Arrgh. I sense a downward spiral.

It started last night. I was sound asleep when I was awoken by the sound of a plane going over my house. I live near an airport, but planes don't go over my house. It's a sad post 9/11 fact that such an insignificant thing as a plane straying from its flight path should cause a BERP big enough to wake me up and keep me up, waiting to hear a crash. Not that I shouldn't have been woken up. I had been dreaming that I was a CSI working on a child molestation case. It was the second child victim and the analysis was suggesting that the perpetrator was someone who had molested me (the CSI) years ago, but was never caught. I was just getting ready to testify in court when the plane woke me up. (As a dream, this sounds too canned, and I thought maybe it was something from tv that I'd absorbed, but CSI wasn't on last night....)

So I wake up to hear ... there's Mad Cow disease in the US. I want to scream! When was Fast Food Nation published? Mad Cowboy? Has any one been paying attention? It was only a matter of time. And they don't know where the meat of the infected cow is. I picked a bad year to stop being a vegetarian. Some government official was talking on CBS. She never gave a straight answer to any question. Not even yes or no questions. The reporter asked if other cattle from the quarantined farm had been sent to slaughter. Her answer: It's not a beef farm it's a dairy farm ... yada yada yada. She knows very well what happens to dairy cows that aren't producing up to par - they become hamburger. So the concise answer would be (and should have been ) YES! Another talking head tried to calm the public saying he personally was having Prime Rib for the holidays. And I bet it's from Niman Ranch too.

Then I heard my friend's grandmother died.

Then I see that they're going to allow roads and logging in Tongass National Park.

Never should have gotten up today. Not that that would have changed anything.

Who is that there trying to enable me over on Tag Board? I have too much yarn already. I have too much choice of what to make with it. That's why I'm stifled. I have enough for a Lopi Jacket and tons of other stuff. I still have 3 fleeces that haven't left my office (insulation).

I'm a different color today

you are lavenderblush #FFF0F5

Your dominant hues are red and magenta. You love doing your own thing and going on your own adventures, but there are close friends you know you just can't leave behind. You can influence others on days when you're patient, but most times you just want to go out, have fun, and do your own thing. Your saturation level is very low - you have better things to do than jump headfirst into every little project. You make sure your actions are going to really accomplish something before you start because you hate wasting energy making everyone else think you're working. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

I'm not in the best mood today. I'm not sure what it is. I'm bored and uninspired.

My holiday knitting is done, as is my shopping (did it all in 3 days and 3 stores). There are 3 weeks left until I go on vacation .

Feh - I have the doldrums and really nothing to say!

Okay day 3 - I guess I am in the olive family

you are olivedrab #688E23

Your dominant hues are green and yellow. There's no doubt about the fact that you think with your head, but you don't want to be seen as boring and want people to know about your adventurous streak now and again. Your saturation level is higher than average - You know what you want, but sometimes know not to tell everyone. You value accomplishments and know you can get the job done, so don't be afraid to run out and make things happen. Your outlook on life can be bright or dark, depending on the situation. You are flexible and see things objectively.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Ooh - I'm a different color today. i'll try it once more next week, and the amalgam of the three is probably most accurate.

you are steelblue #4682B4

Your dominant hues are cyan and blue. You like people and enjoy making friends. You're conservative and like to make sure things make sense before you step into them, especially in relationships. You are curious but respected for your opinions by people who you sometimes wouldn't even suspect. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

you are darkolivegreen #556B2F

Your dominant hues are green and yellow. There's no doubt about the fact that you think with your head, but you don't want to be seen as boring and want people to know about your adventurous streak now and again. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is slightly darker than most people's. You try to see things for what they are and face situations honestly. You'd rather get to the point than look for what's good.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

So very tired. 5 hours of yard work will do that to you. The flesh between my thumb and forefinger is completely swollen from sawing down so many limbs, and then sawing them into firewood. My face is cut from whacking myself in the head with a dead tree. (Those suckers are hard to pull out of the ground.) And I smell like smoke from burning all of the dead wood. But at least it's all done for the season. I'm too tired to cook; I don't know what I'm going to eat. And I have to finish my exchange. Woe is me. grin But I think a beer and tv is about all I'm up to tonight. I can't believe I have a 2 inch gash on my chin. Jaj!

