True Snow

Long time posting.  Just finished Christmas celebrations #1 with mom and Nick who were in town for about a week.  We're about to sit down for lunch and then off to the airport to drop mom off.  Then Nick and I head up to VT for round #2 with dad and  Barbro.  My step-sister and her husband and son are coming for the weekend along with my cousins from CT.  So it will be a busy few days.

Now there were a few flurries the other week, but nothing that stayed on the ground.  And yet every where else there was snow.  I was bummed.  But yesterday it started snowing a little bit - not the big fluffy flakes but the small dusting that appeared like it would disappear in no time.  Yet this morning I woke up and there was enough snow for shoveling - the first real snow fall of the year!

We were considering (not really) of waking up in the middle of the night to see the lunar eclipse but it was just as well we stayed snug in the beds as I assume the snow clouds (snow comes from clouds, right) would have blocked the viewing.

Now the problem is I have these wooden white snowflakes I hang on the windows each year.  And this year I was about to put them up and realized I should wait until the first snow fall.  So I tucked them away, but where, I cannot remember for the life of me (and it was just a week ago I did it).  I've looked everywhere and I need to get them up today or the tradition is ruined (this is the first year I've decided to do this, that's why it's important, or inversely, doesn't really matter).  Fingers crossed they turn up by days end.

One last round of wrapping presents.  Then packing and squeezing in all the last minute stuff.  I've had to scrap a knitting Christmas gift as my idea of using scrap yarn didn't really work out - not enough.  The problem with scrap yarn.  And yet, it does not prevent me from casting on in another attempt to use the scrap yarn for another project.  Another fingers crossed moment, that this one will work out. 

Merry Christmas to everyone and may you have a holly jolly time and safe travels be it cross country or around the block to grandmother's house!

It's snowing!! Finally!

Thankful Friday

Well I have to say I wish there was more time in the day but in a way that is something to be thankful for right? I’ve got a nice vibrant packed schedule doing fun things. Here’s my wonderful three day forecast:

1. Tonight. Meeting a boy for drinks, maybe dinner, depending how it goes. Met online and I took a stab at his name and I can’t tell if he’s just going with it or I guessed correctly. Need to figure out a way to confirm through ID. I’m super gullible.

2. Later tonight. Heading over to one of my favorite pubs (it has a wonderful woody atmosphere and a roaring fireplace) to meet up with friends and celebrate a birthday (not mine).

3. Late, late tonight. Seeing a friends gig performing at another cool place in town. They just released a new album and this one has words – yay! They really like to riff.

4. Saturday morning. Time to chop down a Christmas tree. I’m joining the Braun gang at a tree farm up north. The holidays are upon us!

5. Saturday afternoon. Fun time playing with my favorite (and only) god-son and his little sister. Their smiles are absolutely contagious. How can you not have a smile on your face around such cutie-pies.

6. Saturday night. Go see music with a friend (one of the boys mentioned in the previous post). We’re plutonic friends. Can’t remember what music and still need to confirm we’re still on.

7. Sunday morning. Sleeping in. I like me some sleep.

8. Sunday lunch. With another boy – met online. Finally checking out this Greek place I’ve been meaning to check out for years.

9. Sunday afternoon. Head over to Colleen’s and help them pack and hang out – they’re heading to Chile next month. Although to be honest, I may be suckered into playing with Liam (her 1 year old). Although I do love to organize. We’ll see how the dust settles on this one.

10. Sunday night. Dinner with another boy – met online. My only concern is that I may be wiped out by this time but I shall rally!

And then only a few days before the Christmas celebrations begin, starting with family descending upon me to share in the festivities. I really need to do some shopping, maybe I’ll squeeze that in Sunday morning. But really, I’m a Twainian at heart and practice the old adage: Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?

Happy December 1st!

Why is it I can never get out the door on time when trying to leave work? Last night I found myself caught up in wrapping up some projects that took a tad longer than expected. This translated into me having to go directly to my building committee meeting after work. No time to swing by home and grab a bite to eat for dinner. No time to pick up the car. And no time to take a breather.

Speaking of which, running late and rushing up the flights of stairs at the school I realized how out of shape I was. I really need to work on that – but will save that for the new year. Luckily the meeting was shorter than usual, I found a banana in my bag to stave off the hunger, and a colleague gave me a ride home afterwards so I didn’t have to walk in the pouring down rain. The meeting was interesting as I found myself the lone ‘nay’ on the one motion passed. But I won’t get into that here.

What I wanted to post about was what I found at home. Earlier this week I had received a nice package from my mum that I’ve been enjoying the bounties of this week. And there, waiting for me last night, was another package in the same week from my dad and step-mum. I open it up and find an advent calendar. And not just any old advent calendar but a chocolate one. FYI, it’s not made of chocolate but has chocolate treats behind the doors – just to be clear. And VT chocolate to boot.

It brought back fond memories of childhood. One of my favorite holiday traditions was the advent calendars we would have. Sometimes we would have a new one, but generally we would reuse them from year to year. Even with the old ones, there was something magical and exciting about looking for today’s door and opening it up to reveal whatever was hidden behind it – be it a little robin redbreast or angel – depending on the theme of the calendar.

The only thing missing these days is sharing it. I think there might have been one year where Nick and I each got our own but generally we’d share. I’d get the even numbers and he’d get the odds - his December birthday being on an odd day, it seemed only right.

So there’s the quandary. Nick’s visiting in two weeks. Do I share and save some of the days for him? Or do I finally cut him out of the picture like my childhood dreams and go all in, enjoying each day’s hunt? Writing this, I realize I’ve made up my mind – and it’s a compromise which was another thing besides sharing our parents instilled in us (such good parents).

First, I already opened #1, so that would make me odds - opps. I couldn’t believe the timing of the arrival so jumped right in not thinking. Second, the true joy of the advent calendar is the hunt each day, spread over the month. Hunting for all the odds in one go just takes the fun out of it. So here’s my solution – I get to enjoy my advent calendar each day this month. However, when Nick’s in town visiting, we’ll revert back to our old system of sharing – odds and evens. How’s that sound? Such a good big sister I am. The funny thing is I can see Nick not really caring. But I’ll twist his arm into enjoying this holiday tradition, darn it.

Gotta love good mail and when it rains it pours, right? In other raining news, the boys seem to be knocking. I’m closing down my match subscription at the end of this month when it finally expires so hopped on for one last hoorah. So there are two boys from there. Then there are the two boys from out of town. And just recently two more have popped up from my past. Very strange they come in pairs. Of course looking at my December schedule I’m booked solid between now and Christmas – weekends and every single evening pretty much. I think Monday the 13th is my one night I’m not doing anything. The crazy thing is I still have half my Christmas shopping to do.  Elusive time.  At least I get a piece of chocolate each day now!

Pet Project

Do you ever find you stall on something?  For me, I often think there is a certain order or certain way that something should be done.  Like I shouldn't clean out the fridge until after I've done the dishes (to make more room on the counter).  But is this really a show stopper?  Other times I want things to be perfect the first go around which translates to there never being a first go around (and many almost finished sweaters).  Usually I notice this snag in the mind and sometimes I'm able to address it and move on at getting something done.  Sometimes.  Not always.

Well, there is this pet project I've been wanting to work on.  It's a knowledge management website for the stuff I've been working on for the past five years.  Except it would be a big time sink, so I haven't done anything.  And yet I keep thinking of the project- always a good sign.  I'd think about it at work, on the bus, in the shower.  I'd think about what content to include, and how the content should be organized and how it can be accessed.  How people could use the site actively not just passively.  I came up with some grandiose ideas.  The thing is the content portion I can get up and running, it was the website development I was a bit stumped on.  I even got Dreamweaver but found it daunting to go from knowing nothing to having the skillset to develop my grandiose idea.  And I stalled.

I'm happy to report I got over the first hump.  I'm not going to learn Dreamweaver overnight. And I'm starting to realize I need some other programs in addition (not quite sure what).  Figuring out every little detail up front is impossible.  I got frustrated with it all and decided to just move forward with what I know - blogs.  Blog's are pretty much the extent of my knowledge and even though I particularly didn't want this to be another blog I found blogger seems to be far enough along that I can morph it into a pseudo website that will work for now.  I need to build up content anyways, so this is a good place to park the information and figure things out as I go along.

Example being that I really wish I could upload documents (something you can't do on blogger) as I hate visiting websites and finding the links are broken.  And there's no way I'm policing all the potential links.  Quick search and a few minutes later I found a work around - using google docs as a parking place for the documents you want to link to.  How cool is that?!

