What Was On My Needles Wednesday

Last night I got home too late and I was too tired to even try to blog. Some days are like that. Back to semi normal blogging.

This week, on the needles are...



Mariner's Socks! These are the colors of the Seattle Mariners Baseball Team, and I bought the yarn in Seattle at So Much Yarn! (No, I don't follow baseball, but I liked the colors) It's a basic 2x2 rib pattern. I couldn't get too creative, I was vacation. However, I did pack my dpn's just so I could start a pair of socks if I came across something nice! As you can see, I have come a fair distance since a week ago, when I cast them on.



These are the Sock Madness Round 3 socks. You can see how far I got. The lace weight wasn't the issue, really, it was the fact that we were going on a cruise that screwed me up. When I checked the stat list on Monday, and 7 of the alloted 12 were done, I gave up trying to be knitting Wonder Woman. Maybe next year. I do like the way they are turning out though. I'm using Jojoland Harmony and Jaggerspun Zephyr.



Actually, since I took this picture Tuesday night, I have since turned the heel on sock number 1! The yarn is from J. Knits and the colorway is Los Angeles. The pattern was much easier than it looked and I am reversing the pattern. It was supposed to be toe up, but I hate how they fit. I can't stand a short row heel either. I am also doing this using the Magic Loop method - one long circular. It really slows me down. But the pattern isn't conducive to dpn's.



My stash acquisition from Victoria at the Beehive Wool Shop. I have to go back there someday! So much stuff to fondle. Anyway, I purchased some Fleece Artist and some Handmaiden. Husband heard the total and I am surprised that he said nothing. Of course, when we were in Seattle, for the first time in my life I heard "$40 for a skein of yarn and a magazine? Seriously?" Let's just say this bag was 2 1/2 times the Seattle purchase.

I didn't get as much knitting time in last week as I had hoped, but it was better than nothing. Since I am posting this on Thursday - I know there is no way that I will have anything done for tomorrow. Next week, just wait!

By Request

These are the Pubs we visited, in order

Rogue Public House
Tasters included Double Dead Guy Ale and Barleywine Brew, plus two others I failed to write down. One was a red ale. The Kobe Sliders and Kobe Bleu Balls (as in Bleu Cheese) are excellent.

The Wet Dog Cafe
Tasters included Old Red Beard's Amber Ale, Volksweissen Bavaerina Wheat Ale, and Shark's Spit IPA. Beer brats and warm, fresh pretzels are an excellent accompaniment.

Fort George Brewery & Public House
Tasters included Quick Whit, Lovell Lager, Vortex, Cavatica Stout and Mango Wheat. Excellent fresh steak fries.

The Pike Brewery
Tasters included Pike Naughty Nellie, Pike Pale Ale, Pike IPA, Pike Kilt Lifter, Pike XXXXX Stout and Pike Tandem. The chowder was tasty and the Chicken Nachos were a great addition to the experience.

Granville Island Brewery
Tasters included Island Lager, Kitsilano Maple Cream Ale, Robson Street Hefeweizen and Gastown Amber Ale.

Steamworks Brewery
Tasters included Lions Gate Lager, Empress IPA, Signature Pale Ale, Heroica Oatmeal Stout, Nirvana Nut Brown Ale, a seasonal Pilsner, a seasonal Hefeweizen and a seasonal Belgian. The crab and cream cheese stuffed mushrooms were excellent. The beer soup is a must try.

The Swan Inn & Pub
Tasters included Pandora Pale Ale, Old Town Bavarian Lager, Buckerfield Bitter, Arctic Ale, Raspberry Ale, Appleton Brown Ale and Riley's Scotch Ale.

Canoe Brewing Company
Tasters included Siren's Song, Red Canoe Lager, Beaver Brown Ale, River Rock Bitter and Winter Gale Strong Ale (seasonal selection).

In total, we tried 42 beers in 4 days. However, when you consider that an average taster glass in 3 ounces, and the total is split between two people, that's about an average beer bottle per day. See, we're not lushes after all. And we only drank beer before noon once!

The Saga Continues - A Day At Sea

Our dinner companions - James and Emily to the left, Heather and Jacob to the right.

And yes I'm still playing catch-up.

Friday was spent at leisure. One thing that we enjoyed during the cruise was a set of lectures by Brent Nixon. He presented four lectures that were very entertaining and - dare I say it - educational. We went to all the lectures, and learned more about Orca's, Humpbacks, Otters and Dolphins than we could have imagined. I had the opportunity to speak with Brent and his wife during afternoon tea on Friday. Mary Amanda, his wife, was working on a piece of needlepoint and I was just too curious to stay away. I shared my crafting history with her and also let Brent know how much we enjoyed his presentations. I hope that we will run across them again in the future. A lovely couple.

Since we didn't have to be anywhere, I slept in. Dragged my lazy ass into the shower at 11 am. I wasn't going to start another morning as a ball of stress, so no battling with the laptop until after lunch and Brent's last lecture. While we sat in the Cafe that afternoon, Kevin reading one of the books we brought, I spent a little over 2 hours on the laptop, mentally preparing myself for what I had to come back too. I scratched the surface of what I needed to review, but at least I had a game plan for Monday.

So, what else on the cruise....the floor show wasn't great. The singers were good, the dancers were not well matched. There was one tall girl who was taller than the partner. It made for interesting lifts and combinations. It was awkward to look at. We went to the first show and didn't return for a repeat. But this is targeted to an older crowd, which I am sure thought was it nicely done. We also had two comedians, one appealed to the over 50 set and other didn't as much. Guess which one we liked? We went to all three comedy nights.

Celebrity jokes that Bingo is the official sport of cruising. I don't agree - it's eating. I had to laugh when I got home because I gained nothing! Nothing!! During the week I sit on my ass all day. The only exercise I get is what I'm doing now - typing. I walked so much last week that the calories didn't stand a chance. I also didn't eat a lot of empty carbs and sugar, which I'm sure also helped. I tried to make sure that I ate complex carbs, good proteins and as many veggie's as I could. Kevin wasn't as fortunate, and he worked out every day.

We had some charming dinner companions - James and Emily for Idaho and Heather and Jacob the Bay Area. Heather works in San Francisco too. This was the first time that we have been the "oldest" couple. Ouch. Emily graduated from the same high school as Kevin - and she was born when he was in college! Double ouch. Same world. Heather and Jacob were great to sit and chat with, and we shared an after dinner cocktail with them one evening. It was the only liquor we bought on the ship. They may sell duty free to take home, but I know of few bars on the mainland that charge those prices! We exchanged email addresses with the promise to get together for dinner in the near future.

