So, lately I've been feeling a bit like, oh, CRAP. No energy Jenny, that's me. What's the deal? I'm not sure, but I don't like it. Just one of those weeks where you think, what's it all matter? Does my life have any meaning? Will my life ever be simple? Can George Lucas make a good movie again, ever?
The week started sucky with me sewing a cat bed for our kitties. Taking my spare time to sew a comfy, corner shaped cat bed, even with cats on it. But they would have none of it.
I cat troubleshot:
Nothing would convince them. Ungrateful wretches.
Pure Laziness.
Also - in the time I've been gone from the blog, I did essentially no knitting. WHAT? I know. I did essentially NOTHING at all.
Really. You can know this is true as I did essentially no blog reading either. If you have a blog I read and comment on, please don't be sad or mad. I haven't read anyone's blog in week and I am tremendously behind.
I have nothing to say for myself, really. I suspect two things are to blame.
1) I hate working with Summer Tweed, so I am not in a hurry to finish the Ginger sweater. Especially since the edges are chain stitch edges, which take that oh so little bit more effort - effort that in Summer Tweed is excruciating. And I may not start something new until I finish something old.
2) Also, I blame Alias.
I have watched all of Season 1 and four episodes of Season 2 (so don't tell me any spoilers). Let me just say the show is completely addictive. I CANNOT knit while watching this. And I can knit through just about any movie, etc. But not Alias. I can't even knit Clapotis, because of the twisted stitches. If it's not stockinette I can't knit it because the show is that exciting. And I have nothing that is stockinette now, so there you go. And I love the show, I can't stop watching it.
Basically a worthless low energy Jenny watching TV for days and days.
Ok, so I did a little knitting.
I did finish two Dulaan hats, from Norma's great pattern.
The only thing I did differently for the green and blue one was to use a provisional cast-on, so in pulling the top and bottom together it was not as bulky.
I used Peruvian Highland Wool, two strands together and used exactly two skeins total for each hat.
End on an up note.
Although this week started out sucky, I have to say things are looking better:
1) I successfully went yarn shopping with a sweet friend and did not buy any yarn. This is huge.
2) I ran twice this week. THIS is really huge.
3) I am successfully keeping Sea Monkeys alive.
4) I looked out in our porch today to see this:
Your call is important to us.
So I will be on a small hiatus here at HEK as I have no camera, as the man took it away to CA. And without pictures I am nothing.
In the meantime, here's a fun game to play for you music lovers:
The geeky husband and I (both of us nerds) had our laptops on the sofa sitting together and it occurred to us we could play music off our computers (with itunes or similar program) to each other to see how fast we could guess the song. Like nerdy Name that Tune.
The rules were:
So we'd start the song and stop it within a second, and if the other didn't guess, we'd play a bit more etc. The scoring was lax but I did win. ;-)
The best was that I recognized "Santaria" by Sublime in one note and in about 1/2 a second. Impressive, no?
OK, not really. But it was fun! We were laughing the whole time. You should try it. Could be done with one computer as long as the other person isn't looking. Honor system! No cheating!
Enough of that. Should be back in a week-ish.
Oh, and P.S.
Anne Marie's blog has moved! Update your links!
Hear, Hear!
I think folks are so sick of hearing about MDS&W, so I am nixing any further commentary. That cow has been milked! OK, yes, I loved every drop, it's true! But I don't want to bore anybody.
You got any better idears?
Instead, I thought I'd tell you something I learned about each of the other great folks I met:
Heather loves Duran Duran more than me. I did not think this was possible. And she has a cool northeast-type accent.
Rossanna is the cutest. little. thing. ever. Talk about HIGH ENERGY!
Ei canNOT be 49. And that is just that.
Ditto about Donna, who looks way too young to have three kids. Wow!
Chelsea is hilarious. Boy does she have stories to tell! But I can't tell them. ;-) And our stashes rival each other - this was to the jaw-dropping surprise of Carrie and AM. Literally, their jaws hit the table. Oops.
Our little Lara has an amazing radio voice! So impressive!
Sarah's hubby is a cyclist too. And he thought my hubby's cycling socks were cool. Sock knitting 1, Boys 0.
Cheryl has a fabulous web site design AND can sing No Doubt with the best of 'em!
Stacy's hubby knits. I repeat, her hubby knits. Cool.
SnargleSarah is a quiet-type, but when she speaks she is funny. Also, she's a biologist like my sweetie.
Kelly and her sister look COMPLETELY different. More different than me and my sister. I did not think this possible.
Cara and I share a medical condition. And not just that we're crazy! ;-) (KIDDING, people. I'm crazy, not Cara.)
Natalie has a cool job. She is a conservation biologist. What a great thing to be. Also a hubby approved field!
Hope I didn't leave anybody out.
And for the folks, a pic of me doing Karaoke. My mother always says, "We never get to see you sing karaoke."
YES. You're right, Mom.
Do you have any knitting, or not?
I have half the back of Ginger done, and all of the front done. Hmmm, bodes well, this, young Skywalker.
