PROCOM, I couldn't put my needles down but right now it seems as though all creativity has stopped and the only thing I want to do is eat cookie dough, lay on the couch, and cry at sad puppies and things. I may be a pre-menstrual now that I think about it...

Either way, I think a lot of this stress comes from two things:
1) I just got on the phones at my new job. It's super exciting, but it's kind of scary because I am so new at this I don't really know what to do. I'm crossing my fingers that I can get everything down or at least better than how it's going. I'm going to wake up in a cold sweat for the next week until I am certified.

2) I am attempting to knit a sock as an example of my yarn that will be for sale in a couple weeks or so. The needles are like toothpicks rubbing together... I don't understand how things can be knit so small and the idea of someone knitting a sweater on size 1 needles infuriates and exhausts me.

The SMC is coming along, but I don't have much done. I am actually going to go work on it now...

I should also mention that I am in LOVE with being a brunette. I don't care what they say about being blonde, brunette is the best color ever. We get to be sexy, sassy AND snarky with no hitches. I love love love being a brunette!

Slightly as promised...

2007-10-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

I will have a serious post soon. A post that is long and boring and has nothing but knitting knitting knitting.

Until then:

1.

2.

3.

Updates

2007-10-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

I totally have to leave for work in nine minutes and haven't decided what to wear. OKay, I just did. Anyway, this post will be accompanied by pictures, but not until later, I commandeered my mother's digital camera to take pictures of very important updates! Here is what you will be expecting:

1. A saucy brunette.
2. Alpaca fishnets.
3. Gratuitous orange/vanilla cupcakes with mint icing.

You have been drive-by blogged.

I MADE CUPCAKES!

2007-09-27T22:09:00.000-07:00

I'd show you pictures, but they are so fucking funny I can't even describe them. I spent all this money on a nice icing thing and I ended up icing all the cupcakes at once out of sheer laziness.

I should note that I am not by any means a clean person. I cannot be neat for the life of me when cooking. I have icing in my hair and in every nook and cranny of the kitchen. Maybe it's the three cupcakes I ate, or the sinus infection drugs I'm on, but I cannot stop laughing. It doesn't help that while filling the icing thing I accidentally spilled a bunch on Josie's bowl of food and she ate a bunch and now she can't stop running around.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.... I'm cupcake drunk.

Touche, Cold, Touche.

2007-09-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

Interesting story, I woke up this morning and voila my ever so awesome throat hurt again. I checked out my throat (I had the night before as well) and noticed nothing seems to be changing on the left side. Also, today was my last day of antibiotics. Great. So I made an appointment for tomorrow morning. I really hope I'm not dying. One of my lymph nodes or whatever they're called feels really swollen. It doesn't hurt anymore.

November 3rd is J's roller derby brawl. Trinnie (part of the C/S Craft Mafia) has a booth at most brawls, so I'm probably going to go if I can finish some leg warmers to sell.

Saturday is Boy and I are going to a friend's birthday party. I'm supposed to bring beer and chili, so I'm stealing my dad's recipe for chili and buying 12 Blue Moons. Mmm... Hopefully I'll be well by then.

Tomorrow: First batch of cupcakes.

Cupcake Club!

2007-09-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

If I start working out, can I start making gourmet cupcakes? I seriously want to start making a batch a week. I think I will start saving up and buy nice supplies for cupcake making week by week. WHen I start making them, I can give them to my co-workers, I just want to make beautiful things to eat that don't come out of a box...

My secret to delicious meals: pasta roni.

On a high since I finished the hat in one day, I picked up the SMC. If you don't remember her, she resembled this in planning stages:

Well, she didn't end up looking so well through no fault of her own, so I decided to tweak the design and start again. This time with a better front. (The back was perfecto! The front... not so much.)

More details as she knits up. I am truly truly excited about this design...

I'm back!

2007-09-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

Sickness only fuels my creativity. I spend the day working on a design and a few hours later I had a complete hat. Ignore my paleness.

