Snake Surly

« October 2005 | Main | December 2005 »

November 30, 2005

to soothe the savage beast

My little tiny mind didn't come back today, sad to say. It is apparently out having dinner. I hope it's gone somewhere nice, with big drinkies.

No, seriously. I was wonky all day. By the time I got to rehearsal, I was in a vertitable frenzy. I knitted like a madwoman. And then, to my surprise, one of my actors got up (we hadn't started yet) and started playing the piano. He played this delicious, sultry, sad jazz piece. And it was exactly what was in my head. And I felt better.

But I'm still wonky.

Posted by Kate at 10:47 PM | Comments (1)

November 29, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday

November's theme is Exploration of Identity. Okay, so I'm a knitter. But I'm a surly knitter. And I don't believe in bottling things up. So when my knitting misbehaves, I let it know how I feel.

I frogged this stupid mess and started over and it still looks stupid. Clearly the yarn is telling me something.

Aside from nearly coughing up my lungs, I had a nice day at work. Kathryn came to visit, and Nathania gave me a birthday present - enough Kidsilk Smack in the baby pink to make Birch. Woohoo! It's so delicious. I just want to eat it.

I've been in a funny mood today, though. My mind has been wandering off on its own. Maybe it will return tomorrow.

Posted by Kate at 11:13 PM | Comments (4)

In which a new show begins

You know me, I hate to have free time. Ha! Last night was the read-through of Our Country's Good at PAP. Sadly, I am not in it, I'm just the lowly Stage Manager, but still. It's my favorite play (practically), and I'm delighted to be working on it. And the guy who plays Ralph Clark wasn't there last night, so I got to read, which I love. And the Lovely Jean Naughton is in the play, so that's extra nice.

What else? Felt weird not going to Fair (or doing anything for Fair) yesterday. I got my hair done, got a little knitting done, didn't clean up my bedroom, you know, the usual.

Now I'm off to the estro-fest after having not been there for a week. I wonder what yarny delights await me!

Posted by Kate at 10:35 AM | Comments (2)

November 26, 2005

too...much...fun...

Had a great time at fair today, even though I'm still sick and was sort of running on fumes (and festive adult beverages). I actually got to do some scene work, and Postcards had an extremely receptive audience. Afterwards there was carousing (and festive adult beverages).

Now I'm going to bed.

Ooh! I almost forgot. Here's my dress. Isn't it beeeautiful? I need to get it photographed in natural light. The lights in the barn suck.

Posted by Kate at 11:36 PM | Comments (6)

November 25, 2005

naptime

Holy moly, I'm exhausted. And I didn't even DO that much. I spent much of the day in the green room, drooling in a chair. I did some walkin' around and carousing, I did a scene, and I did Postcards. And that was enough to knock me out. On a brighter note, however, my dress is TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY FABULOUS. It's the most gorgeous thing I've ever had on. It SO makes up for having to wear the Black Dress of Hideousness. (No pictures, I'd forgotten my camera.)

Everybody was very supportive of my sick-itude, and people kept foisting remedies on me. Some were more agressive than others. Adam said that I'd "get no lovin'" from him for a whole week if I didn't go to Jamba Juice and get a Cold Buster thingy. Heaven forfend.

For your viewing pleasure (and thus sweeps away the last shreds of my dignity), I present this lovely photo essay:

This swill had better make me feel better. If this was just a cunning ruse to make me drink something nasty, there are going to be WORDS tomorrow. That's all I'm sayin'.

Posted by Kate at 8:05 PM | Comments (2)

November 23, 2005

Ugh, Day 2

Let's see:

Consume DayQuil - CHECK
Watch TV - CHECK
Sleep - CHECK
Drink 7-up and orange juice - CHECK
Sleep some more - CHECK
Wish face would stop throbbing - CHECK
Knit listlessly - CHECK
Attempt to attach flowers to bonnet with telekinesis - CHECK

Yep, I got everything done on my list. I am so productive.

Posted by Kate at 8:29 PM | Comments (4)

November 22, 2005

ugh

I don't know where I got it, but, DAMN, do I have a cold. And I got it fast. My throat was a little sratchy last night. Then I woke up at like five o'clock this morning and my throat was more than scratchy, my ears hurt, my lips hurt, everything hurt. I felt like I'd been pummeled.

I stayed home today, obviously. I half-heartedly worked on my brown bonnet for a while. Then I went to sew some new buttons on the Black Dress of Hideousness, and they're the wrong size. Crap. And then I tried to knit, but my head hurt too much. I also tried to study my lines. Ha ha ha.

Is it time for some Nyquil yet?

Posted by Kate at 10:31 PM | Comments (3)

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream

OMFG, I am so tired. I got like five hours of sleep last night after an incredibly long weekend (oy, and they're about to get longer), and I'm now just sitting down with my precious, precious drinkie.

