But at least you know it has to be true. Because if I was just going to ditch, I’d make up something like, “My great aunt Gertrude got in a sky diving accident and I had to go to her funeral in Finnland,” not, “I couldn’t find a place to park.”
I don’t get it. I left an hour and a half before my class started, even though it only takes me 30-45 minutes to get to school normally. I took an alternate route to avoid the accident that closed 670, and I started with the Mt. Vernon lot thinking there’d still be a few spaces left. An hour later, I was still driving. So now I am camped out at the main branch of the public library, holding my own math 107 class since even if I walked over now, I’d STILL miss class.
And here I thought it was an exaggeration that Columbus State had a twitter account for their parking lots, and a website (not that either one does me much good since the ipod needs wireless and the cell phone has data disabled).
On the bright side, we are still only in unit 1.4, so even though I'm not in class, I should still be able to keep up. Last week's topic was "adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing real numbers," so I shouldn't have too much to worry about (can you tell I'm in the class for jeniuses?).
In case I forgot to mention (which I'm pretty sure I did), I am going back to school this fall (again) (duh). I'm picking up those pesky math and science credits that they don't give you art school so that I can go on to grad school. I've got remedial algebra (for us not-so-good at math people like me who also haven't had it in at least five years), French (immersion course; takes some getting used to), and physical anthropology (because I watch too much tv and I have the grande delusion that I could maybe be Temperance Brennan one day when I grow up).
I have been enjoying all of my classes so far. Until today. I will likely have to move my car in a few hours (or try) but I'm going to worry about that around, say, 1, and give myself two hours to find a space this time. Or maybe I'll just leave it. I'll check the prices again for the library garage.
Showing posts with label college life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college life. Show all posts
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Pardon the Dust
Alice is helping me revamp the layout of the blog (it's easier than I thought!). We're still working out the kinks, but I like this better than the boring layout I was using before (simply because I don't like the colors in most of the Blogger layouts).
I had my thesis review yesterday, so I've got to turn in the final edits by tomorrow. The frustrating thing? Out of the four teachers and two TAs in the review, only two of them had bothered to read my thesis. In Alice's case, only one teacher bothered to read it. We spend so much time on these theses, trying to get them done and turned in a week in advance of our reviews, and no one bothers to read them? I find that more than a little irritating.
Since the review is done, I'm going to call the sock done. It isn't acutally finished, but there's no way I can rip back the needed two inches and then knit everything from the heel down by tomorrow (not on size 0's, and not when I have no idea what I'm doing). Eventually, I will finish it, but it's not going to be this week.
Packing has commenced and is roughly 75% complete. I can't find anything and so far I've got two boxes of stuff, plus a shopping bag, a coat, and a pair of boots to donate. And a bag of medication, since all I seem to do here is get sick. Case in point: I would have updated a few days ago, but I came down with a stomach bug on Monday. I'm still feeling completely great, but since last night I've managed to eat two actual meals which is an improvement.
On top of everything else, K, our other roommate, has suddenly decided that the housing situation is "completely unacceptable and inappropriate"--but only since I got sick. She won't even make eye contact with me. I'm sorry, the next time I decided to get laid up for two days with a stomach bug, I'll check to make sure it's convenient for your first. Gr. Some people...
And now I have a thesis to edit and print, a blog layout to adjust, more packing to do, and at least one more load of laundry. Three days and then I'll be headed home!
I had my thesis review yesterday, so I've got to turn in the final edits by tomorrow. The frustrating thing? Out of the four teachers and two TAs in the review, only two of them had bothered to read my thesis. In Alice's case, only one teacher bothered to read it. We spend so much time on these theses, trying to get them done and turned in a week in advance of our reviews, and no one bothers to read them? I find that more than a little irritating.
Since the review is done, I'm going to call the sock done. It isn't acutally finished, but there's no way I can rip back the needed two inches and then knit everything from the heel down by tomorrow (not on size 0's, and not when I have no idea what I'm doing). Eventually, I will finish it, but it's not going to be this week.
Packing has commenced and is roughly 75% complete. I can't find anything and so far I've got two boxes of stuff, plus a shopping bag, a coat, and a pair of boots to donate. And a bag of medication, since all I seem to do here is get sick. Case in point: I would have updated a few days ago, but I came down with a stomach bug on Monday. I'm still feeling completely great, but since last night I've managed to eat two actual meals which is an improvement.
On top of everything else, K, our other roommate, has suddenly decided that the housing situation is "completely unacceptable and inappropriate"--but only since I got sick. She won't even make eye contact with me. I'm sorry, the next time I decided to get laid up for two days with a stomach bug, I'll check to make sure it's convenient for your first. Gr. Some people...
And now I have a thesis to edit and print, a blog layout to adjust, more packing to do, and at least one more load of laundry. Three days and then I'll be headed home!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Buh.
Yeah, that's kind of how I'm feeling right now, as I sit in the school library intent on working and not really accomplishing much except checking my email and Facebook seventy billion times for no reason and looking up sock patterns in my Ravelry queue.
Dublin was fantastic and relaxing. Can I go back now? *wimper*
I have one month to complete my thesis, and a week and a half to put together a twenty minute presentation on a chemistry subject. I'm just not feeling terribly motivated, and every time I look at the mountain of work I have to to I just kind of cry a little inside and go hide under the covers.
I've been wanting to do knitting, but my wrist has been bothering me for about two weeks. In my infinite wisdom, I have decided that obviously, it is not the fact that I'm knitting that's the problem, but the fact that my project has been misbehaving (because of course a hat that I've torn out six times and went from an elaborate cable pattern into a plain on stockinette one would obviously be the cause of the pain in my arm, and not all the repetition of typing, knitting, and also playing way too many games of solitaire both online and on my ipod).
Anyway, while I was in Dublin, I picked up a skein of sock yarn, because I've been wanting to knit socks and I've been having trouble fining good yarn for it here--just can't find any thin enough. I'm convinced that all of the knitters here must order the bulk of their yarn online, which I can't do thanks to my wool allergy. I have to touch it first. The yarn is a bamboo blend, very soft, and in shades of pink and white. Not my normal color pallet, but it was the only ball I could find that was the right weight, the right fiber content, and the right price. So I'm debating between Mary's Garden, Cut and Paste, and Snakes on a Sock (those are all Ravelry pages, by the way, so if you're not a member you probably won't be able to view them). My bandwidth is so low though, that it's coming down to whatever has the least complicated looking chart (looks like L&V is the winner), but I've only got one 100g ball so I'm hesitant to do anything from the top down. I'm also really wishing I had a good set of loooong circs so I could at least attempt to do two at a time and thus avoid the ripping that running out of yarn would entail.
I've finished two books in the last couple of weeks, both by Mercedes Lacky--The Lark and the Wren, and The Robin and Kestral. I'm starting the third book in the trilogy tonight.
Speaking of books, I would like to say yet another thank you to C.E. Murphy, who took time out of her busy schedule to meet with Alice and I at Chapters on Friday. We had a lovely time, and she signed my copy of Urban Shaman and Heart of Stone (I still don't think Alice has forgiven me for beating her to that copy. Ha. My revenge, since she failed to point out Bill Nighy to me when we were in London).
I'm working on a file for our experiences on the haunted tours we took in London. I'll post a summary here as soon as it's done, but it might take a while, what with the thesis and the presentation and all.
This weekend I'm going up to Aviano to meet a guy that I met online. If you don't hear from my by Monday, then he's an ax murderer and the American Consulate should be alerted to begin looking for my body. (Joking. Don't call them please. But I also promise I'll post something early next week to let you all know I'm still alive. No promises on the exact time because I need to not be rambling on my blog but instead doing research for my freaking thesis which needs to written, like, NOW).
I think that's the bulk of what I had to talk about. I'm fried, but I have to go jump out of the pan and into the fire now.
Dublin was fantastic and relaxing. Can I go back now? *wimper*
I have one month to complete my thesis, and a week and a half to put together a twenty minute presentation on a chemistry subject. I'm just not feeling terribly motivated, and every time I look at the mountain of work I have to to I just kind of cry a little inside and go hide under the covers.
