Lazy Knits and Purls

Monogamy Challenge

2012-05-27T17:22:00.000-05:00

So I may have slipped in my monogamy. Forgive me but I feel a bit Clinton-esque today. I did not have sex with that sweater. Ok, so I had not technically finished sweater 1 (Bright and Breezy Kimono) when I started sweater 2 (Vine Lace Vest), but since I had already decided not to finish sweater 1 when I started sweater 2 I'm still monogamous, right?

And now I'm between projects. I'm waiting for the Vine Lace Vest to finish drying so I can seam up the sides and add the armband ribbing...but I need to be knitting. I ask again: if I cast on something new, I'm still monogamous, right?

Look! Pictures!

Now I'm off to start something new. I'm thinking something seamless....

Testing the Boundaries of Monogamy

2012-05-13T15:33:00.000-05:00

So I've discovered this week that monogamy is quite easy when working on a relatively small project like a shawl; and even that depends on the construction.

Last Saturday I found my resolve to be a one-project gal sorely tested. I was working on Victoria, a lovely crocheted shawl. The problem is that it is a shawl that grows and is never decreased back down, which means that by the end you are dealing with really looong rows that take at least 30 minutes to complete (at least they do when you are a slow-ass like I am and working with lace weight yarn.) I should also mention that I managed to miss a ch1 and a dc at the beginning of the next-to-last row not once, but twice. Remember, missing it at the beginning of the next-to-last row means you don't realize it until you are 10 stitches away from being done on the last row. I spent more time frogging than crocheting. A few times I silently cursed monogamy and wished I had something else to work on, but I got to the point that I was not going to let the little lace weight fucker win. I soldiered on and finished it.

I don't have pictures to show you since I have yet to block it and I'd rather share it in its full glory instead of its shriveled, pre-block, puny state.

After the frustration of the shawl you would think I would do something like a dishcloth for my next project, right?

Hell no.
I cast on for a sweater.
An adult sized sweater.
Knit in pieces that have to be seamed.

Go me.

Friday Fill-In 5/11/12

2012-05-11T05:58:00.001-05:00

I keep telling myself to write a legit post. I have plenty of ideas...I just don't know how to express them. So I'll just go with a pre-fab post for now.

1. What a beautiful project!
2. I know, right?
3. It's no surprise that I would rather be knitting.
4. Being a monogamous knitter wasn't easy, but it did help me complete two projects...of course, I am being sorely tested right now.
5. I like to try expending as little energy as possible.
6. Uh.... is one of my most favorite songs!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to knitting, tomorrow my plans include seeing The Avengers again and Sunday, I want to knit!

Monogamy

2012-04-29T12:21:00.002-05:00

I think I am finally beginning to understand the merit of working on only one project at a time. I had not knit for months when I decided to sit down and finish my Foreign Correspondent scarf. I decided I was not starting anything until it was done. Within a couple of weeks I was finished.

Then I decided to work on Wrap to Go and only Wrap to Go until I was done. I finished in 13 days (I only knit about an hour a day during the week and 3+ hours on weekends.)

Here's an artistic shot:

On April 21 I started working on Nairi and it's finished and blocking as I write.

The only problem is I'm not sure if it's the monogamy or the simplicity of the patterns that have improved my productivity. Maybe a combination of both?

Now, on to Victoria.

I Think I'm About To Do Something Stupid

2012-04-21T09:13:00.001-05:00

Hold onto your hats. I think I am going to take a plunge and
1. Change the blog title and
2. Head to wordpress.
3. Stay tuned.

PS: Here's a sneak peek.

Hmmm....

2012-04-20T22:14:00.002-05:00

New Blogger layout/interface.

Not sure how I feel about this....

First Finish of 2012

2012-04-10T18:12:00.000-05:00

Yes. I know it's pathetic that my first finish is in APRIL. Slowly the mojo returns. One of these days I really will bore you with the tale of the recent "dark days."

It's the Foreign Correspondent Scarf. All the details are on my Rav Project page (which means nothing because there aren't that many details.) It's actually a little too short, so I will have to figure out ways to wear it. Maybe a shawl pin accent or something.

