Tuesday, 25 December 2007
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you and yours are well and enjoying each others company.
Friday, 21 December 2007
2008 Knitting Resolutions
I don't normally make New Year's resolutions - I am much more of a "I should do ______" and then I resolve to do it - regardless of if it is the middle of the year or December. But there are a few things that I would like to do in terms of crafting, and since this subject has been a subject of other people's blog posts (started with Texas Purl Gurl) I will post my fiber related resolutions.
This year I resolve to:
1. Learn to crochet
2. Knit a sweater that I will wear
3. Learn to spin a consistent thickness on my drop spindles
4. Use my knitting magazines/books for patterns more often (I think I stole this from someone... oh well, it works for me too)
Non-knitting my resolution is to keep in better contact with people, both those in town and out of town, in the country and out of the country.
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
Christmas Ornament
This was just finished and so before I forget to post...
It was an empty basket on our tree, now it is a full knitting basket on our tree. It contains a hat, two scarves, two small skeins of one type of yarn, and a ball of the other. There is a spare set of needles - so three sets of needles, which are toothpicks with beads glued on the ends.
It was an empty basket on our tree, now it is a full knitting basket on our tree. It contains a hat, two scarves, two small skeins of one type of yarn, and a ball of the other. There is a spare set of needles - so three sets of needles, which are toothpicks with beads glued on the ends.
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Pictures From Yesterday's post
Blogger decided to let me upload the pictures I talked about yesterday. This first image shows how far I got before ripping back - I had forgotten chart A completely.
This second picture shows the lumpy bumpy nature of my fabric - I was okay with this since these mittens are my first stranded knitting project with the exception of the Lindy Bag.
And here you can see how far I ripped back. Zoie was staying still for a bit so I included her in the image. It is a bit rare to have her still while you photograph her... And a kitty always adds a nice atmosphere to a picture.
And this final picture is to add some festive cheer to the blog. Ellie likes to get the ornaments sometimes so we keep the soft non-breakable ones near the bottom. Happy holidays everyone.
This second picture shows the lumpy bumpy nature of my fabric - I was okay with this since these mittens are my first stranded knitting project with the exception of the Lindy Bag.
And here you can see how far I ripped back. Zoie was staying still for a bit so I included her in the image. It is a bit rare to have her still while you photograph her... And a kitty always adds a nice atmosphere to a picture.
And this final picture is to add some festive cheer to the blog. Ellie likes to get the ornaments sometimes so we keep the soft non-breakable ones near the bottom. Happy holidays everyone.
Monday, 17 December 2007
Practice
I finally started on my Strikke-along project. It is NHM #3 from Selbuvotter by Terri Shea. I knit quite a lot of it yesterday as you can see. Well you would be able to see if Blogger was behaving. I will try tomorrow, and you will see also how much I had to rip out. I call it practice (and a bit of colour work addiction). You see, I missed a whole chart (that had 5 rows and was small-ish) and while I was prepared to live with the uneven-ness of the fabric, missing a whole chart was too large of an error for me to accept. So I took pictures and ripped the sucker back to the ribbing. The second time around is going quite well, still uneven though I think it is less so then the first try. A problem that bugs me even more is the uneven stitches. I'm not quite sure what I am doing wrong but I have to go back every now and then with a needle and pull the stitches up so that there is a crisp boarder where it is needed. And some stitches are too large/small. But I will keep knitting this pair, and when I finish them I will likely start another. They are addicting, and living in a place like Calgary you can always use a couple pairs of mittens.
Thursday, 13 December 2007
And Now For Some Knitting
I've had these scarfs done for awhile now but not blocked. I completed most of the two scarfs while at the SFN conference - thank goodness that I could knit on the planes too. It made the actual travelling bit go by very fast. The hat was recently completed. This means that my final thing to do is ********** for my mom. I don't know that these will be sent in time to get to the recipients by Christmas but they WILL get them before the end of January.
The first is for my husband's Nana, she crocheted me a stocking for Christmas so this is my thank you to her
Branching Out Scarf from Knitty
Rowan Kidsilk Haze
This one if for my mother-in-law
Razor Lace Scarf from 101 One Skein Projects
Rowan Kidsilk Haze
And this is a hat for my husband (we are big Firefly/Joss Whedon fans). I don't do stealth knitting so he has tried it on etc.
modified Jayne Cobb hat
Lamb's Pride Worsted (held double)
The first is for my husband's Nana, she crocheted me a stocking for Christmas so this is my thank you to her
Branching Out Scarf from Knitty
Rowan Kidsilk Haze
This one if for my mother-in-law
Razor Lace Scarf from 101 One Skein Projects
Rowan Kidsilk Haze
And this is a hat for my husband (we are big Firefly/Joss Whedon fans). I don't do stealth knitting so he has tried it on etc.
modified Jayne Cobb hat
Lamb's Pride Worsted (held double)
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
But is it Scientific?
No. The study of psychotherapy, paranormal events, and spirituality - to date - are not scientific. By its very definition science is repeatable objective observation of a phenomenon. And those topics do not easily lend themselves to an objective study. The nature of these topics there is some undefineable quality, something we know is there but cannot measure. Does that mean that they are less valid or true - nope. But in our current culture it seems that we value science over just about everything else. And unfortunately in my area of work and study, if I don't order my values this way I tend to be thought of as someone who is in the wrong field. One of the professors even said that yesterday at the talk - the presenter had people who believed in a higher power or something bigger than themselves to put up there hand, and some of us (me included) did. And the prof essentially said that although our beliefs were up to us, we should think hard about whether we were in the right field. I know I am where I need to be - perhaps not the right area of research, thus I am switching, but in academia. I feel a sort of calling - I am good at what I do and when I'm in the right lab I feel really passionate about what I do. When teaching I get a sort of excitement that I don't get from other work interactions. So the professor is wrong - I am in the right field and these beliefs can co-exist if we want them to.
I hope this makes sense because I am quite tired. I didn't sleep very well or solidly last night. But now I am going to a PhD thesis defense that could last 2 hours. I am glad - my job is to sit and listen and show my support of the student (who is a friend/acquaintance).
I hope this makes sense because I am quite tired. I didn't sleep very well or solidly last night. But now I am going to a PhD thesis defense that could last 2 hours. I am glad - my job is to sit and listen and show my support of the student (who is a friend/acquaintance).
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
The Gift of Physics
I'm going to go a bit philosophical now, just to warn you.
Today I heard a very brave and smart man speak about spirituality to a group of neuroscientists. We invited him to speak, knowing that what he had to say would be difficult to accept, much less understand. He knew this too - we are a group of skeptics who have different beliefs - and this is why I call him brave (though you could see that he was nervous). He spoke of a mind and a soul where most in the room believe that the mind is just another word for brain and that human existance can be reduced to neural impulses in the brain. His arguements were interesting, if a bit poorly supported by our standards. I loved his lecture and I have never seen someone generate so much discussion even after he left the room. It was an automatic reaction by the majority of listeners to devalue what he had said and find the holes in his theories so that they could go on with their beliefs (there were some holes but perhaps they were not as critical as his general message of communciation). But the amazing thing is that it meshed perfectly with the book I am reading right now - and even more amazing - with the chapter I am reading. The book is Healing the Soul in the Age of the Brain: Why Medicine is Not Enough by Elio Frattaroli, M.D.
I bought the book out of an interest about why my current mode of depression treatment is working as well as a traditional antidepressant therapy (which I had been using for at least 8 years). What concerns me is not that I was treated with drugs but that I didn't even know that there were other options. These options were likely not presented to me because of a lack of research (as opposed to a lack of efficacy as I now see) which is another matter that pisses me off - that there is no funding for alternative treatments because there is no money in treating people with vitamin C - no patent is possible. But the book isn't what I expected - it is a lot about psychotherapy and Freudian techniques, which I am highly skeptical about. I am a hard core scientist - we are among the most skeptical people you will meet. But dispite feeling that I was reading mumbo jumbo I have continued reading the book - if only to force myself to see a different view (another supposed quality of the majority of scientists: an open mind - not that all of us have this quality...). But in reading the book I find that some parts are speaking to me about life and how we approach problems.
Frattaroli speaks about how "the end is in the beginning". By this he means, if I understand correctly, that what we see in the end depends on how we approach the problem. An example he uses that is outside of psychotherapy is a physics problem (the gift of physics to humanity). It is the phenomenon of light. Depending on how we choose to observe it, light can appear to be made of particles or it can appear to be made of waves. If we only studied light in one manner we would only see one quality of light - perhaps that it is made of waves. If having studied it this way we are presented with the opinion that light is made of particles we would then reject the opinion because of course light is not made of particles, it is made of waves and we know that. So by looking at neuron firing in the brain we see what we expect to see - that the brain is the foundation of conciousness and that there is no internal world - there is nothing that cannot be explained by neuronal firing. But what if the problem is that we are looking at the brain and seeing the light waves when there are also light particles in the brain? What if we see the physical part of existence and not the spiritual (not necessairly religious though) part of existence. If you think about it neuroscientists have not proven that the brain is all that there is, but they use the arguement that we can't see or measure spirtuality - there is no proof that it is there thus it isn't there. Well that is a false presumption if I ever heard one. And in the end we may not be able to measure it now but in the future we might. Before microscopes we didn't see cells - now no one doubts that cells exist.
I hope that I am more than neural firing in a highly evolved moist sack. And I am religious, so I feel that there is more. This can't be all that there is. But perhaps that is just the neural firings in my brain telling me that. This is another point that Frattaroli makes, and perhaps where I will end today with my psychological philosophical ramblings, if neuroscientists can dismiss religion as a shadow of neural firings, what is to say that science is not a shadow of neural firings. If we cannot trust the shadows of one, why should we trust the shadows of the other? I trust them both, I think. But what we need is communication between and within departments - more guest lectures - to open our minds. Just because what we research is easier to measure doesn't mean that the other research is not as good or worthless.
It is a hard position to be in. I am surrounded by people who were trying to be open to the presentation but who reacted at least a little defensively. And I feel torn between what I know and what I feel. What I have proof for and what I don't have proof for. You don't talk about God to the majority of neuroscientists - it is unscientific. So there is this dichotomy of what I show people at work everyday and what I generally keep to myself because I don't have explanations for the latter.
I liked the presentation and wanted to thank the guy personally but he left very quickly after the question period. After he spoke my brain was sore, the stretchings have given me a lot to think about. Any comments on todays post?
PS: I have been knitting I will tell you about it another time with pictures. But breifly, I have blocked the two scarfs for Christmas knitting. Knit a Calorimetry and a Palindrome hat and have started another Jayne Cobb hat for Cory because the last one is too big and so is going to a friend that has a larger head than Cory. I will write to you soon I hope.
Today I heard a very brave and smart man speak about spirituality to a group of neuroscientists. We invited him to speak, knowing that what he had to say would be difficult to accept, much less understand. He knew this too - we are a group of skeptics who have different beliefs - and this is why I call him brave (though you could see that he was nervous). He spoke of a mind and a soul where most in the room believe that the mind is just another word for brain and that human existance can be reduced to neural impulses in the brain. His arguements were interesting, if a bit poorly supported by our standards. I loved his lecture and I have never seen someone generate so much discussion even after he left the room. It was an automatic reaction by the majority of listeners to devalue what he had said and find the holes in his theories so that they could go on with their beliefs (there were some holes but perhaps they were not as critical as his general message of communciation). But the amazing thing is that it meshed perfectly with the book I am reading right now - and even more amazing - with the chapter I am reading. The book is Healing the Soul in the Age of the Brain: Why Medicine is Not Enough by Elio Frattaroli, M.D.
