List Day!

• What is the correct etiquette for doors when two people arrive at the same time?


• 0400 is still pretty early.


• And Grilltech has to be in at 0400 as well.


• Cube mates are eating red vines. I'm not.


• However, I'm ready to go back to bed.


• The sock has been worked on, the gusset is done and a new color has been joined.


• There are doughnuts in Grilltech's bay. Bastards.


• Now they've moved the red vines next to me.


• So far, I've behaved and eaten my peppers.


• Random overheard conversation: I've been in jail five times...


• I moved the red vines, so they wouldn't tempt me.


• I'm not thinking of anything exciting to put down.


• I did complete four rows on the third chart. I'm almost to the half way point of charts.


• Notice I said charts, not half way done with the shawl.


• I was a bit crabby yesterday, dealing with huge pricks egos; tends to make me that way.


• Amy, I was Athena as well.


• And no, I wasn't mad at Grilltech, just his department head.


• Don't forget, the contest ends on Friday at 1200 MST*.

*Or something like that...

Happy 400th!

Let me try this again. Happy 400th blog post! I started a post yesterday, but could. not. function. correctly. Plus it was a Monday at work (read everything was broken). But you aren't here to read about work are you? No, I should talk about knitting, which I didn't do any last night. It was WAY to h-o-t. But the sock did get worked on at knit group, it's about 10 grams away from moving to a new color. Trying to decide the next color is somewhat of a pain in the arse ass. It could go with a grey or black (two colors I have) or it could end up with something completely crazy.

Onward and upwards, about the 400th blog post give-a-way. I have two books - a children's sweater book and a sock book - that I know I'll be giving away, but I'm not sure about anything else. Maybe some redheart baby yarn to go with the book sweater book? What do you need to do to win? Leave a comment on this post and on Friday I'll have a number picked at random.

The Loot!

When I came out to the living room Friday morning, I could hear some shuffling out on the back porch. Fran is staring intensely out the back door. I'm thinking, oh-great-it's Steve*. I flip on the light to scare him off, and three raccoons scatter. One runs to the back of the house. Another runs to the side. And one stays where he's at and glares at me. The kitties didn't get let out Friday morning.



The booklet is called Curvy Knits. It has four patterns in it for the fluffier lady. The tank top is really cute. The lace book is packed full of lace patterns, stitches, and how-to. The Art of Fair Isle Knitting is going to be my introduction color knitting. I've done some stranded knitting, but it's really tight. I'm hoping it will give me some good tips. It has nothing to do with the fact the colors on the back are ones I'm drawn to. No really.

The green and purple with greens (in hanks) is Paca-Peds H-T, superwash alpaca sock yarn. Grilltech really liked the green gator, which looks like camouflage to me. The deep seas is mine. When I showed Perky, she about drooled all over it. I had to wipe it off and then hide it so it didn't fall into her bag when she left. The blues and purples is a trekking pro natura.

My next post will be the big 400. Stay tuned for a give away.

And for those of you who don't read Dilbert, you should every now and then.

* Steve is a large tomcat who terrorizes our cats. I believe he is the cause of several of Sabrina's past injuries.

To the Knitter...

Grilltech's sock here.

The Knitter isn't fair! Want proof? Here is Knittech's sock at the brew pub.
Doesn't it look like it's have a good time?

What do I get? Started on the day they're leaving vacation, about 30 minutes before they walk out the door. Then what happens? The knitter drives for four hours, leaving me to languish in the bag. I'm only taken out to have pictures taken in scenic locations, but I'm not worked on.


The knitter finally is able to knit, then what happens? They stop to get a picture and you can't even tell I've been worked on. Is it fair? Heck no!

Speaking of fair, the knitter finished a pair of socks for her on the trip, but me? She only works on me during break or if she has to wait for periods of time. I'd go on strike, but then I'd never get finished. I wonder if the shawl and sweater suddenly went 'missing' if I'd get more needle action...





Maybe I should point out I'm a simple knit, unlike the other two.

Love the Sock

List Day!

• For some reason I woke up at 0200 and couldn't quite get back to sleep this morning.


• Waking up that early wasn't really a bad thing, since I'm working OT.


• I didn't knit last night, instead I somewhat picked up the house.


• Yeah, it didn't take me that long to pick up, but it was too hot to do much of anything.


• Six hours to go. This day is mostly over.


• What ever it takes to make it through the day, right?


• My cube mate is back from vacation. He's making one of my monitors vibrate.


• I hate that.


• I forgot to check the bar this morning on the drive in.


• One early morning I drove by a house full of lights and people. I realized they were still going from last night's party and I was on my way into to work at 0330.


• I look one minute and there are 20+ calls hanging, I look again and we're down to six.


• Grilltech is such a sweetie, he gave me two bits.


• Two bits, not to be confused with two bytes.


• I didn't pull anything out for dinner tonight, guess it's going to be hotdogs and salad again.


• I'm back to 15 minutes on the bike.


• Grilltech says the cleaning lady has changed her tactics. Now she takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r to clean the bathrooms.


• Cube mate brought BK for lunch. Hmmm fries.


• I guess I should read those #$@& e-mails. I could have been wearing jeans today.


• So when you're near me, darling can't you hear the S-O-S?


• Stupid communicator, it doesn't work half the time.


• Did you know the smell of burger lingers long after the actual burger is gone.


• I really don't want hotdogs for dinner tonight. Guess I'd better figure something else out.


• Four more hours! Four more hours!


• Can you tell I've got nothing for the blog today?


• I really need to get Grilltech to e-mail the pictures, so I can post progress.


• Someone just walked by with popcorn or I'm having a stroke.


• Two more hours!! Two more hours!


• I spent 1035.2 seconds running the morning reskill, this afternoon.


• I was handed an unexpected surprise. My replacement showed up an hour early.


• I'm going home!


• To the SUV turning at the corner, one word: Signals!


• Why is it going to work I'm always under the speed limit, but coming home I'm always over?

Back to Work

Its odd to be back at work after a couple of days off. One gets used to staying up several hours past the regular bed time, which makes it somewhat harder to get to bed at the regular time. The alarm in the morning? It was evil, very evil. Today is a day of meetings, so it will be somewhat of an easy day. It doesn't help that stuff is broken. All I can do is watch helplessly as calls build up and stay that way. People are snappy, because nothing seems to be going right.

I did get several rows (six to be exact) completed on the shawl last night. Which puts me about six rows away from being done with the second chart. Not real sure what I'll be working on tonight.

I thought I had grabbed my chap stick out of the car this morning, turns out I didn't. On the plus side, I found the dental floss I have been searching for. It was on the drawer I have at work. It must have fallen out at some point while I was grabbing my purse. I had looked for it this weekend, but couldn't find it.

We saw Hancock on Monday morning. I liked it. No major plot holes, but I did think they could have added a bit more to help fill in what little gaps there were. Jason Bateman did a nice job of being a man with conviction. The second meeting was great. They kept trying to go in one direction, and he never acknowledged they're comments. Sure he didn't get what he wanted because he wasn't talking to his audience, but he wasn't going to be side tracked.

I've got an hour to go, then I'll be waiting for Grilltech to get off. It's way to hot to go sit in the car and knit, so I'll be in the break room with headphones. Hopefully the headphones will deter people from wanting to do stupid conversations. Oh, my grandmother used to crochet. My sister's, brother's, roommate's dog, aunt Sara knits, do you know her?

A Quick Overview

It was a quick trip to the MIL’s over the 4th of July weekend. Grilltech did most of the driving, because I’d rather knit. When I did drive he was bored, forced to watch the river through the window. So I let him finish the drive, which made us both happy. I did finish my first anklet on Thursday. On Saturday, I finished the second one. They are comfortably ensconced on my feet as I typed most of this post.

I used Persistent Illusion’s page of area’s yarn stores and managed to make it to a couple of them.

The first shop – Stitchcraft - was pretty new, opened within a couple of weeks. We walk up to the door and find it locked. We can see people in the store, but the door won’t open. We’re standing there talking with the but why won’t the door open? Tried the door again, and she came running over and opened the door. Her husband and children were at the store before we showed up and one of the children had locked the door. We laughed and wandered about the store. Her shop only carries natural fibers, excluding sock yarns which have some nylon in them. She didn’t have a real big selection, but her shop was bright and airy. I did find some trekking bamboo I couldn’t live without.