I've been wanting to do knitting, but my wrist has been bothering me for about two weeks. In my infinite wisdom, I have decided that obviously, it is not the fact that I'm knitting that's the problem, but the fact that my project has been misbehaving (because of course a hat that I've torn out six times and went from an elaborate cable pattern into a plain on stockinette one would obviously be the cause of the pain in my arm, and not all the repetition of typing, knitting, and also playing way too many games of solitaire both online and on my ipod).
Anyway, while I was in Dublin, I picked up a skein of sock yarn, because I've been wanting to knit socks and I've been having trouble fining good yarn for it here--just can't find any thin enough. I'm convinced that all of the knitters here must order the bulk of their yarn online, which I can't do thanks to my wool allergy. I have to touch it first. The yarn is a bamboo blend, very soft, and in shades of pink and white. Not my normal color pallet, but it was the only ball I could find that was the right weight, the right fiber content, and the right price. So I'm debating between Mary's Garden, Cut and Paste, and Snakes on a Sock (those are all Ravelry pages, by the way, so if you're not a member you probably won't be able to view them). My bandwidth is so low though, that it's coming down to whatever has the least complicated looking chart (looks like L&V is the winner), but I've only got one 100g ball so I'm hesitant to do anything from the top down. I'm also really wishing I had a good set of loooong circs so I could at least attempt to do two at a time and thus avoid the ripping that running out of yarn would entail.
I've finished two books in the last couple of weeks, both by Mercedes Lacky--The Lark and the Wren, and The Robin and Kestral. I'm starting the third book in the trilogy tonight.
Speaking of books, I would like to say yet another thank you to C.E. Murphy, who took time out of her busy schedule to meet with Alice and I at Chapters on Friday. We had a lovely time, and she signed my copy of Urban Shaman and Heart of Stone (I still don't think Alice has forgiven me for beating her to that copy. Ha. My revenge, since she failed to point out Bill Nighy to me when we were in London).
I'm working on a file for our experiences on the haunted tours we took in London. I'll post a summary here as soon as it's done, but it might take a while, what with the thesis and the presentation and all.
This weekend I'm going up to Aviano to meet a guy that I met online. If you don't hear from my by Monday, then he's an ax murderer and the American Consulate should be alerted to begin looking for my body. (Joking. Don't call them please. But I also promise I'll post something early next week to let you all know I'm still alive. No promises on the exact time because I need to not be rambling on my blog but instead doing research for my freaking thesis which needs to written, like, NOW).
I think that's the bulk of what I had to talk about. I'm fried, but I have to go jump out of the pan and into the fire now.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Calm Before the Storm
I finished editing Life is a Zoo last week, but I still feel that the book is unfinished. I like the flow, but I have two problem points: the exposition at the end of the book is too tell-all confession; there isn't enough peeling back plot layers to discover what has happened. Second, I don't thing my antagonist is scary enough. I mean, he's a skinwalker. These are some of the baddest-of-the-bad guys in Native American mythology, and he's coming across as too normal. I'm still trying to figure out how I can make him seem like more of threat. Not just because he kills people, but because of what he is.
I also finished up two books this week, my re-read of Thunderbird Falls (which took forever; I'm always so much slower when I'm re-reading something), and Coraline by Neil Gaiman. Overall, I didn't think that the book was as creepy as the movie, but there was one line that got me. I'm paraphrasing a little since I don't have the book in front of me, but it's something like:
Coraline: "Swear it."
Other Mother: "I swear on my mother's grave."
Coraline: "Does she even have one?"
Other Mother: "Of course. I put her there myself. And when I caught her trying to crawl out, I put her right back."
Seriously. Shivers. And this is a kids book?
To do:
-print 2 chemical fact sheets for chemistry
-re-read information on conservation of bronze and iron
-write at least 7 pages of my thesis
-find photos to insert into thesis
-update conservation cards for all archaeology objects worked on (five total)
-create a presentation on a chemistry article (find updated information for presentation, since the article I'm writing about is from 1986)
-Pack for Dublin.
We leave on Monday morning, a week from tomorrow. That's what I'm holding on to at the moment: If I can get through this week, then by next week I'll be in Ireland.
It kind of makes Exams feel worth it.
I also finished up two books this week, my re-read of Thunderbird Falls (which took forever; I'm always so much slower when I'm re-reading something), and Coraline by Neil Gaiman. Overall, I didn't think that the book was as creepy as the movie, but there was one line that got me. I'm paraphrasing a little since I don't have the book in front of me, but it's something like:
Coraline: "Swear it."
Other Mother: "I swear on my mother's grave."
Coraline: "Does she even have one?"
Other Mother: "Of course. I put her there myself. And when I caught her trying to crawl out, I put her right back."
Seriously. Shivers. And this is a kids book?
To do:
-print 2 chemical fact sheets for chemistry
-re-read information on conservation of bronze and iron
-write at least 7 pages of my thesis
-find photos to insert into thesis
-update conservation cards for all archaeology objects worked on (five total)
-create a presentation on a chemistry article (find updated information for presentation, since the article I'm writing about is from 1986)
-Pack for Dublin.
We leave on Monday morning, a week from tomorrow. That's what I'm holding on to at the moment: If I can get through this week, then by next week I'll be in Ireland.
It kind of makes Exams feel worth it.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Semester Stats
Days until finals: 2
Number of hours spent studying: 0
Number of thesis pages written (10 due): 2.5
Outlines completed: 1 of 1
Exams taken: 1
Grade received: "A/A-" (What does that mean, anyway? It's one or the other.)
Days left in the semester: 5
Novels finished: 2
Novels started: 2
Books read: 18
Cities visited: 4
Pictures taken: 1,320
Items knit: 3 donation hats, 1 hat to keep, 2 doll outfits, 1 laptop cover
Photos of knit items taken: 0, except for one of the doll outfits
Illnesses contracted and recovered from: 3
Days until departure: 9
Days until arrival: 10
Packing left: all of it
Final assignments completed: 7 of 9 (hang on. Geek girl moment. ....Okay, you can move on now.)
Number of times the list of assignments due has changed in the past two weeks: 6 (so those last two assignments? Not getting done. Can't do them, because I didn't know I was supposed to)
Nerves frayed: All of them
And now I shall distract you with knitwear while I try to finish some of the items on my list.
Number of hours spent studying: 0
Number of thesis pages written (10 due): 2.5
Outlines completed: 1 of 1
Exams taken: 1
Grade received: "A/A-" (What does that mean, anyway? It's one or the other.)
Days left in the semester: 5
Novels finished: 2
Novels started: 2
Books read: 18
Cities visited: 4
Pictures taken: 1,320
Items knit: 3 donation hats, 1 hat to keep, 2 doll outfits, 1 laptop cover
Photos of knit items taken: 0, except for one of the doll outfits
Illnesses contracted and recovered from: 3
Days until departure: 9
Days until arrival: 10
Packing left: all of it
Final assignments completed: 7 of 9 (hang on. Geek girl moment. ....Okay, you can move on now.)
Number of times the list of assignments due has changed in the past two weeks: 6 (so those last two assignments? Not getting done. Can't do them, because I didn't know I was supposed to)
Nerves frayed: All of them
And now I shall distract you with knitwear while I try to finish some of the items on my list.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Listing Things.
1. I haven't been updating because life has been a big bag of "suck" and "fail" for the last few weeks. Basically, all semester, and I haven't been wanting to broadcast my bad mood onto the internet.
2. It's been so bad that I haven't been knitting. Seriously. Haven't touched the pointy sticks since I was sick back in April, and even then all I did was whip out some doll cloths. Actually, scratch that. The doll cloths were crochet.
3. I'm also, I just realized, behind on my book list. Must see to that...when I get a chance.
4. Finals are next week. See item 1. RE: "suck" and "fail."
5. After finals I'm going to Washington DC for the Code Pink Mother's Day Vigil. Don't know if I will have internet.
6. The house Alice and I are renting goes up for sale in June, meaning we have to be out two weeks after graduation. Again, I refer you to Item 1. (Neither of us has the money for a new apartment. My job will barely pay for this one.)
7. I loose my insurance the day I graduate. (See Item 1.)
8. Sometime over the course of the next month I will be listing stuff on Amazon and Ebay for sale. Maybe that will enable me to not choose between food and rent.