We had our French Postcards tech rehearsal tonight. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I LOVE it when one minute it's chaos, and the next you have a show. Okay, it's still rough - some of us (okay, me) missed a cue here and there, some of us (okay, me) fell on our ASS in front of EVERYBODY after skidding across the slippery stage (in heels), there was some scenery that didn't end up in the right place (not my fault), but dude, it's totally coming together. And it's really quite funny. The scene with Carl being spanked is going to bring the house down.

And everybody in the show is really, really nice. There's nothing like having a bunch of practically naked people running around to break the ice and loosen everybody up. But, surprisingly, despite the innuendo-a-plenty, it's just good clean fun backstage. I'm really glad I decided to do this. It's liberating to see that all of us are flawed, which makes us all extremely beautiful and interesting.

Okay, what else? I got my wig in the mail today. Bella is going to be a redhead! Dude, I have the coolest ringlets. I kind of look like a dork, but whatever. I think the silly hair might distract people from the horrible, horrible, horrible black dress. There are a few other women whose characters are in mourning, and their dresses are SO much better than mine. Mine is possibly the worst dress I've ever seen. (Okay, I take that back. The dress I wore in Mockingbird was worse.) I'm looking forward to getting my *good* dress finished. It's going to look super cool with my stylin' red hair.

And I have to finish my silly bonnets. The ridiculous black one just needs to be tacked down a little, but I haven't started trimming the brown one yet. At all.

AND I have to knit myself this shawl. By Friday. I started it this morning. It's easy, but it's not. It's the Airy Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, but instead of 22 stitches in Kidsmack Haze, I've got 60 (what the fuck was I thinking?) in, oh, crap, you know, the Rowan merino. Something Soft. (Dude, I'm fading fast.) I'm using these gigantic needles (THIRTEENS) and this fine, sproingy merino, and it just does not want to stay put. It's better now that I've switched to grabby grabby Clover circulars from my Crystal Palace straights, but, still. Augh. And the thirteens just feel so awkward in my hands. I swear I'm never using anything bigger than eights after this.

And there was something else I was supposed to work on, but I've forgotten it. Oh, wait, I'm supposed to learn some lines. Yeah, I'll get right on that. 'Cause I can sew and knit and study all at the same time.

Okay, I'm going to bed now. I am about to pass out.

Posted by Kate at 12:02 AM | Comments (2)

November 20, 2005

sdfkfjfedoq (or however you spell that)

Dude, I am so freaking tired.

I feel like I've been out in the sun. Seriously, my face is all hot. Maybe it was because people were making me blush all day. Yes, you read that correctly. See?

It's mostly just us chicks at the Estro-fest every day, so it's interesting being around BOYS. They flirt! Holy crap! Who knew? Anyway, I had a dandy time. French Postcards rehearsal (once everyone showed up) was a blast. There were naked women (and men!) EVERYWHERE. It was great. Y'all have to come see this show. It's going to be most entertaining.

Now it is time for a drinkie (duh). And maybe some knitting. I didn't get anything done today. Not a stitch. Bad me. No biscuit.

Posted by Kate at 5:16 PM | Comments (2)

streeeetch

Why, oh, why am I up (not just up, but ready to go - I've been packing and mending petticoats and doing stuff for an hour already) at eight fricking thirty AM on a Sunday?

Dickens dress rehearsal day. Yaaay. And there was much rejoicing.

Actually, I had a fun day yesterday. Some of us went for a road trip to the City to run an errand. I was wearing my corset with jeans, and, boy howdy, did people on the street feel free to comment. Then later there was French Postcards rehearsal, which was very amusing. Then much, much later, I went back up to the City with Rob and Michael and we had a festive celebratory dinner. And drinkies, of course.

Must dash. My corset awaiteth.

Posted by Kate at 8:21 AM | Comments (0)

November 18, 2005

The "My Mom Story"

So one day a long, long time ago, my parents were celebrating their third wedding anniversary. My mom apparently decided that the fun thing to do that day would be to go into labor with her first child.

Anyway, after quite a while, she had the baby, and she lay there on her bed all groggy and tired. She suddenly realized it was her wedding anniversary and she wearily told the nurse, "I got married today!"

The nurse said, "That's okay, honey. You did it just in time."

It took my mom a few minutes to figure it out.

Anyway, happy 30-somethingth anniversary, Mom and Dad! You guys rock!

Posted by Kate at 9:38 AM | Comments (7)

November 17, 2005

Happy Interim Day!

or

In Which Chloe and I Go on a Journey of Exploration and Discovery (and, no, It's Not One of Those "We're Celebrating Our Friendship" Things - Get Your Minds Out of the Gutter, Bob and Grace)

It was all about learnin' and teachin' at work today. Chloe taught somebody the Moebius cast-on (I just listened), then she tried to teach me how to knit Continental. I was a little resistant. I got the knitting down pretty well, but the purling Hurt My Feelings. My knitting looked like it had ridden the short bus to school, so I frogged.

