Allow me to introduce you to my new Lover

We're going to be very busy for a while...kanoodling and such! Ain't he sexy and he's not even charged up yet.


Some Christmas knitting is definitely becoming New Year's Yarn Gifts. Can I sell that? Please tell me I can sell that?

Happy Birthday T!

Christmas Good Will...

Do something meaningful for Christmas and it'll only set you back 42¢! It's simple, when you're sending out your Christmas cards, consider sending one or a few to a recovering solider(s) as follows:

A Recovering American Solider
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20307

And if it must be said, this is not a political post about the war. It's about the human condition and isn't Christmas supposed to be about giving, good will toward man, etc, etc. And if this was a political post, there'd be a YouTube link to that reporter hurling his shoes at President Bush somewhere in this vicinity, but I digress!

Instead, it's a simple gesture, an act of kindness. Who knows, you might even feel better!

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

So Happy!

So there I was with my screwed up scarf - again! What's a boy to do? Go on Ravelry and waste time of course. There I discovered that a new yarn store had just opened on the other side of town.

The following day, I excused myself at lunch to run 'an errand'. I followed the directions precisely and ended up in an industrial park. Huh? There I could have my car painted or undented but I wasn't feeling the yarn-call anywhere in the vicinity.

Then, just as I was about to perfect another monologue about Florida and my general disgust, I saw a small window and the word yarn. Garbriella's Yarn to be precise.

I walked in and instantly knew I liked it. It's the tiniest store in the weirdest location but Gabriella was as nice as can be. And surprise, she can knit! She fixed my scarf, I bought yarn for felted clogs, everyone was happy. The store is really small but the yarn selection is smart. She's got a lot planned -- classes, seminars, knit-nights and the best part was she didn't look at me with that "why is this man in my store? Do you think he's going to rob us" look! I hate that and unfortunately I get that a lot here.

So I'm happy and best of all, fearless! Look out, we're in high gear and higher spirits! WooHoo!

Oh, and everyone (I feel I can say everyone now that THREE people are following the blog) welcome Krystal. She hails from Tennessee and is Riohnna's friend (I think). This woman can crochet with the best of them but is comparatively new to knitting. She totally relates to my frustration in not being able to fix things when they've gone loopy so we're gonna get along just fine. Welcome Krystal!

So Frustrated!

Ugh, it's so frustrating to be knitting along and really seeing the pattern design come to life and you discover you made a simple mistake. Survey says, frog it, rip it back, no problem. Well it is a problem when you can't read your knitting. I know this is an important skill but I was spoiled by my LYS owner in Los Angeles who could take one look at anything and fix it in a heartbeat. In an attempt to learn, I started to tink, didn't work, lost a stitch on a k2tog and that my friends was the beginning of the end. 3 hours of knitting and all that ribbing down the drain because even when I got to the ribbing I couldn't manage to get that damn needle in every stitch. It makes me want to knit simple things because the support I apparently need, is simply not available here! Rant over!

No photo taken before the incident, sorry. It was so pretty too.

Yes, I've already cast on and on a very positive note, I'm being followed by two fellow bloggers/rav-ers. Andrea has joined us and she's an amazing resource to me in my quest to own a CSM (Circular Sock Machine). I can't tell you how much information she's sent my way and I'm thrilled to have her join us! Angela and Andrea, is there an Andrew out there? She knows a lot about guns so don't piss her off, ya'hear?

Shut Up! Shut Up! Shut Up!

This weekend I considered putting the blog on hiatus. I haven't been knitting tons of stuff and who's really interested in my warped point of view and life. Well, apparently my new friend Angela from Italy by way of Tennessee is interested enough to sign up "to follow" my blog. I know, I'm a nerd but I thought that was cool and I plan on returning the favor by following her. See, it's there in the sidebar, I'm practically famous. Angela and I just met and her life is the reverse version of mine.

She was single, met a man on the internet, visited him in Italy, couldn't live without him, moved from Tennessee to Italy.

My life ... I was partnered (they just passed all these laws, I can't say married anymore), lived in California, he left, I moved to Hell (sometimes known as Florida).

Do you see how that works? It's all good fun and stalking that doesn't threaten your life or require a restraining order. At least I hope not?