Another crappy entry, but I'm having a hard time seeing the light at this point. Hope things are going better for everyone out there in internet-land.
2. It's been so bad that I haven't been knitting. Seriously. Haven't touched the pointy sticks since I was sick back in April, and even then all I did was whip out some doll cloths. Actually, scratch that. The doll cloths were crochet.
3. I'm also, I just realized, behind on my book list. Must see to that...when I get a chance.
4. Finals are next week. See item 1. RE: "suck" and "fail."
5. After finals I'm going to Washington DC for the Code Pink Mother's Day Vigil. Don't know if I will have internet.
6. The house Alice and I are renting goes up for sale in June, meaning we have to be out two weeks after graduation. Again, I refer you to Item 1. (Neither of us has the money for a new apartment. My job will barely pay for this one.)
7. I loose my insurance the day I graduate. (See Item 1.)
8. Sometime over the course of the next month I will be listing stuff on Amazon and Ebay for sale. Maybe that will enable me to not choose between food and rent.
Another crappy entry, but I'm having a hard time seeing the light at this point. Hope things are going better for everyone out there in internet-land.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Sick Days, Part II
So the cold I had? It's a sinus infection. I'm allergic to Penicillin, so the doc gave me a prescription decongestant, and Clarithromycin. I've been taking the pills since Monday night, and so far I feel 100% worse, not better. I've had almost every side effect for each of the, and it doesn't help that most of the side effects for the decongestant are the same as the ones for the Clarithromycin. I'm dizzy, I have a headache, I'm exhausted but I can't sleep, I'm shaky, anxious, and my moods are all over. I'm going to give it a few more hours, then I'm calling the doctor.
Everything is on hold right now, because everything either hurts or wears me out. Even the cat knows something is up; he's been letting me cuddle him, and normally he just squirms out of the way or turns it into a wrestling match.
Hopefully I will be human sometime within the next week.
Everything is on hold right now, because everything either hurts or wears me out. Even the cat knows something is up; he's been letting me cuddle him, and normally he just squirms out of the way or turns it into a wrestling match.
Hopefully I will be human sometime within the next week.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Is this a sign?
Just when I get all geared up for a big purchase, I find this in my yahoo horoscope:
I'm going to keep this major purchase a secret for a while, just because it's so exciting and I don't want to jinx it, like I did with The Universe Provides. How did I jinx that, you ask? Well, immediately following that post, the person I was going to do the commission for was hosptialized, putting off the work. Alice still has not heard from her potential photography client, and our ex-roommate, who insisted he'd paid all of the bills before he moved out, did NOT, resulting in our water being shut off suddenly, followed by many shouting matches when he turned around and said "Well, I told you that I didn't pay anything before I left and that it was up to you." This after he'd deposited the check I'd written him for the utilities. Getting it back was like pulling teeth.
*grumble*
It's been a rough week or two. 2009 has not started in any way like I'd hoped.
But. School starts next Tuesday, I'll have my check, Alice will have hers, and we'll be set. Just one more semester to get through.
I'm going to keep this major purchase a secret for a while, just because it's so exciting and I don't want to jinx it, like I did with The Universe Provides. How did I jinx that, you ask? Well, immediately following that post, the person I was going to do the commission for was hosptialized, putting off the work. Alice still has not heard from her potential photography client, and our ex-roommate, who insisted he'd paid all of the bills before he moved out, did NOT, resulting in our water being shut off suddenly, followed by many shouting matches when he turned around and said "Well, I told you that I didn't pay anything before I left and that it was up to you." This after he'd deposited the check I'd written him for the utilities. Getting it back was like pulling teeth.
*grumble*
It's been a rough week or two. 2009 has not started in any way like I'd hoped.
But. School starts next Tuesday, I'll have my check, Alice will have hers, and we'll be set. Just one more semester to get through.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
No More Flashing.
I haven't been posting much because it's getting to be that time of the school year again--finals. They officially start this week, but the prep work can be just as bad, especially in art school.
I had my first gallery show last Wednesday, but I've been sick and felt like I'd been hit by a bus, so I didn't stay long or take any pictures. In fact, my camera will not be coming home with me. It started doing this thing where as soon as I put in a new set of batteries and try to turn it on, it kills them. It literally sucks all of the energy out of a pair of AA Energizers, and refuses to turn on (I tried putting them in something else afterwards to check this. They don't work). So I'm tossing the camera and just taking the memory card home.
The camera won't be the only thing not making it home. I'm going to have to leave a couple of books, and I'm only bringing home a few pairs of socks (most of them have holes in them, anyway, thanks to my art history class and all the walking we do). I'm going to be leaving a few of my craft supplies too--some fabric, and a little bit of yarn and other odds and ends. And that blanket I made. I really want to take it back, but it'll be too heavy. Alice and I are planning on picking up another suitcase (you can find them for 20 euro at various street vendors around the train station) and we're going to stick the extra stuff in there.
On the other end of the spectrum, I bought the last of my souveneirs and gifts today. Including a pair of royal blue silk ballet slippers for 25 euro (that's about $40 for those of you paying attention to the exchange rate). I love them, but I need it to stop raining before I can wear them. I spotted them at 100 yards and made a beeline for them. I knew I had to have them. I almost bought them in red. They're shiny and pretty and my mom is going to kill me when (if) she finds out how much they were (we're a Walmart family). Anyway, they are perfect and so me I couldn't say no.
Alice and I will probably be recording a farewell Italy podcast sometime within the next week. If it isn't up in seven days, then it will probably be uploaded while we spend twelve hours in Heathrow and have nothing else to do but buy an overpriced internet pass.
I had my first gallery show last Wednesday, but I've been sick and felt like I'd been hit by a bus, so I didn't stay long or take any pictures. In fact, my camera will not be coming home with me. It started doing this thing where as soon as I put in a new set of batteries and try to turn it on, it kills them. It literally sucks all of the energy out of a pair of AA Energizers, and refuses to turn on (I tried putting them in something else afterwards to check this. They don't work). So I'm tossing the camera and just taking the memory card home.
The camera won't be the only thing not making it home. I'm going to have to leave a couple of books, and I'm only bringing home a few pairs of socks (most of them have holes in them, anyway, thanks to my art history class and all the walking we do). I'm going to be leaving a few of my craft supplies too--some fabric, and a little bit of yarn and other odds and ends. And that blanket I made. I really want to take it back, but it'll be too heavy. Alice and I are planning on picking up another suitcase (you can find them for 20 euro at various street vendors around the train station) and we're going to stick the extra stuff in there.
On the other end of the spectrum, I bought the last of my souveneirs and gifts today. Including a pair of royal blue silk ballet slippers for 25 euro (that's about $40 for those of you paying attention to the exchange rate). I love them, but I need it to stop raining before I can wear them. I spotted them at 100 yards and made a beeline for them. I knew I had to have them. I almost bought them in red. They're shiny and pretty and my mom is going to kill me when (if) she finds out how much they were (we're a Walmart family). Anyway, they are perfect and so me I couldn't say no.
Alice and I will probably be recording a farewell Italy podcast sometime within the next week. If it isn't up in seven days, then it will probably be uploaded while we spend twelve hours in Heathrow and have nothing else to do but buy an overpriced internet pass.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Catch Up
Once again, I find myself behind in my picture taking. Stupid camera. Always running out of batteries. I need to get one of the fancy ones like my uncle has that uses a cell phone battery that lasts for about two months.
Projects:
Turkish Rib Tank: I'm just getting ready to start the sleeve shaping on the front. It's on hold until I finish my socks though. The socks are eating my soul.
First Ever Socks: I just started the leg of the second sock last night. The foot has a weird striping thing going on, which is funny because I'm using the same ball of yarn from the first sock, but there's absolutely no striping on that one. For some reason, the foot on this sock seems to be slightly shorting, and the heel is coming out weird. I got it to fit, but it's still not 100% identical to the first sock (even without the stripes). But hey, they're my first pair. I'm still playing.
