superbgirl

Is this strange

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:13:15 GMT

I've been knitting a lot of socks lately and I love them all. Hand knitted socks are awesome.

Anyway- I noticed again this morning that I picked out the socks that I wanted to wear and then picked out clothes that would match the socks. I was thinking that it was a little backwards- that most people pick out clothes & then pick out socks, but there are weirder things that I could be doing, right?

Anyway- if anyone is curious, the socks that I picked out are my "Captain Jack Sparrow" socks:

I have the cutest kid in the world

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:29:13 GMT

Here he is posing in komos's hat, mittens & scarf using my knitting needle as a sword. In the close up- you can see all of his adorable freckles.

AHA!

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:24:01 GMT

I just had an Aha! moment. I just realized I can filter my friends page to just journals & get rid of all those posts from the livejournal people.

ick

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:44:49 GMT

my feet are hot. i don't like that. i kinda wish that i lived in spain and could take a siesta in the afternoon. i am tired. being tired with hot feet is icky.

The Tales of Beetle the Bard

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:40:27 GMT

Amazon.com will be selling replicas of J.K. Rowlings "The Tales of Beetle and the Bard" starting 12/04/2008. You can Pre-order now. There is a collectors edition for 100 dollars (proceeds going to charity) and then a standard copy.

I pre-ordered. Will make a nice Christmas present for the boy. And let's face it- will make a nice Christmas present for me as well.

I can't wait to read those stories. I mean it's one thing to get pieces of them in Deathly Hallows- it's another to actually READ them for yourself.

Can't wait.

So excited.

New Sweater

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:15:59 GMT

So, I've been trying to finish 1 project before starting another, or at least to have the 2nd project be something quick like socks/mittens/hat, but I want to make this

and I bought some luscious yarn to make it with (a cashmere blend), but I'm working on a cable sweater, which I know will take a long time...

I think I'm just going to start this. Maybe tonight....

