« April 2005 | Main | June 2005 »
May 29, 2005
Well, hardly ever
After having our usual Sunday morning breakfast of Chana Bhatura at Spice Hut, I coaxed Rob into taking me up to Berkeley so I could check out the sale at Article Pract.
Everything I wanted, namely the Malabrigo and the incredibly scrumptious Inca Cotton, was NOT on sale. The guy there was not very helpful and seemed annoyed when I asked him if the Malabrigo was on sale. They have really amazing stuff there, but this is twice that they've been less than friendly. I think I'll get my Malabrigo online from now on.
Later, however, I coerced Rob into letting me go into Stash, which was lovely! Stephanie will be appearing here on her west coast tour, and I wanted to see if I needed to make a reservation. The completely and totally charming girl working there looked at me thoughtfully when I asked about it, and said "do you think we're going to need to do that?" I pointed out that Stephanie wasn't going to appear anywhere else in the Bay Area (or NoCal), and she said "Hmmmmm, maybe you're right", and looked critically at the tables that were going to have to be moved to make room for the drooling hordes. So I signed up for their mailing list and asked her to let me know if they were going to do reservations.
Anyway, it was a great place. I knew I was in the Right Sort of place when I saw Kathy's Adrienne Vittadini sweater all knitted up in the window, and hanging on the wall was Clapotis made of Lorna's Laces. It was so delicious that it made me re-think my decision to Neuharth* Clapotis.
I bought a skein of Classic Elite Premiere, which I've never seen before. Dang, it's nice. It's wonderfully soft, and Rob declared that it "wasn't too scratchy", so I'll swatch it and see if I can make him some socks out of it.
When we left, Rob pointed out that this was a much friendlier shop. Indeed, it was.
---
*Neuharth (verb) - Even though he admits that he'd probably enjoy the movie "The Princess Bride", John Neuharth refuses to watch it just out of spite and because everybody else loves it. Hence, "to Neuharth".
Yes, 'tis Mabel
So yesterday we went up to the parentals' (well, it's actually Betsy and Joe's house now) for a visit.
We played pinochle, knitted, drank gins and tonics, helped Betsy paint the bedroom, played with Ethan, looked at patterns for baby sweaters, swang in the new swing, and soaked in the hot tub. We had a dandy time.
He's my nephew, so I get to bore you with cute things Ethan did. My favorite thing is that he hears "get off the table, Mabel" so often that he thinks that the table is actually *called* a "table Mabel". He is as smart as a snake!
Posted by Kate at 7:35 PM | Comments (2)May 28, 2005
hardly ever be untrue to thee
So the other day I mentioned that I'd been out to The Cats to visit Yarndogs, but it was closed on Mondays and I was bummed (even though it was my own darned fault for not checking the hours before I went).
Well, this morning, I got THE NICEST e-mail from Deborah, the owner of Yarndogs. She apologized for the store being closed on Mondays, and explained why that was so, and encouraged me to come by, and she was just SO nice.
After my doctor's appointment this morning I went out there, and the store is just fabulous. It's a quiet, intimate space with lots of great stuff (including the exact book that I'd been fruitlessly looking for). And I visited with Deborah herself, who couldn't have been cooler.
So if you're out in The Cats, go visit! And then come to my store, too. :)
Posted by Kate at 12:30 AM | Comments (0)May 26, 2005
Oh joy, oh rapture unforseen
I saw some really beautiful orange Artyarns Supermerino today. It was in the yarn store where I now work.
If I was any more excited, my head would explode. I think I need a Valium.
Posted by Kate at 3:20 PM | Comments (5)Secret Pal 5 Questionnaire Answers
Hey, there, Secret Pal! Here's everything you need to know about me me me!
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Big time yarn snob. I'll try anything at least once, but life is too short for crappy yarn. There's nothing wrong with acrylic in theory, but I don't like it when it's all itchy and scratchy and snaggy.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Nope, but I really ought to learn to crochet one of these days.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Allergies, no, but I dislike things that smell like smoke or that are strongly perfumed.