Design: unnamed at the moment
Size: fits my head (about 23")
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Suri Merino

Seriously took me less than eight hours (maybe six?) to knit up. A simple eyelet stitch gives this hat a lovely texture. My only complaint is it's a little long, but that's my doing because I can never tell when to start decreasing.

This is my brain on drugs. Perscription drugs.

2007-09-22T18:46:00.000-07:00

Antibiotics 1; Christine 0

It's a really good thing I looked up the side effects to these drugs on the internet at work. Now I know that my constant bathroom use and inability to move off the couch the entire day can be attributed to the fact my body has given itself to the mercy of the antibiotics.

Note to self: When the cute intern asks you if you are sure you're not pregnant, don't stop and think about it twice. Especially when you are 100% sure you are not.

My mind is wonky right now. I've been trying to design a new hat, but I totally have this desire to work on my Interlocking Balloons. Little retard me, I finished my IB yesterday! I'm so proud of myself. I really really love the pattern though. I have some deep ruby red Suri Merino so I'm debating on starting another one...

My clothing designs at a complete halt! (I hope I spelled that right.) I was going swimmingly on my third design, but then got distracted by cables. CABLES!

That's right, I've been bitten by cable fever. I finally hunkered down and read the latest article in IK Fall 07 about them. I am now obsessed! I'm thinking about frogging the SMC I was almost finished with (but was not because I had to frog anyway) and starting it again. Then this yellow hoodie I wanted to design may be put on the front burner again...

I definitely definitely need to start getting some good sweaters for winter. The office will be freezing and I am SO excited!

I've been reading everyone's blogs, but lurking on the comments front. Once I am feeling more energetic, I will definitely catch up on my lack of communicating.

oops.

2007-09-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

So apparently, if you are sick you should go to the doctor in a timely manner. I just found out that had I not gone to the doctor my throat would have abscessed. Yum!

I'll have more tomorrow.

I have the black lung, pop!

2007-09-19T21:05:00.001-07:00

I don't really have the black lung, but I am sick yet again. I'm going to the health clinic at my work tomorrow...

I am not dead.

2007-09-15T15:50:00.000-07:00

I know I promised a post on Monday, but it just didn't happen. Honestly, my computer hasn't been on since I got back from Estes Park.

Here's what's been going on in my world:
Friday-Saturday: I went to Estes Park for the Irish/Scottish festival. It was great fun we got home Saturday night.
Saturday-Sunday: I house sat. When I got home from house sitting, I didn't move. Literally. I couldn't.
Monday: Work all day then rest. I think I stopped by my mom's.
Tuesday: Work. Then... I SAW RILO KILEY LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE! It was fantastic! Their new album I was skeptical about at first, but now I love love love love it! I am soooooo much bigger of a fan now.
Wednesday: Work. Then I went out for bluegrass, but no bluegrass was to be heard. Instead it was New Orleans/blues band (I don't know what kind of music it's called.) and they were okay but they WEREN'T bluegrass.
Thursday: Work. Then I don't remember what I did.
Friday: (Last night) I hung around the house because I think I'm getting sick. Well, I was supposed to go out, but the lovely man I have been seeing decided that since I thought i was going to get sick, he wouldn't call me so I could rest... yeah...
TODAY: I went to the LYS and bought some stuff for some swaps. that's about it.

Now I'm exhausted! I'll catch up on all blogs later!

Aw, balls.

2007-09-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

I'm just going to flat out say it. I'm not going to be around until Monday and my posts will most likely continue to be sporadic. I'm not getting much knitting done and my personal life has been tapped dry of interest. I will probably be posting about my weekend on Monday because it will be very busy. Also, I'm starting to plan out all the thing I need to do for the three swaps I'm in (even though deadlines are months away). I'll probably bounce ideas off then.