Jeans skirt: I started cutting up a worn out pair of jeans last night. I'd worn a hole through the inside of the thigh, but I'm afraid to throw away my jeans because I don't exactly fit the typical Florentine body type: 4'10" size zero, or 5'11" size zero. And most of the places I've seen with jeans don't have changing rooms (oh, the plight of shopping outdoor markets). So, I tore out the inseams and sewed in some iridescent blue fabric to make a skirt. I'm wearing it as we speak, and I love, love LOVE it.
Hopefully I'll get those pictures up soon. I'm also working on the video for my Rome trip, so you'll be able to see those pictures...Oh, by this weekend, I think. I only have a couple more little cue cards to make, and then I can put it on youtube.
Finals start tomorrow. Not a big deal, because the only final I have is for Art history. I've already got my review sheet, and the review session is going to be tomorrow night. Other than that, I've got a critique in batik, and that's all. My writing teacher is an anarchist, and is opposed to exams. :D
Well, I'm going to go off in our lovely, warms sun, and try to find some fresh air in which to study the Ninja Turtles.
Projects:
Turkish Rib Tank: I'm just getting ready to start the sleeve shaping on the front. It's on hold until I finish my socks though. The socks are eating my soul.
First Ever Socks: I just started the leg of the second sock last night. The foot has a weird striping thing going on, which is funny because I'm using the same ball of yarn from the first sock, but there's absolutely no striping on that one. For some reason, the foot on this sock seems to be slightly shorting, and the heel is coming out weird. I got it to fit, but it's still not 100% identical to the first sock (even without the stripes). But hey, they're my first pair. I'm still playing.
Jeans skirt: I started cutting up a worn out pair of jeans last night. I'd worn a hole through the inside of the thigh, but I'm afraid to throw away my jeans because I don't exactly fit the typical Florentine body type: 4'10" size zero, or 5'11" size zero. And most of the places I've seen with jeans don't have changing rooms (oh, the plight of shopping outdoor markets). So, I tore out the inseams and sewed in some iridescent blue fabric to make a skirt. I'm wearing it as we speak, and I love, love LOVE it.
Hopefully I'll get those pictures up soon. I'm also working on the video for my Rome trip, so you'll be able to see those pictures...Oh, by this weekend, I think. I only have a couple more little cue cards to make, and then I can put it on youtube.
Finals start tomorrow. Not a big deal, because the only final I have is for Art history. I've already got my review sheet, and the review session is going to be tomorrow night. Other than that, I've got a critique in batik, and that's all. My writing teacher is an anarchist, and is opposed to exams. :D
Well, I'm going to go off in our lovely, warms sun, and try to find some fresh air in which to study the Ninja Turtles.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Back in the Handbasket
The last few days have not been all that great. I've been trying to get together another loan, going back and forth between two (Completely unhelpful) colleges, my parents, and the loan company. Everything is on hold until Monday. Alice is having the exact same issue, so we're just praying we don't get sent home, since we already spent $1000 on nonrefundable tickets for our return trip.
This weekend, I am trying to relax and put all of that out my head since there is nothing I can do about it. I'm doing laundry, and that's about it. Yesterday I downloaded some MP3 versions of Dr. Who and Torchwood, as well as several podcasts. We don't have a working tv in the apartment, so our laptops have started to get overloaded with itunes movies and tv downloads. I also picked up Threadbanger, Fairy Knits, and The Knitting Newscast off of itunes. They give me something new to listen too. Even with 1.5 GB of music on my laptop, I still need something fresh every once in a while.
I'm getting ready to start the fourth ball of yarn on the Turkish Rib Tank top, which I decided will actually have cap sleeves. I'm about 80% finished with the embroidery on my first batik project, and should have photos of that shortly. The crocheted bag I started last week is down to just the flap and the strap, so I'll probably finish it during my creative writing class tomorrow, with the lining to come Tuesday, probably.
Alas, there shall be no knitting for me today. My wrists are acting up again, demanding that I take a day off from everything. So Today will be laundry, reading, and the odd podcast or two, if I can borrow the charger from Cho. Mine will (hopefully) be here tomorrow. With any luck customs won't have had a problem with it. They've already deprived me of my homemade cookies, they had better not have messed with my charger!
----
Peace Project News
----
As of this morning, we are now up to 60 sign ups. I would like to thank you all for your wonderful support.
I would also like to call attention to the fact that we have a Gay Pride and Pagan Pride flag, and would like to throw out an invitation to all who are interested to submit flags representing Christianity, Bhuddism, Hinduism, Shinto, Judaism, atheism, and Islam. There is no way to deny that throughout history, religious differences have been major causes of turmoil in our world. I would like to include these with the country flags (I think that I myself might take a flag to represent the asexuals, since we already have a gay pride flag. Got to represent the minorities, here).
While I was listening to old episodes of the Knitting Newscast, it occured to me that podcasts would be a great way to get the word out about this project. What podcasts do you listen to? Do you have one of your own? Please let me know so that I might drop them a line and see if they could promote the project. I have a few podcasts that I listen to, but most of them have not updated for quite a while, so I'm looking for new ones.
This weekend, I am trying to relax and put all of that out my head since there is nothing I can do about it. I'm doing laundry, and that's about it. Yesterday I downloaded some MP3 versions of Dr. Who and Torchwood, as well as several podcasts. We don't have a working tv in the apartment, so our laptops have started to get overloaded with itunes movies and tv downloads. I also picked up Threadbanger, Fairy Knits, and The Knitting Newscast off of itunes. They give me something new to listen too. Even with 1.5 GB of music on my laptop, I still need something fresh every once in a while.
I'm getting ready to start the fourth ball of yarn on the Turkish Rib Tank top, which I decided will actually have cap sleeves. I'm about 80% finished with the embroidery on my first batik project, and should have photos of that shortly. The crocheted bag I started last week is down to just the flap and the strap, so I'll probably finish it during my creative writing class tomorrow, with the lining to come Tuesday, probably.
Alas, there shall be no knitting for me today. My wrists are acting up again, demanding that I take a day off from everything. So Today will be laundry, reading, and the odd podcast or two, if I can borrow the charger from Cho. Mine will (hopefully) be here tomorrow. With any luck customs won't have had a problem with it. They've already deprived me of my homemade cookies, they had better not have messed with my charger!
----
Peace Project News
----
As of this morning, we are now up to 60 sign ups. I would like to thank you all for your wonderful support.
I would also like to call attention to the fact that we have a Gay Pride and Pagan Pride flag, and would like to throw out an invitation to all who are interested to submit flags representing Christianity, Bhuddism, Hinduism, Shinto, Judaism, atheism, and Islam. There is no way to deny that throughout history, religious differences have been major causes of turmoil in our world. I would like to include these with the country flags (I think that I myself might take a flag to represent the asexuals, since we already have a gay pride flag. Got to represent the minorities, here).
While I was listening to old episodes of the Knitting Newscast, it occured to me that podcasts would be a great way to get the word out about this project. What podcasts do you listen to? Do you have one of your own? Please let me know so that I might drop them a line and see if they could promote the project. I have a few podcasts that I listen to, but most of them have not updated for quite a while, so I'm looking for new ones.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
How did I miss this?
There have been many adventures happening the last few days, not all of them good. If you've been on yahoo recently, you probably heard about the Italian Parliment desolving. What we didn't know going in to this whole study abroad thing is that there is a parliment building less than a block from one of our school buildings. As Alice was leaving class this morning, she got caught up in what she described as a "very polite protest"--lots of well dressed Italians in leather and heels and fur shouting and holding signs, but no pushing or shoving or violence of any kind. Still when I had to go down that way this afternoon, I was a little anxious, especially when I stepped into a cafe for a croisant and there were three police officers having cappuchino.
The other day I got a bill from the school here in Italy stating that I owe them $4600 by tomorrow. What? Where did this come from? We cleared all of this up before I left, or so I thought. So now I am trying to coordinate between two bursars in two states and three offices on two continents, trying to figure out what the hell happened to this $4600.
There have been a few good things...I'm almost done with the embroidery for my first silk painting, and by this time next week I should have photos for you. Also by then, I should have the charger for my laptop, so not only will there be more pictures in these posts, but they might even become more regular. Though I have been posting more often since the Peace Project started.
