Bird's Nest Knits

Suffering for beauty.

The company party was very swank.  The theme was Illusions and there were magicians and fire dancing and stuff.  But the true centerpiece of the affair?

That's right people.  Chocolate... in a fountain.  Not only was there chocolate - there were three kinds of chocolate.  The Milk chocolate and Dark were my favorites - I can pass on the white chocolate any day.  It was a dark and chilly night and luckily I had my trusty Charlotte's Web to keep me warm.  Least warm enough in between the trek from building to building.  Each one had a different theme.  There was a Jazzy one with french food and gaming tables, and another one with a live band and the desserts, and a third with magic shows and indian food. 

I didnt think to take a photo in good light or even before the night was over and I was looking all wilted.  Oh well.. the shoes still looked totally hot.

Thanks everyone who chimed in their votes.  I went with the black patents - even though secretly I still love the bejewelled gold ones better.  They were quite comfortable for 4" heels - and I lasted nearly 3.5 hours before my feet demanded a break.  If you are curious - they are JLo Sexie's that I got from Zappos

Help Bloggers! You're my only hope...

There is something about heels.  The way they elongate the leg, the way they make you feel sexy, the way they pinch your toes and hurt the balls of your feet...  women suffer for beauty.  A pair of really hot shoes can make you feel like a million bucks and a dip in the foot spa can repair all the suffering later.  This is coming from someone who wears heels about 3 times a year.  I don't know how you women who wear them every single day can handle it.

I have my company formal party this weekend it.  Consider it Prom for 10,000 geeks.  Yes - people watching galore.  They even take pictures of couples and everything.  So once a year - I can stun all of my mail coworkers with my femininity and remind them that yes - I do have a p.u.s.s.y.   Its not often that I can get all dolled up and flash some cleavage, so I like to take full advantage of the situation.

So here is my dilemma.  I have two pairs of shoes, one of them a rather classy black patent heel, the other a totally over the top Vegas stripper jeweled shoe that I love cause its sparkly.  The black patent heel is 4" high but the ankle strap seems to make it feel more secure and its easier for me to walk in them.  The stripper shoes are a little more precarious feeling even though they are almost an inch shorter.

Here is my dress: 

Pretty plain really - I'll jazz it up some with some cleavage and some jewelry, and it comes down to the bottom of my calf.  So which shoes to wear?  Please ignore the lack of pedicure.  I'll have some vampy red toes for the evening I swear.

The Slutty Gold Stripper shoes:

or the Black Patent 4" Heels?

Please take my poll in the side bar here.

Mr. Bird is firmly in the Black Patent's camp.

Just because I'm a follower...

My contribution to the Bloggers Silent Poetry Reading...

Here is my favorite poem - by Pablo Neruda

Love Sonnet XVII

I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as certain dark things are loved,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom and carries
within itself the light of those flowers,
and thanks to your love, darkly in my body
lives dense fragrance that rises from the earth.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way because I don't know any other
way of loving, but this-

in which there is no I or you,
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes
that close.

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Instigated by Grace's Poppies

 

My contribution to the Bloggers Silent Poetry Reading...

Here is my favorite poem - by Pablo Neruda

Love Sonnet XVII

I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as certain dark things are loved,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom and carries
within itself the light of those flowers,
and thanks to your love, darkly in my body
lives dense fragrance that rises from the earth.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way because I don't know any other
way of loving, but this-

in which there is no I or you,
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes
that close.

========================
Instigated by Grace's Poppies

 

I am ... a sap.

Ok - so I have to admit that I am a bit sentimental.  Ok.  A lot sentimental.  I cry at Disney movies and tear up listening to country music.  Shut up.   I can't help it - and actually I wear it as a badge of pride that I'm not someone who is so stoney to be able to remain unaffected by things in life.  (yah.. it sounds good at least)

I recently heard this song on the radio and I was practically bawling at the end in my little Mini riding home.  And for those that make fun of my penchant for sentimental country music - tell me the last time "Let's get retarded" pulled at YOUR heartstrings?  I can actually name several Country songs that do it to me.  Loud and proud baby.