I remember what life was like when I could surf the internet all day, but now I barely want to. My fingers are so damn restless these days, I can't help it. And even though I want to be knitting, nothing is getting done thanks to this cleaning bug I've somehow caught. I really despise cleaning.

One last thing and EVERYONE should read this:

IRREGARDLESS is NOT a word. Well, technically it is a word, but when you use it, you sound retarded. -ir and -less are negatives. Saying irregardless would be admitting your stupidity. I don't usually say this, but TRUST THE ENGLISH MAJOR.

Thanks.

-- brought to you by a retarded coworker.

uhhh...

2007-09-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

I swear I would post in here, if I had something to say. Seriously, I don't have much going on. What's been happening the past week?

Insurance.

Insurance.

Insurance.

I think I could possibly be in a relationship, but we haven't really talked about it, so I don't really know. I'm kind of one of those girls who jumps the gun a lot, so I am not going to call it something I'm not absolutely sure of what it is. I'm having a good time, but don't worry. He is not eating up much of my time.

I made cookies last night.

I have been working nonstop on my Interlocking Balloons scarf. It's very long and I have only three repeats left. Except each repeat equals 44 rows... Still, it's huge and I am so in love, but I am bummed that I am actually giving it away. I have other projects going on, but Interlocking Balloons is really eating up my time.

Huzzah!

2007-08-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

I passed my test!

Right now, I'm staring at my electric bill wondering how it is $70 in the summer and $20 in the winter... I think it's my useless fucking air conditioner.

Cartoons are fun!

drive by

2007-08-29T20:46:00.000-07:00

Mirror mirror on the wall tell me who is the greatest insurance agent of them all?

Not me, I'm not even licensed yet! I take my test tomorrow and have to get a 70% or higher. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Life continues.

2007-08-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have no new pictures or anything right now. I am still learning about insurance so subsequently everything has turned to boringness.

I come home from work soooo wired that I have to dance for two hours before I can do anything that requires sitting. I think it's a combination of the 0 drinks other than green tea, white tea, water, or coffee (only one cup of coffee) and the fact I just sit at a desk all day reading. Plus I've been eating super healthy. I eat fast food only once a week now (this is compared to the 5x or more). I guess I'm doing pretty well for myself.

I did eat Twizzlers like Marky Mark the other day... Other than that I've stayed away from sugar.

I felt like I was crawling out of my skin of boredom at work though. It's just while I'm learning about insurance. There's this lady who is supposed to be teaching us, but she's super boring and all she's doing is reading out of the book. Also, she's been telling "funny" stories about her aunt with dementia. Okay, there is only one thing I can't stand and that's when people make fun of old people. ESPECIALLY when they have something like effing DEMENTIA. There's nothing funny and I am above the age of 5, I don't laugh at poop jokes most of the time. I threatened to punch a co-worker in the face... yeah. It was all in fun and games, but secretly I was happy to say it out loud.

Good news

2007-08-22T22:36:00.000-07:00

Insurance is just as boring as it sounds.

Also, boy news, but you will have to IM or e-mail me for that ;D.

WE BEAT PENECILLIN! We kicked Penecillin's sorry ass!

2007-08-20T21:16:00.001-07:00

I love Kids in the Hall.

So, I'm sitting here casting on for my next design (I'm on a roll!) and watching Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy. I love those boys. I'm seriously loving Malabrigo Merino Worsted right now. I think my next design will be out of Alpaca Silk though. I need to make a very serious sweater. Possibly out of Suri Merino?

Okay I'm doing a very bad job of not obsessing over whether he will call/text or not. I don't even think I'm that worried, but I think it's more of a I'm bored and want to chat thing.

I am so in love with the color yellow right now... I don't know why.

oh balls.

2007-08-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

No news on any front. I'm almost done with the body of one of my designs. Then some sleeve action and it will be ready to show off.

I just realized i haven't even cracked the book for my licensing exam. I'll do that when I get back... as in later. As in hopefully later.

(update)
I finished the body (instead of studying for my exam) and I would just like to show it off.