I finally got that set of encyclopedias out of my office, only to fill up the space with ... The Skein That Wouldn't Dye exchange. Jaj! Only half of them are in and they're overflowing behind my desk. They're all lovely though.

I snuck another bottle of Belgian - I wasn't as excited this time. Maybe it was because of my mother's grand extolation: It tastes like beer. hmph.

Ugh - I'm having one of those days in which I question the utility of being on fiber lists. One is consumed with petty flamewars, and the even more tiring "I'm bored with this conversation, can you stop already?" as if we exist to entertain her/him/it. On another, the signal to noise ratio has become ridiculous - I don't even know what it's about anymore. The lists I own are, of course, silent. I need to boot a member on one. Maybe that'll get more chat going. Not that anyone needs more chat in their lives. I think I'll give it a while longer though (just to be petty).

My beer's almost done - about 3 weeks left for both batches. I tried a bottle of the Belgian early. Not half bad, if I do say so myself (and I do). This is a good hobby. This will be an even better hobby once I start jogging again. Unfortunately my foot doesn't seem to be healing.

Just looking around. I achieved none of the fiber goals I set for myself this summer. Guess I'll be using my 3 fleeces as office insulation again this year. (But I'll have beer to keep me warm too well, not in the office.)

I'm finishing the toe on a Fortissima sock. I finally broke down and got some of that self-patterning yarn at Rheinbeck. I guess it has it's uses (movie knitting - through Lost in Translation and Intolerable Cruelty). But otherwise I'm not that impressed. I prefer my own spinning. (At least I know when there's a knot in the skein. grrr - pet peeve.) Speaking of which, I never did finish that other pair of socks. I literally just have to cast off. But I wanted to use a specific cast off and I keep forgetting to look it up. It's been about 6 months now, hasn't it? I have sweaters that are short just one sleeve that are years older. Once I lose interest, it's over. This doesn't bode well for finishing that other mitten, especially when it's too big for me.

FWIW - Flu shots hurt less than tetanus shots.

Poot - why is it that I can access my blog and not Dave Barry's? His is definitely more interesting.

I've been doing much of nothing, as usual. Not true... I've been homebrewing, not "fibering". I have one more batch to brew and then I suppose I'll get back to spinning. I should have some free time at the end of the month. Plus I have that exchange to get out. Not good for the host to be the straggler, eh? (hmm, what ever happened to the silk exchange; I haven't got that back yet.)

On the brewing front, the Belgian Dubbel is in the secondary fermenter. Another week to go before I bottle, and then at least a month of bottle conditioning before I can drink it. At that rate the not-yet-brewed Porter should be done at the same time. Guess November will be a good beer month.

Actually today's a good beer day. Blind Tiger is having an Imperial IPA event at 6, and Dogfish Head will be at Mugs at 7:30... I can make both, right? (Maybe I should pin my home address to my clothing, just in case.)

Ah well, better get going...

I'm sure that I posted this before, but since it IS International Talk Like a Pirate day... prepared to be boarded!

You are The Cap'n!

Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any man that stands between them and the mantle of power. You never met a man you couldn't eviscerate. Not that mindless violence is the only avenue open to you - but why take an avenue when you have complete freeway access? You are the definitive Man of Action. You are James Bond in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. Your swash was buckled long ago and you have never been so sure of anything in your life as in your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off their head if they show any sign of taking you on or backing down. You cannot be saddled with tedious underlings, but if one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not.

What's Yer Inner Pirate?
brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr!

Hey there - Joined another webring. So now more people can see what I'm not doing.

I did actually go to a spinning meeting this weekend, hosted by newbie Thriller Steve. I spun for about 30 minutes and played with the dogs for the rest of the time. I was a nice afternoon though.

The bells are ringing outside.


Arrgh - I'm still sore from the Tetanus shot on Tuesday. My arm is all swollen and hot. If I had remembered how much this hurt, I wouldn't have reminded them that I was due.