Rascal Flatts - Skin Lyrics

Sarah Beth is scared to death
To hear what the doctor will say
She hasn't been well
Since the day that she fell
And the bruise, it just won't go away
So she sits and see waits with her mother and dad
and Flips through an old magazine
Til the nurse with the smile
Stands at the door
And says will you please come with me

Sarah Beth is scared to death
Cause the doctor just told her the news
Between the red cells and white
Something's not right
But we're gonna take care of you

Six chances in ten it won't come back again
With the therapy were gonna try
It's just been approved
It's the strongest there is
I think we caught it in time

Sarah Beth closes her eyes
and She dreams she's dancing
Around and around without any cares
And her very first love is holding her close
And the soft wind is blowing her hair

Sarah Beth is scared to death
As she sits holding her mom
Cause it would be a mistake
For someone to take
A girl with no hair to the prom

For, just this morning right there on her pillow
Was the cruellest of any surprise
And she cried when she gathered it all in her hands
The proof that she couldn't deny

Sarah Beth closes her eyes
and She dreams she's dancing
Around and around without any cares
and her very first love was holding her close
and the soft wind is blowing her hair

It's quarter to seven 
That boy's at the door
And her daddy ushers him in
And when he takes off his cap
They all start to cry
Cause this morning where his hair had been
Softly, she touches just skin

They go dancing around and around
Without any cares
And her very first true love is holding her close
For a moment she isn't scared...

Rude... just rude..

Dont click here if you don't have a sense of humor (or are easily offended by jokes at the expense of the right wing)!

Today was nice and mellow - met up with Wendy, Heidi, Hilari, and Jessica for a couple of hours of knitting and chat. 

I forgot to actually take pictures of us knitting - but here is a picture of the cat at Rebecca's Coffee shop - she was mucho cute even when attacking Wendy's leg.  Too bad I'm allergic.

I made some headway on Clap-o-TEE - and might actually finish it by New Year's just so I can put it on my 2005 FOs list.

*crosses fingers*

Next Week:  ALPACA CRITTER CRAWL!  woo hoo!  I love me some alpacas.

Mental Meanderings

So I have this theory about life... 

You suffer through the mediocre for those moments of bliss - and I call it the Corn Cake Concept.  See how wonderfully alliterative that is?

Let me explain...

If you've ever been to a restaurant called Acapulco, El Torito or Tio Leo's - you will have experienced the fare that often passes for authentic Mexican food.  (so.not.authentic)  Invariably a platter of forgettable food shows up and there is a mini scoop of some yellow stuff which is honey sweetened corn cake.  I have never eaten anything at these kinds of restaurants that was noteable save for this teeny bit of corny goodness that they never give you enough of.    You go there knowing that the food will be meh, but you'll get a few spoonfuls of this corn delight that makes slogging through the rest worthwhile.  The portion is just enough to make you want some more, but not enough to make you order a whole side of it which would be over kill and it wouldn't be as attractive the next time around.

Life is like that.  You slog through the mundane parts for the rare and wonderful bits.

Whats your corn cake?

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I've been knitting really - just not what I'm supposed to be knitting.  Clapotis only has the corner left to be done, but that did not stop me from casting on a pair of toe up men's socks (being knit two at a time on two circulars after being inspired by the fearless Wendy).  I did a provisional cast on and a short row toe, and am debating ribbing after I turn the heel.  These will be a gift I think.

Nor did it keep me from stopping by Common Threads to pick up the Fall IK (I am lusting after Everest) and three skeins of Koigu PPPM for a pair of socks like Ariane's!  (Because I am a follower) and a pair of Addi's to knit them on - two at once!

I think I'm going to use the contrasting color for the toe, heel, AND the ribbing at the cuff.  Question now is what pattern if any will I use for the ankle and top of foot?

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Last night was the monthly Oceanside Knitters Meet Up and also Noble Knit's  Knit Night so I got to spend a few hours knitting and drinking wine with other local knitters.  The shop is really great - I just need to convince Heather to carry Koigu and I'll never have to go south again for my fix.

Why you are going to be cursing me in about 20 minutes

Christmas 2005 - the Aftermath

This year's holiday celebration was the most mellow of all of the ones in recent memory.  It was just us, my 4 cousins and my aunt, which is about 40 people shy of the normal.  For once we actually didn't have to do a buffet due to sheer space constraints.  One thing that we didn't veer from was an excess of food.  We still had a ton left over after we were all bursting at the seams.  Some day I will learn the value of restraint.  Not right now though - too busy digesting.

The chickens were quite well received and we all relaxed and had a few cocktails and watched the first few episodes of the first season of Lost on DVD.  Definately more mellow than the usual chaotic scene at our 40+ family gatherings.


The two little cousins who made out like bandits this year and my poochalicious dog, checking out the post chaos damage.  Since everyone else is still in Vietnam - they ended up with piles and piles of stuff.  There were 4 dogs running about and my dog was having a fantastico time.

