Co-Posting...or stealing... or inspired by

But it's not really stealing because The Queen got it off my email (and btw, she could have corrected typos in it before putting on her blog)

That aside, she posted the question, what band would you camp out overnight for tickets? I know there is an A-Ha groupie out there, so I know her answer. I told the Queen a different answer than who I am going to discuss now, but my second of two favs is THE PROCLAIMERS-- you know "and I would 500 miles and I would walk 500 more just to be the man...buh duh duh bah dududdududu BAH DUHDUH) (and yes I think one twin is cuter than the other)

You can have your Rolling Stones or U2, but if your fav band is not so popular, like mine, there are definitely some advantages. I see them in much smaller venues. After every show is a meet and greet. I can even catch one before the show outside their bus. If I see them in one city, I can ask them to play a certain song in the next city (yes I follow them) They will even say that this song is for X. My cellphone wallpaper is not of WHN or pets, but of a pic I took on my cellphone! I told Charlie that their picture was taking the place of my dog. He was complimented.


A-Ha groupie I know will know what I am talking about. Actually, I think every band out there has there super fan. I saw Howard Jones a few months ago as a lark in one of the locals casino. And wouldn't you know there were people there that flew in from LA just to see him and then fly home? There will people that not only knew every lyric, but had this response thing going to some lyrics, or the ultimate test, he was able to stop singing and the audience could take over-- Howard freaking Jones. (btw, trivia for you, his wife was in a car accident and with the settlement money he bought his keyboard and embarked on a music career).

So there you go, now you know my dirty little obsession. Luckily I dont have to camp out for them. Who would you camp out for?

I'm OK, You're OK

I stayed home alone tonight to finally felt stuff that has been sitting around, plus a couple new things. Now my knitting friends here will cry, STAYED HOME TO DO WHAT??? I'm sure I am not the only one to have THAT convo with friends. Afterwards I will get sympathy invitations and if I say no, the accusatory reply is YOU'RE NOT GOING TO STAY HOME TO KNIT ARE YOU?

I've never minded seeing a movie on my own. I can eat out alone. I can go to a bar or see a show alone. I am A-OK with it. So much so that while all the other couples are out on their date night, WHN and I are buying tickets together but to separate flicks- what can I say, we can't always want to see the same movie (we switch off who gets to wait when they dont completely coincide) Anyway, if you want to have a test of I'M OK ALL BY MYSELF: On a Fri/Sat (Sat I notice you get more looks) go to a romantic comedy and sit in there and knit before the movie starts. There will be a sea of pathetic, sad, "look at the lonelyheart" and the "put down your needles and get out of this theater and go find yourself somebody." Somedays even I want to have a shirt that says, "I'm not alone, he's seeing some crappy movie next door"

So anyway, I stayed home felting while doing the chick TV thing, watching YOU'VE GOT MAIL. (The ferrets were great big pills and have been sleeping all night. Just as well because one of their fun games is to run behind the washing machine and dryer when we have the closet open. Laundry takes forever when you have to stop all the machines and wait, while you look uninterested at what they are doing so they will come out far enough to be grabbed. I think they enjoy that everything comes to a grinding hault because of their actions.)

Hidden Message? This scene is after Joe really pursues Kathleen. This is the day where Joe decides he is going to fess up. Part of his ploy, if you will remember is to ridicule the email guy (him) and play himself up.

Besides the fact below it says, "we're talking," next to them there is an erect hotdog saying THE BEST HOTDOG. This scene and the next scene both have Joe talking to her about picking a guy. Maybe I have spent too many Sat nights alone felting or in a movie theater.

After I watched SVU, one of my friends thinks I'm nutsy but she also doesn't believe Stabler and Benson slept together... "we got too close" "I've lost everything, I dont want to lose you" "I put you ahead of the job..." COME ON!! Subtext people, subtext.

Cat question. If I sit somewhere and then get up or even if I get up in the middle of the night to just go to the bathroom, the still alive and well cat jumps and takes my spot. I say he does it because he wants the warm spot. WHN says it's a dominance thing-- actually he says, "he's showing you you're his bitch" You know a couch wouldnt cause me this grief.

notice how guilty that little MF looks.
OKAY, I know in theory I don't want to Oprah people and give them little lessons here and there or recommend things to try, but I guess in practice I am an egomaniac, so I guess the follow-up to my little movie discussion, is beer recommendations for those who don't like beer. If you like the taste of hard cider (I LOVE hard cider... seriously, it's my fav alcoholic beverage) or a sour taste, try Geueze . If you dont like the taste of beer at all, give this lambic a try: Lindemans Framboise it's like a raspberry soda and kriek beer tastes like it should be poured on pancakes it is so cherry.