Also, though, in cleaning out our basement in a feeble and ridiculous attempt to provide some feng shui around here, I found this yarn:
How back in the day is this yarn?? Mine is at least 11 years old, maybe a little more, and they still make it! I have 16 skeins each of blue and white and was making a crazy double knitted afghan that I started in college and will never complete ever, it was a disaster and was abandoned. But the yarn is surprisingly very soft and well made and so it needs a new task.
I decided to make my cool neighbors some dish cloths (for some great neighborhood work they are doing to slow down our traffic - who knew I'd be the old lady on the porch shaking her fist at the speeding ruffians...).
Anyway, it was a good opportunity to try some new patterns and just have play around, no gauge, etc.
The white is "Star Stitch" and the blue a "chevron" stitch.
It's so great to just KNIT, you know? For the sake of just the making of the stitches and fabric, for feeling the yarn and needles, for fun. No deadline, no project really, just some squares. Now, that is good times. You know?
We interrupt the telling of the MDS&W story to bring you the following announcement:
MollymollymollymollymollymollysentmePocky!
That's the title to a little ditty I'm writing to thank the utterly fabulous Molly! for sending this incredible package of treats all the way from Japan!!!!!
Thanks SO much Molly! And yes, I did forget all about it!!
Now the Japanese are in contention for my favorite treat makers in the world - they are neck and neck with the Australians who make Tim Tams and Violet Crumbles. Mmmmmm.
AND!
And she also sent the absolute best Pompom maker in the entire world:
Why is it the best? Because if you click here you can see the circles open up so it is fast and easy to wrap the yarn, and easy to finish. Thanks again Molly!
ANOTHER knit you haven't told us about?
I got some Rowan Summer Tweed a little while ago and have been flying along on Ginger.
Now, I'll tell you, that Summer Tweed is a really stiff sticky yarn. That's not a great description, but it's not at all smooth and takes effort for me to knit. The ONLY reason I'm flying along now is due to Norma, who is a genius and suggested using Denises in one of her entries. And badda bing, it worked.
Here's a cool macro shot (truly, Lori's pic is much cooler - go looky.)
I think I will wear this a lot. Then it's on to finishing my Victoria tank I'm making for my sister. I will knit through my stash, I will I will I will...
CONTROVERSY!
Well, my goodness. Thanks for all the comments! You guys are so cool. Thanks for the nice words, and discussion, and also for earlier comments on the Honeymoon Cami. I love you guys!
That's it. From now on, only controversial topics. I'll be the Jerry Springer of Knitbloggers. Here are some upcoming ideas:
Um. Maybe stick to knitting, kid.
Alright. So much has been said about the Maryland Knit 'n Spin good times that it's hard to say more. I, of course, have a few pics though I'd like to share. Of course, all of these were taken by others, as my hubby took the camera for the weekend.
Celebrity Sightings
1) I met Wendy. How cool is that? Here's the story.
We were waiting in line for the Harlot, and someone spotted Wendy. I really wanted to say hello, but I was nervous (yes, me. It does happen). So all the gals were like, "Just go over there!" I finally did, with Carrie and AM and Heather, Donna, etc. watching. I walked up to where she was, and skulked about waiting to break in. I then thought, maybe it's not her! So I scooted about to confirm. At this point, I was past ridiculous. And the other bloggers were totally laughing!
Anyway, I said hello, and she gave me a BIG Ol' HUG!
It was cool. She is super nice and friendly in person, and came over to meet the folks we were hanging out with. Thanks, Wendy, for being so cool!!!
2) Harlot.
Then, in line I got to meet Stephanie. How exciting! We were all so goofy and gaga. When I got up to have her sign my book, I was all tongue-tied! I sort of mumbled something about being "high energy Jenny" and she said, "Well, you are kindy perky!" Oh my Lord. She is too funny, as you all know.
She was so cool in person, and so friendly. Thanks so much, Steph, for taking the time to do all these book signings and meet people!
3) I got to briefly meet Nathania, Rachael, Lolly, and Jody. Jody was the first celebrity I saw, and I accosted her too, in the Tess booth. Poor Jody! Everyone was so nice and friendly, it was great! Nathania gave me good advice about the yarn I bought at the Brooks booth.
I was camera-less so no pics unfortunately.
4) One other celebrity sighting I was camera-less for was Eugene and Ann Bourgeois, of Philosophers Wool! I love their books and video, so getting to meet them was great fun. They were very sweet. Eugene talked to me about his history in math and philosophy and how much they love what they do now.
5) Lastly, I met Carrie and Anne Marie!
That picture sums up the three of us all weekend. There was much delirious laughter. You guys are supahstars!
Next time, more stories of THAT FATED WEEKEND! More great celebrities! Lots of breakfasts! But, must go to work now. Trudge, trudge.
The Clique Issue. Or, WARNING, no pictures.
Hey there, kiddies. I want to post some pics about MDS&W, and tell about the famous folks I got to meet, etc., but I feel conflicted. (And I need to talk about it.)
