No time is a good time for goodbyes
This one goes out to Sara, who, in some way or another, is always looking out for me.
It also goes out to my good friend Beef, who is more Carrie Bradshaw than Carrie Bradshaw ever was.
Ooo ooo ooo, I wanna be just like you
In an effort to become more like Scott, I bought a paper shredder AND shopped at The Gap. I adore the shredder and, as much as I hate to admit it, I'm in love with the pants I bought for a last-minute client meeting. Scott, I salute you.
If anyone can figure out how to get my most recent posts to be at the top, I'll send you a cookie.
Because I secretly work for MTV
I correctly predicted the following last night during the Worst VMA's Since the Wayans Brothers Hosted:
1. The new Gap commercial was going to be aired during the show
2. The new Gap commercial was going to be aired during the pod after Lenny Kravitz presented
3. Alicia Key's special guest would be Stevie Wonder
4. Lenny Kravitz would be playing with Alicia and Stevie
And J. Lo is TOTALLY pregnant. Don't even argue with me about this. The woman has a bun in the oven, and no floppy hat can hide that.
Me and my boyfriend
What up, J.
Assholes need not apply
If you're going to be an asshole (the only side of yourself you've ever shown me), let's not do it so everyone knows. A certain air of mystery never hurt anyone.
Peep!
It's too bad that you find out about readers you've never met only when you're having bad times. People I don't know - you totally made my day.
Also making my day is the arrival of Miss Penny Lane Buel and my parents. I finally get to sleep with my Peep again. Peep! I'm even taking the day off from work tomorrow to spend time with the B's. I love it when they visit, but then I dread when they leave. It's not fair that we live so far away from each other, but it was my choice and there really wasn't any place for me back in Iowa. I'll be very glad when we live close to each other once again.
Knitting progress has been marginal this week. I'm working on, dare I say it, a present, so I can't divulge any details here. But I have been puttering on some Wool-Ease (I know! Don't tell my bosses) socks while I wait for things to load at work. Judy, The Sock Doctor, was making some AMAZING beaded socks last night, and that combined with Shaefer's Anne sock yarn makes me yearn for itty-bitty needles that will undoubtedly cramp my fingers.
The woman who works in the cube next to me just found out her son will be back in the States from Iraq tomorrow. Meaning he's not in Iraq anymore, so they don't have to worry.
Today's a good day.
American Idiot
Things are...better? Yes. Different? Not so much. But I'm able to breathe again and Sara gave me a hug, so I feel better. I'll soon be back to my snarky, capital-loving self.
GODDAMMIT, WEATHERBUG, IF YOU DON'T STOP GIVING ME ALERT MESSAGES I AM NEVER BUYING YOU AGAIN!
Better.
It's all about me
From now on, it
is going to be all about me. My face hurts from clenching my jaw day in and out. Everytime I get to work, no matter what kind of workplace it is, I have a headache. Last night everything came crashing down during a rep dinner and I had my third anxiety attack in a month.
I haven't had an anxiety attack in months, so three is really pushing my limits.
All my life I've been trying to help people, doing extra work so others can take it easy and not worry. When I got to college, I vowed not to do anything outside of schoolwork because high school was just so tiring. That was shot to hell in two weeks, but at least I tried.
I like my job. I like it a lot. The work I do is interesting and challenging and the people I work with are people I would choose for friends in any other situation. But I can't continue my "Sure I can do it in an hour! No problem!" pattern.
Evening rep meetings just aren't my thing. I need time to be at home, time to relax. I haven't been relaxed in weeks. I miss my friends. On the weekends, it's all I can do to stay awake through a movie on my couch, let alone put on nice clothes and get myself into public.
This is my last week of crazy class teaching schedule. The fall will be a lot better, and I'm not working Thursday nights anymore. The extra money has been and will be great, but the pattern of waking up, working, working again, then passing out just to do it all over again the next day is not.