It's April

2012-04-01T11:26:00.002-05:00

I've read.

I've knit a row or two.

I've been a slug.

According to Google and Feedburner some of you are still here.

Hi!

2012

2012-01-01T11:33:00.000-06:00

I'll do what needs to be done.
I'll knit when I feel like it.
I'll read.

I Did It!

2011-12-27T17:21:00.000-06:00

2011 Reading Challenge

Sara has

completed her goal of reading 62 books in 2011!

hide

62 of 62 (100%)

view books

Thank heaven for kid's books or I never could have made it!

Think!

2011-12-26T14:50:00.000-06:00

I've finished another book and it was worth it to link up with an image. If you are female, you need to read this:

I always sort of suspected that the media and big business thought women were sort of stupid, vapid and a bit narcissistic. The sad thing is, we prove them right every time we buy a tabloid or tune into or accept celebrity gossip as "news."

I admit I've bought my share of People magazine and Us Weekly and didn't give it a moment's thought. If I had decided to THINK, I would have realized that I wasn't just indulging in escapism, I was sending a message to publishers. "Why, yes, I'll take your drivel. I'm really not that smart anyway and why not give me a shitty body image while you're at it? Thank you!"

No more.

Happy Hanukkah/Chappy Chanukah!

2011-12-22T13:31:00.000-06:00

I know...it started Tuesday. I had every intention of getting a Hanukkah/Chanukah post up by Tuesday evening and I never did. Offspring came into town and we had some family time. Not to mention every time I sit down to write a post, the words won't come. Which might be because there really isn't much going on. I'm thinking of resurrecting my vegan blog, but I've only gotten as far as mentally composing posts as I drift off to sleep.

If I don't post again, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Three More Books

2011-12-18T17:30:00.000-06:00

I can report that I knit for two whole hours Friday night. Though I didn't knit Saturday, I did knit a little today. I'm not sure I will finish the Foreign Correspondent Scarf by the end of December (like I wanted), but I'm going to try.

Meanwhile, I am still reading.

Better Off by Eric Brende: The idea of chucking all the gizmos and time stealing gadgetry out of my house and living "off the land" is very seductive to me. Granted, not seductive enough to actually do it. I think I have a different idea of leaving technology than Mr Brende does. I tend to limit technology to cell phones, computers, kindles (on which, ironically, I read this book.) In short: entertaining gadgetry. Mr Brende writes of "technology" in the sense of the machinery and processes meant to save us time and effort. Machinery and processes that have exploded since the dawn of the Industrial revolution. In that time, Mr Brende posits, we have slavishly devoted ourselves to them and in the process lost something: namely time and each other. He joins a "Minimite" group (a word he invented to describe the Amish/Mennonite hybrid community) and lives with them for 18 months. He and his wife work to be self-sufficient with essentially 19th century technology. The book, for me, often read like philosophy. Even after the experiment he, his wife and growing family choose to live as minimally as possible. For me the book was quite inspiring and I would love to use less and less technology, but I'm not sure now possible it is. (Nor am I sure if I'm just making excuses or if it really is damn near impossible in my town to live with less.)
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder: Obviously, this choice was inspired by Better Off. I am ashamed to admit that I never read these books as a child (I think I've admitted that before.) Even as an adult I enjoy them. I am often struck by how content the family seems with so little. I wish we could get back to that (myself definitely included.)
21 Day Weightloss Kickstart by Neal Barnard: Recently I'd fallen into the vegan junk-food trap. Pretty much a steady diet of potato chips, Fritos, Dr Pepper and Tofurky frozen pizza. My pants have let me know that it wouldn't hurt if I cut out the junk and eat a little better so I read this for a little inspiration.

I'm also sort of working on The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (still) and Little House on the Prairie.

Offspring suggested a mother/daughter read-along and chose The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I am really enjoying it so far, but it is sure to be a sad tale. I read the Great Gatsby in high school, but I was young and foolish and didn't appreciate the author's beautiful way with words. It's a book I am savoring, though at first I struggled a bit because I was in a "this is a 'classic' every word must be fraught with meaning" mentality. Then I took a deep breath and changed my tactic to "this is a good book about Anthony and Gloria...nothing more." I liked it much better after that.