There actually was some knitting done.  I've started on the decreases for the evil Clapotis, (which I've given myself until Tuesday to complete) and in my lap is the anti-social Benito Mussolini.  (who really needs a bath and a brush out)

And the highlight of my Christmas haul... a Louet fine drumcarder which was purchased through the lovely Wendy at her Lanas de Libelula shop.  She threw in a bag of hand dyed silk in cotton candy colors and a bit of some in this purplish colorway that I luuuurve - she even wrapped it and delivered it too!   Let me just say... it kicks ASS.  In about an hour I had carded the whole 16oz bag of alpaca that I had gotten at Mid Missouri Alpacas over the summer.  I spent that much time hand carding an itty bitty rolag with my hand cards.

That's a skein of Koigu laying there for scale - the drum carder is a lot bigger than I had thought it would be.  The next picture is a rolag of alpaca next to some of the silk that Wendy gave me.  I'm not sure why the silk came out nubby - I may try to tease it out a bit more before feeding it into the small drum and it might come out smoother.  The only thing I need to practice is to feed the fiber in more slowly so it doesnt get gumped up in the teeth.  But the jury's in - it kicks ass!

Another action shot - this is as I'm peeling off the aligned fibers from the large drum.  It comes off much easier when the drum is near completely filled up - the less fiber there is on there - the harder it is to pull it off in one piece.  Whats really nice is that it helps get out the dirt and VM that might still be stuck in there.  The alpaca was pretty clean really - but heres what came out of it after I was done.  Nummi isnt it?

 

Heidi - you are welcome to use it anytime!

Pre-festivities Ramble

I'm just about set to head down to my aunt's house for Christmas Eve GorgeFest 2005.  Since most of the family is still in Vietnam it will be a small group this time around.  Only about 10 people at the most, which for me who's used to 40+ people running around a house during the holidays - its near desolate.   

I have 10 stuffed cornish game hens, a tray of stuffing, stuffed mushrooms and some rolls to bring down and get cooked there.  My cousin's making a bunch of sides and my aunt is bringing a salad.  I marinated the hens in a citrus mixture since last night that had the following:

1. Fresh mangos
2. Fresh lime juice
3. Fresh OJ
4. Minced Jalapenos
5. Red onion
6. Cilantro
7. Salt, Sugar, bit of vinegar
8. Naked Mango salsa

I'm going for that citrus chicken thing.   More later on how it turns out.

So, Wendy of Knit & Tonic mentioned that she's a bit OCD when it comes to knitting.  I've decided that my problem is that I have knitting ADD.   I'll be zipping away on something then get distracted by something else rather quickly.  My many UFOs will attest to my fickle nature.   

Current list of items in various stages of completion:

1. Men's socks (two socks on two circs - had to try this after seeing Wendy doing it - toes done, debating on stitch pattern now)
2. Wyvern Socks (65% done - 1 sock down, half way through the instep on the 2nd)
3. Broadripple wristwarmers (1 done - if I was only one handed and one footed - I'd be almost done with this UFO list)
4. Silk Ribbed Corset
5. Clapotis (about to start decreasing)
6. Bea Ellis Traditional hat (starting on top decreases)
7. Manly Sweater from SnB (front done)*
8. Cleo from Knitty (boob cups done)*
9. Mariah from Knitty (swatching stages)
10. Mohair shawl for my mom (4 yrs old - just needs fringe and I hate fringe)*

* = Snowball's chance in.. you get the picture.

We wont even go into the projects in the wings that I've already bought yarn for :)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all out there.  Hold those close to you even closer today - and make it into an opportunity to love each other even more.

Public restroom pet peeves

1. People who talk on the phone while in the stall.  Good GOD, how rude is this.  People are flushing all around you and you are yacking your head off on the phone.  I hope the person you are talking to asks if you are in the middle of taking a dump and tell you that you're an idiot.
2. Warm toilet seats.  Someone elses butt heat is not something I really want to be feeling on my own ass. 
3. People who dont wait to make sure the flush worked.  If I can come in and flush it down, your ass should have waited so that I didn't have to look at your lunch.
4. Toilet paper rolls that don't roll the paper off easily and you are tearing it off square by square.  This is enough to make me want to yank the whole roll right off and rub it against my butt...  *tear*  *tear*  *tear* *cursing* *tear*  *tear*  *tear*
5. Someone in my favorite stall.   Ok, so I am a creature of habit... admittedly strange habits.  I tend to go to the same stall over and over at work.  And when someone is in it...  damn it...
6. AutoFlush toilets.   I H-A-T-E these with a passion.  Nothing is more unpleasant than it flushing before you are done and having your butt splashed with water.   Half the time you have to press the button anyhow.
7. Doors to stalls that swing in.  Climbing on top of the toilet to get the door open enough to get out is not fun.
8. People that keep trying the door after they realize that its locked.  After I say "Its occupied" more than twice I'm going to start screaming that IM TRYING TO PEE GO AWAY... next time.. I swear I'm gonna.
9. Anything on the toilet seat, pee droplets, pubic hair, bits of toilet paper, menstrual blood (I swear I've seen this) .  For the love of GOD - look before you leave.  How hard is this really?
10. People who carry on long conversations between stalls.  I know ya'll are friends and all, but if we need to have a commercial break in between your talking - its too much.  Poop in silence like everyone else and talk when you leave.