In honor of this occasion, I thought I should post some knitting. It's not Christmas related. It's a dish towel for my kitchen but I think the pattern is worthy of a sweater (well maybe not that great) but bitchin' for a towel that I'll mop up spills with!


Angela, my new friend ... welcome and benvenuti!

Miracle! It has actually cooled down quite a bit (in the inferno that is Florida) and it feels like knitting weather so I've been baking of course! Since there's Christmas knitting on the needles, I can't very well show you that but this banana bread is going fast! It's a simple Tyler Florence recipe and I've been enjoying it a little more than I should.


I've also been sprucing up the place a bit. I bought new living room tables and this little change really dressed up the room. I decided the place was getting a bit too serious so I re-covered the kitchen chairs in a fun, retro fabric. Now, everytime I walk into the kitchen I giggle like Goldie Hawn. It's just what I needed.


For those of you who Rav-el, I joined the CPAAG swap and my package is off to another continent tomorrow. There's all sorts of fun stuff in there and I can't wait to see what my swappee thinks of my handy-work!

Happy Thanksgiving and all my best to you and yours this holiday season!

Victory

did you?

NYS Sheep & Wool Festival - Rhinebeck 2008

I'm back from vacation and couldn't have planned a better trip. I arrived in NYC and spent the evening with an old friend. I drove from the Upper West Side to the Holland Tunnel, taking in Central Park, Columbus Circle, Times Square, Gramercy Park, The Village and onto New Jersey for the night. You might be saying, "New Jersey?", what a downer after a night in NY but the view from the hotel was spectacular and as expected. See! (black and white, failing terribly at being artsy)


I was off to Rhinebeck the following morning and enjoying autumnal weather more than you could ever imagine. We simply don't get this in Florida!


Even though the last 4 miles to the fairgrounds took an HOUR, my spirits were unwavering in their excitement.


My biggest purchase, a Golding Spindle! Look at it, lust after it but it's mine. Since I don't know how to spin yet, I'm admiring it from afar. Often but from afar. I also bought the most amazing roving from The Sheep Shed at Mountain View Farm. It's merino and silk and for a special project. Details in 10 or 11 years when I reach a spinning expertise worthy of this fiber. You should feel it, WOW! Click on the photo to see the coloration!




I also got to meet Franklin and he graciously signed his book for me and eleventy thousand other fans. He's just as sweet in person as you might suspect and worth the wait in line. In addition, I either met, saw or stalked all of the KG aka Knitting Glitterati. Stephanie, Joe, Stephen, Sean, Marilyn, Lars, Carol, John and hold your breath, I, yes I was recognized from Ravelry. She didn't know my name but kept saying, "are you that guy, that guy with the eyes?" I took my glasses off with the flourish of Clark Kent turning into Superman and said ... I am. If you belong to Ravelry you'll get it, if not, go back and look at the pretty fiber and my, my new Golding spindle. She was so sweet and I was so overwhelmed (to the point I couldn't really speak) I didn't get her name. If you're out there and ever read this, please send me an email so I can properly thank you. You made my day and gave me a great story to tell. Well, maybe not great, but a story all the same.

Me: "Did I mention that I was recognized by a fan?
Everyone: You did.
Me: Okay, I'll shut up now".
Everyone: Thank you.

Is that glamorous or what?

The show just kept getting better. Everywhere you looked there was something new -- fiber, yarn, sheep, wheels, spindles, hand-artisan this and hand-artisan that. It was overwhelming. I got to meet and spend time with Monica, Bowen and Silver. Again, famed-Ravelers of CPAAG! All fantastic and so much fun. I hope this trip will become an annual pilgrimage for all of us!


I topped the weekend off with a trip to see my family and we ate home-made pizza, fudge and a dose of all my favorite things!


If you haven't been to Rhinebeck, you should go! This guy said be sure to say hi next year!

Oppose Proposition 8 - Support Gay Marriage in CA

I'm feeling political but never far from a good laugh. I Love This Girl, Mandy Steckelberg. She's my new favorite person!

It's brilliant and worth a listen all the way through!



If you're gay, I dare you to not find at least 5-10 references that point right at you! I just wish I drove a Miata!

It's all good fun but the election is no joke -- GET OUT AND VOTE!