I bought the book out of an interest about why my current mode of depression treatment is working as well as a traditional antidepressant therapy (which I had been using for at least 8 years). What concerns me is not that I was treated with drugs but that I didn't even know that there were other options. These options were likely not presented to me because of a lack of research (as opposed to a lack of efficacy as I now see) which is another matter that pisses me off - that there is no funding for alternative treatments because there is no money in treating people with vitamin C - no patent is possible. But the book isn't what I expected - it is a lot about psychotherapy and Freudian techniques, which I am highly skeptical about. I am a hard core scientist - we are among the most skeptical people you will meet. But dispite feeling that I was reading mumbo jumbo I have continued reading the book - if only to force myself to see a different view (another supposed quality of the majority of scientists: an open mind - not that all of us have this quality...). But in reading the book I find that some parts are speaking to me about life and how we approach problems.
Frattaroli speaks about how "the end is in the beginning". By this he means, if I understand correctly, that what we see in the end depends on how we approach the problem. An example he uses that is outside of psychotherapy is a physics problem (the gift of physics to humanity). It is the phenomenon of light. Depending on how we choose to observe it, light can appear to be made of particles or it can appear to be made of waves. If we only studied light in one manner we would only see one quality of light - perhaps that it is made of waves. If having studied it this way we are presented with the opinion that light is made of particles we would then reject the opinion because of course light is not made of particles, it is made of waves and we know that. So by looking at neuron firing in the brain we see what we expect to see - that the brain is the foundation of conciousness and that there is no internal world - there is nothing that cannot be explained by neuronal firing. But what if the problem is that we are looking at the brain and seeing the light waves when there are also light particles in the brain? What if we see the physical part of existence and not the spiritual (not necessairly religious though) part of existence. If you think about it neuroscientists have not proven that the brain is all that there is, but they use the arguement that we can't see or measure spirtuality - there is no proof that it is there thus it isn't there. Well that is a false presumption if I ever heard one. And in the end we may not be able to measure it now but in the future we might. Before microscopes we didn't see cells - now no one doubts that cells exist.
I hope that I am more than neural firing in a highly evolved moist sack. And I am religious, so I feel that there is more. This can't be all that there is. But perhaps that is just the neural firings in my brain telling me that. This is another point that Frattaroli makes, and perhaps where I will end today with my psychological philosophical ramblings, if neuroscientists can dismiss religion as a shadow of neural firings, what is to say that science is not a shadow of neural firings. If we cannot trust the shadows of one, why should we trust the shadows of the other? I trust them both, I think. But what we need is communication between and within departments - more guest lectures - to open our minds. Just because what we research is easier to measure doesn't mean that the other research is not as good or worthless.
It is a hard position to be in. I am surrounded by people who were trying to be open to the presentation but who reacted at least a little defensively. And I feel torn between what I know and what I feel. What I have proof for and what I don't have proof for. You don't talk about God to the majority of neuroscientists - it is unscientific. So there is this dichotomy of what I show people at work everyday and what I generally keep to myself because I don't have explanations for the latter.
I liked the presentation and wanted to thank the guy personally but he left very quickly after the question period. After he spoke my brain was sore, the stretchings have given me a lot to think about. Any comments on todays post?
PS: I have been knitting I will tell you about it another time with pictures. But breifly, I have blocked the two scarfs for Christmas knitting. Knit a Calorimetry and a Palindrome hat and have started another Jayne Cobb hat for Cory because the last one is too big and so is going to a friend that has a larger head than Cory. I will write to you soon I hope.
Monday, 19 November 2007
Celebration?
So my birthday is coming up, and to me it is a big one: I turn 25! I am happy about it, well as much as an adult gets about birthdays. I miss the excitement that I used to feel as a kid about Christmas and birthdays - but that is another post. This birthday is what some people call the champagne or golden birthday: I turn 25 years old on the 25th of November. I want to do something but I'm really not sure what. I just don't want another year to go by with me picking out my major gift from Cory and just celebrating with cake (though cake does go a long way to making a day special).
I do know that I would like it to be just Cory and me - I'm not close with anyone here in Calgary - well not close enough that I want to see them outside of work and work social events. We go out for dinner sometimes - enough that just going out for dinner will not seem special on its own. We don't like to drink or go to bars or play pool or anything...
And here is my appeal to the masses: does anyone have any ideas on what could be fun to mark the occasion? To make it special? Keep in mind that it is cold here right now: -7 Celcius (which my computer tells me is approximately 19 Farenheit) so it is a bit chilly for a picnic etc.
I do know that I would like it to be just Cory and me - I'm not close with anyone here in Calgary - well not close enough that I want to see them outside of work and work social events. We go out for dinner sometimes - enough that just going out for dinner will not seem special on its own. We don't like to drink or go to bars or play pool or anything...
And here is my appeal to the masses: does anyone have any ideas on what could be fun to mark the occasion? To make it special? Keep in mind that it is cold here right now: -7 Celcius (which my computer tells me is approximately 19 Farenheit) so it is a bit chilly for a picnic etc.
Sunday, 18 November 2007
SFN/Thesis/Knitting
So I said I'd post and lo and behold here I am posting. It has been a busy few weeks, especially in terms of school.
SFN
So overwhelming, lots of people and lots of information. The most informative day was likely the 2nd - when I went to a short course on behavioural testing of mice. It was good but so much information. We took one afternoon off and went to the zoo: the San Diego zoo is really cool and has a lot of great animals. I know I was the most excited though so the zoo would have been better with Cory there - he gets excited about the animals like me. I went shopping a bit but no yarn stores :(
Thesis work
The prosem really stressed me out but it is done and I am happy about that. Now to find my motivation and get in the lab and get work done. I'm finding it hard to get stuff done when I know that this is not what I want to be doing and I know that I don't like the work. I find it interesting but I would rather read about it than do it.
Potential supervisor
She was really receptive to the idea of me joining her lab and is accepting at least one student next fall, preferably psychology (she has dual appointment with linguistics and psychology so she can get students in either discipline). I'm going to talk to 1 or more other professors but so far she is my top choice.
Knitting
I finished one Christmas gift while in San Diego up to the blocking point and started on another project which I finished today. So I have gifts finished to the point of blocking and am awaiting the time when my spare room will be free from visitors. I will post pictures when they are blocked.
Now I am off to nurse a cold and look at things on the web. Pictures by the end of the week I hope
SFN
So overwhelming, lots of people and lots of information. The most informative day was likely the 2nd - when I went to a short course on behavioural testing of mice. It was good but so much information. We took one afternoon off and went to the zoo: the San Diego zoo is really cool and has a lot of great animals. I know I was the most excited though so the zoo would have been better with Cory there - he gets excited about the animals like me. I went shopping a bit but no yarn stores :(
Thesis work
The prosem really stressed me out but it is done and I am happy about that. Now to find my motivation and get in the lab and get work done. I'm finding it hard to get stuff done when I know that this is not what I want to be doing and I know that I don't like the work. I find it interesting but I would rather read about it than do it.
Potential supervisor
She was really receptive to the idea of me joining her lab and is accepting at least one student next fall, preferably psychology (she has dual appointment with linguistics and psychology so she can get students in either discipline). I'm going to talk to 1 or more other professors but so far she is my top choice.
Knitting
I finished one Christmas gift while in San Diego up to the blocking point and started on another project which I finished today. So I have gifts finished to the point of blocking and am awaiting the time when my spare room will be free from visitors. I will post pictures when they are blocked.
Now I am off to nurse a cold and look at things on the web. Pictures by the end of the week I hope
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Meme
1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?
I didn't laugh last night as I was too stressed about a presentation I had today. It went well but I was quite stressed. Dr. Teskey made me laugh during my presentation today at around 10:10ish. That is the closest thing I got.
2.What were you doing at 0800?
Getting ready for school and doing a run through of my presentation.
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Napping, just a short one - 15 minutes long - does that even count?
4. What happened to you in 2006?
I graduated with my B.Sc. in Psychology with a concentration in Biology, got married, moved to Calgary, and started my master's thesis at the University of Calgary
5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
"Who won?" Cory and his brother were playing a game of chess
6. How many beverages did you have today?
I drank a lot of water, a little tea, and an egg nog with bailey's
7. What color is your hairbrush?
Black
8. What was the last thing you paid for?
Groceries
9. Where were you last night?
I TA-ed up in Red Deer (1.5 hrs away from home, but good pay for the amount of work I have to do), prepped for my presentation, had dinner at Moxie's - In bed by 10 at the latest
10 What color is your front door?
I live in a condo - our doors are beige
11. Where do you keep your change?
In my wallet, in the car, and in a piggy bank
12.What’s the weather like today?
I work in a basement so I'm not too sure of all of the weather we have (Calgary is notorious for fast weather changes) but I think the majority was sunny with blue skys, and a bit of a nip in the air
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
cookie dough
14. What excites you?
Yarn, seeing family, Cory...
15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Not at the moment, the last hair cut was at least 3 inches shorter than I told the guy to cut, I am growing it out.
16. Are you over the age of 25? I
No I am not 25 yet, but I am close. My 25th birthday is on the 25th of this month!
17. Do you talk a lot?
Definately
18. There wasn't a question here
19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
Yep, and he is pretty cool.
20. Do you make up your own words?
Yes, sometimes - not very often sadly
21. Are you a jealous person?
I don't think so.
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.
Angela - we've been friends since grade 1, so I was 5 and she was 6.
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
Krista - we met during undergrad and are friends still but I haven't seen her in awhile. That is what you get when you both move away.
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?
I think that is a person from my lab: Amy. Not many people call me on my cell phone.
25. What does the last text message you received say?
Again Amy - we were just at a conference together and had to coordinate things. Text was preferred as it was cheaper
26. Do you chew on your straw?
Not usually
27. Do you have curly hair?
No but I have had perms. My hair prefers to be straight
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
I'm in for the night. The next place will be work tomorrow morning.
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
Well there is this one guy at work but I'm not going to post his name. My lab in general finds him irritating but I don't want to run the risk of posting something that I'll later regret.
30. What was the last thing you ate?
Chicken Ceasar Panni from Jugo Juice - or a crispy crunch, halloween size - not sure
31. Will you get married in the future?
I am married - it is great
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
I don't think I've seen any new movies recently. I saw No Reservations on the plane but without audio as my headset was on the fritz - it looked good and I'll rent it. And I watched Serenity again - but that is always a good one. OOOO did you hear about the new show that Joss Whedon is writing? It is called the Dollhouse and I am so excited about it.
33. Is there anyone you like right now?
I'm getting a teenage vibe off of this meme. I like my husband a lot and my two kitties.
36. Did you cry today?
No, but I did yesterday and the day before that - stupid stress response
37. Why did you answer and post this?
Because I haven't done one of these in a long time and it seemed like a good idea. Plus it will mean that I will post about San Diego in another post and that will be good. More posts - yea
38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey.
Honestly, I don't know 5 people who would want to do this survey, or who I think would want to do it. So if you are one of those people I don't know about, consider yourself tagged. Oh, and let me know you tagged yourself.
I will post about San Diego/SFN, my meeting with a potential supervisor, and knitting soon-ish. Perhaps you could look for another post by Sunday.
I didn't laugh last night as I was too stressed about a presentation I had today. It went well but I was quite stressed. Dr. Teskey made me laugh during my presentation today at around 10:10ish. That is the closest thing I got.