The second shop - Unraveled - was about four blocks away so we walked there. There was a knit group of about four ladies there, talking about local politics. Grilltech sat down and was happy, because it reminded him my LYS. It’s nice to know knitters are the same around the country. The second shop has the lived in feeling. I did pick up two skeins of an alpaca sock yarn. Not sure how it will turn out, because I’ve hard that alpaca doesn’t make real good sock yarn. But you only live once.

While I was paying, someone called on her phone line. She had frowned because she wasn’t sure the payment had gone through correctly, but it had. Later that night I checked the bank account and saw the payment had been deducted twice. So on Saturday we went back and I explained the error and she was going to check into it. We made it back and I checked the bank again, and it had corrected itself. So, I’ll call her on Sunday and let her know it had been handled by the bank.

On the 4th, Grilltech and I went to his friend’s house. I think I had met him once ages ago. Grilltech had a wonderful time reminiscing of times along ago and far away. The sampling of beers gave him ideas of what he might want to brew. Next year he wants to bring some of his homebrews to share. I did chat, but spent most of the time knitting quietly in the middle of the group letting conversation flow around me. After all, it was more about Grilltech then me.

Turns out Grilltech’s friend knows the second LYS owner because the shop used to have a coffee shop there. It has since moved out, but he said if the espresso had stayed he’d most likely end up a knitter himself.

On Saturday, we went downtown to do more shopping. We walked about twelve blocks and we were very tired. The one LYS we went to, I didn’t like so we didn’t stay long. We walked down to a giant book store. OMG, you see the cartoons of you are here. They need it. It was that big. The knitting section was several rows long and very full. It didn’t have the Barbara Walker treasury of knitting. I picked up a book called Knitting Lace by Barbara Abbey, I opened the book and saw the price tag of $9.00. It was written back in 1974, some of the terms used aren’t part of today’s standardized knitting words. Grilltech purchased about five books; our total was about $150. Ouch! Later when Grilltech was peeling off the stickers and pointed out my book was $65!! Guess I’d better make good use of it. The book pictured is not the book I have, mine is copyrighted 1974.

We went to lunch at the Deschutes Brewery; Grilltech ordered the sampler while I had a Pepsi. I had sips and decided I really liked the Nitro Cinder Cone Red. Liked it enough I let Grilltech take about two sips of it then I finished the sample. WOW! I’ll need to look around and see if we can find a six pack of it.

I managed to get several more rounds of the sweater completed. Several? It’s almost as long as my hand. I’ll get pictures posted soon™.

...and we're off

• This morning, Fran-kitty was on the roof. She had to let us know by screaming.


• I think everything is packed and in the car.


• Looks like another busy day here at the datamine.


• On the plus side, it's Friday!!


• On the down side, we have an eight hour drive ahead of us after work.


• I don't use an iron, so I don't have to worry about it being left on.


• I left the shawl at home, but the sweater is packed.


• I even brought extra sock yarn, just in case.


• My favorite lip balm is in my pocket.


• I told the kitties good-bye and to behave.


• They're cats, they'll do as they please.


• When did they change the gold coin from Sachawea to the US Presidents?!


• Grilltech just went home, he wasn't having a good day.


• I did turn off my computer. I'm sure Perky will turn it back on while she's checking on the kitties.


• The report may take three seconds to create, however, the page takes 20 seconds to refresh.


• I meant to post pictures of the shawl last night, but was distracted by... RCHP.


• System is lagging today. Stupid datamine.


• MIL - It wasn't Sabrina who tried to come with us on the trip, but Fran.


• She was told the trunk wouldn't make a good place for cats to travel.


• There is a stuck pixel on one of the monitors here at work. There are times it really bugs me.


• Two and half more hours to go. I'm starting to get tired.


• Nothing like playing phone tag with people.


• Grilltech - who went home three hours ago - left himself logged into his phone...


• I'm on the down hill side of work now.


• I can't think of anything I might need to call Grilltech and tell him to bring.


• I should call him anyway at 1350 in a panic telling I can't live without something trivial.


• Having lived with me for 19 years, he'd know I was trying to pull something on him.


• While we're gone, posting will be a bit hit or miss until about Monday.


• Power flicker.

Another boring day

This morning's drive to work was interesting. Interesting. Monsters are such interesting creatures. To the south lightning filled the sky. We was at the half way point and I asked if he remembered to grab breakfast. He hadn't and stated lunch was sitting on the table where he had left it. So I turned off and returned home. It started raining on the drive in. It was a five minute rain. The west had the same dark clouds as the south, so I rolled the windows up, cracked the back ones a bit so the car wouldn't be oppressively hot....

And walked into the storm at work. Things have been broken since the word go. People are short tempered. It really makes for a fun morning. It has calmed down a bit, which is nice. The general buzz of the room has also gone down.

No knitting last night. The kids were over and it was hot. It was all I could do to just sit and play solitaire. I went to bed at 1930ish, closer to 2000. After we did some basic packing. Tonight I'll finish up with some more packing after I finish a couple of loads of laundry. Wednesday morning will see the last of the packing.


And now for something completely different: (thanks Grilltech)

An unusual meme:

You are trapped in a mall and the zombies are attacking (for the sake of any arguments we'll say they are of the "slow" variety). You get to choose any 1 weapon to use, any song to have blasting on the speakers, and any famous person to fight alongside you. What do you pick?

My answers:
Weapon - a Reason (It's from Snowcrash.)
Song - Bat Out of Hell - Meatloaf
Person - T-1000 (from T2. Gotta love a guy who can make himself into bladed weapons. Maybe it's things like this is why I'm going to the 7th level of hell.)

You'll find it funny....

Anxiety dreams. They come in various flavors; but two basic types. The I'm looking for something, but can't find it. The some one or thing is chasing me. The chasing and/or hunting dreams usually take place in a hotel or on the freeway. The hotel is huge with many elevators, escalators, and stairs. There are multiple lobbies are on different floors. The windows are large and I'm not really sure what they look over. The elevators have the rows of buttons that go on forever. The best part? The hotel is a giant oak tree. The freeway? A nightmare of clover leafs and off/on ramps that cross lanes of traffic which may be bumper to bumper or not. Of course what ever I want is usually the hardest place to reach in a vehicle.

The hunting for someone or items usually take place in a school and/or gas station. The school is a generic school which can be found in any large city. Three or four floors, rooms filled with students and teachers; and lockers as far as the eye can see. I can never find my locker or when I do find it I can't remember the combination. When the locker does open, the book I want is never there. I can't find the class room I want, The combination of events can be pretty endless, but you get the idea.

Last night's dream? Started out in a school, but it wasn't normal. My knitting was missing and I was hunting through the world largest stash for my knitting. A first for me.

The mallard sweater has grown another couple of rounds. I still have many inches to go. I'm not measuring until I'm somewhat closer to the desired length. It's really starting to turn out well. The shawl. OMG. It's almost my new crack!! I'm almost done with the second chart, well about half way with the second chart. The colors remind me of the incredible sunrises and sunsets; orange, yellow, pink, and purple. It's just lovely. I can't do much of anything else but watch the pattern while working on the shawl. I'll bring it on the trip because I'd like to believe I'll have time to work on it. It won't make a good car project. However the mallard sweater will.

Grilltech and I work together. He's on one side of the building and I'm on the other, so it's a good thing. We can car pool and save money. During breaks and lunches if I have time, I'll go sit with him and chat up co-workers. So I was surprised when Grilltech told me, about a conversation he had with one of the guys. Add Knittech your friends list, she can answer your question. The cow-orker responds with but I don't know her last name! Yea...

Off to the 7th level

and now for something completely different: (thanks Amy it's nice to know I'm going to the 7th level....)

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Seventh Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very Low
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Very Low
Level 2 (Lustful)	High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Very High
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Moderate
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	High
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Extreme
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	High
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	High

Take the Dante's Inferno Test

Short but Sweet

No knitting last night, instead there was a compulsion to play crack. Today, I should knit... yeah, knit. I can play crack tomorrow.

A quick post

Last night I managed to get about four or five rounds completed on the mallard sweater. The pattern is mine. Which is why I kept bitching about the math. I'd change something, on any of the panels then the calculations would be off. I'd have to try and get the numbers to where I needed them. Originally there was going another panel of the trinity stitch, between the center and the braid. Then I got the bright idea of less is more and decided to use the trinity for filler instead. Which made me have to put the numbers back to the original and I still had to add a total of six stitches. I'm enjoying the pattern and once you have it in your head, it's pretty simple to remember. I'm not quite doing the middle one correctly, but keep it between you, me and the fence post.

