On my way home, I was reading a piece in the paper about the on-going writer's strike and likelihood of increased reality tv shows in the next few months. It got me thinking and I felt it was time to weigh in on reality tv, a genre that is too often ragged-on and quickly dismissed.
First, I have to admit I'm a quasi-closeted reality tv viewer. Just like my religious beliefs (or lack of), I don't lie about where I stand, but don't readily reveal them either within certain circles. I have quite a few friends who not only look down on reality shows but television altogether. They rail on the boob tube and see reality tv as the epitomy of the junk shown. I was brought up with limited tv viewing, the majority of which was composed of PBS shows. But some Saturday mornings, all I wanted to watch was Saved by the Bell. All grown up, PBS is still my favorite station(s). They provide some of the best documentaries (latest recommendation is Who Killed the Electric Car) and entertainment (gotta love BBC). And if I look back, some of my favorite reality tv show's are from PBS - the whole House series from Colonial House to Frontier House to 1900 House are wonderful escapes into living in a different time and place.
Now understand, like anything else, there is a spectrum within the reality tv genre. There are the good and the bad and the mediocre. If you look at the mother of all reality shows (some would argue Survivor, but that was really just a spin off with money), the Real World has the fundamental element that attracts people to reality shows - the simple sanctioned voyerism. Who doesn't enjoy the cafe seating outside that allows people watching? You get to see all walks of life and that's what reality tv has provided over the past decade - variations on this theme, from the safety of your living room.
You have your professional series. Who hasn't thought about being a model or a chef or a fashion designer? I could do that. Even intriguing professions like designers and venture capitliasts got Martha and Donald to join the game for awhile.
You have the celeb series. This feeds into our endless love/fascination with the celebrities (or quasi-celebs). We've had them live together, dance, and even play detective - figuring out who the mole was in their group.
Then you have the elmination series - there can be only one. What that one is up to the show - the fastest, smartest, prettiest, geekiest, skinnest. Sometimes decided by judges, sometimes by your fellow contestents.
Or in contrast, you have shows, where the only premise is to all get along. The idea is through adversity and turmoil you learn from each other, grow and become enlightened - well at least that's the theory. Here we've seen it happen to people from different parts of the country switching mates to pre-pubescent kids rebuilding a town.
And let's not foget about Cops, which stands on it's own. There is no assembly cast, it's not needed as the show boils the characters down into two categories: the good guy and the bad guy. Or rather, the cop and the person disturbing the peace. It's a good stand-by, you always know what you're getting with Cops and it's real!
But getting back to the original point - not all reality tv is bad. So the question is, what makes for a good reality tv show? Just like any show, from Seinfield to Masterpiece Theater, there are two elements that must be provided with quality and balance: character devleopment and an intriguing plot. The downfalls in some of today's shows are that not enough time is provided for the backstory of the characters. We're not vested in them, don't relate with them because we don't know them - they're just portrayed as stereotypes. And unfortunately, the casting department will over do it - trying to cast the next Puck for turmoil, or casting the stereotypes. And unfortunately, once the execs feel they have a proven formula, they run it over and over, but missing the key elements of the original success - the unique situation and cast.
For some, tv is a great escape. Reailty tv provides that escape, allowing you to wonder how you would have done, living in a house and doing nothing all summer, strolling down the beach with a naked guy forming alliances, meeting the test of love versus money when faced with a pseudo millionaire bachelor, telling the difference between queer and straight folk, or living with Quaker kids. Reality tv gets stranger and stranger, and there is a lot of crap out there, but there are some gems out there too. My point being don't make a broad statement that all reality tv is bad until you give it a fair shot. In today's age, you sure have a lot to choose from and it looks like more is on the way.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Benefits of working downtown
Having lived in a half dozen cities and states over the years, I have to say I really like where I am. I like the town I live in and I like working in downtown Boston. Case in point being yesterday.
I was heading in to work a little late and instead of having a half empty subway car, it was jammed with red - people coming into the city to celebrate the Red Sox's great victory. One person had even created a World Series crown - it was fantastic! There were a lot of kids who should have been in school, but, hey, how often does your town win the World Series - oh right, once every four years - not bad.
But then I was once more ensconced in the walls of work and somewhat forgot about the celebrations. Although, throughout the morning we had been hearing the periodic roars of the fans. The parade route for the celebrations was just two blocks over.
For some reason, the first day in several weeks I hadn't had time to make my lunch. So a collegue and I ran out, both of us tight on time, to grab a sandwich. The streets were abuzz with people in Sox garb. We discovered the roars had nothing to do with the parade but was actually just the language of fans. As various groups roamed the streets, when they passed another group of fans they would cheer at each other. It was quite wonderful. We were all one group - the winning group.