And speaking of dinner, oh they were good. Filet Mignon, Prime Rib, Braised Beef, Lamb Shank, and Veal Cutlets perfectly cooked, perfectly paired and happily consumed. The portions were perfect. Kevin had fish five of the seven evenings, with roast turkey and roast chicken for the other two. They served chilled soups, escargot and frog legs. In addition to the sweet treats for desert, they had sugar free offerings and what I have come to love - cheese and fruit plate. I did deviate twice and enjoyed Baked Alaska and Poached Pears. Overall, I think I did well for working with my Diabetes and keeping my blood sugar near normal. I did well with the beer, which was a pleasant surprise. The night we had after dinner cocktails, I had a pretty good spike with the Scotch. Good to know.

It's getting late and I have to get up early. I still have catching up to do. Maybe I can squeeze in a couple of posts tomorrow.

By the way - we took over 700 pictures.

Oh

My

God.

A Day In Victoria

I might as well finish what I started....

This was our shortest time in port. We arrived at 7 am and left at 2 pm. Kevin and I both wished we had more time here. It is a beautiful city and we barely scratched the surface of what there was to experience. We passed a Worldmark resort (our timeshare company) on the way back to the ship. At least we have an inexpensive place to stay when we come back.

We started off at the information center to decide what we needed to do first and plan our strategy for maximum benefit of time. We determined we could squeeze in two breweries while we were here. There are about 7 or so to choose from. Because it was still so early, and we aren't lushes, we did the sight seeing thing first.



Did I mention this was the first day we had that started out sunny? Makes for lovely washed out photos. Anyhoo....we strolled around the Empress and then went in to check it out. Very cool place. It's celebrating it's 100 anniversary this year. I picked up a tea mug with the hotel's signature pattern, a tin of their signature tea and a couple of other souvenirs.

Next we headed across the street to the RC Museum. We didn't go in, because there simply wasn't time to do it justice. This was on the outside, however....



I love Native American crafted works. The Canadians call them First Nations. I think I like that title better. This is a place I have to come back to and spend some time. There was a house totem inside the museum that was representative of Raven- the beak was 30 feet long! It was over 100 years old and absolutely amazing.

We next stopped at the Legislature



and actually sat in on a live session for a bit. They were speaking of ethanol and the pro's and con's of production and how it impacted food supply. It was very interesting. I wish I had the opportunity to sit in on a session of Congress when I was in DC all those years ago. Next time.

It was 11 am by this point and we had to get back on the bus at 1 pm to get back to the ship in time. We ran off to find the beer. Our first stop was Swan's Inn and Pub.



We split 7 tasters here. Why do I have a pen in my hand? Because I am taking notes of what we are having - so we'll remember. Finished these off and then headed to Canoe's Brewing Company.



For ambiance, this place was great. We sat at the bar, had 5 more tasters and some peanuts. Of the two, we liked this one better overall and the beer was more to our liking here.

Last stop was Beehive Wool Shop. Now, you wouldn't think that my only yarn purchase would be in Seattle, would you?



This is half of the shop - that I spent maybe 15 minutes in. We had 20 minutes to get to the bus, and we were 14 or so blocks away. I don't walk fast and my feet hurt from days of walking. At least I can say I bought Fleece Artist in Canada. Yes, pictures will be up soon. I didn't take pictures of the swag yet.

We sailed away from Victoria shortly after 2pm. Kevin and I had a nice lunch on board the ship, since we really hadn't had the time to eat in town.

Next post I will cover what we did on the ship and a bit about the evening dining mates and the staff.

A Brief Update

We're at sea and heading home. Supposedly, we're off the Mendocino Coast, so we're not too far away. Still, we get in at 7 am and will be disembarking around 9:30 am.

I'll update when I get home, and post some pictures. My battery is almost dead and I've spent the last couple of hours just getting through email from work.

I had the best of intentions when I started on this trip that it would go smoothly. It has in the past. Trying to balance the responsibilities from my job and trying to insure that it wouldn't overly impact my husband can be a fine line. I managed in the past. The computer problems were not something I could account for. With the help of some great tech staff here on board, it seems we finely got it resolved today. That figures - it's the last day.

The problems I encountered had a very negative impact on a co-worker, and that's what is most troubling. I didn't want this trip to be bad for anyone, and I can't say that anymore. Apologizing doesn't make up for it.

There has been a cloud hanging over me all week. Nervous, agitated and on edge. Even now, Kevin has spent these last 2+ hours sitting across for me in the cafe reading a book. He hasn't said much, but I realize that my less than usual exuberance of being on a trip has impacted his enjoyment as well. I disappointed a lot of people this week, including myself. God, I hate this feeling.

A Day In Vancouver

Technically, I’m writing this the next day. When I tried to boot up the laptop yesterday – immediate BSOD. Got it through recovery and didn’t have time to deal with it any further. Long-suffering husband has been very patient this week, but even he has his limits. I’ve been on the laptop when he’s working out and then getting ready for the day, or when he’s been in the gym in the afternoon. This trip was meant to spend some quality time together after all, and I don’t want to remind him of the 3+ hours he’s home before I get there Monday-Friday. Even trying to get this done today has been a b*&!h. Outlook is failing to send. As one kind person commented on this blog, it isn't Vista, it's Witless.

We had another long day in Port yesterday. We had arranged seats on the Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley that loops around Vancouver’s major points of interest. There is more we would have liked to have seen, but I can’t take as much as I used to. I was pretty exhausted coming into this, and with trying to keep up with what we had pre-arranged, getting some work done outside of the computer issues and 8:30 dinner seating (meaning we’re not in bed before midnight – can’t go to sleep on a full stomach), I’m getting a little less sleep than I was at home. We’re at sea tomorrow, so I will be sleeping in. I have managed to sneak in two naps since we set sail, but that’s not quite enough. But, I digress.

There were some pretty cool things to see around downtown. They’re getting ready for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The tour guide was less than thrilled with the construction – and costs. Stanley Park was quite lovely, but we wanted to spend some time on Granville Island, in Chinatown and then Gastown. Maybe next time.

Our stop on Granville Island allowed me to find some Olympic pins for my on-going Winter Olympic pin collection. I purchased a couple in Salt Lake, but other than that, the bulk of my acquisitions have been via eBay. I love eBay – but not so much now. I’ve gotten better – more discriminating – have less time for such things (No. 1 reason). We walked around and saw some interesting things. It used to be called Industrial Island, the City’s source of building materials and such. There are still some industrial businesses, such as a cement company and a foundry, but it’s now the home of the city’s farmer’s market, similar to Pike’s in Seattle, and Emily Carr Art Institute. There are also breweries. By now, you had to know this was coming.

Granville Island Brewing Company is located in the heart of the district. Unfortunately, there wasn’t room on the tour for us, but we enjoyed some tasters and ran into a brother and sister that were on our Ale Trail excursion the other day. After have our refreshments, we got back on the bus and headed over to Chinatown.