IT was a busy day at work. A good thing, because I'd rather be home knitting. It's towards the end of the day and I'm slacking, but don't tell the Gnome.

I've got pictures!!

I started on peacock feathers shawl last night. I'm sooo pleased with. I made it up to row 28 then had to rip back because of count issues. It only shows before the marker. So I have to read from left to right after reading right to left. For some reason I was not getting it the first time around. I did make it to for 31 before I went to bed. I was thinking I started at the bottom and worked up to the top, but its the other way around. (Not the best picture in the world, but it is a picture.)












Here is a picture of my sweater. It's not much at this point. I figure I'll work on the sweater on odd days and the shawl on even days. Or whatever I feel like at the time.

Mute is my friend. I should be sure it's on before I start talking to someone else about other work stuff. On a conference call with the big fish. I try to keep a low profile on that call. Answer any questions they may have if it's directed at me. Oops. Co-worker is laughing at me. (He's a co-worker, not a cow-orker.)

It's been a day

OMG. Got into work this morning and a couple of things were broken. Broken, that's really an understatement. I had barely been logged in two minutes when I was thrown a question I didn't answer correctly. Thankfully, the guy who asked knew what to do and sent everyone scrambling, including me. He's been quizzing all morning, some I can answer, others cause me to have the blank look of terror. On the plus side, two hours down, it's break time.

Ran into Trainee in the bathroom. Her current has been shipped off to Iraq, she's not happy about him being gone. Which is funny, because to hear her talk, she wasn't happy when he was here.

Yeah, I'm a dumbass. for the past 3.5 hours I've been looking at one site only, not all three. Its going to be a day. But it does explain why I've been able to get through looking at people so quickly.

On a positive note, I've finished the heel on my sock. I didn't work on my sweater last night, instead I played crack.

Manic Monday

• I'd rather be sleeping.


• It was hot last night and for some reason I was dreaming about eggs needing to be incubated.


• I have about six inches of my sweater completed.


• I've added a skein of yarn already.


• J thought I was working on Grilltech's sweater, but I'm not.


• The shawl keeps calling me to start it.


• I haven't started it because the first sheet is in the weight room and I'm too lazy busy to go back and get it.


• The weight room has been emptied of the kid's boxes, so we can start using it again.


• We watched Jumpers yesterday. There are a bunch of holes in the plot you can drive a truck through.


• Yes, I know the difference between a truck and a pickup.


• Since I'm going to be in the weight room, I might as well grab the front page of the shawl.


• 45 minutes to go and I've hit the wall.


• We've got to stop by the bank so I can get the title for the white car.


• 13 minutes to go. I can do this.


• I'm almost ready to turn the heel on my sock.


• When I asked how the high beams worked on the new car, Grilltech wanted to know why I was going to be flashing my boobs to on coming traffic.

It's Friday!!

I am the meanest mommy in the world! Last night I called Perky and let her know her socks where done. She said she'd come get them. I told her, it's okay she can get them Friday. She came over anyway. Looking back it was my fault, because I called her. So Perky and Kommadant came over and bring their shiny new computer. The new computer won't be able to get onto the network until Grilltech adds the Mac to the accepted list of users on the router. Since he was busy writing a paper which is due on Friday and he was quickly moving from yeah, I can write 750 words in three hours to OMG!! What time is it? I booted the kids. Perky wasn't happy and stomped out of the house without saying goodbye. So, MIL if Perky didn't post, it's my fault.

Oh yea, we bought a gently used car last night. I sold my white car to the Eldest and wouldn't tell Perky how much I sold it for; which made her a bit crabby also. I'll need to get my stuff transferred into the new car, so they can take the white one home this weekend. Eldest's husband wanted to know what was wrong with the car. Just a few minor annoyances. A couple of things that will need to be addressed before they become problems. But better then what they drive now and can fit everyone in the vehicle.

As I said earlier, I finished Perky's socks. Yeah, I forgot to get pictures. I'll blame the lack of camera for this issue. I started a pair for me. Grilltech wants to know when I'll get around to making him a pair of clogs. I gave him the blank cl-ogs look. He left me alone at that point. I guess I should get around to making them for him.

I managed another couple of rounds on the sweater last night. The markers have been removed. So now it's pay attention to what you're doing Knittech or you're going to be swearing more then ever at the sweater. Which makes Grilltech crazy, because he doesn't like listening to me swear and say fun things like I can't count.

Tonight is knit and eat at the LYS. I went to the store last night and picked up some vegetables to make pasta salad. Then I forgot to pick up the pasta. I can be such a dorkfish at times. So I'll be going to the store to get the pasta. Perky wants me to pick her up, so she can come tonight.

Houston, we have lift-off!

Math is done. I've even completed four rounds on my sweater. I feel so much better. Don't believe me? I've got pictures. Well, I could have pictures. Grilltech would hafta take the pictures, then e-mail them to me, so I can post them. Besides, it's nothing but 2.5 inches of ribbing with a couple rounds of pattern that can't be seen very well yet. I'll post pictures when there is more to show off.

I've started the toes on Perky's sock. It should be done today because Grilltech has a doctor's appointment today. Which means I'll be leaving 30 minutes early. A good thing, because I'm tired of staying until 1430. There's a sentence that isn't right. I'm tired of staying until 1430. Must be the job.

Slim Knitting

I didn't work on the sweater last night. Instead I decided I wanted to change my buffers from moss to bramble stitch. Which means, you guessed it, I've got to redo the math. I know, I know, stop doing last minute changes and knit the damn thing. I want it to be right, because if I'm going to put all the work into the sweater, it had better be what I really want.

Yes, I did increase my stash. But I didn't spend that much.

and now for something completely different... (Thanks Carrie Penny)

42 As a 1930s wife, I am Average Take the test!

I'm back... and a me-me

For the past three years, my birthday present has been going to Nevada and gambling. We do okay; budget how much we can lose and have fun. This year, the youngest and her husband came with us. She was bored and decided she wanted to play slots. She looks older then she is, a good thing at times. She lost about 50 bucks. I did well. At one point I was up to 500; ended up cashing out at 345. I'd give people money so they'd go away and leave me alone. What do you think I did when I was done gambling? Yip, I'm a knitter.... (That's Perky's second sock.) While knitting, three ladies walked by and one said ahh, I should bring mine down....

I didn't drive, so I had four-five hours of prime knitting time. I made Dad a hat for Father's day. He really liked it and wants a burgundy one. It's a fairly quick knit, so I can most likely do three or four more for Christmas.

My sweater. I was ready to put it in time out and I've only completed the ribbing on it!! Swatch, check. Cast on, check. Count twice, check. Complete ribbing, check. Do the math for the pattern. Count again, check. Swear loudly, check, check, CHECK!

I'm unable to figure out how 12 extra stitches showed up. Redo the math. Count the pattern out, it's not working. Swear some more. Check the math. It's correct. Recount. It's back to the original number. Swear more. Put the sweater down and consider taking up stamp collecting.

Redo the math - again. Count the pattern out. This time, I don't stop at the half way mark. Do the whole thing. Off by one. Figure I can live with that. Put the sweater down. Come back ten minutes later. Recount. Find one section with an extra stitch, move them all down. Put sweater down, and do the happy dance. Maybe today, I'll get around to starting the pattern.

I've started the toe on Perky's second sock. Which means I'll be starting another set here soon. I'll need to decide how or what I want to do with them. I'm thinking I might want to knit myself a pair of anklets. I'm liking the tofuies, it's a nice summery yarn. It's starting to get warm, too warm to wear the wool socks.

I'm in meeting hell, pray for me guys....

And now for something completely different: (A Me-me Tag from Amy)

You have been meme-tagged. Pick up the nearest book. Open on page 123. Find the fifth sentence. Post the next three sentences. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you.

I'm not even reading this book, someone left it at the movie theater and I couldn't stand to see it abandoned. Title: The King's Buccaneer by Raymond E Feist

To the southwest, a giant plume of black somke rose into the sky, a terrible sign of destruction. The old mercenary said, "At least half the town, from the look of it."

Without comment, Garret resumed his trot and the others fell in behind.

Tag: Grilltech, Red, Trish, and Lenya

Random Stuff

• The down side to coming in at 0600? I don't get the parking spot next to the door.


• I stayed up late last night, playing crack.


• Today, my eyes feel like sandpaper.


• I completed one set of gloves, have one half finished and three (?) more pairs to go.


• I picked up some royal blue wool last night, so I can make Dad a hat for Father's day.


