I'd rather be a free man in my grave

photo dump

2010-10-18T17:13:00.001-07:00

I really need to get a dslr.

oh lord, stuck in Lodi again

2010-09-19T20:10:00.001-07:00

I bought a cookbook when we moved into this house and I love it. It's the Moosewood Cookbook and tonight I am having black bean soup. You know how hunters get really excited about killing deer and eating them? I get that excited about eating plants. This black bean soup has red onions and carrots and green pepper and orange juice in it. I love eating colorful soups that I have to chew.

Bobby's birthday was on Friday. We had a birthday dinner at Larry's parents' house. He smashed a cupcake everywhere. I smashed a cupcake on my face and when I leaned in to get a picture, he started eating the icing off my face. Then we had his party and it was so much fun. I officially like his birthday more than my own.

I have Creedence songs stuck in my head. Awesome. Except I don't think "Lodi" is a very good lullaby. Sorry buddy.

My spindle's sweet spot.

2010-08-28T09:33:00.001-07:00

So about a year ago I signed up for a fiber club's waiting list and got my first shipment last week. I unpacked my spinning wheel and found out I need to get some oil for it before I can use it, so I'm still using my spindle for now. I tried to spin a worsted weight yarn and it was fine until the spindle got just enough fiber on it to get wobbly and it was not fun.

Then it hit me - the only reason I can spin a certain weight of yarn is because that's the groove I get into with that spindle. no wonder people collect spindles with different weights! I can't wait to get my wheel set up so I have more options. I wound up the yarn I had spun on my wrist, plied it, and knit a swatch. I definitely want to spin thinner on this spindle. I think I'm going to start knitting swatches and hanging them up on a clothesline by my desk.

Radio, what's new? Radio, someone still loves you!

2010-07-27T19:55:00.001-07:00

99.7 hasn't played classic rock in a long time. We were flipping through the channels last week and landed on it. It's called Gen X radio. It has Mix 93.3's DJs from the mid to late 90s and they play the same music they did then, too. Kelly Urich made a joke about it yesterday.

I used to wonder what the oldies stations would play when I was my parents' age. Well, I'm 23 years old and that radio station is called Gen X Radio. I also used to wonder what it would be like to be around during the height and fall of the Roman empire. Then the stock market went tits up. Huh.

I went to school today to talk to Elijah about signing up for classes again. He saw me and smiled and then saw Bobby and said, "HI! I was wondering what was keeping your mom so busy!" Going back to school is a good decision. I have to make a big decision in the next couple of days though - Art History or Intro to Astronomy with Blue. I need to take Art History and I need to take another science class. I guess it all depends on how soon I can graduate. Probably not in three semesters, so watch out Astronomy (and Blue), HERE I COME!

Probably the weirdest part is that Elijah takes me seriously. I don't take myself seriously, I didn't take school seriously the first time around, and I don't expect other people to take my school work seriously. Not an artist, brah. Except...there's someone taking me seriously, so I guess I better set some expectations and live up to 'em.

Inspiration turned into motivation turned into sitting on my couch and staring out the window.

2010-07-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

I'm waiting for the laundry to be done to do the dishes. Nothing pisses me off more than fluctuating water pressure. Larry hates it when I leave things in mugs, but I keep forgetting not to do it because I don't mind cleaning it out when I do the dishes. He'll do the dishes while the washing machine is on, but I won't touch them. Chores hate hate hate.

I'm going back to school this fall. I'm a little scared. It's gonna be expensive to set me up. Gotta spend money to make money, right? Something like that. Still, it absolutely terrifies me to plop down a bunch of money on a camera and computer and Photoshop, but it's not like I'm going to major in history or something. And it can't be any more expensive than shelling out for film and paper. Cue David Spade saying, "Yikes". Or is it, "Yikes."?

I finished some yarn today. I washed my new swim suit. I think the washer is done so I need to get on with these stupid chores. I can't wait to live in a house that doesn't have carpet.

I see my light come shining

2010-07-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

Today I finally made perfect pancakes. They're apple cinnamon and they're delicious.