But we didn't have time to wait around for the parade. So got our sandwiches and as we were heading down the street, we see people running ahead of us. There was ticker tape/confetti raining down on us, and the steady roar of fans. We got caught up in the anticipation and ran to see what people were running after. I got goose bumps as we rounded the corner and the block was packed - it was one of the side streets off the main parade route and the parade was in full force. The street was about 50 people or more deep, but with the duck boats, you could see all the players. The cheers as different players rode by from Lowell to Manny to Dicekay. We even got to see Papelbon do his jig while the Dropkick Murphys' played live on one of the flatbed trucks. It was great - such commradery. I've never been part of something like that. It reminded me what the parades for soldiers returning home from WWII must have been like.
And the amazing thing was that the confetti just kept raining down on us, the whole time. We couldn't figure out where it was coming from. It added to the surealness of the whole thing. All in all it was a nice 15 minute diversion to share the moment with the other hundreds of thousands of people. It was wicked cool!
I was heading in to work a little late and instead of having a half empty subway car, it was jammed with red - people coming into the city to celebrate the Red Sox's great victory. One person had even created a World Series crown - it was fantastic! There were a lot of kids who should have been in school, but, hey, how often does your town win the World Series - oh right, once every four years - not bad.
But then I was once more ensconced in the walls of work and somewhat forgot about the celebrations. Although, throughout the morning we had been hearing the periodic roars of the fans. The parade route for the celebrations was just two blocks over.
For some reason, the first day in several weeks I hadn't had time to make my lunch. So a collegue and I ran out, both of us tight on time, to grab a sandwich. The streets were abuzz with people in Sox garb. We discovered the roars had nothing to do with the parade but was actually just the language of fans. As various groups roamed the streets, when they passed another group of fans they would cheer at each other. It was quite wonderful. We were all one group - the winning group.
But we didn't have time to wait around for the parade. So got our sandwiches and as we were heading down the street, we see people running ahead of us. There was ticker tape/confetti raining down on us, and the steady roar of fans. We got caught up in the anticipation and ran to see what people were running after. I got goose bumps as we rounded the corner and the block was packed - it was one of the side streets off the main parade route and the parade was in full force. The street was about 50 people or more deep, but with the duck boats, you could see all the players. The cheers as different players rode by from Lowell to Manny to Dicekay. We even got to see Papelbon do his jig while the Dropkick Murphys' played live on one of the flatbed trucks. It was great - such commradery. I've never been part of something like that. It reminded me what the parades for soldiers returning home from WWII must have been like.
And the amazing thing was that the confetti just kept raining down on us, the whole time. We couldn't figure out where it was coming from. It added to the surealness of the whole thing. All in all it was a nice 15 minute diversion to share the moment with the other hundreds of thousands of people. It was wicked cool!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Boston Contractors
Real quick, as it's been non-stop go this monday morning at work. I was enjoying my subway ride in - good book, good tunes and realizing that I have the luxury in coming in relatively late if I want too. I'm used to jobs in the past that you have to be in 8 am. And where 8:30 is pushing it. As long as I put in my 40 hours and get in by 10 am, no worries. Granted, I put in more hours than that, and do get in early and stay late. But nice to appreciate what you've got.
So coming up the elevator this morning, I'm in there with our local contractor - who worked on our office rennovation and works on alot of other floors in the building, and one of his crew. So the GC (general contractor) is this born and bred bostonian. The vowels are different, the r's adjusted, the h's manipulated. He's as irish or itlian or whatever, as it gets. Well, his employee is vietanamese, and he has some other crew that are chinese. You know how he talks to them? With an asian accent. At first I thought it was condencending, but than realized, the he figured out, if he talks like they do - with the broken english and accent and all, they understand him much better.
By the time I got off on my floor, I was close to cracking up in front of them. They were talking english the whole time - but I felt like I was next door in china town. Not what you expect, but you have to love Boston!
So coming up the elevator this morning, I'm in there with our local contractor - who worked on our office rennovation and works on alot of other floors in the building, and one of his crew. So the GC (general contractor) is this born and bred bostonian. The vowels are different, the r's adjusted, the h's manipulated. He's as irish or itlian or whatever, as it gets. Well, his employee is vietanamese, and he has some other crew that are chinese. You know how he talks to them? With an asian accent. At first I thought it was condencending, but than realized, the he figured out, if he talks like they do - with the broken english and accent and all, they understand him much better.
By the time I got off on my floor, I was close to cracking up in front of them. They were talking english the whole time - but I felt like I was next door in china town. Not what you expect, but you have to love Boston!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
News and Updates and other goings on
Apologies again for being out of touch for awhile, although frankly, I think I need to get better about that. The apology thing, not the be being busy part. Why should I be apologizing to my blog, but than again I guess it's part my nature or waspiness, or who knows what. (Side note, I remember one time during a summer job working for the government - ok, I worked at the county landfill - but that's county government, right? And it paid well and I was appointed to the position. It was the summer before heading off to college. But that's not improtant, back to the point of the side note. I was with all these older college kids and would apologize every now and then for whatever it was, which might have been more than I realized, because one of the girls pointed it out and said I shouldn't apologize so much. And how did I respond? I apologized. Which was funny because then I wanted to apologize for apologizing. Anyways, this was the time I first really became conscious of the apologizing and tried to filter a bit better. Ok, that's not entirely clear, but hopefully you get the point, if not, sorry.) That would make for some good schtick if I ever did stand up comedy, which a friend actually was suggesting we do together the other day and on my way home I got some great ideas but of course didn't write them down and now have completely forgotten them, except that I remember they were really really really good.