Don't worry it's not a Where's Waldo sweater. It's gray and red not white and red. More details later :).

Friday Friday Friday

2007-08-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

It's weird how fast this week has gone by. I'm kind of sick of sitting in a classroom. I want to go outside and run around and be a scrapper again, but I must be good and follow directions and not threaten to hurt people anymore. My sense of humor has diminished at the new job and I have to watch what I say and I can no longer make fun of my own race. I must be good and sit and smile and not pull out my hair at this one girl.

Still, even with me being on my best behavior-- this week has been fantastic. Even through the boring bits, I've enjoyed this job.

I had a date (I think) last night. Not completely sure how it went, because I am socially retarded. I'm not much of a date or relationship person because I am very impatient and I don't like playing games. I *think* this has been developing for a bit, but again, I am socially retarded. I guess we'll know more later this week. Everything must be straight forward or I get bored and wander off. Hmm...

No knitting is getting done... I'm about halfway through the body of the R&TRP. I've been working on it through random naps. (I slept through Monk!)

Does anyone else listen to Rilo Kiley? Have you heard their new CD? I am ... undecided.

Le Sigh

2007-08-15T20:12:00.001-07:00

I don't really have anything to post about. I like my job, I should be studying for my licensing test... but I don't think I will.

I'd also like to comment that men are stupid and complicated and I'm done with them for today. Boo on men.

Ten Second Blogging

2007-08-14T22:53:00.000-07:00

Drank too much (six fucking beers) but not to worried because I called Dames. Am home safely. Enjoy the job so far. Training until October. Bummer but necessary. Was supposed to make note cards but too drunk to do so now.

Love you all. Thanks for comments. Read all blogs later.

<3,
XTEEN.

Eight hours later...

Wow, that was the most coherent post ever. I would delete it, but I find it way too funny and everyone needs amusement. I think there should be a warning on my blog, "Do not read while drinking liquids." Just ask Hattie McLattie.

My new job started on Monday. I'm going through New Employee Orientation right now. It's really long. I'm in training until October. I'm working at USAA which is the insurance company for U.S. military. Military people are hard to insure because they move around a lot etc. Yesterday, they showed us all these videos about military men dying for our lives etc. The bitch I am, my goal was to be the bitch that I am and not cry. I was successful. This guy at my table was crying like a little girl. I texted my friend Rachael, "They're trying to make us cry, but I have nerves of steel and am not a pussy."

Yeah, I'm awesome.

Oh and before I get 400 e-mails telling me that I'm an a-hole for not supporting the troops. I am supporting the troops by working for USAA. I'll be helping them get things in order before they deploy and taking care of their families when they're overseas or TDY or even just there. I don't think I have to be emotional and cry at every flipping thing to love America. Oh and before I get 500 e-mails condemning me for being pro-Bush and pro-war and loving America. I'm politically apathetic. I am doing this job because I plan on retiring at 40 (more like 45) and pursuing what I want ot do from then on. I don't care about politics. I don't care about the news. I think that we live in a great country and I'm very grateful for it.

Anyway, that's the news for today. Everything is kind of going fast and I still can't believe I have the job. IT's a great company to work for and my new goal in life is to retire at 40.

Quick Update

2007-08-13T22:48:00.000-07:00

I cannot wait for the cold weather it is so effing hot! I can't stop knitting though. I'm completely addicted to knitting my designs as of late. My SMC turned out to be an ugh! I'm frogging it because the cables were messed up and I have some GREAT ideas for next time. However, SMC is on hold because I am working on my R&TRP. Then comes the MBMH. All these codes make me antsy! I just finished the yoke. I just realized something today though. All these directions for sweaters are built for people with arms that are in proportion to their bust. I do not have such luck. I know now how to write the pattern for hate appropriate size, yaay.

Today I started my new job. All I have to say is that employee orientation drags on and on. I have training until November... yeah... I have a test on August 29th that i have to pass to get licensed in CO and blah blah. I don't like insurance. Tomorrow I'm going to bring The Grapes of Wrath so I can read on my lunch break :).

