ARDIRI

RIP...WTF? Whoa! All in one day, too!

 

When I was four years old, Farrah Fawcett was Queen of my TV screen as she caught the "bad guys" as one of Charlie's Angels.

And just now, Michael Jackson, the Thriller, is announced dead, too.   I really thought he'd live longer than me.  Of course, that sentiment makes no sense; except for he did do that hyperbaric oxygen chamber thing-a-ma-jig in the 80's and said he wanted to live to be 150.

Whoa!  I am feeling old and a bit discombobulated by the death of these two stars of my childhood.

Reviewed

• The Pesthouse by Jim Crace--this is a quite enjoyable read.  A vision of an apocalyptic (in the non-religious sense) America whose inhabitants are eager leave the barren, gang-riven land for the shores of Europe where the pigs are eager to be food and allow one to strip meat for food from their sides as they (the pigs) walk along.  Machinery and its metal workings are a story of a distant past, of one's great-great-great-great-to-the-nth-degree grandparents, and are considered the work of the devil by a new religious group, the Finger Baptists.  Beautiful tale, not the best dystopic story ever, but a good read.

• Marathon Woman by Kathrine Switzer--I loved this book and the honesty with which Kathrine tells her life story.  Although she wasn't the first actual woman to run the Boston Marathon (that title belongs to Roberta Gibb), she was the first woman to register to run it and was nearly kicked physically out of the race.  Marathon Woman really opened my eyes to the issues and barriers woman had to face in the sports arena prior to Title IX, as well as the issues faced less openly after its passing.  I guess when it comes to feminism, I wasn't all that interested in sports issues, rather I was more intrigued/infuriated by things such as the non-passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the fact that a woman could not get a credit card on her own prior to 1975.  Also interesting was to read about the lack of amenities--water or porta-potties--during marathons and other races till the mid-to-early 1980's.

• Knitting Rules by the Yarn Harlot--This one was in the shelves at my library and I was kind of hesitant to pick it up because I didn't enjoy her book At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit to Much as it seemed to dwell too much and too gleefully on overtly-excessive yarn consumption which I am trying to avoid (see The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need by Juliet B. Schor).  Nevertheless,  I enjoyed reading this book and think it would make a good book for a knitting gift for someone who is in the beginning to intermediate stages of learning to knit and could use some great tips and tricks, as well as overall reference.

• Notes on a Scandal--with Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett.  This is marvelously strange movie; a bit off-setting and disturbing, but wonderfully acted.

• Frontline's The Meth Epidemic--Whoah! Scary shit!  I had only read about what meth did to its addicts and actually seeing the visual destruction of addicts and their families was horrifying.  I used to complain about having to buy psuedophedrine from pharmacists (for my massive, chronic sinus problems) but--after seeing this program--I am committed to never complaining again!

• The Good Shepherd--hmmm...I'd have to honestly classify this one as boring and way too long for its own good.  Too bad, because I love me a good spy, thriller, CIA-type of movie.

• Mocean Worker, song "Tickle It"--this sounds like good subway music to me, perfect for watching the madness of the 5 o'clock commute and knitting away like a madwoman.  I am thinking of getting the entire album.

• Destash--Sell your yarn stash for cash.  Wondermous!  I bought some sock yarn--Trekking XXL colors #185 & #186 (pics below)--off of the site for $13 a skein including shipping.  Wa-hoo!  I do believe I have finally caught the sock bug and am currently infected with a feverish addiction to sock knitting.

 

Sopranos -->Final Episode=Huh?

You're kidding me, right?  What an absolute letdown.  Bah!

Door Closes, Window Opens

An interesting change of plans has occurred for my summer...

I'll be moving home; as in:

To My Parent's House! 

Holy cannoli, I have not lived at home since a few weeks after my graduation from high school and it is so weird that I'll be staying with my parents from May 18th to August 1st.  It will have been approximately 13 years since I've last lived with my parents.

"Why?" You might ask.  Forget that, of course, you'd ask "WTF? Why?"

Well, my housing plans for the summer fell through and I've no friends who can take in one woman WITH TWO CATS! 

So, it's off to the woods I go!  Look out Big Creek, California, with your population of 258 humans and at least one black bear, your elevation of 4,920 feet, your one post office, your one general store, and your pool at the K-8th School (And, by golly, a Wikipedia entry! Who woulda thunk it?!).

The Pros and the Cons:

The Pros:

1. I'll be able to visit with my parents (my mum and my real dad, not the bio-dad) as well as with my brother, Ronnie, who's in his late 30's.  (He has his own place.)
2. My cats and I have a place to live rent-free for the summer.
3. High-altitude training for my marathon running!
4. No job!  Except for well-paid yard labor and house labor for the 'rents.  Maybe even some local babysitting if the price is right!
5. Time to work on my thesis prospectus and one last paper.
6. Beautiful trees and sky.  Lots o' wildlife.  Hiking in my backyard.
7. Knit, knit, knit!
8. Read, read, read!
9. Watch cable t.v. like a slothful teenager.
10. At the end of summer, I'll be moving to the city by the bay, San Francisco, Bay-bee!  And will finally be living with the love-dove again!