So, I made a list of things I needed to update on my way into work one day, and just came across the list and realized I hadn't posted yet, and now the list is really really really long. So before it get's to daunting and I just give up on this whole blog thing, here goes. In list form of course and in no particular order of course:
1. First, in knitting news, several things. One, I'm a little screwed (pardon my language ma and pa), but I finally got invited to join Ravelry. If you're in already (I'm sukeyknits), you know why, and if you aren't well most likely you're not really into knitting all that much and so it doesn't really mean much to you. But for the outside folks, it's this wonderful central hub for knitters and all things knitterly. I've not really spent much time creating my profile. Still need to do inventory of the yarn stock and grandma's needles and projects (finished, unfinished and those that are itching to be started). The great thing is the database of information (mom, you'll apreciate the ref. librarian aspect of it all). I've been stumbling on some wonderful patterns I want to start, finding projects people have made with some of the yarn I own and frankly just sinking too much time surfing through the site and procrastinating at work, at least the initial couple of visits. On a second note, I don't know why, but I decided to knit a christmas gift this year. I know I'm horrible with deadlines when it comes to knitting, so don't know why, but it was the only thing I could think of giving to the person and I started in the end of september so figured I had months to go. I can't really say what it is, but am already half done, and feeling good about the timeline, so am starting to wane on actually working on it and trying to come up with convincing arguments why I should allow myself to start a new project from the many I've recently seen (also just got the new Webs catalog - need to make a run to Northampton soon - good sales). So I'm holding strong and just working diligently (although the last few days got distracted by a book so my most effective knitting time during commuting was lost, but just finished and am back on track - even knit as I walked to work - it's at the beginning of a new piece so isn't that heavy). 
Two more things to add to this too long paragraph on knitting: I did finish the birthday present for Cece, a bit late, and finished and blocked (ok just ironed, but that's pretty much the extent of my blocking) at her place the other weekend. I had to knit with my bag in my lap so she couldn't see, but was determined to not let it drag on too long. I don't usually gift knitted gifts as with any gift, people don't always love it as much as you do, and when it's knitted and all that work, it takes more for me to gift as it's more of a gamble. Well, this was great as the yarn was Cece's (left over from a shal and just beautiful - Rowan - my favorite) and the pattern was one she had gifted me for my birthday so felt pretty safe she liked it. She wrote about it here on 10/1, and took a picture - ain't it purty. Love the color but can't wear it myself. The second thing is that an old knitting group of mine got revived. It was with some old coworkers who no longer worker with me. In the end it was a sad showing, but it was me the hostess and another lovely woman - with my name! Hopefully, it'll take off this time. Need to get back into that sort of thing again - it was tons of fun and love the community it creates.
Two more things to add to this too long paragraph on knitting: I did finish the birthday present for Cece, a bit late, and finished and blocked (ok just ironed, but that's pretty much the extent of my blocking) at her place the other weekend. I had to knit with my bag in my lap so she couldn't see, but was determined to not let it drag on too long. I don't usually gift knitted gifts as with any gift, people don't always love it as much as you do, and when it's knitted and all that work, it takes more for me to gift as it's more of a gamble. Well, this was great as the yarn was Cece's (left over from a shal and just beautiful - Rowan - my favorite) and the pattern was one she had gifted me for my birthday so felt pretty safe she liked it. She wrote about it here on 10/1, and took a picture - ain't it purty. Love the color but can't wear it myself. The second thing is that an old knitting group of mine got revived. It was with some old coworkers who no longer worker with me. In the end it was a sad showing, but it was me the hostess and another lovely woman - with my name! Hopefully, it'll take off this time. Need to get back into that sort of thing again - it was tons of fun and love the community it creates.2. Enough with knitting, on to art and culture. Ages ago now, I went and saw my old buddy Garrison speak at Northeastern. The line was long, but we got in and it was free. It was soo strange to be there and hear that familiar voice and it be in person. He is my one constant (that and orion's belt), everytime I moved - comforting. And now I download each week the news from Lake Wobegon to listen on my way into work. It was strange to hear him live that saturday on his show after just seeing him in person several days earlier. Tried not to think about that too much. My friend and I took pictures with our phone of him on stage. Technology has come a long way, but yet neither of us have been successful of getting the photo off hte phone, and regardless, it's a blurry red blob far off on a stage - not very recognizable. That was the culture, the art was attributed to the Lowell art festival Cece and I went to the other weekend. Amanda has a studio in this wonderful old mill, so we confined our journey's just to the building. It reminded me of the old art studios in SF - the old marine base. Anyways, just like then, I was hoping to find some wonderful art at affordable prices. The prices were great, but no art really spoke to me until the very end and I got a wonderful painting from a recent art student (gotta love them) at a killer price. Needless to say Cece and I had a great time perusing and shopping. I got a pair of earrings for myself from Amanda's studio which I've been wearing almost everyday (think I like them a bit). Cece got a bunch of stuff too, which helped me get stuff - nothing like a fellow enabler. Happy with everything.