• I figure it will give me something basic to work on in the car.


• I'm starting to feel better, cube mates can hear me now from across the bay if I try.


• Honestly, I don't try.... often.


• It's Friday!!


• A friend is upset her soon to be ex-husband is already planning on getting married.


• Its Friday!! Well, it is for Grilltech and I...


• A short mini-skirt and knee high black boots just walked by my desk.


• I had some bizarre dreams last night: an outside call center and a heliocopter which flipped onto it's side, causing the rotors to be driven deep into the ground. It was fine, other then it was on it's side.


• I have a doctor's appointment on Monday. I don't think I can loose 50 pounds by then.


• It's Top Chef night.


• When I learned to type, after each sentence it was proper to put in two spaces. Is that still in practice?


• Amy I picked chocolate.


• I guess in order to loose 50 pounds, I'd have to make an effort at it. It's just easier to knit.
  
• The alarm on my PDA is loud.


• Hitting Logout, instead of refresh would be bad.


• I should have brought something to pull the rest of my hair back with, it's warm in here.


• Drinking hot tea, doesn't make it any cooler.


• Trainee, quit bitching that he's asking you to schedule events for people. It's your job.


• Day is half over!!!


• They have a pool at the hotel, do you think I could get a handsome pool boy to feed me peeled grapes?


• My left hand itches. Is that money or family? I can't remember.


• Okay, it wasn't a mini skirt, it was down to her knees - barely. But she still stomps like an elephant.


• The Yarn Harlot's birthday is the same as my older brother's.


• My birthday is tomorrow!


• Note to self: in the future if there are two groups which have the same name (kinda) be sure to seperate in the e-mail; because the subject line isn't good enough. Bastards!


• Oh pool-boy! I'd like a long island iced tea, please.


• The Gnome walked by and said, I don't sound any better. But I do feel better.


• Oh yea, I came in a 0600, 0800 isn't halfway point of the day...


• But 1130 is more then half the day over!!


• One of the guys who I went through training with left about six - eight months ago. He's back.


• He was gone a year and a half!!


• I need to burn a music CD for tomorrow's trip tonight.


• I'm starting to get sleepy. Do you think it would be noticed if I put my head on the desk and napped for a bit?


• Remember this?


• Yea, you're welcome.


• Fine. How about this one?


• Friday is causal day at work. I'll miss it.


• Less then an hour to go, before the weekend starts.

Me Whining

Yesterday I ended up falling a sleep, while trying to knit. I went off and took a nap until 1600. Grilltech came and woke me up and I sure didn't want to get out of bed. Perky and Kommandant came over for dinner last night. Since I was so out of it, I had them order and pay. We won't talk about how I gave them the money to pay for dinner.

I did get a couple more rounds completed on the last glove. I figure about two, maybe three, more hours and it will be done. I'll need to dig through the stash for the trim, then in the mail they'll go.

The Gnome walked by and asked if I'd move my schedule to 0700, I negotiated to 0600. Grilltech and I can car pool for several days now. It saves a few $$.

I e-mail the post home and copy then paste to publish. I hit copy, then paste, yesterday's post came up. Oopies.

It's Ovah!

I'm having a hard time staying awake this morning. If I close my eyes for anymore then a blink, I'll start nodding off which could be bad, if the boss walks by and finds me sleeping. There are moments of it's so hot in here, how can I keep from nodding off? And then ooh, cool air from the heavens.

I'm working on the sixth pair of gloves. I'm not sure I'll have it finished before it needs to be up to the parents. They all need to have the eyelash (funfur) trim put on. When these ones are completed, it's my sweater time!

Today was S-L-O-W at work. And thankfully it wasn’t just me. The guy next to me was bitching about how long the day was taking also. When the shift ended, I was out the door like a flash. Good grief, the traffic home was a nightmare. It’s noon on a Monday people!! Shouldn’t you all be at work?!

I pull up to the house and I can see a big blue bag on the porch. Great, Dad dropped stuff off, instead of calling so he could pick up the gloves. Turns out it was empty bottles for Grilltech. Guess Dad hasn't stopped by yet.

The kitties come running to greet me. Uggy was demanding to be petted. Peaches and Sabrina want me out of the doorway, so they can go out. Because us humans are nothing more then their staff. And Fran the White Kitty decides she wants in. Except she’s no longer white kitty but black – her front paws, under her chin. I don’t know where she goes and plays, but I wish she’d pick someplace cleaner.

I guess I should go work on the gloves, but I just don’t really feel like it.

Random Stuff

• I stayed up until 2030 last night, I didn't want to get up this morning.


• So far, things have been pretty calm around here.


• We spent $242.00 getting the car tuned up. Oh and here is a laundry list of things which will need to be addressed at some point in time.


• New Mantra? I can fix it right now, but the supervisor needs to put in an update...


• I forgot to look at the bar's parking lot on the drive in.


• I'm easily distracted today.


• I can't seem to focus.


• I'm going to knit after work.


• Because of my new job, I'm not getting as much blog reading done. Bastards!


• I didn't knit much last night either.


• I reloaded the music on my card for the palm pilot last night.


• It's Friday and the day is almost over.


• Mornings seem to be the worst; unless something breaks.


• New tools can be confusing. Some are s-l-o-w.


• When I said the day is almost over, it was 0545.


• Now it's 1132, and the day is really almost over.


• I had to spend 15 frustrating minutes to get the #@!$% music program to find the newly loaded music.


• Sometimes the supervisors win, other times I do.


• It's weird, we're suppose to be on the same team, but they use a different language then we do.

And now for something completely different: (Thanks Amy)

Your Power Element is Metal

Your power colors: white, gold, and silver Your energy: contracting Your season: fall You are persistent (and maybe even a little bit stubborn). If you see something you want, you go for it. You have a lot of strength, and it's difficult to get you down. Very logical, you tend to analyze everything going on in your life.

What's Your Power Element?

Halo 2

Instead of my random thoughts, here is the photo of today's sky:



Yea, now I'm wishing I knew where the camera was.

A list

Gift ideas:

Blocking wires

More Big Girl Knits

Moonstone jewelry (any)

I'm at work, listening to a conference call where I only understand about half of what is being said. Its very technical and I'm trying hard to follow along, but it's not easy.

Then all hell broke loose and that was the end of blogging for today.

Very Little Knitting Post

We still don't have a camera, so no pictures of finished - well mostly finished - gloves. I still have one more black to finish, heck start. I'll most likely get two more pairs completed before the parental units come to pick them up.

Perky tried on her sock and was happy how it fit. Darn it! I'm about ready to turn the heel on the second one. I'll then make myself a set. I like how the socks are turning out. Which is a very good thing; because I have about three or four skeins of the yarn in the stash.

The weekend was pretty good. On Saturday, Grilltech, Perky and I went out to breakfast. We dropped Grilltech off and then we went to Hastings. I picked three more tubes of Burt's Bees, the flavor I like because no one else in town carries it. While we were there I found a set of three books which look interesting, but were $$. Perky calls the bookstore next to where Kommandant works. Turns out they had all three of the books and they were used, so they would be cheep, cheep cheap, cheap.

From there we went to the LYS on that side of town. I don't go over there often, because it's not as friendly as the one I hang out at. I picked up the second book of Barbara Walker's Treasury of Knitting. A good thing, because I had lent my copy of stitch patterns to the Eldest. She later called and wanted to know where she could pick up the book for herself. I told her she could keep it. They also have the first book. I may go back or send Grilltech there to pick it up.

After the LYS, Perky and I went to have our eye brows done. I went to pay, and the card didn't work. Huh?! I had been using the thing all morning and it just won't read any more? So they slide it again. Same thing, card error. Crappy. Perky steps up and pays. Sure, her card works fine.

We wander down to the book store, and I hunt through the knitting books to see if they have some I might want. They don’t, so I ask if they can order More Big Girl Knits*. They couldn't because they're distributor doesn't carry it. But they can get a copy of Knitter's Almanac. Since it's a special order, they want it pre-paid. I pull out the card and they run it. Again, the card errors. Frag. Perky pays, but makes them switch the order to her name, and she gets a better discount then what I had.

We go to the bank; I get some cash to pay Perky back. While we're there I order a new card. The guy tells me, your old card will be deactivated. No, really?! It's not working now, so I don't think it's going to be a problem.

