Salon Con

Salon Con was basically as excuse to get creative with psuedo-Victorian duds. The planned "intellectual discussions" were generally lame, and the entertainment I witnessed was just sad. Apparently Voltaire was amazing but he didn't perform until nearly 1am and I was gone. I did find an excellent vendor with very creative work.

Matt & I looked fab, but I failed to get pics of us and most of our friends. Cicely (red corset & matching purse) is the one exception. The others are just random dresser-uppers.

Pay It Forward

I feel a need to spread the awesome-ness around. Here's how it works: The first three people to sign up get a fantastico handmade prezzie from me. I have exactly a year to investigate and complete a perfect-for-you project. You promise to Pay It Forward to three more people. The happiness expands. :)

My life is so charmed...

A production assistant from Dreamworks just knocked on my door. They are filming The Lovely Bones right behind my house, and they need to replace the London Taxis with some time-appropriate vehicles. Peter Jackson is directing! I probably won't get to meet him, but the back of my house will be in the movie. *giggle*

Autumn is here!

I looked out the window yesterday and was thrilled to realize I was looking through red leaves rather than green ones. There's a tree right outside that offers us some privacy (for now). I didn't realize, but of course it's also a seasonal indicator. I took this pic of Matt in Portland outside our old apartment. His comfy fleece and the scattered colors say "Fall" to me in a deliciously heart-warming way. We're planning on doing some foliage roadtripping - including a weekend in NY for Rhinebeck so I'll have some fresh snapshots soon.

Joy to the Girl!

I just got my Ashford Joy. I mean I literally got home with it 10 minutes ago. Set it up, spun just about 30 yards of alpaca, and stopped to tell you all. And to thank the Universe. It's unusual to find a (barely) used wheel these days, and thanks to Ravelry I scored a terrific one.

I am so, so lucky. I love my life. I have absolutely everything I need, and more than a few of the things I want. It's almost embarrassing!

Matt is so good to me. He came with me tonight and is impressed with its construction and operation. He used to be a textile guy and has worked with giant floor looms. I keep hoping he'll want to weave again but he's got bodies on the brain these days. Anyway, it's wonderful to have a spouse / best friend who truly gets you and your interests.

Okay, enough with the glowing. Back to the wheel!

Speak No Evil

Saturday, Sept 29th is Speak No Evil Day. The concept here is that, in order to raise awareness of how much negativity we perpetuate unconsciously, you don't say anything nasty for a day.

Not Allowed: What was she thinking putting those striped pants with those polka dot hip waders? Freak!
Allowed: What creative fashion sense she has! She must be very confident!

Alex's version of me

When in Seattle last month I let Alex have some fun with my hair and makeup. I look like a sort of 1920's goth. I have some great shots of my friends, too, but I promised them veto power before blogging and I currently lack permission.

Parents and Piddleloop

We went to Middle of Nowhere, VA to see my non-wolf tribe. They live right on the Skyline Drive. Simply gorgeous. Yes, I grew up here. No, the terrain does not warrant me relocating back there. Just no. The lush greenness does make for excellent walkies, though.

The hyper-sweet gals at Piddleloop made this most excellent and fishy bag for my small projects. It's full of neato features that make it perfect for knitters. A bit pricey but worth it. They also included some fun bonuses and were a true pleasure to do business with.

Spin-Out - not just for Camaros anymore!

If you happen past Central Park, NYC, on Sept. 29th, you'll see herds of roving... not roving bison, just roving! And the spinners enjoying it all with their wheels and spindles. Spin-Out is an annual event designed to raise funds for Heifer International. Silly? Maybe. Humanitarian? Check! Happiness-inducing? Absolutely.

While we were gone....

Girlie was designated for Cattle Care this weekend while we went to visit my parents. I received this missive:

Subj: It's a good thing I stopped in...

When Boy, Jr and I got there it was obvious that the rabbit has gone to the dark side and taken the cats with her. I came through the door and I was met immediately by Tubecat and Squeachy and I calmed them down enough to tell me what was going on. Figgy was no help...he just skulked away - the guilt as evident on his face as his stripes.

"That rabbit...that evil black...RABBIT..." began Tubecat.."It wasn't our fault. She invited the Feral Rabbits over while Longlegs and Cushionchest were gone...they TORE the place apart."

I turned to Squeachy who nodded in agreement. "It's true...there were at least ten...maybe 20...they kept moving so it was hard to count. Eyesight you know...not what it used to be." He hobbled away toward the kitchen.

It was then that I noticed the wreckage.

Candy cigarette butts overflowed their makeshift ashtrays on all the flat surfaces.
Bunny poops were lined up on the carpet in an obvious "Limbo" game pattern...
Bunny bras and panties hung from the wings of the torso sculpture...
The cat boxes were overflowing all over the kitchen floor (the possible aftermath of an altercation of the bunny-feline variety).
The feeding station was as empty as a frat house fridge after Homecoming.
Someone had an O.D. on hay and hurked on the carpet.
Shot glasses were lined up on the coffee table and I glanced at Tubecat who was licking a strange orange residue from his fat flaps. "Carrot juice body shots", he said sheepishly.

I looked at bunny. She returned my gaze with disdain and thumped the carpet as if to say "Bring it, YogaPants..I've dealt with worse."