4. How long have you been knitting?
I started knitting in November of 2004.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
You bet! There's stuff that's been on there for ages, but it is up-to-date.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I'm not a huge fan of scented things, but I do love my citrus-y bath stuff from Origins.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Wanna see my fillings? I'm a chocolate fiend.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Nothing, really, unless you count cooking. I do like to get out my watercolors now and then.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Show tunes! My taste is pretty eclectic, and I will generally try almost anything once. Bad 80's pop, folk, good 90's grunge, classical (that's mostly what I have), a little jazz, lots of Disney, you name it. But mostly show tunes. :) Yes, my computer and car can play MP3's.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Pink! All pinks and most oranges, light yellows, reds, pretty much anything found in a sunset. I like blues and greens, too, but I'm a little picky about them. I don't like cold (bluey) greens or royal blue.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Just me and the husband. He is housetrained.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
It'd be great if my theatre stuff could cover the costs of my knitting, or vice-versa.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Oh, dear. Well, I think merino might be my favorite fiber. I'm in love with Artyarns merino right now. I also adore Manos and Malabrigo. Alpaca and silk are wonderful, as is cashmere, obviously. Some of my all-time favorite yarns are Debbie Bliss Cashmerino, DB Alpaca Silk, Brooks Farm Mohair, Lana Grossa Cool Wool 2000, Filatura 127 print, Rowan Calmer, and Artyarns Ultramerino.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Anything really scratchy, and low-quality acrylic. I live in Sunny California, so the last thing I need is scratchy, heavy yarn.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Merino. I've been seeking out nicer and nicer merinos. And socks. I just learned how, and I love them. Merino socks, mmm.
I'm also obsessed with Scarf Style. I've made 4 things from it, and have three more lined up.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks, maybe, or hats. I love me them DPNs.
17. What are you knitting right now?
Since I just now finished backyard leaves, I'm concentrating on the Retro Rib socks from the winter 04 IK. I'm about to start the Here and There Cables scarf and I need to make a mate for the sock from Rowan All-Seasons Cotton that I made yesterday, and I'm perpetually working on the cashmere scarf from hell (about to be frogged).
18. What do you think about ponchos?
The Manolo says, the fashion mania for the poncho, it is now over.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Straight, please. Not that there's anything wrong with circulars.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I mostly use bamboo, but I'm picky about them. Crystal Palace's are nice and slippery. I find Clover needles to be a little too grabby. I have some aluminum DPNs which I love. I've been wanting to try Inox. The only plastic needles I own are #17's, and they're fine, but I also have some rosewood needles that size (got 'em for Christmas), so I don't use the plastic ones very often.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Absolutely!
22. How did you learn to knit?
My mom taught me for my birthday last year. Thanks, mom! Since then I've had lots of help from the ladies at my LYS and from my lovely Internets friends.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
The black cashmere scarf from hell was started right after Stitches West this spring. I made a horrible, horrible mistake in it about a month ago, and it's languished ever since.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Tinkerbell. She's such a bee-yatch.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas, because there isn't Yarn-mas.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Besides yarn and books? I have a small collection of teacups-n-saucers, but I don't actively add to it. I also collect vintage costume jewelry, especially Hollycraft and Juliana.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None, sadly.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Every time I go to the bookstore, I drool on Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge. One of these days they're going to make me buy it.
Posted by Kate at 11:10 AM | Comments (2)Note to self:
Do not attempt to teach yourself how to knit cables while watching the season finale of "Lost".
That's all I'm sayin'.
Posted by Kate at 1:31 AM | Comments (3)May 25, 2005
Take that!
Backyard Leaves is seamed, woven in, and on the floor being blocked as we speak. Film at eleven.
Posted by Kate at 1:07 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBackMay 23, 2005
Oh, Rapture, Oh, Bliss!
I always like to leave the house on Maid Day, because the maids and I really get in each other's ways. And it's more fun to come home and be surprised at the strange things they've done than it is to watch them do it. (Like putting the teakettle on the kitchen table. Huh?)
Anyway, I decided to go out to The Cats and visit their new LYS, Yarndogs. I drove my bad self all the way out there, and, lo and behold, it's closed on Mondays. I sat in my car and stewed for a minute, and decided to go to Commuknity, even though I really hadn't been intending to buy any yarn and I knew I would if I went there.
So I walked in and, to my surprise, not only did Nathania and Nancy recognize me, they knew my name. There was new orangey yarn waiting for me, which I couldn't resist buying, and then I plopped myself down on the unreasonably comfortable couch and worked on my Backyard Leaves.
After a bit, Nathania came over and chatted with me, and then asked me a very, very interesting question. I'm not telling y'all what it was until later in the week, but let's just say it makes something I said in the previous post look, um, weird.
Posted by Kate at 10:10 PM | Comments (5)Envy (or Green Is Not Really My Color)
Dudes.
Kathy designed and made an entire sweater, and it took her less than a week. And it looks amazing on her.