Coach says no, friends. Coach says no.
Poor little finger
There is a crick in my right ring finger. Not so much "crick" as "intense pain that makes me want to bite off my own knuckle."
The blue tank top from Summer VK met a tragic death, namely the big blue trash can in the storeroom of The Yarn Shop. I did the straps Friday night while watching The Two Stupidest Movies I've Ever Seen, and I got up early on Sunday to seam it up. And it's about four sizes too big. It comes down to my knees, people, and I'm a tall girl. Jean suggested steeking it and resewing, but I'd have to do that in at least six places, and honestly, I don't care that much. I paid $10 for the crappy Lion Brand microspun, and I definitely wasn't going to risk my sewing machine's health by putting that junk under the presser foot. So forget that.
So it was a disappointing weekend which fed into yet another harried week.
Welcome to Tuesday.
I have a headache four out of five workdays. Painkillers don't work. Why? Why must my head hurt all day, every day? Why do I wake up with headaches before I even get to work?
My Peep is coming to see me next weekend. Yay, Peep! She better not mess up my carpets.
I am still in love with my Koigu. Surprisingly, I want more. I thought buying some would soothe my itch for it, but no. The burning sensation only increases.
I-cord is kind of tedious.
Weekend projects:
* finish I-cord for Jeanne's Booga bag
* finish that stupid-ass tank top
* take my nth stab at socks for myself
I'm teaching a sweater workshop starting in September. It's four Saturdays, and everyone gets to pick out what sweater they're making and I'll help pick out yarn and be there for general assistance. I'm thinking it'll also be a good time to work on my Klara. The knitalong starts in September, but my fingers want to start it now.
Sweet Jesus, what does it take to get some caffeine around here?
Mrs. Unproductive Pants
I'm not much good for anything today, so let's not ask too much of me. I'm struggling my way through my last report of the month with a skein of Koigu in my lap and another at my feet. (I bought it, yes I did - pink, orange, brown, red - gorgeous.) We were out with a rep until 10 last night and I'm full of fondue and sleepy eyes. I'm definitely ready for a weekend and unending quality time with my bed.
The cloth exists on account of the thread
I don't say this often, but I'm reading a book that is truly inspiring. "Knitting Lessons," by Lela Nargi (whom Justin assumes is a lesbian - let's not ask why, since he can't give a good reason) chronicles how and why people started knitting. It has great interviews and it's just so...true. Every page has a passage that explains why I knit. I have to put down the book every 20 pages or so because I have the uncontrollable urge to pick up the needles. Thank you, scary outlet mall bookstore, for selling this $20 book for $6.
So maybe this explains the Koigu yen as of late? I'm going to buy some. In a half hour. Watch out.
To Koigu or not to Koigu?
I am so tempted to dash over to The Studio tomorrow night before my rep dinner to buy some Koigu for a Charlotte's Web. Here's why I shouldn't:
1. I have a kabillion projects already begun/in the hole.
2. Would I wear a shawl all that much?
3. Ooo. I kind of feel like I'm going to hurl.
4. Forget that last reason. It wasn't a reason, but a reaction to a Wendy's dinner.
5. I wouldn't get it at a low low price, since The Yarn Shop doesn't carry it yet.
6. I swore on July 28, 2004, that I had already done all my yarn shopping for August.
Because the thing is, I'm making quite a bit of money teaching classes. It's awesome. And I pretty much get all the yarn I want by making stuff for the store. So I get paid, get to use all different kinds of stuff, and I don't have to keep it. It's the perfect set up.
Except...except...I am addicted. I think about it all day long. Where can I get more yarn? Good cheap yarn? How will I use it? What color will it be? But then I get everything into my virtual shopping cart, close out the window and go back to work. The thrill of planning what to do with unowned yarn is almost better than actually owning it and trying to figure out what the hell you're going to do with it.