FFBX Contest II

The Fall Felted Bag Exchange continues...

1) Secret "Bag in Progress" photo.

2. The blog of one other swapper that you 'met' and have continued to read.

Picnic at Valley Forge II

Valley Forge Picnic

Geek-flavored passion

I woke up alone today... my love was on call at the hospital. But when I checked my email, a beautiful ode was waiting for me:

Advantages of a Power Dwarf
"Dr. Matthew Rose, DO"

In spite of their rarity, the Power Dwarf is well worth owning. There are many advantages to keeping one of the stumpiest of land mammals. They are capable of diverse adaptations, from advanced financial manipulation to highly expert plushination. The Power Dwarf is only found in two regions of the planet: the extreme altitudes of the Himalayan Mountains (Snow Dwarf), and the forest floor of Borneo (Classic Power Dwarf). Extremely elusive, and previously thought to be extinct, the PD was on the Crypto zoologist honor roll with such creatures as the Chupacabra (the goat-sucker), and Bigfoot (the big hairy bastard). Prior to 1971, the only physical evidence of their nonextinction was from a remote expedition in 1911, which found a thenar distal phalange found crushed between two trees. In 1971 a newborn PD was found abandoned high in the Bornian canopy. Zoologists decided the nearest appropriate choice to raise the Dwarf was the Tundra Gray Wolf. A great challenge was to socialize the Power Dwarf, an inherently violent and skittish creature. The greatest hurdle however, was to repopulate the PD. Given an extreme aversion to young, it is no wonder this individual was found abandoned by its own parents. Currently the only supply of PDs is from finds in indigenous regions.

Phylogenically they vary from normal humans in a number of distinctive ways, and there is no evidence that they are genetically compatible with homo sapiens.
Special features include:
1) Extreme limbal stumpiness.
2) 1st phalange flatness
3) Very sexy features such as round ass, amazing breasts, and curvy legs
4) Susceptibility to brown root disorder
5) Pathological food stealing
6) Disproportionate strength

*********************

Dear readers: Please note that I frequently claim to be "raised by wolves" to excuse my deficient social skills and lack of fashion sense (an interesting reference with regard to my recent Ancient Rome obsession). My real parents are very much involved in my life and would never abandon me!

Avoiding temptation

So, I finally got into Ravelry, and I can already see how it could be a major challege to my time management. Yes, I've gotten my art room organized, but if I take the time to upload my stash, my planned projects, my UFOs (unfinished objects, for you non-fiber types)... plus get sucked into the forums and posts and looking at other people's stuff... I'll never knit another stitch! Thus, regrettably, I must forego most of Ravelry's opportunities.

I am slowly but surely building my acupuncture practice, and it's starting to take off, now that I'm home for a bit (I just got back from Seattle's Gender Odyssey. My suitcase is getting a bit ragged about the edges!) and can book some appointments. Don't forget to tell your afflicted friends. Nothing makes me happier than moments like this morning: I labored over a torn rotator cuff, then asked the owner to get up and move it around. His face lit up as he put his arm through its range of motion. "There's no recoil pain!" He was surprised (why is it we never expect pain to actually go away?), we were both happy, and of course hugs ensued. :) I love my life.

Speaking of temptation, my weight loss program is going beautifully. My butt is noticably smaller. Yay!

Must-See movie!

Rent The Last Mimzy immediately! It's good for the whole family, but surprisingly suspenseful in a very adult manner. 5 stars!

My Christmas

Christmas Around the World Swap questionnaire

1. Are you religious? Nope. I'm not Christian - I'm an ethnic Jew but not a religious one.
3. Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting? Spinning, photography, movies, reading, science, history, travelling.
6. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? Nope
8. Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate? Tea, please!
9. Cookies or Sweets? Yes! But in small quantities, please.
10. Do you knit socks? oh yes!
12. Do you put up a Christmas tree? Yes! We have a big fake one.
13. Favorite holiday treats? Anything, but again, small quantities please.
14. Favorite holiday smells? Cloves, gingerbread.
15. Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Surprisingly conventional. To me Xmas is a party with family, prezzies and snow.
16. What are your favorite holiday traditions? Decorating, music. New tradition: Matt got a bunch of mini village buildings last January on sale. That should be fun to set up!
17. Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about....” Finding / making the perfect prezzie for someone I love.
18. If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….? A handknit sock with a snowflake on it.
19. What was your favorite gift you've ever received? Or given? My belated honeymoon with Matt in Scotland and England. On Christmas day we toured Windsor, Bath, Stonehenge, and had a traditional dinner in an old inn, The George. The entire trip was simply heaven. I had horrible food poisoning for 2 days and it was still the best 2 weeks of my life.
20. When do you start your Christmas? After Thanksgiving.
21. Do you send Christmas cards? No. I always feel guilty when I get them... Maybe some year I'll start.
22. What is your favorite Christmas dish? Gingerbread!
23. Carolers are at your door. What do you do? Enjoy a song or two, then shoo them off. Unless they actually can sing, in which case I'll happily ply them with lemon & honey-laced hot tea to keep them going.
24. When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning? One on the Eve, the rest on the morning.
25. Do you celebrate with family or friends or both? Depends year to year.

Note: click on the swaps label below to see the answers to other questions. Questions that have already been answered are deleted.