Archive for 2008

InterKnitters

Sunday, February 17th, 2008
hizKNITS

It’s not often that I get stopped on the street, but when you’re wearing one of the most popular patterns on the Interwebs, it could happen. Especially if you’re walking in Mission district where many a knitter lurkers, specifically, Ms, Mission Knit, RosaLux.

I had just finished grafting the pits and weaving the few ends that weren’t worked in as I knit (thanks, Aija!), not ten minutes before we went out for coffee and a Janie Sparkles stroll/dragging. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the sweater, saving my judgment until post-blocking.

“Excuse me, but did you make your sweater?”

And that led to a nice conversation on the sidewalk and realization that we were already friends on Ravelry. My favorite part was laughing at the group-think on interknitters.

In addition to my embarrassment of not only wearing said unblocked sweater, the Moo card I gave her had my Jaywalker socks on it.

“What? Do you have a pair of Fetching in your back pocket?”

No. But my Knucks were at home.

Ironically

Thursday, February 14th, 2008

…considering the name of my last post, right now I have 666 comments over the life of this blog.

Good Car-ma

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

We have a Meals on Wheels route at work. Let me back up. Our company has a program so anyone can volunteer for whatever they’d like, on the clock. It could be a one-off event like a beach clean-up or a regular commitment at an animal shelter. Our MOW route is something we do every week.

Until today, I had never done it.

When Steve asked me to go with him, I agreed, under the condition I drive. I recognize I have a little fear around interacting with the elderly, but it would be a great way to hang with him and take baby steps in confronting that phobia. Sadly, he had to attend a funeral today, so I ended up being paired with another coworker, the always-on warehouse guy. I still got to drive, but missed catching up with someone I haven’t spent much time with lately.

Now, if you’ve driven with me, you know I drive very cautiously. I hate cars, I don’t enjoy the act of driving, I’d rather ride a bike, bus, train or plane than deal with the road myself. Since it was lunch-time, and just around the neighborhood, I knew it wasn’t going to be too bad. Besides, I could drive our company’s fancy biodiesel VW Passat, and who doesn’t mind rolling in a black station wagon that smells like french fries?

My car-mate is pretty high-energy (read: spastic) and kept changing and turning up the radio. He navigated and did all of the meal drop-offs. He’s pretty frenetic and wanted me to cut through a gas station when a red light stopped us. As we were returning to the Berkeley Senior Center, we got caught by another traffic signal.

“Turn left here,” he pointed, flailing his arm across my chest. “Into the auto parts parking lot.”

We were just a few blocks away, so, against my better judgement, I did. And, there was a cop behind me. Lights flashed as he followed me through the parking lot into a parking spot. I turned off the car, took off my seat belt, then thought better to put it back on and sit there. He asked for my license and registration. I gathered it from the glove box, wishing the my passenger would stop his grumbling and complaining about how “it wasn’t right, everyone does it!”

The officer explained that I had crossed a double yellow line and he had to give me a ticket, since so many people had witnessed. Knowing I was at fault, I feared how much it would be and whether it was considered a moving violation. And, cool as they are, work doesn’t pay for tickets you get yourself.

He asked if I was related to a Jonathan with the same last name (which I wasn’t) and Phillip interrupted, “C’mon, man! We was doing Meals on Wheels for the seniorz!” (Yes, it sounded like he added a “z.”)

“Do you have any proof?” He doubtfully scanned the shiny black car with tinted windows. Darn you, on-site car washes!

I handed him the route list and pointed at the hot and cold containers in the back seat. He shook his head as he gave it back.

“I can’t give you a ticket.” And with that, we were allowed to go on our way.

There’s no major life lesson here, just a realization that whatever extra credit points I got for doing a good deed, the Universe cashed them in for me with the reprieve.

Oh, and that Meals on Wheels isn’t so bad. I may even sign up again. I just hope someone would care enough to bring me food when the time comes… and that they have a good time while doing it.

Y Knit?

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008
yK with Debbie Stoller

’cause it’s genetic!

What’ I’ve been cryptically complaining about in my past few posts was setting up the website for Y Knit, a knitting podcast—genetically speaking. WonderMike and I have been tossing around the idea of creating our own podcast, offereing a male point of view times two!

You can find it at yknit.com. Our first episode is an interview with Debbie Stoller, Ms. Stitch & Bitch herself about her book of men’s patterns, Son of Stitch & Bitch. Go have a listen!

There’s much more to come. Watch for us trolling Stitches West with a microphone. We may just want to talk to you!

game over

Tuesday, February 5th, 2008

um, I whined too soon!

the domain is pointing properly.

we just need to upload a file, then it’s go-time.

waiting game

Tuesday, February 5th, 2008

darn slow Internets!

I’ve been waiting for 24 hours for a new domain to propagate. Yes, I know it can take up to 48 or 72 hours, but I want it done now!

All’s done on my end, it’s all about the nameserver where it’s been pointed at to spread across the webs or tubes or whatchamacallit’s.

Hurry up, please!

glued to the keyboard

Sunday, February 3rd, 2008

I’ve spent the entire day fiddling with Photoshop, flickr, libsyn, Hostway, ravelry, and general Interweb goodies. All of which will result in an announcement in the coming week, I hope.

It’s time to get away from the screen and live life. At least I haven’t been watching that football game.

Birthday Girl!

Friday, February 1st, 2008
hizKNITS

Today, little Miss Janie Sparkles turns four. Or at least that’s what the vet estimated when she came into rescue, five months before she moved into our home and hearts.

While she’s not a big eater, she did get some extra boiled chicken bits handed to her this morning. And, I’m thawing out some fancy natural, organic lamb and rice (given to us by an even fancier dog friend’s parents). If the weather holds, we’ll go out for an off-leash adventure this weekend, too.

(photo by Mr. Man, aka DeadSlow or Christopher. Pay no attention to the man behind the dog.)

Friday off

Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
hizKNITS

I took Friday off last week and enjoyed a day all for myself. I’ve accumulated too much vacation time, maxing out, so I need to indulge in a couple of days here and there, or else I lose the time!

Typically, I just sit on the couch and knit, watching whatever the Tivo’s been holding for me. Maybe a nap with Janie Sparkles and a touch of cooking.

Not this time.

hizKNITS

It was terribly cold and rainy, so what better way to start a selfish day than a run?

Honestly, I doubted that I’d actually get out the door, but I knew I’d feel great afterwards.

So, before driving Mr. Man to work (to spare him a wet bike commute), I put on my synthetics and running shoes. Thirty minutes later, here’s the proof of my run piled in front of the fridge.

Post-run smoothie

Then, time to eat. I’ve been having smoothies every morning for the past couple of weeks, which is highly out of character. I’m not a big fruit guy. (Big fruit, yes; fruit-eater, no.) I fear the frothy, milkshake-y goodness for fear of too much sweet. Heck, I don’t even like ice cream, so why try to like a pretend milkshake?

For those who are also dessert-adverse, adding nuked oatmeal, flaxseed meal, unflavored whey powder, plain yogurt and peanut butter insures the concoction doesn’t taste like a berry patch. Or, less eloquently, Mr. Man says it tastes like dirt. However you describe it, it suits my savory-favoring palate.

Blue Bottle cafe siphon bar

My friend Rachel had the day off, too, so I went downtown to meet her for coffee. Not just any coffee, $20,000 coffee. Blue Bottle just opened a cafe last week. Of the two big roasters in town, and ever since I stopped adding sugar to my lattes, I prefer the flavor of their roasts to Ritual’s.

‘Twas delicious. It’s a great space. Very theatrical performance of the coffee preparation (read the article linked above). Nice science-y beakers. Good flavor, but perhaps more of a special occasion coffee, not a habit. I’m glad I tried it.

Continuing the indulgence, I took myself to the movies to see Cloverfield. Just ’cause. It’s not the highest-brow choice in this Oscar season (I’ve only seen Ma Vie en Rose), but perfect for a rainy day. I haven’t been to a theater since I saw The Lives of Others last year. And since my beloved doesn’t appreciate sci-fi or horror movies, I gotta get it in on my own. A smidge Blair Witch-y with the single hand-held video camera, but a great tension-filled, frantic evacuation of NYC that doesn’t dumb-down a narrative to spoon-feed you a typical Hollywood film structure.

Today is another day off, and I’ve got a run and perhaps another movie, casting off Henry, and a sourdough starter to continue to feed. Time’s a-wasting!

fit to be tied

Monday, January 21st, 2008
hizKNITS

At long last, here’s the oft-mentioned, never-before photographed, Jared-inspired scarf with Noro and a green "solid" from Philosopher’s Wool (left over from this sweater).

It’s been a smidge chilly lately, so the wool monstrosity has been getting a lot of wear. At just over 6′ long, it’s my favorite scarf, by far. It was knit over Thanksgiving 2007 in Eugene chez the in-laws.

Thanks, Leslie for the tutorial on scarf tying. I feel so French.