[Some] Things About Me

There will eventually be 100 things about me, but let's not do too much too soon, eh? I'll be adding these a little at a time. Hopefully it will help my SP get to know me a little better.

1. I'm 26 - an age that makes me feel both very old and very young, often at the same time.
2. I've lived in 23 different houses.
3. I have two brothers.
4. They're both younger, and both about a foot taller than me.
5. I have a cat, but I share her with my family and she lives with them.
6. I used to have fish, but couldn't handle scooping them out of the rocks when they died.
7. Since I was twelve, I've wanted a pet de-scented skunk.
8. Her name will be Beverly.
9. I don't think my friend Beverly will be amused.
10. I also want a cat names Shakespeare.
11. I don't think dear departed William will care.
12. When I was four, I learned to read, blow bubbles, ride a bicycle, tie my shoes and knit.
13. I haven't had such a productive year since.
14. I promptly forgot how to knit for twenty years.
15. We didn't have a TV until I was 7 1/2.
16. I entertained myself by listening to records while spinning around in circles.
17. I also made my friends play games like Let's Pretend We're Hobbits.
18. They had no idea what I was talking about, but for some reason they played along.
19. I'm a closet writer.
20. I don't eat air-breathing animals...
21. but I love fish - especially sushi.
22. I own every Tori Amos album - and several singles.
23. I'm completely addicted to coffee.
24. I believe in the 5-Second Rule...
25. unless the food that was dropped is sticky.
26. I'm easily distracted and can take weeks to finish lists like this.
27. I have a strange obession with pirates.
28. It started long before Johnny Depp played one...
29. athough that didn't hurt.
30. I'm worried that this isn't quite healty.
31. I should really be doing dishes right now.
32. But I'm having way too much fun on this site.
33. I'm addicted to shows like CSI and Crossing Jordan, as well as American Justice, City Confidential, Cold Case Files...
34. If I could only have one TV channel, it would be A&E.
35. If I could have four more, they would be Discovery, Space, Newsworld, and Fox (because sometime you just need Friends and Simpsons re-runs).
36. If I went to Hogwarts, I'd be a Hufflepuff.
37. I play piano reasonably well, and guitar reasonably poorly.
38. I'm also not bad on a pennywhistle - as long as it's a slow song.
39. I've never learned to drive a car.
40. I've promised my boyfriend that I'll lean by the end of next year.
41. I also have that long to learn at least conversational Mandarin.
42. I believe in the deep significance of the number 42.
43. I'm excited because the 1st season of the new Battlestar Galactica came out on DVD yesterday.
44. I bought it as soon as I finished work that afternoon.
45. But I can't watch it until The Boy and I have time to sit and watch together. (Which is okay since we've seen them all already.)
46. I'm dying to get out of the city for a week, or even a weekend.
47. I frequently talk to myself.
48. And I answer back...
49. often with some sort of weird accent.
50. I sing to myself too, but don't think that necessarily means I'm crazy.
51. Although I do accept the fact that I'm crazy.
52. I love cheese.
53. I'll sometimes sit down and eat half a block of mozzarella.
54. And yes, I know that's gross.
55. Autumn is my favourite season.
56. I somehow feel most connected to the Earth when I'm watching the leaves turn.
57. I love photography.
58. One day (when I'm rich) I'll have my own darkroom and will process all my own photos - black and white, of course.
59. Shakespeare and Beverly won't be allowed in.
60. When I was a kid, I loved peanut butter but hated it in chocolate bars.
61. Now, I love chocolate bars with peanut butter, but really don't like peanut butter on its own.
62. I almost always have at least three WIPs.
63. And also at least two BIP's (books in progress).
64. I am now the proud owner of a pirate wench costume. (Pictures to be posted when I get my film developed.)
65. My pirate wench name is The Inexperienced Mistress of The Fishing Port.
66. I share a birthday with The Amazing Mumford.
67. And now I'm craving an apple-and-peanut-butter sandwich.
68. Last year, I resolved not to spend my Fall knitting Christmas presents.
69. At last count, I have nine to do.
70. And I keep thinking of more.
71. I refuse to consider these broken sentences "cheating" since they're the only way I'm ever going to get to 100.
72. I really thought I was more interesting than this.
73. My favourite authors include: J.R.R. Tolkien, Neal Stephenson, Guy Gavriel Kay, Terry Pratchett, Stephen King, Isaac Asimov, Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling... are you seeing a theme yet?
74. My favourite movied include: The Princess Bride, Schindler's List, The Matrix, The Fifth Element, The Shining, American History X, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Last Unicorn, Plan 9 from Outer Space, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Romeo and Juliet (1968), Battlefield Earth - just kidding...
75. My favourite TV shows include: The West Wing, Battlestar Galactica (new series, although the old one is pretty good for its time), CSI (Las Vegas)/Crossing Jordan/Law & Order, Red Dwarf, American Justice/City Confidential/Cold Case Files, Star Trek (TOS, TNG and some of DS9 - the rest is C.R.A.P.), The Daily Show, My So-Called Life, Queer as Folk, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Holmes on Homes...
76. I can't stand: Andromeda, Malcolm in the Middle, Star Trek: Voyager, Everybody Loves Raymond, Buffy (but loved the movie!), Tru Calling... there are more, but I'm blocking them.
77. My favourite Mystery Science Theatre episode is Pod People. ("Sack of monkeys in my pocket/my sister's ready to go..." "Trumpy, you can do stupid things!" Good times.)
78. I've never seen The Godfather.
79. I own War and Peace, and intend to read it before I die.
80. My favourite smells are fresh-baked bread, fresh-cut grass, rain on hot pavement, and gasoline.