I'm not doing anything. I finished knitting one mitten, but I have to spin more to finish the other (2 more skeins - 173 yrds). I have to remember to get my silk exchange out Monday. And I need to spin more for the skein exchange. I also have to do my Hungarian homework. Jaj!

Now Simon and Garfunkel are getting back together! Is there something in the air?

oh ..... my .... god....

Duran Duran got back together!?!? All five of them?!? They're on tour this fall? I was such a Durannie in my youth. I'm just stunned. (And pissed I missed the gig here on Wednesday.)

official site
John Taylor's site

Ugh, a new semester. That's the only thing I hate about Fall - the students come back. Feh.

So I've finally applied some of the mindless spinning I've been doing to some mittens from the Charlene Schurch book (pattern 24). Needless to say, I didn't gauge, and they're coming out big. (I didn't gauge, but the yarn I'm using is the same grist. It was a reasonable guess. I usually get gauge. Actually I still might have gotten gauge, I haven't checked - I just automatically made the larger size.) I'll just have to find a SO to give them to (heheh) or donate them to charity. They're not huge. They'll fit someone, just not me. Well, maybe if I full them a little. But I can just make another smaller pair. Things not fitting never bothered me. Just do it over again and learn from your mistakes. If it's the process of knitting (weaving, etc. ) you like, then what does it matter if you have to do it over?

It's shocking to me that my normal spinning yarn is knittable on 0s! What happened to my moose yarn? I'm a little worried - I have a bobbin and a half of similarly sized singles on my wheel. I was planing to do 2-ply for a sweater. It may end up as a 3 ply or a cabled yarn. I'm not up to knitting a sweater in my size on 0s.

I got a bunch of yarn in the skein exchange that's calling out to be made into socks. I just needed to find a good yarn for the feet. I found a skein of silk/cashmere in the kitchen while I was cleaning. That'll do, pig. The skein exchange was fun enough to do a second - "The Skein that Wouldn't Dye!" I'm hosting this one. This time aroud the skeins are twice as long. I'll probably weave with those.

Didja know that the verb "skein" in Icelandic means to "wipe one's ass"? ... or so I've heard.

My comics source is holding out on me!!! So back to spinning on the bus. I pulled out some merino/silk I had blended in a color blending workshop. As usual -it's not enough to do anything with. (Why is everything I do an exercise in futility?) I do like the colorway I created - not sure how muddy it will be when plied. I'm calling it "tavaszi" (vernal, in Hungarian ... "Spring-y" for those of you thinking WTF is "vernal") It sort of reminds me of blossoming cherry trees; it's got soft pink, light green, brown, and white in it. I'm doing that fine spinning again - like the alpaca from last month. I still haven't blocked that scarf, so I s'pose I could frog it and add the merino/silk in some sort of artful design...

Well, I've got my exchange skeins sent out (Monday) and I'm back in my slump. No spinning for me, my commutes are occupied with the 6 boxes of Marvel & DC comics from the basement of my job. Cool beans! Definitely better than the stuff I've been getting from the library.

Feet burns are blistering. Guess having them shoved into hot sneakers for 2 hours while playing volleyball wasn't the best idea. Finger burn doing okay. I'm so tired and it's so hot.

I was really depressed yesterday. Really. After burning my hand on a 400 degree oven rack I drove out to the park and cried for about an hour. I've not been sleeping (new powerchains) that could be part of the problem. But I went out and bought soy sauce today and the world is brighter. (Only because I've been watching the Kikkoman thing over and over. I actually started singing it in the store while I was deciding what to buy because the liter bottles are all in Japanese, which I don't read. Hey - there was a product there, by Kikkoman, that was translated as shoyu - all the others were translated as soy sauce - and had alcohol listed as an ingredient. Does anyone know what that's for?) Speaking of burns, I spilled a pan of olive oil and brown butter on my stocking feet on Friday. The burns look lovely with sandals.





