The Holidays and Telemarketers

I got the big report for work out the door Monday, late. It was a big push and many hours, but it's finally done, sort of. Unfortunately there is still more to do, but for now it's done, and my body just crashed on Tuesday, so stayed home and slept. Next up, Christmas.



Along with feeling stressed about work, I was not liking that time was just breezing by and I hadn't finished Christmas shoping. The tricky one this year was mom. I had collected two items for her over the months, but didn't have that last, great gift to give her. And then, of course, I wanted it to be good as I won't be spending Christmas with her. The good news, is at lunch while out shopping with friends downtown, stumbled upon something - of course, when I wasn't looking. I'll stop by Harvard Square tonight for the last three things I need, and than it's just a matter of packaging everything up and wrapping. I just checked and all the packages I had ordered online (gotta love amazon and ebay) have arrived. So I'm coming down the home stretch.



Tomorrow's my last day, at work, and then off to Vermont, which means no more blogging until the new year. So, as a holiday gift, I leave you this link (it had me crying with laughter - especially as I've started getting telemarketing calls on my cell recently).

Random summary post

In an effort to keep regular posts, and because I'm procrastinating, here's my random post. In knitting world, I haven't been knitting. Short story there - it's funny because I think it's what my friend Cece was talking about, I have three sweaters right now - will love them when they are done. But they are fairly boring stockinette stitch and I've been too busy to knit (crazy talk).



In work world, which seems to be my world, I've been super stressed trying to get a huge report out for next week as well as close up a bunch of projects. Doing one or the other of the tasks would be a feat in itself but doing both is just down right crazy. However, still pushing forward because it will be so nice to come back to work in the new year with a clean slate (well, as much as possible). That being said, I can't wait until I'm done with work next Thursday and can kick off the shoes and crash. I feel like I'm back in studio and pulling the late nights before the final review.



In holiday world, I've got to say I'm not really there yet. Even though I work right next to Macy's downtown, the decorations don't seem to be bringing me into the Christmas mood. I think I've been too busy running around with work and trying to figure out what to get people. Case in point, my Uncle Fred (I don't think he reads this, so should be safe for now). It's taken a long time, but I think I finally thought of something to get Uncle Fred that 1) he doesn't already own, 2) he wouldn't think to buy for himself, 3) will be a surprise, 4) he will actually use, 5) will get there on time.



In dating world, I have lined up a bunch of dates for the new year which is exciting (if not all that promising). Granted, one might have fallen through as I just sent back responses to his questions this morning, and having not slept well and being stressed, I'm a bit punchy. Backstory is that this was the fellow that my coworker is also communicating with online and he sent a fairly similar question to her (what is a sustainable building consultant), so wanted to answer differently. Here it is (and back to work for me):



What is a green building consultant?



It's been scientifically proven that painting buildings a shade of green provides an optimum environment to work and play in. There is more harmony, less stress and productivity increases. But what shade? There's so many choices out there - you have everything from the warm yellow based greens to the wonderful blue toned greens - that's where we come in. As a green building consultant we help you through the decision process to find the best match for your needs.



Actually, I've been thinking of changing the title on my business cards to something like 'environmental building consultant', as people don't really know what to make of the 'green' part. I have had people think I worked in the landscaping industry or even in design where I did help with the color selection (just so we are on the same page, the first paragraph is completely fabricated). My job works to make our built environment more environmentally responsible.

Disappointing/Interesting

Disappointing news first: was talking with my colleague at work, Marie, who is also doing the whole eharmony online dating. We don't usually share stories too much, but some how it came up that we were both communicating with Thomas. Prior to the conversation, I was all excited about him as he seemed really neat and fun, but interestingly enough, knowing that he was talking with someone else (just like I am) kind of deflated my hopes. On the up side I think it will be fun here on out to compare stories and joke about it.





Interesting news: just got this email from another colleague at work. It's really strange how our mysterious brain works.





"Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it...





I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe."

Work and Play

Again, I find myself working on the weekend. The good news is that this will end come the new year (promise) as it's the final push on a project I got dumped. Next time it will be different (honest) and I do love what I'm doing.



Plus, having taken a breather from the whole online dating thing, I've jumped back in and have a new batch of boys. I'm starting to line them up for the new year - plus still haven't been able to get together with Doug from round 1, but finished his book - well, one by the same author, which was really a fun, quick read - it's called Them: Adventures with Extremists by Jon Ronson.



I feel like last time was a test run. I've thrown out the whole open minded attitude - and am being a bit more selective, kind of. There are two that I am hopeful about the others should just be fun. So, with out further ado, here's the roster:



Thomas: He has fun photographs and really seems to have a fun personality. He seems to have a fairly similiar background/interests which I'm starting to realize makes a difference. He's in marketing/advertising and talked about laughter (plus) "Did you know the average child laughs 410 times per day and the average adult 11 (true stats based on a study done by Crayola - I worked there for several years)..." Sounds goods.



Chris:

An Industrial Designer - again similar back grounds (plus). Seems like a fun and laid back guy. Had a good book listed (plus): The Immortal Class about a bike messenger and his life in Chicago. And lives in Cambridge - another plus.

Stephen:

He's from Scotland - enough said. Ok, so I love the scottish accent, plus he works with children with TBI so that always gets points. The thing is he is 6'8". Now, I'm bad with measurements, but I know my brother is 6'4" (I think) and he's pretty tall in my book, so I can't imagine how tall this guy is - only one way to find out.

Tim:

This one is for the parents (jk) - he's a struggling musician, working as a waiter (I think). He seems a bit young for me even though he is only a year younger (more of a newer soul I guess). But has a lot of good energy and positive outlook - a good person to get to know.

So that's it for now. A fun break from work to read responses and profiles.

Travel Plans

As some of you know, my brother is off in Delhi clerking for the Supreme Court Justice there. Of course this just begs one to come visit and my whole family is making a pilgrimage east. My Dad and Barbro are heading over in late Jan/early Feb, and mom and I are visiting the last three weeks of February. We bought the plane tickets awhile back and have been reading up, but just this week in a flurry of emails we have finally started nailing down our travel plans. I thought I'd share (even though they are not completely booked), as it's a fun distraction from the daily grind (and I definitely am needing a break from work).



So, here is a map of India, Delhi is up there in the north (in the pink state). Three weeks seems like a long time, but you factor in jetlag (this is the other side of the world), travel time (India is a big country) and general down time, and there isn't much time left. The basic idea is the first week will be spent in and around Delhi - catching up with Nick, and seeing the touristy sites. This will most likely include a day trip to see the Taj Mahal, and possibly a day trip to Jaipur. (Delhi, Taj and Jaipur form the tourist circuit that most people do).



Next, we are hoping to fly to Mumbai (formally Bombay), which seemed to have moved last time I looked at a map. I could have sworn it was further south, but it's in the purple state there, on the west coast. Nick lived there one summer so will show us around. Than hop onto another plane down to Kerala which is the green state at the southern tip. It's gorgeous country downthere, known for their backwaters. We are looking into a state run package which basically provides hotels, travel and some food.



The hotels are wonderful and range from an old Dutch palace, to thatched cottages on stilts. It's a 6 day/5 night package and we have our own driver who can take us around on designated tours (I think). The first two nights are at a tea plantation (must start drinking more tea now, still wish I enjoyed it more than I do). A night in the heart of a game reserve, another at a bird sanctuary set in some mangrove woods (note, look up what mangrove means), and our last night just outside of Kochi (the big urban center of the area), where we get to our hotel via boat.