Also, I have to make note cards tomorrow.

Also, I don't think I'm going to knit gifts because I am so effing addicted to knitting myself sweaters!

Inventory.

2007-08-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

I think it's arguable that I am still a pack rat though. My apartment is filled with stuff. I used to consider myself a pack rat. Anything and everything I kept whether it had meaning behind it or not. Then one day I was going through a box of crap and I realized I didn't even think about the stuff. I started to get rid of it and I haven't regretted it since. I don't consider myself a pack rat because I can throw things away if I take the time to look at them. So, I think I'm more lazy now than a pack rat. A pack rat saves onto things because he or she will probably use them. I just stash things into a box until I can get to it. Or, (I think i've mentioned this before) if it's a piece of mail or something with my name on it, I promptly stash it in a box labeled "Shred." ... I don't own a shredder...

Anyway, it all comes down to this. I was feeling restless this morning so instead of plopping on the couch for an afternoon full of non-stop knitting I decided to do laundry. I don't do laundry often, because every time I do laundry (and I mean every time) I end up going through all of my clothes. I can honestly say that this time, I did not find a single shirt that I said, 'Hey, I don't remember you." This is a very good thing. I did, however, find a lot of clothing that I will never wear again so I threw them in a huge bag and I plan on giving them to Goodwill. (Just a tip though, if you are going to give away clothing, separate clothing that is wearable read: no stains, holes, or dirty and pure trash. They don't sew up holes. They don't take out stains. They'll wash them, but give them a break. Don't make trash and give away clothes the same pile!) Now I have a clean closet and I itemized each piece of clothing.

The bad news is, I am screwed as far as shirts to wear to the new job. I went out and bought three pairs of dress pants (I had 0, I've been living in jeans for over a year...) and a cardi. I ordered online two dress shirts and two sweaters (I could have knit grumble grumble). Once that shipment comes in I should be okay, but I'm slightly holding my breath. I am a size 16 in shirts and I rarely find one that fits... Also... my pants are at the tailors until Thursday... Skirts it is!

P.S. Just a sneak peek of what will be listed. After an hour of messing with swift, meter, baller, and Josephine-y, I only have one ready skein of alpaca. Besides, I have a big surprise for everyone regarding the store, so I beg just wait a little longer!

So we meet again

2007-08-10T20:06:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't been posting very informative blogs lately, I pretty much live with back pain and usually I can just ignore it and continue on my daily routine, but about once a month it's bad enough to where I cannot do much at all. The past couple days I have been working on my green design (which the body is done) and watching Snapped on Oxygen. Seriously, that show is on more than Law and Order which, in my opinion, is a crime. I'm feeling better, and I was up and around today much more than when I finished dyeing yesterday. I'm not going to be dyeing more than two skeins at a time anymore. I seriously felt paralyzed by the time I was done. Anyway, enough of my bitching, not much has happened, I'm enjoying my vacation. Tomorrow my knitpicks package is arriving. I'll have the book Knitted Toys, three new jars of dye, a swift, yarn baller, and a yarn meter. I splurged as a gift to myself since I got the new job. I'm a little nervous about my new job too. I hope I do okay. Shit. I still need some clothes for work.

(All skeins in the previous post will be on sale, but they have to be broken down because you're looking at mega skeins.)

I dyed!

2007-08-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

Random news of the day: my grandmother (85 and British) plays Nintendo Wii.

So today I dyed, but pictures are worth a thousand words, so:

Brief Interruption

2007-08-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

I'm going to post again later today, but I had to show this off. Had to had to had to...

That's the view from my porch. (three skeins dyed, five skeins to go...)

Someone bring the jaws of life

2007-08-08T14:08:00.001-07:00

Girl trouble has spoiled an otherwise productive day. Am laying on the couch, asking the Greek Goddess Artemis for mercy.