Sunday we spent the day catching up on taped shows and watching movies. We taped the Andromeda Strain. I was a bit disappointed in the show, it left me with more questions then anything else. I won't even go into the paradox it created. Lost had some good moments. Sun whether she knows it or not, was taught by her father well. She'll get her blood. I am a bit curious to know if Jin is really dead. It did happen after the island left, but even after Michael left, he couldn't be killed. We watched Next with Nicholas Cage. I liked it. There were spots where I wasn't sure if it his power or him, until you see it pull back. They could easily make a second one where they left off at. I don't think it's going to happen.

One would think I'd figure out, the left's mouse will not work on the right's computer. I think I should invent a mouse that will work on.... (I stopped because I came up with a freaking!! brilliant idea.)

* Good present idea.

I'm All Over the Place...

My new spot is on the edge of a center isle. People walk by with plastic bags which rustle and freak me out. Why? For some reason I think I'm out doors and something is trying to creep up on me in the brush. I turn and look, sometimes I see the people walking up; other times, I'm unable to find them. Then I truly start to twitch. Mantra? There are no serial killers at work, there are no serial killers at work.

I've decided on my sweater, I'm going to rip the sleeves out and knit up a swatch. Then I'll start knitting on the body. I'm thinking this sweater will have drop shoulders. I'll know more when I really get into the heart of the sweater. I've got the cable patterns picked out. It was designed originally for Grilltech, but he didn't seem really excited about cable sweaters. Maybe he thinks they're too girly.

I finished Perky's anklet yesterday while at the LYS. I didn't have my darning needle, otherwise I could have started the second one. I could have borrowed one, but since I had already borrowed a tape measure, I didn't want to push my luck.

Which when it's all said and done, a good thing. I picked up Grilltech after I left the LYS. I was so hungry, the thought of eating out kept nudging it's way into my thoughts. Instead we went to the store and picked up the few items we needed, plus stuff for tonight's dinner. And honestly, if I would have had bound off the first sock, we would have gone out to eat because I would have had something to knit while waiting.

There is another glove in progress, a lime green one. Somewhere, someone will love it. I on other hand, don't think it's a color I would wear. In the mean time, I'm hoping I have enough black left to make a set of those as well for when they go to Vegas. I also need to be working on a database for the parents, but I've been letting it slide. Stupid opportunity costs. I can knit or work on the database, but I can't do both at the same time. The worst part? I have until the 16th to get everything done. I think the database should be first then knitting will come next.

The down side to having two different computers? F5 is the refresh key for explorer. On the system to the left, I need to use it. When I use the F5 key on system to the right, it clears everything to the default settings. Which is very annoying to have to reset. I remembered to use double arrows to refresh, instead of F5. (Yea, me!)

Grilltech didn't have the strain of illness I had. While he did sound like a heavy smoker for about a day and a half, he's on the mend. He still has a bit of a cough, but he's sounding better daily.

Random Stuff

• The bar I passed this morning had ten plus cars in the parking lot. It's a Thursday morning people, why drink heavily on a work night?


• I don't like the new chair I'm sitting in. I'll need to switch it with someone else's.


• Where I sit now, people stop and chat with me. Ick.


• I hate talking on the phone and it turns out the mute button was on.


• People get grumpy when I call them to ask what they're doing.


• I'm supposed to put up a gift list for the MIL of things I want.


• I can't decide on things I want...how sad is that?


• Maybe the drinkers work something other then Monday through Friday


• I'm getting tired.


• Training isn't all that it's cracked up to be.


• Love the why did you do this?


• Because it wasn't me, idiot.


• I swapped the chair, I'm happier now.

It's been a day

I'm at the new desk as of yesterday. I had to move a couple of things around. The phone, keyboards, and mice. I have three monitors, so I feel like I'm watching planes land or something important like that. In the mean time, I'm watching and learning; really wishing I was more confident at what I'm doing. It comes with time, which I don't have right now. Three days worth of training and I'm a bit confused.

Day two of the lateral move, the other team is making noises Knittech didn't do X this morning, so we're behind. Thankfully the Gnome was standing there and mentioned, Knittech only does that on Mondays, you guys can handle the rest of the week. Score! They weren't very happy.

The new team isn't happy either. I'm the annoying little kid who is always asking why? What does that mean? Who is that? They roll their eyes, but answer me.

I haven't really been knitting much, instead I've spent more time playing crack Guild Wars, then anything else. I did get a bunch of missions completed, but I guess it's not really the same as finishing up a sock or something like that.

I didn't make it down to the LYS until yesterday. Miss a week and quite a bit happens; and not much of it is good. M's mom is terminally sick, so she's staying with her until she expires. The saddest part? M's mom was moved up here less then a month ago.

The knitting I have been doing is some stripper gloves for D. She sells them at the Rendvous. The profit margin is very slim on them. My sweater has about four inches on the sleeves done, but I'm thinking it's going to be a bit tight around the wrist. I'm debating whether I should rip back and add a couple more stitches or leave it. Until I make my decision, I have the gloves to knit on.

Oh yeah, still can't use the mouse from the right's computer on the left's computer. One would think, I'd figure that out sooner then later, but it's not happening. I'm going to blame the move.

Grilltech is now sick. Poor guy, it may require a trip to the to doctor.

Random Thoughts

• Saturdays at the datamine are quiet. Hmm early in and weekends? I'd rarely see cow-orkers* co-workers.


• Its freaky to look in the mirror and see a raccoon looking back at yourself.


• Perky now wants to get the eye make up done as well. I'm such a bad influence.


• In answer to Galad's question: I lived in AZ back in 1983. Dad and Uncle Dave was working on a dam down there. Can't remember Never knew the name.


• We're celebrating Baby Bird's birthday on Sunday.


• I haven't picked up a present for her yet. Does that make me a bad Grandma?


• Grilltech and I will be married 18 years this October. I wonder if I should get him something "good".


• I want the Red Hot Chili Peppers to come back to town.


• It's odd, I'm not loosing any weight, but my pants are fitting looser.


• While having my eyes done, we talked about how my skin is a red head's. She then comments, there is some yellowing around your eyes, that's not normal. I wonder how much of it is normal and not noticeable on other skin types.


• Oh yeah, I can't rub my eyes.


• The mouse on the right side computer, doesn't work on the computer on the left.


• I may sneeze like a kitten, but I hiccup like a drunken sailor.


• The mouse on the right side computer, still won't work on the Lefts computer.


• I would like to get more of Burt's Bees Lip Balm, I'm almost out.


• I did the get peacock shawl copied and laminated. Now the pattern is glaring at me from under a pile of bills.


• The second line of Love Potion #9: You know the Gypsy with that gold capped tooth. Which isn't as nearly as kewl as: You know the Gypsy with that gold tattoo.


• Yeah, like you've never misheard song lyrics...


• I've had enough fun for one day, I'm out of here!

* bonus points if you know where that is from

Yeah, I need you to work Saturday...

Today after work, Perky took me down to an up scale tattoo parlor, so I could get permanent eye make up. It. Hurt. A. Lot. I'd show you pictures, but Grilltech has misplaced the camera. Right now, my still sore and looking like a 60’s model. Grilltech and I went out to dinner. The waitress gave me the sweetie, that’s a bit too much eyeliner, but she didn’t say anything.

I am starting to feel better. Since I missed a couple of days of work, I’ll be making up some hours this weekend. No big loss of weekend, it’s a semi long one.

Blah

I waited to long to take cold medication last night. I didn't get to sleep until about 2130. When the alarm went off at 0300, it was turned off and I called in sick.

Three hours later, I'm up and still feeling pretty crappy. I may just spend the day in the recliner knitting and sleeping.

Damn global warming...

I'm a Dumbass

Perkygoth and I went yard saling today. The sky here in the valley was clear and bright. It was suppose to be record setting highs. I didn't know about the record setting highs when we decided on that course of action. Why? I'm a red head.* It took less then 2 hours, of non constant sun for me to get burnt. My left arm, face, and the part of my hair is a lovely shade of pink. It could have been worse. I could have been lobster red.

Perky? She turned a darker shade of olive. We hates her...

* More gray then red, but I still have the pale skin which burns easily.

Tag, I'm it...

A) The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
B) Each player answers the questions about himself or herself.
C) At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged. If you want to, of course, no pressure, after all, it's not like a chain letter or anything...

The questions are:

1. Ten years ago I was... working for a manufacturing company terminating wires for little more then minimum wage

2. Five things on today's to do list: in no particular order

get the peacock shawl pattern laminated

go knit at the LYS

train the flunky how to import people

eat dinner with the kids

pay bills

3. Things I'd do if I were a billionaire: pay off all the bills. Buy stuff for friends and family. Open a shop/studio. Travel, a lot. (Yeah, I'm not noble.)