2.What were you doing at 0800?
Getting ready for school and doing a run through of my presentation.
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Napping, just a short one - 15 minutes long - does that even count?
4. What happened to you in 2006?
I graduated with my B.Sc. in Psychology with a concentration in Biology, got married, moved to Calgary, and started my master's thesis at the University of Calgary
5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
"Who won?" Cory and his brother were playing a game of chess
6. How many beverages did you have today?
I drank a lot of water, a little tea, and an egg nog with bailey's
7. What color is your hairbrush?
Black
8. What was the last thing you paid for?
Groceries
9. Where were you last night?
I TA-ed up in Red Deer (1.5 hrs away from home, but good pay for the amount of work I have to do), prepped for my presentation, had dinner at Moxie's - In bed by 10 at the latest
10 What color is your front door?
I live in a condo - our doors are beige
11. Where do you keep your change?
In my wallet, in the car, and in a piggy bank
12.What’s the weather like today?
I work in a basement so I'm not too sure of all of the weather we have (Calgary is notorious for fast weather changes) but I think the majority was sunny with blue skys, and a bit of a nip in the air
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
cookie dough
14. What excites you?
Yarn, seeing family, Cory...
15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Not at the moment, the last hair cut was at least 3 inches shorter than I told the guy to cut, I am growing it out.
16. Are you over the age of 25? I
No I am not 25 yet, but I am close. My 25th birthday is on the 25th of this month!
17. Do you talk a lot?
Definately
18. There wasn't a question here
19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
Yep, and he is pretty cool.
20. Do you make up your own words?
Yes, sometimes - not very often sadly
21. Are you a jealous person?
I don't think so.
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.
Angela - we've been friends since grade 1, so I was 5 and she was 6.
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
Krista - we met during undergrad and are friends still but I haven't seen her in awhile. That is what you get when you both move away.
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?
I think that is a person from my lab: Amy. Not many people call me on my cell phone.
25. What does the last text message you received say?
Again Amy - we were just at a conference together and had to coordinate things. Text was preferred as it was cheaper
26. Do you chew on your straw?
Not usually
27. Do you have curly hair?
No but I have had perms. My hair prefers to be straight
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
I'm in for the night. The next place will be work tomorrow morning.
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
Well there is this one guy at work but I'm not going to post his name. My lab in general finds him irritating but I don't want to run the risk of posting something that I'll later regret.
30. What was the last thing you ate?
Chicken Ceasar Panni from Jugo Juice - or a crispy crunch, halloween size - not sure
31. Will you get married in the future?
I am married - it is great
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
I don't think I've seen any new movies recently. I saw No Reservations on the plane but without audio as my headset was on the fritz - it looked good and I'll rent it. And I watched Serenity again - but that is always a good one. OOOO did you hear about the new show that Joss Whedon is writing? It is called the Dollhouse and I am so excited about it.
33. Is there anyone you like right now?
I'm getting a teenage vibe off of this meme. I like my husband a lot and my two kitties.
36. Did you cry today?
No, but I did yesterday and the day before that - stupid stress response
37. Why did you answer and post this?
Because I haven't done one of these in a long time and it seemed like a good idea. Plus it will mean that I will post about San Diego in another post and that will be good. More posts - yea
38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey.
Honestly, I don't know 5 people who would want to do this survey, or who I think would want to do it. So if you are one of those people I don't know about, consider yourself tagged. Oh, and let me know you tagged yourself.
I will post about San Diego/SFN, my meeting with a potential supervisor, and knitting soon-ish. Perhaps you could look for another post by Sunday.
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Partial Radio Silence
Hi y'all how have you been doing? Me, well I'm still a bit stressed but that is a normal state of affairs for me when things are due or things are up in the air. Both are the case right now so I'm not hugely surprised. I've had a paper to write that I feel is a big deal (proposing to my committee what I intend to do for my thesis) but some say it is just a formality... I'm off to a super big conference on Thursday afternoon until the following Friday (from the first to the ninth) and that is the reason for the partial radio silence. I don't know how much commenting/posting I will be doing or how much time I will spend with the wonder that is Ravelry. I know I don't post all that frequently but I do comment so I thought I'd give everyone a heads up. Oh and by big, I mean that the San Diego Conference Center website says that the event is for 32,000 people! I'm a bit nervous about being around so many people and breathing science for so many days without much respite. I'm going to the Society for Neuroscience (SFN) annual conference but I'm not presenting (if I was then I'd really be a nervous wreck right now). I'm also attending a short course on the Friday that relates to my thesis. But I suppose I won't be at the conference every day - I will need time to just unwind. After I get back I meet with a potential PhD supervisor on the Monday (the 12th) and have my proposal seminar on the Thursday (15th). That means that I have to prep my presentation while I am away. I think this may be the root of most of my anxiety... I just don't know how much time I will have for myself.
But in the mean time I present you with a Scheherazade gauge swatch:
And the Scarf for Ally which is the Christmas gift for my step-mother-in-law. A similar scarf will be made for my mother-in-law (in progress) and I will make Branching Out (from knitty) for my maternal-grandmother-in-law (aka: Cory's mother's mother)
In the wash, it looked so cool - like algae...
The scarf:
And a close up:
I reduced the size of these but I think they should be still sufficient resolution for the web.
But in the mean time I present you with a Scheherazade gauge swatch:
And the Scarf for Ally which is the Christmas gift for my step-mother-in-law. A similar scarf will be made for my mother-in-law (in progress) and I will make Branching Out (from knitty) for my maternal-grandmother-in-law (aka: Cory's mother's mother)
In the wash, it looked so cool - like algae...
The scarf:
And a close up:
I reduced the size of these but I think they should be still sufficient resolution for the web.
Saturday, 20 October 2007
Vogue Knitting Holiday 2007
I bought the vogue knitting holiday edition for one pattern. I liked the lace shawl but with the lack of contrast with the outfit on the model I don't know how much I like it. I'm going to consider it a mystery project much like the mystery shawl I did this summer. But honestly, knitting from a written pattern shouldn't be a mystery project. I couldn't even get an idea of the pattern because the charts are available online. I also liked the Alice Starmore pattern... I'm not too sure how flattering fair isle is though.
I have a subscription to Interweave Knits and I will likely renew that one when the time comes - it is just such an awesome publication. I've heard good things about Rowan too but because it is so expensive with just 2 issues I have held off subscribing. What magazines do y'all get regularly or subscribe to?
I have a subscription to Interweave Knits and I will likely renew that one when the time comes - it is just such an awesome publication. I've heard good things about Rowan too but because it is so expensive with just 2 issues I have held off subscribing. What magazines do y'all get regularly or subscribe to?
Friday, 19 October 2007
Biting the Bullet
On the off chance that someone from my department reads this blog (unlikely) I had to stay quiet about something until after the 15th of October. Now that it is past, I can tell y'all something that has been weighing on my mind for awhile. I don't often write about my work because it generates a lot of strong feelings in a significant portion of the population. I do animal research and I dislike my work a lot. There, it is out. And now for the bigger news, after my master's thesis I will be transferring inot another lab here at the University of Calgary and will not be doing animal research. I will be transferring into the Cognition area of psychology as this is what I did in my undergraduate thesis and I really loved it. This has been a difficult decision to come to because I feel like I am abandoning or deserting my supervisor/lab mates etc. I'm not actually doing so but I feel like a part of me is giving up and I'm not one to quit things easily. But the fact of the matter is that I am still having serious issues with euthanizing the mice and it is getting worse. I totally see the place for this type of research, and I support it, but I just can't be the one to do it. I've talked to my supervisor and he is totally cool with my switching because I will finish my current work (how I could not I don't know - it would wreck my career and I've put so much effort and time into it that I want to finish). Richard is understanding and says he will promote me as a good student to whomever I apply to work with. That is the new area that I am nervous about, convincing a new supervisor to take me on as a student. Luckily things are in my favor but still it is like a job interview of sorts. I just wrote an email to my current top choice supervisor requesting a meeting. I'll let you know how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed for me though ok?
In other news, I am off of coffee (double espresso in the morning) for the most part and onto strong tea. Somehow it wakes me up more - maybe more caffeine? I don't know.
Knitting-wise I have started a new lace shawl - Schezerade by Melanie Gibbons. I was going to make lace shawls for my mom, Cory's mom, and Cory's step-mom but I've changed my mind. I'm not saying what my mom is going to get (you were going to get a lace shawl silly, of course I wouldn't make you feel like chopped liver!) but his mom and step-mom are getting lace scarfs (like the Scarf for Ally by Julie over at the Samurai Knitter) and dish cloths. The change came about because Cory's maternal grandmother has crocheted a Christmas stocking for me just like the one she made Cory and his brothers when they were little. So I'm going to make her a big lace shawl as a thank you for her thoughtful gift. I am really touched by her thoughtfulness and thus will be making her something that shows my thoughtfullness at its best: the most complicated type of knitting that I can do at the moment. I want to send it to her for Christmas. Thus, if I hadn't changed my Christmas presents plan I would need to knit 2 more large lace stoles/shawls by Christmas and that might not be possible... Especially because work is busy.
Okay, well I got some knitting in there. One day I will post about naturopathic medicine I think.
In other news, I am off of coffee (double espresso in the morning) for the most part and onto strong tea. Somehow it wakes me up more - maybe more caffeine? I don't know.
Knitting-wise I have started a new lace shawl - Schezerade by Melanie Gibbons. I was going to make lace shawls for my mom, Cory's mom, and Cory's step-mom but I've changed my mind. I'm not saying what my mom is going to get (you were going to get a lace shawl silly, of course I wouldn't make you feel like chopped liver!) but his mom and step-mom are getting lace scarfs (like the Scarf for Ally by Julie over at the Samurai Knitter) and dish cloths. The change came about because Cory's maternal grandmother has crocheted a Christmas stocking for me just like the one she made Cory and his brothers when they were little. So I'm going to make her a big lace shawl as a thank you for her thoughtful gift. I am really touched by her thoughtfulness and thus will be making her something that shows my thoughtfullness at its best: the most complicated type of knitting that I can do at the moment. I want to send it to her for Christmas. Thus, if I hadn't changed my Christmas presents plan I would need to knit 2 more large lace stoles/shawls by Christmas and that might not be possible... Especially because work is busy.
Okay, well I got some knitting in there. One day I will post about naturopathic medicine I think.
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Strikke on Strike Out
Well, I got a notice from Amazon.com a few days ago that they are going to be delayed in delivering me my Norsk Strikkedesign book until sometime in March! So while I will keep an eye open for a different vendor, I am going to have to change my participation button and change my goal for the Strikke-along. I will find some colour work project to do but will not be able to do a project from the book. Boo.
ETA: and now Blogger is being a whiny child and not letting me upload the new button. Hopefully I will remember to change it sometime in the near future.
ETA: and now Blogger is being a whiny child and not letting me upload the new button. Hopefully I will remember to change it sometime in the near future.
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
Earliest memories
I've been thinking about posting my earliest memory here, especially because it relates to knitting. My earliest memory is of a white sweater, I think it was a cardigan, that had a rainbow of bobbles (or as my mom likes to call them: pimples). My mom (hi mom!) has confirmed the existence of this sweater and says that I was about 3 years old. But as far as I know, there are no photographs of this sweater and I've never seen it so I feel it is safe to say that it is my memory.