Stephanie made the most beautiful shawl I've ever seen out of alpaca dental floss IN THREE WEEKS.
Who is still plugging away at her Backyard Leaves? That's right, ME! And I don't even have a job.
But at least I figured out why the comments weren't working on the new blog. It should work now. Less blogging, more knitting.
Posted by Kate at 12:06 PM | Comments (0)May 22, 2005
Memememememe
It was inevitable that it would happen, but I've finally been tagged (by Margaret, appropriately) with the book meme that's been floating around.
1. Total number of books I've owned:
Weird tense, but I'm interpreting it as "Total number of books we currently own".
I counted 1581 in the house. There are also four boxes of sci-fi that we never unpacked that I didn't count, plus I know my (shame) Star Trek books are somewhere in the garage, there are lots of scripts out there that I've loaned out, and Rob probably has about 75 more books at work. Oh, and there are ten or so in both of the cars. I'd probably put the real total at around 2000.
Interesting things I disovered when I was counting: I found 23 books in the bathrooms and on the landing. Those are mostly knitting books. I have 131 cookbooks, and there are 127 books in my pile(s) of unread books.
2. Last book I bought:
probably the new Unofficial Guide to Disneyland.
3. Last book I read:
Books? Who has time to read a whole book? I only read plays. Last thing I read was The Foreigner, by Larry Shue. It was okay. I think it probably plays funnier than it reads. Right now I'm reading Helen Keller: A Life, by Dorothy Herrmann. It's very interesting.
4. 5 books that mean a lot to me:
A Little Princess, Frances Hodgson Burnett - I got this for Christmas when I was six. I vividly remember diving into it the second I had a chance, and I was immediately smitten with London.
Onions In The Stew, Betty McDonald - Not that I'm not nuts about my family, but I've always longed to belong to this one. I've read this book so many times I can pracically recite the whole thing. (Bake until hot and yummy!)
Celia Garth, Gwen Bristow - In the grand scheme of things, this is hardly great literature, but it's very, very dear to me. My copy of this (and Onions in the Stew) is something that I'd rescue at all costs if the house caught on fire.
Gone With The Wind, Margaret Mitchell - not very original of me, I know, but I never ever ever get tired of reading it.
Beauty, Robin McKinley - I was in seventh grade when I had part of this book read to me as an oral book report, and I fell in love with it. Again, I've read it so many times I don't even have to read it, I just sort of inhale it.
5. Five people to take up the meme and answer in their blog:
Um, I don't know five people who haven't done this. If you're reading this and haven't done it, consider yourself tagged. I specifically choose Bob, because I'm pretty sure he hasn't done it.
Why I Didn't Get Much Knitting Done Today (Part Deux)
Well, first I slept until 1:00 (hey, I was having another interesting dream (interestingly, it was about the same subject (maybe I should make a dream blog so y'all can analyze me))), then we dinked around and then went out and ran errands.
And then I came home and worked on my shiny new site. Big thanks go out to the nice tech support people at LivingDot, who were very helpful.
And that's why I didn't get much knitting done today.
Posted by Kate at 12:48 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBackMay 21, 2005
be patient, my undead minions!
I'll get this to work if it KILLS me.
Augh.
Posted by Kate at 6:12 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBackMay 20, 2005
dudes!
I'm totally moving all this hooey.
www.katechrist.com doesn't point to my Website at the moment, so if you want to go there, you'll have to do it the old-fashioned way: http://www.serv.net/~katya/
All of this stuff is going to be hosted by LivingDot. It's just too ridiculous to have serv.net, Yahoo! domains and Typepad. Aiiiieee! I am HOPEFUL that my blog will be located at katechrist.com/snakesurly, but I haven't gotten that far.
Posted by Kate at 9:46 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBackMay 19, 2005
Why I Didn't Get Much Knitting Done Today
Well, first I didn't get up until 12:30, (I had woken up earlier, but I was having an interesting dream, so I fell back asleep) but that's hardly relevant.
I spent half the day (okay, that's been about three hours) looking for my other ball of yarn for Backyard Leaves. I KNEW I'd bought five balls, but I could only account for four, and it's nearly time for me to need that fifth ball. I eventually found it in the small chest in the living room, where I normally just keep video games.
This frantic search made me realize two things: I need a better yarn storage system, and I need to speak to the maids about NOT MOVING MY YARN.
Aren't my Disneyland stitch markers cute, though?
Posted by Kate at 6:25 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBackfallin' on my head
Dude, it's raining. WTF?