Funny Knit Pattern

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:12:54 GMT

So- I was searching for a new knit pattern- I want to make a raglan short sleeved sweater. So I was searching on-line for a pattern and came across this. I thought it would be funny for knitters and lawyers alike.
(http://www.girlfromauntie.com/diversions/RAGLAN_PULLOVER_AGREEMENT.pdf)
AGREEMENT RELATING TO A RAGLAN PULLOVER
This RAGLAN PULLOVER KNITTING PATTERN dated this 22nd day of December,
2006 (hereinafter referred to as the "Pattern") being designed by the
girl from auntie (the "Designer") and entered into by you, an
individual knitter (the "Knitter").
RECITALS
WHEREAS Knitter is currently in possession of, or intends to acquire,
approximately eight hundred (800) yards of bulky weight yarn;
AND WHEREAS Knitter desires to create a garment, namely, a pullover,
consisting of a torso, two full-length arms, a foldover ribbed collar,
ribbed cuffs, and ribbed hem, knit from hem to neckline and having
raglan shaping;
AND WHEREAS Knitter desires further that said pullover shall have a
full chest measurement of approximately forty-eight (48) inches and an
approximate length of twenty-four (24) inches, and be knit at a gauge
of fourteen (14) stitches and twenty-one (21) rows over four (4)
inches;
AND WHEREAS Designer agrees to provide instructions for producing a
pullover complying with the above-recited specifications;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual representations,
warranties and agreements set forth in this Pattern and for other good
and valuable consideration, the Designer hereby directs and the Knitter
agrees to perform as follows:
DEFINITIONS
1. As used in this Pattern, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
a) "Pattern" and "Knitter" are as defined in the opening paragraph
of this Pattern;
b) "Instructions" means the contents of paragraphs 2 through 19,
inclusive;
c) "Pattern Gauge" means a gauge of fourteen (14) stitches and
twenty-one (21) rows over four (4) inches;
d) "beg" means beginning;
e) "K" and/or "k" means knit;
f) "K2tog" and/or "k2tog" means knit two (2) together;
g) "P" and/or "p" means purl;
h) "P1tbl" and/or "p1tbl" means purl one (1) through the back loop;
i) "P2tog tbl" and/or "p2tog tbl" means purl two (2) together
through the back loops;
j) "inc" means an increase wherein the horizontal bar running
between the last stitch on the right hand needle and the next
stitch on the left hand needle is lifted onto the left needle
from front to back, and knit through the back loop so as to yield
a further and other stitch;
k) "RS" means "right side";
2
l) "RS Decrease Row" means K2, p1tbl, k2tog; work to last 3 sts;
p1tbl, k2;
m) "Modified RS Decrease Row" means K2, p1tbl, k2tog; work to last 5
sts; ssk, p1tbl, k1;
n) "sts" means stitches;
o) "St st" means stockinette stitch;
p) "WS" means "wrong side";
q) "WS Decrease Row" means P2, k1tbl, p2tog tbl; work to last 3 sts;
k1tbl; p2;
r) "Modified WS Decrease Row" means P2, k1tbl, p2tog tbl; work to
last 5 sts; p2tog, k1tbl, p2;
s) "2x2 Rib" means, on the RS of work, [k2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2,
and on the WS of work, [p2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2, wherein the
instructions in square brackets are to be repeated in accordance
with the foregoing instructions; and
t) other terms shall have meanings as may be defined herein.
GAUGE AND MATERIALS
2. Knitter shall provide a set of needles sized for knitting at the
Pattern Gauge using a yarn designated as being capable of being knit to
said Pattern Gauge not only back-and-forth, but also in the round.
Suitable needles sized for knitting at the Pattern Gauge include, but
are not restricted to, US10 through US13 sizes inclusive. Suitable
yarns include, but are not restricted to, the yarns listed in Schedule
1 hereto.
3. Knitter shall knit a generously-sized gauge swatch in stockinette
stitch to verify compliance with the Pattern Gauge specified in
paragraph 2, above, and in the event of a discrepancy between the gauge
determined from the gauge swatch ("Measured Gauge") and the Pattern
Gauge, Knitter shall provide further sets of differently-sized needles
and knit further gauge swatches until the Measured Gauge matches the
Pattern Gauge. Should Knitter be unable to obtain Pattern Gauge with
the same size of needles while knitting in the round and while knitting
back-and-forth, Knitter shall provide differently-sized needles for
knitting in the round or for knitting back-and-forth, as the case may
be, such that the Knitter is able to comply with the specified Pattern
Gauge when knitting back-and-forth and in the round.
BACK
4. Knitter shall cast on eighty-two (82) sts using needles for
knitting back-and-forth and shall work in 2x2 Rib for twenty-two (22)
rows. Knitter shall change to St st and shall work one (1) row while
increasing four (4) sts more or less evenly across said row to yield
eighty-six (86) sts on needle.
5. Knitter shall work even for forty-nine (49) more rows, then bind
off six (6) sts at beg of next two (2) rows to yield seventy-four (74)
sts on needle.
6. Knitter shall work RS Decrease Row, as given above, and
immediately thereafter work WS Decrease Row, as given above; Knitter
3
shall then repeat these two rows twenty-three (23) times more for a
total of twenty-four (24) repeats of said Decrease Rows, to yield
twenty-six (26) sts on needle.
7. Knitter shall break yarn, leaving a tail of at least four (4)
inches in length, and place all remaining live stitches of the Back on
a holder or waste yarn.
FRONT
8. Knitter shall repeat the instructions of paragraphs 4 through 7
above, inclusive, as for Back.
SLEEVES
9. Knitter shall cast on thirty-four (34) sts using needles for
knitting back-and-forth and shall work in 2x2 Rib for twenty-two (22)
rows. Knitter shall change to St st and shall work one (1) row while
increasing four (4) sts more or less evenly across said row to yield
thirty-eight (38) sts on needle.
10. Knitter shall work even for five (5) rows, such that RS faces for
the next row, whereupon Knitter shall work as follows: k1, inc 1, knit
to last st, inc 1, k1; further, Knitter shall repeat these last six (6)
rows just described eight (8) times more, to yield fifty-six (56) sts
on needle; Knitter shall then work even across these fifty-six (56) sts
for a further six (6) rows, or as desired to adjust the length of said
sleeve.
11. Knitter shall bind off six (6) sts at beg of next two (2) rows to
yield forty-four (44) sts on needle.
12. Knitter shall work RS Decrease Row, as given above, and
immediately thereafter work WS Decrease Row, as given above; Knitter
shall then repeat these two rows eleven (11) times more for a total of
twelve (12) repeats of said Decrease Rows, to yield thirty-two (32) sts
on needle and such that the RS faces for the next row.
13. Knitter shall then work Modified RS Decrease Row, as given above,
and immediately thereafter work Modified WS Decrease Row, as given
above; Knitter shall then repeat these two rows eleven (11) times more
for a total of twelve (12) repeats of said Modified Decrease Rows, to
yield eight (8) sts on needle.
14. Knitter shall break yarn, leaving a tail of at least four (4)
inches in length, and place all remaining live stitches of the Back on