Vancouver’s Chinatown is very different from San Francisco’s, though I think it is bigger in actually land mass. The streets are wider, the businesses have larger spaces and there simply aren’t as many people. There were a number of markets that sold herbs, vegetables and traditional Chinese ingredients. From this aspect, it was really different. It reminded me a little of Oakland’s Chinatown, as far as the fresh food are concerned. We stopped at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings.

Hopping back on the Trolley, we headed over to Gastown and Steamworks Brewery. Very cool place. We’re used to asking for a flight of taster’s and typically this means 4-6 small glasses of beer. The glasses are usually between 2 to 3 ounces. Steamworks gave us 8 glasses and they were probably 3 oz. each. Holy intoxication, Batman. We decided to have some appetizers here, since we hadn’t had any food since early in the morning, so we ordered Tandoori Chicken Skewers, Mushrooms stuffed with cream cheese and snow crab, and Beer Soup. All of it was wonderful! We need to start checking out microbrews around the SF Bay Area and see if we can find a place as cool as this one. In the basement, they had pool tables and the bar had to at least 30 ft. long. Beautiful dark woods and a view of the Harbor. Excellent.

We were just a couple of blocks away from the Cruise Terminal at that point, so we headed back. Once we got on board, Kevin headed off to the gym and I slept for a while. I was done.

We had a comedian for the evenings’ entertainment, and we had to see him before dinner. He was on Home Improvement as an occasional character. His name was Jim Labriola and he was pretty funny. Off to dinner and then off to bed, because we arrive in Victoria at 7am and we leave again at 2pm – not a whole lotta time.

I’ll check in with today’s entry later. I have to get ready for our last formal night of the cruise. I hadn't planned on spending two hours downloading email and re-entering a blog entry.

TTFN.

A Day In Seattle

We are back onboard the ship. It’s cold and rainy. The morning started with some sun, but, it didn’t last.

As my last post revealed, I have had some issues with my laptop. When I start it up now, I fear it just not doing anything. After the lovely Windows icon and associated tune have loaded, the screen is black with a cursor. It stays that way for about 5 minutes. I fear the BSOD. So far, only twice today. Whoopee. My other choice is to log on to the internets in the iCafe, which is not time efficient – or economical. I prepaid for an access package that would give me 240 minutes. I subsequently won an additional 60 minutes. However, that means I’m getting Internet access for $0.38 per minute! If I go over, it’s $0.65 per minute! God, they give it to you for stuff like this onboard. They claim you can use your cell phones at see, but the satellite has been down. This also means no CNN or any type of live news feed. I feel like I’m on a deserted island. Add to that the gremlins also showing their snarky selves in my cell phone (charged it - turned it on - low battery) and SLR (light sensor is whacked, need to reset the defaults and start all over), it's been a perfectly stressed out mess. Tears were eminent as least half a dozen times today. I can be such a girl sometimes. I so hate that.

I am trying to use my Outlook program to take care of emails – and posts – because I can work offline. This will obviously save on connected time. It worked ok this morning. It had a few hiccups, but overall it did ok.

So, for our day in Seattle. Our first stop was So Much Yarn at the corner of First and Bell. Pretty little store. Nothing local, or stuff I haven’t seen. The clerk showed me a few new things in the store that she thought I may not have encountered, but dear husband commented when we left that her claim was more than likely way off the mark. It was. How well he knows me. I have to admit I was good – one skein of sock yarn and the latest issue of Vogue Knitting. The sock yarn will remind me of Seattle.

We then headed for Pioneer square, and the Underground Tour. Very cool. I would highly recommend it to anyone coming to town. Don’t have much time to go into detail, besides you can always Google it. Found a few cool souvenirs and then decided to head back to the ship.

I had to do the goofy thing – I bought a Carmel Macchiato at Starbucks. I also got some money at the ATM at WAMU. I bought a book about Seattle. I smooshed a souvenir penny. Ok – all tourist type things done.

On the way back, we stopped at The Pike Brewing Company for a snack and some tasters. It’s official, this has become the brew cruise, I picked up a book called the Pacific Northwest Passport to Beer. At least that way will we know where to drink in Vancouver and Victoria. This was discussed over tasters today – Pike’s Double Ale was the winner (malty with a tobacco and molasses finish). We must try beer in BC, eh.

After walking through Pike Place we got back on the ship. Kevin is up at the gym doing God knows what and working up a sweat. I am working away at the computer, occasionally asking it to be nice and not screw with me again. At lease the keyboard hasn’t stopped working – that happened this morning too.

I regret that my knitting has suffered. I remember all the time we had on the Alaskan Cruise, so I packed a bunch of stuff (socks, Mystic Light Shawl, etc.) and I haven’t even turned the heel on the sock I started on Saturday. I’m out of Sock Madness, that’s for sure.

Keep your fingers crossed that the gremlins find a new home. The Ale Trail continues tomorrow!

A Day In Astoria

We spent Monday in Astoria – it was cold and rainy when we started and it was cold and sunny when we left.

 

I’ll have to elaborate later, because yesterday and this morning my Compaq Presario V6000 Vista Enhanced piece of electronic crap crashed on me again, and again and again. Just what I wanted to do on my vacation – deal with the blue screen of death and recovery. Argh. I had planned on spending a couple of hours working, just to make sure certain things were handled, but that didn’t happen as I had planned on Monday. We’ll see if today is any better.

 

We did the Astoria Ale Trail, which meant we had beer! Our stops included Roque Ale, which is best known for Dead Guy’s Ale. We had three tasters and a free pint there, along with Kobe beef Sliders and Kobe Blue Cheese Balls. Mmm, mmm, good. Kevin had the artichoke dip, which he said was good.

 

Next stop was the Wet Dog Café, where we met the brew master, got free swag, and enjoyed 3 tasters and beer brats and warm pretzels. We liked this place a lot!

 

Last stop was Fort George Ale House, where we had 4 tasters and we liked these tasters a little bit better than Rogue. Not the Rogue is bad, they’re just more hoppy, and we like a higher malt ratio. The higher hop ratio causes some more bitterness, which is what we don’t like.

 

Well, I’m going to try to send emails again, which is what started this whole mess yesterday. I’ve been working on the laptop for about an hour getting the settings back to something Vista will work with. I do so hate the BSOD.

 

If this morning ends like yesterday, then we may have to find ourselves another Ale Trail.

 

Cheers!

 

 

Day 1 - At Sea

Greetings dear blog readers!

Yesterday, we sailed out of San Francisco on a 7-day cruise to the ports of Astoria, Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria British Columbia. The first full day on the ship is being spent at sea. We arrive in Astoria early Monday morning, where we have the morning to ourselves before joining a Microbrew tour of the town. Yes, we’re going pub hopping!