3. Finances. I've been working on getting back on top of things now that I'm relatively out of debt (still have the student loans - ugh). I took this class for retirement. It's me and these three older women nearing retirement. The class is a bit of disappointment content wise - know most of that stuff already. But it's forced me to bring all this info together and get it up to date. Very useful. Also, been working alot on my job - being more strategic about what I take on as projects and looking at long term development for myself. Much better than just reacting to what needs to be done immediately. I've finally got my salary up to what I should have been hired at - now just need to work on phase II.
4. Entertainment. Not sure why, but realized I needed to straighten out my television viewing, so over labor day weekend, I went out to buy a new tv. But there were none - quite literally the shelves were bare - for the small sized tv I wanted. In the end I got a new HDTV as I didn't want to have to buy a new one a couple of years down the road. It's amazing, which is surprising. I've seen HDTVs before, but didn't think it would effect me as I don't have cable. But the way it works, is if I can pull in the station (i.e. decent reception), than the HD chanel is there - like cable. It's amazing - no more fuzz (well kind of). Plus, they have additional stations. Mostly the PBS (my favorite), so now I just expanded my station repetoire - I think I'm in double digits now. The second thing, partly because of this purchase and I've been thinking about it all year is Netflix. So I signed up for the cheapest version and been enjoying some new movies which has been great as I think I probably saw a total of three movies in total last year.
5. Which leads into my day of hookie. Having worked so much the previous week, I got a bit burnt out by thursday, and with the change in the weather making it harder to get out of bed (is it just me?) and that fact that The Departed (in HD too) had just arrived the day before, I decided to be startegic and work on maintaining good energy level. It was a fun movie being in the Boston area and it being set in Boston. I was able to finally run weekday errands and closed an account I had wanted to close since March and made a deposit of some rolled coins that had been sitting around all summer and in general enjoyed a nice day in my town. While at the bank to close the account, I noticed a painting behind the desk of the busy intersection. And instead of the modern, not so great, church that is there now, was a wonderful old New England church. I wonder what happened - it must have burnt down - will have to find out. I visited my local used book store and picked up a bunch of books after spending two hours perusing. Just finished the quick read "Quite Honestly" by John Mortimer (sp?). Bought primarily because he is the author of the Rumple of the Baily series from my days of growing up. It was ok. Just finished it this morning, on to read the next book.
6. Gotta love my town (more on that next post). But before I forget, I was leaving for work the other morning. Beautiful crisp fall day. And as I walked down my sidewalk, there, across the street, walking down the sidewalk were a pair of what appeared to be tibetan monks - they wore the red and yellow garbs like in the picture (but imagine a new england setting for the back drop). It was strange as we were walking along at the same pace on opposite sides of the street. Not what you expect first thing in the morning in my quiet hamlet. Gotta love it!7. And finally, the real maple syrup cotton candy. As mentioned in the previous post I was enlisting some family to go to the New England fair to hunt down some of the euphoric aforementioned cotton candy. Had a great time, dad and my cousin Catherine, and I. Although I did get tuckered out the soonest (long week for me). Tons to see and do. And I got not one, nor two, but three bags of the cotton candy. I had brought a canvas bag so as to cut down on trash, but when I mentioned I had my own bag the salesperson scoffed and said it wouldn't do, while simultaneously pulling out a white kitchen trash bag. $3.50!!! That's all it cost for the big bag of cotton candy (each). Dad bought one too and we ended up eating some of that first. I ended up lugging the bag around most of the day, trying to protect the fluffiness from being defluffed. Then, the next week was so busy that most nights I didn't get home until just before bedtime and couldn't really ingest sugar as the sugar high would be counterproductive in the whole going to sleep thing. So it wasn't until Wednesday that I actually opened a bag (4 days later!). I did share some with Cece as her birthday present - she so knows how much I love the stuff she was very hesitent to accept the gift. I assured her I had more. Unfortunately, there was a lesson learned when it came to the cotton candy (which on another side not, funny enough, the purchase of hte cotton candy coincided with being the same week I finally had my first boston visit to a dentist - a little guilt there). The lesson learned, and learned the hard way, is that although it is beneficial to place the big bags of fluffy real maple syrup cotton candy up high so that the cats won't maul the bag apart in the middle of the night like many other items I forget about when I bring home, the storage place for the aforementioned treasures should not include on top of the fridge. Although a useful resting place for many other items, apparently the heat (not evident from short term observations) transforms the light and fluffy cotton candy to a reduced hard (very hard) maple syrup candy. Luckily I made it through a bag of the cotton candy, so this really happened on the last bag. I've tried knawing on it a bit, but now that the roof of my mouth is all torn up, I'm thinking of just melting it and using it on the pancakes saturday - sad but true - lesson learned. Also, note to self, the vermont stand is not the only dispenser of cotton candy at the fair - massachusetts also represents!