Aaaand I'm dipping into Goddesses in Everywoman ...another Offspring suggestion.

Friday Fill 12/16/11

2011-12-16T18:21:00.000-06:00

1. Sleigh bells ring are you listenin'?.

2. It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees uh...what a grinch?

3. You're a mean one Mr. Grinch.

4. Father Christmas Mother Goose.

5. Silent night Holy Night.

6. All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to knitting, maybe? tomorrow my plans include selling tickets at a stupid basketball game and Sunday, I want to watch football and read!

Hey, I'm on vacation this week. Maybe I'll manage more than a Friday Fill-In post.

Friday Fill-In 12/9/11

2011-12-09T17:17:00.000-06:00

1. As I neared the end of the day, I was assaulted by a series of annoyances.

2. Little House in the Big Woods and Better Off is what I'm reading right now. It's making me want to go live off the land...but with AC...and heat...and without the farming. lol

3. I didn't start out this way, but it's how I am.

4. Sometimes it's hard to tell the truth.

5. The best way to avoid disappointment, is to have low expectations :-) .

6. This is the reason I am who I am!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to La Fuerza del Destino, a little knitting and reading, tomorrow my plans include grocery shopping a little cooking and the Heisman presentation and Sunday, I want to watch NFL football!

Books and Stuff

2011-12-05T17:53:00.000-06:00

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I finished several books, and in true Lazy fashion I am just now telling you about them.

After reading the Anna Godberson books, I pulled out my copy of Edith Wharton's Custom of the Country. Undine is just odious. I felt like this books was a bit of a plod, but I won't give up on Edith completely. I think I might go back and re-read Ethan Frome or give Age of Innocence or House of Mirth a try.
I finally finished the Percy Jackson series! The Last Olympian was pretty good. I still like the Sea of Monsters the best though. Overall it's an awesome series. Rick Riordan does a great job with all the characters.
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. I love this book so much. This is maybe the 5th time I've read it in my life. It really deserves a post of its own. My copy is one I picked up at a library sale somewhere. It's a hard back from maybe the late 50's early 60's. It has been with me since I was 17 and I will never let it go. Anyway, every time I read this book I am struck by something new. It never gets old and I find in impossible to put down, even though I know what's going to happen.

I'm having trouble committing to a book right now. I'm reading Better Off, 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart, The Lost Hero and today I started Little House in the Big Woods but I'm not 100% on board with any of them.

And shock of shocks I actually sat and knit for 30 minutes straight yesterday. I'm hoping I can show you a finished Foreign Correspondent's scarf before December is over.

Again with the Mish Mash

2011-12-04T11:41:00.000-06:00

I've been meaning to write a post since Deneen wrote this post. She seriously nailed it. When I started blogging in 2007 it felt much more personal to me. Then came Facebook, Ravelry , Twitter and Plurk. All of which (IMHO) make it easy to "friend" someone without really knowing them or simply click "like" and let that pass as interaction. I mean, the internet is sort of lacking in interaction anyway...social media has made the lack even more apparent.
Sometimes I think people suck. Then it hits me: Maybe I'm the asshole.
I really have to start eating better again. Junk food and inactivity really, really, mess up my head (well, messes it up more than it already is.)
There are religious people in the world. And yes, some of them are assholes. That doesn't make God the bad guy. It makes the assholes the bad guys. As a religious person, please accept my apologies for these people. Honestly, they are giving God a bad name.
If you are an atheist, please don't treat me like an idiot because I believe God exists and please respect my faith. There is (IMHO) a big difference between religion (a man-made thing) and the existence of something higher (which is unfathomable, immutable and present.) Don't confuse the two. Your anger is against the man-made entity. You do not even believe the other exists, so why not be gracious to those who do?
I think I would be very happy living in the country. Unfortunately, I do not have a green thumb so I don't know if I would be living very long since I would have nothing to eat.
I really miss the blogging and knitting. But I think the knitting mojo is just gone. So for now I'm trying to comment on blogs more.
I have decided that for the most part, I need to choose to be non-participatory on ravelry.
I hope everyone is having a great December so far.