The last leg of the trip will just be to fly back to Delhi, have a few days more to see the sites and hang out with Nick and than back to the U.S. Doesn't that sound wonderful! It's definately been fun planning and now that the date is getting closer I am engaging in it more. An interesting factor has been my brother. He's been wonderful in keeping us moving along in figuring out exactly what we want to do and making plans. He's even taken on the role of travel agent and booking most of the things for us. It is easier for him to handle the arrangements for us since he is over there, and also, he needs to book farther in advance as he isn't there on a tourist visa so has to go through different chanels for reservations.



Oh, I almost forgot the other part of our trip. So, it's a long flight to India. When we were booking flights, it was a choice between an hour layover somewhere in europe or a 10 hour layover. Frankly, mom and I felt the one hour was cutting it too close, so we chose a flight that via red eye, gets us into London in the early morning and leaves after dinner. Perfect arrangements for a day trip and am hoping we will go visit the new Tate Modern. Last time I was in town, it hadn't been completed and have been dying to visit it for years now.



So that's the plan for now. Nothing booked yet, but working on it. Did get the Visa, so am good to go. Although I still haven't gotten my shots yet. I'm really hoping we don't need malaria pills - I hear they really do job on you, plus I have the whole don't swallow pills thing.



Between travel plans to India, running around for Christmas stuff - think I'll get the tree this weekend, and work being super stressful, I've been fairly busy. The whole dating thing did get put on hold a bit, although there is a new one on the radar who I will wait to write about at another time. That my friends, is my weekly update (ok, not so much an update, but more like installment).

Before I forget

I realized the other day I meant to post my great idea so that I could prove I thought of it first! With that said, it's just a plot idea for a show like CSI. This is my process - I was in the shower noting how long my hair (and therefore how much more time/shampoo it takes to wash it) and was thinking I should cut it soon - especially before I go to India. My approach with hair, since I lack any idea or intent of styling is just to grow it long, cut it short and donate the cut hair to make wigs for people with cancer, which got me thinking...



You know how on these shows it's set up to be an unsolvable case but then, wait, they find one little hair under the bed or something and trace it back to the murderer. Well, what if they did that, and accused the wrong person, because, yes it was their hair and DNA, and the back story on the person was such that they lived in the same town. The accused person can't figure out how the hair got there even though they weren't ever in that room/house - it looks like they will be doomed to a life in jail. As a viewer who is right? Either the DNA is right and the accused is lying, or they are convincing enough for you to think the testing was wrong. But the obligatory plot twist in the last quarter of the show was that both were right (the DNA testing and the innocent protestations) when somehow (no idea how) the police realize that the hair came from a wig of the murder who had gone through chemo. A little far fetched but not in the genre of the shows. You heard it here first!



I've told this to several friends/family who all thought it was a pretty good idea. However, got to love dad, his initial comment was that they probably already did a show with a similar plot idea. His point being that since there are, what, 8+ different types of these shows on each week, for however many years, there's been a lot of plots so the likelyhood that it was already done is high. I choose, to take the comment as a compliment, and if they haven't done it yet, they are welcome to use my idea - free of charge (I just get to have a walk on part :)

Dating & Books

So as I think I might have mentioned before, it turns out that one of the saving graces of the whole online dating thing is that I have a great list of books I want to read next. I find that I like to read word of mouth books (that doesn't sound right), and am almost done with one I borrowed from Andrea which has been perfect timing before heading off to India in a few months. It's called Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman.



Basically it's a travelogue of a woman who after her kids are grown and her marriage falls apart becomes a traveler in the non-touristy sense - opening herself up to other cultures and people. I was going to insert Amazon.com picture here, but no such luck, however, the site recommended Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure by Sarah MacDonald. I know I'm walking out on a limb as it wasn't recommended (unless Amazon counts), but it seems, again, like perfect timing.



Back to the subject, the following is the list so far of books that seem interesting - granted I think I'll try to get most of them from the library (got to love your local library).

- Self Made Man (author not given but think it's by Norah Vincent): about a woman posing as a man and experiencing life from that perspective.

- The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene: Love the science.

- A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson: recommended several times - it's a bestseller, so I don't know.

- The World is Flat by Thomas Fidman: I've been meaning to read this for awhile - it's back on the list!

- Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Truss: referenced enough I feel like I should read it.

- The Curious Incident about the Dog in the Nighttime by: told through the voice of an autistic boy.

- Sex, Drugs, Coco Puffs by Chuck Klosterman

- Freakonomics : again, another referenced book that friends have also referred me to.

- Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides: One of the few fiction books on this list

- Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

- The Men Who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronsons

- Empire Falls by Richard Russo

- A Brief History of Cocaine

- iCon :a biography about Steve Jobs (you know the apple guy)

- Of Flies, Mice and Men: about genetics revolution

- The Book on teh Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts

- Complications by Atul Gawande

- Undaunted Courage: about the Lewis and Clark expidition

- Street of Crocodiles by Bruno Schultz

- What I Loved: about the life of an artist in SoHo

- Swimming Across Anatartica



As you can see, it was taking too long to link each book and quite frankly, I've forgotten what some of the books were about (but they sounded good when I was reading about them). At least now I can throw away my random piece of paper. Now the question is, which one should I read first...

My favorite guy so far

I'm getting worn down from jumping back into the deep end of the dating scene. However, it's been entertaining for both myself and my friends. It's been suggested on several occasions that I should be writing a book (I think that's been done quite a few times now). My guess is that it's in response to the breadth of people I've been in contact with. The first few were more intellects/(nice term nerdy). The ones this weekend are more the athletic/sportsy types. And next week I have an artsy/tattoo type. Plus on the side, a friend is trying to hook me up with an artsy/latino. I should be recording more of the adventures here on my blog but my energy level has dropped recently. Maybe this next round will be recorded.



I'll start now, I guess, as I kill time. In half an hour, I have a date with TJ - I keep saying JT, honestly I'm not dislexic. I was excited about him originally, but than spoke with him the other night for a good 45 minutes. Sounds good, but no. It's more like he spent the time talking. Not that there is anything wrong with that (well actually there is), but it's excusable in the beginning - can chalk it up to nerves. The thing was that he was fairly flat. No humor. So far I've found has really warmed up the situation fairly well, put people at ease. But with him, no such luck. I would make a joke and there would be a long pause with me quickly following up with a "just kidding". I'm still trying to keep an open mind, as reading people over the phone is hard especially at the first time meeting. However, the gut is telling me it's not too promising. Hopefully, I'm wrong. Even so, I can learn about developing and investing in property - he and his brother buy properties, fix them up with mostly their own labor and than sell the buildings.



In conclusion, so far, I would say my favorite is Winston (and of course his brother too - except I don't have a good picture of him right now). And I have a date with them later tonight!

Beautiful Chair

Several months ago we moved from our office we were renting (they provided the desks and chairs and copier, etc) to our new temporary office that is located right next to our new space that is under construction. It's been really nice because instead of about a dozen of us cramped into one room which was getting very noisy and distracting, we all are spread out. I am even in a back office I share with my coworker Doug which is nice.



However, one of the downgrades in the move is that we had no chairs and ended up just buying a dozen folding chairs. The metal kind. I brought in a cushion but it didn't help much. Needless to say my lower back has gone from never being great to being really not good.