You are an S2000. You've got a genuine thirst for serious excitement; you want to enjoy life to the fullest and admire everything around you for what it is. You see things as they are; negativity in you is brought about by hateful people, so it's a good thing that you can see greatness in the small things.




which honda are you? | visit high
mileage

I am too too nervous today. And there's no reason to be nervous until tomorrow. (Well, not even then.)

This weekend I knit up some alpaca I spun last week. It was only an ounce and I got a small lace scarf out of it. Just a little something to wrap around your neck.




You are a masterful knitter! I don't know how you
got this result, but what the hell... Enjoy
your title, and try selling some of your
"unvented" patterns- you may make
enough for that bundle of qiviut you've been
drooling over...


Are you a knitter?
brought to you by Quizilla

The spinning drought continues:
Last Tuesday I played competition volleyball - 6 man, indoor volleyball - for the first time in 10 years. This was the last time I spun (I think). By Wednesday I was wondering when exactly did I lose my ankle bones? My ankles didn't always look like tree trunks, did they? And veins, I used to have veins in my feet, I'm sure of it. Now I remember why I used to always have hi-top volleyball sneakers. That little bit of extra support works wonders. I don't spin well with my feet elevated, so it went by the wayside. Actually, if I recall, I did spin a skein last week. While waiting for the brewery event to start, I spun some white Corrie. It's a horrible skein though - for obvious reasons. (Consumption of 4 - 6 beers has a negative effect on my consistency.)

And this weekend was spent gardening and/or at the beach for a Fathers' Day Brunch. I really must plow through some of this fiber though. I have two more league vb games to go - hopefully I won't react as badly. (ace bandages to the ready - an ounce of prevention...)

You're Adam Whitely, AKA Felicia JollyGoodFellow!

Take the Which Priscilla Queen of the Desert Drag Queen Are You? Quiz
Also try my other quizzes.

Okay, I take it back. Warm? Warm where? I packed in a bag full of roving and a spindle to take a slow boat up the Hudson for a day trip on Saturday. It was like in the 50s and raining, the whole 3 hours up and 3 hours back. It was all I could do to huddle under the poncho. (While we were docked, of course I rode my bike around in the rain like a moron - rode though 2 towns to get lunch - ensuring that I'd not only be cold, but also wet for the trip back.) So no, I haven't been spinning lately. Not to mention I was fool enough to pepper with a synthetic volleyball on Friday, and my arms are royally bruised. Where's my arnica cream?

It's finally warm enough to go back to my spindling routine. I average anywhere from 30 to 90 yards of 2-ply a day, depending on grist. (A "day" being the 2 commuting hours and lunch.)

And oddly enough, I'm getting puffy yarn on the spindle! I've never managed that before. If the yarn were an art project, I would entitle it "A Concentrated Effort Not to Overtwist." I've even gone so far as to check the yarn every yard or so when plying, and back spin it if it kinks. The result being a balanced skein right off the spindle, which blooms when you set the twist. This doesn't sound like much of an accoplishment, but I've been spinning razor wire for years; it's quite new to me. Of course, I don't know what to do with puffy yarn, which is why I never spin it. If it can't wear like iron, I have no use for it. We'll see.

Woo hoo! I finally got my WFB fleeces back from the processor. They are lovely. I doubt I'll be washing many more fleeces at home. I've already started spinning up Nyala on the wheel and Karin on my spindle. (My knee is quite angry with me for the long spinning session. I don't know which was more creaky; my knee or the wheel. Both could benefit from a little more use.) It's neat how each fleece has its own particular character and how it changes from year to year. Karin is still my favorite.

Since apparently all of the KnitFlamers are "going to hell", here's where I'll be (assuming I believed in hell, which is actually not part of my belief system, but just try telling that to a raving bible-thumper.) Funny, I thought I would be on a lower lever, but "Lust" is somehow appropriate.

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Second Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very Low
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Low
Level 2 (Lustful)	Very High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	High
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Moderate
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Moderate
Level 7 (Violent)	High
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	High
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	High

Take the Dante's Divine Comedy Inferno Test

hey - feed back time!