Speaking of the Peace Project, over fifty flags have now been promised--we're 1/4 of the way there! But there is still a long way to go. Please share the link to the information with anyone you think might be interested. I would be thrilled if we could get 198 different people to sign up! Show the love!
Well, I am off. I need to figure out what happened to my missing money...
The other day I got a bill from the school here in Italy stating that I owe them $4600 by tomorrow. What? Where did this come from? We cleared all of this up before I left, or so I thought. So now I am trying to coordinate between two bursars in two states and three offices on two continents, trying to figure out what the hell happened to this $4600.
There have been a few good things...I'm almost done with the embroidery for my first silk painting, and by this time next week I should have photos for you. Also by then, I should have the charger for my laptop, so not only will there be more pictures in these posts, but they might even become more regular. Though I have been posting more often since the Peace Project started.
Speaking of the Peace Project, over fifty flags have now been promised--we're 1/4 of the way there! But there is still a long way to go. Please share the link to the information with anyone you think might be interested. I would be thrilled if we could get 198 different people to sign up! Show the love!
Well, I am off. I need to figure out what happened to my missing money...
Sunday, February 3, 2008
I Knit so I do not Kill People
There are now 43 people signed up for the Peace Project! Woot!
My cold is doing a little better. I managed to get some medicine from the Farmacia near the apartment, and it is working wonders. I'm 80% human today, rather than the 50% or less that I have been lately.
I think I may spend too much time reading Crazy Aunt Purl. Last night I had a dream I was knitting one of her berets, and it got to be enormous and took over the world. Mutant country eating berets!
This weekend has been quiet, between Cho going off to Venice for Carnival, me being sick, and Alice and I being stuck indoors by rain. Most of my time has been spent knitting. I'm almost done with the back of my turkish rib tank. I'm just about ready to start on the straps. I can't decide if I want to do a provisional cast off and then graft on the straps, or if I want to knit the straps on each side and then sew them together in the middle.
I need a project to do once I finish the tank, though. I'm going to have about six extra balls of cotton yarn, four in a pale sky blue and two in a more grey-blue. I thought about making myself a skirt, but I'm going to be sewing one at some point. I just need a project I can take with me to my various classes to keep my hands busy. And also to keep myself from strangling people, like when my art history prof says "loov-ray" rather than "Louvre," or when I have to sit through three hours of bad poetry written by preppy Bostonians. I have nothing against Boston or Jersy or NYC, but I do have a problem with the millions of stuck up little Wheaton girls we have roaming our halls, looking down on gritty fantasy writers, and sticking up their noses at us mid-western girls who don't own a designer anything. All of them write bad poetry about drugs, clubbing, and sex, and don't like prose because it isn't "creative" enough. I'm sorry, but I actually LIKE making sense and following a few loose rules of grammer.
Okay. Enough ranting. You can see now why I have the icon I do, even though I'm promoting peace around here. I am not perfect. There are people I don't like. But when I do dislike a person, it's for their actions or their attitudes, rather than their polical or religious leaning. I don't want them dead, I just daydream about strangling them and maybe pushing them them down the circular staircase in the Design Studio. There is a difference.
My cold is doing a little better. I managed to get some medicine from the Farmacia near the apartment, and it is working wonders. I'm 80% human today, rather than the 50% or less that I have been lately.
I think I may spend too much time reading Crazy Aunt Purl. Last night I had a dream I was knitting one of her berets, and it got to be enormous and took over the world. Mutant country eating berets!
This weekend has been quiet, between Cho going off to Venice for Carnival, me being sick, and Alice and I being stuck indoors by rain. Most of my time has been spent knitting. I'm almost done with the back of my turkish rib tank. I'm just about ready to start on the straps. I can't decide if I want to do a provisional cast off and then graft on the straps, or if I want to knit the straps on each side and then sew them together in the middle.
I need a project to do once I finish the tank, though. I'm going to have about six extra balls of cotton yarn, four in a pale sky blue and two in a more grey-blue. I thought about making myself a skirt, but I'm going to be sewing one at some point. I just need a project I can take with me to my various classes to keep my hands busy. And also to keep myself from strangling people, like when my art history prof says "loov-ray" rather than "Louvre," or when I have to sit through three hours of bad poetry written by preppy Bostonians. I have nothing against Boston or Jersy or NYC, but I do have a problem with the millions of stuck up little Wheaton girls we have roaming our halls, looking down on gritty fantasy writers, and sticking up their noses at us mid-western girls who don't own a designer anything. All of them write bad poetry about drugs, clubbing, and sex, and don't like prose because it isn't "creative" enough. I'm sorry, but I actually LIKE making sense and following a few loose rules of grammer.
Okay. Enough ranting. You can see now why I have the icon I do, even though I'm promoting peace around here. I am not perfect. There are people I don't like. But when I do dislike a person, it's for their actions or their attitudes, rather than their polical or religious leaning. I don't want them dead, I just daydream about strangling them and maybe pushing them them down the circular staircase in the Design Studio. There is a difference.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Still falling, but a little slower now...
This post was going to go up several days ago, but computer problems have gotten in the way. The school computers have been unbeleivably slow, and then the charger on my laptop broke. To buy a new one from apple would mean paying $70, a ton of shipping and customs, and hoping they'll send it to me in Italy. Buying from the Italian store would run me 90€, or about $120. Ebay doesn't have the kind I need, just the really outdated ones that I don't trust, and Amazon won't ship it to me, because I'd have to buy it off the marketplace. I even tried the UK store, and the french one,and if they even have a seller with it in stock, then they want about the same as apple.com.
I will not rant. I will not rant.
I need to remember not to blog when I'm pissed off. But then, I'd probably never blog at all, would I? If only my original name for the blog wasn't taken. Damknit suited me so much better than KnotMagick.
Again, I am ranting.
Yesterday I went on a tour of the Medici villas and their gardens with my art history class. The first six hours of the tour wasn't bad, even if we had to be at the bus station by 7:20 am, but the gardens were lovely and I was so happy to see trees I almost asked one of my classmates to take a picture of me hugging one of them. Thankfully, I restrained. There is already enough evidence of my dorkdom floating around.
The second half of the trip, we went to museum after museum dedicated to Leonardo da Vici. Honestly, I'm sick of hearing about him. I had a week of class dedicated to him in high school, several art history lessons at CCAD, and we'll be having our third class on him on Monday. Please, no more da Vinci!
We got back around 7:30 pm. I was hungry--all day we'd only had one break, a half hour for lunch, in which I scarfed down a nutella sandwich, some clemontines, and a couple of cookies. Alice was a lifesaver who thought ahead and bought me a sandwhich from the snackbar downstairs before they closed.
I've gotten back to writing, picking up a story from this summer based in Montreal. Of course, right as I start writing again is when my charger breaks. Wouldn't you know it? Anyway, Florence and yesterday's tours have been inspiring for that, so I have a bit of research to do now.
I keep trying to be open minded. This is an adventure, right? My chance to get out of Columbus, see someplace new and different, historical and beautiful.
But I keep wishing I was back home. Don't ask me why. I was so ready to be gone. But I find that the only way I can really tollerate Florence is to pretend it's Old Montreal, which only gets me so far and only works at certain times in certain areas.
I tell myself that it will get better, and it will adjust. Already this week has been easier than last week. A few more days, and I will be fine. When I was in Montreal, the first week or two was horrible, and all I wanted was to curl up in bed until the plane arrived to take me home. I find myself wanting to do the same thing now.
I like the new part of the city better. We drove through it yesterday. The streets are broader and there are some trees along them, and there are more parks. I can breathe there, even if there is more traffic and there's a more industrial feel to it.
On the bright side, textiles are huge here. I walked through the market on Friday, and every other vender was selling either leather or knitted garments (machine made, but whatever. Still pretty), or woven scarves. They were all beautiful, and I'd have loved to examine them, but the vendors were really pushy. It's a general rule that you don't stop unless you are planning to buy.
I'm already thinking I might write my term paper on textiles. Florence was really big on that, and there's another town not too far away that still specializes in lace making.