The Cons:

1. My cats will have a better living situation than I will, as I will be camping out in the backyard (with the bear!) for the summer to avoid the cigarette smoke.  (It must be noted, that my parents have significantly decreased and are on their way to quitting smoking.)  The cats will be living it up in the lap of luxury being spoiled--I'm sure--by their grandparents whom believe it just fine to make hamburgers for their pets!  And have been know to hit the local Der Weinerschnitzel to pick up hot dogs for their dog.   (Note to self: Must weigh cats on weekly basis or even bi-weekly basis to make sure they aren't gaining too much weight!)
2. No Love-Dove, Johnny.  He'll be staying in Concord.  We do plan on actually getting some good backpacking trips in this summer, especially after last summer's lame attempts to at least go camping.
3. Uh, yeah, nothing to do.  No friends nearby.  Only a teeny-tiny library that's open twice a week.  Nearest yarn store at least an hour and a half drive away.

Right now, I am basically tripping out about moving home.  Bear with me (and hopefully there will not be a bear with me when I am sleeping outside!) while I just go: "Whoah!  Mind-frack!"

Sockret Pal Socks--Done!

Finally finished my Sockret Pal Socks last night while watching some of Season 1 of Lost (I just have to say that I LOVE that Jack uses a metal knitting needle to release pressure in Boone's lung in episode 20--"Do No Harm".  Knitting needles as surgical tools--who would of figured?!).  I am actually completely loving this show despite the fact that I figured it'd be pretty lame.  It has such a Twilight Zone feeling to it; scaring me almost sleepless at times with the best fear--the fear of the unknown.

Here's my Sockret Pal's Socks--they are a little bit wet from blocking and so will go out in a few days or so.  I used my own handpainted yarn--colorway "Elle Woods" and did the contrast toe with Knitpicks Ambrosia in Lavender on size 2 needles. 

Random Ramblings of a Sinusitis Sufferer (and Knitter)

Here are the random ramblings of a student presenting with major Sinusitus symptoms and who cannot sleep because she just downed an Excedrin (which has caffeine):

• The Troll Family that resides inside my head and that occasionally have violent Mama and Papa Troll arguments (i.e. Migraines) have decided to give birth to at least four lovely baby trolls.  Mama Troll has decided that the Maxillary and Frontal Sinus Cavities make perfect wombs for her Baby Trolls and those trolls are growing at a lovely and painful rate.  Sinus irrigation, psuedophedrine, advil, and excedrine,  have not induced the birthing of these monstrous little baby trolls.  Stat!  Must consider seeing a doctor!  Must also consider watching less of Grey's Anatomy--way too addictive and distracting for a grad student who should be studying every waking moment and also causes said student to start somewhat talking as if she is a doctor. (BTW--I am in mid-season of season 2 and yet to see any knitting.  When does the knitting occur?  When do I get to put up a button that says "I knit with Greys"?)  In summarization--in the end, or rather, right now--bloody hell, just make this pain go away!


• You MUST SEE Children of Men.  I am going to put myself on the line and say that this is probably the best movie I've seen during the years of 2006 and 2007 (thus far).  Only Little Miss Sunshine comes close.  However, it could also be said that they are of a similar rating as they are definitely of different genres--one a Dystopic Tale and the other a Tale of Hilariously Dysfunctional Family.  Children of Men had moments of the oddness  similar to anime movie creator's Miyazaki's magic (Director of My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Monoke, and Howl's Moving Castle)--simple moments such as a deer running through an empty schoolhouse, among many others.  Mind you, I am not a big fan of anime, but Miyazaki is literally a magical-world-maker and his movies generally run thematically along pro-environmentalism, pro-feminist characters, political awareness, and are anti-war.  Children of Men was directed by Alfonso Cuaron who also did Y Tu Mama Tambien and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  No matter what you thought of those two movies, you must see Children of Men as it is near perfect.

• About a week and a half ago, I finished The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell.  Wow!  Did not expect myself to become so engrossed in a book about Jesuit priests visiting a planet inhabited by two odd, completely sentient species.  Deals with some major philosophical issues like the existence of god--i.e how to justify a belief in a god if s/he allows for such cruelty in the universe; yet, at the same time how to not justify a belief in a god because otherwise one must--or rather a faithful Jesuit Priest--must take/make a painful reverse Kierkegaardien Leap of Faith,  Anyways, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the requested transfer through my local library system of the second book, Children of God.  Nevertheless, I am also aware that there is a good possibility that the sequel will most likely disappoint.  I am so hoping not, as I really loved The Sparrow.

• In a similar vein, disappointing news: school has started and I have lost that "loving feeling" for devouring fiction.  I am going to have to shelve--till summer break (or maybe, if I am lucky, spring break)--all the lovely recommendations you wonderful readers have suggested.  Bah humbug!