But guess what came today! We rush ordered our new chairs for the new office and they arrived today - I had no idea. And what a difference. I will never take a good chair for granted again. I went from sitting on a bottom of the line chair (I guess a pile of boxes was the only thing below the option I was sitting on) to the top of the line - Haworth's Zody chair. For those of you in the know it's a Cradle to Cradle product - hence why we have it for the new green resource center.



Look at the wonderful cushiony seat and all the adjustable options - moving up or down or back or forth. And things as simple as arm rests and wheels. Wheels! I am mobile. I didn't realize how much I wheeled around at my desk, especially when on the phone. And isn't that a gorgeous lumbar support. It adjusts up and down so you can position it just right and on top of that you can make it more stiff or less so. Our version is black with a mint green seat which is wonderful. I love my new chair, my back loves my new chair, even my toenails love my new chair (don't ask me how). So bask in the glory of my new, beautiful chair!

Status

So, I ended up going on two dates this week - Amit and Kevin. They were both great guys, had a great time, but don't think there is anything there romantically. It's only been, what, two weeks of eharmony, and I'm starting to get exhausted from it all. So much time spent on it and it doesn't really set up the right environment - it's more like you are in interviewing mode. Figure I'd better pace myself - no more than two per week is my new creed.



I’m getting a little worn out by reading so many profiles, so generally just jump to the book question so I’ll get something out of all my work - I have quite a good list of books I want to read. Plus I find it produces the least generic answers (i.e. Q: what are you most thankful for? A: health, family, friends is the typical response). So skimming through the last batch, I came across this and it just cracked me up, thought I'd share it with you all:



The last book Jason read and enjoyed:

The last book I read was entitled "Saftey Instructions for your Airbus A320 Aircraft". Granted, it was more of a pamphlet. Well, really, just a card, but I still read it. Well, I guess there wasn't much to "read", but there were lots of pictures and I learned a lot. You can use your seat cushion as a flotation device. Who knew?!?

Nick's in the paper!

Just talked with Nick and found out that he was quoted in a recent article in the Chicago Tribune! Check it out here. He's near the end of the article, here's an excerpt that relates to Nick:



Nick Robinson, 26, who graduated from Yale University's law school last spring, works as a clerk for the Indian Supreme Court. He's making $16,500 for a nine-month stint through a fellowship, a signing bonus at many American law firms. Here, it's a decent wage - an Indian clerk earns about $3,330 in nine months.


"Some people ask me why did I come," said Robinson. "But if you get the chance to clerk for a very well-respected Supreme Court in the largest democracy in the world, that's an opportunity you want to pursue."



Apparently the actual paper (the one in Chicago, not the online version) features a picture of Nick. Unfortunately I can't find it online, the closest I got was this Welsh football player with the same name.

My old Crush

Boys, boys, boys! Honestly, I do have more on my mind. But am having dinner with Sam (old college friend) and he sent me an email with a picture of the old gang. They got together the other week - and it has Jamie in the picture.


He's the one that I could see myself ending up with, except that he's a priest now (almost) - the Catholic kind (see previous post). It seems like ages ago when I hung out with that group (it's been 10 years). Seeing them all together definately brings me down memory lane and scares me how much has become clouded and forgotten. I really need to get started on my memoirs. Well, just thought I'd post the picture before it gets lost on the computer. He's the one with the receding hairline. Ok, bad joke, the one on the right.

One More

Really there are a few others, but they're still in the early stages of "communication" so don't qualify for posting. But have to add Thomas here, who seems really sweet. It's interesting how people come off in the short, structured messages. The way the whole things is structured, I get the wonderful pleasure of sending the first message. Generally I reference something said prior, but it was harder for him. He is in Boston, so another point for convienance - hopefully we'll be able to get together after work next week.



And I think I'm good for now. I have two dates lined up for this weekend, and than another two more for next week in the works. I feel like I am house hunting all over again (which it kind of is). And it's starting to get a little overwhelming. Must pace myself. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon. Ok, it's neither, I just need some "me" time and of course knitting time - wouldn't it be great if I could knit on the first date, hmmm. I was trying to have this one sweater done for the show tomorrow night. Let's just say I'm done with the back, and that's all. Oh well - I'm no Olympic knitter.



I have to say that I'm still in the pre-bubble burst stage where the potential is exciting (no crazy psychos yet). And with that said off I go back into the wide world of dating.

Dating

First, my new month's resolution is to post a blog at least once a week. That said, onto my topic. No, I'm not dating yet, but on the road. Last week, I finally signed up with eharmony, an online dating service. For those of you less familiar with the process of this particular mating ritual, let me elaborate. First, you have to fill out 30+ forms online about who you are, what you like, etc. I wouldn't have gotten past this first step if it weren't for Andrea (see pic), a coworker and good friend that loves doing online dating (she unfortunately/fortunately is in a successful and longterm relationship, which means she lives vicariously through others, ie. me). The word on the street here is that eharmony is for those interested in relationships (the questions act as a filter) while match.com is more of a meat market (and craigslist is just scary). That said, I have several friends who have found a mate on match.com.



Next, once you've paid of course, eharmony acts as the intermediator and introduces you to who they think will be a good fit (think Fiddler on the Roof's matchmaker, in modern day). This is based on the questions from part one. Each day you get introduced to a dozen or so people. You get to read their answers, see their pictures (if posted) and if interested can "start communication".



But it's not that simple. I "started communication" with one fellow, and we are just now finally getting to the point where we are setting a time and place to meet. It's taken one+ week with the back and forth eharmony puts you through. First they send questions (multiple choice), you answer and send your own questions. Then they answer and send "must haves/can't stands". You read them and send your own. They read yours and send round two of questions (short answer), you answer and send your own. They read and then communication starts in that you can send a message. In no time do they have access to your email, or any other personal info. Very good in the guarded sense, but figure a day minimum for each and you are looking at a courting ritual of at least 8 days before you even meet!



So, it's been fun and safe - I've not had to go too much out of my comfort zone, and when that's happened, Andrea's there to do some friendly pushing. A little something to highlight the day (when it's not too busy). At first it wasn't looking too good, but now it gets a little overwhelming - so many people, so much communication. I thought I'd share the possibilities (plus wouldn't it be funny if someone knew one of the guys). Here's the short list:



Amit: The first guy I started "communicating" with and who lives in Cambridge (one point for convenience). He seems really nice and is also new to this whole process. We're still working out logistics but hope to meet up with him this weekend. He suggested friday but I was going to to hang out with friends and see my "crush" perform (see below). He is younger (29) and doesn't drink, but am keeping an open mind.




Kevin: As I was writing this post, I've been simutaneously writing to Kevin- which negates my previous comments about how long it takes. I guess if both are on the computer and have time, it can move a lot faster. He seems really nice (honestly I don't say that about everyone) and just started his own business as a home inspector. He communicates really well (his personality comes through) and even owns a cat! Unfortunately he lives up in Nashua, NH, which is just under an hour away, so still is in the picture. Also, did I mention he is a red head (yummm) and a leftie. Hopefully we'll be getting together this weekend/next week.




Derck: I just started communicating with Derck (or is it Dereck and he can't spell?) today. But thought I'd add him to the list as he also loves Sedaris and am sure that's we he started communicating with me (I have a reference to Sedaris in my answers). Not sure how well the match will work (look at the size of those thighs - there's no way I could keep up), but you never know.