Well, if you want to see my latest endeavor, check it out, it's LEED Corner.  Unless you're in my field, I doubt you'll add it as one of your regular reads.  I sometimes try to keep tabs on my brothers blog he has with friends but Indian law is not really my go-to place for a break and something easy to read.  The project is in it's infancy but my plan is to add a little content each week and before you know it I'll have a mountain of information.  It feels good to be moving again on the project.

Winter Time

Ok, I realize it's not officially winter until the 21st but it's cold now.  I left work a bit on the late side last night and I shivered all the way home.  Between the drop in temperatures and this winter head cold it sure feels like winter.  I pulled out my warmest sweater this morning - hand knit from luxurious yarn from Rowan.  I haven't posted about it before.  Now would be the perfect time but I can't get a decent picture - another time.

It is winter.  If you want more evidence, check out my friend's blog in Washington - they're skiing already.  Or check out Scotland, my colleagues are snowed in.  Right before a conference call earlier today they went out and measured and it's 6 inches already!

With all this talk of snow, I want some here too!  Since I can't control the weather I've decided to revamp the website for the holidays.   It took like 5 minutes - crazy how they've streamlined things.

Puzzler

Three posts in one day!

I just submitted the answer to this weeks Car Talk puzzler.  Fingers crossed.  How cool will it to hear my name on the radio if I get drawn for the prize?!  The question was about prisoners identifying if they have a white or black hat on.  Read more here (but don't increase my odds!)

Also, I just snagged some pics from Halloween and posted them on the earlier post.  Here's a link in case you're interested.

The Way We Read

I posted this before, but search as I may, I couldn't find it.  So am reposting under a title that will hopefully help me find in the future.  It's crazy that you can read this, but you can.  Check it out:

"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."

Founding Brothers

I just finished a good read I have to post about. It’s Joseph Ellis’s the Founding Brothers. I had picked up a used copy earlier this year at the going out business sale of Rodney’s. I never know with history books. I like history but I read the books during my commute mostly. So it has to read well. Can’t be too dry. It makes them hit or miss. The Scottish history book I picked up in the same trip is case in point. I can’t follow it – it jumps all over the place and seems to assume you know more than you really do. In contrast, the 1776 book by David McCullough was a good read – nice and easy and kept you enthralled enough to survive a commute ride home. That being said, I felt like I learned a very narrow part of history and specific point of view.

I would say the Founding Brothers was even better than the 1776 book. Mainly because I feel like I’m walking away with an even better sense of the period at that time. I picked the book up because it won the Pulitzer Prize awhile back – always a good sign. I was expecting it to be drier since it’s a culmination of this historian’s reading of the era for thirty years. He starts out with the infamous duel of Hamilton and Burr. I have to admit when I first started reading this chapter all I could think of was that wonderful Got Milk commercial from the 90s. It starred a history fanatic on the phone with a call-in radio show that only had to answer the question of who shot Alexander Hamilton to win $10,000. He says “aawan brr, aawan brr!” but they can’t understand him because he had just taken a bite of a peanut butter sandwich. A classic – check it out here.

Anyways, back to the book – it was great, through the chapters and the major milestones of the 1790s you get a glimpse into the real life of the chaos that was our early nation. We have the Jeffersonian utopian view these days that it was all simple and by rejecting the English everything else fell into place. But instead it reminds me of a class I took in Ohio – it was about teaching kids how to read (mandatory for all wannabe teachers – even if you were teaching middle school math). I was amazed that I (or anyone else) ever learned how to read once I got into the middle of the course. Same with our country, it’s amazing the thing didn’t fall apart that first decade. Interestingly enough, I’ve been reading a history book on the French revolution (in particular the period between the overthrow of Louis XVI and his beheading – a bit slower going as my French is pretty rusty – just kidding, it just doesn’t read as well) and there are interesting overlaps especially concerning Jefferson and Adams differing point of views of the success and similarity of that revolution with our own.

This doesn’t really represent the book but I have to share because it’s so intriguing, “The term American, like the term democrat, began as an epithet, the former referring to an inferior, provincial creature, the later to one who panders to the crude and mindless whims of the masses.” Isn’t that interesting? The book does address the biggest issue our founding fathers faced – the issue of slavery. It seems so black and white these days, but Ellis does a good job of letting us see the issue from the perspective of the day. There was no simple solution. Mainly because the eventual solution was not on the table, it wasn’t even considered. It struck me that “no model of a genuinely biracial society existed anywhere in the world at that time, nor had any existed in recorded history.” I wonder if that is really true. It’s amazing the solution the founding fathers chose was to not address the issue at all – there is a strict code of silence around the topic. For if the topic was truly argued, it was generally agreed that the consequences would be the nation in its infancy would not survive.

Now I’m starting to rehash the book. I leave it to Mr. Ellis to share the wonderful insights as he does a much better job. I highly recommend the book and it’s one that will remain on my bookshelf as I weed out other books and try to downsize my collection. I’ve started to think I might have too many books. I greatly agree with Cicero about rooms and books and souls (even though I don’t believe in souls per se) but I’m starting to run out of room in my little ol’ place and not all the books were awesome like this one. It’s just like one’s closet – you weed out the clothes you no longer will wear, same with the books.

Eerie

I forgot my phone cable today so can’t write about the latest subway siting. I finally realized that it is 'sighting' and I’ve been labeling all my posts like an illiterate mongoose. I’m slow to change – we’ll just phase into the proper spelling. Anyways, low and behold looking through the computer, I found this picture I took last month and never got around to posting about.

I was on my way home after a late night at work. These three individuals got on a stop later and were conversing. More accurately the two on either end were caring on the majority of the conversation. What struck me was the guy in the middle. I can’t remember his voice too much, but his mannerisms were eerily similar to my brothers. How he held himself – a slightly taller than average guy so the little stoop to better hear his neighbors. The way he held his jaw. He even had the same peripheral language – the yeahs and modes of agreeing and keeping the conversation going. I remember how eerie it was to see something so similar from a stranger.

Well, as you can see I was mesmerized and wanted to document this strange occurrence. I carefully studied the tableau in front of me behind the thin guise of reading my book. I was so enthralled I had to take a picture and tried to pretend I was checking stuff and snapped a picture. I wasn’t looking at them, trying to be all covert and it wasn’t until later when I took a look at the picture that I realized I’m not as sly as I’d like to think. Looking at the picture a month later I realize I was so stunned of the similarities that I didn’t realize that the flat picture wouldn’t capture it all. I wish I had taken video. Although if this is the result of a second trying to record the moment, imagine what the 10 second video would have captured.

In completely unrelated news, I was just trying to hunt down a wish list on amazon I used to park items I was interested in. My current wish list is grossly empty as if it’s been cleared. I have to say there is something strangely eerie peeking at the wish lists of others with your same name. As if they are other versions of you (split personality or something). There was everything from kindles to books on starting a restaurant to an anger management book. And no, I didn’t find my list. It was full of awesome stuff I'm sure. I did make it to 250 on LinkedIn - yay! Enjoy your t-day tomorrow.

Hulu Plus is a Big Minus

First things first: what is hulu? For I first heard Will Shatner promote the website in commercials. I use it so I can watch my favorite TV shows whenever I want. They’re all in one place. It’s free. Because it’s free, you endure some commercials – but a fraction to what they are when watching normal TV. Not too bad. You get to see what you want to see when you want to see it. The three main draw backs:
1. Commercials – there are less of them, but they still exist
2. No CBS shows – not sure why, so I no longer follow CBS shows – there’s plenty other stuff
3. Shows expire – for some reason only about 4 or 5 shows are available, so don’t wait too long

I wasn’t sure what I exactly thought Hulu Plus was – they kept that part a bit ambiguous when they were pushing it. From the name, here was what I was expecting:
1. No commercials – you are paying a monthly fee now so you’d figure you’d get to lose those pesky interruptions.
2. Shows don’t expire – again, you are paying a monthly fee now so you should get the season from the start
3. More shows – maybe CBS shows are available to the paying customers or other gems not available to the general public watching the free site.

Turns out it’s the opposite! From what I can figure out, the Hulu Plus is referring to being able to stream the Hulu website on your TV directly. But that’s it. You now get to pay to watch shows interrupted by commercials. The shows still expire, no change there. And, believe it or not, not all the shows on hulu are available on hulu plus – you get fewer shows!

Friday night I was settling in for the night and decided to set up my subscription. I thought I had figured out the best system ever. For $43 I was able to have high-speed internet (wireless in the house), and could watch almost any movie I wanted to (netflix) and could still watch this seasons tv shos (hulu). This compared to my previous internet/cable combo which started off around $70 and had snuck up towards $100 and didn’t even include on demand or tivo.