I think that's a good place to stop for now. I'll come back to this later.

Pop Hates The Beatles

Disclaimer: I love The Beatles. So does my dad. But my mom used to sing the first verse of this song all the time when I was a kid, and for some reason it got stuck in my head this morning. It's sung to Pop Goes the Weasel.

My daughter needs a new phonograph.
She wore out all the needles.
Besides, I broke the old one in half.
I hate the Beatles.

She says they have a Liverpool beat.
She says they used to play there.
Four nice kids from offa the street.
Why didn't they stay there?

What is all the screaming about?
Fainting and swooning.
Sounds to me like their guitars
Could use a little tuning.

The boys are from the British Empire.
The British think they're keen.
If that is what the British desire,
God Save The Queen.

No daughter of mine can push me around.
In my home I'm the master.
But when the British come into town,
Gad, what a disaster.

Little girls in sneakers and jeans.
Destroyed the territory.
'Twas like some of the gorier scenes
From West Side Story.

Of course my daughter had to go there.
The tickets are cheap, she hollers.
I was able to pick up a pair
For forty-seven dollars.

When the Beatles come on the stage,
They scream and shriek and cheer them.
Now I know why they're such a rage,
It's impossible to hear them.

Ringo is the one with the drum,
The others all play with him.
It shows you what a boy can become
Without a sense of rhythm.

There's Beatle books and T-shirts and rings,
And one thing and another.
To buy my daughter all of these things,
I had to sell her brother.

Back in 1776
We fought the British then, folks.
Parents of America,
It's time to do it again, folks.

When they come back, here's how we'll begin,
We'll throw 'em in Boston harbor.
But please, before we toss 'em all in,
Let's take 'em to a barber.

