Friday, June 30, 2006
38:30
That’s the time I did it in! It’s a whole minute and 42 Seconds better than last time. I ran the Pine Beach 5K on Sunday, this was my second 5K, and it was excruciating!!! Firstly the whole thing was run on through the streets of Pine Beach, probably not significant to you but for me – we’re talking pain. (I’ve got crappy knees and try to avoid running on things aren’t a little springy.) Secondly – (the planners of this race are sadistic) the dam thing is all hilly, and at the end – when your exhausted (well I’M exhausted) they stick this huge ass hill right there in the last 2/10’s of a mile. It was actually kinda funny – I’m chuggin my way up the hill yelling and crying “this is just wrong!” to anyone that would listen. Overall I’m very impressed with my performance – I came in #509 overall (of 607 runners), #21 of 26 in my age group, #206 of 272 women. I was figuring on coming in dead last (I did almost no training for this one – I’ve been lazy lately) but I didn’t. I’M NOT THE WORST!! :)
Monday, June 19, 2006
I Got Yarn!
Today I got home from work and the mailman pulled up right behind me (as usual - late as hell) anyway I met him at the mailbox since I was headed that way anyway and he hands me a package. A package? What's this I didn't order anything... did I? It has my name on it... what the hell? Dude my secret pal ROCKS!!! She had told me when I got my last package that she'd be sending me something for my b-day (which is in two weeks - please mark your calender 
now July 5th - thank you very much) when she got back from her vacation mid July. So I totally wasn't expecting another package from her for some time. Suprises are so WONDERFUL!! Just look at the yummy hand spun merino! I'm thinking gloves (is 500 yards enough for gloves? I've never done gloves) for the pink cuz it totally goes with my winter coat! I think I might keep the blue one on my night table for a while and keep it as a kind of pet cuz it's just that soft and wonderful! For the curious the yarn is 100% Merino Superwash from Brooklyn Handspun. Thank You Palie - it's a wonderful early birthday gift!!
now July 5th - thank you very much) when she got back from her vacation mid July. So I totally wasn't expecting another package from her for some time. Suprises are so WONDERFUL!! Just look at the yummy hand spun merino! I'm thinking gloves (is 500 yards enough for gloves? I've never done gloves) for the pink cuz it totally goes with my winter coat! I think I might keep the blue one on my night table for a while and keep it as a kind of pet cuz it's just that soft and wonderful! For the curious the yarn is 100% Merino Superwash from Brooklyn Handspun. Thank You Palie - it's a wonderful early birthday gift!!
Sunday, June 18, 2006
A Sock on Safari
Click Pic for Flikr Pics!!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Another One
Aren’t I just the little joiner lately. This is a neat swap that Tisha hooked me up with. A Knit Sock Kit Swap (say that five times fast) you make a sock bag & fill it with all the kinds of things you’d use to make a pair of socks. I’m going to have to re-introduce myself to my sewing machine (I may have to resort to bribery to get it to work) We’re getting our match ups this weekend so here’s my questionnaire. Feel free to not read this post unless you’re my partner.
What are your favorite colors? I really dislike this question cuz I love such a variety colors! Other than neon bright fluorescent colors, there isn’t much that I don’t like. I do tend to lean towards vivid colors over pastels but I like pastels too.
Are you a new sock knitter? Not really. How long have you been knitting socks? I made my first pair last fall.
Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? Both
What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn? I prefer machine washable – but I’m totally flexible.
Where do you usually knit socks? Um – everywhere
How do you usually carry/store small projects? In small project bags shoved into the bottom of my knitting bag or purse – I’m a bag ho - can’t have too many!!
What are your favorite sock knitting patterns? I haven’t made the same pattern twice…yet.
What is your favorite sock knitting technique? I don’t think I have one yet – I like variety.
What new techniques would you like to try? I just heard about this Japanese short row heel that is supposed to be fab – I must find directions on how to do it.
Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting? Mostly I prefer DPN’s but I will use circs.
What are some of your favorite yarns? I’m keeping this to sock yarns cuz I haven’t even begun to experience enough of other yarns to pick a favorite. Lorna’s Laces, Cherry Tree Hill, Kona, I have some Socks that Rock but I haven’t used it yet so I don’t know if I love it, it is pretty though. I also have some Spirit Trail yarn that I think I’m going to love but I haven’t worked with it either so I can’t say for sure – the colors are awesome. In my experience so far I really like hand painted yarns – even if the yarn isn’t great it’s highly entertaining to see how the colors work up.
What yarn do you totally covet? I dunno there’s so much out there.
Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? Not that applies to socks. I’d really love to do one of Alice Starmore’s Celtic aran sweaters someday.
Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? I like bamboo and aluminum mostly. I’m really digging my first pair of Brittnay Birch – I’ll have to get more of these. Mostly I use circs & DPN’s I do own straights but don’t use them very often.
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? I have no idea. (I always suck at these kinds of questions).
Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? I’m pretty easy on this one – as long as it’s not coffee flavored.
What’s your favorite animal? Why is this important? Wolf
Do you have pets? No pets.
If you were a color what color would you be? Red (I have no clue why but it’s the first color that came to mind so there ya go.)
Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s). I have a few and it’s scary how alike they are. Thread bare t-shirt’s about a zillion years old and 5 sizes to big. Comfy clothes.
What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? I can’t even begin to answer this question – there is so much beauty in the world and I try to take a little something from all of it.
Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read. "Life can be as bitter as dragon’s tears. But whether dragon tears are bitter or sweet depends upon how a man perceives the taste."
Do you have a wishlist? I wish I could be rich, and find an interesting man, and be happy with my body, and have a job that LOVE. You probably didn’t mean that though did you.
Anything else you’d like to share with the group today? I am very excited to have an opportunity to step outside my box & try something someone else’s way.
What are your favorite colors? I really dislike this question cuz I love such a variety colors! Other than neon bright fluorescent colors, there isn’t much that I don’t like. I do tend to lean towards vivid colors over pastels but I like pastels too.
Are you a new sock knitter? Not really. How long have you been knitting socks? I made my first pair last fall.
Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? Both
What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn? I prefer machine washable – but I’m totally flexible.
Where do you usually knit socks? Um – everywhere
How do you usually carry/store small projects? In small project bags shoved into the bottom of my knitting bag or purse – I’m a bag ho - can’t have too many!!
What are your favorite sock knitting patterns? I haven’t made the same pattern twice…yet.
What is your favorite sock knitting technique? I don’t think I have one yet – I like variety.
What new techniques would you like to try? I just heard about this Japanese short row heel that is supposed to be fab – I must find directions on how to do it.
Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting? Mostly I prefer DPN’s but I will use circs.
What are some of your favorite yarns? I’m keeping this to sock yarns cuz I haven’t even begun to experience enough of other yarns to pick a favorite. Lorna’s Laces, Cherry Tree Hill, Kona, I have some Socks that Rock but I haven’t used it yet so I don’t know if I love it, it is pretty though. I also have some Spirit Trail yarn that I think I’m going to love but I haven’t worked with it either so I can’t say for sure – the colors are awesome. In my experience so far I really like hand painted yarns – even if the yarn isn’t great it’s highly entertaining to see how the colors work up.
What yarn do you totally covet? I dunno there’s so much out there.
Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? Not that applies to socks. I’d really love to do one of Alice Starmore’s Celtic aran sweaters someday.
Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? I like bamboo and aluminum mostly. I’m really digging my first pair of Brittnay Birch – I’ll have to get more of these. Mostly I use circs & DPN’s I do own straights but don’t use them very often.
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? I have no idea. (I always suck at these kinds of questions).
Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? I’m pretty easy on this one – as long as it’s not coffee flavored.
What’s your favorite animal? Why is this important? Wolf
Do you have pets? No pets.
If you were a color what color would you be? Red (I have no clue why but it’s the first color that came to mind so there ya go.)
Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s). I have a few and it’s scary how alike they are. Thread bare t-shirt’s about a zillion years old and 5 sizes to big. Comfy clothes.
What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? I can’t even begin to answer this question – there is so much beauty in the world and I try to take a little something from all of it.
Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read. "Life can be as bitter as dragon’s tears. But whether dragon tears are bitter or sweet depends upon how a man perceives the taste."
Do you have a wishlist? I wish I could be rich, and find an interesting man, and be happy with my body, and have a job that LOVE. You probably didn’t mean that though did you.
Anything else you’d like to share with the group today? I am very excited to have an opportunity to step outside my box & try something someone else’s way.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Sock Parade
New knitting! I know - you were starting to wonder if I did that anymore. The 
pink, purple & blue is Kona superwash - hand-dyed by moi'. Loving this yarn! Loving the dye job. If you look carefully the blue and pink actually do make perfect stripes but then the purple just jumps in randomly for interest...LOVE IT! Shall be playing with more dyes in the future. It's just so entertaining to knit yarn that you colored yourself & see what it's going to do! You might notice that despite all the complaining I'm doing this one on two circs. Well I came across this pattern for a toe up that I just HAD to try and I LOVE it! (Technically I'm not doing a pattern - I just used the toe, it's from Sock Soar on Two Circulars) Why are the circs so much less annoying going the opposite direction?? It's also endlessly entertaining to slip on my little "toe hat."