Yarn dyeing adventures put on hold. (grumblegrumble)

Something gookie is in my eye...

2007-08-07T18:39:00.001-07:00

more SMC progress
Originally uploaded by manateeorama

Today I slept without shame in the middle of the day.

Check it out, check it out! Progress on the SMC, I'll post a couple more shots, but I'm seriously thinking about possibly submitting this pattern so I don't know how much I should post. I think the cables looks surly (hint hint), don't you? Like they can't quite get it right. Hehehe... I do need some help with the patterns.

This IS the color of the cardi, obviously. I got my natural yarn and it has taken over my apartment. Tomorrow my goal is to clean then start dyeing... okay. Tonight my goal is to clean off my table and clean up my kitchen THEN tomorrow I can dye and work on my cardi. Also, I need to find a tailor to hem my new work pants. And i need more clothes to cover up the ink at my new job.

Lastly, I only have one knitter on my AIM list and that's Hattie. As much as I enjoy talking to her, I'd love to talk to the rest of you as well because she's not always around when I have knitting questions. My AIM name is manateeorama so shoot me a message sometime.

Don't worry by the time I published, I got the eye gook out of my eye.

Sneak Peek

2007-08-06T15:39:00.001-07:00

swatch for bmh
Originally uploaded by manateeorama

The swatch is smooshed up against my scanner, but this is for the yellow hoodie I'm designing. I'm working on a name, and I don't want anyone to steal it, so I will only disclose it once I am satisfied with the name.

Also, this is the same yarn, just a different color.

No fair.

2007-08-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

I just watched Tootsie. All I have to say is I wish Bill Murray was MY roommate.

Also, I'm designing three sweaters right now. One is a hoodie, one is a cardi, and one is a pullover v-neck. I will share more as I knit more and have more done. I've been sitting on my ass knitting for four days straight because I've been sick. I finished one and 3/4 of a pair of gloves, almost finished the body of my ribbed cardigan, finished a repeat of the Interlocking Balloons scarf, moved on to the next part of my Ms. Marigold and swatched for two of the sweaters. Debating on showing pictures or not of the swatches and designs before they're ready... Oh, and there was a Chevy Chase marathon on AMC today. :D

The sad thing is, all I have to do is work tomorrow then I'm off until next Monday. I do have to go shopping for appropriate work clothing though, so that will take a couple hours next week. Either way my goal is to get done with most of my sweaters I'm designing. I'll probably break in between to work on other knits, but next week is my design and week! Joy.

Yes, I ride the short bus.

2007-08-04T11:05:00.001-07:00

Last night I realized I have 0 yellow dye! I ordered some with a swift and a yarn baller and a yarn meter. I figured if I'm going to make skeinlets etc. I better do it properly. Hopefully I will not dye my carpet this time. (yellow is cursed!) Also hopefully, I will get the yarn soon. I placed an order (yeah, I broke my yarn diet), and it hasn't gotten here! It's been like a week and a half.

I want everyone to get excited though because I cannot WAIT to dye this yarn... ooooh and you guys have given me so many GREAT ideas!

More to come more to come more to come.

Update: I'm still waiting for this damn package to come. It's raining really hard outside. I hope the mail man gets very wet.

Update 2: I just drove to get some dinner and it is raining like Jesus just got kicked in the balls or something. I went to check my mail and yaay the package came! Not yaay, I had to step through a couple inches of water just to get it. Pictures of my soaked jeans later.

100th Post Anniversary

2007-08-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Also, my swap partner received her package. joy.

I'm not feeling well, but I'll be around tomorrow. It's been a rough couple days.

I need you HP fans!

2007-08-01T06:46:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it, it's been a while since I read Harry Potter. It's been since the fifth book since I read Harry Potter. And it's only because I've been so afraid that Neville Longbottom was going to die. He and I are akin. I've read the spoilers and I won't say what happens, but I should at least read the sixth book. So, I need all you Harry Potter fans' help.