Friday Fill-In 12/2/11

2011-12-02T18:07:00.000-06:00

1. One of my favorite things about December A Charlie Brown Christmas (I watch the special and have the CD in my car's player all month...one of my Chanukah traditions.)

2. I don't own any ornament(s)! (do art-quality dreidels count?)

3. This is what I'm hoping for today/tonight: RELAXING!

4. Why is the world so filled with noise?

5. Ooh, a ???? (There's always one I can't answer.)

6. Bells are ringing!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing and watching La Fuerza del Destino, tomorrow my plans include vegging and date night with hubby and Sunday, I want to watch football!

Knitting Content!

2011-11-22T07:23:00.000-06:00

WTF?

Simple tube socks. Here's a link the Rav project page.

A Week Off Work...

2011-11-21T16:01:00.000-06:00

...and not a drop of knit mojo in sight. *sigh*

It probably doesn't help that it's currently 81 degrees in my neck of the woods. There are quite a few things that have been tickling my fancy, but it's too muggy and warm to think about working on any thing.

Here's what's been on my mind:

Granny Shrug
Anika
All the other projects I've left abandoned...

I've actually gotten off my duff and taken pictures of a pair of socks I finished. Maybe I will post them later.

Book Report

2011-11-19T08:44:00.000-06:00

I've finished several books....though they hardly count being of the trashy and written for teens variety.

Again, due to my "screw-it-lazy-don't-wanna" attitude, you'll just be getting titles. No pretty book cover pictures.

La Travesía de Enrique by Sonia Nazario: This is what true poverty and desperation look like. Find the English version and read it.
The Luxe, Rumors, Envy and Splendor by Anna Godberson: You all know these books. They are the ones with the simply gorgeous dresses on the covers (dresses that don't even reflect the time period in which these books take place.) So, these books are highly addictive, fast reads. But I don't recommend you read them. I can't explain why, 'cause it's kind of a spoiler. The good thing about this series is that it has inspired me to go back and revisit Edith Wharton's works...since the series is clearly inspired (if not nearly plagiarized) by that author.
Double Love (Sweet Valley High #1): Really. It needs no review.
Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan: I love these books. After I finish the series, I do plan on dabbling in some Edith Hamilton and really getting to know the myths. (I feel the lack of knowledge of classical tales is a huge gap in my education.)
Ghosts I Have Been by Richard Peck: One from my childhood. I found out last year that this was part of a series, but I've never read the other books...and I don't really want to. I like this one all by its self. It really does stand on its own.

According to goodreads.com, I have read 53 books this year. A record! (Even if 98% of the books are written for children or young adults.)

I've got a week off for Thanksgiving. I want to knit. I just don't know what to knit.

????

2011-11-18T17:35:00.000-06:00

Today a student told me he didn't want ALL the illegal immigrants to leave, only the ones that sneaked across the border. I'm not sure it's 100% racism, but surely it's bigoted?

Do you see why I hate people? And, sorry...16 year olds know better. Don't give me any "they're just kids" BS. If you make excuses for bigotry you will never get rid of it.

I Take It All Back

2011-11-06T18:57:00.001-06:00

I just finished reading "They Take Our Jobs: and 20 Other Myths about Immigration"

Ben Stein is only sort of right.

"The America we knew" is a myth and so is the America we think we can become.

In my opinion our policies are no different now than they were in the late 19th century. Both Republican and Democratic policy makers have made sure over the last 100+ years that a steady stream of disenfranchised workers have been there to make the products so we can keep consuming and consuming.

I'm not convinced that people really will fight for the rights of the truly voiceless and completely downtrodden.

That's all I'll say.

Making the Rounds-Ben Stein's "Confessions"

2011-11-05T09:22:00.000-05:00

I'll refer you to the snopes.com article first thing.

I saw a variation of the following on facebook last night. Here I have quoted only what Ben Stein said. Over the years there have been additions to his statements. I just wanted to stick to his.

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

Amen Ben Stein.

And no, I am not a Bible thumper.

Dropping Like Flies.

2011-11-02T06:50:00.000-05:00

Since the book post I've lost two followers.

Guess I offended some folks.

Clearly I am the most offensive person on the planet.