Then later, I was attempting to teach myself the picot cast-on. It wasn't working quite right, and I realized it was because my normal long-tail cast-on wasn't suitable. Fortunately, the second I realized this, Sandy happened to appear and she showed me how to do a knitted cast-on. It was very cool.

It was a long day at work, but not a bad one. I got some Christmas knitting done, some Christmas yarn purchased, and some extra hours. Of course I was distracted because I had a sort of sad song stuck in my head and it would not leave, but, hey, what can you do?

Now I'm home, waiting for Rob and pizza (separately). I am not quite as hungry as I might be, because in a large and FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC package that was waiting for me on the doorstep from MY FAVORITE COUSIN EVER was some homemade jam. And since I'm out of bread, I had no choice but to get a spoon and start eating it out of the jar. Holy crap, it's good! Margar, you rock! (And hey, it was fair game. It's Interim Day.)

Posted by Kate at 8:11 PM | Comments (2)

November 16, 2005

Finished Object Wednesday

Dude, I totally finished the Manos scarf. Now I just need to get it shipped off to Seattle.

It's pretty darned nice, if I do say so myself. It's the Braided Mischief cable pattern from Scarf Style. I used two skeins of Manos, and, boy, did the cables suck up the yarn. I contemplated adding a third, but I was tired of knitting. And we tried the scarf on some random man who'd wandered in the store, and it looked nice on him.

Here's a picture. Hee hee. Grace, you rock my world. Margar, don't tell your mom.

Finished!

Gee whiz, Manos sure is scratchy on sensitive skin. That's all I'm sayin'.

Posted by Kate at 5:49 PM | Comments (3)

November 15, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday

I was going to lay off personal crap on the ole blog, but I couldn't resist:

Okay, this is like the coolest thing ever. I'm in. Y'all know how narcissistic I am.

I have lots of self-portraits laying around, but I just took this one. It doubles as an "OMFG, look at the new shoes I just got" picture. Seriously, are these the most "me" shoes you've ever seen? I mean, they're very practical, yet their price made them a luxury, and, let's face it, they're totally hot. I think that they're even sexier than the adaPray ootsbay, because they're not as obvious. And they lace up.

I also like this picture because you can't see my face, just the flash. Lots of people don't look at me close enough to see who I really am. And that's their loss. The other thing I like about this picture is that my butt looks really big and I don't freaking care.

Posted by Kate at 8:08 PM | Comments (4)

November 13, 2005

In which I consider taking up sewing

So yesterday at rehearsal, I admired the lovely gown of my delightful new friend Caeli, and she hooked me up with Rachel, who'd made not only the dress, but all of the underpinnings. Rachel agreed to make me a dress despite the very short time frame! Yay!

I met Rachel this morning at Stone Mountain in Berkeley (oh, the fabric. Drooool.), and we went shopping! She looked awfully familiar, and I said so, and it was later revealed that she is also in Naughty French Postcards, and we'd been naked in the bathroom together. (Insert "I didn't recognize you with your clothes on" joke here.) Anyway, we picked out the most beeeeautiful fabric and trim and all that jazz, and I'll be having my first fitting tomorrow. Did I say 'yay' already? Yay!

Very little knitting was done this weekend, but my in-process cabled pink Calmer scarf was much admired at rehearsals. And I'm almost done with the other hand warmer. AND I got my Angelina pattern from White Lies yesterday. I want to start it nownownow. I think I might make it with Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK. I have eleven balls of it in the cream color stashed away at work, which is exactly as many as I'd guessed I'd need. Is it fate? Anyway, hands are cold. Must finish other glove.

Posted by Kate at 5:56 PM | Comments (2)

November 10, 2005

it's not yarn porn, it's yarn art.

So today we were taking inventory of what items we'd knitted from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, since we'll be doing a demo from it next month. The page fell open to the hand/wrist warmers, and we all said, "oooh", and then I read that one pair took ONE skein of Cash Iroha, so I went bounding over to the Armoire du Noro, picked out a color (a murky blue, like my eyes) and cast on. Boy, it was easy. I only have one done, but it's great. It was super easy and it's super soft and super warm. I have the toastiest left hand ever.

I took a picture. Grace, this is all for you, baby.

Hee hee.

The color is off a little, but it was the best I could do under the halogen lights without the flash.

Posted by Kate at 8:04 PM | Comments (6)

November 9, 2005

In which I am tagged again

I was rudely, rudely tagged, and since it's nearly my knitaversary, I figured I ought to answer this meme.

What is your all-time favourite yarn to knit with?