As many of you know, I'm going to be dyeing a lot next week and I am using the following as influences:
Harry Potter
The Royal Tenenbaums
Marie Antoinette

I'm also debating on doing a Day of the Dead yarn. I bought 4480 yrds of sock yarn (extra fine merino superwash) and 2660 yards of DK 100% alpaca. Plus I have two custom orders and miscellaneous bits of yarn here and there. The sock yarn will be divided into 200 yrds "skeinlets" (haha, such a cute name!) and they'll be sold for an amazingly decent price (probably around $5-6).

Now here's the thing. I don't want to ONLY do the house colors for my HP yarns. I mean seriously, how many colorways can you have with just gold/red, silver/blue, black/yellow, silver/green? How boring is that? How many times do I have to see that? I will probably do HP houses, especially since Valerie suggested it.

I want other colors that scream "Harry Potter." Such as Emerald Green for Harry's eyes, Brassy red and brown for the Weasleys, the colors of Umbridge's robes. Stuff like that. So, submit your ideas to me either through my comments or through ravelry or through email (springsteena at hotmail dot com)

obsession much?

2007-07-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

must not stop knitting. must continue knitting. must find every project possible to knit. must cancel all plans to knit. must knit with alpaca. must knit. must knit.

have discovered am alpaca knitting zombie.

p.s. i despise waking up at 6am.

Phoenix Skill!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

2007-07-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

Out of the ashes of the Feminine Puff-Sleeved Cardigan come... the short sleeved cardigan with ribbing. Okay, so i'm not using the same yarn, but I put the knit away since I started it and I can't put it down again. I am so in love...

Yes, it's pink. I'm not used to pink, but the color looks great and I'm so excited to knit it. The Cascade Baby Alpaca feels like butter in my fingers. I want to curl up and sleep in this cardigan forever...

What? you think I was joking. Leave me alone! I'm off to sleep.

Oh you know what I don't like about Sundays? I always end up taking a three hour nap. Then I feel all icky when I wake up. Who cares!? I'm in the euphoric state of a good knit ;D.

I am so amused.

2007-07-28T16:14:00.001-07:00

Dear Puff Sleeved Cardigan,
Are you serious? Seriously? No, really seriously... Oh you are serious.
Hmph,
Christine.

I'm sitting here wondering how I could spend so much time knitting and not realize that one side was severely bigger than the other... and by severely I mean by over two inches... URGH.

WOuldn't it be cool to have a "Top Knitter" design/knit competition? I've been watching way too much Top Chef...

Knitting News

2007-07-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

I find updating knitting wise slightly tedious now that I have ravelry. Not really tedious as redundant. Josie is doing a LOT better. I am going to take her to the vet just to show off how great she looks now.

My friend Tabitha moves to California tomorrow :(.

I'm really zipping through my Feminine Puff Sleeved Cardigan. I'm almost down to the separation of sleeves, but I need to take it off and put it on waste yarn. That'll have to wait until Saturday. Tomorrow I'm going to Denver for a concert. I'm starting on my Christmas presents here soon so most of my knitting for myself will have to halt. Or I can work on small things. I still can't decide what design to knit for one of my friends. I'm thinking I'll design a hat and then make her some simple arm warmers.

Christmas List (my bff J is not on this list because she reads my blog and will know what she's getting.):

Jemma (sister): Montego Bay Scarf
Mom & Dad: knit socks? (YES, I'm going to try my hand at socks again... grumble grumble.)
Brother: Urban Necessity Gloves, other random knits (he's my fav. person to knit for)
Mandy: Yoga bag (orange)
Holly: Marilyn Monroe Sweater from Twinkle's Big City Knits
Dames: Interlocking Balloons scarf from Scarf Style

I'm three repeats into Dames's scarf and that's as far as I've gotten except one thing is done for J. I have my patterns picked out. If you guys have any ideas, let me know.