I set up my subscription to Hulu Plus and started picking out my line-up. I started picking out tv shows directly on the tv but realized it was faster on the laptop in my lap so switched over. I threw in The Office and Community. I picked out some light watching like Royal Pains, Burn Notice, House and Bones – good for ironing. I even got to snag Masterpiece Mystery and the new Sherlock Holmes. Went on and found Scientific America and Nova and Alfred Hitchcock presents. I was on a roll – this was going to be such an awesome line-up. I switch my attention to the tv to get the first show rolling. But wait, it doesn’t seem to be syncing. Many of my new subscriptions to the various shows aren’t showing up on the TV list. Very strange since I was thoroughly spooked when I set up the initial Hulu subscription – it’s a combo of doing it on the Roku/TV and on the computer. I was just finishing with my contact info on my laptop and I look up while the computer screen is processing the info and notice that the TV just activated – within split seconds! Eerie fast and they’re talking to each other without me.

That’s when I start to realize that Hulu Plus isn’t really all it cracks up to be. Some digging later and I find it’s seriously limited. And most of the shows I want to watch aren’t available for my TV. How can that be? It makes no sense. So I’ll be canceling my free one- week subscription and watching commercial free shows on Netflix. They may not be this season but there is so much to watch on there it should last me however long it takes for the Hulu people to figure out how to fix this mess. In the meantime they should really rename their product – talk about misrepresentation. It should be Hulu Streaming or Hulu TV. It definitely isn’t a Plus.

Subway Sighting!

This time it was something I overheard in passing while walking along the subway platform. "So is she gay or bi," said one lady to her neighbor.

Tires

I bit the bullet and brought the car in. For the first repair. My rear tires and brakes were needing replacement especially if I wanted to pass inspection next month. Looking at the busy schedule coming up figured now or never. It took me awhile to adjust to the idea of paying out more money for the car and last night I was starting to prepare myself for the cost. It’s a newer car after all, but it turns out that when the dealer I bought the car from last year said they’d put on new tires, they didn’t really put on new tires. I’m having to replace the set as three were worn to almost their end. So I have some gripes about the dealer and the misrepresentation. I’ll have to hunt up the documents I have from the sale and see if there’s anything to be done there.

On the upside, I think I have a new mechanic I like. They came recommended through word of mouth and the main guy, Ed has a good interface with the customers. Apparently they do a lot of the work on the towns vehicles and are reasonably priced. I liked Ed. I can see a long term relationship blooming here. I was able to drop the car off this morning and then walk two blocks and catch a bus into work, only an extra 5 minutes to the commute, if that. Pretty convenient.

On the downside, Ed called later this morning and the total is about two times what I had in my head. Good thing my holiday shopping is mostly done (spread out over the year) and we’re keeping it low-key this year. Bummer though as it doesn’t seem like my savings is growing as fast as I’d like it too even though I’ve gotten super aggressive about it. This won’t help. I really need to sit down this weekend and start researching about investing. I feel like I’m missing out on making my money grow, even my retirement funds. Any suggestions?

In other news, I’m at 242 on LinkedIn – so close to the half-way point of 250! Only 8 more people to go. I think I may be a little obsessed, but at least my professional development benefits from this obsession. And it isn't a fiscal drain. I've been diligently trying to stave off purchasing super discounted yarn from Yarn Zone - $20 bags! The red lilac keeps calling to me... must resist.

Starsky

A proper knitting post. I really need to photograph a bunch of my projects. My pet peeve is photos people take of stuff they knit but they’re not wearing it. I want to see how it fits and flows. Although I guess a photo of sweater on the floor is better than no photo at all which is where I am now since self-shot photos are not my forte. I have a pile of knitted items that need to be documented. Maybe next month with all the house guests descending upon me.

The finished* sweater is the Starsky pattern that is free from Knitty. A lot of starts and stops on this one. I used the Debbie Bliss Silk Alpaca yarn from an earlier scratched sweater. Here’s a blog post and you can see I struggled. After awhile I realized it might not be the pattern but the yarn. It’s a drapey yarn that needs more than a straight stockinet stitch.

After a short hunt I decided on the Starsky and it was a perfect fit… except one thing. Yarn quantity. This is where it gets a bit fuzzy due to the timeline. I bought the yarn in June 2007. I’m guessing I didn’t start the Starsky pattern until a year later. I had Cece pick up a few more balls for me when she was at webs awhile back (like maybe two years ago). She searched and searched to get the same dye lot for the balls but ended up with Aran instead of DK I think. So the project sat for a long while until I stumbled upon the same yarn at the local yarn store in Chatham NY one spring while visiting Emilia. A year later on the next visit, I brought the project and bought three balls figuring I only needed two with the help of the ladies in the store. Frustrating considering the yarn was on sale for maybe $5/ball at Webs and was over $9/ball at the yarn store. If only. Started back up on the project only to discover that two balls was not enough and even with the third ball I was short. It went back into the black hole of unfinished projects that have me stumped. And then this fall I pulled it out determined to finish it one way or another. In the end I ended up holding two strands of the dk together and knit the belt first and sew up all the seams. Then I just kept knitting the collar until I ran out of yarn. I wanted a nice full comfy collar. And it worked out wonderful. That part did at least.

Which brings me to the * part. Aren’t all sweaters quasi-finished when first worn? The issue is the sweater isn’t quite done. I’ve woven in all the ends and it’s all knit. Only part missing is the belt loops which shouldn’t take much time and I have a little bit of yarn from the scraps that I should be able to coble. I need to press the thing as the ribbing on the front needs to be stretched out a bit. The reason I didn’t go all the way to the end? The #&*$ armpits. This is yet another sweater where it is tight in the armpits. Don’t know why. My arms are not that big. And I don’t think I’m seaming incorrectly.

Monday I wore the sweater to work to test it out to see if maybe wearing it would stretch the armpits out. I’m undecided. I can’t figure out if 1) I just got used to having a rubber band around my arm pits, 2) I learned not to move so the circulation would be cut off, or 3) the sweater actually did grow some from wearing.

Is there an easy fix to making the armpits bigger? I really don’t think there is. And I’ve looked. I don’t know what to do, short of ripping out half the seams, ripping out the entire collar, tinking back the top of the sleeves and reknitting the tops to be wider and then tinking back the core and starting the arm holes lower. And all this with no extra yarn. Is this a sweater I will wear even though it doesn’t quite fit right? Or should I go back and do it right? I don’t know. So until I can get a decent picture, I’m keeping this one in the closet and seeing how often I wear it (with nothing more than a tank underneath as that’s all there is room for). These pictures were the best I could do. Better ones later hopefully.

Subway Sighting!

Actually it's on the bus home tonight that I saw a bunch of Mormans. There was this one girl making a strong pitch to her neighbor. I find them fascinating.

Heat On

I broke down on Saturday and turned the heat on. It was cold and I was cold and I had a cold. So Saturday afternoon on it went. Then Sunday was warmer so was able to shut if back off. Almost made it to Thanksgiving.

Migraines

The spelling of migraines gives me a migraine. Too many vowels. Anyways, they’re back. I was getting a bunch of them last year. More than what was normal based on what my doctor was saying. But no remedy really. Then I started seeing a cognitive behaviorist and the quantity of headaches let alone migraines went down to almost nothing. It’s been about 9 months – and pretty much learned to pay attention to the signs of a headache coming on, stop and assess the situation and deal with whatever the root cause (usually since they were stressed related) and that pretty much stopped them in their tracks – no headaches.

A pretty good track record. But then Wednesday I started getting a headache in the late morning which turned into a migraine and forced me to bed early. I slept for 5 hours and woke up without the migraine. I cooked up some late night dinner and then slept for another 7 hours. But then yesterday at the end of a networking event in the evening I could feel the migraine coming on. So to bed. This morning I woke up and didn’t have one technically but couldn’t sense it’s presence, like it was lurking around the corner, ready to pop out. And now I feel it coming on and am going to have to cut my day short a third time in a row and crawl into bed. I almost want to say it’s the same migraine, just moving the forefront for awhile and then receding into the shadows but still present in the background. I can’t seem to shake this one.

I don’t know why they’re back and am bummed as there’s really no way to operate with them. I can barely keep my head up and sometimes I worry about actually making it home from work. I really have to focus on not focusing, especially on the bus.

