March 28, 2008
~ on many important topics ~
It is cold and windy right now, but sunny. I just completed my noontime walk around the downtown, wearing my sunspectacles, and procured for myself some nourishment for lunch. I also stopped at the bank to deposit my federal income tax refund and to withdraw some cash. Yay, money! At present, I would really like to drink some more coffee, but that would violate my policy against drinking coffee after noon. It is 12:11...damn you, coffee policy!
Now, normally when I arrive home from work at the end of the day, I like to relax with a big plate of food, some Netflixed TV program (primarily this one, but sometimes this one), and my knitting. Last night, however, I became not just a little preoccupied with a plumbing matter. Now, I have little skill or know-how regaring most all home handyperson activities. In fact, I am one of those people who will put off something that needs to be done simply because I have no idea how to do it. I won't ask for instructions or for help, I just won't do it. So, for some time, it has been really necessary for me to have some kind of major surgery performed on both my kitchen and bathroom sinks. But me, because of who I am, I just let it get worse and worse. Last night, I randomly decided to wash some dishes...you know, in the kitchen sink. But it was not to be...the clog in the sink was so bad that water was just refusing to go through. Usually, there's a little trickle, or something. No trickle this time.
So, I did what I normally do when I get something totally random and crazy in my head, I went totally bananas. And without consulting anyone with plumbing expertise, or even asking my landlady if it would be okay if I did this myself, I hitched up my shirt sleeves (actually, I was wearing a tank top) and I plumbed. What an interesting experience!...plumbing! I admit, I had no idea the kind of sludge that was involved with plumbing...pretty gross! And the hair clots!...nasty! But what a thrill, PLUMBING! I took apart all of the pipes and knocked the sludge and hair clots out of them and then I put the pipes back where they belonged. Now I have sinks that don't clog. I am the world's most amazing plumber!, except without the butt crack.
After this episode, I walked Joshua over to the YMCA and stood there while he got himself a membership application. We all know how I like to have a lot of opinions about what other people do with themselves, and Josh getting a YMCA membership is something I have been anything but silent about.
March 24, 2008
~ young grasshopper ~
In anticipation of my upcoming mountain bike race, I took advantage of the warm weather this weekend and practiced riding the race course three times - - on Friday and Sunday with Josh, and Saturday with another female mountain biker. While I am not exactly in top riding form, what with all of the not-biking I've been doing, I managed to greatly impress myself this weekend - - primarily in the way of taking in a deep breath and riding those sections of the course that caused me to hesitate out of fear. Those shots above depict exactly that - - sections that I had to work up some guts to ride. Naturally, the photos don't do justice to the actual trail conditions - - I felt as though I was surmounting one ginormous challenge after another.
The first two photos are essentially the same. They show me riding a part of the trail that was very sandy, somewhat steepish, with a tight downhill swooping turn to the left. I took in a number of deep breaths in an attempt to get the guts to ride this - - what I continue to learn after successfully riding obstacles that make me hesitate is that most of the time these obstacles look worse on the approach than they actually are. I hiked myself back up to the top of this part of the trail several times to try and try again - - and as I was finally riding down the length of the trail, I had to scream because I was so excited that the trail was FUN and not horrid and scary. Imagine that! Something that appeared terrifying was loads of FUN!
The third photo depicts me overcoming one of my biggest fears - - drop offs. This particular one begins with a little uphill jaunt over some boulders and then a few step-steps down, all the while with the trail sloping towards the drop off. I successfully took in deep breaths and rode it three times, having fun each time, feeling very accomplished - - though, the deep breath was still very necessary even on the third time.
The fourth photo probably doesn't look like anything. And it's not, really. It's simply the epitome of a scary-looking approach that turns into no big deal to ride. What it was, was a steepish downhill with a sloping trail with lots of loose stuff on the top. But what it really was, was a really fun section leading into a superfast awesome fun downhill.