a holder or waste yarn.
15. Knitter shall once more repeat steps 9 to 14, inclusive, so as to
produce a second and further sleeve.
4
BLOCKING AND ASSEMBLY
16. Knitter shall cause each and every piece heretofore created in
compliance with the above paragraphs, namely, the Back, Front, and the
two Sleeves, to be blocked in a manner appropriate to the composition
of the Yarn selected.
17. When each of the below-named pieces is dry, Knitter shall affix
the pieces to each other such that all pieces are affixed with the RS
of each piece facing in the same direction, in accordance with the
following scheme, using lengths of the Yarn or other suitably chosen
yarn and a yarn or tapestry needle:
a) the left raglan edge of a first sleeve (hereinafter referred to
as the "Left Sleeve") with the right raglan edge of the Front,
wherein the raglan edge is defined by the edge of the Left Sleeve
or Front as constructed in accordance with steps 12 and 13, or
step 6, as the case may be, and the designations of "left" and
"right", as the case may be, are attributed in accordance with a
top view of the knitted pieces when viewed from the RS;
b) the left raglan edge of the Front with the right raglan edge of
the second sleeve (hereinafter referred to as the "Right
Sleeve"), wherein the raglan edges are defined as in subparagraph
(a);
c) the left raglan edge of the Right Sleeve with the right raglan
edge of the Back, wherein the raglan edges are defined as in
subparagraph (a);
d) the left raglan edge of the Back with the right raglan edge of
the Left Sleeve, wherein the raglan edges are defined as in
subparagraph (a).
18. Knitter shall then proceed to return each stitch previously held,
as described in paragraphs 7 and 14 above, to the needles for knitting
in the round and shall proceed to work as follows: [k2, p2], repeating
said instructions in square brackets to the end of round; repeat this
round for a total of forty-two (42) rows or to the Knitter’s desired
length. Knitter shall then bind off said stitches loosely and break
yarn, leaving a tail of at least four (4) inches in length.
19. Knitter shall weave in all yarn tails on the WS of the pullover.
CONVERSIONS
20. Knitter may, if desired, convert all measurements given above to
another measurement system, including, but not limited to, the metric
system; provided all conversions are computed correctly, which Designer
does not guarantee or warrant, this Pattern remains in full force and
effect.
AMENDMENTS
21. Pattern may be amended electronically or in writing by Knitter.
Knitter, in making such amendment, shall indemnify and hold Designer
harmless against any consequential error, miscalculation, or
5
discrepancy between the finished pullover and Knitter’s intended
result.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
22. Designer is not liable for any loss or harm whatsoever suffered
by Knitter, including but not restricted to loss of time, yarn, money,
or patience, by virtue of Knitter’s use or adaptation of Pattern.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Designer is not
liable for Knitter’s failure to fully read Pattern; failure to complete
a properly blocked gauge swatch as set out in paragraph 3 above;
failure to provide appropriately-sized needles as set out in paragraphs
2 and 3 above; failure to comprehend the within instructions;
alterations or amendments made to the within instructions; failure to
provide sufficient Yarn to complete Pattern or any amendments thereto;
selection of Yarn not appropriate to be knit to the Pattern Gauge as
defined herein; or failure of a relationship between Knitter and a
recipient of the pullover resulting from this Pattern.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
23. Designer makes no representations or warranties concerning the
availability of any of the yarns listed in Schedule 1 hereto, the
accuracy of yarn quantities specified herein, or that pullover shall
fit its intended recipient.
24. Designer represents that Pattern is reasonably free of error but
does not warrant or guarantee that Pattern is error-free. Knitter
represents and warrants that he or she possesses sufficient skill and
knowledge to enter into this Pattern.
FORCE MAJEURE
25. The parties may consider any obligations under this Pattern void
in the event of flood, major storm damage, or Acts of Cat.
TERMINATION
26. Knitter may terminate his or her obligations under this Pattern
at any time. Any public reference to said termination for reason of
lack of interest, inappropriate Yarn selection, or inability to comply
with the foregoing instructions shall be accompanied with an admission
of fault on the part of the Knitter confirming that this really is a
lovely Pattern.
COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
27. Pattern may be freely distributed in digital and print media in
its entirety only and without prior consent provided appropriate credit
is given as follows and by maintaining this paragraph intact with
Pattern: © 2006, the girl from auntie, http://www.girlfromauntie.com.
6
TIME OF ESSENCE
28. Designer and Knitter acknowledge that time is of the essence only
if Knitter has made a prior commitment to complete the Pattern and
render the raglan pullover described herein fit for human attire by a
given date, determined by Knitter or by Knitter in concert with a third
party who is not party to this Pattern. Knitter hereby releases,
discharges, and absolves Designer of any liability whatsoever in
relation to any obligation assumed by Knitter to complete the Pattern
as contemplated above, whether for Knitter’s own attire or for the
attire of a third party.
HEIRS AND ASSIGNS
29. The terms of this Pattern shall govern the heirs and assigns of
the parties, should the heirs and assigns of the parties knit.
SEVERABILITY
30. The invalidity or error of any paragraph of the within
instructions may affect the validity or feasibility of the remainder of
this Pattern.
NOTICES
31. All notices of communication required by this Pattern, including,
but not limited to, amendments by the Designer, shall be made
electronically and may be delivered by (a) reposting a fresh as amended
Pattern on the website on which it was originally published, or (b)
posting an amendment notice on the same webpage as the Pattern on the
website on which it was originally published.
GOVERNING LAW
32. This Pattern shall be construed in accordance with the
definitions provided herein, and where the definitions provided herein
require further clarification or explication, in accordance with the
definitions and instructions provided in Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate
Knitting Book (New York: Sixth & Spring, 2006), ISBN 193154316X.
Designer and Knitter have acknowledged and agreed that this Pattern may
be entered into as a current knitting project as of the day of
printing:
---------------------- ----------------------
DESIGNER KNITTER
7
SCHEDULE 1
Suitable Yarns for the execution of the Pattern Instructions
Rowan CORK
Tahki SOHO BULKY TWEED
Debbie Bliss CASHMERINO SUPERCHUNKY
Jaeger CHAMONIX
Plymouth ENCORE CHUNKY
Karabella AURORA BULKY
Rowan YORKSHIRE TWEED CHUNKY
Rowan ROWANSPUN CHUNKY
Patons SHETLAND CHUNKY
Brown Sheep LAMB'S PRIDE BULKY
Araucania NATURE COTTON