Knitty SP5

Somewhere out there is a person who, in a few short days, will be given my name, address, and permission to spoil me rotten for a few months. Or at least, send me fun little prezzies. (Somewhere out there is a person who I get to spoil for a few months as well, but I can't say much about that. That would be telling.) In the interest of information overload, I've decided to include a second set of questions for my SP to read if they feel so inclined.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

I'm not a snob exactly, but I do prefer to knit with natural fibres. For every three projects I do with wool or cotton, I do one with acrylic. It all depends on how it will be used. I'll splurge on wool for socks, because acrylic feels gross, but I'll use acrylic for baby/child items - put a baby next to cashmere and they will spit up all over it. Most of the large-scale projects I do are either with cheap wool (i.e. Patons' Classic Wool), acrylic (or at least 75% acrylic), or yarn recovered from thrift-store sweaters.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I enjoy spinning, but I'm not exactly good at it yet. All I can produce so far is slubby single-ply. When I get a bit better, I might actually start calling myself a spinner.

I haven't tried crochet yet. This is mainly because I don't much care for most of the crochet projects out there. I'm hoping the new Debbie Stoller book will change my mind.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

Cat and dog hair, and smoke, but as long and I know about it, I can wash whatever might be 'contaminated' and be fine. I also may-or-may-not have a dairy sensitivity/intolerance, which means no milk chocolate until I know for certain. Dark chocolate is fine as long as it doesn't have milk or milk protein in it. (Not that that's a hint or anything.)

4. How long have you been knitting?

About a year and a half, but I knit all the time, so have logged a ton of hours.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Only with Knit Picks - and I don't know how to link to that without emailing it.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

For baths - lavender. For anything else - fruity, chocolate, and coffee. I don't like vanilla.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Hmm, I had a box of Nerds and a dozen sour gummies yesterday for 'coffee'. I think that's a yes.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

Right now it's all about knitting. I dabble in some other things, but that's the one that's stuck around.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I listen to just about everything. I grew up in small-town western Canada, so I've had my fill of country. I'm not really into hip-hop, although every once in a while someone surprises me. And if I never hear another Britney Spears song again it'll be too soon. But anything else goes - Classical, Celtic Rock, Jazz, Punk, Top-40, 80's... if it's good, I'll probably enjoy it. And I love discovering new artists.

And yes, I am MP3 compatible.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?

Favourite colour is orange. I like my colours bright (red, purple, green) or neutral (grey, brown, black). No pastels - generally. And I love yellow, but can't wear it. It makes me look like I have liver disease.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live with my boyfriend of 4 1/2 years. We'll get married at some point, when we get around to it, but we're not in any sort of rush. No pets - the landlord doesn't allow them.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

I want to travel. All the time. Forever. And learn everything. A travelling student - who ends her life with no debt somehow. And gets to go into space. Okay, enough of fantasy world.

I do want to travel though. I'd love to be able to take a trip to a different country every year for the rest of my life. That should satisfy and isn't completely unreasonable. I don't want to be famous, but I'd love to know that something I've done has made a positive impact in people's live. (That said, I've always wanted to record a Christmas album and get a book published.)

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

I actually really like cotton. It somehow feels more real to me than a lot of other yarns. Probably because it's solid and doesn't have any give... I haven't played around enough to have a favourite brand yet. Generally I just gaze longingly at the expensive stuff, and pick something more in my price range.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Novelty yarns drive me insane. I've been forced (right) to use them from time to time, but I usually don't like how they look or feel. The big exception is ribbon yarn. That's okay.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

It must be getting close to Fall, because all the projects I want to make right now are sweaters, blankets, wraps, and other things to keep me warm. I've just started venturing into Kool-Aid dyeing, and I'm having a blast with it.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

It depends on what I'm in the mood for. Love socks. Love cable-work. I was obsessed with dishcloths for a while, but I'm sick of them now. A big boring sweater is great for watching TV.