I thought I would give a quick update as we are enjoying afternoon snacks. Kevin is enjoying a sampling of European pastries while I had some finger sandwiches, including the all-time standard cucumber and watercress.

Tonight is formal night and we’re ready for it. Though not crazy about the stodgy formality on this type of cruise, we’ll play along. Of course, since our first cruise was with NCL, and their amazing freestyle cruising program spoiled us terribly, we are trying our best to follow the rules.

Our dinner companions are a couple from Redwood City (south of San Francisco) and one from Boise, ID. The wife of the Boise couple is originally from Pocatello, and had the choir teacher as Kevin. However, we had our “senior moment” in that she was born after Kevin had graduated from high school. Ouch. They spoke briefly of “choir tour” and that brought back some memories.

I leave you with a picture from our departure yesterday. Other than the ship, and endless ocean with grey cloudy skies, there isn’t all that much to share. Tomorrow will be different, however.

Greetings from San Francisco

FO Friday

Well, as I assumed would be the case, I finished my Noro socks. I will upload a picture of them later.

I am in the middle of getting ready for a big event that starts tomorrow, and I have a zillion things to do.

Check back to see what we're up to over the next few days.

Favorite's

Chip's - I love chip's. But I can't eat potato chips like I used to. They're not good for me anymore. Now I have to eat multi-grain snacks, complex carbs. Sun Chips makes a pretty tasty multigrain chip. It's not Lay's Sour Cream and Onion or Crunchy Cheetos, but it will have to do.

I love tortilla chips too - with queso or guacamole. I can still have those things, just no tortilla chips. What is a meal at a Mexican restaurant without chips and salsa? Or rice and egg rolls at a Chinese restaurant? I finally come around to the fact that sushi is delicious, and I can't have the rice!?!?! Well, I can, just not much of it.

I miss my world of starchy, simple carbs. Giving them up was harder than quiting smoking.

If they took Diet Coke away from me, the world would be over as I know it.

Oh well, back to my Sun Chips and dreaming of plate after plate of nigiri and maki, with a chips and salsa chaser.

What's On The Needles

Is it Wednesday already? Gee, times flies when you do nothing but sleep and work. And squeeze in some knitting.

Not too much progress since last week. I did finish Part 2 of the Mystic Light Shawl. It's turning into something very pretty.



Then there are the Noro socks still in progress.



Not too bad on the stripes, huh? I'm having a Wile E. Coyote moment (as in "super genius" - ongoing inside joke). Once I wash these, I hope the yarn will "blossom" as rumored. I love Noro colors, but I was disappointed with this combo. I have another skein in que, with blues and purples. I'm really going to have to spend some time swatching for stitch patterns. Can you tell I'm generally displeased with the product so far? I try to remain hopeful.



I'm calling this Reversai Redux. I am re-knitting the first sock on smaller needles. I also re-knitted the toe on the second sock. I had them done for Round 2 of Sock Madness, tried them on again and figured I would not wear them unless they were fixed. I'm not looking forward to Round 3 - it's lace weight and I refuse to go buy anymore yarn. I will have to make do, which should be interesting.

I doubt that I will have anything but the Noro's done by Friday, unless I catch the dishcloth bug again. Stay tuned!

Thoughts for a Tuesday

My grandmother-in-law passed away last week. She was very dear to me and I had come to love her very much. When my grandma passed away in 1996, before my husband and I married, she offered to be my grandma too. It still makes me well up just thinking about it.

She hadn't been well the last few years, dementia having taken it's toll. I don't do well in these situations. I feel completely helpless and extremely uncomfortable. It's the type of situation I want to avoid. Anytime a nursing home, or anything like it, is involved I will avoid it like the plague. My mom worked in them for many years, and to me it became a place for old people to go die. Much like hospitals, they totally creep me out. I had the opportunity to go see Grandma last Thanksgiving and totally chickened out. Then again, that would have been my last memory of her. and I'm glad it isn't. To this day, I deeply regret viewing my Dad at the funeral home. I would have been better off having the last memory be of his last words to me, seeing the love and understanding shining brightly from his sky blue eyes. It's the cold, empty shell that comes to me in my dreams more than his smiling face. I didn't want that with Grandma.

She's at peace now. That's what matters. I still hate death, though, and all the crap that goes with it. Everyday we have in this world is a gift. Share it with as many as you can. To those that you treasure most in life - tell them you love them more often. Call up a friend you haven't talked to in a while and just let them know you were thinking of them. Smile at a stranger every once in while. Next time you see your mailperson, thank them for the job their doing. Call a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or a parent for that matter to see how their day is going. In this case, it truly is the thought that counts.

Memorable Moments

I had some trouble coming up with an item for today, but it seemed simple enough after I listened to my iPod this afternoon while at work. Concerts. I like going to them. Many of my memories have specific songs associated with them, and concerts have played a substantial role in reinforcing some of those memories.

The first concert I ever went to was the Vienna Boys Choir. My Dad thought it would be a good experience for me, as I was learning the violin at that point. In retrospect, it was probably a very good concert, but my stint as a violinist lasted about 6 months and watching a bunch of boys sing was pretty boring. At 11, it's hard to keep interested in anything that keeps one in an uncomfortable seat for over an hour.

The first concert I went to that was of my choosing was Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Even better, it was the Born in the USA tour, and as a "first concert" experience, there is none better. I saw him twice that tour, first in Los Angles and then in Sweden. We (as in Mom, Dad and I) moved to Norway for a while. I was 19 and felt bereft of country and identity. Oddly enough, that album, that tour, the force that is Springsteen, brought me to a new realization, a different level of self awareness. In truth, an acceptance of who I was. It took me a couple more years to flesh out that new me, but it was the beginning of understanding that I was an American with a long and full Nordic heritage, and that was something to be proud of.

I've seen Springsteen 4 more times since then. He's still my favorite, but U2 and Rush are tied for 2nd place. I've also seen BB King and Ray Charles, both wonderful and enriching experiences. I wish I could have seen Tina Turner before she retired. Cher was amazing - especially all the costume changes. I was close enough to Guns'n Roses to recoil from Slash's ash and sweat spray. Bon Jovi rocked it pretty well. I would love to see Prince again. Iron Maiden was totally awesome, a head bangers ball if there ever was one. I love Stevie Nicks, and I've seen her twice. Others like Aerosmith, Motley Crue and Judas Priest were all good, but not necessarily leaving me clamoring for more. I was amazed how much I have enjoyed artists such as Weird Al, Meatloaf and Cyndi Lauper. I would pay to see them again, and as far as Weird Al in concerned, have repeatedly done so.