I've also been doing research on schools. Obviously, I am no longer planning on staying in Europe. It's neat here, but it's not me. I'm going to explore, hopefully get to see Paris at the very least, but I'll be leaving in April. I started looking at Concordia University in Montreal. They have a fine art program, but it only accepts about 28 students a year, so I'm thinking of applying to the textiles program and getting another degree. I've never felt as at home as I did under the shadow of Mount Royal, and I know it will be easier for me to move up there if I go as a student. Of course, dual citizenship has it's perks.
I will not rant. I will not rant.
I need to remember not to blog when I'm pissed off. But then, I'd probably never blog at all, would I? If only my original name for the blog wasn't taken. Damknit suited me so much better than KnotMagick.
Again, I am ranting.
Yesterday I went on a tour of the Medici villas and their gardens with my art history class. The first six hours of the tour wasn't bad, even if we had to be at the bus station by 7:20 am, but the gardens were lovely and I was so happy to see trees I almost asked one of my classmates to take a picture of me hugging one of them. Thankfully, I restrained. There is already enough evidence of my dorkdom floating around.
The second half of the trip, we went to museum after museum dedicated to Leonardo da Vici. Honestly, I'm sick of hearing about him. I had a week of class dedicated to him in high school, several art history lessons at CCAD, and we'll be having our third class on him on Monday. Please, no more da Vinci!
We got back around 7:30 pm. I was hungry--all day we'd only had one break, a half hour for lunch, in which I scarfed down a nutella sandwich, some clemontines, and a couple of cookies. Alice was a lifesaver who thought ahead and bought me a sandwhich from the snackbar downstairs before they closed.
I've gotten back to writing, picking up a story from this summer based in Montreal. Of course, right as I start writing again is when my charger breaks. Wouldn't you know it? Anyway, Florence and yesterday's tours have been inspiring for that, so I have a bit of research to do now.
I keep trying to be open minded. This is an adventure, right? My chance to get out of Columbus, see someplace new and different, historical and beautiful.
But I keep wishing I was back home. Don't ask me why. I was so ready to be gone. But I find that the only way I can really tollerate Florence is to pretend it's Old Montreal, which only gets me so far and only works at certain times in certain areas.
I tell myself that it will get better, and it will adjust. Already this week has been easier than last week. A few more days, and I will be fine. When I was in Montreal, the first week or two was horrible, and all I wanted was to curl up in bed until the plane arrived to take me home. I find myself wanting to do the same thing now.
I like the new part of the city better. We drove through it yesterday. The streets are broader and there are some trees along them, and there are more parks. I can breathe there, even if there is more traffic and there's a more industrial feel to it.
On the bright side, textiles are huge here. I walked through the market on Friday, and every other vender was selling either leather or knitted garments (machine made, but whatever. Still pretty), or woven scarves. They were all beautiful, and I'd have loved to examine them, but the vendors were really pushy. It's a general rule that you don't stop unless you are planning to buy.
I'm already thinking I might write my term paper on textiles. Florence was really big on that, and there's another town not too far away that still specializes in lace making.
I've also been doing research on schools. Obviously, I am no longer planning on staying in Europe. It's neat here, but it's not me. I'm going to explore, hopefully get to see Paris at the very least, but I'll be leaving in April. I started looking at Concordia University in Montreal. They have a fine art program, but it only accepts about 28 students a year, so I'm thinking of applying to the textiles program and getting another degree. I've never felt as at home as I did under the shadow of Mount Royal, and I know it will be easier for me to move up there if I go as a student. Of course, dual citizenship has it's perks.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Living Like a Gypsy, Rolling Like a Stone
It is move out day in the dorms. It's 10am, and I'm ready to start loading the truck, but I have a few more minor details that I can't take care of until Alice is awake.
Today makes move number seven for 2007.
1) Apartment>>Home
2) Home>>Akron for summer study
3) Akron>>Home
4) Home>>Montreal for internship
5) Montreal>>Home
6) Home>>Dorm
7) Dorm>>Home
Granted, some of those "moves" were only a day--like when I stayed at home for a night before moving into the dorm. But it still involved moving all of my belongings (at least, the important ones) between three different locations.
And it's not over yet. There will be a day or two spent at my grandparents for Christmas. New Years Eve I'll be taking everything that will be going with me to Florence to Alice's place, since we have to be up at 2am in order to make it to the airport for our 6am flight.
Add in a week hopping around the UK before we even arrive in Florence....x_x Can I please stay in one place for more than three months? Please?
I mentioned that the Kimono sweater is done, right? I don't remember. It doesn't help that my computer is out this week. When I got it repaired last time, they gave me a faulty logic board, so they're fixing it again now. I don't have any of my pictures or files.
Anyway. If I forgot to say it before, the sweater is done. It fits okay, but not quite like I hoped (that sounds familiar. Maybe I did mention it).
Currently on the needles is the Slytherin scarf, which passed the halfway mark yesterday during Jr. Seminar. I might actually finish it before Christmas.
I'm also working on a dress. I'm using the fabric I originally bought for the cape/cloak thing for my Brigid costume, which is a sort of burgundy faux velvet/suede. I'll probably wear it to the family Christmas, and also to the going-away-party that Alice's parents are throwing for her. It's 90% done, just needs some tweaking on the side seams and to add the straps. I did the bulk of the work in two days. I think I'm getting better at this whole sewing thing.
Well, I'm off. As they say, a rolling stone never grows moss. I should be polished smooth by the time this is all said and done.
Today makes move number seven for 2007.
1) Apartment>>Home
2) Home>>Akron for summer study
3) Akron>>Home
4) Home>>Montreal for internship
5) Montreal>>Home
6) Home>>Dorm
7) Dorm>>Home
Granted, some of those "moves" were only a day--like when I stayed at home for a night before moving into the dorm. But it still involved moving all of my belongings (at least, the important ones) between three different locations.
And it's not over yet. There will be a day or two spent at my grandparents for Christmas. New Years Eve I'll be taking everything that will be going with me to Florence to Alice's place, since we have to be up at 2am in order to make it to the airport for our 6am flight.
Add in a week hopping around the UK before we even arrive in Florence....x_x Can I please stay in one place for more than three months? Please?
I mentioned that the Kimono sweater is done, right? I don't remember. It doesn't help that my computer is out this week. When I got it repaired last time, they gave me a faulty logic board, so they're fixing it again now. I don't have any of my pictures or files.
Anyway. If I forgot to say it before, the sweater is done. It fits okay, but not quite like I hoped (that sounds familiar. Maybe I did mention it).
Currently on the needles is the Slytherin scarf, which passed the halfway mark yesterday during Jr. Seminar. I might actually finish it before Christmas.
I'm also working on a dress. I'm using the fabric I originally bought for the cape/cloak thing for my Brigid costume, which is a sort of burgundy faux velvet/suede. I'll probably wear it to the family Christmas, and also to the going-away-party that Alice's parents are throwing for her. It's 90% done, just needs some tweaking on the side seams and to add the straps. I did the bulk of the work in two days. I think I'm getting better at this whole sewing thing.
Well, I'm off. As they say, a rolling stone never grows moss. I should be polished smooth by the time this is all said and done.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Knitted Stuff
It's another knitted pot!
I call this the "sweater for a dragon" pot, after the "Sweaters for Dragons" podcast I found on Itunes. I love the podcast, but it hasn't had a new episode since the second week of November. *tear* Everyone should look it up and leave messages for updates! :P
I've also been doing actual knitting. This is the first foot or so of the Slytherin scarf I'm making for my roommate. I know, it doesn't follow the movie pattern, but I like mine better.
I've also been working on the kimono sweater. I'm almost ready to start decreasing for the sleeves.
All of our flights, rail passes, and hostels/hotels have been booked and paid for (or at least deposited). I am in debt up to my eyeballs, and I think I'm going to have to ship the bulk of my luggage, but it's fun. I'm downsizing a good deal of what I was planning on bringing. I'm praying I manage to make some money between now and then, and will be putting in extra hours at the library during the first part of winter break.
I still don't know if I'm coming back. Part of me is afraid that if I don't book a ticket now, I'll run out of money and be stuck in Europe. The other part of me doesn't want to come back. And the annoying part of my brain is still wondering how I can commit to moving to a country I've never been to before, with no job, and at present, no Visa. I've been having a horrible time getting my paperwork from various companies and the school, and I'm having a worse time getting a hold of the consulate. I'm hoping I don't have to drive to Detroit this week, though it would be a good excuse to skip class.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Perfectly Charming
This is the silver pendent I spent way too many days stressing over. It is made of sterling silver, with a little bit of nickel thrown in (like that gray band at the center of the moon). I actually melted this piece at one point, but managed to salvage it by copious amounts of filing, and soldering the crescents to the flat area.
