April 2008 Archives

I had a call from a very, very, stupid person.  Why was this person allowed to use a computer?  HOW WAS HE EVEN BREATHING?

It was so frustrating, I was trying to wind a ball of yarn from a skein of silk that I had made plans for (insert evil laughter here).  I was doing really well, using the arm of my chair to wind from.  All was well... until he started reading me what the windows login screen said.  I tried to explain that he would have to create a new password now, but to no avail.  HE WOULD NOT SHUT UP.  HE WOULD NOT LISTEN TO ME.  All I wanted was to get him logged in so he could GO AWAY and I could go back to playing with my yarn.  I ... I yanked.  A little viciously.  The skein, already precariously perched, took a nose dive.

I didn't notice.  I pulled again, and the whole thing flipped, then started coming up because I was still talking and winding.  Then I saw it.

I almost screamed.

I did make a little choking noise.

I have been watching back episodes of Let's Knit2gether and trying to detangle this mess.  I refuse to cut it.  I don't think it would help anyway.  I'm not done yet, but I'm worn out from today so I'm going to bed.

UPDATE:

:D  I'm all good now.

Full retail version, CD-ROM, brand new in box, unopened. English version. Will not run on Vista. There are THREE available.

http://socialspark.com/bloggers/nusato

I'm pretty sure I'm not doing it right, but it's fun.  I think of it as more of a writing exercise, as well as an opportunity for some directed babble.

Also, they pay you for sponsored posts.  Which is nice, if you have readership.  Again, think of it as a writing exercise only instead of getting a grade sometimes you get paid.  Or get stuff.  Or both!  Which is cool.  Also, SocialSpark can help you get traffic to your blog by trading posts (I write about you, you write about me!)

They have a very authoritative code of ethics as well. (It's better than the average lawyers, for one thing.... )

-100% Audit-able In-Post Disclosure - that means someone reads and approves posts before you (blogger) get paid.  So no stupid spam posts full of garbage links.
-100% Transparency  - that means that people know who you are (or at least who you tell them you are).  You could lie, but that's your own risk of fraud.
-100% Real Opinions - real bloggers, real reviewers, real opinions.
-100% Search Engine Friendly - I really have no idea what that is supposed to mean.  I guess no Googlebombs?  Whatever.

This is the absurdly colorful page you see when you log in as a blogger.  It lays out all the neat things you can do and opportunities you can take - if you sign up, be sure to check out the non-paying posts like the Blog-U-Backs and Sparks.  Sure money is good, but sometimes exposure is better!  Besides, the sponsored posts fill up so fast....  It's better to be doing something than nothing, right?

OH MY LAWD!!!

So my dear friend Richard Lawn in England sent me a present!

Sample Pack

Random 100% Cashmere

Lilac Steel 100% Silk

Blonde Camel Cashmere/Silk blend

And... yes... more 100% Red red red silk.  I can't help myself.  I just see red silk and go nutty.

I can't get the Kiri cast on to work right.  Grr.  Arrgh.

All spent already :D  I bought some yarn.  For therapy.  Also, because it's pretty.  Oh, and some new knitting needles (see below).  Also therapy.  Really.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Although it would probably be easier if I had remembered to you know, use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.

I'm so fluffy headed.

Yes, that's my leg down there.  Don't look at it.  look at the pretty needles.

Size 17s.

All lined up!

Cables, all of them!  ^_^

Cables squished in the bag.  I really hate plastic, and something must be done about the proliferation of plastic in this storage setup.

Hey!  Where did that other cable go?

Tee hee!  A fully assembled size 7 24" circular needle!

I am very pleased with the set so far - the joins are smooth, the connections (using the little key) are tight.  Now to go make something and see how good I am at knitting in the round.  o.O

I like the fact that I have OPTIONS - I could connect two different sizes, like for casting on.  I could use them as very long straights.  I can fit the entire set encompassing 10 sizes of needles and 5 lengths of cable into my backpack.  (I probably won't, but I COULD IF I WANTED TO!)  Also, the tips are joyfully pointy!  I like my tips sharp, it gives me better control (I knit Frenchy, that is, Continental) and the wood has good grabbityness.  It's also very light.  Lighter than I thought it would be.  The tips are also smaller than I thought they would be.  It's just weird.  I'm very glad that I didn't invest in a bunch of individual circulars before buying these (in fact, I have no circulars, just a bunch of vintage DPNs.  They are very sharp.  Someday, I will get them onto cables.) and overall these are a much better value.  I like interchangeable sets in general, and I'm very pleased with my purchase from KnitPicks.

Next month, I'll be completing my collection with the missing tips and maybe getting a few non-interchangeable needles in lace sizes.

Well, I know I am.  I'll post some pictures of my favorites later.  But for right now, I'm going to hook you up with a chance to get a free one!

http://www.pashminainternational.com/freepashmina.html

I entered, I want the Indian Blue Rich Weave.  Some people like solid color pashmina, I personally like mine to be as extravagant as possible.  I'm weird that way, I know.  The picture looks more purple than blue, which is fine with me either way.  What's more important to me is that it's a pashmina(cashmere)/silk blend. 

Why is that so important?  I hate it when someone tries to sell you a 'pashmina' that's made with cheapo sheep wool.  Pashmina (cashmere) is from one species of goat.  Pashmina International knows this, and has a full page about the quality and type of fibers that they use for their shawls.  Very good.

DSCF0001, originally uploaded by jennysparks.

Nobody wanted it... so now it's an expired listing on Etsy. Should I put it back up?

DSC00110, originally uploaded by jennysparks.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10318039

How much would you pay for the set?  I'm curious....