I'm sorta disenchanted with this whole blogging idea. Should I:
a) keep going anyway
b) stop, no one's paying attention
c) keep going but take it off the Fiber Arts ring
d) (your suggestions - use the talkback feature)

FWIW, I've made an Elizabeth Zimmerman baby sweater (from Vogue's American Collection) with the cashmere and I'm working on the Kousa Dogwood shawl from Knitting in America with the rest.

You are The Cap'n!

Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any man that stands between them and the mantle of power. You never met a man you couldn't eviscerate. Not that mindless violence is the only avenue open to you - but why take an avenue when you have complete freeway access? You are the definitive Man of Action. You are James Bond in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. Your swash was buckled long ago and you have never been so sure of anything in your life as in your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off their head if they show any sign of taking you on or backing down. You cannot be saddled with tedious underlings, but if one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not.

What's Yer Inner Pirate?
brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr!

Hey - long time no see. Well, I've been debating on whether to continue this or not. The jury's still out. See, my knitting/weaving/spinning processes were never for anyone else's benefit. I do it because I like it. Obligation, even the minute obligation to keep a current blog, takes the fun out of it. sigh

FWIW - I've got a pound of 4-ply cream cashmere that I've been sampling. I really don't know what to do with it - I can't get gauge on the camisole pattern I like, and the yarn is too fragile to warp with. Feh.

Here are some more quizzes:


Tinkerbell


Who 's Your Inner Sexy Cartoon Chick ?
brought to you by Quizilla



You're a Cappicinno!


What Kind of Coffee are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Okay, I am not amused. On the first Monday of last month, I slipped and sprained my knee - we've all heard this before. Well, it's not fully healed (I'm 2 weeks into physical therapy), but I thought I was at least in the clear in terms of the weather. It's spring, and there shouldn't be any further danger of ice, right? Well, it's snowing again!!! They've forecasted 6 - 9 inches. SIGH It is very slippery outside, and I am not "feeling it". It doesn't usually snow here for this long. Our first snowfall was in November!

Any hoo.... I just signed up for BookCrossing - maybe I can get rid of some of my book stash.

Socks are still in the office.

I only spun for demo purposes this morning. The PT had never seen such a thing before.

I accidentally left my socks in the office, so no progress there. I did spin the yellow merino/silk on Friday night though. I just have light blue (3), navy (2), brown (2), white and black to go. I'm hoping to get 2 pair of socks out if it - light/blue/navy/white calf length socks, and then something more spring-y with the pink/yellow/brown/black/white.

Mostly I spent the weekend freaking out about my Hungarian midterm today. Oh, and that defensive driving class on Saturday. 6 hours in a dark room watching the same tapes as they showed 3 years ago.... sigh. I couldn't even study.

Okay - here's a the cast off methods, which I found from a link on Wendy's blog

Anything to procrastinate.

Just knit until the ball of yarn runs out, eh? These things are going to end up knee-high! Usually I make the leg the length of the foot and call it a day, but there's this nice bright stretch of red I'm trying to get to before I cast off. Oh well, I can always just cuff them over. I would have been done with this sock already if I could remember how to properly cast off ribbing - y'know the method that requires a yarn needle? So I'll have to do that when I get home. I should be studying for my midterms on the bus anyway.

Well, the sock isn't turning out as I imagined. I did it the way I intended, but didn't like the look, so I've been frogging it here and there. It's no longer foot specific, and I think I'm going to scrap the entrelac. Oh - no heel stitch either. I think they're just going to be plain socks. Some times your yarn is busy enough that it calls for a plain sock. The striping turned out nicely. I hope it's the same on the other ball of yarn.

Foul foul mood today. Work will do that to you. I'm glad I'm off for the rest of the week.

I got my first stinky fleece of the season yesterday. The Icelandic lamb from True North Farm came yesterday.
My cat was in heaven. Normally he ignores my fiber. There are fleeces and rovings and whatnot all over the house, he could care less. He doesn't chew on drivebands either. But there's something about Harry's fleeces.... I laid the fleece out on the living room floor to inspect it. He was ecstatic. He would roll on it, and bury himself in it ... he was so happy. I had to take it away and wash it because he kept drooling all over it. I saved some second cuts for him and he lay on that for the rest of the evening, then I made a knitted ball and stuffed them into it - his new favorite toy!