My beer homework: I have to bring in a beer drinking game that we can play in class. It can't be quarters, asshole, I Never, or illegal. Anyone remember any obscure ones or can make one up?

It's the educational post

Awhile back I said that I would post the difference between SHALL and WILL. Ofcourse you may not find it as infinitely fascinating as I do, but what can I say, it's a slow day on my blog.

WILL- promise/threat
SHALL- simple future

But it is more than those simple definitions. There is actually a formula of when to use what.

SIMPLE FUTURE:
I shall... go to the market
You will... go with me
S/he will...drive
We will...behave appropriately.

PROMISE/THREAT:
I will...not drive after beer class.
You shall... not drive either.
S/he shall...
We shall...

Why first person is swapped out like that, no clue, but that's the way will/shall works for any of you who like me a month ago, didn't know.

Air Supply and John Waite are coming to town. I can get really REALLY hammered and singalong with I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you... or I ain't missing you... I ain't missing... or Everytime I see you smile you know... blah blah blah. But again let me emphasize how hammered I would have to be.

I love Clay Aiken's new hair-- he looks just like PeeWee Herman now! That duet was my highlight of the AI finale. (After my favorite guy, Gedeon was knocked out, I lost interest.)

Random pics from my cellphone

I'm clearing out random things I took with my cellphone.

OK, not that I am trying to kill my cat, but he is getting old and if he just happenned to go to Kitty Heaven, this is the couch I will buy. Not that we are making plans... but you never know. I'm just saying he is old and he spends a lot of time outside and you know outdoor/indoor cats dont live as long as indoor cats... Again, not making plans persay, but a new couch would get me through the grieving process and help me cope with the... loss.



I was born better than OK the first time!


See, I am going to hell. I say heathen things as above and then I let cats and dogs lay together in sin. When the rapture comes, at least you know you'll still have my blog to read here on earth.

Today's beer

OK, so I didnt envision for the next 2 weeks posting about beer, but I didn't think I would have beer that smelled like soy sauce (tasted awful and not like soy sauce). The beer, Stone Brew Imperial Stout. If you like super dark hoppy beer, give it a try. I couldn't get past the smell likes soy sauce, but tastes totally different aspect.

I do have 2 beers from today that I would recommend (come on, I can't tell you that something is awful and then not give an alternative)

From Unibroue (Canandian), Chambly, Trois Pistoles, La Fin Du Monde. Chambly, uses a chapagne yeast so it is bubblier-- it's a very light tasting beer, evidently a favorite among women. Trois Pistoles, comes out really dark, but it as a lighter taste, you will taste bitterness (from the hops) but it goes down smoothe. Finally, if you like strong flavored beer or know someone that does, La Fin De Monde will fit that bill.

No pictures because the ferrets are not being cute today. Maybe once they understand that I wont just put out any old pictures of them for the world, they'll cute their acts up.

Last week

I started my new summer school classes and I am already 1/3 done. THAT's what I love about summer classes. The class that I think most would find at least more interesting of the two, is BEERS. Yes, I am taking Beer Appreciation. Isn't that beautiful? It is held in a bar, Freakin Frog. I will be trying about 100 beers, so I think definitely I will have a favorite beer (hope it's a cheap one!) and be able to feel posh the next time I drink out of a paper bag.

Saturday night went to see the Gin Blossoms at Suncoast Casino.

We didn't leave early enough for me to stop at the Rampart Casino next door where I could have had a couple pints of cider (maybe beer class will help me find something tastier than hard cider.. imagine that!) So I went into this sober. OI. Sobriety. So when the singer said things like, "I dont know we have performed a lotta shows, but this has got to be out best.." All I could think was "yeah, and the American Idol semi-finalists each got 33% of the vote." Now if I was drunk, I would been screaming back "WOOOO We are the best!" Speaking of the audience, it's a locals casino, so there were lot of slot comp people in there, which is basically the AARP set. So while these people would have preferred to see Perry Como, this show was free for them. But really if the sand was as much out of my hour glass as it was some of these people, I wouldn't be spending it there.
Suzie Pro is here!!!!!! I am so excited, but since I still don't know how to use a wheel, she has remained in the box. I will be unpacking her soon when I have some quiet time.


Note Babette head, Tiffany body.

Here is the final version of my dyed sock yarn that I will be sending to my dye-o-rama buddy. I am really pleased with how they turned out. I can't wait to get dyeing again!