4. Three bad habits:

I procrastinate (which is why it took days to get the me-me done)

I make poor money choices (I bought more sock yarn yesterday...)

I'm addicted to knitting (although, it might not be a bad thing)

5. Five places I've lived:

Redmond, OR

Quartzsite, AZ

Boise, ID

New Meadows, ID

Wiesbaden, Hess (Germany)

People I'm tagging:

Amy

Trish

Red

Hmm Meth....

Last night, Grilltech and I went to the store. We picked up a couple of items including two bottles of specialty beers. I also picked up some cold medication. Because of the possibility I might cook some meth, I had to go the pharmacy and show them my ID and fill out a form. The girl behind the counter, wrote down my DL's number, told me to fill out the rest, then leave it on the counter when I was done. She then walks away. Next time, I put down Morticia Adams. Grilltech on the other hand, wasn't carded at all when he paid for the beer.

I've been busy training my replacement at work. I'm not leaving the company, but moving to a different job. I'll be busy learning new skills and annoying different people for different reasons. Which means my access to computers for the next week will be spotty, so posting will be the hit or miss. I'll be moving to a new desk and sharing the desk with another person; he works nights or something. Which means I'll need to decide what will be moving with me and what will be staying for the replacement.

Remember because it's a security risk? Grilltech talks about what really happened at the bank. Okay, he leaves out the part where I'm ready to start swearing at them.

Grilltech's second sock is coming along. I won't mention how the cuff is longer, thus throwing off the number of repeats knitted before the heel. I won't mention all the screw ups on Bella either because... I'm supposedly better then that. (hahahaha) Perky's tunic is about ready to be handed over to her. I'll finish up the front and back and it's her mess again. Okay, it will be after I do the math. I also won't mention how she messed up the snowflake pattern.

I've been meaning to get pictures of all the new yarns I've picked up, but I've been slacking. I do have pictures of Bella, but they're still on the camera.

The Calling

Can you hear it? It's pretty faint, you may have to listen hard to really hear it. Its my peacock shawl calling me. I guess I can hear it clearly because the yarn is sitting next to my mouse. Every time I walk into the family room, it's there. Taunting. Alluring. Whispering. Just cast on, you know you want to. All the kewl knitters have a bunch of projects to work on. First one's free... So far I've resisted, but its getting harder and harder to do so.

I need to have Perky try on her tunic. I'll be able to figure out what needs to be done then I can hand it back to her. So she can get started on the sleeves.

MIL liked Bella. She said it was a bit snug. She might be able to block more room, who knows. I've got a request in for a bunch of stripper gloves. I'll most likely start on them tonight. Which means I'm putting off working on my tunic. Which is okay, because I'm spending Grilltech's money. Fair enough exchange in my book.

Should have been Friday's

I spent more money at the LYS (again). Enough in one purchase to receive the 10% discount. I showed it to Grilltech, he was amazed at the softness of the silk. Perky asked why it smelled the way it did. Because it's 100% silk, honey. When she saw the cost, her eyes about popped out of her head. I'll be knitting my sweater on size 1's or smaller. (Double Ought? Am I insane?!)

I finished the first of Grilltech's sock last night at the brewer's meeting. I started the second one there, but the lighting was poor and I was getting a headache, so I stopped. I'm ready to start the pattern on it. If it goes as fast as the first one, it should be done within a week. (In Accordance With The Prophecy)

I was real with it yesterday. I posted without completing my thoughts. Nothing real new there, I do in while talking to people all the time. I stop mid sentence and another topic spews forth.

I got nothin'

Grilltech has been looking for a set of stone beer mugs. While I was on the page, I found some stone pans. How awesome is that?!! They also have bed warmers. I have an electric blanket, I don't think a bed warmer would do much good. Although, if the power is lost, it would come in handy. So would a couple of bricks. Oh yeah, I'd have to start a fire and let it

No real knitting progress to report. Still working on the cozy and Perky's tunic. I haven't started mine yet. Want to get these two items out of the way. I'm going to knit a pair of socks for a co-worker's son who is overseas.

Because it's a security risk....

I'm obsessing. I really don't want to be, but I am. I'd much rather, be obsessing over my latest knitting project. Instead I keep going back over and over what happened at a bank. It's like a poison seeping into my thoughts. I could go into the all the gritty details, because I'd rather spend my energy someplace else. Brighter, happier, less angry.

While at the bank yesterday, I pulled out the knitting because it was going to be a while. The lady behind the desk said, you'll need to come back and teach me. I didn't say much because I was really unhappy. She went being perky and chatty, so what are you making? Socks? Really?! You make your own socks? I guess it would have been petty and mean to threaten to stab her. I knitted faster, hoping to drone out her meaningless chatter.

I've been working on Perky's lace tunic. The armscye was way to long. I ripped back one side and added more stitches, seven is way to narrow. I frogged the back side, because it was floppy and loose. I'm about done with the decreases. I'm thinking about calling her and seeing if she wants the back taller (she does). It was about the same length as the front. YIKES!!

I've also paid off my financed yarn. No, I'm not a redneck, I'm a knitter!! Yes, I said financed. I purchased so much I had to make payments on it. Enough for my sweater and one for Grilltech. In fact, one of the ladies I knit with liked his so much, she snapped up the left over skeins I didn't buy. I tend to over buy, because I'm so paranoid I'll run out while working on a project.

I've pulled out the bamboo for my next shell. I'm going to finish up on Perky's tunic, then I'll start on mine. It will have the feather lace of Bella, but not the lace up the body. It will be plain Stockinette . I'll reverse the lace edging and do some around the bodice of the front. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to knit it in the round, then separate at the arms. It will probably be the easiest thing for me to do. Did I mention the bamboo was black? I can already see myself going blind.

The title? It's what the bank told us when they refused to cash the check. Bastards.

Done...

Bella is done. Pictures to follow. Now it's up to Grilltech. He gets to wrap and mail. I'll have the gusset finished today on his sock. Meetings are a good time for me to knit. Otherwise I'd be bored out of my mind.

I've started knitting a carboy cozy. It's pretty mindless, so I've decided I'll put flames on it. It will help me learn intarsia. I know how to weave multiple colors, but not do floats.

A Small One...

Bella is mostly they come out at night, mostly done. I'll throw it in the washer and block it today. Then I'll be able to sew it up and the soul sucking lovely sweater will be ready to be dropped in the mail.

Grilltech didn't laugh, instead he's asking where I want to go to school. Honestly, I don't think I have brain power for all the math I'd have to learn. But then, I might be able to learn it, it would be a struggle... Oh yeah, student loans.

Red pointed me to a new blog A Knitter's Guide to Beer. Wow. Grilltech will love it.

I've started the heel on Grilltech's sock. Man, this baby is a fast knit.

Random Stuff

Control S is my friend. I should use it more.

I should stop kicking the one of the PC's, because it might start randomly shutting down on me.

Swearing loudly in the bay after said PC has shut down is frowned upon.

I don't want to be at work today. I'd rather be doing something fun like... having a bikini wax.

Swearing because the FAQ I had been working on was lost, will get others to join in.

Swearing at the PC because it lost my first post, doesn't do anything but make me feel better.

I hate being the fraggin guinea pig for new software.

I didn't knit on anything when I got home yesterday. Just didn't feel like it.

I've lost my favorite chapstick. I believe it's on my black hole of a desk, but I don't want to shove it off to find it.

Sometimes I go off to lunch and leave a spreadsheet open, so no one else can edit it.

The down side to coming in so early? Here run this report because....

I think which ever mouse I'm using should work on the other PC; even if a different network is involved.

Even pretending I'm Hiro Nakamura won't make time go faster.

I drug Grilltech in to get a hair cut yesterday. He looks much better.

I'm bored with my hair, not sure what I want to do with it.

I wonder how many bank accounts I could open before the suits noticed or cared.

Can anyone tell me when Mick became "human"? I must have missed that episode.

The artist themes for Google make the pages load slowly. Not sure it's worth the effort.

We're having steak for dinner tonight. Hope it doesn't rain.

I wonder how black holes die.

I've been stepping on cats in the mornings. They must think my night vision is better then it really is.

In four minutes I can head out the door. Is it wrong to be watching the clock that closely?

How hard do you think Grilltech would laugh at me if I said I wanted to go back to school for astronomy?

Did I mention Grilltech stayed home yesterday because he had food poisioning?