More quizzes - why not?









Which Peanuts Character Are You Quiz

SzerencsEtlen vagyok. (I am unlucky.) Imagine the capital letters to have diacritics on them.

One day back at work from the knee injury and I come down with uvulitis. (Inflamation of the dangly thing in the back of your throat.) I still went to work, as I don't yet have a fever (...mEg nincs lAzAm.) I don't understand how or why I would get this, as I've been on antibiotics (Keflex) for a week already, for the knee injury. Perhaps that's why this bout of uvulitis is not as bad as others I've had. All I can do is keep taking it, and try not to talk (triggers the gag reflex).

I knitted a gauge swatch on the bus today. Size 4 needles look okay. I'm working with the thicker ball of yarn first, as it has less yardage and will dictate the size of the socks. As always, I think I'm going to make up my socks. Toe-up, shaped feet, short row heel with heel stitch, ribbing at ankle, entrelac through the cuff, ribbing at the top. That sounds about right. This is my "basic" sock. If I'm using a soft wool, like Cormo, Merino, or an Angora blend, I'll knit the whole sole in "heel stitch". It fulls nicely. But it's probably unnecessary with the merino/hemp. Most times I skip the entrelac, but I've found that the entrelac socks are my favorite. I have a pair in purple cashmere, with a black/blue/purple, merino/silk contrast yarn, and a pair with all of my first spindle spinning, in various natural fleece colors, with Cormo feet.

Now if I could only find a ruler to measure my swatch....

Back at work so no spinning for a little while. I had already scheduled to take 2 days off at the end of this week, before the accident, so maybe I'll have some time then.

I simply cannot find my IK with the PG-R generic sock article. It's very annoying... I had wanted to try that pattern. Until then I'll swatch and try to think up something else to do.

Well, I ended up finishing that second skein of yarn last night anyway. So I can make socks whenever I find a suitable pattern (or make one up). The second skein is slightly heavier than the first (thicker yarn) but I don't think it will matter much. I've started spinning some merino/silk from my stash though. I was impressed that I could actually get rid of stuff - why ruin the momentum?

I've got one skein done - about 180 yards of 15 wpi 3-ply. The overall tone is a heathered wine with gold and green lengths, so it's not that bad. I'm setting the twist now and will hang it in the yard while the sun's still out and the temperature's still above freezing. It took me most of yesterday to spin that, so I don't think I'll get to the second skein today. But maybe I'll give it a go.

I'm getting tired of this brace.

I got bored 20 minutes into the dim sum cat toys. So that's still on the needles. But I started spinning about 2 hours ago. woo hoo!

See, someone offered books in trade for fiber. She had a book I wanted, so I listed what fiber I had to trade. Once I listed it it's like, hey - I have some roving I could spin! (So Kate, if you're reading this, the wool/hemp is gone.) My wheels are all double treadle, but with weighted flywheels, so it's perfectly easy to treadle with the "good" leg.

By the way - the right knee is sprained badly - I have a hinged soft brace and 6 weeks of physical therapy to look forward to once it heals.

I'd bought this fiber 2 years ago at Rheinbeck with the idea of making socks. I obviously never did. I'm going to try to spin it fine enough to Navajo-ply it (maintaining the color changes). Why I chose this colorway is beyond me. (Burgundy/red/yellow/green) Nothing in my wardrobe matches this.

Sigh - another impulse purchase.

Okay - I may be forced to do something here.

I slipped on black ice last night, twisting my knee and bruising it badly. Which puts me at home and off of my feet. I may have to break down and knit something Treadling a wheel or a loom is probably not the best idea.

I visit a specialist tomorrow so I'll know what exactly is wrong (probably just a sprain). I'll keep you updated on any new projects. Hey - I just thought of one - I liked the dim sum cat toys in the new Knitty.

And another quiz just for the hell of it:

src="http://www.bbspot.com/Images/News_Features/2003/01/os_quiz/hp-ux.jpg" width="300" height="90"

Well this is a fine situation.