Last night we went to go see Levon Helm. Kat and Pam and I were right up close in front of him! it was really awesome. Then I had to go to the back and nurse Bobby and sing to him for the rest of the show. I don't think I can listen to "It Makes No Difference" anymore. I hadn't listened to it in a couple of years and I definitely hadn't listened to it since Bobby was born. Turns out that song is exactly what I was feeling the night he was born and I was at home and he was in the hospital and I didn't know if he was going to live or not. I got all weepy and ran inside where I couldn't hear it anymore. I got all weepy again when they sang "I Shall Be Released" because I used to sing that to Bobby a lot when he was in the hospital. I used to sing "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Thunder Road" a lot, too. Those were the only songs whose words I could remember.

So this morning we've been watching The Last Waltz and eating these pancakes and having a great time. I love this guy.

No I'm not doing alright, I'm just as stupid and desperate as I've always been

2010-06-10T21:19:00.000-07:00

Today I was listening to "The Night's Disguise" by Rocky Votolato and quit singing in the middle because I only knew the words to the first verse and the chorus. Then I started the album from the beginning on my way home to the grocery store and pulled into my driveway right at the beginning of the second verse of that song. Suddenly it all made sense.

Check out that sweet shirt Larry got me today. Check out that sweet shawl I'm knitting for his grandma. It's a bribe so she'll tell me the family lore.

And I finally finished socks for Vicki. Do you have any idea how hard it is to take pictures of your own feet with a webcam?

I'm just bumming around waiting for Bobby to wake up. OH THERE HE IS, BYE!!

sup blogosphere.

2010-05-27T06:14:00.000-07:00

I think I still like my wordpress blog better, but I don't ever update that, either. I feel very odd commenting on my friends' blogs with a dead blog, so I guess I'll get to it. When's the last time I updated this thing, like two years ago? CRAZY. SHIT HAS GONE CRAZY SINCE THEN.

I:

still bake bread, still knit, still spin, HAD A BABY, drink a lot of coffee (I just typed log of coffee. I don't know how I feel about changing that.), listen to a lot of records, eat a lot of delicious food, and help out at the community garden.

I think I'd rather talk about my current projects, that sounds like a lot more fun an a recap of the past two years.

I'm making a brown and blue cotton basket. It's pretty small. I think when it's done, I'm going to fill it with dirt and grow some pretty flowers or some catnip or something.

I'm working on socks for Vicki and a shawl for Larry's grandma.

I'm working on socks for me.

I'm learning how to plant and take care of vegetables. I won't lie, this is the one I'm most excited about. COMMUNITY GARDEN!! New friends, new skillz. I planted carrots and flowers in my yard, too.

Today I have to do a bunch of laundry during naptime so I can be presentable when I go apply for jobs. I wish I didn't have to re-braid my hair. I love my pigtails the best on the second day. I think tomorrow during naptime, I'll take some pictures of these projects.

This is what I made today:

2008-09-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

wheat bread!!!

it's crusty, thick, and delicious. We're going to have grilled cheese and tomato soup!

ayep.

2008-09-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

Your result for Reincarnation Placement Exam...

Reclusive Artist

We think we've found a place for you.

Your answers indicate that you're very fond of the fruits of civilization... for example, education and technology. But, in some twist of irony, you're not too fond of the pressures of civilization... you know, human beings and crowds and working together. We found you a place where you could enjoy an erudite existence, live a life that's intriguing and not entirely secure -- but far from the madding crowd.

Removed from civilization and humanity, yet educated and sophisticated, you'll make the perfect reclusive artist... An eccentric that produces irresistibly attractive masterpieces. Your art will make people swoon, and yet you will despise your audience. Your audience will probably dislike you as well, though they will go on admiring your work. So it all balances out, and your patrons will leave you alone to shape beauty in the wild, dangerous parts of the world where people won't pester you so much. Probably, you will write under a pseudonym, and mutter a lot when a rare admirer comes calling. If you feel really adventurous, you can pursue the role of a political dissident.