As a child my mom made a lot of my clothing (and by the time that I came along she was good at making clothes, I hear my siblings were not so fortunate - ha ha). And from photos I remember some sweaters. There was a light blue sweater with an orange stegosaurus (dinosaur was fabric I think) in grade 1 for when we were studying dinosaurs in class. There was a sweater with a hot air balloon appliqued on, and a knitted basket. In the basket there were two knitted dolls. There were a lot of aran sweaters. If I find photos of the sweaters I will post them when I get home.
Of course, even now there are some sweaters in my closet that she has made.
And on a different topic: what do you use to remove the pills on sweaters (and where can I find it)?
As a child my mom made a lot of my clothing (and by the time that I came along she was good at making clothes, I hear my siblings were not so fortunate - ha ha). And from photos I remember some sweaters. There was a light blue sweater with an orange stegosaurus (dinosaur was fabric I think) in grade 1 for when we were studying dinosaurs in class. There was a sweater with a hot air balloon appliqued on, and a knitted basket. In the basket there were two knitted dolls. There were a lot of aran sweaters. If I find photos of the sweaters I will post them when I get home.
Of course, even now there are some sweaters in my closet that she has made.
And on a different topic: what do you use to remove the pills on sweaters (and where can I find it)?
Sunday, 7 October 2007
Local (to Canada) Links
So Julie has mentioned several times the places local to her that hold some significance to her (or are just really cool). I've been meaning to write a post with some of mine, and here is my list of local links that I think people would be interested in if they went to the appropriate towns/cities.
Calgary: where I live now
The most obvious is the University of Calgary . This is where I work and one of the places my life centers around. I've been attending the UofC for just over a year now as a graduate student and will likely be there for at least another 4 years.
Another obvious event in Calgary is the Calgary Stampede . This is a pretty big deal in Calgary, and in Canada period.
And a favorite restaurant, abeit expensive the River Cafe . I love this restaurant although being a student I wouldn't have even thought of trying it for a few years if my brother-in-law Jesse didn't work there for awhile. Now he has moved on to another city, but we are hooked. It is the anniversary dinner location of choice.
Seeing as this is a knitting blog, no list would be complete without my favorite local yarn store, Make 1 Yarn Studio . I have never met with friendlier people. The atmosphere is top notch and the yarns are well displayed.
Kelowna: where I used to live
I spent 5 years at the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus . For 4 of those years the school was Okanagan University College, but in 2005 UBC amalgamated/took over... whatever... the campus that I was attending. I think that it was a good thing that this happened. The school is expanding exponentially, the classes are getting bigger (boo) but there is so much more selection (yea) that it is likely worth it. The research coming out of this university, for those of you interested, is something to watch for. The college had been attracting high quality professors because of the location: Kelowna. There is a lake in the summer, warm weather, fruit and vineyards, and in the winter a ski hill.
During the course of our wedding we came in contact with a few awesome businesses that I want to mention.
First of all is Picture This Photography . It is a husband and wife team that is just starting out. They are very good and don't charge an arm and a leg. We are so pleased with the photos that we would hire them again if the occassion came up.
Second is Summerhill Pyramid Winery . This is where we had our reception, the food was wonderful, the service great and the view spectacular. This is but one of several wonderful, world class winery's in Kelowna and the surrounding area.
Canada: locations I enjoy visiting (and one that the husband adores)
I remember going to the dinosaur museum, The Royal Tyrrell Museum as a kid and being amazed. They are located in the badlands of Alberta. This is an area of Canada in which dinosaur bones have been discovered. We went back this summer for nostalgia (Cory visited the museum as a kid too) and I was really impressed with the interactive displays.
Also high on the interactive kid display quotient is The Canadian Museum of Civilization . I didn't go there as a kid but accompanied my neices and nephews at least once, possibly more times. It is located in Hull Quebec. They have a whole area where kids can explore different cultures through different houses (I think) and there are activities at all of the different "countries". The kids can also get a "passport" which they can have stamped as they visit the different countries.
And the final location on my list is Red Mountain Resort . This is a ski hill in Rossland British Columbia which is where the husband grew up. He spent many days on this hill and feels that it is the best ski hill in Canada. It is a very small town, quaint. I really like the town, I've never been on the mountain.
Calgary: where I live now
The most obvious is the University of Calgary . This is where I work and one of the places my life centers around. I've been attending the UofC for just over a year now as a graduate student and will likely be there for at least another 4 years.
Another obvious event in Calgary is the Calgary Stampede . This is a pretty big deal in Calgary, and in Canada period.
And a favorite restaurant, abeit expensive the River Cafe . I love this restaurant although being a student I wouldn't have even thought of trying it for a few years if my brother-in-law Jesse didn't work there for awhile. Now he has moved on to another city, but we are hooked. It is the anniversary dinner location of choice.
Seeing as this is a knitting blog, no list would be complete without my favorite local yarn store, Make 1 Yarn Studio . I have never met with friendlier people. The atmosphere is top notch and the yarns are well displayed.
Kelowna: where I used to live
I spent 5 years at the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus . For 4 of those years the school was Okanagan University College, but in 2005 UBC amalgamated/took over... whatever... the campus that I was attending. I think that it was a good thing that this happened. The school is expanding exponentially, the classes are getting bigger (boo) but there is so much more selection (yea) that it is likely worth it. The research coming out of this university, for those of you interested, is something to watch for. The college had been attracting high quality professors because of the location: Kelowna. There is a lake in the summer, warm weather, fruit and vineyards, and in the winter a ski hill.
During the course of our wedding we came in contact with a few awesome businesses that I want to mention.
First of all is Picture This Photography . It is a husband and wife team that is just starting out. They are very good and don't charge an arm and a leg. We are so pleased with the photos that we would hire them again if the occassion came up.
Second is Summerhill Pyramid Winery . This is where we had our reception, the food was wonderful, the service great and the view spectacular. This is but one of several wonderful, world class winery's in Kelowna and the surrounding area.
Canada: locations I enjoy visiting (and one that the husband adores)
I remember going to the dinosaur museum, The Royal Tyrrell Museum as a kid and being amazed. They are located in the badlands of Alberta. This is an area of Canada in which dinosaur bones have been discovered. We went back this summer for nostalgia (Cory visited the museum as a kid too) and I was really impressed with the interactive displays.
Also high on the interactive kid display quotient is The Canadian Museum of Civilization . I didn't go there as a kid but accompanied my neices and nephews at least once, possibly more times. It is located in Hull Quebec. They have a whole area where kids can explore different cultures through different houses (I think) and there are activities at all of the different "countries". The kids can also get a "passport" which they can have stamped as they visit the different countries.
And the final location on my list is Red Mountain Resort . This is a ski hill in Rossland British Columbia which is where the husband grew up. He spent many days on this hill and feels that it is the best ski hill in Canada. It is a very small town, quaint. I really like the town, I've never been on the mountain.
Saturday, 29 September 2007
FO... no really, FO
I have completed the fulled project that I am using to try colour knitting in preparation for the Strikke-along. Can someone who has done colour knitting let me know if my floats were good - please. The pattern is the Lindy Bag by Amy Swenson. I used 3 balls of Ístex Álafoss Lopi (2 purple, 1 pink). It was super quick and I loved it.
Finished:
And pre-felting (and pre handles):
Coming soon:
I have finished a Jayne Cobb's Cunning Hat (Firefly). I have a picture of the hat but I'd rather have one that is on Cory's head rather than on the floor.
Finished:
And pre-felting (and pre handles):
Coming soon:
I have finished a Jayne Cobb's Cunning Hat (Firefly). I have a picture of the hat but I'd rather have one that is on Cory's head rather than on the floor.
Thursday, 27 September 2007
comfort movies
So I'm sure that everyone has heard of comfort food, the big one for me is chocolate. And comfort movies, they are typically your feel good movies, sappy, and family oriented. I just watched my main comfort movie, A Muppet Family Christmas. Yes I know it is September, but I've been watching this movie since I can remember and it just makes me feel good. If I am homesick this is the movie I should turn to. There are other movies that calm me - BBC production of Pride & Prejudice is a good one. And movies/shows that I just like to listen to - Joss Whedon's Firefly. But if I need comfort I turn to the "old" cartoons. I have A Charlie Brown Christmas (and am about to put that one in), Rudolf (the clay-mation one)... I really like the holiday specials, Christmas in particular but they all are good. So why am I in need of comfort? Well I'm a bit stressed (status quo for me) and my husband is out of town for a few days - that means I have no one complaining about me watching Christmas shows in September. I might watch my Muppets tomorrow too - like a kid I can watch it over and over, maybe not back to back in a single day but still a lot by adult standards. But honestly, where else can you get muppets, fraggles and sesame street all within 40 minutes? Okay, off to the movies again for me.
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Lord of the Wetfood
So I woke up this morning and Cory told me that I said something hilarious last night while I was asleep. This is not unusual, I love to talk and I talk and complain in my sleep all the time. But this time he said I had a cat and Lord of the Rings reference (I watched the first half of the first movie a few days ago)...
"There is only one Lord of the Wetfood, nd she does not like to share the wetfood."
I didn't even remember the original quote until Cory told me this morning. I guess it is: There is only one Lord of the Rings, and he does not like to share power.
We were talking about our cats before I went to sleep last night. This has been cracking me up all day.
"There is only one Lord of the Wetfood, nd she does not like to share the wetfood."
I didn't even remember the original quote until Cory told me this morning. I guess it is: There is only one Lord of the Rings, and he does not like to share power.
We were talking about our cats before I went to sleep last night. This has been cracking me up all day.
Monday, 17 September 2007
Ellie, you varmint!
Okay, so Julie always posts these pictures of Sekhmet being loving and generally getting in the way. "Sekhmet, you fucker" is a common post title. I'm trying to curb my swearing a bit so varmint is the word. Here is my kitty helping with my research for a grant proposal (due soon eep!) In the first image she is just sitting on me, tail in my face.
In the second image she has turned around because the camera on the computer makes a noise while taking a picture(Amy the program is photo booth and it saves to a folder called photo booth in the pictures folder that you can find in finder on the Mac - just mentioning it cuz you said you were interested in the photo taking capability of your new work tool (aka toy)).
In the second image she has turned around because the camera on the computer makes a noise while taking a picture(Amy the program is photo booth and it saves to a folder called photo booth in the pictures folder that you can find in finder on the Mac - just mentioning it cuz you said you were interested in the photo taking capability of your new work tool (aka toy)).
Saturday, 8 September 2007
Taco Time Sells Sushi?!
It has been awhile since I last posted. I like posts with pictures and I had several big projects going that were all in the middle of progress. I have now finished and blocked the hanging garden stole. It was an awesome project and it was fairly simple. It was my first lace project. Before that I did a scarf that had a few yarnovers but it was nothing big. Oh and it was done in Lion Brand Midnight Mohair, not a lace weight yarn. Without further ado, the Hanging Garden Stole by Sivia Harding in Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace (Turqoise).
Zoie liked the blocking too. I kept them out of the room when I was not in there due to all of the pins but she came in when I was taking the pins out. My blocking wires have not yet arrived in the LYS, I should call them about that soon - if I remember. I have finished MS3 but not blocked it. I made the wing. It is in black Zephyr yarn with beads. The yarn is from Sarah's yarn. I have finished the cabled cardigan, it just needs buttons and a photograph. I have also almost finished my first toe up sock in my samurai yarn - technoblah. I'm ripping out 5 rows and then starting the cuff. I love the colours, the yarn is a bit splitty, but that is why she switched base yarns. I will try to post pictures of the sock soon. Oh and I made some Mason Dixon Knitting wash cloths.