Anyway, the full course is 10.5 miles and I felt pretty good riding all of it this weekend. I've still got a few more weekends to practice before the race. Speaking of the race, I have absolutely no idea what to expect out of myself. My athletic competition history is virtually none. Though, in middle school, I was on a volleyball team - - we didn't win a single game, so I have a lot of experience being a good loser. Actually, what I gleaned from that experience was to not take athletic competition seriously. So this race, I'm doing it as a goal for myself - - but I have no idea what my attitude will be during the race. Anyway, this year I'm hoping to jump up to the next skill level of biking, and I feel that so far I've done a splendid job of that.
In other news, a photo of my Textured Tunic - - of which I am very fond. I've worn it several times and I love the way that it hangs, I love the feeling of the cotton, and I find it simply attractive.
Then, one of my current projects: Iceland. Here's the start of the sleeve. The yarn is surprisingly easy to work with, despite some reviews that it tends to split, and it is quite soft. I also like the color a lot. The leafy pattern is remarkably userfriendly, even though its a 20 row lace pattern. I began the Iceland about four days ago, so it appears to be a relatively quick knit. Of course, by yesterday, I was needing some good ol' stockinette to relax me away from the lace. So I began another top-down raglan...it will be very similar to the Tunic above, but I'm working it in some fine alpaca and will incorporate some cabling.
March 20, 2008
~ lots on my mind ~
Greetings, ya'll. Not feeling particularly inspired with anything but I figured that it was time for me to give something back to the internet....blessed internet.
So, gosh, what the hell have I been up to? Well for starters, I've finished knitting my textured tunic, which I feel has come along swimmingly. I'll post photos once I take some. I must say, this project was one of the more pain-free knitting experiences I've had...especially with something in the way of a fitted garment. It was lovely, not having to undo and reknit anything, it just all came together in one easy shot. These top down seamless raglans...the way to go! I also like the cotton - - something different to wear.
After weaving in all of my ends last night, I cast on for my next project ~ ~ Iceland. I've decided to knit it up in Patons SWS in the Natural Denim colorway. Initially, I cast on as directed. However, once I began the lacey leaf pattern, I started having doubts about knitting it according to the pattern. I considered a variety of methods for altering the construction of the piece - - for lack of a more appropriate word, I'd like to make Iceland into a more "normal" sweater. But, wow, that sounds horrid, doesn't it!? "Normal"...pfft! Anyway, at the moment, I'm thinking of doing a blend between Iceland and Klaralund. Don't you think that will be lovely? I'm starting with the sleeves - - simply because that will help me get a handle on the leaf pattern easierly. I cast on 46 stitches for the sleeves, on size 10 US, which means that the sleeves will still be on the loosey side of things (indeed, this will be the opposite of a fitted garment, but if the result bears any resemblance to what I have pictured in my mind, it should be very awesome).
In other news, I'm starting to feel a bit excitedly anxious for my upcoming mountain bike race. I've put together a small group of female mountain bikers who want to try their hands at racing and this weekend is going to be our first training session on the race course. It is both exciting and scary.
I think that's all I have to share at the moment.
March 10, 2008
~ start wearing purple ~
Went to see Gogol Bordello last night with a group of friends. It was very entertaining. I was dancing and bopping my head and jumping up and down for the duration of their show. Today, I'm feeling a bit taxed.
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to leave work early to enjoy the warm weather - - it had been predicted to be as high as 60 degrees, so Josh and I went on a mountain bike ride...sort of a mini "Tour de Foothills." We rode Central Ridge to Shanes, and then crossed over and rode around the Elephant Rock trails (new to me) and had some splendid fast descents, and then rode up the Reserve connector to Freeway. It was a good ride for those of us who haven't been on the bike much this winter.
On Saturday, enjoyment of the nice weather continued as Josh and I rode our cruiser bicycles down the Greenbelt to a coffeeshop on the west end of town. But the real nice weather happened yesterday when it was absolutely glorious. I took myself on a big run down the Greenbelt and through the neighborhoods of the East End.