Here is another picture for scale.
I am apparently very bad at soldering, which is why it melted. Silver and I tend to not get along so well when it comes to jewelry class, even though it's one of my favorite metals. The pendant is a triple moon or triple goddess, which symbolizes the Maiden, Mother, and Crone, similar to the way a triquerta would represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the Christian church.
This is a piece I did in ceramics, and in the words of my roommate, it's the coolest pot I've ever made. I was trying to come up with something junique, and I was also trying to figure out how to combine textiles with ceramics, since I'd just seen an artical on that in Fiber Artist magazine. After a little tooling around, I came up with the idea for a knitted "sweater pot". I mimiced the look of a cabled sweater, even putting in the purl bumps for the background. I was surprised at the glaze, because I painted it with Ox Blood, which is a dark red (no real oxen were harmed in the glazing of this pot, promise), but it came out bright blue. OB sometimes does that, but only if you put it on really thick, and even then it's only in patches.Oh well. It still looks cool, right?
I shipped out Donny's Soul Sucking Vampire Scarf of DEWM this morning. Shipping was a little more than I expected, but then again, the last time I shipped anything was before the cost of postage went up. Twice.
I also sent out the last of the forms for SACI. Now I just need to get my Visa taken care of.
Oh, and if you're interested, they have knitting themed holiday stamps now. Check them out on the USPS website.
Well, that is about it from me. My progress on my top-down hat has been moderate; I started the ribbing last night at my knitting group, but my wrists hurt, so I didn't even get to finish one row of it.
Speaking of knitting, I am off to order craft gloves, so that I might be able to continue working through the pain.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Insert Cheesy Happy Dance _Here_
If you are a student or under 25, then I have the most awesome site ever for you: http://www.statravel.com.
Thanks to them, I am going to Florence for under $600. Okay, so it's one way. But I don't want to come back, and if I ever do, then I'll just go back to the site and buy another ticket. Easy as pie. And it's still cheaper than all the other travel sites I tried--cheaptickets.com, Priceline, Travelocity, Hotwire (whom I will never shop through again), all of them wanted a minimum of $1250, and wouldn't let me fly one way. Well, booya! Take that! In your face! I have found the back door and I am using it!
I am going in today to set up a Chase account, so I can have international access to my money, and I'm still going to need a credit card to get that ticket, but I'd much rather charge $600 than $1300. Even with interest, the $600 won't be too hard to pay off once my loan check comes in.
Lately I have been going back and forth between wild, crazy excitement about this trip, and rocking-back-and-forth-in-a-corner anxious. I have to trust that things will work out, it will be okay, even when it doesn't feel like it. Like I always say, "Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." That's a quote from someone famous, but I can't remember who. I found it in a day planner a long time ago.
Anywho, that is where I stand with that. I figure my parents don't need to know it's a one way flight until....Oh, let's say March? Yeah. That sounds good. By then I should have been accepted to the University of Edinburgh Art School.
One step at a time. Just breathe.
*SQUEEEEEEEEEEE*
*happy dance*
Thanks to them, I am going to Florence for under $600. Okay, so it's one way. But I don't want to come back, and if I ever do, then I'll just go back to the site and buy another ticket. Easy as pie. And it's still cheaper than all the other travel sites I tried--cheaptickets.com, Priceline, Travelocity, Hotwire (whom I will never shop through again), all of them wanted a minimum of $1250, and wouldn't let me fly one way. Well, booya! Take that! In your face! I have found the back door and I am using it!
I am going in today to set up a Chase account, so I can have international access to my money, and I'm still going to need a credit card to get that ticket, but I'd much rather charge $600 than $1300. Even with interest, the $600 won't be too hard to pay off once my loan check comes in.
Lately I have been going back and forth between wild, crazy excitement about this trip, and rocking-back-and-forth-in-a-corner anxious. I have to trust that things will work out, it will be okay, even when it doesn't feel like it. Like I always say, "Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." That's a quote from someone famous, but I can't remember who. I found it in a day planner a long time ago.
Anywho, that is where I stand with that. I figure my parents don't need to know it's a one way flight until....Oh, let's say March? Yeah. That sounds good. By then I should have been accepted to the University of Edinburgh Art School.
One step at a time. Just breathe.
*SQUEEEEEEEEEEE*
*happy dance*
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Hot Strong Cauldron of...Chocolate?
Hee. You knew it was coming eventually. This is a pagan blog. I have to put in my Harry Potter jokes.
As a pagan, I do have a penchant for collecting witch-related items. One of my favorites is this enormous cauldron mug I found at Target earlier this fall. Okay, maybe it's not HUGE, but it is certainly larger than your average tea cup.
Today it is cloudy and cold and definitely feeling like fall/winter here in Ohio, so I took my mug and filled it up with Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation. It was lovely after a trip to the library which left me shivering in my hoodie. It is especially good when paired with some pumpkin pudding (thanks, Mom!).
So....Anyone care to rob a bank with me? I need $1000 by tomorrow to pay for my flight to Florence. I really wish they would have given me more than five days before they started demanding money; It's going to be December before my loan goes through, and in the mean time, I'll have already had to give them $1700. A little warning next time might be nice.
I took a break from the Soul Sucking RedFlame scarf for the weekend. Even after blocking, it still curls badly, though it's a bit smoother and more even, and maybe not quite as bad as before blocking. I'm at halfway, plus a foot or so. Why does Donny have to be so damn tall?
The Butterfly Hat has been frogged nearly to death at least five times, but at long last I am starting the decreases for what I hope is the last time. I actually finished it last night, but when I tried it on, it didn't even go down to my ears, so I had to rip back basically to the butterflies and start again. We'll see how it goes this time. *crosses fingers*
The Kimono Sweater has been placed on hold until after Christmas, or at least until after I finish the scarf. In the mean time, I've decided to make a hat for my dad, and a cowl. He doesn't wear scarves, because the only time he wears anything like hats, gloves, etc, he's usually working on the tractor, and dangly things are a hazard. Thus, a cowl. Which is fine by me because I can just knit something thick, chunky, and stockinette in the round while I'm sitting through lecture after lecture on Greenberg and Minimalists. I'm hopping that if I'm knitting with the yarn, I won't be as tempted to strangle myself with it.
I'm glad Greenberg is dead. Thank Goddess for small miracles.
Speaking of deities, the God of Fashion and I really need to have another little chat.
I have an obsession with ballet slippers. I currently own at least four pairs, and I was wearing them TWO YEARS before Hollywood and everyone else got their grubby little mits on them, thankyouverymuch.
Sadly, last week I wore out my favorite pair of basic black ballet flat, the ones with the criss-cross elastic straps across the arch, my very first pair. I headed out to Walmart to get a replacement pair.
Of course, the exact style is no longer being made, but I found a really cute pair of simple black flats I've been eying forever that were only $7. I decided that it was time to spring for them.
There is a little issue here. These particular shoes came in denim, black, velvet, patent leather, red, and tan. I wanted black. Just black. Plain and simple.
I tried on the denim ones first though, because they were the first pair of size eights I found. Perfect. Grab a pair in black. Go to check out.
Return home to find that I can hardly squeeze my bare foot into flats, while I could easily wear the denim ones, even with my thick socks on.
Confused, I return the shoes to Walmart and try again. After 20 minutes in the shoe department, and two different stores, it dawns on me that the sizing is COMPLETELY MESSED UP. Size eight blacks are smaller than size eight blues. The 9's were clown shoes on me, and a 7 1/2 wouldn't go on my foot at all. Depending on the color, a size eight could be too big or too small. I even tried on some pairs where the left shoe was too big, but the right one was too small, even though they were labeled the same!
Okay, I know you fashionistas are going to laugh at my plight, but being broke and also cheap, Walmart is the only place I can afford to shoe shop. In fifteen years, I have never had so much trouble buying a pair of shoes before!