These are addictive, I know there will be more. I found (finally) some sugar 'n cream cotton (recommended yarn) and it was cheap so I have a lot. But now I gotta go...
Oh yeah, about the title - the fast food chain Taco Time just started selling fresh sushi at the University of Calgary. It isn't awesome, but it is good enough to buy.
Zoie liked the blocking too. I kept them out of the room when I was not in there due to all of the pins but she came in when I was taking the pins out. My blocking wires have not yet arrived in the LYS, I should call them about that soon - if I remember. I have finished MS3 but not blocked it. I made the wing. It is in black Zephyr yarn with beads. The yarn is from Sarah's yarn. I have finished the cabled cardigan, it just needs buttons and a photograph. I have also almost finished my first toe up sock in my samurai yarn - technoblah. I'm ripping out 5 rows and then starting the cuff. I love the colours, the yarn is a bit splitty, but that is why she switched base yarns. I will try to post pictures of the sock soon. Oh and I made some Mason Dixon Knitting wash cloths.
These are addictive, I know there will be more. I found (finally) some sugar 'n cream cotton (recommended yarn) and it was cheap so I have a lot. But now I gotta go...
Oh yeah, about the title - the fast food chain Taco Time just started selling fresh sushi at the University of Calgary. It isn't awesome, but it is good enough to buy.
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Wonton
I am making 8-9 of these (6 are gifts for friends, well their cats but is there much of a difference?). I will take a picture of all of them when they are complete. I have 4 done. They are quick to whip up. The pattern is from Knitty (Feline Dim Sum) and the yarn is Patons Classic Merino Wool.
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Progress
So I've started the MS3 - I only have pictures of my swatch (sorry, the floor is a mess and the lighting is poor right now...) but I am about half way into clue #2. Right now there have been 3 clues posted so I am behind, but around the middle of the pack in terms of where other people in the group are.
I am knitting in Jaggerspun Zephyr Ebony (one of the recomended colours). I had no laceweight in the pile that is supposedly my stash (it is small, other knitters smile and nod when I tell them the size of my stash - they know it will grow). Most of the yarn in my stash has a project attached, including the other Zephyr I bought (Crimson I think).
I finished the Hanging Garden Stole but have not blocked it yet - the blocking wires are on order from the LYS (they have to order some in).
Here is a cute kitty picture to distract you from the fact that there is no lace picture here...
I am trudging away at the cabled cardigan - I have put the fronts on the back and am knitting the collar (shawl collar - holy cow it takes time and yarn!). I hope I like it when it is done - still not sure if I will.
I'm pretty worn out from work. That is the trouble with making your own hours and having a "get sh*t done" job. I have a list of things to do and they need to get done in the next month or two. The problem is I always had something to do every week since before Christmas - I think I took 3 or 4 days off at Christmas. Other than that it has been a lot of work work work. I have a lot done - in fact I have more than half of the major experiment in my thesis done. But I am tired. Soooooo 4 day weekend - tomorrow is my Friday. Well sort of, I'm going to work a bit on Thursday but from home, and seeing as I have two cats and a husband at home right now - I'm not sure how much will get done. I will have a window by where I work though - this is an improvement on my office and lab which are both in the basement of a building.
Too much talking and not enough cute kitty pictures, here is another distracter picture... Zoie, it took me 10 pictures to get a good picture of her (and the lighting is off a bit) because she likes to move, unlike Ellie who seems to be the type of cat that loves having her picture taken.
Zoie likes being brushed so much that today after brushing her I found a bald spot, well a less hairy spot. Oh dear!
I am doing the gym thing too. I gained a lot of weight over the winter somehow (possibly related to depression and anti-depressant drugs). I've been exercising for over a month now but see no results. sigh. well, I'll keep with it and hopefully I'll see something. I have to change my eating patterns too but that is very difficult for me. Any recommendations? Any idea about a yarn reward system? My problem is I like food and I like sweets. Oh, and I have little self control.
My mom and dad are coming Thursday night for a few days - gotta clean house and tidy. It is the tidy that gets us. With 900 square feet to clean it isn't bad - it is the clutter and seeming inability to put stuff away that gets us messy. Perhaps I'll send a Salvation Army donation bag home with my mom (I don't know where to drop it off here in Calgary).
And on a final note, it was our 1 year anniversary on the 8th - here we are, it is my intention that we should have a picture of us as a couple every year on our anniversary - we'll see how long it lasts. This is a self portrait because we forgot to have one taken when we were at the restaurant.
ETA: Oh yeah, and I took a spinning class on Saturday at Make 1 Yarn Studio. I ended up with two drop spindles and a pound of fiber (half of which is already spun!). I am addicted. The spinning wheels didn't agree with me (the whole drafting while you spin didn't work) but hopefully in a few years the drop spindle practice will make me much better with that part. At that point I know I'll fall down the rabbit hole (and hard, of course the wheel I liked best was also the most expensive - or the one that I would have liked had the spinning wheels agreed with me). I will post pictures of my handspun after I have set the twist (likely will do that tomorrow so that I can show it off to my mom all finished and pretty). I want to keep a little bit as a reminder of my first handspun but with the rest I think I will make a scarf. Not sure of the pattern I want - something simple. The colour has a bit of varigation in it but not much. Not enough for another "my so called scarf"...
I am knitting in Jaggerspun Zephyr Ebony (one of the recomended colours). I had no laceweight in the pile that is supposedly my stash (it is small, other knitters smile and nod when I tell them the size of my stash - they know it will grow). Most of the yarn in my stash has a project attached, including the other Zephyr I bought (Crimson I think).
I finished the Hanging Garden Stole but have not blocked it yet - the blocking wires are on order from the LYS (they have to order some in).
Here is a cute kitty picture to distract you from the fact that there is no lace picture here...
I am trudging away at the cabled cardigan - I have put the fronts on the back and am knitting the collar (shawl collar - holy cow it takes time and yarn!). I hope I like it when it is done - still not sure if I will.
I'm pretty worn out from work. That is the trouble with making your own hours and having a "get sh*t done" job. I have a list of things to do and they need to get done in the next month or two. The problem is I always had something to do every week since before Christmas - I think I took 3 or 4 days off at Christmas. Other than that it has been a lot of work work work. I have a lot done - in fact I have more than half of the major experiment in my thesis done. But I am tired. Soooooo 4 day weekend - tomorrow is my Friday. Well sort of, I'm going to work a bit on Thursday but from home, and seeing as I have two cats and a husband at home right now - I'm not sure how much will get done. I will have a window by where I work though - this is an improvement on my office and lab which are both in the basement of a building.
Too much talking and not enough cute kitty pictures, here is another distracter picture... Zoie, it took me 10 pictures to get a good picture of her (and the lighting is off a bit) because she likes to move, unlike Ellie who seems to be the type of cat that loves having her picture taken.
Zoie likes being brushed so much that today after brushing her I found a bald spot, well a less hairy spot. Oh dear!
I am doing the gym thing too. I gained a lot of weight over the winter somehow (possibly related to depression and anti-depressant drugs). I've been exercising for over a month now but see no results. sigh. well, I'll keep with it and hopefully I'll see something. I have to change my eating patterns too but that is very difficult for me. Any recommendations? Any idea about a yarn reward system? My problem is I like food and I like sweets. Oh, and I have little self control.
My mom and dad are coming Thursday night for a few days - gotta clean house and tidy. It is the tidy that gets us. With 900 square feet to clean it isn't bad - it is the clutter and seeming inability to put stuff away that gets us messy. Perhaps I'll send a Salvation Army donation bag home with my mom (I don't know where to drop it off here in Calgary).
And on a final note, it was our 1 year anniversary on the 8th - here we are, it is my intention that we should have a picture of us as a couple every year on our anniversary - we'll see how long it lasts. This is a self portrait because we forgot to have one taken when we were at the restaurant.
ETA: Oh yeah, and I took a spinning class on Saturday at Make 1 Yarn Studio. I ended up with two drop spindles and a pound of fiber (half of which is already spun!). I am addicted. The spinning wheels didn't agree with me (the whole drafting while you spin didn't work) but hopefully in a few years the drop spindle practice will make me much better with that part. At that point I know I'll fall down the rabbit hole (and hard, of course the wheel I liked best was also the most expensive - or the one that I would have liked had the spinning wheels agreed with me). I will post pictures of my handspun after I have set the twist (likely will do that tomorrow so that I can show it off to my mom all finished and pretty). I want to keep a little bit as a reminder of my first handspun but with the rest I think I will make a scarf. Not sure of the pattern I want - something simple. The colour has a bit of varigation in it but not much. Not enough for another "my so called scarf"...
Thursday, 21 June 2007
Greetings
I havent' posted lately because I've had no new knitterly things to say. My hanging garden stole is finished but not blocked (I've ordered some blocking wires because I think that I'm about to get obsessed with lace). I'm gearing up for Melanie's Mystery Stole #3 (MS3) - no yarn yet so no swatch. And I'm working on the cabled cardigan I mentioned before. I had to make a deal with myself - no new project until one more piece is complete (ex: a front). This is good because it has forced me to work on it and figure out the changes to be made. You see it is a good pattern but the yarn is smaller than called for. The yarn store said it would work but... well it is working, I'm just not sure I like the result. I next want to make either the Cardigan for Arwen or the Central Park Hoodie. I also have other projects lined up.
I'm on Ravelry - what a cool concept. My username is catiephillips. Not original but whatever.
I'm in the MS3 KAL. Never been in a KAL before but it ought to be fun. The group is huge (2000+ knitters) so there are tons of emails - several digests (25 posts per digest) per day. I've ordered my yarn - from Sarah's Yarns - JaggerSpun Zephyr in Ebony. There is the option of adding beads so I'm gonna look in the stash to see if I have the ones called for - 8/0s - in a good colour. My user name for the KAL is catie_phillips. I really love the concept of a mystery knit - we'll see how much I like it at the end though... I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up wiht the clues though. That just means that the mystery will be reduced if I look at what other people have produced.
Well I'm going to sign off now - this post has been brought to you via a paper towel in the lab - I was bored and didn't have a computer or an internet connection.
I'm on Ravelry - what a cool concept. My username is catiephillips. Not original but whatever.
I'm in the MS3 KAL. Never been in a KAL before but it ought to be fun. The group is huge (2000+ knitters) so there are tons of emails - several digests (25 posts per digest) per day. I've ordered my yarn - from Sarah's Yarns - JaggerSpun Zephyr in Ebony. There is the option of adding beads so I'm gonna look in the stash to see if I have the ones called for - 8/0s - in a good colour. My user name for the KAL is catie_phillips. I really love the concept of a mystery knit - we'll see how much I like it at the end though... I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up wiht the clues though. That just means that the mystery will be reduced if I look at what other people have produced.
Well I'm going to sign off now - this post has been brought to you via a paper towel in the lab - I was bored and didn't have a computer or an internet connection.
Monday, 14 May 2007
8 Random Things
Okay, so Amy (link over on the side: A Yarning to Write) tagged me with a meme. I've never been tagged before so this ought to be interesting. At first I thought it was 10 random things and was thinking hard about what I would write. I thought I would have to stretch my mind - I was wrong - I am totally wierd. So here is my list:
1. I married my first (and only) boyfriend - his name is Cory and he is a wonderful person. We will have our 1 year anniversary on July 8th, 2007.