As you age, you will grow into the role of an incorrigible curmudgeon.

You artists, you're all the same.

Take Reincarnation Placement Exam at HelloQuizzy

This probably would've been a lot funnier if I hadn't seen it coming.

here's my yarns

2008-09-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hey blog, it's been a minute. I'll probably write a lot more when NaNoWriMo starts up. I'm doing that this year, and I can't wait. I've been busy working on my portfolio. Check out what I was able to photograph before it started raining. They're messy because they're mock-ups. I just took some snapshots with the digital camera to get an idea of what the pictures I took with my Nikkormat would look like. The film pictures are much cleaner.

I dyed and spun this yarn. I started making Garter Stitch Mitts for Ali and then I lost the other ball of yarn. I don't think this will be enough, but we'll see.

That's some Bonkers tencel and merino I spun up and Navajo plied.

Here's some generic gray wool, my very first singles yarn!

Berroco Ultra Alpaca I dyed.

I dyed and spun this. It'll self stripe. I'm thinking a headband would be nice.

HHHH questionaire

2008-07-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

1. How long have you been spinning? What skill level do you consider yourself?

about a year and a half; beginner

2. What kinds of yarn do you create (singles/2-ply/3-ply/art yarn)?

two-ply yarn between fingering and DK or worsted weight 3-ply
3. What do you spin with (spindle/wheel/both)?

spindle

4. What are your favorite fibers to spin with? Anything you don't like?

My favorite is wool. I don't really like plant fibers.

5. Who are your favorite ~~crack dealers~~ fiber sources (etsy or otherwise)?

I don't have any preference.
6. What kind of fiber do you want to try?

I like sampling different breeds of sheep.

7. Is there any techniques you would like to learn?

No.

8. Do you dye fiber? If not, would you like to learn?

I dye fiber.

9. Do you have fiber prep tools (and like to use them) or would you prefer ready to spin fiber?

No.

10. What do you do with your handspun? What projects have you completed?

I knit with it. I have completed one sock and one garter stitch mitt.

11. Are you in need of any spinning gadgets (WPI Gauge, threading hook, etc)?

a WPI gauge would be nice.
12. What colors "fall into your shopping basket"? Any colors you just can't stand?

Look outside. If it's alive, I love it. I don't like neon colors or pastels.

13. What is on your wheel/spindle right now?

Shetland wool! I just finished a 2 oz skein and it is a 3-ply worsted weight yarn coming in at 50 yds.

14. What other crafts/hobbies do you have?

none.
15. Other than crafts, what are you passionate about?

I like records and books.

16. Do you have an online wishlist?

no

17. Is there anything that you collect?

Records
18. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What magazine subscriptions do you have?

Nope. I don't have any magazine subscriptions, either.
19. When is your birthday?

April 13

20. What book or movie character do you most resemble in personality?

none really come to mind...

21. What is the climate like where you live around this time (need to know for careful shipments of anything meltable)?

Summer time. It will be hot and humid.

22. Tell us one weird fact about yourself!

I've never seen Star Wars and I have no real desire to remedy this.

Favorites
favorite painting/picture(link):

Candy: chocolate

Food: pasta

Drink: coffee

Movie(s): The Harder They Come

TV Show(s): I don't have a TV.

Book(s): The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Guilty Pleasure(s): celebrity gossip.

yaaaaaay knitting.

2008-06-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

I can't really listen to music lately, so I've been listening to the noise the construction workers are making and traffic outside instead. It's too uncomfortable to try and use headphones with the computer because the headphone cord isn't long enough, and we need a new needle for our record player. I don't feel like listening to any of my CDs, either. Last night I was walking through Westport and I heckled a band playing at some bar. They started playing a honky tonk version of "Under The Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers. I yelled "WRONG!" and kept walking. I did it again a few hours later when we were watching people sing karaoke. Some guy dedicated his song to "the working class people in the crowd toNIGHT!" and I said, "THIS BETTER BE SPRINGSTEEN!" I wasn't even drunk. It was Dolly Parton.