On the knitting front, I'm about halfway through with the Textured Tunic. For this project, I have, perhaps unwisely, decided to knit it with some cotton yarn which is not really intended for clothing. However, as I was trying to decide which yarn to use for this project, I kept going back to the Green Twists, thinking that it might really suit the Tunic. We will, as they say, see. Anyroad, the project is coming along great. Interestingly, some of the reviews that I've read of this pattern suggest that the author failed to incorporate the needed instructions for fitting the garment (what with this being a part of Fitted Knits) - - however, I believe that 'fitted knits' rests on the notion that individual bodies vary significantly and that to knit something that is fitted to an individual's body requires unique shaping...hence, why the pattern does not contain directions for shaping. The book, needless to say, contains ideas for shaping and suggests that modifications to the patterns underscore the entire premise of 'fitted knits.' Anyway, I'm very pleased with the shaping process that I have incorporated into my Tunic and, so far, I have every reason to believe that the cotton will work out just fine with this project.
Because, I am fully in knitting mode, I spend a lot of the time that I'm working on one project, dreaming of future projects. For example, I'd love to make Iceland (photos of other people's projects may be viewed on Flickr), in addition to this Cabled Pullover, as well as a thousand others. I've also got a crazy amount of yarn that I procured for a specific project...unfortunately, there is never enough time to knit everything that I want to, especially with my interest in other activities.
March 6, 2008
~ Neaty ~
Finished my Neaty and I love it. As I indicated previously, there was a bit of a snafu with the blocking, but I was able to correct that - - one of the glories of yarn, if you ask me. At any rate, I've worn my Neaty both yesterday and now today, apparently it's my new favorite garment, and I'm delighted with how cozy and comfy it is, the yarn is super soft. While I did not follow the pattern from Rowan hardly at all, I feel that the end product contains the 'spirit and intent' of Neaty, even though the process to arrive here was substantially different.
March 4, 2008
~ I can't believe it's March! ~
At present, the most notworthy piece of information that I feel compelled to share with the internet is the fact that last Friday, February 29th, arguably in the winter, I went on the first mountain bike ride of the year. The trails were sufficiently dry and firm and I had a SPLENDID time. I anticipate that this is going to be a GLORIOUS year for cycling! Of note, is that I sucessfully rode a technical obstacle of the trail which I have never before been able to ride. Go me. I was very proud of that accomplishment. In addition, I have decided to establish for myself the goal of completing at least one mountain biking race this year.
In other biking news, this past weekend was the Boise Bike Swap and I was able to sell an old carbon fiber Trek that has been taking up a lot of space in my studio apartment. After all, three bikes in a studio apartment is much more reasonable than FOUR. My new new mountain bike, you know, this one, (as opposed to this one which sent me to the Emergency Room) also received a nice upgrade with Josh's Chris King wheel set, which has SIGNIFICANTLY reduced the weight of the bike. Unfortunately, as I got the bike rather late in the season last year, it's shamefully clean and spotless, virtually devoid of mud. I'm hoping to get it all nice and dirty soon, and am hoping that it will continue to be dirty for much of the year, no matter how many times I hose it off.
In the way of knitting, I am severely frustrated because I did an extremely crappy job of blocking my Neaty cardigan. And so, even though it came off the needles looking spectacular, I now can't stand it. At present, it is drying on my floor after my second attempt at blocking...hopefully I will be able to reverse the disaster that it became. This process has awakened a desire within me to utilize profane language. Sheesh! Gar! Nuts!
Last night, after spending a number of hours writing a paper, I decided I needed a break and Josh and I went off to Bittercreek to enjoy some beers, share a hummus plate, and play several rounds of Boggle. Josh was winning for the majority of the time, but then I attained several high-scoring words, which placed us 'neck and neck' for points. In the final, tie-breaking round, I achieved victory! and then went home and went to bed. The end.