The big thing that is evidently hard to get ahold of is a recipe book (shows what amounts for color combos)

San Francisco Days

This past weekend I was in the Bay Area. I am going to stick to the fiber related activities, but besidesI arrived Friday and met up with on of my SP charges, The Queen of Snarkville at Artfibers, a really unique yarn store that manufacturers their own yarn. (Basically an upscale, brick-and-mortar KnitPicks.) They have a huge selection. I picked out a decent amount of yarn. The Queen seem to enjoy picking out ugly yarn to see if I would buy it.



I also hit a couple yarn shops in the East Bay: Stash and Article Pract. It was wonderful to be in knitting shops that have NEW yarns. I was in heaven. H-E-A-V-E-N. HEAVEN!

The following day I did my 2 classes: machine knitting and dyeing at Nancy's Machine Knit to Dye For studio and I actually met Jeni, The Knitist, who recommended the class to me via her blog.

This first morning I spent using the machine. The 2nd part of the morning, I spent dyeing machine knitted yarn for socks.

The undyed yarn:


Applying the dye:




Wrapped in plastic wrap to go into the steamer.


Another person working away (I love the colors!)



Because I plan so well (by the way, doing a trip right after finals, leads to an unorganized traveller... I was a sketch the whole weekend) I booked a flight right after the class with no wiggle room. So, all my work is still in CA, but once I get it, I will take pics and force you all to continue to watch and read about my little mini-obsession (who Jeni, btw, on more than one occasion made me promise not to blame her for it.)

OH! But one unrelated knitting thing... I LOVED having a king size bed all to myself. I didnt have to fight the cat, dog, or WHN for space! I was in heaven. I would like to say I missed them and the ferrets, but, well...

So now I am more confident with my knitting machine. I am ready to start dyeing like mad.

PS- The Queen wanted me to decree what a lovely person is.

What to do what to do...

I'm making the Latorp bag in green/ brown/ teale colorway. (pic is bad because I used my phone, tomorrow, I will post a better pic) I am going to felt it a bit, but the big question is... should I show the stitches that put it together or do an invisible seam??

Procrastinating

So I'm leaving for SF tomorrow. I don't have my hotel booked. I'm not packed. I am dying my hair an seemingly unoccuring color in nature (why do I pick hair dye after Happy Hour?)

But am I worried that I have to be up for a 7am flight? NAH!

Let me post pictures of the Lions at MGM Grand. Funny note about them: they commute in. I envision a lion carpool sitting in traffic. I wonder what lions drive?

I call this series "Waiting for a German to snack on" (sorry Sibille, but you know how lions like to eat Germans... or is it magicians? I can think of one visiting German I wouldn't mind seeing in the pit!)

SP8!

Since I heard from my SP, I thought I shoudl get my questionaire up.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
A. I'm pretty easy. As long as their organic content in it, I can do something with it.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A. I mostly use my Denise's which have a case

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
A. I have been knitting for 10 years. I am intermediate/advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
A. No.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
A. My favorite perfume is Fresh Index Apricot Fig (to give a concept); I love lavender, plumeria, I love this hand lotion I put on because it smells like cleaning fluid, so obviously my scent pallatte is not that refined.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
A. Gummy bears, chocolate (but not together)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
A. I am waiting for a wheel from NZ right now.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD).
A. I like alternative, jazz (not smooth jazz or the the kind I have to think about), big band, 80s. Yes.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
A. OK so now I am thinking I am getting into this retro thing going... I like chartreuse, teals, brown combos... or chocolate and pink, but ofcourse Im always happy with greens and burgundies or blues/greens... in other words anything but yellow an orange... unless it's a tangerine

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
A. I am married, no children. I have a menagerie (not by choice)... if you're a nice secret pally you have been reading my blog and will find them all represented there. WHN keeps threatening to bring home this bald cockatoo that has "issues"

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
A. In theory I want to wear scarves, but I never seem to. I feel like I am 30 years too old to wear mittens. Not really a poncho girl... but HATS... I LOVE HATS! I would wear a hat constantly if I could. I love hats.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
A. Anything that I can finish. I am going to start Jaywalkers soon to see what the trouble is about.

13. What are you knitting right now?
A. So OK, I have this sock issue. I want to knit 2 socks at once. But I hate "fraternal" twins. So I use to completely different skeins (and hopefully patterns) I dont have 2nd sock syndrome I have 3rd/4th sock syndrome.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
A. I love handmade stuff.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
A. My Denise are my favorite, then I like Addi Turbos. I like speed baby. I dont knit for leisure, I knit for some nuerotic speed torture

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
A. I think a yarn winder is next on my list. For now it's WHN.

17. How did you learn to knit?
A. Barbara Walker's LEARN TO KNIT AFGHAN BOOK

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
A. See #17. Also I have granny squares I made when I was 8 or so (look at previous questionaires for that ugly little story)

19. What is your favorite holiday?
A. Halloween! The air smells like fire and the wind is just crisp.. and daylight savings is ending. Oh and Christmas because I get gifts and my bday because I get gifts. I would love Arbor Day and Presidents Day if it involved a gift for me.