Fiber work is going along swimmingly. Take a look:

I got that at Misknits last Saturday. She was having a drawing for her WWKIP party and I won! It's Trekking Handpaint and I'm going to make some socks for my dad.

I bought this that day, too. It's Plymouth Happy Feet. I'm making these socks.

There's one of those Garter Stitch Mitts out of my handspun. It's knitting up so nicely, I have to say.

I've been working on this one sock for the past year, probably. I just got so bored with it. I started the other one immediately, and then got drunk and lost my fourth needle. cool, huh.

From top to bottom: two-ply, traditional three-ply, and Navajo-plied yarns. This is from that pink and brown roving I dyed a few weeks ago. I was plying on my spindle, and it was such a pain to keep the plies straight. On top of that, Puck, my kitten, thought I needed help. Finally I decided to make three baby skeins, and since these are for show and not for knitting anyway, it doesn't matter.

I'm so nervous about applying to KU. What if I don't get in? What will I do then? I hate Lawrence. I don't want to live there. I don't want Larry to have to live there for no reason. He hates it more than I do. It's started creeping into my dreams. Oh well. Only one more month and a half in Kansas City, and then we move. Better not let that sneak up on me.

and the poets don't write nothing at all, they just stand back and let it all be

2008-05-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

Jungleland : Bruce Springsteen

have you heard that sax solo?

That was about as far as I got before I realized I can't knit for a while. I must have strained a muscle in my wrist while plying handspun. I keep trying to sneak a few rounds in here or there and it's only making it worse. oh well, I guess. I have a new book to read anyway:

I'd rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave

2008-05-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff

If only I could find that on vinyl. I would be incredibly happy. Right now I'm listening to The Best of Tommy James and the Shondells. I'm really into 60s and 70s pop right now. I don't really get it, but I'm not exactly making an effort to fight it, either.

This semester in school kicked my ass. I had Foundations of Philosophy, second semester Elementary German, Nazi Occupied Europe and the Holocaust, and printmaking. It was rough and made me realize that I don't want to do anything that doesn't have something to do with fiber. I confused liking the people in the printmaking program with liking the process itself. I did that in high school when I did forensics. Here's the pretty sweet thing though: I need a 3.0 to transfer to KU's School of Design for their Textile Design program. I thought my GPA would take a hit after this semester and I'd have to play catch up real quick...Nuh uh! My cumulative GPA is 3.004. I WIN.

Ooh, and now that I don't have to spend all of my waking hours homeworking, working, in class, eating, or showering, I actually had time to get all my projects together, photograph them, and upload them.

Is that a picture of a Wavy Feathers Wimple or a picture of my dog?

Clapotis for a friend. Brown Sheep Serendipity Tweed, 60/40 wool/cotton blend. I'm pleasantly surprised with this since I usually hate knitting with cotton.

Pomatomus. Brown Sheep Wildfoote, size 0 needles. I'm further along now, and I like how the yarn compliments the pattern.

I can't stop wearing this hat. Or that sweater. The hat is Felicity. My best friend got me those pins, aren't they great? The sweater is that Tangled Yoke Cardigan. I used Rowan Felted Tweed, and sometimes when I think about the terrible job I had when I bought that yarn, I like to remind myself that the sweater is completely worth it.

Those are my Jaywalkers. I used Sundara sock yarn for them and size 0 needles. They're really comfy, but they're getting beat up on the underside of the foot and heel. I like to wear them with my cardigan even though they don't really match.

Merino handspun. I dyed the wool with Jacquard dyes and spun it on my drop spindle. There are about 200 yards of light worsted there. It's slowly becoming a pair of Garter Stitch Mitts for Ali.

That's a sock for Larry chillin' with the Big Man. Do I really need to say more?

Tomorrow is Saturday. I love Saturdays. I get up whenever I feel like it, turn on a Motown record, and sing along as loudly as I can, all the while changing the words in the songs so they are about my dog. He gets a kick out of it.

I like Christmas.