Friday, September 21, 2007
I'm Not Dead Yet
If you're a Monty Python fan, you know the bring out your dead scene. It's been a bit busy, and frankly I'm not sure how I'll get what I need to get done in the next week done - if you know what I mean. Last weekend I had a fun slumber party over at Cece's to celebrate her birthday and hang out with the old knitting gang since Lauri was visiting from California. I unfortunately found out that there were more people reading this than I realized. It's very deceptive when you have few comments and is no resulting in a little stage fright I have to admit - I'll get over it, so no worries. Amanda had brought a home-made ice cream cake (my first - who knew you could make one of those from scratch - makes sense) and Cece's mom made a ridiculous to-die-for blueberry pie. We had a great feast and gift openings and of course knitting. I got a lot of knitting done, and between that and the commute knitting, I've finished almost all my projects on the needles (when I say finish, I mean of course just the knitting part - tons to block and make-up). Of course, the one knitting project not done yet was Cece's gift. It refused to get done before her birthday, just reinforcing that me and knitting deadlines are not meant to be.
Work has been going well, although still crazy as we go through these growing pains. But am in a much better place than before, have a plan and am not as emotionally drained by it all. Still trying to not work the long hours.
It's been nice not having as many roadtrips now as fall settles in. It got a bit crazy this summer. I've started driving to pick up my weekly food share, simply because it's gotten heavy. Can you imagine me biking with a watermelon and pumpkin, not to mention all the squaches? I tried it once and it was scary. Actually, this week, when I picked up the food, I was determined to make only one trip - but we had the box, and a pumpking and some extra leeks and extra tomatoes and a pint (or was it a quart) of delicious orange cherry tomatoes and spagatti squash. Well, I had them all piled up and was slowing making my way out when of course the pint of cherry tomatoes tips out, spilling them all over the drive. I scrambled to pick them up and no harm done, but of course this was one of the few times there were other people picking up their share at the same time.
Well, this weekend, starting friday night I'm meating with a friend to see about teaching a course on the side. Then I'm heading off to the Big E on Saturday. It's a local fair... on steroids. It represents all the states in New England and has the food stands and crafts and 4H livestock and who knows what else. To be honest, I am only going to buy this heavenly REAL maple syrup cotton candy. A friend brought a bag back for me last year and I was floating (and not just from the sugar high) for weeks. It's like the maple syrup candies but in a fluffier form. And apparently not too expensive - although there is a $15 door cover for the fair. That's why I invited dad to come along :) It's in Springfield MA (center of the state) so will head up to VT after for a short visit with Dad and Barbro, and then have a dinner party Sunday night that is at a coworkers country house on the way back to Boston (it's an underground house and apparently a little chaotic as multiple construction projects are going on). There will be tons of kids, so I'm excited, but realize that all said and done, Monday will be my day to recoup from the crazy weekend. And next week is really busy. Hence why I'm a bit worried and why you might not hear from me for awhile.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Knitting Updates - More Simply Marilyn
I first just wrote this and it was too random and didn't really seem to say much, so am not switching to list form - got to love lists. Warning - number one is long.
1. Blog Community: Wow, I just thought I'd do a quick google to find the Interweaves image for the Simply Marilyn sweater and stumbled upon people's blogs about their adjustments for the sweater. I really need to learn that there is a community out there that I should use especially as research before starting a popular sweater.
2. Simply Marilyn: Well back in October last year I finished the Simply Marilyn sweater - free pattern here. I didn't use the expensive cashmerino yarn called for, but had a good substitution wool yarn. I plugged along, it was a fast knit and in the end I got a teaser sweater. I call it a teaser sweater because it was almost great. It was too short both in the arms and torso for me. It was a bit bulkier than I would have liked. But otherwise turned out to be a very distinctive, beautiful sweater. However, with those "minor" issues it wouldn't really get worn and sit in the back of the closet - hense a tease.
It's now September, almost a year, and enough time has gone by to unravel all the hard work. As mentioned earlier I carefully measured and made comments on the instructions before undoing the work. The sleeves I only had to undo back a quarter of the way to allow for elongation in the correct area. The front and back had to be undone in their entirity. Well, working on the front, I decided to cast on 8 less stitches (called for 68 - CO 60). And I've been working on the shaping for the waist.
Funny thing, looking at other people's comments: from fig and plum to stacy's there is no mention of need for elongation so think that might just be me. They did comment on the bulkiness and lack of fitting for the shape. I am a bit waifish like the model so don't think I need to do as much as they are. Although I'm starting to wonder if I should have reduced the size for the sleeves as well. Those are quick so will just wait and see.