Caution- Do not read if you are suffering from low self-esteem

Wed, 30 May 2007 18:30:45 GMT

I don't know where this came from. Someone sent this to me & I think it is HILARIOUS!

Signs Of The Zodiac

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb 18) - You have an inventive mind and are inclined to be progressive. You lie a great deal. You make the same mistakes repeatedly because you are stupid. Everyone thinks you are a jerk.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20) - You have a vivid imagination and often think you are being followed by the FBI or CIA. You have a minor influence on your friends, and people resent you for flaunting your power. You lack confidence and are a general dipshit.

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20) - You are the pioneer type and think most people are quick-tempered, impatient, and scornful of advice. You too are a jerk.

TAURUS (Apr 21-May 20) - You are practical and persistent. You have a dogged determination and work like hell. Most people think you are stubborn and bullheaded.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20) - You are a quick and intelligent thinker. People like you because you are bisexual. You are inclined to expect too much for too little. This means you are a cheap bastard.

CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22) - You are sympathetic and understanding to other peoples problems, which makes you a sucker. You are always putting things off. That is why you will always be on welfare and won't be worth a shit. Everybody in prison is a Cancer.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22) - You consider yourself a born leader. Others think you're an idiot. Most Leos are bullies. You are vain and cannot tolerate honest criticism. Your arrogance is disgusting. Leo people are thieves and spend most of their lives kissing mirrors.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22) - You are the logical type and hate disorder. This nitpicking is sickening to your friends. You are cold and unemotional. Virgos make good bus drivers and pimps.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22) - You are the artistic type and have a difficult time with reality. If you are male, you are probably queer. Chances for employment and monetary gain are nil. Most Libra women are whores. All Libras die of venereal disease.

SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21) - The worst of the lot. You are shrewd in business and cannot be trusted. You shall achieve the pinnacle of success because of your total lack of ethics. You are a perfect son-of-a-bitch. Most Scorpios are murdered.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21) - You are optimistic and enthusiastic. You have a reckless tendency to rely on luck since you have no talent. The majority of Sagittarius' are drunks. You are not worth the time of day.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19) - You are conservative and are afraid of taking risks. You are basically a chickenshit. There has never been a Capricorn of any importance. You should kill yourself.

Rainy Friday

Fri, 18 May 2007 12:33:21 GMT

It's a rainy Friday morning and I'm at work. I don't really want to be here. I remember a time when I liked to go to work. That changed into a period where I didn't mind going to work. Usually I still don't mind going to work, but on rainy, cold, damp, miserable Fridays after a long, stressful week (my mother had a procedure/surgery on Monday and is having some minor complications from it; I've been worried about my sister; I've been stressed about money (what else is new); I found our vacation plans for Denver are up in the air because Pablo's parents have sold their house & now Pablo & his sister still want to go & rent a cabin & I've been trying to find one that is available, affordable, will fit us all, has indoor plumbing, and isn't rat/roach/other critter infested; my boss has been out all week because her mother had a stroke & is not doing well- which leaves more work on the rest of us; etc) I would have loved to just stay home curled up in my nice, warm blankie & do nothing.