Here’s my theories of causes:
- Stress levels – more things on the plate with committees, projects coming back to life, networking/business development, holiday juggling
- Weather – isn’t there something about barometric pressure differences with the season changes? We’ve just switched from warm 70 muggy weather to cold 50 dry weather in a matter of a week.
- Cold – I have been fighting off a cold for a month and have lost ground. I’ve had the sore throat, a little stuffiness in the head, but not a full blown cold – sneezing, snot style.
- Cycle – I’m just wrapping up the end of my monthly cycle. Low iron maybe?
- Food – nothing too unusual although I did buy some un-homogenized milk last weekend to try. It tastes so much richer and better. It’s what the rest of the world drinks, so don’t think it’s that. I also bought a half gallon of Odwalla’s Mango Tango. I just learned of several people acquiring mango allergies later in life – but those had to do with the mouth swelling up. Nothing else that unusual.

Fingers crossed I can have a low profile weekend. Unfortunately it looks like I’ll have to bring some work home since the migraines knocked me off schedule this week. But will try to limit the intrusion.

On the upside, I’m up to 222 on LinkedIn. Slowly but surely. Actually make that, 224 - another two just while writing this - how nice.

Dream Job

I’ve been thinking lately what I’d like to be doing for the rest of my life. I’m in the generation that has more than one employer in their lifetime and often more than one career. Not always, but usually. I’d like diversity in my job - learning and trying new things. I enjoy the interaction with clients – the discussions and work that evolves from the team. Having an altruistic goal like sustainability has been a plus. I miss teaching. Although I’m not convinced I want to become a full time teacher (perhaps middle school math). I keep coming back to the ideal job for me (through the rose tinted glasses) of being a director of sustainability at one of the many local colleges in the area.

I base this purely on my experience with my town. One of the first things I did was join the town sustainability group when I moved here about five years ago. From there I took on an appointed position on our town building committee. I’ve enjoyed the work. When I first started we worked on one building. That was it. The time requirement was not that demanding and I slowly got up to speed (still am). I didn’t have an agenda. Now we are working on 5 buildings. Many meetings. Many long meetings. I didn’t get home until 10:30 the other night. I was super hungry by then. But that’s not the point.

The point is that over the past years things have marinated and I haven’t taken the head strong approach to pushing a sustainability agenda. I’ve gotten my bearings, met the people and gotten in the middle of things. I like being in the middle. As a consultant I’m on the outside. I work with people in the middle, but it’s challenging.

This summer I was requested to join the town’s energy task force by the assistant town manager (we don’t have a mayor). It’s great working with the town to figure out what we can do. I’m fully aware, having marinated, that things will not happen overnight. But have been pushing an idea: Germination. You need to plant the seed. You need to put in the ask knowing you’ll get a “no” so the seed gets planted. And you ask again later and in a different way with a different argument. And you keep working on it. Figuring out why the “no”. Is it the wrong person? Is it money? Is it change in behavior? It’s exciting.

And today I just got asked by a group to speak with them about water and figuring out how to implement some measures. I’m seen as being on the inside. It’s great. I love being in this position. Being able to push from the inside. Well, relative inside. I’m still in an outer layer but the door is cracked open. In a way, this would be a dream job. Working as the sustainability director for my town. The problem is that I also like the idea of living in my town and the compensation doesn’t quite match for that.

So we’ll see what happens. I see the potential and see it will take time – years and baby steps. I put in the long nights on the building committee because I believe everyone should do their part, as part of their civic duty. And I love that it’s paying off in so much more than I expected.

Halloween

I have to get this written before I forget. Since I’ve moved to Mass I’ve enjoyed Halloween every year except one I think, at Cece and Aarons. They live in suburbia on a horseshoe full of family homes. On the front yard amongst their decorations, they set up a fire pit and grill up some ribs invite over a few folks and plop out the tailgating chairs. We have fun settling in for an evening of reviewing the costumes around the warm fire while chowing down on ribs and cornbread, eating way too much candy and trying to avoid the smoke from the fire.

This year was a little different as, 1) it was Sunday and not a week day, and 2) their son is able to take in Halloween – he’s just shy of two years. They had opened up the festivities to everyone including a ton of kids from day care and there was a mob of families over enjoying the spread and kids running around playing. Myself included. On a sidenote, Cam and I invented a game where we’re riding around on the little cars he has (I found one I could fit in if I rode it backwards). We’d be riding around and one of us would yell “to the wall”. It was so cute when he first started doing it. We’d race to the wall and come up to it and with our hands pretend we were typing sci-fi style on it. He started repeating me with my “boo do boop, boo do boop” quasi digital impression of sound effects. Did I mention how cute it was? It was like we had our own secret language.  (Picture added later - we were taking a breather and discussing something serious apparently).

I don’t know how it happened but in the shuffle, as we headed out as a group to start the trick or treating after filling up on ribs, I ended up with Cameron. It was exciting and hand in hand we started walking up to the first house. I was coaching him to say trick or treat when we get to the door. And this is the part I love, I stopped looking at Halloween the way I’ve seen it for years in my desensitized way and was transported back to the innocence of first seeing this strange tradition. It makes no sense and is frickin’ scary really if you stop and look at it.

The safety of playing in your own front yard is replaced by entering into someone else’s territory. As Cam and I were walking down the sidewalk to the front door, the older kids running around collecting their goodies and the parents chatting away at the road all melted away. It was just Cam and I and as I looked down I see him walking slowly, cautiously, not sure what’s going on, holding on tightly to the candy bucket in one hand and my hand in the other. Trying to make sense of the strange scare crow stuffed with leaves and covered in cobwebs we were approaching. His eyes are big and he mumbles “twick or tweet” quietly, repeating after me, while staring at the decorations. We get up to the porch and there’s a strange man dressed strangely with a black cape. Not so sure. But there are other kids and the man crouches down and he has a huge bowl of candy – huge bowl. And he offers Cam the bowl for him to choose a piece. And all the scariness is a little less – free candy! How awesome is that. You can almost see the gears going in the little brain trying to make sense of it all – of the scariness and the strangeness of it all and the other kids laughing and the adults all smiling and being supportive. He relaxes realizing this all ok and picks a piece laughy taffy and is back to his usual self. He turns, still standing on the crowded porch of kids and adults and smiles to no one in particular and waves his first piece of candy. Animated he wants to open it immediately. (Picture added later - look at that grin!  And if you look closely there's the laughy taffy in the left mittened hand)


I suggest we go show mom who is waiting back at the road and he repeats, “show mom” and adds “wooow”. It was so cute. Such a transformation. And this was only the first of many that night. The second one I witness a moment later as we are walking back towards mom. There’s young kids and old running around and parents everywhere. And suddenly he stops walking and I look down to see what’s wrong and he’s transfixed in this one spot staring over to our left. I turn and see two older kids standing to the side talking, waiting for their friends (about 10 years old). One is dressed up as a transformer and has a mask on. You can’t see anything – no eyes, nothing. And Cam is staring intently. He’s scared. I was thinking about this afterwards and there were much scarier costumes – hers was a nice pattern with happy colors, not too ominous. But I think it was the mask. Take away the face, and you can’t read the person – there is no reassurance. Such a simple thing. I explain it’s just a girl and not to worry, but he was just staring. So I pick up my cuddly little pumpkin and we walk back to mom and all is forgotten. And soon dad has taken over chaperoning the door to door visits and I get to have some snuggle time with my little larvae. Who I’ll add just watched everything without a sense of fear of the situation. I’m curious to see what next year will be like for Mags.

I was so happy I had the opportunity to share in this first trick or treating experience with my little godson. To see Halloween with those fresh eyes and to be there for him. I look forward to what his little life brings forth next!

Friday Opps

Meant to post this Friday last week. You'll see why it got missed:

Head cold + crazy morning of meetings outside of the office = walking out the door to grab food and forgetting the house keys*

*Forgetting house keys translates to me being locked out** of my place since my door automatically locks when closed shut.
**Locked out translates to being unable to get into my place*** until my landlords come home from work, 5+ hours later.
***Unable to get into my place translates to me running needed errands****: oil change, pet supplies, grocery stores (with TJ Maxx in there since the grocery store run had to be put on hold until the end of the afternoon so refrigerated items wouldn’t spoil).
****Errands translates to me dropping 90% of my monthly allowance within the first week of my billing cycle.  Only 22 days left to survive on a hundred bucks. It's an aggressive budget I've got these days and it doesn't allow for holiday gifts - opps.

And when I finally got in I had to turn around and run to Harvard Square to meet up with a dinner date with a friend. All I wanted to do was climb into my warm bed and curl up with a good book instead of braving the cold elements and public transportation. Luckily it was Friday.