Anyways, I'm almost done the front - cranked most of it out last night while trying to get sleepy for bed. Done the sleeves, and am not doing the neck until I've stitched up everything to make sure it fits. So really only have the back to do. Good progress - that's whats so nice - it's so simple. The bad news - I don't have circular needles in the right size so have been knitting on the old fashioned straight sticks.
3. Circle Needle Convert: What with the weight of the sweater and the new way of holding things my hand cramped up a bit. I guess I'm a bit of a convert now on circulars - never understood originally. Also I'm dying to bring the project on the road but the straight needles require too much elbow room which I just don't have on the bus/subway.
4. Ravelry Prep: I'm starting to get the yarn in order so as to process it for photographing in preperation for joing ravelry. Frankly, I'm more interested in accessing all the info on there than showcasing my work. But as friends have started documenting their stash and completed projects, I've caught the bug and am excited about it - plus it's organizing, how can you not love that. Granted, all I've done so far is wind some balls of yarn on the winder. Gotta start somewhere.
5. PeaPod Sweater: Still working on yet another Pea Pod sweater for a friends baby - the largest size. It's a good travel project and frankly I seem to only knit it at staff meetings so it's been slow going.
6. UFOs: I've tried to finish up random projects. Not much exciting knitting news to report. I've staved off starting any new projects until these are done. I am stuck on two projects though. One is the orange cardigan from this sweater - need to learn how to knit in a different die lot of yarn. The second sweater I recently discovered and wondered why I hadn't finished it - I ran out of yarn. So need to make an expedition to find something that matches - doesn't have to be exact.
Don't know why I wanted to blog about all of this right now, as I don't usually report on knitting until I've finished something and even then it's a hit or a miss. Anyways, that's the report.
1. Blog Community: Wow, I just thought I'd do a quick google to find the Interweaves image for the Simply Marilyn sweater and stumbled upon people's blogs about their adjustments for the sweater. I really need to learn that there is a community out there that I should use especially as research before starting a popular sweater.
2. Simply Marilyn: Well back in October last year I finished the Simply Marilyn sweater - free pattern here. I didn't use the expensive cashmerino yarn called for, but had a good substitution wool yarn. I plugged along, it was a fast knit and in the end I got a teaser sweater. I call it a teaser sweater because it was almost great. It was too short both in the arms and torso for me. It was a bit bulkier than I would have liked. But otherwise turned out to be a very distinctive, beautiful sweater. However, with those "minor" issues it wouldn't really get worn and sit in the back of the closet - hense a tease.
It's now September, almost a year, and enough time has gone by to unravel all the hard work. As mentioned earlier I carefully measured and made comments on the instructions before undoing the work. The sleeves I only had to undo back a quarter of the way to allow for elongation in the correct area. The front and back had to be undone in their entirity. Well, working on the front, I decided to cast on 8 less stitches (called for 68 - CO 60). And I've been working on the shaping for the waist.Funny thing, looking at other people's comments: from fig and plum to stacy's there is no mention of need for elongation so think that might just be me. They did comment on the bulkiness and lack of fitting for the shape. I am a bit waifish like the model so don't think I need to do as much as they are. Although I'm starting to wonder if I should have reduced the size for the sleeves as well. Those are quick so will just wait and see.
Anyways, I'm almost done the front - cranked most of it out last night while trying to get sleepy for bed. Done the sleeves, and am not doing the neck until I've stitched up everything to make sure it fits. So really only have the back to do. Good progress - that's whats so nice - it's so simple. The bad news - I don't have circular needles in the right size so have been knitting on the old fashioned straight sticks.
3. Circle Needle Convert: What with the weight of the sweater and the new way of holding things my hand cramped up a bit. I guess I'm a bit of a convert now on circulars - never understood originally. Also I'm dying to bring the project on the road but the straight needles require too much elbow room which I just don't have on the bus/subway.
4. Ravelry Prep: I'm starting to get the yarn in order so as to process it for photographing in preperation for joing ravelry. Frankly, I'm more interested in accessing all the info on there than showcasing my work. But as friends have started documenting their stash and completed projects, I've caught the bug and am excited about it - plus it's organizing, how can you not love that. Granted, all I've done so far is wind some balls of yarn on the winder. Gotta start somewhere.
5. PeaPod Sweater: Still working on yet another Pea Pod sweater for a friends baby - the largest size. It's a good travel project and frankly I seem to only knit it at staff meetings so it's been slow going.
6. UFOs: I've tried to finish up random projects. Not much exciting knitting news to report. I've staved off starting any new projects until these are done. I am stuck on two projects though. One is the orange cardigan from this sweater - need to learn how to knit in a different die lot of yarn. The second sweater I recently discovered and wondered why I hadn't finished it - I ran out of yarn. So need to make an expedition to find something that matches - doesn't have to be exact.