I have NOTHING against rain (okay, that's not true, I will clariify that shortly). I moved to Seattle after I finished high school partly because it's damp and soggy there. I prefer colder weather. I like to wear sweaters. And the longer it rains here in the fairly unscenic East Bay (Pig Latin for "Beast"), the longer the hills stay green and pretty.
But, DUDE, it's California in the middle of freakin' May, otherwise known as summer! It should be sunny most of the time. How am I supposed to go to the gym and swim and lay around on the deck chairs if it's RAINING?
Two days ago it was so hot out that I had to wear sandals and a sun hat. Yesterday it was somewhat overcast and muggy. Today it's completely overcast, drizzling (which is normally the kind of rain I like (Seattle-style), instead of the normal yucky California rain that falls in big drops and gets on my neck WHICH I HATE.) and icky sticky humid. It's 78 degrees in the house, and I'm about to go turn the AC on. MAKE UP YOUR MIND, STUPID WEATHER! Is it spring or is it summer? Or are we back to winter'?
This makes the baby Jeebus cry.
p.s. I bought some yarn yesterday. It's great. I'm too crabby to knit it right now.
Posted by Kate at 2:10 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBackMay 18, 2005
a post by any other name
Chelsea insists that it's Flower Picture Week, and who the heck am I to argue?
This is Evelyn (as in Crabtree and), one of my David Austins. I love all of my roses, but this is my favorite. The crappy photo doesn't do its luminous color justice, and you certainly can't smell it. This is the best-smelling rose in the whole world. Every time I stick my nose into one of them, I'm blown away by how rich and sweet and fruity the fragrance is.
May 17, 2005
In which I leave the house
TWO nights in a row, even.
Last night I went out to meet some knitters. It was pretty nerve-wracking, but I figured if Laurie could do it, so could I. There were only two people (they were very nice) besides me at this weekly meeting, and I just could not stop blabbering on and on. Was I supposed to let them sit and knit in peace? It seemed so odd. Maybe I'll look for another group that has lots and lots of people in it so I can fade into the background.
Tonight was our first rehearsal for Miracle Worker. Troy was at rehearsal for his other play, so I was in charge. I knew what I needed to be doing, and I was only blocking three actors, but I still felt like a goofball. I'm not a very good explainer. There was lots of pointing and strange looks.
My shattered nerves need soothing.
Posted by Kate at 11:03 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBackMay 16, 2005
The sun's over the yardarm, isn't it?
Is there some pill that I can take which will enable me to decipher IK patterns?
Turn heel: (yeah, yeah)
Row 1: Sl 1, p 16, p2tog, p1, turn (check)
Row 2: Sl 1, k5, ssk, k1, turn (check check)
Row 3: Sl 1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn (your average helper monkey could do this)
Cont in this manner, working 1 more st before dec each row until all of the sts have been worked - 18 sts rem.
WTF? Continue in what manner? Am I supposed to start again at Row 1 and p17, then go to Row 2 and k6, etc? After Row 3 above, the next row should be knit, not purled. I don't understand.
This has annoyed me so much that I've thrown it to the floor and started the second half of Backyard Leaves. Jeez, it's a relief to be working with sproingy yarn, big needles and a pattern I understand. It's Miller Tanqueray time.
stupid economizing!
I always buy too much milk, so this time I got a quart instead of a half gallon (or whatever that size is).
I just mistook my quart of nonfat milk for my pint of half&half. My poor, sweet innocent coffee.
Posted by Kate at 12:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBackIn Which We Do Not Buy a Car (or Knit)
Yesterday after lunch, Rob and I were driving around Palo Alto halfheartedly looking at houses. (We do this all the time. It's cheap entertainment.) Then Rob said "Let's go get a new car."
I *love* Rob's car. It's a 2002 Audi A4, in a delicious deep red color. It has nice leather seats and is comfy and beautiful. Alas, we like it so much that we've put 60,000 miles on it. It's also started making some very odd noises when going up steep hills.
Anyway, we went over to Carlsen Audi and looked at the new Golf A3. We took it for a spin, even. Rob was very impressed with its zippiness. I liked it a lot, but it looks kinda like a Golf. NOT THAT I HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST GOLFS. Golves? Alas, we were not able to find a new Audi that was an automatic (chump) AND had the new fancy navigation thingy. So we slummed it over to the Audi dealership on Stevens Creek.