Boots

Yesterday, on my way into work, I started feeling unsure on my feet. Turns out the heal on my right boot was loose – about to break off. Now thinking about it on my way into work this morning, the irony did not escape my notice. Irony, what irony? Let me take you back, way back to my senior year in high school.

I was in the advanced science and math tracks which meant that I was taking calculus senior year (lots of work) on one hand and on the other, I was in science research class (very free form). We were about a dozen students and the way the scheduling worked out, we didn’t have a lunch period, so the class was our lunch too. There’s a classic story of mine here about mountain dew and revenge on the boys who would graze on our food, but that’s for another day (and not to be put in writing).

Instead, what I distinctly recall from those days, was mimicking the saunters. Our classroom was on a side hallway and a few of us girls were giving a go at doing the exaggerated limp saunter that was just emerging back then. You know, where the guys are slouched while standing which is a feat in itself. Add on top of that the shuffle: left foot forward normal like, and then the right leg brought forth without barely any bending at the knee. Throw in there a little bop. It’s complicated. And we were taking our turns down the hallway giving it a go. Did I mention the class was “free form”? If I remember correctly, my poor attempt of ridiculing the walk of our peers was poor in deed. I believe Ali had the best rendition.

Now last night, I was about to leave when a call came in from a coworker who is… let’s put it as not brief. Two hours later I was finally walking out of the office and making my way to DSW downtown. My walking by now had adapted to the condition of the boot. It was about to collapse on me, so instead of walking heal to toe I was walking on my toes and the right leg was starting to take on the limp drag from those earlier days. Making fun of the boys way back then was coming back to haunt me as I morphed into a version of them briefly for the night. So that’s the irony for me.

I tried on boots, tons of boots and was reminded that my little chicken legs are just not well equipped to take on the calf height boots. Sigh. I have two great winter dresses that are screaming for a nice brown pair of below the knee boots. I did pick up a pair of short boots to replace the broken pair. I was torn as they were almost exactly the same ones – same brand, but they were on clearance. We’ll see if this pair lasts longer than one season. I finally found some nude pumps (yay!). Ok, they’re a little more khaki than nude, but still do the job of elongating the leg. I picked up a pair of embellished sandals that I was looking for all summer after I came back from Paris. And the fourth pair I almost didn’t get.

I was trying on shoes and had a pile on the floor near the mirror. While I was checking out some other shoes, I come back to find a lady trying on a pair of ballet flats from my pile. I was about to say something but realized there were piles of unclaimed shoes everywhere and I wasn’t really sure if I wanted them. I wanted to mull it over some more so I bit my tongue for the moment (I knew where the box was after all). Which was smart as I was able to see what the shoes looked like, 1) from a different perspective not attainable when trying them on yourself, and 2) with ankle length pants (I had longer pants for heels on). I kept my eye on her and at one point was tempted, while her back was turned, to grab all my stuff, run up and grab the shoes from her new pile of shoes she was trying and run over to the cash register before she noticed what hit her. In the end I got distracted by this marvelous pair of Italian designer shoes and she left the ballet flats so all was right. And after a little adjustment, I was able to walk home with my regular gait and my new boots on.

Cold

It’s a balmy day in the 70s which is weird after having had weather where I pulled out the winter jacket and put up the storm windows. So today finds me in a summer dress which is nice, except I pulled some summer shoes I hadn’t worn in ages only to remember on my way to the bus station why I haven’t worn them in ages – they’re giving me blisters, keep slipping off and the heels are much higher than I thought. I’m walking really funny on the Boston cobblestones.*

Add to that I’m attending an event downtown which means more walking. I’m tempted to skip.

Add to that the cold I’ve been fighting off for the last month is gaining ground and I have a sore throat and an unquenchable thirst. Flush it out, I say. So lots of fluids, only that means lots in = lots out so I’ve been running to the bathroom all day. I think it’s been 6 times(just at the office) now but I’ve lost count. All the walking back and forth is making my feet yell at me.

Add to that everybody and their brother have emerged from the woodwork and are demanding work from me. This is really challenging my new approach to life about keeping an even keel. Staying calm.

Add to that about 20 minutes ago I hit the mid-afternoon, ate a heavy lunch, wall that arrives mid-afternoon. The fighting the cold bit probably doesn’t help keep my energy levels high either. I thought I was going to crash at my desk and if I had been in the office alone, I might actually consider it.

Add to that I need to listen to something but all I have are talky programs and I need something less engaging. So I went to download some music podcasts and somehow I’m listening to 16th century choral music. It doesn’t aid the fight for staying awake.

So I’m taking a mini-break, recharging and even succumbed to cracking up a can of caffeinated soda that’s been kicking around the office this last month and has been driving me crazy it doesn’t have a home (do you like how I need to justify drinking soda to myself). All I want to do is crawl into bed and call it a day. Only 5 more hours to go. Thanks for empathizing and not pointing out I’ll be crashing from the caffeinated beverage a few hours short of the targeted time.

*Added later: I have to add that the shoes do a great job of showing off a wonderful manicure I got while in Richmond (it's a sister tradition that has emerged).  I've never had such a great manicure - I keep looking down at my pretty red toes and admiring the fine craftsmanship.  Now I get why people are particular about what technician they use.  I was bummed I couldn't show them off with all the cold weather we're having.  Tropical storm Richard (I think) to the rescue bringing in all the warm weather!

Celebrities, LinkedIn and 2010 Films

I made it to 200! This morning I got in to work and found my linkedin account had been busy while I was gone. I find I was up to 199. This weekend I was catching up with old friends. After a late night Saturday, we were sitting around the kitchen table sipping Rye (apparently it’s the new scotch) and sharing what we had on our iphones. We realized (those of us in LinkedIn – ok I think it was just Fred and I) that we weren’t Linked yet.

So after seeing my count this morning I shoot Fred an invitation to link. And then in good measure, a few other folks. Lunch time I check and I’m at 203. I can’t find out who was my 200th connection – bummer (#1). I just went to find the link to a previous blog (this one) about my next milestone of 200 only to find I had targeted 250 – bummer (#2). On the upside I discovered my bro posted a comment I had missed. Still, not too shabby – getting there and it’s been some great conversations with folks I had worked with in the past. I was able to connect someone in my local sustainability group with someone who was in my sustainability group at my last grad school (out of state). That was pretty cool.

That’s now. This weekend, I had a great visit and think I hit a new record of quantity of films I saw at the film festival. I love the idea of a film festival, but when you sit down and add up the cost it gets expensive. Here’s what I got to see (note the last three films I saw back to back to back on Saturday so that might have affected my take away):

1. Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer. This political documentary is about how the man who spoke up against Wall Street and the state government in Albany is brought down. I give it a middle of the road rating. I felt the film did a good job of setting the scene although I didn’t follow Spitzer as closely as my friends who are in NY. The film sets up where Spitzer got his intellectual approach from (sitting around the dinner table debating issues) but it left two very important questions unanswered.

First, here is this knight fighting against the Wall Street barons. We know where he got his talent for fighting the fight, but I still want to know why was he fighting. Where did he get is drive to make things right – the morality part. From what I can tell, his father would fall in the general category of CEO business men that he was fighting against. Second, the ultimate question. Why did he cheat? Why an escort service? Was it an outlet? Just why.

2. Made in Dagenham. This film is about the equal pay strike that the women went on in the Dagenham Ford plant in England (think Norman Rae in England). Its directed by the same guy who did Calendar Girls. So I wasn’t expecting too much – pretty much along the lines of some working class English down on their luck struggling to overcome adversity that isn’t too heavy. And this film delivered that while catching me up on this part of women’s history. It’s a good Saturday afternoon film. It was very tidy and Hollywoodish. But good performances all around. And makes me appreciate my current paycheck and living in the 21st century even though I don’t think we’ve got equality in pay yet, we’re a lot closer than we were.

3. Black Swan. This is the Natalie Portman film about Swan Lake. I hadn’t heard anything about it and got pulled in. Talking about it afterwards, I do agree it’s a very malecentric take and it was somewhat confusing about what is real. But it sucked me into the story and reinforced why I like Natalie Portman. She did a great job. I only wish her black swan part lasted on the screen longer as it would only reinforce her ability to span such a large spectrum of acting. I did have an annoying woman sitting behind me who had come to the wrong film by accident and complained about how bad the film was a few times throughout. As she was remarking “people are clapping?! The film was horrible” I was tempted to turn around and make some snarky comment that it was more geared towards the type of intellectuals who know how to read a frickin’ film program schedule.