Don't know why I wanted to blog about all of this right now, as I don't usually report on knitting until I've finished something and even then it's a hit or a miss. Anyways, that's the report.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
List Catch Up
Ok now it's so long that I've forgotten half the things I wanted to jott down to remember forever and ever. So before the other half have gone, here goes - keeping it short and sweet (well at least trying).
1. Cousins from CT came to visit one weekend in August. I wasn't exactly clear if it was Tyler and Catherine only or if Barry was coming too. I also wasn't exactly clear if they were coming up friday night or on saturday. I was clear that due to the schedule during the week, I had to go grocery shopping on Tuesday and stay up late on Wednesday to clean. In actuallaity, I got the shopping done but the bed won out over cleaning (it always does, especially when tired). So was quickly cleaning friday morning before work (a bit late in as I really haven't cleaned for awhile). And then of course I get the call that they aren't coming until saturday, so instead of finishing I just take a break and put off everything until the last minute. I'm running around saturday morning mopping and vaccuuming and basically doing a spring cleaning. Except I didn't touch the loft area, betting Barry wasn't coming. They arrived - all three, and I had to do a bit more cleaning in the loft area. Moral of the story, I resolved to keep the house a bit cleaner so that this didn't happen again (fast forward several weeks, and although not quite as disasterous, it's on the road back to pre-visitors - no lesson learned).
2. Besides cleaning, we went letter boxing - I'm horrible at entertaining - rather be entertained than figure out what to do. We biked up to the local park and followed the clues. I started my own stamp collecting book. Funny thing was I couldn't find a stamp. I thought I had one of an ant, but nowhere to be found as we were running out the door. Barry suggests I use "one of those". I completely forgot a plaque of architectural stamps a friend gave me from antiquing. If you're interested, check out: www.letterboxing.org. I want to do some near work but most of them have dissappeared. Overall nice and relaxing weekend, just hung out and chilled before they left for camping in Maine.
3. I got to babysit one night. A coworker and his wife were celebrating their anniversary. Jack and I had a great time. They live in this itty bitty apartment in Harvard Square area. I don't know how they do it - must stay neat at all times. After they gave me the run down of all the nighttime ritual stuff they headed off. And it was just me and Jack. Mind you we've played together and hung out before when he's come into visit at work or at other social events. But I was struck after mom and dad left that I was left with this boy who doesn't talk. That didn't stop me from talking though and we had a grand old time playing made up games and splashing in the bath and reading. Granted I did have a pang of "when is it going to be my turn". I wanted to be celebrating the anniversary and having the kid to play with. But sometime. Maybe not exactly that, but something. Patience is a virtue right? That or else I make it happen one way or another.
4. Had dinner with a friend from India that I had met while visiting Nick (she's his friend too) - Swethaa. She is just starting law school at Harvard. It was great to catch up with her and meet her new fiance Jay. I had been working late and was able to meet up with them for dinner - Indian in Harvard Square area. They were kind and kept the spices mild - still a bit hot for me. I remember a funny thing when visiting India is our constant trouble of dinner. We would be famished and ready to eat by 6 pm or so, but most places wouldn't even open until 7 and it didn't get busy until 10 or so. We were always in the restaurants with foreigners as they eat so "early".
5. Last night I had one of my last town committee meetings. I'm on the building committee - we act as the owner and represent the town when building schools and fire stations and what not. I was brought on I think in part because of my environmental background. Except we were working on the tail end of projects so I wasn't really able to do much and now they're about to be closed out. And the town didn't pass the reforendum needed to start the next school renovation project, so we will be on hiatus for awhile. Anyways, it's been really fun - twice a month meeting with this group who are full of local characters - nice thick accents, people who grew up in the town or the next one over. I really enjoyed it as I felt more connected with the community. I wish I could have done more. My major feat was getting them to use low VOC paint for the fire station. Which is such a small small thing in my daily work, but somewhat big for this project - the chief mentioned last night that hte firefighters really appreciated it. Anyways, I'll miss it. ONly one or two meetings left.
6. Speaking of neighborhoods, I noticed another blind person last night on my way to pick up my produce. There's a fellow that I'll see at my bus stop in the mornings. And there was this lady last night crossing my intersection. And funny thing, this morning, there was another fellow on the bus with his dog. Very strange to see so many - at least for me.
7. Speaking of the bus this morning, there was a very annoying person on her cell phone behind me talking fairly loudly. It was annoying. That bad part of it all, as I sat there and knit trying to listen to my podcasts, was that she was also knitting. Very poor representation I think. But I guess I'm reminded that there are all kinds.
8. Can't think of anything else, other then I got to test drive another car thanks to Zipcar. I was impressed too, it was a Nissan Altima. Nothing much to speak about on the outside - form is bland, but inside was nice and luxurious (at least for my standards), and it handeled really nicely. I'm sorry to say, nicer than Sam, my Volvo I favor from Zipcar. Very tight suspenssion and sharp breaks. Also, it had less blind spots. The volvo seemed to have very bulky back corners and small rear window, leaving a lot of the road unviewable.