There are many that I would like to see, those that are on the "gotta see before they die" list.
Hey, I'm not getting any younger either! I have regrets for those I didn't get to see, like Freddie Mercury with Queen or Steve Perry with Journey. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. At least I still have their music to listen to.

Sunday Quotes

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Nelson Mandela

Saturday Night Movie

I've been listening to Queen quite a bit this week, and I kept thinking back to the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. David Bowie and Annie Lenox did a wonderful job with Under Pressure, and I have never forgotten Annie's look from that night. She is a stunningly beautiful woman, and her dress was fabulous. I'm glad I found this on YouTube.

But this, in my opinion, is their greatest song. It brings me close to tears every time I hear it.



Freddie was an amazing vocalist and performer. Like all those we have lost to HIV/AIDS, he was taken from us far too soon.

FO Friday

Reversai is done! I've washed my hands three times and my fingers are still black. I will be redoing the toes to a squarer finish. Way too much bulk. I will also be redoing sock 1 on the size US 0 needles. Sock 2 fits slightly better, but other than changing the pattern stitch count, I don't see improving the fit by much. At least I can say that I am moving on to Round 3 of Sock Madness. I'm also going to have to put these into a vinegar bath to improve the dye set on these. I don't want black feet.

This is a first for me - I actually considered ripping these socks back completely. The pattern is very attractive, and from that stand point I have no issues. I used Socks That Rock Lenore, which is a lighweight (8-10 stitches per inch on US 1 needles). The gauge was 8.5 spi on US 1, and I got that. However, I should have considered the garter stitch quality to this, which spreads out more. I did my typical stockinette base surrounded by garter. Live and learn.

Another first for me - this pattern killed my wrists. OMG they hurt. I seriously didn't think I was going to get these done today, because I had to keep taking breaks. Not a pleasant experience overall.

We'll see what Round 3 brings us.

Favorite's

There is something extraordinary about Lake Tahoe. Something almost magical. I wish we could visit more often.

What's On My Needles Wednesday

I've been a busy bee this week. Let's start with the longer term project.



This is part one of the Mystic Light Shawl KAL. It's a great pattern and I actually got part 1 finished in a couple days. Part 2 comes out today. The yarn in Dream In Color Smooshy in the colrowar Dusky Aurora. I discovered that when I wound these skeins into center pull cakes, that even though they claim to be the same dyelot, there is a difference in color. When I start part two, I will have to alternate every two rows to accommodate the color variation. Why not use another yarn? Because I'm stubborn, I don't want to rip back part 1 and buying more yarn at this point is out of the question. I purchased this as Stitches West, and don't have much recourse to remedy this easily.



Sock Madness Round 2 - Reversai. I am using Socks That Rock Lenore, a sock club shipment from last year. First, OMG this yarns bleeds. May fingers are black! Second, this pattern has a great design, but I hate a rounded toe and, even though I got gauge, these are huge! I'm going to have to do something different for sock 2, with the understanding that I will be ripping this one back once I have completed this round.



A plain ribbed sock is such a nice respite from intricate patterns. I'm using Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn, and this better soften in the wash. It is so scratchy, but the colors are amazing. I've cast on #2, and had to rip it back to try to match the stripes. I feel like being a genius again! At least these fit.

Fate

I ran into an old co-worker today. I was rather surprised to see him, even more so when I found out what he was doing.

There are a lot of people that are out of work right now due to the credit market and real estate decline. I've been in the Real Estate and Mortgage industry since 1992. Regardless of how you feel about people in this industry, let me assure you there were many of us who made a decent living, but never got rich. We weren't profiting from having swindled unsuspecting homeowners. A lot of good people that worked back office jobs are out of work. Wage earners that didn't make bonuses or commission are finding it hard to get jobs in other sectors, because of the "taint" of having worked in the mortgage industry. Times are tough in general.

This particular co-worker had entered into a service job. He had been a loan officer. He never had a big book of business, but he treated his clients well, ethically and professionally. His change of circumstance was surprising. He is smart and clever and I would have expected him to move towards something more professional, a sales position perhaps. He told me about another co-worker of ours that had also changed professions, and that was surprising too.

I'm lucky that I'm able to do what I know best. I struggled to get here and had my own span of a little better than a year when I wasn't sure what my next step would be. Can we change our fate? There have been many great people that I have known throughout my career that I would like to work with again. Can I impact their fate? Change the course of their life? I hope that with the opportunities presented where I am now, that I can make positive change. I can always dream.

Me & Mickey

Way back when I was 5, I had my first encounter with Mickey. Growing up in Orange County made that a little easier than for most. Disneyland was a place we went probably once a year, sometimes more. By the time I was a teenager, I had enough of it. I would rather go to Knott's or Magic Mountain. They had "thrill" rides.

It wasn't until I was well into my 30's that I became enamored of Disney again. In 2002, we went to Orlando for 10 days. It had been over 10 years since I had been Disneyland. Walt Disney World was amazing and wonderful and tiring. Even with as much as we got to see, something was missing. We were in Orlando in October. For Christmas, we went back to Disneyland.

That was the first Christmas without Dad, so we had to do something different. We spent Christmas Eve at the park. It was beautiful and magical. I don't remember every being there around the holidays. I regained what I had lost so many years before; I became a kid again.

There are those that have a preference for Walt Disney World, but Disneyland has so many wonderful qualities, not least of which is that Walt walked here. Pirates and It's a Small World are so far superior to WDW's version. We still have Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. And we have the sub's again! Last year was the first time since 2002 we hadn't been in the park, but we did go to Downtown Disney, so I got my fix (and my pins).

I wish that I had appreciated it more while I was still living there. It truly can be the Happiest Place on Earth.

Sunday Quotes

There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself.

Andrew Carnegie
1835-1919, American Industrialist, Philanthropist

Saturday Night Movie

Because I have Windows Vista and it's causing me no end of problems, this week's videos are dedicated to this subject.



And if you hate Windows Vista as much as I do (I have seen more blue screens of death in the last two months than I have seen in 10 years), do take a look at the parody on YouTube. OMG - any tech head should see this.

An oldie, but a goodie, from the prelaunch of Windows 98 - it couldn't happen to a nicer guy - a memorable BSOD:

FO Friday

I finished two pairs of socks this week. I finally finished Nagini. I don't know why it took me so long to get these done. I had cast on for the second sock a while ago, and never really got much beyond the cuff. However, I discovered that I had not cast on the correct amount of stitches and had to rip out what I started. I think that's what got me fired up to get these done. Besides, Round 2 of Sock Madness and the Mystic Light Shawl are both waiting in the wings, so getting these off the needles was just a nice accomplishment.