Oy. This guy really, really, really, really, really (how many 'reallys'?) wanted to sell us a car. We were sort of just exploring our options, but we wound up being trapped there for two hours. Trapped! They had our car keys! Towards the end, I almost shrieked, "We'll buy the car! Just let us out!" but we stayed strong and just kept trying to explain that we weren't in love with the particular car they were trying to make us buy. Oy.
We had to go to La Fiesta afterwards and have a pitcher of margaritas to soothe our shattered nerves.
And that's why I didn't get any knitting done yesterday.
Posted by Kate at 11:59 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBackMay 14, 2005
read twice, knit once
I've only been knitting for six months. Still, I have clearly not learned this important lesson: When deciphering and embarking on a new part of a knitting pattern, do it BEFORE you've had your coffee.
Case in point: Boring-Ass Retro Rib Socks. I've only ever made one sock with a turned heel. All my completed pairs of socks have been with a super-easy-put-'em-in-later peasant heel. So WHY, why, why, why, WHY didn't I examine the heel instructions closely before I plunged in (while my coffee was still brewing, no less)? In my haste (and over-confidence), I neglected a line of instruction. "Turn work". Sigh.
I'm knitting my heel flap inside-out. The slipped purl side is on the outside, and the nice stockinette side is inside. It immediately felt weird, but I thought, "No, just trust the pattern." I knitted a few rows, looked at it, scratched my head, drank some coffee, and then looked at the pattern again. "Turn work".
Only I didn't say "fudge".
I do have to say "Curse you, Interweave Knits and your artsy-fartsy narrow depth of field photography. Could your photographer have used a slightly smaller aperture thus letting me see the detail on the toes AND the heels?" But I really only have myself to blame.
Posted by Kate at 11:53 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBackMay 13, 2005
factoids
1. I haven't had any coffee yet. The half&half in the fridge has that not-so-fresh smell, and I'm out of milk.
2. I haven't washed my hair since Tuesday.
3. My retro rib sock has 4 pattern repeats done, and I'm still bored with it. Worse, it looks awfully big. The Louet Gems Pearl is nice and soft, though.
4. Backyard Leaves is suffering from SSS. I finished the one half, but I'm resisting starting the other. I don't know why - I liked knitting it.
5. My Disneyland blisters are healing nicely, thank you.
6. I still can't see all that well out of the new eyeball.
7. I'm out of bread, too, so I can't have any toast.
8. I really, really, really need to pay the water bill.
That is all.
Posted by Kate at 11:58 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBackMay 12, 2005
Stomping Through the Nasties
Here are some pretty, pretty nasturtiums in the garden. Aren't they pretty? Are they distracting you from the lack of actual content in this post? Yes? No?
Nuts. I'm really bored. Bored and unmotivated. I finished my other Supermerino sock, and now I'm working on the Retro Rib Socks from this winter's IK. I've finished the cuff and one and a half pattern repeats, and I'm really bored with it. Tiny bamboo sock needles bore me. But then, so does everything right now. I think maybe I should watch some more TV. I wish I had some ice cream.
Posted by Kate at 3:00 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBackMay 10, 2005
We got dirt 'n weeds
There, doesn't that look better?
Actually, it just looks sort of sad. The cilantro flowers were really pretty. But at least I can get to the roses and not be stabbed to death by the killer attack thistles. I pulled some of them up and hacked more down. There are still some left, but they are going to have to wait until the yard waste people come and empty my bin.
Welcome to the Jungle
Geez, I go to Disneyland for three days and eco-terrorists come in and RUIN my perfectly manicured garden.
Dude, look at the mallow! The thistles! And the cilantro! It not only bolted, it's flowering! The canes on the roses have to be 15 feet long. There are nasturtiums and epazote and opiumay oppiespay popping up everywhere.
And when was the last time anybody I fed my lime plant?
This is ridiculous. I have to put the knitting down, get off my ass and go fix this mess. Anybody got any Napalm?
Posted by Kate at 3:05 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBackMay 9, 2005
My Cheatin' Heart
I loooooooove my LYS. I love their selection, their location, and mostly I love their staff. Everyone who works there is fabulous.
So I felt like an adultress today when I walked (okay, bounced) into a brand-new yarn store in San Jose, Commuknity. It's gorgeous. It's airy and spacious, but has discrete little spaces where you can sit and knit. They're so new that they're not fully stocked yet, but everything they've got so far is top-notch. I actually squealed when I saw the basket full of Artyarns Supermerino. I walked around with two skeins clutched to my bosom, much to the amusement of the owner.
The staff was marvelous, and I met the lovely and charming Nathania, who showed me pictures of Alpacas and the Harlot on her digital camera.
