Birthday Contest!

When I was a kid, I thought it kind of sucked having a summer birthday because it meant I couldn't bring cupcakes in to class to celebrate with all of my friends the way everyone else did (because somehow, out of 115 people in my graduating class, there were only a handful of us with birthdays from June through August). But as I've gotten older, I've liked my birthday better and better. For starters, it occurred to me around third or fourth grade that my birthday was exactly six months away from Christmas, making the distribution of presents through the year more equitable (unlike the poor kids with December or January birthdays, who often got their birthdays rolled into other holidays, or mostly left off in the post-holiday slump).

I don't know about you, but I love presents! Since today is my birthday, I thought I would give all of you lovely people on the internet a chance to get one.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by 11:59 PM June 30th (EST) telling me what your favorite birthday memory is. It can be your birthday, or someone else's that you helped make special. Don't forget to leave your name and a way for me to contact you, either through email, Twitter, or a blog.

On July first, I'll draw two winners using a random number generator. First place with get a free PDF download of my pattern, "Charlotte" and some lovely yarn to knit it out of:

Cascade Yarns Luna Paints in Color #9701
100% Peruvian Cotton, 100g

Second place will get the free pattern.

Winners will have until the end of July to redeem the coupon code on Ravelry (if you're not on Ravelry, just let me know and I can email you a copy).

(All of my photos of "Charlotte" are on the laptop, which I still don't have back yet. A preview shot can be found here, however.)

Where would you go to await the end of the world? CONTEST!

Someone on another blog I follow posed this question, after being asked by a reporter for our local paper. They took a fairly serious view of it, but my first thoughts were humorous--probably because I spend so much time with gamers.

For me, it depends on the type of apocalypse we're talking about here. If it's the flame-out, one fell swoop and it's over kind of thing, then you'll most likely find me at the yarn shop or a library or book store, since book and yarn are what keeps me sane, and who wouldn't want to go out buried in cashmere?

But, if we're talking more zombie-style, fight-for-your-life apocalypse, then I'd have to pick my basement. In part, this is because I'm a Mid-Westerner, and when disaster strikes, we hide in the basement (provided it hasn't flooded). But, since this is MY basement (and we're assuming that by the 21st that I have it cleaned, organized, and properly stocked, since we have warning of this impending doom) I not only have a room full of yarn and pointy objects (all the better to defend myself with, my dear), but there's also probably food and companionship down there. And medical supplies (you should see our first aide kit), and any number of improvised defenses. If you're going to ride out the end of the world, do it on your own turf, and in in style, that's my philosophy.

Where would you go? Leave a comment below.

Make me giggle and I'll send you a prize. I've got two little prize packs--one for typists, and one for knitters. Specify which one you want and give me a way to contact you, and it's yours. Deadline to enter is midnight EST, December 20. Winners will be selected by who makes me laugh the most, or random number generator if I can't decide. I'll share some of my favorites here on the blog.

Contest

No, not my contest. Though I am donating one of the prizes.

Missouri is giving away a copy of her new book, The Hanged Man's Ghost, on her blog. Also included in the prize pack is a set of knitting needles and some handspun yarn (made by yours truly).

A quick summary: Detective Fynn Adder's life is quickly sliding out of control. Since the death of his longtime partner, Fynn has been plagued by the ghosts of the dead, and thanks to his drinking habits his job with the Chicago Police Department is hanging by a thread. Now, neck deep in a new investigation, it appears that the latest victim is tied to his partner's death and to make matters worse IA is sniffing around, and Agent Voight is determined to make anything he can stick to Fynn.

With suspense, romance, and even knitting, this book is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

To enter the contest, just visit Missouri's blog for details.

Typecast #3

(^^Click to enlarge^^)

Also, don't forget the Japan Relief Drawing.