I also couldn't get to sleep last night. We finished watching Pursuit of Happyness. It was heart-wrenching, as I expected. Maybe because I have a 5 year old son & tried to imagine myself homeless, jobless, moneyless and alone with just this little boy that I have to take care of. Although what bothers me is why didn't he have ANY friends, no family, nothing. Isn't that a little strange? The only person he sort of was friends with was the guy who owed him $14. But even then- when he went to collect- how come he didn't explain the situation to him? Ask someone for help? It's like he felt that he had to do it all on his own. I don't know. That part I didn't understand. Maybe it's a guy thing.

Oh well, I guess I should do SOME work today.

Inane babble

Fri, 11 May 2007 18:01:14 GMT

I've had killer allergies all week and now it's Friday afternoon & I just don't feel like doing anything else. I'm tired and stuffy and want to go home, but it's raining & all I have is a broken umbrella & no jacket. I decided against wearing my hoodie today because it's been so nice out & I end up carrying it around & have only worn it at the very beginning part of my commute all week (while I'm waiting for my bus) and then it's too hot so I carry it. So this morning, I decided not to take it. And then they sky decided to open up and POUR! We were going to go over to the MFA school & to Mass Art & check out the sidewalk sales going on of all the student's stuff, but have nixed that idea because of the rain, although I really wanted to check it out, although I don't have any money to spend. I went to the store last night to get me & the boy new sandals and I came home with new pants & socks for Pablo; new sandals, pjs, shorts & a shirt for the boy; and I got a t shirt & a pair of pants that were on clearance that I don't even like, but that I bought because I refused to leave without SOMETHING for me since I hate to shop & had no idea when I would go back there to shop for myself again. I had also wanted to go get a button for the new little change purse I knitted up the other night. It was really quick & easy, but I need a button to keep it shut, but I never made it to the right store. Oh well. I think I'll make some scrunchies next. I've been having to wear my horrible hair up because it is so hot & humid & I have scary hair. So Mother's Day is on Sunday. I wonder if the boy will give me anything. Maybe let me sleep in a bit? I wanted to send my sister a Mother's Day gift since it is her first Mother's Day, but of course I procrastinated & haven't sent her anything, or gotten anything for my mother or sent Pablo's mother a card or anything. Maybe one of these years I will get my act together and actual be proactive about things instead of just treading water and getting by. I kept using the excuse that I was overwhelmed with school & work & a young child, but those excuses are gone. [sigh]

V-Day

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 21:12:23 GMT

So- the dreaded Valentine's Day is tomorrow. Valentine's Day. Is this just a horrible Halmark holiday or what? V-Day is THE worst holiday ever, Christmas and New Years follow closely behind. I remember one V-Day when I worked in the office of a truck maintenance shop and had to sign for 2 (count them two) flower deliveries for 2 of the mechanics from their girlfriends. 2 greasy mechanics got flowers delivered to work. I've never had flowers delivered to work. Made me feel HORRIBLE!! Not that I sent Pablo anything either, but still.....

P.S. for Pablo- this isn't a pity plea for flowers to be delivered to work. I was just reading faux_eonix's post about her ex and v-day and was reminded of how much I hate this holiday. But I'm keeping the earings! And you could send flowers if you really wanted too, but they probably wouldn't be able to get delivered anyway if the weather report is right. Should I be getting back to work now?

M&Ms

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 18:50:31 GMT

I'm eating my M&Ms backwards!! I feel like a wild woman. I'm eating the yellows first, then the orange, then the brown, then the red, then the green, then the blue.

Expectations

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 18:12:46 GMT

So, I went on my trip and I had such high expectations of being able to do nothing & how wonderful that would be. I've made a decision (yet again) that I will not allow myself to expect anything. Because things NEVER turn out the way you want them to. Sometimes they turn out better, but more often than not, they are just different.