DSC00114, originally uploaded by jennysparks.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10318133

Survivors of the Spinach Ball Massacre, originally uploaded by jennysparks.

They came out really, really good. A little heavy though.... I'll know better for next time.

Red Beauty, originally uploaded by jennysparks.

I think this is destined for a costume. Sleeves on a tunic, to be exact. Possibly oversleeves. Also, the waistband, with the tunic split into a peplum at the bottom. I need to sketch that out so it makes more sense.
The black silk is going to be fingerless elbow-length gloves to go under the red sleeves. I think the sleeves should be detachable. Maybe rings? Sorry, I digress...
And I am going to get some black (or green, or maybe both black and green held together) bamboo and use that to make a cowled cloak for the same costume. Why? WHY NOT?
I'll have to see what I can do about the sketching. I'm a terrible artist in my own opinion, but then I also think I'm a bad photograher.

Beaded Capulette, originally uploaded by jennysparks.

I'm planning to make a snood-like thing out of this, but the cotton isn't stretchy enough. I'll need to put either a ribbon or elastic at the band. Or both. I have lots of ribbon.

I had this great recipe for Spinach Dumplings, and I was totally into it until... I was at the point where I had to touch the freshly cooked spinach with my bare hands.

No.

I have these weird cooking moments.  I have no problem with slabs of beef or lamb.  I have no problem with salmon filets.  I can't touch the innards of anything, and I hate fish bones.  I can't cook anything that has actual eyeballs still attached.  In general, I'm okay with vegetables.  I don't remember ever having to deal with freshly cooked spinach before.  I can eat it, no problem.  But not with my hands.

The recipe step that I got stuck on was forming it into little balls to fry.

And... I couldn't do it.  I could just tell, that simply wasn't going to happen.

I had a hard time washing the spinach (fresh, organic baby spinach).  There's just something about the way it feels.  And picking up the slimy, limp, cooked spinach was just beyond me.  I couldn't do it.

However, I was hungry.  Very hungry.  What to do?

BAKE THEM OF COURSE!

I added some more stuff to make them more sticky, dumped them onto a greased baking sheet and tossed em in the oven.

Pictures forthcoming.

I've come to the realization that my life is pretty much a failure at this point... not really sure what to do about that, though.  Oh well.

Don't cut your nails so short next time ><

Either that, or stop dropping stitches off your hook.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-newyankeestadium-redsoxshirt&prov=ap&type=lgns

"A construction worker on a concrete crew at the new Yankee Stadium secretly buried a Red Sox T-shirt under the future visiting clubhouse in an effort to jinx the Yankees, the New York Post reported Friday."

Hey, thanks for letting the Yankees crush the essence of your team.  Good going there.  Now every time a Yankee enters the clubhouse, he's stepping on the Red Sox.  Again.  Was it even a used T-shirt?  It was probably a new one, wasn't it?  So it doesn't even have the vibes of a loyal fan.  Just like the Red Sox!

Can we get this guy to point out where he buried it exactly so we can dance on the grave of the Red Sox?

Please consider using an alternate service to the USPS Parcel Return Service.  My mail carrier refused to take my package and insisted that it had to be taken to the post office to be returned, which is completely different than what your website or the USPS website says about Parcel Return Service packages.  This is horribly inconvenient for a working person, especially one who was counting on what the service instructions stated: That the package could be picked up at my home without any trouble on my part.  I elected instead to use FedEx to return my package, as their prices are reasonable and their service is extremely reliable and convenient.  I hope that you will consider moving away from the USPS which will not stand behind its stated service and move to a company that will.

Extra funny:  Outlook felt that USPS was a misspelling, and suggested that I replace it with UPS.

Why did my mail carrier refuse to pick up a Parcel Return Select package for three days?  And when I finally scheduled a carrier pickup, the completely useless mail carrier didn't ring the bell or knock on the door as I requested, he just left a notice saying 'Package not found.'  The manager at the post office insisted that my package had to be brought into the office to be mailed, but the USPS (Unitedinnotdoinganywork States Postal completelackofService) website says that I can hand over a PRS package to my mail carrier - if only my mail carrier would do his job so I could hand over the package.  Now, after three days wasted, I STILL have to go to the post office to mail my package.  I should have just sent it FedEx instead of wasting my time with the Post Office.

Update: I did send it FedEx.  I couldn't take it anymore.

Their reply (in case you are wondering, it's also USELESS)

Dear UNHAPPY CUSTOMER THAT WE DON'T CARE ABOUT,
Thank you for contacting us about your Carrier Pickup request.
To report problems with Carrier Pickup, please contact your local Post Office™ directly. Based on your ZIP Code™ of 000000, the contact information for your Post Office is:
Idiot Central Post Office
Somewhere 2 Miles Away From Where You Live
Your City, Your State 000000
Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturdays 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
If I can be of assistance to you in the future, please don't hesitate to contact me.  I'll even pretend to care this time.  I still won't actually read your letter though.  I'm just going to pick out some trigger words and act like I'm solving your problem.  We really both know that your problem is expecting 'Service' when we're a giant monolithic monopoly that doesn't have 'customers' so much as 'victims.'
Thank you for choosing the United States Postal Service®.  Sucker.

What the heck am I going to make with this?, originally uploaded by jennysparks.

Even Katia doesn't have any suggested patterns for this stuff. Not that I can find anyway. What should I make with it? I need a bigger hook to crochet it with (probably P) and larger needles (but only because I knit REALLY TIGHTLY most of the time) if I'm going to knit anything. I'm thinking a set of bathmats or something. I dunno.