2007-12-17T14:25:00.001-08:00

I really like Christmas music, no matter how cool I pretend to be. My very favorites are "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". I even like going to church on Christmas morning because I like hearing people sing "O Come All Ye Faithful" in Latin. Being raised Catholic and ending up an atheist sometimes leaves me as a mess of contradiction.

This year I keep thinking about my mom. There was a park down the street from my house growing up, and every year on the first Friday in December, Santa Claus came on a big red fire truck. There were two giant slides inside tents of Santa and Frosty the Snowman, a nativity petting zoo, and hot chocolate and a band that played Christmas carols and everyone stood around and sang along. I wore all the scarves my mom ever crocheted me and then usually one that she made herself in the 70s. and then we would walk back home and be warm and drink more hot chocolate. Sometimes it even snowed.

I'm happy, happiest I've been in years. I've finally gotten to the point where I remember things about my mom, besides that she died. I remember things we did together and funny things she used to say. I remember making things for her and the way she made me feel like I was the most important thing to her. The best part is I remember her treating my sister the same way she treated me.

Speaking of my sister, here's the hat I knit for her:

She wanted a hat with earflaps. I used to know a girl who had a hat like this that was crocheted. The very first time I saw her with it, I knew I would eventually have to knit one.

There's a shot of the button.

I used Lamb's Pride worsted for it, and it was a good choice. It's soft and warm. I was a little perplexed about how to pick up earflaps that wouldn't be obvious, so ribbing was out. I poked around the internet and found a hat with a garter stitch band. GENIUS. So that's what I did. Garter stitch band and earflaps, and soon a sister who looks like a pixie.

Ooooh, I'm so glad my Sundara yarn came! It's so beautiful. Of course, the yarn is shinier and has more depth in person. It's called "Copper over Bamboo", and I think it looks like the inside of a ripe pomegranate.

Here's some spinning I'm working on. Larry and I went to Lawrence last weekend to buy presents for our wedding party (records!) and I picked up a batch of roving from the Yarn Barn. It's Bonkers superwash Merino and it will be socks.

Larry really loves my cat. Right now, she's being completely adorable and stretched out completely on her tummy on this very same blanket. I'm going to take a picture of it for next post.

Guess what I did last night!!!

2007-10-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

Why yes, as a matter of fact, I did run into Tom Brokaw as I was leaving the Bruce Springsteen concert. I can't really get over that. I saw one of my heroes, and he ROCKED.

I watched High Fidelity for the first time and felt obligated to make my very own list of All Time, Top Five Favorite records. Here they are:

5. London Calling - The Clash
4. Let It Be - The Beatles
3. Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars - David Bowie
2. Music From Big Pink - The Band
1. Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen

Let's take stock here. I can't see the Clash; Joe Strummer is dead. Can't see the Beatles; John Lennon's been dead since before I was born and George Harrison died when I was in high school. Paul McCartney was my first concert, though. I saw David Bowie in 2003; complete and total soul revival. Can't see The Band; Richard Manuel and Rick Danko are dead and Robbie Robertson is an asshole. And last night, I saw Bruce Springsteen.

DID YOU HEAR THAT?

I sang along with one of my heroes last night. Now I understand why my dad follows the Moody Blues around and takes my family to go see them every time they're around. I get it. I sang, "You ain't a beauty, but hey, you're alright" and "It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win" and "You can't start a fire worrying about your little world falling apart" with Bruce Springsteen and a few ten thousand other people.