I think I'm going to go tink some sleeve caps.

A Prize Fight

For today's entertainment I respectfully submit:

In this corner we have Daizy. She's a JenDay Conure. She weighs less then a pound. She has to be carried around because her wings are clipped and can't fly.


Main weapons: her beak and speed.


In this corner we have Sabrina. She a 28 pound domestic cat. She's so fat she waddles. She has no front claws and she bites.

Main weapons: her teeth and mass.


Round 1: Daizy is sitting on her cage keeping a weary eye out for the cats. Sabrina is sitting on the floor looking at this curious pest that is loud. She moves in for a closer sniff. Daizy defends her territory with a quick nip, getting a mouth full of hair. Sabrina is moved off the coffee table. (Note I said moved off not left.)

Round 2: Daizy is now on the floor wandering around. Sabrina comes in from the hall way, Daizy puffs up and begins to chase her off. Sabrina quickly waddles around the coffee table to get away.

Round 3: Sabrina looks around the coffee table, no bird. She starts towards the living room. Daizy comes charging around from the other side and Sabrina takes off to the front door. She's had enough.

I've looked up the sleeve cap information. I'll be ripping back for the last time. Now it's math time.

It's Monday.

With my socks finished, I picked up Grilltech's bamboo socks. I've been meaning to sit down and work out a pattern, because I'm getting a bored knitting plain socks. I'd already knitted the cuff, so it was ready. Did I have a pattern on hand? No. Did I even bother to look through the books? No. So I did the next best thing. I went to the cupboard and rooted around. I found Boyfriend socks pattern. Granted Grilltech isn't my boyfriend, but I think they'll still work. I'm not knitting the pattern as is. I've just taken the cabling and started from there. Besides those are toe up socks. blah.

Bella is in time out. Tomorrow I'll go to knitty and look up sleeve caps. If I'm going to have to rip the cap back one more time, I might as well do it right. I suppose I could look up the information tonight, since its coming down to the point it will need to go into the mail. (It will fit, it will fit... lalalalalalaalala) But right now, it's all I can do not to bash my head on the desk.

Not having the best day in the world here. Nothing is going wrong, just feel off. And I'm not even being mean to people. What is the world coming too?

Grilltech really likes the new sock. I think he likes the colors more then anything. I haven't done enough of the pattern yet to be visible. Or I didn't this morning, now I have quite a bit done. This pattern flies!!

Stupid, Stupid, Stoopid...

The sleeve cap is about 1.5 inches too short. (sigh)

Good thing I didn't cut the yarn. Just in case.

Pictures

Looky!! My loot showed up!!


I finished my socks!!


Bella almost completed!!



What an awesome day.

Because I'm a Lemming....

And now for something completely different: (Thanks Galad)

You Are An ISTJ

The Duty Fulfiller You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings. Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy. In love, you are loyal and honest. If you commit yourself to someone, then you're fully committed. For you, love is something that happens naturally. And you don't need romantic gestures to feel loved. At work, you remember details well and are happy to take on any responsibility. You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer. How you see yourself: Decisive, stable, and dependable When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, conservative, and egotistical

What's Your Personality Type?

#@%* Karma

Karma is a funny thing. I gave away sock yarn last week. This week I found out, I won yarn from Romancing the Yarn. Last week, I spent most of the time hating people and bitching about them*. This week? One of the supervisors from another site calls my boss and bitches about me. To be honest, I don't know if she was bitching or not. Oh wait, do I have to be honest?

So, I guess I should take you guys back in time. Remember the Corporate Fable? We did some training. Twice.

Any questions? (Cue the crickets.) No? Are you sure? (Cue more crickets.) Okay, thanks for being here look forward to working with you. So about 1.5 months ago, I send an e-mail to one of the supervisors in question and copied her boss - because it wasn't happening.

Well. Let. Me. Tell. You. She exploded all over me. Why did you copy my boss? There was no reason, blah, blah, blah. Since that point, she hasn't responded to any of my e-mails. Not. One. It took me about three weeks to figure out what was going on. Y would e-mail her and ask the same questions with the same wording, she'd answer.

So I called her, because I need information and I knew an e-mail would do me no good. She tells me "I'll send you an e-mail." WTF?! Fine.

So I'm trying to figure out how to word an e-mail to her boss, without sounding both whiny and bitchy. And still get the required information. While I'm drafting the e-mail, the Gnome IM's me asking me to come see him. I make my way over and he asks if Y is coming also - he was. The Gnome proceeds to tell Y he needs to call said person and answer any questions she may have. NOW. Y is almost refusing to do so, because "is this the way our department wants to be seen?" The Gnome proceeds to tell us, there was a personality conflict and Y needs to go "help her out".

I was so frustrated by the conversation I walked around the building. Frustrated enough I was crying. (sigh) Anyway, so I get back, Y is on the phone with her. Conversation is going something like this: Uumm, let me ask Knittech. Yeah, let me check with Knittech.

It's a pain-in-the-ass when people don't know how to do something, then lay the blame on someone else. The Gnome is trying to say that wasn't what happened, but how else am I going to see it? I can understand going to a supervisor when someone isn't doing their job and making more work for everyone else. But a personality conflict? Please, grow up and deal with it. #@%* Karma... There is more, but I'll cover it tomorrow.

On to knitting news...

Sleeves are dreadfully boring. Mantra? Five more inches, five more inches!! then I get to start the sleeve cap. Oh yeah, excitement abounds.

I've also started the gusset on my second sock. On the slow trek towards the toe. On the plus side, I'll have a pair of socks soon. Perky has taken to calling them "Grandma's watermelon socks". I don't think so!

I've also finished the class shaker sweater. Granted I'm very far ahead of the student, but I wanted it done.

Now I'm off to do five more inches...

* Said person was on vacation last week, so there was zero contact.

Decisions, Decisions

Dr. Who starts again tonight. It's also knit & eat down at the shop. Decisions, decisions. Grilltech says, they're your friends, you should go hang out with them. Yes, but I see them almost every day. Dr. Who I only get to see once a week. It's a tough choice.

Most of the time I enjoy my job. It's repetitive enough I can think of other things, while doing the job. Then there are days where people are stupid*.

And the winner is our very own Trish**!

*(I don't know Knittech, maybe you're PMSing...) There is always that chance, but do they really want to risk it?

** She of 97 skeins of sock yarn.

Poppy....

Yeah, some days I shouldn't be allowed to be around people. Today is one of them. Could you hear my teeth grinding? Could you feel the self control I used not to fly over to the East Coast and beat two people to death? I could stop and see Samurai Knitter because she's where I'd need to go.

Sorry, make that four people now. Two more where added within the span of twenty mintues.

It's now five, because of some spammer commenter.

Mantra? In 2.5 hours I'll be knitting. In 2.5 hours I'll be knitting.

Here is what you could win:

Reader Appreciation Day

Today I found out from she just walks around with it April 16 is Reader Appreciation Day. While I won't be giving away kewl really awesome stuff like Kristy. I figured I'd let my readers a chance at winning some Lorna's Lace sock yarn*. I've been meaning to do a contest, reader appreciation is good enough reason.

What do you have to do to win? Leave a comment on this entry. I'll draw (randomly pick) a winner on Friday the 18th.

I started the sleeves last night. I'm so excited. Bella is so close to being done, I can taste it. Close enough to being done, I've started another project. Yeah, and the class sweater doesn't count either.

* But Knittech, I don't knit socks! It's okay, you don't have to knit socks with it.

More Corporate Life

Connection to the mail server has been lost. Fine. I pull up my data base and start looking for the people who called in sick. Suddenly, connection is restored. Take that chaos! It's amazing how six inches can make a difference. On the other machine, it's warm and dare I say comfortable. I move six inchs south to the other machine and I'm under the vent, it's chilly which is making me crabby. Come summer it might be nice, but currently not so much.

Went to the 200 dollar store last night, spent more then 200. Ouch.

There was wind storm last night. My cat, aka the coward, went into hiding. She wouldn't even come out for good food. Poor kitty.

No knitting last night. I did start the heel of my sock yesterday, but I didn't start the sleeves. I really need to get going on them.

Curse of One Project

The fronts and back of Bella are now finished and joined together. (I almost put K2tog.) I'll start the sleeves this week. My fears of the sweater being too small have returned. Even if it is too small, I'm shipping it anyway.

I've picked out the yarn for the peacock shawl. I'm not sure when I'll start it. I've got a shell for me I want to get going on. I guess there is a down side for a one project person. Socks don't count as a project, they're portable. They might start counting if I had 96 skeins of sock yarn like Luvs2Knit.