Adam: He's my crush. My friend and coworker Colleen has been trying to set us up for months now, he's best friends with her husband. I'm a little hesitant as he is a musician (yes, that's his day job) and I don't think he wants to settle down yet. But he's really sweet and super nice and we definately had some chemistry when we met briefly - a perfect candidate for the crush category. Isn't he a cutie?




So, that's all for now. In knitting news, I finished the sweater for Jackson (6 month old version of baby sweater I knit for Ann's son), but don't have buttons - you know that'll take me a month to finish now - so close...

Happy Halloween!

Drunk Pumpkin

It's Official - I'm Homeless!

You see this house - it is no longer mine! So if you know my story, I had bought a house in Ann Arbor while at grad school with the intention of selling it when I left. Simple enough. Fast forward a year and thousands of dollars later and I still owned the house. Apparently I bought high and was trying to sell low. Kept lowering the price, but it's been a buyers market and completely flooded with houses.



But I don't have to worry about that anymore. I was able to sell the house (granted not even close to what I was originally asking - we won't go there). It's a done deal and I don't have to worry anymore. Yeah!

Knitting Projects

I finally got around to downloading my digital pictures and than proceeded to crop them (hard to do without my trusty photoshop). I always hate when people crop their heads off of their sweater pics, but after taking a dozen plus timer shots, I can now fully comiserate. So without further ado, here are my finished projects (details to be added later):

Rowan Red Cardigan:

I love this sweater, and is my new favorite. It is a bit on the short side, if I were to do over I would add a bit more length in the body and arms, but I think that is more me (I have a long torso and arms and always seem to forget when making things). The yarn is wonderful and I've been holding off using it for several years until I found just the right project to use it for - I just love the color - a wonderful shade of red - which of course pictures can't capture (especially mine). The pattern was not a simple, stop thinking and just knit pattern, but simple enough that after awhile I had it memorized and could knit on the bus/subway to and from work. It did make for slower going but isn't the point to enjoy the journey and not just the destination - although I do love the end product. Details are:


Pattern: [ ] from Rowan Magazine (borrowed from Cece)

Yarn: [ ]

Needle Size: [ ]

Pattern Size: xs (which was by accident, hadn't realized it went down that small and thought I was knitting just a normal Small).

Simply Marilyn:
This was a fast sweater to knit up, gotta love chunker yarn. I think it took me just under a week of knitting and than I was pretty good at just finishing it on the go - did some of it at work, which suprisingly a lot of people were impressed with- I think it was the coming together of the random pieces into a final product. I did almost loose my favorite darning needle, but it reappeared so all is good. Again, I wish the torso and arms were a bit longer, but wearing a camisole underneath is a good pairing (which I just happen to have one that matches perfectly - it must be providence). At one point I was thinking of adding ribbing on the bottom (similar to the arms) to make the torso longer, but have decided not to. I have one coworker who I think loves it so much that she would steal it if it was a bit bigger. Details are:


Pattern: Simply Marilyn from Interweave Knits, Spring 2004, free pattern found here.

Yarn: [ ]

Needle Size: [ ]

Pattern Size: Small

Baby Sweater:

I was knitting this for Ann Desorbo (old family friend) who was pregnant when I started but has since given birth and I'm starting to worry that by the time I send it off, Sam, her new son, will be too big for it. I think I knit it in a matter of days (it was so long ago, I can't remember). The delay was in finishing it and sewing the buttons on, well and of course taking a picture before it gets sent off. The yarn is wonderful! I have no clue what yarn it is as I got it years ago from Straw into Gold, a great yarn store in Berkeley that had been liquadating their inventory before they moved. It's a soft purple, and a nice wool for a baby - not too scratchy (hopefully). I think I will be making another one again soon for a coworker's son.

Pattern: Peapod (or something like that) from Interweave Knits

Yarn: unknown - Crystal Palace perhaps, purchased at Straw into Gold, 2001

Needle Size: [ ]

Pattern Size: 3 months

Not Quite Right Sweater:

So, this one didn't really work out. I really liked knitting it - nothing complicated but I was using this great cotton yarn. I never really have knit with cottom before, this being my second time, and was pleasently suprised how nice the motions were. The fitting of this sweater is something out of the late '80s - short and boxy. I took a bunch of pictures and they make the sweater seem like it is ok - which it isn't. I'm going to pull it apart at some point, but figured I'd let it live a bit longer. Plus, I had gotten a cone of this yarn and you can't tell I even used any yarn (i.e. there is enough yarn to knit 20 of these sweaters it seems). I don't think the yarn really lays nicely for this pattern and the shaping was completely off. As you can see in the picture - again it was too short (mental note, add more rows when knitting sweater for me). In the end, I fell out of love with the little twist at the top so won't reattempt making the necessary adjustments.


Pattern: [ ] from Interweave Knits

Yarn: unknown, purchased at Webs warehouse on cone, 2005

Needle Size: [ ]

Pattern Size: small

Change for the better

So just wanted to report that this weekend felt like a model weekend. One of those where I really got a lot done but kept it balanced with recouping from the previous week (side note here - usually it's one or the other, but not both - i.e. sleep and lounge and not get anything done, or just work, work, work, but than end up exhausted for Monday). Saturday I woke up at my regular time (6 am), went to the bathroom, than went back to bed and slept for some more. Read in bed a bit, got up and tidied the house, put a load of laundry in, did the dishes and made breakfast. Than headed off to run errands on foot - gorgeous brisk autumn day. Went to the bank (deposit, money order and notorized docs), the post office, and the library. Got back home and had a bite to eat for lunch and watched War of the Worlds and Must Like Dogs - my double feature, while knitting on my knew cardigan pattern from Jo Sharp and dealing with financials. Two comments, I got a lot of boring stockinette knitting done during War of the Worlds - addrenlin rushing in some parts, and felt like the Must Like Dogs gave me a preview (although with a hollywood twist) of the whole online dating stuff.



Than cooked and baked - made Mary's Apple tort and Roasted butternut squash - while keeping the kitchen clean. Took a good two plus hours prepping everything, but was good food in the house finally. Than early to bed (by accident - i.e. couch).



Today got up and had a good breakfast and headed off to work to catch up on my humongus project that I have no time for. I've been working on it all day and feeling like it's in a better place (think of infinity and that is the scope of this project). Plus I think I garnered bonus points with the boss man as he ended up coming in this afternoon and we have been working side by side - commradery is a good thing. So finally feeling like I truely am taking back control of my life - and it ain't all talk. Tons more, but a bit more work and than home to a relaxing evening before the week begins all over again.

I'm Back!

I can't believe how much time has slipped by. I ended up taking last week off from work... kind of. I realized I would loose the vacation time AND was feeling burnt out and at a point in time where I needed to take evaluation of things and try to play catch up.



Needless to say, I feel even further behind and the tangled mess of my life is nowhere closer to being untangled. However, the break did give me a chance to realize that even though tangled, a mess can still be beautiful in its own right. That sounds corny, but basically, being in chaos while I love order has unsettled me and I had lost my grounding, so am starting to readjust.



What in God's name has happened to her you ask. Well, that's just it, everything and not much. Basically I realized work has been taking a lot more out me than I realized and always will, so am working on boundaries there. Also the whole financial side of things have not been going well for me - working for a non-profit while paying off student loans and having a bloody *&^%^ house that won't sell and is costing me a fortune. And then of course there is the issue of unfinished business in my life as well as the eternal ticking clock - wanting to find a mate and settle down to start a family.