And their prices are GREAT. Oy, I'm doomed. Is yarn-store bigamy okay? I hope so.
I also visited another new (to me) yarn store this weekend, but I don't think I'll be visiting it often. Article Pract in Berkeley Oakland was gorgeous in that upscale hippie Berkeley Oakland way and had great stuff, but I was a little put off by the man-knitter minding the store. He was not unfriendly, but I wouldn't exactly have called him a kindred spirit. And then when I bought my yarn (more about that in a sec), I asked him to wind it, and he told me that they don't wind yarn for their customers. They have a winder thingamajig and he said I was welcome to use it, but that he wouldn't do it for me. I thought that seemed a little weird.
However, the yarn I got there - oh. my. god. I've never seen it anywhere else and I'd go back there just to get some more. Move over Manos, there's something fluffier: MalAbrigo merino! It was so soft it was like petting a sheep. Every time I've put it down after fondling it, I've examined my hands expecting them to be oily with lanolin. I need to find something to do with it quick, because my swatch is becoming, um, large. I can't stop knitting with it. AND it's cheaper than Manos! It's $12 per skein, but you get 200 yards. Woohoo!
I am such a yarn floozy.
Posted by Kate at 6:11 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBackDisneyland is my LYS
After much debate, I eventually chose to use my precious, precious Kyoto yarn for my Down With Mr. X KAL project. I figured what could be happier than my most beautiful yarn at the Happiest Place on Earth? I decided to do a simple feather-and-fan stitch scarf, and it's just gorgeous. It was great fun to knit this stuff outdoors, where the sun made the silk glow so much I needed sunglasses to look at it.
Here's me knitting patiently in the world's most boring line - the line to get my photo taken for my Annual Pass. I tried to explain about the Down With Mr. X KAL to the nice lady in line with me who took this photo, but she mostly just looked at me like I was a crazy person. I'm used to that, though.
So I was waiting for the fireworks to start on Thursday night, and I was doing a little browsing in the shops (which was the first time they hadn't been crammed full of people). There's a cool line of retro-Disney stuff, and I picked up a mug and a shirt for Ethan, and then I saw something that actually made me squeal out loud. The lady next to me said, "Oh, I love those wine glass markers!" I looked at her like *she* was a crazy person. She said, "You know, you put them on your wine glass so you know who has which drink?" And I said, "Umm, I was going to use them as stitch markers. You know, for knitting?" And then she looked at me like I needed to be medicated.
CLEARLY these are stitch markers.
Posted by Kate at 12:52 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBackMay 8, 2005
I'm back
But I'm too sleepy to blog about my trip. I already had a nap today, and now I'm going to have another one. And you can't stop me.
Posted by Kate at 7:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBackMay 5, 2005
May 4th (Day 1) mini-report
Got on the freeway at 8:30, drove and drove and drove and drove. Saw Matterhorn. Checked into Ho-Jo's.
Drooled enviously at all the Beautiful People going into Disneyland, went resolutely into DCA.
Watched some Block Party Bash. It was really cute. Later, watched the whole thing and was really impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the CMs.
.
Went on Grizzly River Run five times in a row. Got wet.
Ate a churro, rode rides. (note, "washed hair" was not in the day's activities.)
.
Saw Electrical Parade and drank wine. Yum.
Enjoyed view.
Wished I was in the park watching the fireworks, not standing outside like a Z-list Nobody.
Downloaded photos. took bath, Vicodin, prayed to benevolent god for no blisters and/or show-cancelling rain tomorrow.
Posted by Kate at 12:00 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBackMay 3, 2005
ball hog
Wow, that Ichiro is freaking amazing!
But isn't it JUST LIKE John Neuharth to try to grab the ball from him? And poor Lisa Eve, all she can see is John's ass.
Posted by Kate at 11:27 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBackMay 2, 2005
Supermerino!
I finished the first sock using the Artyarns Supermerino. Boy, is it super. And it likes TiVo.
revenge
Okay, remember when I posted that nakey snakey picture of Ethan on the Internets?
Well, he got back at me. We were in the hot tub at his house on Saturday for Early Surprise Mother's Day, and I was being a hippo (submerging myself in the water and blowing water bubbles, you know, with the wiggling ears - like at Disneyland), which he LOVES, and then all of a sudden he clocked me hard in the face with a plastic water bottle full of water. It got me right in the corner of the surgeried eye. Fortunately, it missed the actual HE by about half an inch. Unfortunately, I now have a black eye.
Posted by Kate at 12:08 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack