Was it all a dream? My seven-week sabbatical has come to a close.

IOU blog posts and photo uploads recounting travels, emails and thank you’s for writing, and knitting and design updates.

It’s been nice to withdraw from my computer and professional life. I’m reminded of how many truly wonderful people I have in my life. I hope to cherish the perspective gained during my time off for many years to come. Or at least the next six until my next sabbatical.

(Photo by Christopher, my gay married husband.)

My sabbatical started today. After seven years, you’re entitled to six paid weeks off to which you’re allowed to add two more weeks of vacation. I’ve been there since 2000, so I’m over a year late.

It was a whirlwind of rushing around to get everything done before I leave for Italy. Cleaned out my office desk, printed out plane tickets and Rome itineraries, and grabbed anything I thought I’d couldn’t live without for the next seven weeks (will I really use that yoga mat?). I’m not allowed to step foot into the office until November 17th.

I had a great day of bonding with Janie, loading up the iPod, and making a list of stuff to bring. Now, everything is packed, except my toiletries (toothbrush, paste, floss, razor, shaving cream and moisterizer). Not sure how much online time I’ll get between now and 10/9, but I’ll do my darnedest! Expect more when I return…

The alarm is going off in seven hours, so I should get to bed. Ciao for now.

Did y’all wish PuNk rAwK pUrL a happy birthday yet?

Well, what are you waiting for… go on, even if it’s “late.” She’s a swell gal that I’m proud to call a friend.

Sure, she hasn’t written in her blog since my birthday in April… so go look at her pretty pictures?

We’re headed to Alameda tonight for German food and celebration because what’s better than cabbage to celebrate another milestone? Chance of ice cream afterwards at Tucker’s: extremely high.

I warned you I wouldn’t be writing here that much. In lieu of me, here’s my little angel (on my pillow) to entertain you.

Last weekend, all three days of it, felt like a major turn-around. I was well rested. I picked up my knitting again (finished Earl Grey and starting Ribbed Coreolis, both sock #2). Bread was baked. Pesto was made. Dinner with friends was shared. Olympic trials were watched (swimming, that is). What more could you ask for?

Well, if you want more, on Monday we released YKNIT episode 10: Public Displays of Creation. Put that in your podcatcher.

It’s 9:00am. Time to get ready for swim practice and work out some soreness from last night’s circus training.

Getting ready for the trip, we enjoyed a German breakfast of bread and cheese this morning. I’ve been drinking lots of coffee, too.

Only three days at the office this week then off to travel for two weeks.

I’m still accepting Berlin recommendations. Y’all were so good for Paris… any thoughts on Deutschland?

As you know, I’ve been away for a week at sock knitting camp. We arrived home yesterday, after a LONG day driving Mom to the airport at 5:30am, waiting for a greasy spoon to open to get breakfast, almost missing our plane, awaiting the return of Janie Sparkles. Needless to say, I’m exhausted.

It was go-go-go all week long, between classes and antics and knitting and eating (and eating and eating). Leaving the island on Saturday was also a jam-packed with waiting for the ferry, driving back to Seattle, visiting Bad Woman Yarn, getting Chicken Knittle and Megpie to the airport… then, we had to meet up with Mr. Man who had been in Seattle since Friday. Later that evening, we had a drink with my dear friend from college, her adorable daughter and husband, then dinner before crashing.

All this is to say, I haven’t had time to edit my photos or compose a camp recap post. And in my rush to get home and transition back to reality, I forgot that I had also requested today off! Just for this very reason, to ease back into life and decompress from the knitting overload.

So I didn’t need to spend the day at work. Alas, I had already driven to Berkeley, I decided to stay.

It’s today… I mulled on what to write today, but I didn’t have anything prepared.

In the vein of useless New Year’s resolutions, my mind raced with things I’d do this year to make it the best yet. I’ll workout or knit or write or meditate or run or draw or blog everyday… but I don’t want to be disappointed.

I had toyed with doing The Compact as an extension of my non-yarn buying since August (which was violated for a hank of laceweight at Stitches). But I’m not sure I really want to set up that expectation for myself either.

It doesn’t really matter in the long run, does it? 35 feels no different than 25. Inside, I’m the same 16 year-old who was excited at seeing The Cure and worked at Dunkin Donuts. Only my paycheck is bigger, I have deeper friendships and I don’t worry about what I wear to school everyday. Oh, I have a man I love in a City I love, and a little black dog, too.

I guess I missed the maturity class that was supposed to kick in sometime in the past 5 years, ’cause I still don’t feel like a “grown” adult. And, that’s OK, too.

I’m happy. Really, really happy. And I hope you all have a happy my birthday, too.

All year long.

Sitting here at 8am, before showering for work, I’m already missing the weekend. How can I cram more fun into 2 days than I do all week? If only they all could be this much fun!

Since I have to run and get ready, I’ll try to make this brief:

• Knitting chez WonderMike morphed into a surprise pre-birthday celebration! Thank you, Mike, KnitSonya, SpeedyNeedleFreeman, Knit Ya Ya!, Kim-Chi Crafts and PuNk rAwK pUrL. You guys are too sweet!
• Courtesy of the Netflix, I finally saw RIZE, a glimpse into the LA crump and clown dance scene, as filmed by photographer David La Chapelle (NSFW: artistic nudity).
• And, 12 years after moving to the Bay Area, at long last I went to the Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire. Deadslow photographed Tammy fingering the needles, while Carrie scoured the crochet hooks and I leafed through a 1950s Columbia Men’s Book of patterns.

The only thing to look forward to this week at work is its brevity. Only four days, if I take Friday off.

This time next week? I’ll be flying through the air to Seattle for BMFA sock knitting camp.

Today is Mel’s birthday.

And last Saturday was Scout’s.

Happy birthday and belated birthday to you both!

Please assault their blogs with comments of love.

I’m terrible with birthdays, so please forgive me if I’ve missed yours.

(Photo of WonderMike enjoying a full-size cupcake.)