4. Fair Game. This political film is about how the husband of a CIA agent who spoke up against the white house is brought down. Ok, not quite, but it is eerily of the same genre as the first film I saw, Client 9. It was good for what it was – a Hollywood version of a political event in the news a few years back. I found Sean Penn really annoying but apparently this character is annoying. Lots of items glossed over – this is a Hollywood film, not a getting-to-the-bottom of things documentary. We all agreed we like how they transitioned the end – from Naomi Watts to the real Valerie Plame.

Interestingly enough, the female leads of the last three films are all tagged for Oscar nominations. Overall, fun time, glad I stumbled upon these films before I heard too much about them. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend any of them as an “OMG you must see this film”, but I wouldn’t say you’re wasting your money if you see the film. Writing this up, I do still feel a little exhausted from the inevitable outrage that simmers about the injustice in business and politics.

And I’ve saved the best for last (partly because I almost forgot to report it). This year, I finally saw a celebrity! I never see celebrities. The biggest one to date is Ken Burns which I’ve posted about before and if I’m realistic, I think only 2% of Americans know who he is (that’s optimistic, I’m revising it to 0.5%). This time, it’s not a 100%, but think I’ve jumped into double digits – it was Scott Cohen. Long pause, yeah, I don’t think I’d recognize his name either. But you know who he is. We either fell in love with him as Max Medina in Gilmore Girls (her teacher that her mother dates) or as a love interest in Kissing Jessica Stein. Here’s how it went down: Saturday morning I’m chasing Emilia’s two kids on the downtown streets of Chatham with her waiting for the early movie to finish so we can grab someone’s pass. The kids are riled up (I might have had something to do with that) and I’m just thinking “thank god we’re playing man to man versus zone defense here”. I’ve got Dunc who is a two year old who loves to run. He’s a runner. You turn your head a moment and he’s gone. So on the sidewalk, I’m running after him, trying to corral him away from any potential danger. We’re running up and down a fairly wide sidewalk. I’m scooping him up periodically. Or getting him to look in store windows. Not too many people on the street (as the movies are have not let out), but I keep passing this one person who is attractive and somewhat familiar looking. It was one of those catching each other’s eyes when you pass each other, which made me think I might know him. I couldn’t quite place him. Maybe someone I know from another chapter in my life – I almost said something, but with the runner, no chance. Fast forward 30 minutes, the movie has let out, we’ve picked up the ticket, head home, drop off the kids, and Emilia and I are heading back for the Made in Dagenham film. We cut through an ally and emerge onto Main Street. I almost run into the handsome fellow from earlier again. This time I’m thinking maybe I know him because he’s an actor. Of course, Emilia knows who it is, they even chatted. While we wait in line for the doors to open, I was tempted to go over and say “hi” and snag a photo. But I didn’t, mainly because the only reason why I would want a photo is so I can post it here, which doesn’t seem like a valid enough reason to invade on a strangers privacy. So no photo. But good sighting!

Subway Sighting!

Just saw a blind woman walking along the platform. She was walking straight with her stick guiding her right along the yellow caution strip at the edge. It was still close enough to make me nervous though.

Riding Shotgun Party

This weekend was crazy. Saturday I caught up with chores. I got four loads of laundry done which was liberating. I lounged and knitted and went through mail and watched my Roku. I was completely rested and recharged. Saturday night I have a pleasant dinner with Dawn and Bill – the first time I’ve caught up with them since they got married. Wonderful autumn butternut squash soup and fresh bread. I had thought Chris’s album release party was at 8 pm. Why you ask? Perhaps it was the invitation that I was sent, call me silly. Anyways, the group of us heading over together don’t actually get there until after 10 pm. Turns out Riding Shotgun doesn’t go on until 11 pm (and actually later).

I felt like such an old foggie. Luckily several others in my party did too. The venue was a pleasant surprise – faux layered oriental carpets on the floor, dark wooden ornate carvings all over the place, walls covered with padded tapestry, roaring fire in the fireplace, plenty of comfy seating bundles of chairs and couches. Great character and not too crowded. I ended up catching up with a lot of folks I hadn’t seen for awhile. I was pacing myself, but by 3 am when the music stopped I found myself over the limit to drive. Luckily there were some sober folks in my group so we piled into my car and drove back to Andrea’s where I drank a lot of water and after a little while traded inebriation for doziness. So I crashed at her place. Sunday I found myself crawling into my own bed at 7 am, exhausted and trying to recharge the battery for another thing I had Sunday night. Great time but the body isn’t what it used to be, especially with a cold coming on!

Now in completely different news, I had a theory why Winston’s not doing so well recently. He used to take Enulose but recently the pharmacy has been filling the prescription with Lactulose. I thought there might be a correlation. I called around and found a Walgreens that said they could fill Enulose. So last night I’m a little frustrated when I pick up the script only to find it’s Lactulose. The pharmacist was very helpful though, explaining it’s exactly the same, just different manufacturer. He also suggested I sign up for Prescription Savings Club. I was dubious at first, but the fee is paid for right off with the first subscription. I couldn’t figure out how they could save me this much – where’s the catch? I was reading the Terms and Conditions a bit more closely this morning and figured it out. You can only participate if you have no prescription drug coverage (i.e. private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.). That’s when I realized he had enrolled Winston in this program! It made me chuckle. I’m interested to see what mail he starts getting – that’s where I think they get you. Also I have to mention here, I’m very thankful for my insurance coverage. The lady in front of me had one script that rang up for $450! She said that was less than in the past. Those are some expensive pills!

Richmond Visit

I’m back! Got in last night and after lugging my 100 pound suitcase (not really but it felt like it) home on public transportation during the height of rush hour with flip flops on in cold New England weather I thought I’d crash on the sofa of my own sweet home. But I had a second surge of energy so after unpacking and putting everything away I started making a dent on my ironing. Plus I had a ton of snuggles with my boys. We were one cozy family last night. Note to self, I have to close the storm windows – it’s gotten cold here!

This last week I was in Richmond visiting my nephew Mateo. And his mother and father too of course, but they become secondary these days – you know the drill. I made the mistake of thinking I could juggle staying on top of work while helping look after a 9 month old. He’s learned to crawl and is just about to walk on his own and insists on checking every square inch out. So I was exhausted after the first day. But great seeing everyone. No good pictures with me and Mateo, but I did remember to take some of him this time. We had fun times going to the park and playing and meeting other kids.

So, as Fred pointed out, I did mix up my dates, again. This weekend I actually have a friends album release party at the House of Blues. The place is an institution and I have yet to make it there, so two birds, one stone and everything. Also think there is something else too, but I’ve startled to muddle the dates in my head. Actually, as I write this, I think I might have three things on Saturday night. At least one will have to be dropped. The good news is I might have time to swing by the Trader Joe’s that has wine and pick up some bottles for my trip over to NY for the film festival the following weekend. Can’t wait!

It’s good to be home and I have to say there’s something to planning a trip where you return Thursday evening. You have one day you pop into work to catch up on things and then you have the weekend to relax and get back into regular life. I did manage to get a project onto the needles for this trip. It’s a Scandinavian cardigan, Drops 116-1. I can’t seem to find a picture I can save, so you’ll have to check out the link here. This one is a bit of risk as I’m trying to use up old yarn in the stash that is out of stock and I don’t have enough for one full sweater. I’m hoping it works out. It may be ¾ sleeves, we’ll see. Time will tell.

New Dog, Film Festival

This weekend I enjoyed the brisk autumn turn of the weather. Saturday I met up with a friend from my old work, Marie. We’re taking an upholstery class together in a few months and so met up at a fabric store to peruse for our next projects. Our morning jaunt turns into a whole day journey. Good food at High Rise, a stroll around Fresh Pond discussing life and challenges and approaches, checking out my local fabric store and a bunch of stuff around my town (including my wonderful library and two stores I keep wanting to pop into but are always closed in the evenings), another fabric store, Calico Corners who is sending me some free samples (fell in love with a Ralph Lauren plaid that was $154/yd – ouch) before we hit the road around 5 pm for Connecticut! Road trip! This is the cute little reason why:

[I gave up - blogger doesn't seem to like uploading my pictures.  Second time I had to give up.  Any ideas?  It seems to be a new interface, but it's still pretty forward.  It just sits and pretends to load the picture.  Hopefully later I can share the picture - he's a cute lab with a a little retriever, mainly white - you'll have to use your imagination for now.]