I have a loom. 2 wheels, numerous spindles, at least 10 fleeces, a chest of roving, a couple of chests of yarn, knitting needles of every size and material (okay, not glass - yet), a bookcase of knitting, spinning and weaving books, hundred of free patterns and dozens of original sketches...

... and I have no desire to do anything with it.

And I will probably get at least 3 more fleeces this spring and I already have an inquiry out regarding another book. I know that when I go to Rheinbeck in October, I'll buy another spindle, some more magazines. But why? I can't think of anything I feel like making, despite the fact that I need more wool socks and I'm tired of wearing the same old sweaters over and over. I bought a nice sweater recently, but it's so hard to go back to off-the-rack. I just don't feel like making them anymore.

Maybe it's the cold. I do most of my knitting/spinning outdoors, while I'm waiting for/riding transportation. It's simply too cold to have my hands out for any length of time. I won't start up again untill it's well in the 50s. So why aren't I weaving or spinning at home? I don't have a good answer for that.

I have been cooking like a madman. This weekend I made Spiced Eggplant and Mushroom Stew, Strange Flavor Eggplant, Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie, & Raita. I stopped myself before I lept into Vichysoisse, and Eggplant Gratin. I don't have enough room to store all of this food, and it's only me eating it. (The rest of the house thinks vegetables are akin to cooties. I suppose that's why I'm the only one in the house who hasn't been sick this winter.) My kitchen bookshelf is full, full, full and I can't even think of buying another cookbook. I kept pulling them all out this weekend and seeing what I could make with the fresh ingedients I had. (eggplants, obviously, leeks, potatoes, mushrooms, avocados, tofu, zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, shallots, and a mango.) But the cooking didn't satisfy me. I hardly even ate, just packed it away in the fridge/freezer.

I need inspiration.

Well, even if I have nothing to say, I can keep you updated on links to quizzes.

Arrgh - I got my first braces adjustment yesterday. They put bands on my molars too. IT HURTS!!!! When ever my teeth touch during the night, I wake up. So I'm not exactly "rested" and "cheery". 19 months to go. But at least now that the spacers are out, I can floss between all of my teeth again. It kinda creeped me out not to be able to floss between my molars.

A classmate told me that her Hungarian friend had to ask her what floss was! Umm ... ewww! The classmate was saying that, in Hungary, extractions are more common and simply accepted for people of a certain age. Interesting. I've never been there, so I can't verify the veracity of that claim. But if anyone knows how to say "braces" (meaning the stupid things on my teeth, as opposed to suspenders or crutches, etc.) in Hungarian, let me know. I haven't been able to find it anywhere.

For an equally ewww American story (as counterpoint) - I read the longest recorded time of someone having braces on is 20 years. Some guy had them put on, but ran out of money so never went back for adjustments or removal. I don't know which concept is worse, keeping the braces on for 20 years, or not going to the dentist for 20 years. I mean, I'm terrified of the dentist, but I'm more terrified of losing teeth or pain or general "yuckmouth".

A BLACK Dragon Lies Beneath!

I took the Inner Dragon online quiz and found out I am a Black Dragon on the inside. If there ever was an aparition of Evil, my Inner Dragon is it. Blackies are a fairly common dragon and are considered one of two harmonious dragons. My antithesis is the White Dragon. Together, we embody the Yin and Yang concept of eastern religions.



But I couldn't care less about that garbage. I like to chomp things, cause trouble, and seek unjustified revenge. My favorable attributes are the Moon, the stars, dreams, psychic guidance, seeking truth, and helpful dark magic. Everybody's still got to watch out for me though, because deep down I like to smite at random and have a nasty breath weapon combination of Fire and Acid. *evil grin* Fun, no?

Nothing new to report - just playing around with the page template.

Swam yesterday - it was cold outside. (I swam inside, but one still has to get home with wet hair.) I'm not sure if I'm still motivated to do the river swim this summer. But I'll keep swimming in the pool in any case. Exercise improves my mood. (Not that anyone can tell.)