The blue and purple is Lorna's Laces that I got at MDS&W - love the yarn, love the pattern, together... not so much. It's not bad but I just don't love it. I'm pretty sure I'll be ripping it out, I may even just rip it and change the cuff to a 2x2 rib cuz I think it's the garter cuff I hate more than the pattern itself.
Mom's test driving a new camera today - I must of tried a zillion macro pictures but I wasn't especially pleased with any of them. She's pretty much decided to buy this one, it's a Nikon Coolpix 5700 (very fancy) a friend of hers from work is selling it for $200. That's a steal - this thing is still in MINT condition, when I went to get the cable out of the box it was in it's original plastic baggie...who does that?! Anyway expect some crap shots until I figure out how to work this thing. HA who am I kidding, my pictures are pretty much always crappy ;)
Guess what? Tisha is having a contest! She's making me come out of the closet - with the UFO's that is. And Mom is going to visit and show us her's as well (I honestly think she's got this one in the bag so you might want to think twice). You're in for a treat!! Check out the details here.
pink, purple & blue is Kona superwash - hand-dyed by moi'. Loving this yarn! Loving the dye job. If you look carefully the blue and pink actually do make perfect stripes but then the purple just jumps in randomly for interest...LOVE IT! Shall be playing with more dyes in the future. It's just so entertaining to knit yarn that you colored yourself & see what it's going to do! You might notice that despite all the complaining I'm doing this one on two circs. Well I came across this pattern for a toe up that I just HAD to try and I LOVE it! (Technically I'm not doing a pattern - I just used the toe, it's from Sock Soar on Two Circulars) Why are the circs so much less annoying going the opposite direction?? It's also endlessly entertaining to slip on my little "toe hat."The blue and purple is Lorna's Laces that I got at MDS&W - love the yarn, love the pattern, together... not so much. It's not bad but I just don't love it. I'm pretty sure I'll be ripping it out, I may even just rip it and change the cuff to a 2x2 rib cuz I think it's the garter cuff I hate more than the pattern itself.
Mom's test driving a new camera today - I must of tried a zillion macro pictures but I wasn't especially pleased with any of them. She's pretty much decided to buy this one, it's a Nikon Coolpix 5700 (very fancy) a friend of hers from work is selling it for $200. That's a steal - this thing is still in MINT condition, when I went to get the cable out of the box it was in it's original plastic baggie...who does that?! Anyway expect some crap shots until I figure out how to work this thing. HA who am I kidding, my pictures are pretty much always crappy ;)
Guess what? Tisha is having a contest! She's making me come out of the closet - with the UFO's that is. And Mom is going to visit and show us her's as well (I honestly think she's got this one in the bag so you might want to think twice). You're in for a treat!! Check out the details here.
By the way I know what the prizes are... you totally want in on this one!
Monday, June 12, 2006
For the record...
I took a bunch of pictures today of my new socks. I was very proud of the pictures - very artistic and all that. Apparently I am a total idiot cuz when I got on the computer to download the pics...there were no pics. This is total operator error I'm sure - could not possibly be the camera's fault - I am a dumbass and probably didn't press the button down all the way (I though the camera was working exceptionally fast today). Guess I'll try again tomorrow. But I will leave you with one picture I did manage to take... 
Sorry secret pal - Megan did not like the watermelon sours. They did make for a WHOLE lot of laughs...can you blame us - just imagine the sound effects that go with that face. Hysterical!!
Sorry secret pal - Megan did not like the watermelon sours. They did make for a WHOLE lot of laughs...can you blame us - just imagine the sound effects that go with that face. Hysterical!!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Aloha!
I got a package from my secret pal! She's from Hawaii!! So she sent me some local candies - the Pocky is really good (I ate dam near the whole box) it's kinda like a chocolate cover pretzel...but not. Haven't tried the rice cracker thingies yet and the watermelon sours are...interesting - I'm still trying to decide if I like them. I think yes but I'm not sure yet, I should know by the end of the bag. ;)
She also sent me some beautiful hand panted lace weight. This is the reason these exchanges are the coolest! I never would have bought this (I'm a solid colors lace weight kind of person) but now that I have it...I can't WAIT to knit something with it!!! I spent a lot of time at work yesterday surfing the net for a good pattern. What about maybe this one or something similar. I was thinking the lace is simple enough not to compete with the colors in the yarn. What do you think?You should be thankful for crappy rechargeable batteries otherwise there may have been some incredibly STUPID pictures of me hopping around my kitchen doing the happy dance when I opened this one.