Champ! Marie is adopting a dog and we were heading to CT where the foster family lives. Champ had only been there a week and is actually from Kentucky. Apparently, the folks in the northeast are pretty good about fixing their pets but the south is horrible about it and there are tons of kill centers down there. Champ was rescued and brought north to be adopted. He was a real sweetheart when we picked him up. Poor thing, you could tell he’s been in fights and a bit confused about what’s going on, where home is. But give it a few good solid months and I’m sure it will all be a thing of the past. He was a bit nervous as we were heading back, but once we hit the highway, he settled down in the middle of his dog bed and curled up. This picture is after an exhausting run yesterday. Good thing I already have pets and a small place otherwise I would have been tempted to grab him.

So that was last weekend, next weekend I’m heading over to Chatham for another year of the Film Columbia film festival. I think this is my third or fourth year now. A nice little tradition. I was trying to figure out what year I started going and realize some of my favorite movies I discovered on Netflix (i.e. Lars and the Real Girl, the Host) had been previewed here. There’s nothing like autumn in the Berkshires, enjoying movies with my old college buddy like old times. We used to go see movies all the time during our college years – making our way over to the independent film theater two towns over. Unfortunately the film line-up is not weekend friendly so I’m taking off a couple days. There’s always featured a film Saturday night, Saturday Sneak Peak. Last year it was Young Victoria (I think), year before it was Atonement, before that I forget. I’m curious what it will be this year.

Missed Bus

This morning I was slow to get going. So when I finally made it out the door it was late. Late late. I turn the corner and a block down I see my bus. The good bus. The fast bus that will get me into work half the time than the other buses. And I’ve missed it. It was comical as one moment I’m stepping out my door appreciating the wonderful morning fall colors of the light and sky and environs in the strange humidity we currently have and upon seeing my bus and the opportunity missed I instinctively respond with a raised fist in the air and an ‘argh’. I surprised myself with that one but don’t think it was noticed except by the heavens above.

So I wait and wait and wait at my bus stop. Becoming even more late than late. In the end I got in just on time (surprisingly I was the first one in, just barely). This could have been just another morning bummer. But instead it was a nice friendly warm hug from my town. As I’m walking to the bus stop, after my bus has abandoned me, I pass folks unloading from a car. The little girl (about 2) says something to me as I pass and the mother chuckles. She shares that her little girl saw me walking towards her (and must have been enamored with my pretty floral dress) and asked me to hold her. Her mom jokes that she needs to work on ‘stranger danger’ with her. Warm hug number 1. I’m waiting at my stop eating a granola bar, looking at the bus schedule and trying to figure out what time it is with a dead phone in my bag (iphones suck – mine isn’t a year old and it can’t hold a charge for a full day – very frustrating). A honk right near me makes me almost stumble off the curb. I look up and it’s my landlords on their way to work, turning at the corner I’m at, with big smiles and waving. Warm hug number 2.

Fast forward and you find me sitting on the little wall, that is slightly damp, but I don’t care because I’m a sitter. I’m looking down at something, probably my granola bar when I suddenly hear say someone say hello and using my name. I look up and it’s the Assistant Town Manager (we have town managers instead of mayors here). We’re on several committees together, working on projects. We have a nice chat – very pleasant. And then he’s on his way and my bus finally pulls up. Warm hug number 3.

Not a bad morning after all. As I consider different things in my life right now – what I want to do, where I want to be, who I want to be with, I keep coming back to the communities I’m a part of, one of which being my local town. I’ve been considering subscribing to my local town’s newspaper as I keep missing a lot of the goings on in the politics. The problem is the waste accumulation. I’ve cut back on magazines and those I would pass on to the hospital to be reused. Newspapers just get tossed in the recycling – not good. Quick google search and it looks like the paper is just a weekly paper – the Boston Globe must overshadow these smaller papers. In that case I might take the plunge!

Weekend Stats

I love numbers. When I was sitting at home Sunday with a strange feeling I realized it was because I had no where I was scheduled to go and no one I was supposed to see. So just had to do the math. Checking my appointment book which isn’t 100% accurate I ran the numbers. Can’t find an easy way to insert the graph here, but basically:
- The first two months were the lightest, with February seeing the lowest numbers.
- March I was out of town or hosting guests for 75% of the weekends
- July I max with being out of town or hosting guests for 80% of the weekends
- The cumulative tally to date is 54% of my weekends I spend elsewhere (or hosting).
- Projecting for the end of the year, it remains about constant – over half my weekends this year will be spent elsewhere.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do love seeing friends and family and vacationing. And the weekends I am in town and not hosting people, I often find my weekends full - busy with Birthdays or showers or appointments or just getting together with friends. And living in Boston this often means 45 minute drives to get to other neighborhoods where they live. But there is something to be said for having a nice quiet weekend at home with nothing planned. Curled up with the latest knitting project enjoying a good movie. Sunday I spent trying to shrink the project basket. I think I got one thing done, another is half done – but there is a reason those projects are in there – not easy to resolve. And the movies I picked were less than good (has anyone seen 2012? You know what I mean then). But not bad for a rainy Sunday.

I just booked another trip for October twenty minutes ago and this morning got an email from a friend that the movie festival we always go to is coming up later in October. So there goes two more weekends. But instead of wondering where all my time goes, I should be appreciating all the time I’ve been able to spend catching up with friends in person, hanging with family and checking out new sites on my travels. Plus I have to admit, although my mileage is atrocious, I look forward to driving out of town on weekends. I just love my car – sap stains, bad paint job and all.

I dropped off the cable box today. It was just under two years that I had cable. I’ve been cable free the rest of my life (minus the parts I was living with people with cable but that’s small too). It feels weird I have to admit not watching the commercials or channel surfing. I really wish I could get hulu on my Roku (which rumor has it may happen soon) but otherwise I like my current system. It’s only been a week in, so time will tell.

The Wedding Shawl

I had a long weekend up in NH for a friend’s wedding. I killed two birds and stayed at my dad’s in VT – 30 minutes from the orchard where the wedding was being held. Saturday night was the rehearsal dinner and I was weaving in the ends moments before handing over the finished shawl. And of course no pictures. I meant to take a picture before I blocked. I meant to take a picture of the shawl actually blocked. I meant to take a picture when it was done. I meant to take a picture at the wedding. But no pictures. And no one has posted any pictures yet either from the big day (I didn’t post this Monday as intended and since then I’ve found pics for your enjoyment). I just combed facebook and turns out both the bride and groom are socially non-networked. All in all the shawl worked out wonderfully – I got tons of compliments Sunday and everyone was impressed (including myself). I had meant to re-pin the shawl but was just so exhausted lately it didn’t happen. I had kept a grueling pace at the beginning and then found I had an extra week plus so slowed down to a stop but not quite finishing it. I missed pinning one of the points but don’t think you can tell. The strange thing is that I used a lot less yarn than what was called for (I returned a ball Friday) and I was a little timid on the blocking so it’s about 1” less all the way around. But it was nice and cozy and kind of warm for the 70s weather we had this weekend.  And a gorgeous setting up in an apple orchard in NH.

I was driving back yesterday on route 2 that I drive all the time and I was so exhausted. I got about half way and then had to pull over. Found a little parking lot, parked in the shade, reclined the seat and took a 30 minute cat nap. I’ve hardly ever had that happen before – so tired I knew I was going to lose the fight with the eyelids.

Now that I’ve handed over the shawl, I feel at liberty to start a new knitting project. I have three baskets full of projects that need fixing, darning and other not-fun stuff. And nothing that travels yet. Ever since the weather got fall-like I’ve been hankering to cast on. I think I’ll have a go at the Treeline Striped cardigan from purlsoho.com. It eases the guilt as I’m using up yarn stash that is not enough for a full sweater. Still need to do the math tonight. Fingers crossed there is enough yarn.

Since it is now later in the week, I can report that I did indeed print the Treeline pattern, and then proceeded to weed through my yarn. I have an Ikea bookcase that is composed of cubes – 4x4 (idea stolen from Cece). I had the yarn arranged in the cubby holes by color. I stayed up until after midnight Monday night, going through each section of yarn and pulling out the balls of yarn that weren’t enough for one sweater. Trying to find what yarns would go together (by weight and fiber type). It looks so nice, but I’m no where closer to starting the Treeline sweater. Turns out the yarn I had in mind is a different yarn weight than the pattern. But I do have a nice collection of tweeds I may have to make into a Shetland sweater. So no new project on the needles yet. Instead I worked on one of my repair projects and finished it (it has felt so good getting that sweater done and it only took 20 minutes of work), and I’ve picked up a sweater I had started earlier this year – finishing up one of the fronts. It’s a brown cardigan. I’ll provide more info later (maybe). It sure is knitting season again and I’m gearing up to finally finish the repair jobs I’ve got in the basket. There’s got to be at least a half dozen sweaters that out of commission currently. Fine for summer time, but now I’m itching to wear them again. Pressure’s on!