And that folks is all that this little brain can remember for now.
1. Cousins from CT came to visit one weekend in August. I wasn't exactly clear if it was Tyler and Catherine only or if Barry was coming too. I also wasn't exactly clear if they were coming up friday night or on saturday. I was clear that due to the schedule during the week, I had to go grocery shopping on Tuesday and stay up late on Wednesday to clean. In actuallaity, I got the shopping done but the bed won out over cleaning (it always does, especially when tired). So was quickly cleaning friday morning before work (a bit late in as I really haven't cleaned for awhile). And then of course I get the call that they aren't coming until saturday, so instead of finishing I just take a break and put off everything until the last minute. I'm running around saturday morning mopping and vaccuuming and basically doing a spring cleaning. Except I didn't touch the loft area, betting Barry wasn't coming. They arrived - all three, and I had to do a bit more cleaning in the loft area. Moral of the story, I resolved to keep the house a bit cleaner so that this didn't happen again (fast forward several weeks, and although not quite as disasterous, it's on the road back to pre-visitors - no lesson learned).
2. Besides cleaning, we went letter boxing - I'm horrible at entertaining - rather be entertained than figure out what to do. We biked up to the local park and followed the clues. I started my own stamp collecting book. Funny thing was I couldn't find a stamp. I thought I had one of an ant, but nowhere to be found as we were running out the door. Barry suggests I use "one of those". I completely forgot a plaque of architectural stamps a friend gave me from antiquing. If you're interested, check out: www.letterboxing.org. I want to do some near work but most of them have dissappeared. Overall nice and relaxing weekend, just hung out and chilled before they left for camping in Maine.
3. I got to babysit one night. A coworker and his wife were celebrating their anniversary. Jack and I had a great time. They live in this itty bitty apartment in Harvard Square area. I don't know how they do it - must stay neat at all times. After they gave me the run down of all the nighttime ritual stuff they headed off. And it was just me and Jack. Mind you we've played together and hung out before when he's come into visit at work or at other social events. But I was struck after mom and dad left that I was left with this boy who doesn't talk. That didn't stop me from talking though and we had a grand old time playing made up games and splashing in the bath and reading. Granted I did have a pang of "when is it going to be my turn". I wanted to be celebrating the anniversary and having the kid to play with. But sometime. Maybe not exactly that, but something. Patience is a virtue right? That or else I make it happen one way or another.
4. Had dinner with a friend from India that I had met while visiting Nick (she's his friend too) - Swethaa. She is just starting law school at Harvard. It was great to catch up with her and meet her new fiance Jay. I had been working late and was able to meet up with them for dinner - Indian in Harvard Square area. They were kind and kept the spices mild - still a bit hot for me. I remember a funny thing when visiting India is our constant trouble of dinner. We would be famished and ready to eat by 6 pm or so, but most places wouldn't even open until 7 and it didn't get busy until 10 or so. We were always in the restaurants with foreigners as they eat so "early".
5. Last night I had one of my last town committee meetings. I'm on the building committee - we act as the owner and represent the town when building schools and fire stations and what not. I was brought on I think in part because of my environmental background. Except we were working on the tail end of projects so I wasn't really able to do much and now they're about to be closed out. And the town didn't pass the reforendum needed to start the next school renovation project, so we will be on hiatus for awhile. Anyways, it's been really fun - twice a month meeting with this group who are full of local characters - nice thick accents, people who grew up in the town or the next one over. I really enjoyed it as I felt more connected with the community. I wish I could have done more. My major feat was getting them to use low VOC paint for the fire station. Which is such a small small thing in my daily work, but somewhat big for this project - the chief mentioned last night that hte firefighters really appreciated it. Anyways, I'll miss it. ONly one or two meetings left.
6. Speaking of neighborhoods, I noticed another blind person last night on my way to pick up my produce. There's a fellow that I'll see at my bus stop in the mornings. And there was this lady last night crossing my intersection. And funny thing, this morning, there was another fellow on the bus with his dog. Very strange to see so many - at least for me.
7. Speaking of the bus this morning, there was a very annoying person on her cell phone behind me talking fairly loudly. It was annoying. That bad part of it all, as I sat there and knit trying to listen to my podcasts, was that she was also knitting. Very poor representation I think. But I guess I'm reminded that there are all kinds.
8. Can't think of anything else, other then I got to test drive another car thanks to Zipcar. I was impressed too, it was a Nissan Altima. Nothing much to speak about on the outside - form is bland, but inside was nice and luxurious (at least for my standards), and it handeled really nicely. I'm sorry to say, nicer than Sam, my Volvo I favor from Zipcar. Very tight suspenssion and sharp breaks. Also, it had less blind spots. The volvo seemed to have very bulky back corners and small rear window, leaving a lot of the road unviewable.
And that folks is all that this little brain can remember for now.
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