I got the Harlot's new book! Yea!! For whatever reason this book has been eluding me - either I go to buy it and it's not there or it's there and I've got no money or there was another book on the agenda that day & wool forbid I buy two books at a time (remind me someday to show you my book collection). At any rate I was doing a very goofy happy dance when I got this one! I also got those cute ass picture frames which are already on my fridge with pics of Alexis in them (I found out this morning that was exactly what she intended them for - how freakin cool is that?!) She also send me a cool ass box of gel pens which works out great cuz the ones I have are just about dead.You did good SP THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Friday, June 09, 2006
Boys Make Me Stupid
**for the record I tried to post this 3 times yesterday but blogger was down.
The other day while at the park contorting myself into odd positions to bring you the joys of my new socks someone pulled in and parked near where I was. It is not unusual for people to come on their lunch hour and hang out in the car so I paid it no mind. After I’d captured some shots which I thought would be good I went back to my car to knit, if it had been nice I’d have got out my beach chair but it was starting to rain- completely irrelevant – anyway I put on my current book and started working on the new sock (we’ll talk about that later). While I’m doin my thing I noticed the guy that had parked next to me checkin me out. This didn’t really faze me as I’m sitting in the car with my feet on the dash, wearing headphones and playing with a bunch of pointy sticks – I figured he was trying to figure out what the hell I was up to. Well my hour goes by super fast and I take out my headphones and start to put up my knitting and the guy next me gets out of his car to come talk to me.
Him: “Excuse me…are you married?” (*note he does not say hello or ask after my well being)
Me: “Ummm…no” (shit wear are the dam car keys - would it be impolite to just gun it out of here?)
Him: “Are you seeing anyone?” (*am I supposed to be impressed by his concern for my could be boyfriend)
Me: “Ummm…no” (crap I can’t reach the pedals – forgot to move the seat – stop giggling at the man he is probably a homicidal stalker)
Him: Well can I give you my number
Me: *looking at him with a slightly dumb expression completely incomprehensive – dude you don’t even know my name
Him: “I’m gonna give you my number so YOU can call ME” (like this makes it so much better) “do you have a pen?”
Me: *giggling like I’m twelve “Ummm” what I really wanted to say – “the likelihood of me calling you is slim to none so why bother with the pretense” what I actually say - “yea, I guess, I’ve got a pen right here.”
I am a moron! I have no desire what so ever to talk to this man again. As a matter of fact I’ll be spending tomorrow’s lunch hour trying to find a different park to frequent (I’m very upset about this as this park was perfect – water, nice breeze, not to many people, and only three blocks from my job.) Don’t get me wrong I’m sure this man is probably very nice. He’d probably be just perfect – for someone about 20 years my senior.
Why I didn’t just shoot him down is beyond me. For whatever reason when guys start to talk to me in an “I’m interested in you” type of manner – I revert to this ridiculous giggling teenager – “OMG he’s talking to me – what do I do?!” I am so not like that! I don’t even know who that person is – maybe I’ve got a split personality. I would totally get it if they guy was way hot, independently wealthy, and driving a super hot muscle car but noooooo I go all goofy for any guy that expresses interest. Guess that goes to show you how few & far between that is. Still it’s no excuse – how is it I let my personality fly out the window at the mere prospect of male interest?? I’m not by any stretch of the imagination lonely, desperate, or in need of a man. So why is it that I flake out and do this weird flirty thing with men I don’t want, need, or have any interest in whatsoever?? Anyone wanna take a stab at this one? I’d love to know what this personality defect is all about.
Tomorrow - SP goodies!!
The other day while at the park contorting myself into odd positions to bring you the joys of my new socks someone pulled in and parked near where I was. It is not unusual for people to come on their lunch hour and hang out in the car so I paid it no mind. After I’d captured some shots which I thought would be good I went back to my car to knit, if it had been nice I’d have got out my beach chair but it was starting to rain- completely irrelevant – anyway I put on my current book and started working on the new sock (we’ll talk about that later). While I’m doin my thing I noticed the guy that had parked next to me checkin me out. This didn’t really faze me as I’m sitting in the car with my feet on the dash, wearing headphones and playing with a bunch of pointy sticks – I figured he was trying to figure out what the hell I was up to. Well my hour goes by super fast and I take out my headphones and start to put up my knitting and the guy next me gets out of his car to come talk to me.