2. I have a scar on my appendix without an external scar. I had a huge case of appendicitis when I was 13 and should have had it out. But I had mononucleosis so the doctors waited a little longer than they normally would have. The inflammation went down and I still have my appendix. But if I ever get appendicitis again, no matter how minor, the appendix must come out because it is weakened.
3. I have always had a cat - seriously I have gone less than 24 hours without one. For awhile my cats did not live with me - but this was because I was in university and the cats didn't move with me - they stayed with my parents. Those cats are still with my parents but now I have 2 with me. Penny and George (the cats with my parents) are my cats, technically, but live with my parents because they dislike change and have more freedom at my parents place.
4. My nieces and nephews and I are closer in age than my siblings and I (with few exceptions). My nearest niece (Lucy) is 8 years younger than me, my nearest sibling (Andrea) is 15 years older than me... The same happened with my mom and her aunt (7 years difference), the same thing has happened with my new niece (Emma) and her sister (Lucy).
5. In grade 8 (still elementary school where I was living) I spent 4-5 months living with my grandparents in Italy (Cernusco Lombardone - outside of Milan). My parents were with me, as was my cat (Penny). I refused to go without the cat and my parents caved. I'm very glad they did. While there I went to school, made friends, and learned the language.
6. My first major knitting project was a double wide garter stich blanket in an acrylic boucle yarn. I love it but I don't think I could do it again though. It took a long time but is done.
7. Listening to the clothes dryer helps me fall asleep. I guess I was always able to hear the dryer in my parents house growing up. Other sounds also relax me such as the sound of the shower going while I fall asleep. The vaccuum does not put me to sleep.
8. I recently stopped taking my antidepressants (under medical supervision) and am now on a bunch of vitamins and natural supplements. It is kind of working. I take 11 different types of pills - most of them twice a day. I'll take a picture of them one day - it is that funny.
Okay, so now I gotta sign off but I hope these were random/wierd enough for you.
1. I married my first (and only) boyfriend - his name is Cory and he is a wonderful person. We will have our 1 year anniversary on July 8th, 2007.
2. I have a scar on my appendix without an external scar. I had a huge case of appendicitis when I was 13 and should have had it out. But I had mononucleosis so the doctors waited a little longer than they normally would have. The inflammation went down and I still have my appendix. But if I ever get appendicitis again, no matter how minor, the appendix must come out because it is weakened.
3. I have always had a cat - seriously I have gone less than 24 hours without one. For awhile my cats did not live with me - but this was because I was in university and the cats didn't move with me - they stayed with my parents. Those cats are still with my parents but now I have 2 with me. Penny and George (the cats with my parents) are my cats, technically, but live with my parents because they dislike change and have more freedom at my parents place.
4. My nieces and nephews and I are closer in age than my siblings and I (with few exceptions). My nearest niece (Lucy) is 8 years younger than me, my nearest sibling (Andrea) is 15 years older than me... The same happened with my mom and her aunt (7 years difference), the same thing has happened with my new niece (Emma) and her sister (Lucy).
5. In grade 8 (still elementary school where I was living) I spent 4-5 months living with my grandparents in Italy (Cernusco Lombardone - outside of Milan). My parents were with me, as was my cat (Penny). I refused to go without the cat and my parents caved. I'm very glad they did. While there I went to school, made friends, and learned the language.
6. My first major knitting project was a double wide garter stich blanket in an acrylic boucle yarn. I love it but I don't think I could do it again though. It took a long time but is done.
7. Listening to the clothes dryer helps me fall asleep. I guess I was always able to hear the dryer in my parents house growing up. Other sounds also relax me such as the sound of the shower going while I fall asleep. The vaccuum does not put me to sleep.
8. I recently stopped taking my antidepressants (under medical supervision) and am now on a bunch of vitamins and natural supplements. It is kind of working. I take 11 different types of pills - most of them twice a day. I'll take a picture of them one day - it is that funny.
Okay, so now I gotta sign off but I hope these were random/wierd enough for you.
Saturday, 5 May 2007
hanging garden stole continues
Not much to say about knitting right now - the stole is almost at 5 repeats (10ish rows to go I think) of 12, looks a lot the same. Work is interfering with my progress I suppose. Next week my mom and dad come to visit which means I'll do less work at school so hopefully that will translate into more knitting time. I'm mainly posting because I don't want to go much more than a week at a time without posting. We'll see how long this lasts...
Sunday, 29 April 2007
Ah ha! Catie has returned to the land of the blogging (and the living). The paper that I did not enjoy writing was handed in on Thursday. The marking that I did enjoy but did not have time to enjoy properly was completed on the date due, Friday. And the past few days have seen me testing mice. But never fear, I will get a weekend - it will just come on Tuesday & Wednesday this week. But what have I been knitting you ask?
Majik (or magic or whatever...) bag - it is filled with beans and you are to microwave it and put it on your neck. I need a different type of bean cuz the kind I have now stinks when you microwave it. Thus it is just a pretty piece around the house and not in use at all. But I like it and it turned out the way I wanted, with the exception of the stink of course. I didn't follow a pattern but it is just a rectangle thing so I was okay. And it has my first 3 button holes ever, well actually more than my first three because I kept messing it up, but you get the idea
I like this second picture because it looks like a stuffed animal. The yarn is Cascade 220, the colour is 9434.
And coming up we have a sock in progress that has halted due to misbehaviour. It is knit in Samurai Yarns Techno Blah. I love the colour (pretty accurate in the picture) and the yarn. I also love the pattern, by Amy Swenson of IndiKnits, Universal Toe Up Sock Pattern on Knitty. It is just that I've done the heel 2 times and as you can tell from the picture, I've also ripped the heel out twice, the foot was too long both times. I'll get back to the socks soon. But I am currently obsessed with lace because of the following piece:
This is Hanging Garden Stole by Siva Harding. I took a lesson on this at the LYS to get me started. It has beads on the cast on and cast off edges and I love it. It is being knit in Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace in Turquoise. I love this yarn and this pattern. Right now I am about 3 rows away from completing my 4th repeat, there are 12 total.
and a detail shot, with my attempt to show the pattern
I can hardly wait for blocking to show the pattern.
And because I adore how some people put up pictures of their kitties and I am obsessed with mine, I present to you one (of two) cats that live in my house. This is Ellie and she is sleeping on a quilt I made a few years ago.
Majik (or magic or whatever...) bag - it is filled with beans and you are to microwave it and put it on your neck. I need a different type of bean cuz the kind I have now stinks when you microwave it. Thus it is just a pretty piece around the house and not in use at all. But I like it and it turned out the way I wanted, with the exception of the stink of course. I didn't follow a pattern but it is just a rectangle thing so I was okay. And it has my first 3 button holes ever, well actually more than my first three because I kept messing it up, but you get the idea
I like this second picture because it looks like a stuffed animal. The yarn is Cascade 220, the colour is 9434.
And coming up we have a sock in progress that has halted due to misbehaviour. It is knit in Samurai Yarns Techno Blah. I love the colour (pretty accurate in the picture) and the yarn. I also love the pattern, by Amy Swenson of IndiKnits, Universal Toe Up Sock Pattern on Knitty. It is just that I've done the heel 2 times and as you can tell from the picture, I've also ripped the heel out twice, the foot was too long both times. I'll get back to the socks soon. But I am currently obsessed with lace because of the following piece:
This is Hanging Garden Stole by Siva Harding. I took a lesson on this at the LYS to get me started. It has beads on the cast on and cast off edges and I love it. It is being knit in Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace in Turquoise. I love this yarn and this pattern. Right now I am about 3 rows away from completing my 4th repeat, there are 12 total.
and a detail shot, with my attempt to show the pattern
I can hardly wait for blocking to show the pattern.
And because I adore how some people put up pictures of their kitties and I am obsessed with mine, I present to you one (of two) cats that live in my house. This is Ellie and she is sleeping on a quilt I made a few years ago.
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Scared
I am shocked and scared by yesterday's shooting at Viginia Tech campus. My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by yesterday's events. For those of you who may not have heard, 33 individuals were shot and killed with many more injured, yesterday, including the shooter.
When shootings like this occur on a university or college campus it makes me question my safety at work and school. The universities try to do all they can to give us security but still things like this happen.
When shootings like this occur on a university or college campus it makes me question my safety at work and school. The universities try to do all they can to give us security but still things like this happen.
Saturday, 14 April 2007
Only 60% wierd?
| You Are 60% Weird |
 You're so weird, you think you're *totally* normal. Right? But you wig out even the biggest of circus freaks! |
Sunday, 8 April 2007
Booger-snot
Try saying that out loud - seriously it is kinda fun. But honestly, I think my amusement with the phrase may stem from the fact that my brain is pretty fried right now. My Easter weekend has been pretty crappy - Friday and Saturday I worked long hours on an essay, and I worked on said essay today too. But because I was stressing myself out I decided to stop working 'early' and just try to relax. I'm at 11 pages (11 good pages, I like what I have), the essay is on Down's syndrome, and I think the essay has to be 20 pages, or 30 - I'm not sure and will find that out tomorrow. I am hoping for 20... End of semester is always stressful for me. I didn't expect it to be this time around because I only have 2 classes but they are doozies. And one class I don't like so that makes it super difficult. What I really didn't count on was the massive amount of marking that occurs at the end of a class (didn't happen last semester because I TA a year long course) or the ability for all sorts of research to build up unexpectidly. What I want right now is a vacation and our honeymoon. Yes, Cory and I got married last summer and have not had a chance to go on a vacation together. Hopefully that will happen this summer. Actually, I could go for a weekend without work too but that won't be happening until April 27th... So what does that give me - 19 more days, 2.5 weeks... I'm gonna count the days, perhaps that will make it better/easier. In the mean time, I don't know when I'll next be able to post.
In knitting news, I have no pictures but will describe what I am doing.
1) TechnoBlah socks - samurai knitter yarn - very nice, haven't touched them in 2 weeks because of another project and the fact that the darn heels pissed me off. It is on the coffee table looking very colourful
2) silly cardigan - will work on it when I finish the other projects, or perhaps when I finish the first sock
3) Hanging garden stole, by Sivia Harding Knit Design (www.siviaharding.com - Vancouver based designer) in Lorna's lace, Helen's lace - Turquoise. This is my first big lace project and I'm really enjoying it. I may be addicted. Go look at the pattern, it isn't a hard one (pattern only on alternate rows) but it is enough to keep me interested. I am compulsively counting between stich markers to ensure that I don't forget yarn overs - which I do but I took a class on the stole so I got taught a neat cheat that can be done every now and then that isn't noticeable - or so they tell me.
Calgary weather is nuts again - the snow is almost gone (again). It was nice and sunny the week before last, then last weekend it snowed (and stayed for the week) and now it is finally above zero again (12 degrees celcius). It is supposed to stay on the plus side for the rest of the week but with Calgary you never know. I suppose I have to get used to this fluctuation because I'm here for another 4-5 years.
okay so that is all, I don't know when I'll next post but Happy Easter to y'all and I'll be in the comments for sure.
In knitting news, I have no pictures but will describe what I am doing.
1) TechnoBlah socks - samurai knitter yarn - very nice, haven't touched them in 2 weeks because of another project and the fact that the darn heels pissed me off. It is on the coffee table looking very colourful
2) silly cardigan - will work on it when I finish the other projects, or perhaps when I finish the first sock
3) Hanging garden stole, by Sivia Harding Knit Design (www.siviaharding.com - Vancouver based designer) in Lorna's lace, Helen's lace - Turquoise. This is my first big lace project and I'm really enjoying it. I may be addicted. Go look at the pattern, it isn't a hard one (pattern only on alternate rows) but it is enough to keep me interested. I am compulsively counting between stich markers to ensure that I don't forget yarn overs - which I do but I took a class on the stole so I got taught a neat cheat that can be done every now and then that isn't noticeable - or so they tell me.