17. What are you knitting right now?

A big boring sweater. (Acrylic. Charcoal with small yellow/black stripes at the cuffs and hem. All stockinette, but it's my first with set-in sleeves, so we'll see how that works. It's a Hufflepuff sweater for the new Harry Potter movie.) A pair of socks that I had to write down the pattern for because my printer was acting up - I have no idea what the pattern's called unfortunately. Hello Yarn's "One Baaad Poncho" - well, I've only done a gauge swatch. I'm on vacation in a few days and that'll be my plane project. I'm also working on a sweater design to go with the yarn I picked up an a whim a few weeks ago - but I'm not going to say any more about that until I figure out if it'll work or not.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

Generally, I think they're over-rated as a fashion accessory. But as something to keep your warm, if it's cute, I'm all for it.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circulars because they're more portable and I knit on the bus a lot. That said, I don't have very many pairs. A lot of my needles are second-hand, or from Zellers or Wal-Mart.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Bamboo for socks, without question. I usually knit with aluminum, and actually don't mind them except that it's hard to keep them quiet on the bus. I have a few pairs of acrylic, but they're not really my favourite.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

Boy, am I!

22. How did you learn to knit?

The Stitch 'N Bitch book. I know, I know... but I'd been wanting to learn to knit forever, and it found me one day when I wasn't even looking, and the Skully sweater had me sold in a heartbeat. So there!

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

I've got a shopping bag I started in the spring, but I'll probably end up frogging it. I got bored of the project pretty quickly, and I don't really do a lot of market-shopping.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Animated Character - Winnie-the-Pooh (the classic one, not the Disney one). Animal - cats.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Hallowe'en. Dressing up and candy... what could be better?

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Aside form yarn, right? Kitsch - I need to stop that. Incense - not on purpose. Books. My Little Ponies (1991 and earlier). Foreign spare change and commemorative coins (not from purchased sets though). I'm mildy obsessed with pirates (sad) and tall ships, but I don't really have a collection - yet.

27. Any projects you want to make but haven't gotten there yet?

Oh, tons. If I made a list right now of all the projects I want to do, and then didn't add any more, I'd still have a hard time finishing them in my lifetime. Here are some projects that I want to do sometime soon, but haven't gotten around to yet.

http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer05/PATTsatchel.html

http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATTleo.html

http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTtrellis.html

http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATTcozy.html

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kfw-samplerAfghan.html

http://www.acrilan.com/patterns/Nov00/catpillow.html

http://lusciousgracious.com/crazy8s.htm

http://www.sweaterscapes.com/glove-pattern.htm

http://www.helloyarn.com/cyclingaran.htm

http://www.rebecca-online.de/cont_en/anleitungen/heft_17_anl_24.pdf

http://www.rebecca-online.de/cont_en/anleitungen/heft_12_anl_17.pdf

And that's just the free online patterns! I also really want to make Rogue and Eris from www.girlfromauntie.com but don't have the patterns yet.

So there you have it - more information about me than you ever wanted to know. (And that's not the half of it.) I'll sit down and come up with a 100-things-about-me at some point. In the meantime, let the SP5 Games begin!

Cutesy Little Pirate Bag

I'm bored, so here's a little update. I've finally completed my first felting project - the Skull & Crossbones tote. I don't have access to a washer outside of the laundromat, so I used the Boiling Cauldron of Death method instead. The bag itself was a quick knit - a couple of afternoons infront of the computer, and it was done. The felting was a longer process - probably close to an hour altogether, and I'm never stovetop felting in the summer again. Talk about slaving over a hot stove all day!

Here's the tote pre-felting, sloppy intarsia and all. (The nice thing about this is it didn't have to be prefect. I'm not so good at the colour work yet. I don't do it because I don't like it, and I don't like it because I'm not good at it, and I'm not good at it because I don't do it. Hooray for endless cycles.)


Then we've got the implements of torture. (This is actually just an excuse to show off my stove with it's drunkenly happy cooking utensils and orange lightbulb salt and pepper shakers.)


And after several sacrifices to the BCD...


I've got a green and orange mini skull and crossbones tote. I'll get a picutre of it next to the sage brush as a size comparison eventually. The laptop isn't living at home right now. (And, yes, it's upside-down. I thought flipping the image would make it look less weird, but no.)


Yay.