Him: “Excuse me…are you married?” (*note he does not say hello or ask after my well being)
Me: “Ummm…no” (shit wear are the dam car keys - would it be impolite to just gun it out of here?)
Him: “Are you seeing anyone?” (*am I supposed to be impressed by his concern for my could be boyfriend)
Me: “Ummm…no” (crap I can’t reach the pedals – forgot to move the seat – stop giggling at the man he is probably a homicidal stalker)
Him: Well can I give you my number
Me: *looking at him with a slightly dumb expression completely incomprehensive – dude you don’t even know my name
Him: “I’m gonna give you my number so YOU can call ME” (like this makes it so much better) “do you have a pen?”
Me: *giggling like I’m twelve “Ummm” what I really wanted to say – “the likelihood of me calling you is slim to none so why bother with the pretense” what I actually say - “yea, I guess, I’ve got a pen right here.”
I am a moron! I have no desire what so ever to talk to this man again. As a matter of fact I’ll be spending tomorrow’s lunch hour trying to find a different park to frequent (I’m very upset about this as this park was perfect – water, nice breeze, not to many people, and only three blocks from my job.) Don’t get me wrong I’m sure this man is probably very nice. He’d probably be just perfect – for someone about 20 years my senior.
Why I didn’t just shoot him down is beyond me. For whatever reason when guys start to talk to me in an “I’m interested in you” type of manner – I revert to this ridiculous giggling teenager – “OMG he’s talking to me – what do I do?!” I am so not like that! I don’t even know who that person is – maybe I’ve got a split personality. I would totally get it if they guy was way hot, independently wealthy, and driving a super hot muscle car but noooooo I go all goofy for any guy that expresses interest. Guess that goes to show you how few & far between that is. Still it’s no excuse – how is it I let my personality fly out the window at the mere prospect of male interest?? I’m not by any stretch of the imagination lonely, desperate, or in need of a man. So why is it that I flake out and do this weird flirty thing with men I don’t want, need, or have any interest in whatsoever?? Anyone wanna take a stab at this one? I’d love to know what this personality defect is all about.
Tomorrow - SP goodies!!
Monday, June 05, 2006
Slacker
Hmmm... wonder how many posts I have with that for a title? Actually I haven't really been slackin - I've just busy doin some work at my house. Spent Memorial Day weekend re-decorating my bathroom. Spent this past weekend starting to empty the next bedroom destined for hardwood floors. Intermingled with all that is the never ending yard work, the sports leagues and the little bit of TV that I watch is now in re-runs so I've been reading in my spare time more than knitting.
So being busy & a lack of any real knitting content has kept me away. But look I finished my socks - so I finally feel like I have something of substance to say. This was my fist attempt at socks on two circs. Can't say I'll be itchin to do that again. I loved the ease of trying on my sock & there were no mishaps with pulling the wrong needle but - I screwed up both gussets and both toes. With socks in hand if you look closely the toes on both are slightly crooked. Not crooked enough to be ripped out but definitely slightly off. I suppose it could just be a first time thing but I didn't really love it. I felt like I was going at snails pace and if you think about it these socks took me forever! I started them the weekend of Ruggerfest - that was the last weekend 
of April...oh wait... that was only a month ago. Guess that wasn't that long - well it sure as hell felt like I was working on the dam things forever. But it was worth it cuz I LOVE these socks! I'm especially please with the funky pooling in the gussets and the fact that you have to look twice before you really notice that there are two different yarns involved. This yarn was originally intented for a pair of mosaic socks but the colors were too close and it didn't work. I'm thinkin that was a good thing!
So being busy & a lack of any real knitting content has kept me away. But look I finished my socks - so I finally feel like I have something of substance to say. This was my fist attempt at socks on two circs. Can't say I'll be itchin to do that again. I loved the ease of trying on my sock & there were no mishaps with pulling the wrong needle but - I screwed up both gussets and both toes. With socks in hand if you look closely the toes on both are slightly crooked. Not crooked enough to be ripped out but definitely slightly off. I suppose it could just be a first time thing but I didn't really love it. I felt like I was going at snails pace and if you think about it these socks took me forever! I started them the weekend of Ruggerfest - that was the last weekend 
of April...oh wait... that was only a month ago. Guess that wasn't that long - well it sure as hell felt like I was working on the dam things forever. But it was worth it cuz I LOVE these socks! I'm especially please with the funky pooling in the gussets and the fact that you have to look twice before you really notice that there are two different yarns involved. This yarn was originally intented for a pair of mosaic socks but the colors were too close and it didn't work. I'm thinkin that was a good thing!