Pattern: Nagini by Gigi Silva (Momma Monkey)
Yarn: MacKintosh Yarns Chubby Sock
Colorway: Voldemort
Needles: US2

I can't say much about pair No. 2 since I was test knitting them. However, I can say that I loved the yarn and the pattern is one that had a technique that I had not tried before. The yarn was Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome in the colorway Green Mountain Madness. Here is a photo of the sole of the sock:



It really is a beautiful colorway. I think I have enough left over for a pair of fingerless gloves.

I cast on for the Mystic Light Shawl tonight, so I will have a progress photo of that next week. So far, so good.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Favorite's

I've had very long days this week, today being no exception. So, similar to my posts over the last couple days, this post will be brief as well. I think I used up my week's blogging mojo on Monday with my Remembrance post.

One of my favorite things - sleep. Which is what I'm going to go do.

'Night all.

What's On The Needles

This week, it is yet another sock...



Noro Kureyon Sock in a basic rib. I wonder if I will be able to match up these "stripes". A bit more of a challenge.

I finished two pairs of socks over the weekend. Woohoo!

I am participating in the Mystic Light KAL and the first piece of the pattern was released today. Very cool. I'm looking forward to starting that one.

See you back here on Friday!

Thoughts for a Tuesday

I have no idea what to write because my brain is too tired. So, I will leave you with this thought...

Why is it that regardless of bred or size, puppies are so stikin' cute?

I want a puppy. Sorta. A housebroken puppy. With some obedience training.

Remembrance

Dad loved to play keepaway with me. It obviously started when I was quite young. I eventually got the hat ( photographic evidence), but he would tease me for-ev-er until I got my way. I usually did. Being daddy's little girl had certain perks.

6 years ago tonight that smile left forever, and the laughter with it. Even though the death certificate says March 26th, it was on a Monday night that I came home, went to bed and was awakened a few hours later by the call from my mother. Her words were nearly unintelligible - the gut wrenching sobs enough for me to know that he was gone.

Just a few days before Christmas, he and I had our last "real" conversation. I was in Las Vegas, celebrating Christmas a few days early with the in-laws. It was a Tuesday morning, sitting in a restaurant that no longer exists inside Treasure Island, speaking to Dad on my cell, that I knew something was terribly wrong with him and we needed to go there for Christmas.

It hadn't been in the plans. We hadn't been able to get a house sitter for the dogs. We get home, put in a day at work, pack up the Montero with dogs and luggage and head South. It's my mother's 75th birthday. She had always forbidden animals in the house. They had the run of it, except the master bedroom. We didn't know it at the time, but Dad had started throwing mini-clots. The man that could calculate a shopping cart full of groceries to the penny - for fun - couldn't figure out he had $28 in his wallet.

They would go to the hospital after Christmas - let's just get through the holidays. He hadn't been well, had had the flu. His appetite had been off. He'd be fine. I was in denial - and I should have taken him myself. They had never listened to me before; they weren't going to start now.

We headed home. There wasn't much else we could do. 3 days later, Dad was in the hospital. His idiot doctor told me, when I showed up at his office demanding an explanation, that he had already informed my brother (I'm an only child) that Dad was suffering from Alzheimer's. The doctor that was on call told me that Dad had congestive heart failure, said that because he stopped taking one of his blood thinners that he had been suffering from clotting and mini-strokes and that all we could do was make him comfortable. He probably wouldn't be with us for another 6 months. Dad's cardiologist was furious. He wanted to know why Dad had stopped taking the meds that he had prescribed. You see, 6 months earlier Dad had received an on-demand pace maker. His cardiologist said he would probably live to be 100! His General Practitioner, the one that had spoken to my brother, had removed Dad from some of his meds. Dad wasn't the one suffering from Alzheimer's, it would seem. The doctor retired from practice later that Spring. A lawsuit would have killed Mom.

That last Saturday before he passed, I insisted that my Mom go out for the day with her best friend. I would sit with Dad. I worked on my laptop, had the TV on with a show he would like. I talked to him throughout the day. He responded with nods or shakes of his head to questions I would ask. I made him lunch, that he could barely get down. Swallowing had become very difficult at this point. I spent some time working on a knitted blanket that I had started when he was in the hospital. It covers our bed now in warmer months.

That Monday when I was getting ready to leave, I told him I would be back in a few days. I knew that it wouldn't be much longer. He shook his head. I took it to mean that I shouldn't rush back. I insisted that he would see me again soon. He shook his head again. I kissed his cheek and told him that I loved him. It was at that moment that he uttered the first full sentence to me since that Tuesday morning in Vegas. The first time I knew in my heart that he saw me, that he knew who I was. "I love you too......"

Alone with my thoughts, and my tears, I retraced the path back to Southern California. I arrived back at the house, where less than 24 hours earlier my family was in tact. Like thieves in the night, the people from Hospice Care had seen to it that all traces of his illness, of his death, were removed. It was almost like a terrible dream.

Over the next few days Mom and I did what we had too. I went through papers. We met with the funeral home director. We made the necessary plans. We had the service and then we opened the house to any who wanted to stop by. My friends were wonderful that day, with one in particular who stole some older ladies hearts with his hosting skills. At the end, we toasted Dad with Norwegian Linie Aquavit. It had been a regular cargo on his ships, so it seemed appropriate.
So, tonight, I raise a glass to him in memory. I try not to think of those last few months. I would rather remember him as he was in the picture - laughing and enjoying a game of keepaway.

Sunday Quotes

It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.

-Ansel Adams

Saturday Night Movie

In honor of the socks I finished this week. Granted, it has little to do with Zombie's (maybe the floor show sequence?), but the colorway is Sweet Transvestite. OMG I love Tim Curry.

FO Friday

Here are the Finished Objects of the Week:


My So Called Washcloth #6
Yarn: Peaches & Creme Cotton
Colorway: Peppermint
Needles: US10.5


My So Called Washcloth #7
Yarn: Peached & Creme Cotton
Colorway: Licorice
Needles: US 10.5


Sock Madness 2 - Round 1 - Zombie
Yarn: Cosmic Fibers
Colorway: Sweet Transvestite
Needles: US1


Arizona Stole
Yarn: Interlacements Arizona
Corloway: ? Gold, Blue, Bronze & Green
Pattern taken from Barbara Walker Treasury Of Knitting Patterns - Open Honeycomb
Needles: US 17


Close up of pattern.

That's it for this week. See you next Friday!

Favorites

I'm one of the lucky ones - I have a great Mother-In-Law. From the first time I met her, she was warm and accepting. Throughout the 16+ years that I've known her, she has been supportive, understanding and shown me nothing but love. Luckily, we also share more in common than just the wonderful son that she did such an amazing job raising.