Another fine day of doing nothing. Last night I began carding some of that Polwarth (only because I should have been studying for a Hungarian test). It's very nice. I did about 6 rolags before I got bored. (can you say "no attention span"?) and then I spun and plied one of them to see what kind of yarn I'd get. It's pretty nice. Vey soft, very white. No clue as to what I'll do with it, so I put the rest of it back. Maybe I'll wash something else this weekend. I have bags & bags of these silly samples from that breed exchange.

Not that it's stopping me from buying more fleeces. I just got an e-mail from Harry saying that he'd picked out a fleece for me. (As per my request, naturally.) and I e-mailed Dick yesterday in response to his annual letter. That will be up to 3 additional fleeces. Mind you, two of last year's 3 fleeces are still in my office. sigh Come to think of it I haven't finished the last fleece from Harry either. For some reason I was separating tog from thel, and a couple of months ago I experimented with blending the thel with angora.... I really should just sit down and DO something - from start to finish, for a couple of days. Maybe I'll take a few days off during spring break.

Welcome back to the world's worst fiber blog. I'd be surprised if anyone still visits.

Well, quite honestly, I haven't touched any project in ages. I haven't knitted, spun, woven, ... anything. And I've been away from home for a couple of weeks. Before that I was sulking about my braces. Not exactly scintillating fiber fodder.

Saturday I washed a couple of ounces of Polwarth from a breed exchange I participated in a couple of years ago. whoopdifriggindo

Well, you can always check out Dave Barry's Blog if you get bored.

Considering that my knitting and spinning is primarily done on my commute, this is not a productive time for me. It's bloody cold out here. We've been below freezing for a couple of weeks now, with no end in sight. It the moment, I'm writing to you from the confines of my shawl, wound tightly around me. I have heat here, but the windowsills are cracked, so I get *plenty* of crisp fresh air.

I actually have eye-candy for you today:

Okay - no I don't - seems you can't do pictures on the free service. Will work on that.

I've been meaning to post for a while, but life intervenes.

I finished my triangle shawl a couple of weeks ago, and, true to form, I don't like it. I'll probably frog it and weave it into a wide scarf instead. For now it's just living on one of my kitchen stools. The yarn is fine, the knitting was fine, but it's not flattering.

Speaking of unflattering, I get to wear a bathing suit today! I'm training for my first open water swim (perhaps). This body was not meant to wear lycra. And the swim cap and goggles make it feel like someone's trying to suction your head. Jaj! We'll see how it goes. What sane person would want to jump into the Hudson anyway?

My hunch about the gloves was on the money - a total no-show! At least I only knit one.(with the premise of saying I wanted to make sure it fit before doing both.)

Things are pretty quiet here. I'm on my last ball of alpaca/shetland for that shawl. I could spin a little more; I have about 4 oz of fiber left. I'll probably do that. The sucker's getting pretty heavy.

At the moment I'm simply blogging to keep my hands off of the potato chips I foolishly bought. (Impulse buy - I haven't had any in a while.)

Ah - I did sample last night. Sorta. I'm toying with the idea of blending angora and thel - no project in mind. I carded a few blends to see how they spin up (less angora, 50/50, more angora, all angora) and spun them. I also spun a cabled bit of corrie for the hell of it. The samples are dry but I didn't have small enough needles handy to knit them up. I'll have to do that later. I may just scrap it and do some 100% angora yarn.

When I'd first bought the angora, I had the damnedest time spinning it. I couldn't get it to hold together, and when I did, I made razor wire which was also too fine to be of any use. So I put it all aside until my spinning skills caught up. Well, the vendor from whom I got the angora (a couple of years ago) found some samples from the batch she'd sent me, and didn't like the quality compared to what she's producing now ... so she sent me more angora, gratis! I thought that was nice. So now I've dug up the old angora (cuz, of course, the new angora is too nice to waste on sampling) and I've been playing with it. I'm having a much better time of it than before. A little processing goes a long way. I think before I was trying to spin from the "lock", on a scotch tension wheel, on which the take up was probably too tight. But carding and spindling it is going just fine. So maybe I'll just do something in angora. I don't know what. (I'm not a fuzzy bunny sort of person.) Suggestions are welcome.