Lunch with Biden

Walked out of my office at lunch and was struck that the busy lunch crowd in the financial district was frozen. There were dozens of uniformed police with their motorcycles all over the place and everyone was just waiting on the sidewalks. I had to go up to someone and ask. It was for Joe. I’m walking along the route, and more cops on bikes come by and pull over on the side. One cop even addressed a gentleman walking along the sidewalk (just like me) and told him to move over and stand by the building. Very strange, although he was carrying a messenger bag.

I’m almost to the end of the block when all of a sudden there’s an influx of vehicles. On point in the front is a handful of more cops on bikes followed by two limos. I look closely in both but no clue who was who with the slightly tinted windows. They were then followed by a bunch of the dark big SUVs – escalade types and then around the corner comes an ambulance with their lights on followed by two police cars. And they all drove by very quickly – it was over within seconds it seemed. Gave me the tingles.

And then it’s like the world was taken off of pause and all the blue shirts and suits start moving again – the sidewalks are swarming with the business folks that had piled up during the wait. It was very surreal. It makes me appreciate working in the heart of a metropolitan city though. To walk out of your door and stumble upon something like this, as if it’s an everyday occurrence. Similar to when I stumbled upon the victory parade by the Sox a few years back.

I enjoy my lunch of Vietnamese sandwiches in the park that is packed full of people enjoying the second showing of summer days, catching up with a friend and discussing our futures and what we want in life. We head back to our offices when again, we come upon a large spattering of uniformed police. They’re in the street directing traffic, along the sidewalks keeping the pedestrians out of the road. I miss Joe this time round as the wait was taking too long. But apparently he was visiting an office down on Arch street. It was very strange and makes you appreciate not having to tote around such a large and burdensome entourage.

Baby Names

I can't believe I found this site after all these years!  Someone showed it to me about 5 years ago and every time I've googled I could never find it.  But it has stayed with me all these years.  And I was referencing it just now.  I said it was pointless searching having had my hopes dashed so many times before.  But I tried one last time and  boom - first on the list.  It's called www.babynamewizard.com and it shows in dynamic form the popularity of names over the decades.  It's just a really cool way to graphically present the data.  Fun to play around with and test names.  Not that I have babies on the brain just now, having spent the weekend with a bunch (and appreciating the freedom from schedule a childless life offers), but I think I have a new favorite for a girls name: Alice.  For the boys, I always lean towards the Oscars and Felix types.  Time will tell what the final choice is...

No More Cable

I did it!  I just got off the phone and I'm happy to say after about 9 months of searching I've finally found cheap internet and locked in the deal.  The technician is coming next Saturday to switch me over. 

My internet/cable monthly charge kept steadily going up.  I'd call periodically and they'd knock off some $$, but then it would creep back up.  No reason - I wasn't adding services, buying on-demand movies or anything.  This summer my cable went out and with traveling and everything I haven't been able to get it fixed yet.  I hooked the rabbit ears back up and found I miss the days of snow.  It's really hard to watch a TV show without the signal dropping out.  Sigh.  But on the upside, most of what I want to watch isn't on TV it's on Netflix or Hulu or other websites. 

This summer I was working up a new budget and wanted to cut my expenses down.  Dropping cable from my current provider saved me something ridiculous like $20 a month.  So I hunted and hunted and hunted and am now switching providers.  I was on the phone for awhile while they tried to hunt the deal down.  It wouldn't register on their website (was double the promotional amount) and I finally got switched over to a special department that was privy to this great deal.  Very strange, but I'm happy with the deal.  And I asked like three times - my monthly bill will be the same each month.  The rate is locked in for the first year and than just goes up slightly to a second rate the second year.  Now fingers crossed the services is the same.

It's been just under two years that I enjoyed my new cable.  Technically it's been about 18 months since it's been out this summer.  I quickly got into my groove - watching specific channels and ignoring the vast sea of other channels out there.  I miss it sometimes when I want to just crash and zone out and flip through channels and watch nothing.  But then that never left me with a good feeling afterwards. Plus the shows I wanted to watch always seemed to be on when I was out.  Internet watching is equivalent to on-demand almost, without the cost.

I'll never be one of those people who say they don't watch TV (personally it annoys me when people say that).  I've discovered and been enriched by so much televisonland provides.  Plus it's part of our culture.  I like being connected or other times, escaping into another world. 

 So my cable is cut, I'm back to life with the old rabbit ears and just bought a Roku Player to stream my Netflix that's scheduled to arrive next week.  I can't wait!

Random Thursday Posting

1. We moved offices last month. I’ve been striking up random conversations with strangers in my new building each day. In the elevator, in the kitchen, who knows where next. It’s been rewarding so far and good practice. The only thing I’m worried is that I’ll forget a face and ignore someone in the future. It used to be just names I couldn’t hold on to. Now it’s faces too. Ah, old age!

2. I was at a bus stop yesterday and this older gentleman walked up to me and randomly asks me what day it was. He is adamant I tell him the day of the week not the date. It was a weird question and he just thanked me and walked away after. The scary thing was that it took me awhile to remember the answer was Wednesday. So maybe not such a bad question after all.

3. I got a ride from a friend last night and got to check out the new 500 series BMW. Some cool new features but I’ve got to say, I’d still choose my little ol’ Infiniti over that car. Plus save a ton of money too!

4. I checked out Ted. Saw it on a white people post. Listening to one of the episodes I learned that the false sleeping patterns we all experience has really come at a cost. I love not using an alarm clock. And thought I had a pretty good natural cycle. And yet I’m dog tired recently. The speaker was saying that people who did not use artificial light would sleep twice a night: from 8 to midnight and than from 2 am to sunrise. And in between there was a quiet meditative time where there was a surge of prolactin (happy mood hormone). The kicker being that they were super invigorated during the day – a completely different person. If only the days weren’t getting so short, I might give it a go.

5. I checked on the shawl yesterday. I got it pretty much blocked and pinned out before I practically passed out from being tired. It looks good. I unpinned a few tips and it stayed the same shape. I missed one spot and kind of want it a little more perfect. So am considering spraying it and re-blocking tomorrow night. We’ll see. Pictures soon, I promise.

6. I was waiting in the park by my office building at lunch for a friend, watching the people go by. When I noticed this lady I see on the bus all the time. Turns out we work in the same building. It was a little strange. My friend asked if I talk with her and I replied that I don’t like to talk with people on the bus much. It’s my time to relax and decompress. Not really up for chit chat.

Police + Wristcutters

Friday I was heading home after a late night of working. I was looking forward to making it home and crashing and knowing I didn’t have anywhere to go the next morning – no work, no trips out of town. I get off the bus and go to cross the busy street. I look left and there is a lone car in the dark that sees me and comes to a stop. Turns out it’s a police car. I was reminded of the experience I had last fall. I look right and see the light had just released a bunch of cars. I’m waiting to see if they’ll stop before proceeding and with this sense of déjà vu I’m also half waiting to see if the blue lights come on from the police car to help stop the traffic for me.

I’m just about to step foot on the sidewalk on the other side when I notice the blue lights flashing out of the corner of my eye. I’m confused for a moment until I turn and look and see that this police car took a different approach. There was one car that didn’t stop and I see the police car had pulled a U-turn and has gone after the driver. I kind of feel badly, for being the cause of a potential ticket, especially since I’m not sure if I wouldn’t have done the same if I was driving. He would have slammed the brakes on. Anyways, sorry dude, if you got a ticket because of me.

Last night I was fighting the pattern I’ve had lately: on way home acquire headache, get home feed cats, and crash only to wake up hours later and drag myself into bed. I’ve been so tired recently. It’s really strange. Until I started talking to others. Looks like it probably has something to do with the sudden change in weather. Pressure drop? So last night, I put on an easy meal (cheese fondue – mmm) and pop in the latest Netflix flick.

Note here that I mainly use the streaming part of Netflix these days so my queue for movies to be mailed is from awhile ago. A long while ago. Sometimes movies arrive and I think, “huh” and that I need to get online and review my queue. But I never do. Last night I watch the previews and they’re alll about horror and thrillers. I get a little worried, as I do love myself a good horror film, but have learned to watch it during the day, not at night home alone. The movie is called, Wristcutters: A Love Story. It’s a sweet strange movie set in the afterlife suicide people live in. A little surreal especially when watching while very tired. But I made it to my regular bed time and enjoyed the movie. Still wondering what led me to stumble upon it in the first place.