• John, the love-dove, and I spent the evening last night watching the first two episodes of mini-series Tinker, Tailor, Sailor, Soldier (1979 BBC Production based on a Le Carre novel) and drinking a very indulgent  2002 Sauternes wine (Medaille D'Or Paris 2004 made by Chateau Haut-Bergeron) which we luckily got for an almost-reasonable price at Costco.  The wine was absolutely de-lish and the mini-series looks as if it has great potential.  However, it moves at a slow pace and you are simply thrown pretty much blindly into the middle of a spy house scandal wherein you must piece together the essential information as to what the hell is going on.

• And today, I will finally meet a local bloglandia friend, Elaine of Kim-Chi Crafts for a trip to her LYS,  Article Pract, and most likely coffee, knitting, and getting to know each other outside of the virtual world of the internet.  I am hoping to convince her to go and get Ethiopian/Eritrean food as there are multiple restaurants in the Berkeley/Oakland area serving such food.  And, by gods, I am a fool for Ethiopian food, but most people I know (such as the love-dove John) are repulsed by it.  They say the bread--injera-- reminds them too much of human skin.  As if!

Mamoko's First Bath & My Winter Break Plans

I'm sorry--I can't resist posting a picture of little kitten Mamoko getting a bath {Edited to add: This is a picture from when Mamoko was probably about a month old or less!  He was born in at the beginning of September and has grown A LOT since this picture!}.  I got it from his foster parents and I find it too funny and adorable all at once.  And, yes, I realize that I have been quite the crazy cat lady lately.  There just hasn't been much knitting to show since I've been super busy with school.  But school is out and I only have one school-related goal to achieve over the break: my 10-12 page thesis prospectus.  Other than that, I am going to gorge myself on dvds, listening to NPR, and hopefully soon I will finally reach the top of the waiting list (which I've been on since June!) at my local library for the audio book version of Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century.  All of the previously listed things will enable me to knit like a mad knitting woman and act not-so-much like a crazy cat lady.  Yay for that, right?! 

Also on the list of things to do over the winter break--till January 24th, Rock On!

1. Sew up Christmas gifts like a maniac during this week before Christmas.
2. Dye Yarn, YAY!
3. Finish up season one of Veronica Mars--which I've watched chronologically backwards; i.e. season 2 first, then season 1.  Veronica Mars happens to be an amazingly well-done TV show, especially for folks like me who love a good detective story and happened to be a big fan of Nancy Drew.  However, it must be noted that Veronica is is a million times cooler than Nancy and her daddy doesn't always get her a new powder blue convertible each time she wrecks it.
4. Read books for fun--not for school.
5. Breathe.
6. Try to take up the Slrog--that is, running--again.  Sort of fell to the wayside when Cyrano passed accompanied by the increase in cold weather and shorter days.
7. Substitute every single possible day I can during the month of January--without losing my mind or taking to downing shots of vodka (or rather Port or good wine) every day after school!

Undeniable Proof It's Time to FREE TIBET

 
Please watch this frighteningly sad video and spread the word:

It's time to Free the People of Tibet.

Exclusive footage of Chinese soldiers shooting at Tibetan pilgrims

"Pro Tv cameraman Sergiu Matei returned to Romania after climbing Himalaya and brought home with him a shocking story." (Video found at ProTV Video)

Visit the following site for information about what you can do:
International Campaign for Tibet

My New Crush: Keith Olbermann

Um, yeah, it's true--I've got a crush on Keith Olbermann and let me tell you its all about his brains and his little speeches.  I swear, every time he turns to face the camera from a new angle  it is because he's truly speaking to me, looking deep into my eyes and down into my heart. 

Seriously though, Keith "The Man" Olbermann's got the straight dope on what's happening in the world. His commentary on Fox News' sucker-punching Clinton is right on.

More Quilting and Too Much Sopranos

Living
Yippee!  On my last day of summer work (Aug. 16), I found out that I don't have to return to work till September 5th.  Unfortunately, school starts on August 29th, but nevertheless that's almost three weeks vacation and, I might add, a much needed vacation.  So I've been busy with listening to talk radio (either NPR or KGO 810) and watching the Sopranos (starting from season 1) while either knitting or sewing.  I think that I've sort of overdosed on the Sopranos because I couldn't help but think "Mafia" when I bought this canned coffee, Hello Boss:

Quilting

Here's my imitation of Denyse Schmidt's oven mitt pattern:

Unfortunately, I didn't use her xerox reproducible pattern in the back of the book and my pattern turned out funky and wonky when sewn up into an actual mitt.  So I'll have to find me a Kinko's to do the reproduction at +400% and try again.  I keep reminding myself that it is all part of the learning process.

Knitting

Knitting continues with the Noro Mitered square blanket.  When I find myself burnt on making squares, I repeat the Mason Dixon mantra: "Remember: No project is too ambitious if you crave the result enough."  And I indeed do crave the result, especially on cooler evenings like tonight's whereupon in my mind's eye I can imagine curling up in one of my armchairs, wrapped in my Noro Blanket with a pair of needles in my hands and my cats beside me.