YOU have guilt? Alert the media.
Yes, well. Here's the thing: I feel guilty telling my excitement and fun times, because if I list all the bloggy types I met, I feel I'm name-dropping. And I met a bunch of people, because I'm ridiculously gregarious, loud, and obnoxious. Therefore, I ran up to people all weekend long and MET THEM, whether they liked it or not. I practically accosted Wendy. It's a wonder she didn't call the police! (I think I frightened Kim, at least.)
So I'm already all over the damn web, and that was not my intent. I didn't meet people so I could be blogged about. I met people cause it is FUN. And every blogger I met was fantastic and interesting and I made lots of new friends.
I have read a few posts lately where bloggers are upset about the "high school" nature of knitblogs. What's so funny is I was not popular in high school and didn't care, then or now! I feel bad that people feel left out, not only about MDS&W, but about the "knitblog" world in general. It is never my intention to make anyone feel that way, and if I have, I publicly apologize.
The problem is that there are at least 600 knitblogs out there, and no one can read them all. No one. (Not even Lauren. Sh*t! I did it again!). And although I work fewer hours than most full-time peeps, I still can only read so many.
For example, there are several famous blogs I have visited but don't read routinely: Claudia, Silvia, Rachael, Lolly. Clearly, however, these women and their blogs are fabulous, so the fact I don't comment or read much isn't a reflection of something bad about them. There just isn't enough time in the day. I would feel facetious to go there to comment just to put my name out there or feel included. That's just silly.
I always feel I'll offend someone I don't read, but I just can't read all the blogs out there. And I am shocked when you all stop by here, cause this whole damn high energy deal is just ridiculous anyway. I'm ridiculous! HA!
Anyway, before I put in a bunch of bloglinks from MDS&W, I felt the need to say that little bit. I love everyone, and hate no one. All is goodness and light. ;-)
And P.S.
And about Carrie and Anne Marie? You should know the three of us live like 5 minutes apart and I see them at least once a week. We are friends outside the blogworld and hang out. I'm very very lucky to have them as friends. Please don't think I'm being blog-cliquey if I talk about them. I just love 'em!
Alright, fine. A picture. Cause you made it this far.
The MDS&W SPOILS:
**And FYI, I'm not fishing for good comments here. Say what you gotta. Let it all out. I can handle it. ;-)
Whew!
What a crazy few days! As most of you have seen on other blogs, MDS&W was a success, and I had so much fun with my buddies Anne Marie and Carrie. The best part was getting to meet so many cool folks.
But before I give you all that stuff, I have a few things to update you on.
Secret Pal, no more!
My secret pal is Celia! She sent the most awesome package but I didn't get to show a picture until now:
The running socks are so great! And the chocolate! And I wanted to try the knitting hand creme but hadn't found it! And a Yarn Harlot book, tape measure, seeds, and a lovely card. Thanks SO MUCH!
Honeymoon Cami!
My honeymoon cami is finally done. I wore it to MDS&W this weekend and it fared well. It was rather warm so it was a good choice.
Notes: I used Klaus Koch "Clip" which I love, and changed the border. The edging I used is "Madeira Scallop" from Epstein's Knitting on the Edge.
Clap-happy!
The only knitting I took with me to the festival was Clapotis, and I'm glad. It was just the right travelling knitting, and I got a lot done. I have about 3 more repeats before I start decreasing, so YAY!!!
Awwww...
And when the hubby picked up Sadie from the kennel, she was wearing a KERCHIEF!
OK. So as to not overwhelm, I promise to put the MDS&W pictures in another entry in a couple of days. I really will!
It's just a jump to the left...
I have no idea what happened to me. Where have I been? What have I been doing? How has my time be accounted for? Oh, yeah. I went CLOTHES SHOPPING. Woo-wee for hours and hours. How painful and fun at the same time...
Thanks!
Thanks so much to you all for the first HEK blogday wishes. I am still really enjoying this blog, and it's because of all you nice folks. Makes knitting fun.
Yeah, yeah, enough sugary crap.
Well, finally some things have been accomplished around here.
1) The second most boring socks in the world are finished. The hubby's grey Regia ankle socks.
2) And behold!, and lo!, there was a finished object. And the angels trumpeted. (Or at least one guy played the bagpipes) ---- my Honeymoon Cami is blocking:
3) I ran a 1/2 marathon in Nashville with the ever-amazing Anne Marie. I cut 10 minutes off my last time, but AM had never run one before and did the whole thing, and at a really good pace, almost under two hours (and way faster than me). Please go congratulate her if you haven't. I am extremely proud of her.
We're off to see the wizard...
Well, Friday AM and Carrie and I (and a special guest!) leave for MS&W. I haven't said much, cause, well, I figured pretty much everyone is sick of hearing about it, even those who are going. ;-) But it will be so fun, because I love spending time with those two crazy knitters. We will laugh and laugh. Hope to meet some of you bloggers!