Over the last few years we've shared the joy of knitting. Last year, over Thanksgiving, we took off for a couple of hours and went to the yarn store and a couple of craft stores. It was just so wonderful to share that with someone close to me.

My Mom taught me to knit, and never picked up needles again. She'll go with me, but she has as much interest in skeins of yarn as I do shopping for pants at the mall. That's the sad thing about my relationship with my mother - we don't share any interests. None. My mother has a bit of a narcissistic streak too. She can take me from Zero to screaming in 3 sentences or less.

In less than a week, it will be 6 years since my Dad passed away. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him. My Grandfather-In-Law passed away 5 months after Dad. My MIL and I have been dealing with similar issues relating to our now widowed mothers. There's another thing - our mother's are nearly the same age. Mine is 3 years younger. Dad was a couple of years older than Grandpa. Both served in WWII - Dad in the South Pacific with the English Navy and Grandpa in France with the Army. Though their backgrounds set them far apart, they got along quite well.

I came to my parents much later than most for that time. I remember a store clerk asking Dad if I was his granddaughter. He pretty much took it in stride and told me later that's the price he paid for not getting married until he was 40. Of course, it didn't help that it took 5 tries and almost complete bed rest so that I could make my entry into the world. My MIL was 20 when she had my husband. I have cousins that are older than her! Even my youngest aunt, my Mom's baby sister, is 4-5 years older than her. To me, she's always been "too young" to be a mother-in-law.

So why bring this up under "favorites"?

Maybe because right now I understand what she's going through. Her mom's not doing well and it brings back to mind what I was going through those last few months of Dad's life. I know the helplessness, the frustration, and wanting to ease their suffering. The basic inability to be able to do a damn thing about it.

Maybe it's the fact that after so many years I finally accepted her as "mom". Not a replacement to what I have, but to fill the empty spaces in my life that I would have liked to have shared with my mother.

Maybe it's because she an inspiration to me in many ways. Her strength and optimism is there when you need it. She always seems to know just what to say to give you a new or different perspective. She listens without comment or criticism.

Maybe it's just because we share some of our favorite things together. She reads this blog with regularity. And since I'm sitting at work and can't call her, at least she'll know that I was thinking about her.

I love you, Mom. It's times like these I wish we were just a few hours away.

What's On The Needles

Nothing new, I'm afraid. I finished a stole over the weekend and Sock Madness 2's Round One Zombie socks last night. You'll have to wait for Friday, unless you're on Ravelry. Hehe.

I'll flash one of the skeins of Interlacements Arizona that I used for the stole to tie you over until Friday.



The sweater for my husband is coming along.



Your eyes do not decieve you - oceans of stockinette! I had a yarn shop owner comment on the evenness of my stitches. I am a knitting machine! I'm using Rowan Yorkshire 4-ply Tweed, I guess it's close to a DK weight. The differences between fingering to DK to Sport can be a bit of a challenge for me. I'm using US6, and it's making for a very light, drappy fabric. I thought it would make a nice layering sweater. A man on the train commented on the color the other morning. Olive, or Army green was a such "man's color". He said it was one of his favorite's. There are speaks of light blue, which I think adds some interest. I will make sure that it is properly modeled by the intended user once it has been completed. I have one and a half sleeves to go.

For not having much to report, I certainly said more than I intended!

Race Relations

I watched Obama's speech today. I felt connected to him for the first time, really. I'm not condemning him, as many have, for not casting his pastor aside. After all, this pastor was very much like a family member to him.

I don't know about you, but I've been embarassed by things my family members have said. I loved my father very much, and even though I was blind to many of his faults, I knew he wasn't perfect. He was raised in a different era. My mother made comments that came, for lack of a better term, from ignorance.

True, you can't change you parents. Obama commented on his grandmother's fear of having a black man walk towards her on the street. I've heard similar comments from my mother. I have heard devote Christians comment that God had "damned" this country for it's sinful ways, and AIDs was one of God's way to punish the most grievous of these sinners. There was a man I worked with for a time that said "as a Christian" he could not support our governments efforts to give aid to Africa because he didn't want his tax money "going to people who had sex with monkeys". I asked what had happened to Christian charity? Well, that was for Christian's, of course.

I didn't speak to my best friend for 2 years because of an off-the-cuff comment he made about my husband's religion. Quite frankly, I was being very pig-headed about the whole thing and should have taken the opportunity to have a dialog on how we could agree to disagree. He is a Christian and my husband is a Buddhist. Over the years they have had long, thoughtful discussions which finally came to the conclusion they could agree to disagree.

To create change, you have to put effort into it. Perhaps Obama has had long discussions with Rev. Wright on the topic of race relations, and how it may not be as bleak as the Reverend sees it to be. Maybe they agreed to disagree. Perhaps some things should remain between a man and his pastor.

Memories

One of the last times we took our dog Heidi for a hike, this is what we got to see. This was taken at the Black Diamond Mines, part of the East Bay Regional Parks District in East Contra Costa County. In other words, it's over the hill from where I live. We were out there a few times with the dogs and hiked the trails - while the cows stared at us. Heidi was alway pretty good about staying close. She never ran off, but once her nose got the scent of something, she would stay at a spot for-ev-er appreciating and exploring all the subtle nuances. In other words, she dug in and wouldn't move. Fen had ADD and would have bounded off to try to intimidate the cows. He stayed on his leash.

I miss the hikes, though without a dog it's doesn't seem as purposeful. We saw a lot of beautiful landscape on these outings. Sundays just aren't the same anymore.

Sunday Quotes

A dog owns nothing, yet is seldom dissatisfied.

- Irish Proverb

Saturday Night Movie

I never get tired of seeing this - maybe because I see a little too much of myself in it. Enjoy!

FO Friday

The little Preemie Blanket is done. I had only two skeins of the Patons Cotton Club, but it went far enough. Used one skein for the Moss Stitch center and then mitered the corners while knitting in the round for the outside edge. I ended up being one side short when I was casting off, but luckily had some other yellow baby yarn that matched enough to finish the edge.



There is something about matching up stripes that makes you feel like a genius. I called these Ribby Goodness and, it's official, I have now knit enough socks that I no longer require instructions. The yarn is Fortissima Socka Mexiko. They fit quite well. I purchased this at Stitches West. A decent flip on stash.

The stole I started last night has made sufficient progress that it will probably be done before next Wednesday. At least I have something lined up for next week.

Favorite's

Tide pools - the shoreline - the ocean. I'm not picky as long as it's salty, moving and undulating, and there are fishies and crustaceans living in it. It's a pity the water here is so cold. I miss swimming in the ocean. I miss my summer days spent at Bolsa Chica and Huntington Beach.