Man, that's tough. I think maybe Rowan Cashsoft, or good ole Manos.

Your favourite needles?

Brittany birch needles. They're light and warm and not too grabby, but not too slippery.

The worst thing you’ve ever knit?

There were a lot of things at the beginning made from crap yarn that sucked. But mostly I can see when something's going to suck and then I don't finish it.

Your most favourite knit pattern? (maybe you don’t like wearing it…but it was the most fun to knit)

Backyard Leaves. It was SO hard, but so rewarding.

Most valuable knitting technique?

All hail the jogless jog!

Best knit book or magazine?

I love Scarf Style. I carry it around with me.

Your favorite knit-a-long?

Clearly the Scarf Style knitalong. I got lots of help and lots of inspiration.

Your favorite knitblogs?

Grumperina. Besides being a sweet, lovely girl, she's a genius.
Yarn Harlot. Duh.
Knithead. Boobs.

Your favorite knitwear designer?

Um, I dunno. I don't think I really have one.

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)

Probably the lurid orange scarf from Alterknits.

Posted by Kate at 12:06 AM | Comments (3)

November 7, 2005

Bow chicka bow bow

YARN PORN! Whee!

I sort of bought some yarn today.

That's some Rowan Calmer, being used to make me a nice pink cabled scarf, some Techno Hair and Louisa Harding Fauve in obnoxious pink for a Project That Shall Not Be Named, and some boring gray sock yarn. Also purchased - a pair of gigantic needles for the PTSNBN, a replacement Chibi (goddamn it, I lost mine), and the Brooks Farm Mohair that Nathania picked up for me at Rhinebeck (not pictured, since it's too beautiful to be believed).

Yum, yum, yum, yum. Yarn porn!

Posted by Kate at 7:48 PM | Comments (4)

November 6, 2005

In which bosoms are admired and knickers are retrieved

Okay, the second day of workshops was much better. Having someone to talk to made all the difference. (Thanks, Mr. Bob!)

I decided to throw caution to the wind and sign up for the Naughty French Postcards. It was an extremely entertaining workshop. The director announced that she needed to, um, check out the, um, assets of the ladies present, so all the chicks traipsed down to the ladies' room and we admired each other's boobage. A good time was had by all.

Later I crashed a poker game (because nothing says Victorian England like no limit Texas Holdem). I played a little less conservatively than I normally do (okay, I bluffed like a crazy person and batted my eyelashes coyly) and won a small stack of cash.

I escaped with my winnings and dashed off to rehearsal, where I met some nice new people in my group. It was very cool. I felt much less awkward than I had yesterday.

After Fair business was done, I drove home like a madwoman, picked up Rob, and we went to Chris' house. We drank beer with most of the Skycraper peeps (John and Sarah RUDELY failed to attend the gathering), and Chris returned the underwear I'd, um, mislaid at the Hallowe'en party. I don't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing that I was not the only person who had left various articles of clothing. Anyway, I was glad to get them back. They're my favorite pair.

Posted by Kate at 10:05 PM | Comments (5)

November 5, 2005

out of water

First day of Dickens workshops today. I have to say, I was pretty miserable for quite a while. EVERYBODY knew EVERYBODY else, and EVERYTHING everyone said was an apparently hilarious in-joke. I just sort of sat in the corner and tried to look inconspicuous (in bright orange cashmere). I have a vivacious, flirty, gregarious mask that I wear frequently, but deep deep down I'm horribly, painfully shy, and that's how I was today. And it was not fun. (But at least I got some knitting done.)

So I remembered Lolly's motto, "better living through chemistry", and had myself a nice Valium. And presto chango, I sort of perked up. There are some nice people in my group, and once I learn their names, I'm sure I'll actually start having fun. Because, boy howdy, everyone else seems to be doing so.

Now Rob is home. I am going to make him take me somewhere where there are big, big drinkies. But not too big, since I have workshops again tomorrow at the butt crack of dawn.

Posted by Kate at 7:34 PM | Comments (2)

November 3, 2005

whirlwind

I like autumn. It's nice and chilly and I can wear sweaters and everything is a beautiful color. And I like it when the wind blows. It makes me feel like my feet are on the ground.

Anyway, I was in a funny mood today. I finished the body of the super secret hat, and it's incredibly cute. I might have to make one for me, too. The accessory on the hat is annoying the crap out of me, though. I'll post more later when there are pictures. What else did I do today? I got a manicure, just in time to go climbing tonight. And I decided that, although there are a bunch of things at Dickens Fair that sound really fun, I think I'm just going to stick with the bits I've already signed up for. Seems like I ought to ease into this.

If you're bored tomorrow night, come down to commuknity from 7:00 to 10:00. We're having our breast cancer awareness extravaganza. Should be very cool.

Posted by Kate at 6:03 PM | Comments (2)