Which brings me to my next point: There are certain artists (a loosely defined term; used here to mean anyone who has ever recorded a hit record, regardless of any artistic merit) who are famous for their hits because they are nice to look at, whether they are artistically important or not. Then there are artists who have hits because they write brilliant songs that everyone likes. I'm not very well versed in Springsteen outside of Born to Run. It is a personal failing of mine that needs to be corrected, because he has a wealth of material, but I just can't see how I'll ever find the time for it. I need to digest Bruce Springsteen. "Backstreets" has been one of my favorite songs since I first heard it when I was 18. I didn't look up the lyrics until a month or so ago. before then, I got too caught up in the SOUND of the song, of his voice, of all of the instruments playing at once to pay attention to the song itself. That's what last night was like. I knew I wouldn't know most of what he played, whether I recognized it or not, and I knew I would still have an amazing time because I love the sheer noise of the E Street Band. So I sang along to the hits and rocked out as hard as I could (unfortunately, not hard enough as I was quite sick) during the rest of the concert. And it took me until today to really digest it and realize that I saw one of my heroes last night. It will take me years to fully appreciate the rest of his records, and I'm not done with my love affair with Born to Run.

I can't believe he played "Thunder Road". I listen to that song every time I need to feel better. Usually, I listen to it when I'm going to work so that it'll be stuck in my head and I can hum it to myself. It gives me whatever I need to get through the day.

Phyllis Dillon

2007-10-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

Hello blog how are you?

My favorite part in any song ever recorded is the first time John Lennon sings the line, "Let it be" in the song. In fact, I didn't even know the Beatles had any other albums until I was 12 or so. I guess I did, since I knew that a bunch of the Paul McCartney songs we listened to were Beatles songs, but we had a copy of Let It Be and a copy of Abbey Road that we never listened to. Let It Be was a staple for roadtrips and every Saturday morning when we cleaned the house. My boyfriend got me a first pressing copy of Let It Be for my birthday last April. I'm listening to it right now. I put it on every time I clean.

I knit sometimes. I even have an FO. I knit Foliage from knitty. I changed the border to seed stitch in an effort to make it fit better. No dice, but it does look nice (and fit well!) with the brim flipped up. I guess I'll just have to accept the fact that I'm kind of small, not average like I'd always thought. It's fitting, though. Small kid, small adult.

I got a cat today. Her name is Phyllis Dillon. She likes to cuddle. Now I understand why Germans say "cozy cat" about people who cuddle up on you to be friendly.

Sometimes I find myself thinking in German, or even forgetting the English word in favor of a German one. That's kind of odd to me, since I've only been taking German for a month and a half, but it is sweet to actually be learning a language. Ihre name ist Phyllis Dillon. Once, I was talking with a friend and couldn't remember the English word for österreich (Austria). She spent some time in Sweden and picked up some German and I eventually spat out Austria.

I do knit sometimes. Maybe when I'm not too busy, I'll post pictures.

Just notify my next of kin

2007-05-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

I hate art. Hate it, hate it, hate it. I don't understand why I am going to go to art school next year. Not even real art school, like an art institute. Columbia College in Chicago. Fake art school, here I come!

I am going to be an art teacher. Specifically, a high school photography. Last night I was thinking about it, and how what I really want to impress on my potential students (who, in all likelihood, haven't even been born yet) is that just because you took a good picture doesn't mean you created art, and just because you created art doesn't mean it's a good picture. Art is subjective. You can get away with a lot, and you can get away with even more if you can explain yourself.

I am friends with some very talented artists. They include photographers and painters, drawers and printmakers. The thing that separates them from the rest is that they have personalities outside of their art. That sounds hypocritical to type; I will talk about knitting, fiber, or spinning to anyone who will listen. I love to wander through art museums. I can't stand the pretension anymore. I can't stand the bullshit. I hate most of my fellow artists, and I hate calling myself an artist.

In other news, I finished spinning probably my most beautiful yarn to date. There is one fiber shop in all of Kansas City, and it is owned by a very nice woman whose name I can't ever remember. Naturally, I am a repeat customer. Last week, I picked up a gorgeous merino/alpaca/silk blend with intent to dye. I followed a tutorial for nice, muted color changes (which can be found here) and painted my roving green, brown, a different shade of brown, and a nice reddish orange. Then I dyed the whole thing brown and spun it up. I pulled the roving into strips, and corresponded the strips with the color that I'd used last. I just realized as I finished Navajo-plying that I'd made my very first (subtle) self-striping yarn. The pattern is an ABCDDCBA pattern, and I can't wait to knit it up.