I know you have some too...  cough it up.

In touch with my Inner Princess...

There is no time that is a bad time to wear a tiara.  Despite the crazy hair, makeupless face - or as I like to say - letting my natural beauty shine through - with a bit of emphasis on shine, and in PJs and a robe - a tiara is still appropriate.  You just feel different cleaning bathrooms with a tiara on.  And there is nothing like sparkly head wear to remind people around you that you are to be catered to.  Where the hell are my grapes damn it?

 

I hope this picture doesn't disqualify me from the Sexy Knitters club.  I'm telling you - that picture just screams sex.  (in the dark with the lights off.. uh.. by myself.)

So ok... I sort of broke my vow to not start anything new until Clapotis is done, but damn if I could stick to it.  Fickle knitter that I am - I decided to start the Secret Treasures bag from Knit One, Felt Too.  I did change a couple things - I cast on 80 stitches instead of the pattern's 60 - because I just can't resist futzing with things, and I want the bag to be a little larger than it looks in the photo.  I'll also extend the pattern longer also.  And... the one thing that makes stockinette interesting?  Multiple colors, stranding, and carrying along yarns baby.  This will probably end up being a Christmas gift.  I was pretty close to plucking my own eyeballs out and swinging them around by the optic nerves.  Go ahead - picture that for a few minutes...

Since I live in an area of the country where the seasons consist of 10 months of sunshine and 73 degree weather, 2 weeks of rain, better known as STORMWATCH 200#, and FREEZING uh..  55 degree weather..  what? I have to put a coat and gloves on in that kind of weather, the other way we tell the seasons are what fruit is in season, and fall brings luscious apples and apple pie!

Ugh... Christmas decorations up in the malls already.  Must.. knit.. faster... or.. giveupandbuygiftcertificates.

*stretching out*

*stretches out and smiles*

I'm feeling pretty comfortable in this new blog.  TypePad is SUPER easy to use, and its got some nice features, all of which are EASY to implement.  I spend all day geeking out at work - when I slack I want it to be simple.  I dig the photo albums, which were also mucho EASY to create.  Do you see an ongoing theme here?  Yes - as a matter of fact... I AM lazy.  Drag and drop content rearrangement?  I have died and gone to heaven.

Work has been relatively busy - but not crazily so.  I make it seem like I am way more productive than I could be if I were REALLY working hard.  Its kind of like in High School where you do enough to get yourself the good grade - but its not like you are even challenged.  Good thing for me my boss doesn't read this blog.  If she does - Hi Jenn!  I'm really also installing that Exchange server right now and I'm MULTI-TASKING.  *cough*

Anyhow.

Black background sure is dark isn't it?  Hard to read?  I kind of like it myself.  I've got about as much colorsense as a blind one legged chihuahua, not that the number of legs really matters much.  So it was either black - or fuschia pink - so consider yourself lucky. 

I finally finished that little kid's Nuggy (Part II - the Revenge).  I have no idea how his Daddy is going to convince him its the same as his old Nuggy.  Firstly - the color is a bit darker because its not 7 yrs old.  Secondly, I realized several inches into the thing, that when you turn your work at the end of the crochet row, - you crochet into the SECOND stitch - not into the first that you'd just chained three on to make the turn because this -will cause the side to bulge outward.   Remember how I said I was lazy?  Screw unraveling and recrocheting that part.  So its sort of a 30" x36" rectangle where one end has sides that visible bulge out a bit.

Isn't it time to let go of the Nuggy anyhow? 

Knitting wise - I am SOOO glad to be back to two needles.  No offense Hilari but crochet sucks on your wrists, and I was constantly missing my various knitting projects.  I've picked up my Clap-O-TEE and am about to start on the straight portion, I may finish that this weekend.  And I still have Annie Modesitt's Silk Ribbed Corset at the bottom of my purse.  Thats one of those "You'd best pay attention while you knit this bitch or she will come up in the middle of the night and stab you in the neck with that 12$ Addi turbo you got just for her."  Last thing I want is to be spurting out blood from my jugular cause I underestimated her.

This weekend I am heading to Seattle to visit my newlywed sister.  My cousin is coming out also from Boulder, CO.  Her hubs is already on a ship - off the coast of San Diego.  So she's lonely.  I'll have a coffee for ya'll and some oyster shooters.

Damn I talk a lot and not one photo.