So, the good news is, I've arranged a meeting to discuss work with my boss and try to figure out a healthier work environment (and not just for me), I have a name of a doctor (ironically recommended by my boss) that I want to see about managing my stress and personal issues, my house is about to be sold (fingers crossed) so will at least have a concrete amount of debt to start paying off instead of an endless black hole sucking my meager earnings, and I've decided to (I think) take the plunge into online dating and just started the survey for eharmony.com at lunch today.



Who knows how things well work out, but at least I have the apperance of being back in control of my life. So although not completely fixed the week was not a complete loss- which I at first thought it was as I didnn't feel like I was getting anything accomplished.



The only concrete things that I got accomplished last week was knitting! I even took pictures but still have to download them to the computer. I now have my favorite sweater which is becoming my super favorite sweater as I get more and more compliments. So hopefully I'll get my act together and load some knitting pics finally - I have quite a few sweaters and... well it's just sweaters I have been working on - three successes and one failure, not such a bad ratio. So on that note I will leave you while thanking all of you who have supported me through this rough patch in my life - got to love being in ones 30s!

I'm Up!

So this really happened yesterday morning - which is more fitting being that it was a classic Monday story.



I've been trying to pace myself a bit better, starting in small ways. So in the morning, instead of waking up and jumping out of bed and out the door, I've been reading in bed a little each morning and gradually starting my day. Mainly low-key stuff, thumbing through magazines, etc. Well yesterday morning, I was doing just that. That cats had joined me and we were all splayed out in bed, me propped up with the pillows when I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. I usually notice things, but they tend to be reflections caught in my glasses, so don't give them much notice. Something made me look and I was stunned. Speeding along, aiming straight at me (and not my toes, mind you, but my upper torso/head area), was a big old spider.



As I mentioned to my coworkers later that day, I have no problems with spiders - they are our friends by keeping the other bug populations (i.e. fruit flies) down. I even have two in the apartment that I know of that have made their home with me. But they are small and brown and plain looking (like the ones I grew up with). The biggest spider I am familiar with is the Daddy Long Legs, and even so he gives me pause when our paths cross.



This guy though was big and black and had stripes (I think). Ok, he wasn't anything compared to a furry tarantula but my animal instincts kicked in (the flight side, not the fight) and I literally jumped out of bed. My cats were suprised at my strange actions. I felt silly considering the size difference and all. But it was in my bed - in the safe haven where I escape to each night - and was uninvited. I went and got a container and was able to easily scoop him up and bring him outside. He was suprisingly submissive and didn't make me chase him.



As I was getting ready I started thinking about what happens in my bed while I'm asleep. I remember a friend in college telling me that we eat something like 10,000 bugs in our sleep over our lifetime (don't quote me on that). Generally I think it's my little spider friends, but imagine if it was this guy - he wasn't shy and had no problem with the idea of crawling over my head. The spider was at least an inch big (again, I know it ain't no tarantula). I think he was big enough that I would have had to chew him first to swallow him. Well, luckily our destinies together was intended to be something else. I just wonder where he came from (do I need to remind you he was big) and if he has any brothers or sisters lurking in the corner.



On another note, I'm curious about tonight. I got Garden State from the library and am hoping to watch it this evening. The funny thing is that I've been listening to the soundtrack for almost a year - one of my favorites so am super familiar with it. I wonder if it will effect the movie for me (usually the music is just in the background for me - I don't focus on it). Well, here is to a hopeful early evening home with relaxing plans.

The more I try, the worse it gets

Do you ever have one of those days/weeks/months/... where you work so hard to get on top of things, feel like you are, only to realize you are further down than you were before? I think I need a break. I don't think I have properly transitioned into the work force, at least not yet, and miss not having the summer vacation. I discovered a while back that most of my vacation days I negotiated for when I started haven't been used, and factoring in those that will be used at the holidays and those that can be carried over, I still have a week that will be lost if I don't take it in the next couple of months. The catch is that I haven't taken days yet because it is very busy here as we transition into our new space and expand our business - in other words, there is no time for vacation, I'm lucky if I can get away with a 40 hour week (but I do love what I do).



Timing. I oversee about 20 projects - quite a lot but doable, except for the timing. There are 6 projects that are at the most critical stage and require the most handholding, keeping track of numerous items as well as the usual research, calculations, and teaching. I would think 2 would be doable, but three times that amount has me taxed. By the end of the day more issues have come up despite me being on the phone/in meetings all day. It will never end!



Car. Wonderful trip to Syracuse in which I drove - thought I could keep track of time. We were able to get back at a decent time on Sunday and my car did wonderfully - 37 mpg! Hybrid-shmybrid. You ask yourself, what is wrong with this picture. The car did wonderful except... I couldn't shift most of the way back! That's right, we would pull in to a rest stop and I go to downshift and there is nothing - I can't get it into any gear - they were all closed for business. Not sure what is wrong, (not sure if I want to know), but for now, I am leaving the car in the driveway and thanking my lucky stars I use public tranportation for 90% of my transportation needs.



Fighting. Granted it is fighting the good fight, but it gets exhausting. One project I am working on has a green roof in the design and now I am facing the architect taking it out for the most ridiculous reasons. I am a patient person, but this is starting to wear me down. I can argue the tough argument, but arguing the silly fight is draining. (This is from a tour I gave last fall, it was on my camera).



The list could go on, but one can only complain so much. At least I feel like I am accomplishing something (even if I'm not keeping up). Maybe I need to start a new knitting project (even though I need to finish three projects - sew the pieces together).

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings!

The theme for last weekend was Weddings! It actually started on Friday. I had to return something at Filene's and didn't realize that it was the annual, Filenes Basement Running of the Brides. (check out the link - it has steps on how to organize your 'team'). This event is institutional, think I first learned about it on Seinfeld and didn't realize it was in Boston. On the way into work the line was six people deep and around the block. By the time I went at lunch, the crowds had subsided (lucky since the return counter was located behind where the gowns were - I don't think I would have made it - they are vicious)!



Than bright and early Saturday, Noah, Andrea and her boyfriend Chris (the first two are coworkers of mine) drove to Syracuse for Colleen's wedding (another coworker). I finally have pictures too as I was the only one to bring a camera! Granted it's digital, so not the best at getting motion shots. Warning these pictures are blurry:

Colleen is catholic and unfortunately had a young "old-timer" priest who talked about how they should reconnect every evening after Colleen made dinner (audience laughs, he's confused and edits, "or after she get's take-out"- I guess that's his idea of the modern lifestyle, mind you, still the woman's responsibility).

Waited and waited to get a shot of them leaving the church, and this is what I get! I even forwent the blowing of bubbles to no avail.

Between the hotels, church and the museum (where the reception was), they had hired a trolly to shuttle the guests. This is us (mare, me, noah, chris) on the way to the wedding. Andrea was taking that shot, so here is her "sexy mama" shot at the dinner.They had the reception at the Everson Museum which was designed by I.M. Pei and was really a great setting (especially considering it was raining all day). The dinner was upstairs in a gallery and the drinks and dancing were downstairs in the lobby. It was such a lovely setting. You could socialize and than go and wander through (some) of the exhibits. It was a really great pairing of a traditional type wedding with a wonderful setting.

Note that almost half of the young ladies had the floral print, strapless dresses. This was at the beginning of the night, after dinner - fairly tame.