We went star gazing Saturday night. The moon was only half full and bright! We didn't stay long because the wind was too cold. The blankets need to be washed, so we can use them. Course if I started my shawl…

Just Wait Five Minutes...

This morning's drive to work was in a light drizzle. Not enough to require the windshield wipers on all the time; but enough to be blinded if a light shone on the windshield. Which made on coming traffic a bit annoying. When Grilltech came in two hours later, he was dripping wet. I thought the rain had started coming down harder. I was wrong; it had begun snowing. Grilltech said there was 1/2 an inch of snow on my car. I love spring.

I have finished one front of Bella. I started the other on Monday night, and had about two inches of lace done. Then I realized I had messed the pattern up very badly. I ripped it out. Cast on the required number of stitches, then went to bed. Tuesday night, I sat down and had no problem working the lace pattern.

I've started the toe on my first sock; only six more rows to go!! It's such a pretty sock I can't wait to finish the second one, so I can wear them. Chances are I'll start the second one tomorrow or tonight, so it will be easier to knit at work. I want the second sock done tomorrow, so I can wear them NOW!!

I'm such a dumbass. I left my knitting at work. I called Grilltech from the parking lot, because I'm lazy and asked him to bring it home with him. All because I didn't want to take five mintues to go back for it.

The sun is now shining. The snow and rain is gone. And the cats seem to think I need to open the door for them. I think I need five more minutes...

Corporate Life (again)

I know I've mentioned it before, but Grilltech and I work for a giant bureaucratic company. Which has some perks; free coffee and tea, they provide paper plates, bowls, plastic flatware, and (not sure anymore) drinking cups.

Because it's giant, there are people everywhere and its open 24/7. That being said, there is a cleaning crew which also works 24/7. Because lets face it; people are pigs. (I won't go into Grilltech's paranoia how they're always cleaning the bathroom when he needs it.)

The cleaning crew does the normal things; empty trash cans, clean bathrooms, sweep and mop. Due to what these girls deal with every day, they wear rubber gloves to protect themselves.

Another one of their jobs is stocking the break room (paper plates and bowls, plastic flatware(plastiware?)). I walked in while one girl was stocking the plastiware. She was wearing her gloves.

I now bring my own silverware. I think Grilltech’s paranoia is spreading.

Ramblings

I hate those dreams where you're getting ready to go to work. I dreamed I had showered and then was hunting for clothes. I can't find the shirt I want in the closet because the contents keep changing. I felt there was no reason for me to get up with the second snooze. So I slept for another eight minutes. It's amazing what a difference eight minutes can make. More cars on the road. Making it through the door one minute late.

On the plus side, I managed to knit through the meeting today and took minutes as well. Managed to get quite a bit accomplished. Anyway.

Not much else is going on. About two inches away from starting shoulder shaping for the front. Still have a fear of being too small, but I'm going with it. If it doesn't fit, it will find a home with someone else. We watched Titus season three. (I LOVE the show.) Erin was wearing a red top, I thought would make a good basis for a design. It's not really a sweater, but more a shirt. It will have a lace edging (edging? more like four inches) then be plain knit. Yeah, it will be pretty. I know not terribly exciting, but I want to finish the yellow/white one before I start on mine. (Knit faster...)

I kept the five minutes. It wasn't as bad yesterday, but it was still hard. My mantra? Ten minutes, I can do ten minutes in my sleep. After a while it was simply: purl, purl, purl, purl; while gasping for breath.

Gamer humor: Jesus saves; the rest of you take full damage.

A 1000 Words (or not)...

Time flies when your having fun, so I must be having an amazing time at work. It wasn't so amazing at home. I increased my bike time by five minutes. I'm ready to die now. I'm debating if I should leave it at the increased time and pray it gets easier or screw that, it's back down to the baby level.

The camera cord was pulled out by PerkyGoth (the bestest daughter on blogspot). So, here are the ripples on the beach socks. They turned out very well all things considered.


We won't talk about how one sock has colors running down and the other has them running up. I didn't even think about that when I had been ripping back.


Here are Grilltech's revised navy blue socks. I finished them on Thursday, he wore them on Friday. He's ready for me to start him another pair.



I've finished the back of the Bella sweater. Started on the front, only to find a major mistake on the instructions. The shaping was completely gone. GRRR.

I seem to be the crazy cat lady today. I can't beat them off with a stick. Uggy will play fetch with the leather string, but that's about it.

BOB

I've got pictures of finished projects. I really do. But... Grilltech hasn't charged the camera, so I'm unable to post them. Grilltech is blaming PerkyGoth, because she hasn't dug out the cable to charge the camera. It's a viscous circle. I'd do it, but it's buried under 100,000 tons of Grilltech's crap stuff.

Last Thursday I found out I was a BOB. (Best of the Best) Sometimes is good to work for large bureaucratic companies. Sure it caused a bit of hurt feelings in the cube, but damn it I work hard. Last night, I was treated to a dinner out with the other BOBs. There was pool, free food, and mock gambling. They call it gambling for a reason. I played a game of pool with one of the supervisors. He was running the table. I couldn't make a shot to save my life. (I blamed it on the fact I couldn't see the balls over my glasses. Yeah, that was the reason.) He's shooting the eight ball and scratches. He was graceful enough to shake my hand and not grit his teeth over the loss. Sometimes that's just the way things go. I played another game of pool with a co-worker. This time I did a bit better, I had one ball left at the end of the game, instead of five. He won.

We had a buffet dinner of burgers. We had a round of accept this gift card. Polite clapping and posing with the person handing it out. (Large-ass fake smile.) Then it was (mock) gambling time. We started out with 1500 and a choice of 21 or Texas hold'em. I went with the hold'em. T, a tall red-headed Scandinavian who likes to trade insults, decided to play hold'em also. He's on the other end of the table and we're trading jabs at each other. The rest of the table seemed to listen in a stunned silence. He would tell me such gems as I should just hand my chips over now, because he's going end up with them anyway. I would tell him no, you need to hand over the card now, because I'm that good.

One of the other players had never played before. He's holding his hand up where another guy (the one who lost so gracefully) could see his hand. He'd ask, should I bet? It was good entertainment. By the end of the night, he was holding his own. He was one of the last five players. Remember the guy trading insults? He was the first to loose all his chips. I won a few. I lost a few. Flops would happen and people would look at their pocket cards and take forever to bet. Your cards haven't changed. I'd point out strategies to the newbie. The goal is to get as much money into the pot, before the first flop. What do you have? You're betting like you've got a good hand. Only one way to find out.

Towards the end of the evening, my pile of chips was starting to go down. We decided the final hand would be all in, winner take all. A good thing, because I had a smaller pile. I looked at my pocket cards, a pair of threes. Crappy! You only live once. I pushed the pile in, so did four others. The fifth guy decided it wasn't worth the risk. We flipped our hands over. I'm the high hand, with a crappy pair of threes!! Don't remember what the flop was, but I ended up winning it all. Grand total of 14,425 worth of chips. Sometimes that's just the way things go.

Oh and I finished Grilltech navy blue socks....

So tell me, Doctor...

Dreams can be quite confusing. The night before, I was dreaming of a giant pit in the middle of the road, being worked on. One lane of traffic, still had part - by part, I mean four plus feet wide - of the tarmac removed, but cars where still allowed to drive over it. So much of a hole, there was only about eight inches (if that) of tarmac on the passengers side the wheels could be driven on. Cars before me would zoom over the giant hole. I on the other hand, had to stop and think about it. Because I live in the real world; I know how gravity works. Since I was in the dream world, something completely different could have happened. Right as I was building up the courage to drive over the pit, the alarm went off saving me. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out, I was having an anxiety dream.

Last night, I was dreaming I was walking around in pants about 10 times too big. The length of the pants were fine. It was the length from the crotch to the waist that was huge! It went up to my arm pits and was way to wide. I had to hold it up, otherwise I'd be nakid. Yet another anxiety dream. Not sure what's going on.

The new yellow sweater is coming along smashingly. (I have this god awful fear it's going to be too small.) Maybe that's what my dreams are trying to tell me. I have about three more inches before binding off the neck. Here's hoping I'm wrong!

Happy News!

See what was on the porch when I came home? (Crystal had to supervise.)


I was amazed. YCS must have went off to get a make over, instead of running away.



We had the kids over this weekend. I was doing laundry. Baby Bird thought the basket was the best toy.