Boxes and creative packing

The countdown to the move has begun, and so has the packing. In years past I've been very casual about my deadlines to move and how my deadline to pack fits into that plan (i.e. I've had to make separate drives after the bulk of my stuff has been moved to pick up the rest of my stuff. This is to be avoided.) In good faith, I bought boxes last week and began the packing process on Saturday.

I'm not moving until Friday.

To my credit, I have packed about 20 boxes of "stuff." I still have more "stuff" to pack (things I'm using right now, like clothes, a toothbrush, and my cat). Somehow I've reached that panicked point of "Oh no, how will I fit the rest of my stuff into these boxes before Friday morning so I don't have to make 2 drives in traffic-ridden LA?!?"

Actually, I'm usually at that point when I'm busy. No surprise there.

I have to say though, the wall of yarn has proven most helpful in packing my kitchen. What better way to pack wine glasses than among some alpaca and wool? And how else would you keep the big boxes relatively light - put some roving and sock yarn in of course. Proof again that the stash is not only nice to look at, but functional as well.

I'd take pictures of my new WIP, Red Light Special in Rowan felted tweed, but my camera is in a box.

I think....

The finished product from dyeing the other weekend....

Julie Amero

Sometimes you run across a story that seems too illogical to be true (see Scout's post). A substitute teacher showing inappropriate websites to her students? A middle aged woman sent to prison for 40 years for popup ads?

It could happen. According to stories, Julie Amero was convicted on four counts of "risking injury to a child" and could face up to 40 years in prison. Did she maliciously navigate to these sites? It depends on whose side you're on - anyone who's been caught in a viscious cycle of popup ads knows how trying to close 1 ad can open 5 more. But they can leave an imprint that looks as though you intentionally went to the site. How did the school's firewalls allow this? They were out of date and IT hadn't followed up on the situation. Should a woman really go to prison for 40 years because of popup ads?

So Much To Say

And so much to do. Work has been very busy this week, and I'm thrilled. I don't like being bored, and I get tired of surfing the internet and reading blogs. I'm strangely happiest when I'm a little overextended. Because I'm crazy. Deal. I finally broke down and ordered the Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1 megapixel camera that will change my life as I know it. I have since been reading reviews (here, here, and here) on lenses and shopping for a camera bag. It is due to arrive at work today, and I've been checking the mailstop frequently. And getting alot of work done...

I feel obliged to include a public service announcement: AT&T's DSL service is awful. If you have any other option for internet besides them, don't go with AT&T. I have them now. Their actual internet service is mediocre - I have to reload my homepage a few times when I sign on for the first time, long loading times, etc. It's not terrible, but I've seen better. No, my real problem with AT&T is their contract. When you order DSL, you sign a 1 year contract. I asked what would happen if I moved and was told I could take my modem and service with me. When I called this week to transfer services, I was informed they don't provide service in my new area and that should I opt to terminate my services at my current residence, I would be charged a $99 early termination fee. Why? Because moving out of the AT&T network is considered choosing another provider and thus constitutes early termination. So, because AT&T doesn't provide service in the Thousand Oaks area, I have to pay them $99. I conclude, AT&T sucks.

I'm glad it's Friday. Wednesday was fun (a group of us girls went to a burlesque show to see a friend perform), but a late night which means I'm tired (as usual). I'm looking forward to getting off work early today (I have a lunch meeting), going home, and relaxing. There are a couple of dinners to go to this weekend, an apartment to start cleaning out, and alot of knitting to do. Wicker, Hourglass, socks....It'll be nice :) Happy Friday all!

Science of Knitting

After months of sitting on my wall o'yarn, the day to dye had come. Teresa came over and we dyed yarn in 3 easy steps:
First - blend the dye (cake dye, with hula girl swizzle sticks of course)
Second, squirt and blend. Be sure to wear gloves!
Third - admire!

Ok, actually it was more than 3 steps, but I'm out of pictures :)


My new favorite quick knit - calorimetry (yes, I even know what a calorimeter does). Knit in an afternoon catching up on Lost and Grey's Anatomy online using Malabrigo. I, like everyone else, didn't knit the pattern as written, but cast on 96 stitches (following Eklectika's mods) and did short rows until I had 48 stitches between the markers. The yarn bled quite a bit, staining my hands an attractive orange. But it's been washed and is ready to wear! And I love it :)

Finished objects

Noro Silk Garden beanies
Fetching handwarmers, for the gift box
Scarves, for the Red Scarf Project

All finally done!

2nd Annual Cyberspace Poetry Reading and a Meme

Today is the 2nd Annual Cyberspace Poetry Reading, and here's mine:

Ophelia
Tiny fragments of my soul perform alone upon the stage
As I hide in the wings, peeking out for the critics' reviews
Unblinded by the lights, I can see their empty faces
Unsure how to take this angry girl or her bitter views

Lashing out at the world in general
Or maybe just you in particular
When the words fail her message
It takes a form gesticular

It was a classic case of Ophelia drowning
She saw the faces around her frowning
Her emotion - it was too raw
It made them uncomfortable, what they saw

"Emotional, unstable," they said
Rendering her artistic presence dead
"Not developed, too wild," they cried
But she had to let out what was inside

Lashing out at the man who hurt her
Just one in particular
His ears closed to her message
She tries switching vernacular

The songs come out of her unbidden
Pouring out of emotions once hidden
He's shocked at her angry voice
He doesn't understand her choice

Cutting him out would be so much better
It's her decision, but he won't let her
Clinging to a love now dead
The critics all turn their heads

Lashing out at all her friends
Hoping she'll calm when it all ends
Ending relationships feels like death
But when it's done, you know it's best

And as spotted on Good Yarns:

You Know You're From California When...
The fastest part of your commute is down your driveway.
You were born somewhere else.
You know how to eat an artichoke.
The primary bugs that you worry about are electronic.
Your car has bullet-proof windows.
Left is right and right is wrong.
Your monthly house payments exceed your annual income.
You can't find your other earring because your son is wearing it.
You drive to your neighborhood block party.
Your family tree contains "significant others."
You don't exterminate your roaches, you smoke them.
You see 25 lawyers chasing an ambulance.
More than clothes come out of the closets.
You go to a tanning salon before going to the beach.
More money is spent on facelifts than on diapers.
Smoking in your office is not optional.
You pack shorts and a T-shirt for skiing in the snow, and a sweater and a wetsuit for the beach. When you can't schedule a meeting because you must "do lunch."
Your children learn to walk in Birkenstocks.
Rainstorms or thunder are the lead story for the local news.
You'll reluctantly miss yoga class to wait for the hot tub repairman.
You consult your horoscope before planning your day.
A glass has been reserved for you at your favorite winery.
All highways into the state say: "no fruits."
All highways out of the state say: "Go back."
The Terminator is your governor
You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?
It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: "STORM WATCH"

You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from California.