Also, I've decided to use the week I have off to dye lots and lots of yarn. And knit lots and lots.

I love these two

2007-07-25T23:20:00.001-07:00

China Face!
Originally uploaded by manateeorama

I'd like everyone to meet two of my best friends, Holly and Damien. If you've been checking out my flickr page you'll notice there are a lot of pictures of me and Holly. Holly loves to take pictures...
Anyway, two years ago we met in a college level introduction to poetry class that was less than college level. Well, we formed a writing group out of the ashes that were the class and we've been together ever since. It's been two years and I couldn't ask for a better group. We've used to have four, but last week we lost one of our members (he moved to Chicago) so now it's just the original three. I love these two and I just wanted to post this picture because I thought you'd enjoy it.

I promise I'll have a knitting related post tomorrow.

You wish you had my smile.

Me in Ten Seconds

2007-07-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

I check the comments and I saw this on a new commenter's,Kari, blog. It's a really cool blog so everyone check it out. It references Dogwood, the state tree of Virginia. Yeah, I know a lot of useless Virginia trivia. Like, the state dog of Virginia is the Foxhound. I don't remember if it's an English or an American though... Raleigh was named after Sir Walter Raleigh. Pocahontas was ten when she met John Smith. She married John Rolfe. Her English name was Rebecca Rolfe. She was an overweight child with an overbite.

Okay, so I had to wikipedia that she married John Rolfe, because I forgot his last name and I made up the last part about her being overweight as a child and I'm sure Native Americans had orthodontia well before vanilla faces (read: white people) did. I mean, they had lacrosse. Another interesting fact is Firefox doesn't recognize "Rebecca" as spelled correctly. I don't know any Rebeccas who spell her name as "Rebbecca." Now, I'm not entirely sure how I got on this point. Anyway, now I'm supposed to introduce myself in ten seconds. I suddenly believe I have introduced myself in more because this interesting facts about Virginia kind of describes me... easily distracted and full of useless information.

Okay. So me:

I'm a left-handed air force brat that has lived in Colorado Springs for a little over a decade. I used to speak French pretty well and sometimes I wonder if I will do what I really want to do in my life. I'm terrible at making plans for my future but I'm kind of a guru for all of my friends. I write, I love short stories but I write a lto of poetry, and I have a tattoo on my left arm that says, "i'll put you all in a story by and by." I like to eat frozen pizzas and I hate cleaning. Also, I play the autoharp and I played the piano for six or seven years.

There is me.

NEWS FLASH!

2007-07-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

I GOT THE JOB.

I'll be making 2x as much as I make now.

JOY!

I feel my yarn diet suddenly breaking...

I am in love.

2007-07-21T21:18:00.001-07:00

Me, knitting, shocker!
Originally uploaded by manateeorama

Saturday is my favorite day of the week.

For the past couple Saturdays, I haven't been bombarded by phone calls from my parents asking to come over and clean my apartment (don't ask, I don't entirely understand it) or people asking me to hang out. This might sound like a very sad existence, but I love it. I get one day to myself where I don't have to worry about seeing anyone or having things to do. I get to stay up a little later and get on ravelry, dick around, respond to rav-e-mails and knit while watching countless hours of TV.

I think I got a lot done today. I'm on the back for my Ms. Marigold, I have a little bit more of my Puff-Sleeved Cardi which I have in fact frogged and begun with some Malabrigio in mint, and I finished half a repeat in Damien's Interlocking Balloons scarf. Shh... I cast on for a pair of mitts... Don't tell anyone... I already have so many projects going. Also, I made a 30 minute Calorimetry for my BFF J. All it needs is a button which will probably take me two hours to sew on... Anyway, I am trying to finish my Ms. Marigold very soon.

My friend Holly loves to take pictures, so that's my explanation for the picture in this post. Also, those are boxes on my porch. Haha.

P.S. (there's always a P.S.) If I don't hear about whether or not I have this job this week, I think I'm going to go crazy.