At last, I found one single, solitary pair of plain, black, 8 1/2 ballet flats. No other shoe style, even those made by the same company (No boundaries, which was my favorite brand until they fucked up their jean sizing--another very long story) had that issue.
Some of you knitters might have heard of "We're knot going to take it," in which the knitters of the world picked a single day to call all the yarn companies and tell them they were sick of knots in their yarn. Well, I propose a similar solution. Women's clothing manufacturers need to get together and standardize all of their sizing, for shoes, blue jeans, etc. We have a universal standard for bras, why not jeans? Men have universal sizing, and they don't even care how their clothes fit.
The logic is that if we have to spend more time in the stores, then we will buy more. I say, screw that. If I can't find a pair of jeans in the first five I grab, I go to a different store. I'm not wasting my time. It's ridiculous the way the fashion world works, and I am sick and tired of being jerked around by them. Why do you think I make my own clothes?
Okay. Enough ranting. But seriously, we need to do something. Fine, we can't all be a size two, but is it really necessary to make us guess whether we're a 6, 8, or even 12? Really now.
As a pagan, I do have a penchant for collecting witch-related items. One of my favorites is this enormous cauldron mug I found at Target earlier this fall. Okay, maybe it's not HUGE, but it is certainly larger than your average tea cup.
Today it is cloudy and cold and definitely feeling like fall/winter here in Ohio, so I took my mug and filled it up with Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation. It was lovely after a trip to the library which left me shivering in my hoodie. It is especially good when paired with some pumpkin pudding (thanks, Mom!).
So....Anyone care to rob a bank with me? I need $1000 by tomorrow to pay for my flight to Florence. I really wish they would have given me more than five days before they started demanding money; It's going to be December before my loan goes through, and in the mean time, I'll have already had to give them $1700. A little warning next time might be nice.
I took a break from the Soul Sucking RedFlame scarf for the weekend. Even after blocking, it still curls badly, though it's a bit smoother and more even, and maybe not quite as bad as before blocking. I'm at halfway, plus a foot or so. Why does Donny have to be so damn tall?
The Butterfly Hat has been frogged nearly to death at least five times, but at long last I am starting the decreases for what I hope is the last time. I actually finished it last night, but when I tried it on, it didn't even go down to my ears, so I had to rip back basically to the butterflies and start again. We'll see how it goes this time. *crosses fingers*
The Kimono Sweater has been placed on hold until after Christmas, or at least until after I finish the scarf. In the mean time, I've decided to make a hat for my dad, and a cowl. He doesn't wear scarves, because the only time he wears anything like hats, gloves, etc, he's usually working on the tractor, and dangly things are a hazard. Thus, a cowl. Which is fine by me because I can just knit something thick, chunky, and stockinette in the round while I'm sitting through lecture after lecture on Greenberg and Minimalists. I'm hopping that if I'm knitting with the yarn, I won't be as tempted to strangle myself with it.
I'm glad Greenberg is dead. Thank Goddess for small miracles.
Speaking of deities, the God of Fashion and I really need to have another little chat.
I have an obsession with ballet slippers. I currently own at least four pairs, and I was wearing them TWO YEARS before Hollywood and everyone else got their grubby little mits on them, thankyouverymuch.
Sadly, last week I wore out my favorite pair of basic black ballet flat, the ones with the criss-cross elastic straps across the arch, my very first pair. I headed out to Walmart to get a replacement pair.
Of course, the exact style is no longer being made, but I found a really cute pair of simple black flats I've been eying forever that were only $7. I decided that it was time to spring for them.
There is a little issue here. These particular shoes came in denim, black, velvet, patent leather, red, and tan. I wanted black. Just black. Plain and simple.
I tried on the denim ones first though, because they were the first pair of size eights I found. Perfect. Grab a pair in black. Go to check out.
Return home to find that I can hardly squeeze my bare foot into flats, while I could easily wear the denim ones, even with my thick socks on.
Confused, I return the shoes to Walmart and try again. After 20 minutes in the shoe department, and two different stores, it dawns on me that the sizing is COMPLETELY MESSED UP. Size eight blacks are smaller than size eight blues. The 9's were clown shoes on me, and a 7 1/2 wouldn't go on my foot at all. Depending on the color, a size eight could be too big or too small. I even tried on some pairs where the left shoe was too big, but the right one was too small, even though they were labeled the same!
Okay, I know you fashionistas are going to laugh at my plight, but being broke and also cheap, Walmart is the only place I can afford to shoe shop. In fifteen years, I have never had so much trouble buying a pair of shoes before!
At last, I found one single, solitary pair of plain, black, 8 1/2 ballet flats. No other shoe style, even those made by the same company (No boundaries, which was my favorite brand until they fucked up their jean sizing--another very long story) had that issue.
Some of you knitters might have heard of "We're knot going to take it," in which the knitters of the world picked a single day to call all the yarn companies and tell them they were sick of knots in their yarn. Well, I propose a similar solution. Women's clothing manufacturers need to get together and standardize all of their sizing, for shoes, blue jeans, etc. We have a universal standard for bras, why not jeans? Men have universal sizing, and they don't even care how their clothes fit.
The logic is that if we have to spend more time in the stores, then we will buy more. I say, screw that. If I can't find a pair of jeans in the first five I grab, I go to a different store. I'm not wasting my time. It's ridiculous the way the fashion world works, and I am sick and tired of being jerked around by them. Why do you think I make my own clothes?
Okay. Enough ranting. But seriously, we need to do something. Fine, we can't all be a size two, but is it really necessary to make us guess whether we're a 6, 8, or even 12? Really now.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Paranoid in the City
Some people may think that I am paranoid because of that post I made comparing (or rather, contrasting) Columbus and Montreal.
About six blocks from campus is a National City branch. With the campus Halloween party tonight, at a local night club, I need cash for things like $5 bottles of water so I don't dehydrate and pass out on the dance floor. Thus, a trip to the bank is necessary.
I didn't bother to change clothes. I wore a nice long sleeve shirt, jeans, heeled boots, and a fedora. I walked like my mother taught me. Look straight ahead, with purpose. Do not make eye contact.
In this short twelve block round trip, I had one guy start making comments to me as I walked. When I didn't answer or acknowledge him, he threw a rock at me. It landed and rolled harmlessly at my feet, but it still unnerved me. I walked a little faster.
This trip took less than half an hour. In that time, I had two people honk at me, another guy give me "the look", and one, who had a cane but wasn't really blind, started following me.
People, I am not pretty. I have the nose and eyebrows to prove Itallian decent somewhere back. On a good day, I am average, on a really good day, I MIGHT pass for pretty. Do I just look easy or something? No other girl I know who walks alone in broad daylight has these kinds of problems. Why can't I just go about my business without looking over my shoulder? Why do I have to attract every 40+ black male in Columbus? Why not a nice, 21-23 year old (preferably with a British or Spanish accent) who is not on drugs/mildly psycotic?
Please, leave me alone.
About six blocks from campus is a National City branch. With the campus Halloween party tonight, at a local night club, I need cash for things like $5 bottles of water so I don't dehydrate and pass out on the dance floor. Thus, a trip to the bank is necessary.
I didn't bother to change clothes. I wore a nice long sleeve shirt, jeans, heeled boots, and a fedora. I walked like my mother taught me. Look straight ahead, with purpose. Do not make eye contact.
In this short twelve block round trip, I had one guy start making comments to me as I walked. When I didn't answer or acknowledge him, he threw a rock at me. It landed and rolled harmlessly at my feet, but it still unnerved me. I walked a little faster.
This trip took less than half an hour. In that time, I had two people honk at me, another guy give me "the look", and one, who had a cane but wasn't really blind, started following me.
People, I am not pretty. I have the nose and eyebrows to prove Itallian decent somewhere back. On a good day, I am average, on a really good day, I MIGHT pass for pretty. Do I just look easy or something? No other girl I know who walks alone in broad daylight has these kinds of problems. Why can't I just go about my business without looking over my shoulder? Why do I have to attract every 40+ black male in Columbus? Why not a nice, 21-23 year old (preferably with a British or Spanish accent) who is not on drugs/mildly psycotic?
Please, leave me alone.
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