I was suprised how quickly the night went - lots of dancing and we all had a great time. It was great having a group of people I knew fairly well to hang out and enjoy the night with. I ended up knowing quite a few people (from Colleen's bachelorette party, and old coworkers of hers I had met). I met some new people and including a fellow who had done the same exact same undergrad program at my school. He was a freshman when I was a senior. It was fun to reminisce about the college days, the different fraternities (most of old fraternity row has been confiscated by administration - a shame), classes and professors and good old Butterfield Hall.

I just noticed when I posted this picture, that if you look closely, it includes a guy on the left that Colleen has been wanting to hook me up with. He is good friends of theirs, but is a musician and a bit younger. Colleen really wanted her wedding to be an opportunity for matching up various single people, as that is how they met and in the end got married - keep the circle of love and marriage alive. All in all the wedding was great and well worth the 11 hours of driving - so much love and happiness. I really wish the best for them in their future together.

FYI, the groom does have a name and it is Mark.

Author unknown

So I thought I'd post my anonymous mail I got the other week. Being that I lived in San Francisco for quite a few years, I occasionaly get San Francisco post cards from friends who still live there. This particular post card is interesting since it features the famous Painted Ladies (one of the most photographed sites in SF) but also borders the small park that I hung out in almost every day the first week I arrived in SF. I'd be apartment hunting, driving all over the city, trying to find a job, living in a Youth Hostel I had to vacate during the day. By midday I would be tired and found this park a relaxing place to take a rest, and still be able to keep an eye on my car that was chock full of everything I owned.



So, here are the clues:

It is from someone visiting - rules out friends living there.

It is signed R.F.

It is addressed to Susanne (not Sukey or Suzanne).



My guess is that it is from my cousin Rachel Farmer (the only person I can think of with those initials). However, family usually calls me Sukey. My only other guess is that the park (I can't remember it's name, but it could have had the initials R.F) is sending me a friendly postcard (from almost 10 years ago) just to touch base later on in life. That makes me a little nervous as it raises questions of how it was able to hunt me down (I've since lived 7 different places, 4 different states since then). So I'm going to go with the more rational explanation - thanks for the postcard Rachel (or whoever...)!

Forgot One

Yikes- time has flown by, but realized I forgot to jot down my dinner with Sam the other night (weeks ago now). It was great catching up with him - ended up meeting up in the North End. While sitting and eating dinner in the Daily Catch there (a super small restaurant with literally three tables and the kitchen pratcially in your lap), we saw a small Saint something parade go by - the North End is great as it has become touristy, but is still full of real italian locals (non-gentrified). I forgot how strong his personality is - he is such a great guy and very entertaining - endless tales of his life between than and now. He had me in stitches and by the end of the night, my face was tired from smiling so much. I was right, he had grown up in Brookline, currently lives there now and turns out to be quite a good resource about finding the good local haunts (yeah for me).



I'm really glad to have reconnected with him - he, of course, has three gorgous little kids (all my friends seem to have kids now, I must have missed the memo). The interesting little tid bit was that we were catching up on mutual friends (well his friends that I knew). Actually had a cannolli (or rather stood in line for one - Modern was very busy that friday night), with Ramus (spelling? a roommate of his I knew kind of - he was an electrical engineer).



The funny tid bit was about his other friend/roommate Jamie. Now, if you knew me in college, you would recall I had a huge crush on this guy. It was a strange relationship we had (it was a strange time after all - college). He was a bit of a ladies man in a strange catholic guilt way - really a sweet guy underneath it all. He wasn't very academic, or rather hadn't found his calling. Well, it turns out his calling a-came a-knocking. I don't know what or where he would end up, but this was my last guess ever - he's been three years training to become a priest. A priest! The catholic kind. I cannot stress enough that this was so far afield from his path as to be in another country, another universe. Still very strange. It's a funny world we live in and it sure keeps thing interesting by dropping in these little curve balls. So that was my night: great company, great food and good stories.

Quick Update

I have so many things I wanted to jot down and have become back logged so decided to do a quick recap/update. Figure it's better than nothing. Not in order of importance, but hopefully chronological:



1. Blinddate (7/22). Long story short, went well, but no sparks. In fact it turns out we are on differing sides on quite a few political issues. Normally I wouldn't talk politics on the first date, but since it was one of his two interests (and I know nothing of sports), discussions went there. Suprisingly it was quite fun discussing the topics and realized his decisions were based on good principles, but just in a very black and white world (in my opinion). We had fun and hopefully a friendship will form out of this.



2. Bridal Shower (7/22). In support of my coworker, Colleen (her wedding is next Saturday!), I went down to the Newburry Street area - very foo-foo and I haven't been in that part of Boston yet, which was nice. I got to meet a lot of her friends, but unfortunately, wasn't feeling to well after dinner so had to bow out of dancing (ok, I was planning on skipping that part anyways, but honest, I really wasn't feeling well). She had a grand old time being princess for the night and being surrounded by a wonderful group of girls.



3. Visit with Tellings (7/23). Turns out I visited them on a private island, Naushon Island, owned by the Forbes and you have to be family or be specially invited to visit. I had a great time visiting the Tellings. I got up early, still a little bit dehydrated from the night before and headed off down to Woods Hole. I wasn't exactly sure how long a drive it would take (just under 2 hours), but had found out there was only one ferry that day so didn't want to miss it! I got there about a half hour or so early which was good as I had to park a ways off in the secret parking lot (I still have the pass, undated so can park down there again in case I wanted to go to Martha's Vineyard). It was great seeing the whole family (sans Ned - the middle kid). Very strange catching up with Sally and Ned, the two kids I had babysat. Even though they were taller than me, they looked somewhat the same, but the strange part was that their voice didn't match anymore. Very errie. Sally has been doing a great job of being a single-mother and raising her daughter, Daysha (spelled phonetically here), who is 2 years old - very sweet and not too spoilt like many kids these days. Hopefully, I'll see more of than as they live up in Vermont.



4. The following week. No clue what I did that week. Work, work, work. I'm sure there were some interesting things. Caught up with Galen, a coworker after celebrating another coworkers birthday and he was very supportive of my whole house situation. Interesting to hear about some unrest at work from others. At the end of our evening he said something criptic about my job, which has me curious but haven't been able to figure it out yet.



5. Wellfleet (7/29-30). My dad and Barbro brought up my brother's bike (or rather brought down as they are up in VT). I talked them in to visiting Wellfleet out on the Cape as one of the projects I am working on, Audubon Wellfleet Bay, has pretty much finished construction and was having a barbq. We never made it. After sitting in the unairconditioned car stuck in the traffic going over the bridge to the cape, we didn't get to Wellfleet until much later than planned. The director I knew there was nice to give us a personal tour and it was great to see the finished product. Luckily, we didn't just drive out for a 20 minute tour. We had a great time staying with a friend of Barbro's, Lisa and Cole's who live in Wellfleet. It was gorgous, and we had a relaxing evening chatting. They took us on a tour of all the wonderous beaches and I really want to go visit again.



6. Following week. Still no clue.



7. Unglorioius weekend (8/5-6). After the two previous weekends where I vacationed on a private island and stayed at a gorgous place in Wellfleet on Cape Cod, this weekend was pretty low key. In an attempt to get on top of things, I decided to focus on issues at work and ended up coming into work on Sunday - free parking and I went to Filene's Basement at lunch. Got a lot of work done and felt much better this week. So much so I am planning on coming in again this weekend - but that's the last of it.