In subsidized housing news, I bought Roo that neat cage and then took it back an hour later. He was too little to move the wheel! I felt really bad because he seemed to like the nesting area and the different levels, but a mouse who can't run is an unhappy mouse, even if he just chugs his chunky little butt along. Fat little mouse.
I like a Death Cab for Cutie song. Shoot me now.
Whatever that song is called, the one with "the sound of settling," in it, has become my theme song this week.
My house is turned upside down. I've been waiting for this day for two weeks. Two weeks! When I come home tonight, I will have clean carpets. I will also have baskets and magazine racks on every counter surface, as well as a heap of pillows and a nest on my bed. But for clean carpets, it's definitely worth it.
I finished the body of Jeanne's Booga Bag last night - I'm going to try to knock out the straps when I get home. I started the cupcake scarf for the store Sunday night, and I'm about a third done - the first cupcake is done, so it's a lot of single crochet to get to a good length before I can do the second. It was my first try at graphing an image to put into my work, and it turned out really well. Justin even likes it, which says a lot.
I'm thinking about getting Roo a new cage. His is kind of beat up. I could get him one that is just one big wheel. He would LOVE that. And he deserves some sort of prize for spending his entire day in the laundry room with the Exercise Ball of Doom.
Wowie-zowie
It's 9:10 a.m. on Friday the 13th, and I'm eating pickles. Crazy
Czarina of Yarn pickles. Mmmm, pickles.
Why is it not 5:00?
The 500th post and I'm crazy like a beaver
I can't settle down today. Maybe it has something to do with enjoying my boyfriend and the rain last night. Maybe it has something to do with my new credit card with a $5,000 limit (my old one was $500 - I KNOW). Not like I'll use it a lot, but it's pretty neato. Maybe it has something to do with my new air popcorn popper ($8 this week at Target). Or maybe it's because work is CRAZY and it's just drama drama drama.
The Great CD Challenge is over. It was actually over yesterday, but I'm lazy and had a kabillion meetings. Today I don't have any.
The Great CD Challenge - The Final Installment
174.
Stellastarr*, Stellastarr
175.
The Party CD, vol. 1 - the first mix I created with my burner
176.
Exile in Guyville, Liz Phair
177.
Great American Grooves
178.
When Harry Met Sally soundtrack, Harry Connick Jr.
179.
Swing Kids, soundtrack
180.
Romeo and Juliet vol. 2, soundtrack
181.
Company, Original Broadway Cast Recording
182.
Fame, soundtrack
183.
Dirty Rock, mix
184.
Once Upon a Mattress, New Broadway Cast Recording
185.
Add it Up, Violent Femmes
186.
Ultimate Lounge, disc 1
187.
Ultimate Lounge, disc 2
188.
The Life, Original Broadway Cast Recording
189.
Asleep at the Wheel, a mix by Justin
190.
Come Away with Me, Norah Jones
191.
Chicago, New Broadway Cast Recording
192.
The Fantasticks, Original Broadway Cast Recording
193.
A Rush of Blood to the Head, Coldplay
In the hole
"Out of control" would be a good way to describe my current yarn situation. "Where the hell am I going to put this?" and "God love this part-time job" would also work.
I walked into the shop with two skeins of yarn yesterday, previously purchased and already starting to take shape. I walked out with six more. I didn't pay for those. Jo-Ann (whom I love dearly) says, "Hey! Let's make this!" and then I get some Point 5 and Lorna's Laces and a determination to teach myself scribble lace. I also scored some Lamb's Pride (I'm sorry I keep calling you Lion Brand, Lamb's Pride. That's just not nice) to make a hat for a fall class.
But therein lies the problem. Since I started this job two months ago, my stash has increased at least 100%. So tonight will be The Great Yarn Storage project. Target has clear storage containers on sale, and I'm going to buy a few and see how that works. I'm also having my carpet cleaned (for free!) next week, so it's time to start getting stuff off the floor.