I flew to San Diego last Wednesday, checked into the hotel (which was the really fabulous Hotel Solamar in the gaslamp district) and decided to not totally waste the afternoon, so decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood before getting some TV remote time in before the reception. So, I go for a walk & try to remember where I am & what turns I took so that I can find my way back to the hotel. While walking around the neighborhood, I noticed that while it looks like a cool, funky neighborhood at a glance, it really isn't very great. There are TONS of restaurants and in between there are a few cigar shops, strip joints, and maybe a shop or two. I was hoping to look in a few mom & pop stores to try to find something cool to bring home. The closest I got was a cool mug on clearance at the Z Gallary (ever been to one? they are cool). So, I decided that among all these restaurants, I should find something to eat because all I had was a bagel at Logan at 6:30 that morning & it's now about 5 est. I finally just decide to go to Rock Bottom, had a beer & a sandwich & was able to sit outside (which was a novelty since it was January) and I went back to the hotel. I called Pablo & the boy (who both seemed too busy playing video games to talk to me) & watched some of Ferris Bueller's Day Off on TV & all of a sudden found myself retching in the bathroom. After, I think that I am feeling better & it must have been the sandwich & decide to go to the reception. So I go downstairs, see my rep & say hi, & for lack of anything better to do, go get a beer and walk around looking at tons of people I don't want to talk to. My rep introduces me to the new sales rep for New England & I talk to him for a while (he was from Framingham originally) and all of a sudden I start to sweat & am like, I have to get out of here. So I ditch the beer (I didn't even take a sip) and grabbed a water & went up to my room where I alternated between shivering under covers in a 80 degree room, or puking all night long. It was awful. But, the next morning I woke up & felt a bit better & went to the ALL DAY conference (7:30 am - 5:30 pm) which actually was interesting, for the most part. Then I ran up stairs to change real quick before the dinner cruise and call home to find my only child had already gone to sleep without needing to talk to me first.
Feeling a bit unneeded, I went back downstairs & got on the bus that is going to take us to the boat & we are about to leave when I pulled my first Bridget Jones of the evening when the coordinator came on & asked if we all had a picture ID (this had been told to us about 10,000 times that we had to have one to get on the boat) and I'm like NO!. So I RUN up to my room & get my ID & RUN back to the bus and make it just in time. So, the bus leaves & we get to the boat & the coordinator tells us that we can get off if we want while she gets the tickets. So, in my infinite Bridget Jones wisdom (give me a slight break since I was up sick all the night before & was on information overload from the day's events) I decide to get off the bus & I see that there is a gift shop. So I decide to go find it & this other woman follows me & I try to find a present for the boy, which I almost did get him this pirate thing, but didn't want to carry it or lose it on the boat so didn't. So we leave the shop & see everyone walking towards the boat so we walk that way too & get in line. Everyone starts to go through & someone asks if we have our tickets, I'm like "NO!" so the VP of Marketing has to RUN back to the ticket booth & get our tickets & RUN back before the boat leaves. He makes it & gives me my ticket & we all board. It was rather embarrassing, especially since I had to sit next to him on the boat. The cruise was pretty nice though, the food was good, they had a DJ so I could amuse myself by watching all the really white people try to dance, and we were able to see some fireworks.
The next day, went down to the conference at 7:30 & had to bail at 10:30 to change before checking out & getting to the airport. Flew home, was delayed in Detroit because of snow, get a cab home for $50, get home to find my child sick.
It wasn't a bad trip, but it wasn't what I had expected. If you don't have any expectations, then you can be surprised when things turn out nicely, and you aren't ever really disappointed because you didn't really have any feelings about it anyway. No expectations. That's the way to go.

Getting to know me

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 21:16:55 GMT

So, I was emailing this & thought I would post it, with a few edits to protect the innocent...

1. What is your occupation:
Data Analyst (doesn’t that sound exciting?!?)

2. What color are your socks right now?
Black

3. What are you listening to right now?
Keyboards clicking & sort of some hip hop coming from the temp’s office

4. What was the last thing that you ate?
grapes

5. Do you drive a stick shift?
Yep

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Midnight blue

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Pablo

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Hells yeah!

9. How old are you today?
Old enough to know better. Oh, OK. 33

10. Favorite drink?
So many! Good coffee & espresso, Mike’s hard lemonade (various flavors), black & tans, Constant Comment tea

11. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Don’t watch sports

12. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Yes. Ah, the things we do in our youth. Blue was my favorite.

13. Favorite curse word?
Jesus fucking Christ. (I’m a blasphemer- although around the boy I say Jeeze Louise & he actually said it this morning. Very funny)

14. Pets?
No- but I saw a fox in my yard on Monday night, does that count?

15. Favorite food(s)?
Wasn’t this a live journal question? Sushi, Tofu with Lemongrass from Pho Pasteur, Spicy Rice & Broccoli from Mr. Chan's, My mother's Tuna Casserole (which isn't really a casserole because there aren't any noodles in it, but potato chips instead), Bean Burritos from that wonderful place in the Mission in San Francisco (can't remember the name of it), Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans, Falafel from that great place on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder (can't remember the name of that place either!! I'm going senile)

16. What was the last movie you watched?
For Whom the Bell Tolls- last night, but we stopped it at the intermission & will probably watch the end tonight.