That's about it I think. I'm sure I've forgotten tons, but just need to cut my losses and move on. In knitting news, I am done with my sweater, the pieces part, am working on putting it together and working on the collar. The book this pattern (and many others I like) is on loan from Cece, but I found a copy on ebay (very suprisingly) and almost got it but then someone came in at the last minute and outbid me (very frustrating - it should have been mine!) I will have to resort to photocoping my favs. This weekend, in addition to work, I get to visit Andrea at her new housewarming party (ok, apartment). Supposedly we will be sunbathing by her pool, but frankly, it's been very unaugust like around here, which might be good as I'm not a big bathingsuit person.

Well, that's all for now - home to enjoy movies I got from the library and just relax!

What Hell might be like...

...if I believed in Hell. Last post for the day, still have an afternoon left of lecture (about 3 hours) and am working on my last sleeve of this sweater (that has taken FOREVER). I have about 2 hours left of knitting. Perfect you might think, except, I forgot to pack an extra ball of yarn and I just ran out! I'm so close to finishing! Inches from the top of the sleeve and just the collar to go. I could be done knitting tonight - I could have a completed sweater by the end of the week. I could have finally found out if this sweater that has taken so much of my time actually will fit (I've been worried these last couple of weeks, realizing that the pattern had an extra-small size - I thought I was knitting small - opps)! Now I must suffer and sit in peace, accomplishing nothing and just listening to the lecture, fighting off the afternoon urge to nap. How sweet knitting is, and how much I miss it when it is gone.

I fell off the face of the earth

Just checking email before lunch was over (my brother is coming to visit tomorrow before he heads off to India, but no longer has a cell phone, or any phone, but has email - a little hard to coordinate), and I just got an email from Sam. We went to school together, he was a year ahead of me in the Civil Engineering program. Ironically, I visited him here at MIT 9 years ago (he was getting his masters and trying to talk me into going to MIT instead of Berkeley/Stanford) before heading off to California.



Fast forward, I was in Brooklyn with some friends and I remembered that was where he grew up (thought he meant Brooklin for the longest time) so did some googling and sent him an email. Than, as most of you are familiar with, I dropped the ball. I don't know why I am so bad with correspondance (email, phone, letters - you name it, I'm no good). Anyways, he followed up and we traded emails and phone messages, but that was it. Again with the ball analogy, the ball was in my court and I didn't send it back the last time. Now time has gone by, realize I should have a party to invite him over to, but that takes time and in the summer it's no good as my apartment is too hot, and who else do I invite? Anyways, it got too big and it all got dropped.



But not this time. We are going to finally meet up this week some time. I am so excited - he is such an interesting character (he's the second from the right, giving attitude). Hopefully he hasn't changed too much. Last I knew he was getting married, so he might even be a father now! It will be so fun to catch up and reconnect. All I have to do is call him tonight to coordinate....

Super Hot/Super Cold

I'm so behind on my posts, but wanted to just complain about the weather. These last two days I have been at energy modeling workshops at MIT. Outside it is hot and humid. Today it's supposed to get over 100 degrees with the humidity factored in - tomorrow even worse. Right now I am freezing! Granted I am wearing a skirt, but I have three layers on, even socks (I take them off when wearing my sandals - I won't go there). Yesterday morning, I had to leave the workshop to go buy a sweater/sweatshirt. Only, I found out that MIT students don't shop. The school bookstore was super overpriced and I walked and walked and there were no clothes stores around. After about 45 minutes, I was too hot to even think about buying a sweater so headed back to the classroom/workshop, only to be cold the rest of the day.



Granted, I appreciate being cold rather than hot. However, the irony is that I am at an energy conference - and here we are using more energy than is needed. These models are used to help fine tune the design so less energy is used and to understand better how the building and systems function, especially MIT who has put together a campus wide mandate. It might just be me. It's like the old days when I was the only girl in class (or there were only a few of us). Yesterday it was me and one other woman. Today there are four of us (out of about 30 people) - back with the boys (who have more mass and probably aren't cold)!

Last Week Thursday

I am a bit behind on what I wanted to post. I wanted to remember the good night I had last Thursday. My coworker, Noah, had cued me in to the free Thursday night at the Museum of Fine Arts, specifically the special exhibition: Americans in Paris, 1860-1900. (FYI, I would have had to spend $39 to see this).



I ended up going with another coworker, Colleen and her fiance Mark. It was interesting viewing the collection with them. She was a bit more rushed going through, he was a bit more slower, contemplative viewing the exhibit and I was in the middle. This Sargent was one of Mark's favorites as it reminded him of his time visiting the gardens at dusk when he was last in Paris.



For me, I had fun remembering where I had seen some of the collection (they were paintings gathered from all over: Tate, Paris, National Gallery...). It was another hot night, but it put me in a pleasant frame of view (that's not quite the right saying, but hopefully you get the gist) and I thought I should really take advantage of the city sites more often (than I remembered the prohibitive cost). Still it was a good night and have made a resolution to visit the art museums more often.

Interesting Mail Day

The weather finally turned last night, but I was not feeling well this morning so took the first part of the day off and came into work after lunch. The T has been busier being the alternative mode of transportation these days and I ended up stuck for a half hour at Central station - not pleasant, but at least the air was going and so it wasn't too uncomfortable.



The upside was that I got my mail for the day - a letter from Jenny Telling an old friend I used to babysit for when I was younger. She had me to babysit when needed, but my regular gig was coming aftershool every Thursday to watch the kids. I started in middle school when it was just Sally but after 6 years it was up to three kids with Ned and Rob added to the mix. I go to college, they move to Vermont. We still stay in touch a bit. I stop by their place before heading off to California and Sally teaches me how to knit (she learned in her Waldorf school). I move out west and they move over seas and we loose touch. Fast forward almost 10 years and I hear that Ned (the middle kid, the one on the right who looks alot like my brother in this picture) is graduating highschool! They were frozen in my mind as kids - young kids - now it looks like they are all taller than me!



Second piece of mail is an email from a guy, Danny, that a friend set me up with. We are working out when to meet up and he included a picture. At first I was relieved, he seemed nice and was kind of cute. But now I kind of wonder about his photoshop skills and whose kids are those! It's a bit strange after you look at it for awhile. He seems really nice though and has parental approval in the form that Joanne's mom knows him.



The dilema is that my friend/coworker Collen is having a bachelorette party saturday, Jenny just invited me out to an island off of Martha's Vineyard this weekend (Sally and Rob will be visiting then), and Danny suggested getting together saturday night. Plus, I'm going to go out to the Cape next weekend (welfleet) to celebrate the opening of a building I have been working on and could visit Jenny then (but not Sally). I'm still trying to figure out if I could fit all three into the same weekend!

Missing Sleeve

This weekend was busy with my cousin Catherine, Tyler (her 5 year old) and Barry (her husband) being in town for several days. Saturday we went in to the city to visit Faneuil Hall area (when I first moved here it took me a month to realize people weren't saying Nathaniel) . It was a hot and muggy day and there wasn't much to do other than walk around a bit and watch several street performances.



The first act was a group I had seen before up in Salem, MA - the acrobatic family. They weren't as full of energy as before, but imagine it was due to the sun zapping their energy. They were funny and well polished and it was interesting to see them twice that day. The second act was this guy who did similar acrobatic and juggeling things, but wasn't as well practiced which was fine until he was up on a ladder balancing, trying to pull off his finale - wasn't sure if he would actually make it - it's not like there are any mats or safety harnasses. He survived though and all was well. The last act we saw was a group of dancers - a combination of acrobatics and break dancing. At one point they had Tyler participate from the audiance and he was tickeled pink.