If I could figure out how to put current projects in my sidebar, I would. Any ideas? But here's a list, in order of what needs to be finished first (note: I sadly already have all the yarn required for all of these):
1. Horrid turqoise tank top from Summer '04 VK, which will not decrease to eight shoulder strap stitches like it should. I need eight, not 11!
2. Jeanne's bag.
3. Two crocheted ponchos out of Rowan Cotton Braid for Jo-Ann (shouldn't take long - I worked on it for about an hour last night and I'm almost done with the first of two pieces). Rowan crochet patterns deserve a post of their own.
3.5. Novelty scarf for the store.
4. Mom's sweater.
5. Slip-a-stitch hat for class.
6. Bunny hat for class.
7. Klaralund.
8. Bottoms-up Bucket hat.
8.5. Scribble lace shawl thing.
9. Those socks I ripped out.
10. Gigi.
11. That light blue cabled sweater from Strick.
Agh!
The greatest thing I've ever seen
So I don't talk about work on here very much. Not because I'm afraid I'll get fired, but because it's not that interesting. But I've very proud of the boys downstairs for creating this, and proud to get to work on this campaign with them. There's even a game where you get to eat democrats and republicans!
Candidate Zero's Blog
And I also must mention that I'm pretty sure CZ is on VH1's A to Z - not as CZ, but as himself, a comedian. Unfortunately, VH1.com doesn't seem to thing that people need to know anything about the commentators on any of their shows. Thanks a lot, jackasses.
Davenport, you are a dumbass
Davenport! What the hell? How can you let THREE banks be robbed in one day, no less a day when two presidential candidates are in town? And how could you let it be the three most rinky dink places in town, including that little hole by Jo-Ann's (which sucks anyway - that store is just no good)? And how could you let my arch nemesis MATT LAUER tell me about it? Davenport, I think I hate you.
And Charlie Brooke, I think I hate you too. What is going on with your head? It looks very strange.
During this time of The Great CD Challenge, we have to consider the wants and needs of our listeners, mainly me. And this listener has made an unprecedented decision. I am going to listen to the Stellastarr CD all day BECAUSE I CAN. And because I really like it.
No more yanky my wanky. The Donger need food.
The Great CD Challenge
152. Untitled mix
153.
Last Splash, The Breeders
154.
Party CD, vol. 3
155.
Rent disc 2, Original Broadway Cast Recording
156.
Suessical the Musical, Original Broadway Cast Recording
157.
Annie, soudtrack
158.
South Pacific, Original Broadway Cast Recording
159.
Austin Powers, soundtrack
160.
Singin' in the Rain, soundtrack
161.
Fantasia 2000, soundtrack
162.
Almost Famous, soundtrack
163.
Weezer mix
164.
Rocky Horror Picture Show, soundtrack
165.
Let's Get it On, mix
166.
FARC CD vol. 1
167.
Greatest Hits, The Cure
168.
Little Me, Original Broadway Cast Recording
167.
Happy Town, Jill Sobule
168.
Parade, Original Broadway Cast Recording
169.
The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys
170.
Gilda Live, Gilda Radner
171.
Five Hours for Less than a Day, the first mix CD Justin ever gave me
172.
Wedding Singer vol. 2, soundtrack
173.
Wedding Singer vol. 3, soundtrack
She almost peed herself. And it's not that unusual.
It turns out that I'm a total liar. I didn't have an Excel class Thursday and Friday. I never intended on visiting Abby this weekend. Instead, my dad and I have been plotting a surprise birthday visit to Iowa for my mom. I took the train home on Thursday, and I'm about to leave pretty soon. It was a really good weekend filled with fart spray, shoe sales and a dog with a stinky ear. I slept a lot and ate a lot of cake (Hy-Vee, I love you). But I miss my boyfriend and my mouse (in that order), so it's time to go home.
Tomorrow I'll tell you about the near-rumble on the train here. I'm hoping something even more exciting will happen on the way home, so sit tight.