17. Favorite day of the year?
??

18. What do you do to vent anger?
You’re supposed to vent your anger? Oh, I don’t know, yell & throw things?

19. What was your favorite toy as a child?
I had these toy horses that I loved

20. What is your favorite season?
Autumn

21. Hugs or kisses?
Not really a touchy feely type person

22. Cherry or Blueberry?
Blueberries I guess, but not a big fan of either

23. Do you want your friends to reply?
N/A

24. Who is least likely to respond?
N/A

25. Living arrangements?
I love my house, even if there is a ton of work that we need to do & can’t afford.

26. When was the last time you cried?
Don’t want to think about that

27. What is on the floor of your closet?
Laundry baskets & some boxes of Pablo's (I think they are filled with cards)

28. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this e-mail?
Dani- or actually I guess I should say Cathy since she has known me since birth

29. What did you do last night?
Made dinner & ate, gave the boy a bath, clipped his nails, read Dr. Seuss stories, then knitted while Pablo & I watched a movie.

30. Favorite smells?
New baby smell, coffee, fresh bread

31. What inspires you?
??? the boy maybe? I like to think of cool color combinations & patterns for knitting & crocheting stuff

32. What are you afraid of?
Steep inclines & spiders, fires, being out of a job/money

33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers?
Cheese on a veggie burger

34. Country you would most like to visit?
I’d like to go to England & maybe the whole UK & maybe Russia & maybe Australia & maybe Austria (I’d like to go to Vienna) & maybe France & maybe Italy

35. Favorite dog breed?
Lab mutts, dalmatians

36. Number of keys on your key ring?
Work key ring- 4 (1 office & 3 desk)- personal key ring- 5 (1 for car, 3 for house & 1 for my parents’ house)

37. How many years at your current job?
It will be 6 in March

38. Favorite day(s) of the week?
Saturday

39. How many states have you lived in?
2- Massachusetts & Colorado

40. Favorite holidays?
?? Memorial day since I can usually make it a long weekend for my birthday

41. Ever driven a Motorcycle?
Ridden on one, but never drove it. Don’t like them.

Christmas, Christmas time is here, time for joy and time for...

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 19:20:31 GMT

Cheer??

So, can I tell you how much I dislike Christmas. This year doesn't seem as bad as previous years, but I can totally relate to Charlie Brown and I have no idea why more people don't feel the same way. I get depressed, and stressed, and I always get sick (started getting the inevitable cold last night).

I hate the idea that I am obligated to buy presents (usually nothing is what anyone ever even wanted) for a whole list of people. Buying presents just because it's Christmas and I'm expected to give certain people presents.

Not that I don't like to give people presents, but I like to do it in my own way. When I see something during the year that I think someone will like, I get it and give it to them then. I think that is better. It shows that I was thinking about them and they get something that they actually like instead of a sweater from Macy's.

I also don't like getting presents. I always feel very weird and embarrassed and awkward. And, when it's something that I don't even want and I have to pretend that I'm happy to have received it... Honestly, I can't get into it.

From the moment that I start seeing Christmas stuff in the stores (it was barely past Labor Day this year) the weight comes down on my shoulders. And the music... ARGH! Bugs me. Big time.

I'm sure there are more people out there like me & Charlie Brown. Maybe even more of us than people like my mother who seem to live for Christmas. Don't you think?

Travel

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 21:13:39 GMT

So, I've sort of come to accept that I don't really like to travel. I've always sort of felt like this was a wrong way to think because so many people (my friends and family) love to travel. But then I heard my cousin say very non-challantly that she didn't like to travel, that she thought it was a waste of money, that she would rather vacation at her own house & spend the money on improvements to her house/lifestyle. And I thought- I'm the same way.

I like sleeping in my own bed and not living out of a suitcase. I hate flying and don't like the inconvenience of not being in my normal environment.

So, with that said, when my boss offered to send me to San Diego in January, I was about to say no, then I realized- it's San Diego in January. I would be a fool to decline from an offer of warmth & sunshine during that VERY cold month. So, I decided to go. And I decided to go by myself. I could have brought my family, or at least my husband, but as much as I love them, I would rather have a couple of days to myself. I hardly ever get 10 minutes to myself, let alone days. So I was actually kind of excited at the thought of going by myself. Is that bad? And I'd probably just want to watch TV in the room at night & order room service. Am I totally pathetic to fly all the way across the country to be in a hotel room by myself, watching TV and liking it?

More work issues

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:32:52 GMT

So, there is someone I work with who always complains about how much work we have to do. It is not always a bad thing since me and my boss are pretty much always like "Yes, sure, we can do that" when we are already over our workload limit. However, last week my boss asked if 2 new departments could get this month end report. I was like, we could probably do it, but they wouldn't be able to get some of the information, we would need to discuss it & see if it's worth it. This other co-worker then proceeded to write this 3 page email about all the issues involved in providing this report to these other people & that there are other departments that we have data on but that we don't give the report to. Blah, blah, blah (I'll try to keep this short). So then my boss said she wanted it for the 2 and the other one VOLUNTEERED that if we were going to do it for the 2, we could do it for the rest. Then spent 2 (count them two) days working on it and kept complaining the whole time and sent out a snippy email to my boss (who is on vacation) complaining about the time it took to put this report out (not that anyone told her to do it and no one said it had to be out right away).