Calgary weather is nuts again - the snow is almost gone (again). It was nice and sunny the week before last, then last weekend it snowed (and stayed for the week) and now it is finally above zero again (12 degrees celcius). It is supposed to stay on the plus side for the rest of the week but with Calgary you never know. I suppose I have to get used to this fluctuation because I'm here for another 4-5 years.
okay so that is all, I don't know when I'll next post but Happy Easter to y'all and I'll be in the comments for sure.
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
something difficult to knit
The husband wants to know what is hard to knit if what I am doing is not hard... (I am working on a lace piece - first ever, and loving it). Any ideas of pages to show him?
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Where did the month go
Okay, so I realized by reading Coach's post that people actually read this thing. Not the people that I originally created it for to keep in touch with but people I like from the internet void. Strange really. So I've been knitting, and ripping because the heel on a sock is always too far out, and then I correct and re knit and then find that nope, I'm still f*(ked. But yeah. So I was not posting in part because I had nothing to show and in part because life has suddenly gotten very crazy. It is end of semester and everything is hitting the fan, including shit. I have a lot due, not a lot of time to do it. I'm having issues managing the stress and stuff and actually forgot, plain out forgot, to go to a class yesterday. Not good, not good. Especially seeing as there are only 4 of us in the class total. I really dislike that class though, but it is almost over. I am counting the days/weeks.
"I don't need sex, grad school fucks me every day..." Really enjoying that quote right now.
I've been going to a naturopath to try managing my depression that way, and it seems to be working. So long as I'm not doing school stuff (major stressor) I can function really well. I'm taking a crap load of vitamins though - I'll take a picture of them the next time I want to procrastinate... I just am having issues likeing what I'm doing right now. And seeing as I pay them to have me do most of it, and they pay me really well to do some of it (TA position) ... well I'm supposed to be liking this time in my life. I had a re-evaluation of what I want to do as a job after school (in like 4.5 years, ugh) and I think I want to stop most of the research part and concentrate on teaching at a small university. As it is, in 1.5 years I will be overeducated for teaching highschool - they won't hire me with a master's degree because they will need to pay me too much. Besides, teenagers are pricks and I couldn't deal with them like Amy Lane does. So small university or college, teaching biology/neuroscience/psychology. But it still means 4.5 years more of school.
I had some really good news the other day - I got a national scholarship - NSERC PGS-M - which means I won't be TAing next year (good because it will free up more time to get my degree completed, bad because I like teaching, good because it will be one less thing to juggle). It is a pretty prestigious award and I am proud of myself when I have time to think about it. Doesn't happen often right now.
I am alive and functioning right now - don't worry about me, perhaps send some good thoughts. I will be back with you within 2-3 weeks, if I'm not well - post on this entry to tell me to post. The comments are automatically forwarded to my inbox.
"I don't need sex, grad school fucks me every day..." Really enjoying that quote right now.
I've been going to a naturopath to try managing my depression that way, and it seems to be working. So long as I'm not doing school stuff (major stressor) I can function really well. I'm taking a crap load of vitamins though - I'll take a picture of them the next time I want to procrastinate... I just am having issues likeing what I'm doing right now. And seeing as I pay them to have me do most of it, and they pay me really well to do some of it (TA position) ... well I'm supposed to be liking this time in my life. I had a re-evaluation of what I want to do as a job after school (in like 4.5 years, ugh) and I think I want to stop most of the research part and concentrate on teaching at a small university. As it is, in 1.5 years I will be overeducated for teaching highschool - they won't hire me with a master's degree because they will need to pay me too much. Besides, teenagers are pricks and I couldn't deal with them like Amy Lane does. So small university or college, teaching biology/neuroscience/psychology. But it still means 4.5 years more of school.
I had some really good news the other day - I got a national scholarship - NSERC PGS-M - which means I won't be TAing next year (good because it will free up more time to get my degree completed, bad because I like teaching, good because it will be one less thing to juggle). It is a pretty prestigious award and I am proud of myself when I have time to think about it. Doesn't happen often right now.
I am alive and functioning right now - don't worry about me, perhaps send some good thoughts. I will be back with you within 2-3 weeks, if I'm not well - post on this entry to tell me to post. The comments are automatically forwarded to my inbox.
Saturday, 3 March 2007
on why i haven't written much
two main reasons
1) graduate school and a conference last weekend
2) off of my antidepressant meds for the first time in 8 years - thus depressed - thus not getting a heck of a lot done
but I have a half done WIP (no pictures) - it is gonna be a cover for a home made majik bag - you know those bags of beans that go in the microwave, I decided I could make one for the same price as buying one (or less) and have the knitting time in it (which means less money because I would be knitting something anyways...)
I gotta stop procrastinating so I leave you with yet another enlightened resolution...
1) graduate school and a conference last weekend
2) off of my antidepressant meds for the first time in 8 years - thus depressed - thus not getting a heck of a lot done
but I have a half done WIP (no pictures) - it is gonna be a cover for a home made majik bag - you know those bags of beans that go in the microwave, I decided I could make one for the same price as buying one (or less) and have the knitting time in it (which means less money because I would be knitting something anyways...)
I gotta stop procrastinating so I leave you with yet another enlightened resolution...
|
Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Knitting Content
So I finally got around to taking photos of the finished gloves. Here they are:
They are from a pattern by Indiknits knit in brown sheep worsted, dynamite blue.
Cory likes them a lot and his brother has requested a pair. It is a fairly quick knit and I am no longer intimidated by all of the fingers. Though if you ever do the pattern and get tired of doing the fingers my parents have the following advice: "just cut off the recipient's fingers"...
And of course I've been knitting for Emma.
It is a hat that was loosely based on this pattern: Rolled Brim Baby Hat with a Topknot . My yarn didn't roll so I did a 2x2 rib at the bottom and pinned it up in two places. The mittens were made following this pattern: Wittle Itty Bitty Baby Mitties . I have no idea if they will fit as I haven't been around many babies lately. In terms of sizing the hat, because I had a different gauge I had to change the number of cast on stiches. To figure out the size that the hat needed to be I went to this website, which has a ton of sizes for babies up to birth BabyLinq.com . I looked up the weight of Emma (6 lbs 4 oz) to figure out what week they considered that, went up one week (not sure when she will get this, better safe and big than out of luck and small - we are in Canada, it is cold, there will be use for this set for months if it fits).
I'm not convinced about my yarn choice in terms of warmth. It is really nice and smooth though so I hope Emma will use them. The yarn is Misti Cotton by Misti Alpaca in Orchid (0387). It is 83% Peruvian Pima Cotton, 17% Silk. I would knit with this yarn again for sure. I'm not so sure about its choice for baby things as it is hand wash only but I don't think that hats and mits will get as dirty as a sweater, therefore shouldn't need to be washed as often. Plus, there is a big sister who loves her little sister and who knows how to do laundry... Both are in my favor.
Now I will make a baby genius burp cloth a la Mason Dixon , perhaps a matching bib, but I don't think babies use bibs at this age.
They are from a pattern by Indiknits knit in brown sheep worsted, dynamite blue.
Cory likes them a lot and his brother has requested a pair. It is a fairly quick knit and I am no longer intimidated by all of the fingers. Though if you ever do the pattern and get tired of doing the fingers my parents have the following advice: "just cut off the recipient's fingers"...
And of course I've been knitting for Emma.
It is a hat that was loosely based on this pattern: Rolled Brim Baby Hat with a Topknot . My yarn didn't roll so I did a 2x2 rib at the bottom and pinned it up in two places. The mittens were made following this pattern: Wittle Itty Bitty Baby Mitties . I have no idea if they will fit as I haven't been around many babies lately. In terms of sizing the hat, because I had a different gauge I had to change the number of cast on stiches. To figure out the size that the hat needed to be I went to this website, which has a ton of sizes for babies up to birth BabyLinq.com . I looked up the weight of Emma (6 lbs 4 oz) to figure out what week they considered that, went up one week (not sure when she will get this, better safe and big than out of luck and small - we are in Canada, it is cold, there will be use for this set for months if it fits).
I'm not convinced about my yarn choice in terms of warmth. It is really nice and smooth though so I hope Emma will use them. The yarn is Misti Cotton by Misti Alpaca in Orchid (0387). It is 83% Peruvian Pima Cotton, 17% Silk. I would knit with this yarn again for sure. I'm not so sure about its choice for baby things as it is hand wash only but I don't think that hats and mits will get as dirty as a sweater, therefore shouldn't need to be washed as often. Plus, there is a big sister who loves her little sister and who knows how to do laundry... Both are in my favor.
Now I will make a baby genius burp cloth a la Mason Dixon , perhaps a matching bib, but I don't think babies use bibs at this age.
Sunday, 18 February 2007
Introducing Emma
Hi Y'all. I'll post pictures when I get home, I've finished Cory's gloves. They turned out awesome.
But my big news is that my niece was born 2 days ago. She is #6 and the pictures show her to be a beautiful baby. Her big sister (16 yrs old and the oldest niece of the bunch) is so proud and has sent me pictures but I have the distinct feeling that my brother and sister in law (Andrea and Jennifer) would not appreciate me posting pictures, even to the nice people here.
Emma joined us at 11:38am on Friday Feb 16, 2007. She is 6lbs 4 oz, about 49 cm long and has a mop of hair.
Welcome little girl!
But my big news is that my niece was born 2 days ago. She is #6 and the pictures show her to be a beautiful baby. Her big sister (16 yrs old and the oldest niece of the bunch) is so proud and has sent me pictures but I have the distinct feeling that my brother and sister in law (Andrea and Jennifer) would not appreciate me posting pictures, even to the nice people here.
Emma joined us at 11:38am on Friday Feb 16, 2007. She is 6lbs 4 oz, about 49 cm long and has a mop of hair.
Welcome little girl!
Monday, 12 February 2007
Knitting History
I saw this post over at Amy Lane's site (yarning to write, see sidebar). One thing, Amy haven't ordered from Amazon yet so haven't read your book yet. It sounds different than most of what I've read (not the romance part, more the vampire part) so I'm pretty sure I'll like it. I'll let you know when I do read it k?
I learned to knit from my mom. My mom is an awesome knitter and for as long as I can remember I've had hand made stuff. Grade 1 we were studying dinosaurs and she whipped me up a blue sweater with an orange stegosaurus on it. I don't remember much from early childhood but amazingly enough I remember clothing. That may be pictures helping but whatever. So my mom - she's always had needles and yarn going. Still does. And I learned from her. Consequently I knit different than most other people I know. I knit with one of the needles under my arm. It is way more stable that way and I knit faster. My mom is a fast knitter, people say that I knit fast but that is just because they don't know who I learned from. Mom is fast. Mom says she isn't fast because she learned from her Aunt Lisa who is even faster. To me it is just that mom is Mach 1 and Lisa is about a Mach 3. Both are fast, just in different degrees. Hey, can anyone tell that I love my mom and love to talk about her. Here I am blathering on about her. My mom is awesome. In terms of things I'd change - I wish that I'd stuck with knitting earlier. I must have tried to learn 5+ times but only recently did it stick (about two years ago max). Motivation, well I don't know what it was. It looked like fun? Now I love it and knit for relaxation and process and product. I like it because I feel connected to my mom. Maybe one day I'll scan a bunch of pictures of her knitting just to show off and have a record of it.