What's On The Needles

Last year, I discovered the English magazine Simply Knitting. I have been amazed by how many patterns I find that I want to try. In one of the issues last Fall, there was a pattern for a simple stockinette rolled hem sweater that I thought would be perfect for my husband. Something he could just throw on, light but warm. I wanted to try a larger project with Rowan 4-ply Tweed, and with some minor adjustments, I was on my way.

I finished the front tonight.



I know, I know. It looks like a couple of greenish rectangles at this point, but it won't be long before DH is modeling it for the world. I started a sleeve last night. I'm finding that this is a really good commute project. See, I can knit something other than socks.

And speaking of socks.....

I am test knitting a pair of socks. That's all I'm willing to say. Here is the sole of the sock:



Can't tell really anything from that. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome in the colorway Green Mountain Madness. I love CTH. It is so soft and squishy. The socks feel wonderful to wear too.

That's it - check back Friday. I finished something!

Thoughts for a Tuesday

I've been busy catching up on the New York Sex Scandal. I felt so sorry for Mrs. Spitzer. I don't get it. Why did she have to be dragged out in front of the media for further embarrassment? More humiliation. The woman looks like she hasn't slept, that she's probably been crying until there was nothing left. What goes through your mind when you realize this man you loved, trusted, shared your life with was also capable of scorning, lying and betraying you? A part of her died and that betrayal will be with her forever.

I don't really know what my opinion is of prostitution. If a woman is willing to have that type of intimate relationship with someone, be it for money, support or gifts, I guess that's her decision. But isn't she also saying that she's a commodity that can be bought and sold? I didn't think you could put a price tag on a human being. Whether you're getting $1000 an hour, and apartment and a allowance, or $50 for a back alley encounter, doesn't it come down to the same thing?

I hate the wall to wall coverage on the news. I don't care who the 22 year old is. I'm more concerned with the reasons why the IRS got involved. Why they were wire tapping? Less salaciousness, more legal footing. What consenting adults do behind closed doors is their business. If the money came from other than personal funds, that is our business. I don't need to know the conversation between the Escort and her handler/pimp/agent. I certainly don't need to hear it on the evening news or the cable news channels.

Honestly - the media are acting like 11 year old boys nervously giggling over an issue of National Geographic. You know the one I'm talking about. I had hoped the days of Beavis and Butthead were behind us, but alas, they can now be found on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News.

Memorable Moments

Some things just strike your funny bone, and this one did. Nacho Mamma, Garberville, CA.

Sunday Quotes

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Please share this video

If you haven't had the chance to see "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch, please take the time to go see this video. His philosophy, and the message he conveys, is empowering. It is a stark reminder that as long as we have breath, we can make a difference.

A combined post

It was quite late when I got home last night. Had a late afternoon meeting far from home and office, and my boss dropped me off at one of the ferry docks so that I could make my way home.

I picked up the ferry at the Larkspur port, north of San Francisco and within site of San Quentin prison. San Quentin is where California's Death Row is located. When someone is subjected to the death penalty, this is where it - and the protests - take place. It's been a few years since the last one. What amazes me is that the original structure is a beautiful piece of architecture, and the views are some of the best on the Bay. No wonder so many people want to see this facility closed. The real estate, and subsequent property taxes, would be quite a boon.

This was my first time on a ferry here in the US. This is a common form of transportation in Norway, especially Northern Norway where I have spent the majority of my time overseas. It's been a few years since I was on the Bay, and I have never been out there at night. It was a wonderful way to end the day.

With the sun setting as I was waiting to board, it took on an almost magical feeling. Because it was twilight, when we were pulling away from the dock and moving into the Bay, it made me feel like I was back in Norway. Of course, playing some Norwegian folk music on my iPod probably helped create that mood. I was thinking of what I would blog about and how the experience restored some peace to my mind. I love the ocean. It has always had a restorative effect for me. I don't get to see it much, even though I pass under the Bay twice a day. I miss the smell and the sound of waves. It was chilly due to the wind, but it felt good. It was a much needed balm to my soul, after the last week or so. I need to remember that this is a viable option for me to get out on the water every now and again. Also, there's a great pub that serves good beer and food at Larkspur Landing. I believe there is also a yarn store within walking distance. I'm going to have to check that out sometime.

We pulled into San Francisco about 40 minutes or so after having left Larkspur. I stopped to take a quick shot of the boat.



It's a little hard to see because it was so dark.

I decided that I would have a quick bite to eat before getting on the train to head home. I thought this shot was pretty cool.



I had dinner at Ferry Plaza Seafood. I highly recommend the shrimp salad. It was wonderful! I also stopped at the bookstore and took a look around before heading out.

It is the first time I can say that I traveled by car, boat and train in one day. In fact, it was within 3 hours.

As to my Friday update - alas, I finished two separate socks, but not a pair. Amazingly, I have nothing to show off this week. Next week will be a different story.

What's On The Needles

This is the new thing I can show you. I joined the Sock Knitters Pentathlon. This is a group that will be knitting 5 specific patterns leading up to the Summer Olympics. The yarn is from J. Knits in the colorway Los Angeles - the place I was born. The first Summer Olympics that I felt connected to was the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. So this colorway seems somehow fitting.

I'm still working on the socks I'm calling Ribby Goodness. I am also test knitting a pair of socks, which I can't really speak of or obviously show off. I am using Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome, which is awesome. I think I may have enough left over for a pair of fingerless gloves.

Nagini remains unfinished, as do a number of other projects. I think that there will be nothing ready for Friday. Oh well. One week with no FO's won't kill me.

A little off

I've been a little off this past week. I had some news last Wednesday, though not completely unexpected, was still a shock to the system. It's not really something I'm ready to talk about, and it's not going to kill me, it just means I have to make some lifestyle changes. In other words, it's going to be a pain in the ass and I'm going to be cranky.

It just causes me to wonder "why me"? The only happy little refuge I have in my life right now is knitting. With almost everything else there is pressure, responsibility, inadequacy, disappointment or angst. I realize that I have it better than a lot of people, but there are a lot of people that have it better than me.

I know I'm just wallowing in a shimmering pool of self pity, but honestly, I hardly ever put myself first. Maybe that's why I'm in the shape I'm in now. So many people pull at me during the day, I have nothing left for myself at the end. Except for a little knitting time just for me. There are times that I wish I could just knit my problems away. About as likely as Santa and Tinker Bell stopping by for a drink this Friday night.

I'm just frustrated and mentally tired and I feel like whining. Sorry.

Tomorrow normalcy will return and I will post what I'm working on and we'll just put this little pity party on the back burner. Not every day can be wine and roses.

Thanks for humoring me.

Memories

Sunset out at Point Reyes. One of the reasons that I am happy to be a native Californian.

Sunday Quotes

The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering.

-Doctor Who

Just because