All I could think of was watching The Tick the other week & the Tick saying "Don't be a cry baby, be a try baby." (which Marty thought was great & keeps saying it- which is very funny)

Do you think she would be offended if I said that to her?

[insert nodding head here]

Birthdays

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 16:55:21 GMT

It's Marty's 5th birthday today. He'll have a party at school, a party tonight with us, a party tomorrow with his friends and a party on Sunday with my parents, and will get presents on all 3 days.

Until I actually had a child and know what the mother goes through, I was totally for giving people gifts on their birthdays. Now I know better. It is more just to give the presents to the person's mother seeing as they did all the work!

Do you think I could change the custom?

time

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 15:20:30 GMT

So, I'm wondering if I'm just a control freak & overreacting. But I have a thing about being on time. If I'm supposed to be somewhere at a certain time, I show up at that time. I don't like being late, and if I am running late, I feel rushed and stressed for hours after.

There seems to be a very lax attitude towards what time our more recent hires feel they need to be at work. They seem to feel that working 8:30 to 5 means more like 8:45 to 4:40. My boss is pretty flexible and lets us make our own hours basically. Like 1 person works 4 10 hour days, another works on Sunday & has Wednesdays off, I work 8-4:30, another works 8:30-5, etc. It's supposed to be a professional office, so if you have to leave early, not a problem, if you have to work late, it's expected. No overtime, no docking of hours, etc.

So, am I wrong to get annoyed that people don't feel like they need to show up on time on a regular basis? Or work thier full day on a regular basis? Am I overreacting? Is it just me with this time issue, or is it them? Argh!!

Career Development

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:51:21 GMT

So, someone at work was fired on Tuesday. This means that we have to re-post her position (she only started in August) and we have to train the new person, which for this type of job can take a LONG time. In the interim, her responsibilities have been divvied up again. I am now responsible for 2 software systems. My boss called me into her office and said that before we post to replace this person, she is going to tweak the job description and make a dotted line reporting structure so this new person would report to/answer to me regarding these 2 systems, but basically I will be the owner of them. Or as she put it "the strategic thinker".

For those of you who don't know, I recently hired my first subordinate. Just a part time student to help me with part of my work, but it's the first actual supervisory role that I've ever formally had. Now, I'm supposed to be expanding on that & will have to have oversight of this other role that has always been set up as a peer, although I am supposed to back-up that role.

I'm not sure how I feel about that. I've been trying to distance myself from these systems because I wanted to move more into the financial side of things. The plan was that I would move some items off my plate & give them to the student, then I would have time to take some stuff from Lydia, who would then be able to take some stuff from Wanda, who needs to pay more attention to the Director role & not do so much of the actual work. But if I'm going to be the owner of the systems, then I think it would put a monkey wrench in the middle of the plan. I think. I guess I need to talk to my boss about it, but she's gone until next week. I don't think I could do it all. At least not without going crazy. Or crazier.

Before the Rain

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 19:22:10 GMT

So, there is this 10+ year old foreign film called "Before the Rain" by Milcho Manchevski. I own a copy on tape and have seen it a few times. We hadn't watched it in a while so we watched it the other night and I have to say, this movie bothers me.

It's well made and well acted, the cinemetography is good, etc. The story is even pretty interesting. But CONFUSING. On the cover and in the preview the makers state "Once you know the faces, you will begin to understand the story." (Begin being the key word I think.) They state a few times in the movie that "Time never ends; The circle is not round".

Has anyone seen this movie? Is it supposed to make sense? Have some sort of deep meaning or something. Unless I am totally clueless (which I won't rule out as a possibilty) I bagan to understand the story, but I don't think I will fully understand the story. Therefore, it bothers me. There's no closure. There is no timeline. Or rather there is a @#$(@*-up time line. I'm a pretty literal girl. I admit it. I took the Myers-Briggs test and I'm pretty linear and practical. I have trouble finding hidden meanings. I remember in high school I argued with my English teacher over a true/false question on a test for "Death of A Salesman". The question was "Does Willie's garden bear fruit" I said no, because it was a vegetable garden, not a fruit garden. (Can you see how my mind works?) My English teacher just shook his head at me. Which you might be doing now too. I get that a lot.

So anyway, if anyone has any insight into this movie please let me know. It would be much appreciated.