This weather has not been good, but am glad I got the futon as I am using my back room the most as there is an AC unit in there and because it is such a small room, it cools down much quicker than the living room which has the high ceilings. Plus no real direct sunlight comes in so it is cooler in that back room. With the futon I can enjoy watching movies and still keep knitting in this humidity. I made good progress, (having finally, completely memorized the cable pattern, no need for the instructions), and am almost done a sleeve. I was looking and looking for the first sleeve I knitted to compare lengths and make sure they match up before I start shaping the top and I can't find it. I started questioning my sanity, thinking back whether I had actually knit a sleeve already or if I had imagined it. But I must have, I have been knitting this sweater for so long, it can't be that I still have a whole 'nother sleeve to knit. I'm supposed to be almost done! So it's been bugging me for several days now.



This morning I am checking my regular blogs I read, ending up with mine and reread my last entry. Besides realizing that I have been misusing a lot of words (i.e. 'core' instead of 'chore', 'there' instead of 'their' - and who knows how many misspelled words there are, since I never did master spelling), I am able to put the sleeve question to rest. I mention starting the first sleeve and this is last Wednesday, and with having company since Thursday, I know I haven't knit two sleeves in that time. So, sadly, it seems I still have one more sleeve to go. I am so ready to finish this sweater. I keep noticing some of my outfits I am wearing while knitting and think how nice the sweater would go. I need to rally and try to finish the last sleeve this week - although I think it might take me two weeks, as the subway and bus have been more crowded of late due to the big dig tunnels being closed due to the collapse and death last week. But want to finish this sweater up by the end of the month as I, along with the TA department, might be working at my boss's who also lives in Arlington, which means I get to ride a bike to work along the Minute Man bikeway. It should be a nice ride, especially in the early morning before it gets too hot. Only it means no more knitting during commuting!

Pounce

So, I forgot to mention my new thing for images (since I can't get my act together and upload photos taken - honestly, it just takes the first time and than I will fall into a pattern - so she thinks): SIGNS. You got to love the plethora of strange, unusual or in this case, contridictory signs there are out in the wide world. I have to admit that I found this on a personal post on craigslist (that is a scary place - the personals - the other sections are great - got a futon and an apartment from craigslist).



I have been good and even though my latest sweater is taking forever - the common knit and knit and no progress phenomina is kicking in, I haven't started any new knitting projects. Although I do have several ear marked and all lined up to jump into when I finish off the existing ones. The other day I thought I saw a ghost (or something in that venue) as I was reading my friend's blog and there my sweater was - all done and finished (but yet the first sleeve, half done is sitting in my bag, how can this be). I swear it looks almost identical. The same cables, the same pearl seed stitch along the button strip, the same rolled collar, the same color even. Once you see MY finished project (whenever that day might be) you will think it's eerie. One difference is that my version of the sweater is for me, hers for a baby.



And on a final "good thing in my busy life" note, even though it is chaos at work (too many people in one space - one room), there is a chore group of us that are hooked on a "new to me" card game called Pounce. It's like playing Speed or Spit (if you are familiar with those fast moving card games) combined with Solataire (similar structure), but with multiple decks and the more players there are the more chaos. I am addicted, but luckily so are three other people. So sometimes one of us can't play at lunch or during a break because of some deadline, but there is guaranteed that three of us will come through and play. I love it and it reminds me of my time in Wales during my study abroad. There were three of us (me, cec and joanne) who just would play Hearts endlessly and than we have other people we knew who would join us (as it is meant to be played with four really, especially if you are trying to shoot the moon - hee, hee). It was a great time to just chill but another aspect is you really get to know how each person plays, their style and then their is that added component to the game. Hopefully it will last, although at the end of the month we will all be separated (our office lease is up and our new office construction is completed yet, so we be splitting up the staff based on what makes sense of who goes where), so I guess we won't be able to play, but is only on hiatus until we move into our new space and are reunited once again!

Morphing

Do you ever morph into someone else? I remember when I was younger I had to be careful how I spoke. When I was around someone with an accent, after about ten minutes I'd start adapting it a bit, completely unintionally. But they didn't know that and sometimes they would think that I was making fun of them.



Well, being in my current work environment (i.e. one office with about a dozen of us cramped in together and spilling into each other's spaces - no walls), I've started turning into some of my peers. I've started talking like my boss, I've started dressing like a coworker, I've started laughing like another coworker, the list goes on. I noticed this yesterday on my way home when I realized how much the city was smelling. Now, I'm not a smelling type person, but a coworker of mine has a very heightened sense of smell and is always pointing out things. I was thinking how comments like that can greatly effect how you perceive the world.



Speaking of senses, there is a bloody blue bird (don't know if it's an actual blue bird, but it is blue) that does not have a pretty voice and insists on "talking" at dawn each morning which seems to be about 4:30 am these days. But what can you do - the cats get enjoyment out of it so at least someone is benefiting.



And on a last and final note, got a call today from someone I met last year at a conference in Atlanta. He is good friends with my boss (think they might have worked together or gone to school together). Anways, was looking for my boss, but wanted to talk to me as well. Long story short, he put it out there that if I was ever interested in moving to Portland, they would love to have me come work for them. I'm wracking my brain and I think this offer is solely based off of our initial (and only) conversation we had over drinks at the conference one night. It's always nice to know you make a good impression. So that was my pat on the back for the week (and what a tiring week). Looking forward to a bit of a respet (know idea how to spell that word) although I'm still undecided about taking monday off. Will have to see.

More past pics

Today has been a weird energy day. I've been having those tired days (too much work, not enough play), but today has been strange, really exhausted. So I'm on my way out the door on my way home. I'm looking forward to watching the second part of the Masterpiece Theater movie I rented, Shooting the Past. I've really enjoyed it as it's not similar to other Masterpiece episodes (it's not a period piece or a mystery), but it is set in the same locations - a grand old castle estate. It reminds me of an independent BBC film, kindof. I'm right at the point where they are trying to figure out how to keep the enormous collection of photos (thousands, if not millions), as the developers move in, wanting to just destroy them all as that makes the most financial sense (time is money). Anyways, something to look forward to watching tonight while relaxing.



On the bus this morning I realized I never knit a sweater for my friend Jill's baby out in Seatle. Or really, I couldn't remember if I had. And considering her name is Rowan (my favorite brand of yarn and patterns), she has to have a sweater. So to be on the safe side and since I love the pattern and need a break from my current project (and for some reason have been itching to knit baby clothes, hmmm...), I might start the Pea Pod sweater tonight, but for a larger size (think the baby was born last october) . Although, writing this I realize I should use some of my Rowan yarn (except it's itchy) and knit her a Rowan patterned sweater (except I don't have any for babies). Maybe when she's older.



To wrap this up, I thought I'd include a picture that my mom sent today of my brother and I with our cousin, Tyler, taken back during his graduation (I think, actually, it might have been before than on a previous visit - this is why I keep a blog, to keep track of things as my brain is just not on top of these things!) Remember those days when you used to ride on people's shoulders. This picture reminds me of those good old days when it was nice and pleasant and cool.



P.S. I figured out what to do for pictures until I figure out my phone - I have a plan, but will share it with you later.