20. Is there anything that you collect?
A. Bulldog and ferret stuff, and tiki/ polenesian stuff, mermaids (evidently I have the taste of a 50 year old man)

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
A. I'm always looking for sock and glove pattens (esp ones that use multi-colored yarn); and ofcourse hats- I love bucket hats now that it's the summer

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
A. Armenian knitting

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
A. I love to knit socks but it takes me forever to start a pair. I wear a US 8.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
A. 3/15. Same day as Fabio, Judd Hirsch and Eva Longoria (thought I would update my references though every seems happy enough to hear Fabio. Also it was when Caesar was off'd.

Détente

At this moment we are pleased to announce a warming of bulldog/ferret relations. Initially, bulldog had difficult accepting ferrets sovereignity and the ferrets had difficult accepting all the dog saliva. While bulldog wont give them full-status as sentient beings, they have moved up from merely toy status.

The ferret/ iguana relationship is still strained.



The ferret/cat relationship is a work-in-progress

Summer animal days

Recently I pulled into my driveway and saw my cat along sitting with another calico cat out on the grass. Calico seems nonplussed at my presence. I pull in slowly because I didn't want one of them to bolt and run under my car (my cat would be stupid enough for that) As I watch Calico, he changes position, squats and starts to take a dump on my front grass. A what?? Where is the hole digging? What cat goes on grass? What happened to the hole digging, burying and covering? Have the LV cats evolved to not doing these steps because the ground is hard underneath the top soil? While the Calico is doing this my cat is just sitting there. I pull my cat out of a fight at least once a week and now all of sudden he gets all John Lennon on me? Isn't it a bad thing to have another cat leaving his scent on your territory? After I picked up the HUGE pile, my useless cat and I walked into the house where he immediately used his litter box. So now I am mad at my cat for throwing it in my face how useless he is. The neighbor cats I just view as getting ready to crap on my grass at any given moment.

Remember this nursery rhyme?
Love Little Pussy
I love little pussy, her coat is so warm;
And if I don't hurt her, she'll do me no harm.
So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away
But pussy and I very gently will play.
She shall sit by my side, and I'll give her some food;
And she'll love me because I am gentle and good

I'll pat pretty pussy, and then she will purr;
And thus show her thanks for my kindness to her.
But I'll not pinch her ears, not tread on her paw,
Lest I should provoke her to use her sharp claw.
I never will vex her, nor make her displeased -
For pussy don't like to be worried and teased

Today it feels like 90s but I think we are only in the 80s right now. I decided to provide summertime fun for the animals. We didn't fill it too much at first because iguanas have a tendency to use it initially as a toilet.


The water is good for her because she is going into a skin shed (you can see a little excess skin on her leg) In deeper water she can swim by serpentining. She was dumped in there enough times today that I cut her a break. I will get it filled higher faster the next time. Maybe in a few days I will get her lap swimming... onto the mammals!

I've been toying with the idea that ferrets can swim. They are related to the otter and good swimmers. So far Tiffany and Babette haven't enjoyed baths, but I chalked that up to little kids not wanting to have baths.




Ofcourse while all this was going on, guess who was just enjoying sunbathing. Though it is one her favorite activities, sunbathing is incredibly not great for her because of overheating. Last year I went to a special presentation: "how to fight overheating in bulldogs" But there's nothing we can do, she is such a sunworshipper. She won't even do it unless it is in the middle 80s. She normally likes to sleep in, but as the summer progresses, she will get up earlier to sunbathe (there is her sweet time where it is still really hot but the ground wont be burny. That, my friends, is her perfect sunbathing weather.)


What is so cool is that no matter how hot and summery it is, I can still start preparing for Halloween.


And Christmas! WOOHOO!

THANK YOU SP7

I received my final package from my SP7 Spoiler Valerie. Thank you so much Valerie. I love everything. She has a gift to in her packages to find absolutely random things that I loved but then in others she zeroed on specific things I said I liked. To be able to gift both ways requires skill.



What was surprising about it was how well packed it was. You know when you think a box is empty and you do that last feel around even though you know it's empty... well my box wasn't!

I love the cotton yarn. It is so soft and the picture doesn't do it justice. The yarn container was sent to keep out the ferrets. Then among the various cute things, is a stamping set that has little round cards and a 'made for you stamp by'- so adorable. The sheep I am looking for the perfect spot where they will be safe from animals, but I can enjoy them by staring and having yarn fantasies. But again, THANK YOU Valerie. I enjoyed having you as my Spoiler.