No pictures today, am at school and should be marking (sounds like something from Amy's blog eh everyone? laugh). So perhaps that is what I'll do now.
CP
ETA: OK, didn't do that marking stuff, will now, honest. But I have a second resolution for this year:
I learned to knit from my mom. My mom is an awesome knitter and for as long as I can remember I've had hand made stuff. Grade 1 we were studying dinosaurs and she whipped me up a blue sweater with an orange stegosaurus on it. I don't remember much from early childhood but amazingly enough I remember clothing. That may be pictures helping but whatever. So my mom - she's always had needles and yarn going. Still does. And I learned from her. Consequently I knit different than most other people I know. I knit with one of the needles under my arm. It is way more stable that way and I knit faster. My mom is a fast knitter, people say that I knit fast but that is just because they don't know who I learned from. Mom is fast. Mom says she isn't fast because she learned from her Aunt Lisa who is even faster. To me it is just that mom is Mach 1 and Lisa is about a Mach 3. Both are fast, just in different degrees. Hey, can anyone tell that I love my mom and love to talk about her. Here I am blathering on about her. My mom is awesome. In terms of things I'd change - I wish that I'd stuck with knitting earlier. I must have tried to learn 5+ times but only recently did it stick (about two years ago max). Motivation, well I don't know what it was. It looked like fun? Now I love it and knit for relaxation and process and product. I like it because I feel connected to my mom. Maybe one day I'll scan a bunch of pictures of her knitting just to show off and have a record of it.
No pictures today, am at school and should be marking (sounds like something from Amy's blog eh everyone? laugh). So perhaps that is what I'll do now.
CP
ETA: OK, didn't do that marking stuff, will now, honest. But I have a second resolution for this year:
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Saturday, 10 February 2007
WIPs and FOs
So this is what I've been doing
Miss Priss Ribbed Socks
Yarn: Artyarns Supermerino colour sm138 (dark purple/black)
Pattern: Miss Priss Ribbed Socks by Schaefer Yarn Co.
Pattern thoughts: nice, and easy
Sock Thoughts: not so sure about the heel flap type. will learn toe up socks next hopefully.
Mother-in-law scarf
Yarn: some Lionbrand stuff, not sure I'll use it again - becoming yarn snobbish
pattern: unknown - lent the pattern book out to Laura.
Step-Mother-in-law scarf
Yarn: Manos de Uruguay Jungle - loved the yarn
Pattern: My so called scarf
Pattern thoughts: I love how this one turned out. It was easy because of a MasonDixon Tutorial . I want to make myself one now. I think that it would look better in a more varigated yarn, this colour wasn't very variable.
Sarah Scarf
No pictures here but it is a striped fun fur scarf for a 6 year old. I held the fun fur with an acrylic yarn to make it thicker. They live in a climate where wool would be overkill but this should be functional. I also made two mini scarves for her two favorite dolls. It will be a hit, I'm sure.
In progress:
Glove Love
This is the one that I mentioned I was taking a class for yesterday. The yarn is Lamb's Pride Worsted in Dynamite Blue. The gloves are for Cory. Then I will make my own. The pattern is by IndiKnits.
Cabled Cardigan
I have the back, one sleeve and most of one front done. This sweater keeps getting put down for other projects because it takes a bit to pick up again if I've taken a break for a few days (which I do on a regular basis). I changed the yarn for it and so I'm knitting one of the larger sizes. The pattern is from VOGUEknitting Fall 2006 - pattern #19. I think the sleeve is too long so it is still with live stiches and I may rip it out a bit.
That is my knitting recently.
Miss Priss Ribbed Socks
Yarn: Artyarns Supermerino colour sm138 (dark purple/black)
Pattern: Miss Priss Ribbed Socks by Schaefer Yarn Co.
Pattern thoughts: nice, and easy
Sock Thoughts: not so sure about the heel flap type. will learn toe up socks next hopefully.
Mother-in-law scarf
Yarn: some Lionbrand stuff, not sure I'll use it again - becoming yarn snobbish
pattern: unknown - lent the pattern book out to Laura.
Step-Mother-in-law scarf
Yarn: Manos de Uruguay Jungle - loved the yarn
Pattern: My so called scarf
Pattern thoughts: I love how this one turned out. It was easy because of a MasonDixon Tutorial . I want to make myself one now. I think that it would look better in a more varigated yarn, this colour wasn't very variable.
Sarah Scarf
No pictures here but it is a striped fun fur scarf for a 6 year old. I held the fun fur with an acrylic yarn to make it thicker. They live in a climate where wool would be overkill but this should be functional. I also made two mini scarves for her two favorite dolls. It will be a hit, I'm sure.
In progress:
Glove Love
This is the one that I mentioned I was taking a class for yesterday. The yarn is Lamb's Pride Worsted in Dynamite Blue. The gloves are for Cory. Then I will make my own. The pattern is by IndiKnits.
Cabled Cardigan
I have the back, one sleeve and most of one front done. This sweater keeps getting put down for other projects because it takes a bit to pick up again if I've taken a break for a few days (which I do on a regular basis). I changed the yarn for it and so I'm knitting one of the larger sizes. The pattern is from VOGUEknitting Fall 2006 - pattern #19. I think the sleeve is too long so it is still with live stiches and I may rip it out a bit.
That is my knitting recently.
Friday, 9 February 2007
Pictures tomorrow
My first ever pair of socks = done! one is drying and it is night time so I will photograph and post tomorrow. I am taking a class at a wonderful LYS - Make 1 Yarn Studio - the class is called Glove Love and I'm loving it. The teacher is hilarious, Amy. I will post a picture of the WIP. In addition I will also post pictures of the cardigan in progress so perhaps I will be more motivated.
I should likely post pictures of the three scarves I made for Christmas gifts - the scarves are still at my house, I am thinking of sending them soon... I keep forgetting.
I should likely post pictures of the three scarves I made for Christmas gifts - the scarves are still at my house, I am thinking of sending them soon... I keep forgetting.
Saturday, 3 February 2007
Sunday, 28 January 2007
Look What I've Got!
Ok, well you can't see the finished sock - it is drying. But here is all that remains of the hank of yarn.
Sure makes me nervous. What you see is some of the yarn split, and 109cm (43") from the cast off edge. I can see the beauty in doing toe up socks. I was antsy to block so I haven't weaved in the other end, but it isn't long either. I'm off to start the second sock.
CP
Sure makes me nervous. What you see is some of the yarn split, and 109cm (43") from the cast off edge. I can see the beauty in doing toe up socks. I was antsy to block so I haven't weaved in the other end, but it isn't long either. I'm off to start the second sock.
CP
Wednesday, 24 January 2007
Actual Knitting Content
To prove that I do, in fact, knit here is a picture of one of my current works in progress. This is the first sock I've ever made and I am likeing it so much. I was worried until I tried it on that it was a wacked out shape but it fits so I'm happy.
The colour is off but this is the photo from the website Art Yarns
The yarn is Artyarns Supermerino that I bought at a LYS on boxing day here in Calgary. The colour is sm138 (dark purple/black).
The pattern is from Schafer Yarn: Miss Priss Ribbed Socks
In the interest of preserving my knitting and showing what I can do I will post previous FO soon. I am just excited about the socks and wanted to share.
The colour is off but this is the photo from the website Art Yarns
The yarn is Artyarns Supermerino that I bought at a LYS on boxing day here in Calgary. The colour is sm138 (dark purple/black).
The pattern is from Schafer Yarn: Miss Priss Ribbed Socks
In the interest of preserving my knitting and showing what I can do I will post previous FO soon. I am just excited about the socks and wanted to share.
How I Spend my Days
So I write a lot of stuff but what do I spend my days doing? The side bar says that I'm a graduate student and it may say in what, I just changed it and can't remember. So what do I do? Well I'm a graduate student at the University of Calgary (Alberta Canada) in the behavioural psychology graduate program. My supervisor is Dr. Richard Dyck and my lab mates are many (not tons but more than some other labs). My lab has no windows as it is in a basement so there are days where I come when it is dark and leave when it is dark and never see the sun. Those are few - usually I have something to do elsewhere and manage to see some sun. But still, the majority of my day is spent without natural light. The funniest is when it is sunny out when I come and sunny when I leave but sometime in between it snowed 2 cm. At this point I go "Dude, when did it snow?" but yeah. The weather can change and I never know it unless it leaves a calling card behind.
My research involves the behavioural and functional recovery from lesions to the medial prefrontal cortex in mice. The clincher is that some of the lesions are related to stroke. On most days I like what I do but when I get bit, well those days I'm not so happy and have been known to call the mouse a little f@#$er after it has bitten me. I also regulairly get urinated and deficated on but I wash well. What keeps me going is that I feel that my research is going to be useful in the battle against strokes. I am developing a tool that will help others study stroke topics and they can help fix people. Some days it is hard because I've been working without a break but that is a price I am willing to pay. Today (Wednesday) is my weekend. I worked all last week and over the weekend. Friday through Monday I was up at 5 and at work by 6:15 (that is early - no one else was in my lab or other labs until about 8:30) and then Tuesday I taught at 8 so I was up at 6. I could sleep later but I take the bus and that doubles or triples my commute time (I am an overachiver - I set my own hours). Another thing that I really enjoy is being around people who are genuinely interested in my research (and I in theirs). I am surrounded by smart people. I enjoy teaching my stats lab but I know I could not handle teaching highschool (Amy Lane you are awesome for being able to do that). A fault that I have, a personal problem that I know I should change but it isn't at all on my list of things to change, is that stupid people bug me. I'm not talking about the mentally disabled, or the uneducated. There are people who are just stupid - it is a way of thinking that just drives me insane when I have to deal with them. However, stupid people on TV are sometimes okay. I can't stand The Trailer Park Boys, felt dumber after Dazed and Confused, but adore My Name Is Earl.
My research involves the behavioural and functional recovery from lesions to the medial prefrontal cortex in mice. The clincher is that some of the lesions are related to stroke. On most days I like what I do but when I get bit, well those days I'm not so happy and have been known to call the mouse a little f@#$er after it has bitten me. I also regulairly get urinated and deficated on but I wash well. What keeps me going is that I feel that my research is going to be useful in the battle against strokes. I am developing a tool that will help others study stroke topics and they can help fix people. Some days it is hard because I've been working without a break but that is a price I am willing to pay. Today (Wednesday) is my weekend. I worked all last week and over the weekend. Friday through Monday I was up at 5 and at work by 6:15 (that is early - no one else was in my lab or other labs until about 8:30) and then Tuesday I taught at 8 so I was up at 6. I could sleep later but I take the bus and that doubles or triples my commute time (I am an overachiver - I set my own hours). Another thing that I really enjoy is being around people who are genuinely interested in my research (and I in theirs). I am surrounded by smart people. I enjoy teaching my stats lab but I know I could not handle teaching highschool (Amy Lane you are awesome for being able to do that). A fault that I have, a personal problem that I know I should change but it isn't at all on my list of things to change, is that stupid people bug me. I'm not talking about the mentally disabled, or the uneducated. There are people who are just stupid - it is a way of thinking that just drives me insane when I have to deal with them. However, stupid people on TV are sometimes okay. I can't stand The Trailer Park Boys, felt dumber after Dazed and Confused, but adore My Name Is Earl.
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