Scared Sheep

Coming back

2009-04-22T18:23:00.002-04:00

I feel like I've been swallowed up by... everything and nothing. I don't really have a reason that I went away from my blog, but I'm going to try taking it back now!

So much has happened in my life. After a horrible personal tragedy and subsequent horrible treatment by my direct manager at the bank where I worked, I finally had to quit (after really trying very hard to get transferred). That's all I really have to say about that. Back to working retail. Clothing this time, which is funny because I really haven't been one for "fashion" in general.
There's been monumental good things happening too - my boyfriend and I are now happily engaged (6 months and still no wedding plans! I guess you won't have to worry about this being a wedding blog!), and I'm looking forward to becoming an Aunt in a few months!

After a long knitting hiatus (probably matching my blogging hiatus), I'm also back to that.

Pictures to follow (some things never change). Meanwhile... I did knit one of these for the upcoming neice/nephew! It turned out really well, and I was so excited that I gifted it as soon as it was done and don't even have pictures!

Here

2007-07-27T10:06:00.001-04:00

Right now every one of my Will To Live molecues are being spent on this One-Foot-In-Front-of-the-Other business. You can imagine how inspiring that is.

Going to be a Busy Weekend

2007-06-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

Woo! This is tonight (Drunken Knitters on the patio),
and this is tomorrow (knitters take to the TTC).
Also, boyfriend's family will be visiting this weekend.
Going to be fun!

And more on a Wednesday

2007-05-23T23:01:00.000-04:00

Today at the bank a woman - didn't look that much older then me - came in for some US cash. As I waited for my co-worker to get some more US from lock up, I chatted with the woman. She was going to Vegas, for work. They were sending her to a film festival. She told me how much she loves her unpredictable, crazy film industry job and laughs that she could never stand "this sort of thing", meaning my regular steady bank job.
I smile politely and count her money for her before wishing her a good day, good luck and fun in Las Vegas. She heads out the doors into the sun.

I want to shout after her, "This isn't me either!"

Instead I say, "I can help the next person, please."

Everything on Friday

2007-05-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

This Friday looks like a big day! I really want to participate in all this Yarn Harlot-y activity, but there are family things to be done. Boyfriend's grandparents want us over for dinner. And later, I have to head out to Oshawa for my own family's yard sale extravagenza this weekend. If I can't arrange to leave the grandparent dinner in time to catch a train for Oshawa (that will arrive at a reasonable enough hour that people will pick me up from the station), then I'll have to skip it... which will mean I can maybe catch some of the Harlot-y Indigo action. Which would be sweet.

All this assuming I don't get my "on call" at that retail job. If I do, then I won't be able to do anything, and will in fact not be able to go to Oshawa until saturday... which would mean getting up at some unspeakable hour to be there in time to help set up - the plan is for the sale to be ready to go for 8am. Oi!

Oh, did I mention? This friday is the last possible shift at the retail job. I gave notice earlier this month. I may already be done, if I don't get that on call!

I promised photos this week - and I'm actually delivering!

2007-05-04T09:13:00.001-04:00

Here we have it:
The scotty dog stuffie I made the Boyfriend for Valentines

I think the pattern was from either this blog or this one but now I can't seem to find it. If you know, please remind me so I can post a proper link! This weekend we may be dog sitting the real thing - the Boyfriend's parent's scotty, Cleo. Lookout guinea pigs!

Does this little piggie look like she has a care in the world?

Lulu, sprawled out as she wakes up from a nap. After all the fancy houses we've bought our piggies, would you believe this is their favorite?

PHOTOS TO COME - LATER THIS WEEK!

2007-05-03T09:25:00.000-04:00

Getting ready for a long day of work, both job#1 and #2. I have decided against bathing... which I may regret around noon... but that's how we roll here. Dammit, why can't I have a job that lets me show up looking like some punky teenager? Dressing up is crap.
Ok, maybe I'll shower. MAYBE.

Job#2 is soo getting my notice soon (Job#2 being "old job" - the one with the crappy pay, crappy hours, and no benifits).

I've been knitting lately - Fetching wristwarmer dealies from Knitty (too lazy to link - doesn't everybody know this pattern by now anyways?) I finished them and realized that the second one, the one I knit without the pattern, is an inch shorter then the first one. Guess I'll be knitting a third soon. Also, at the opening for my fingers, I knit ribbing after the cable row and cast off normally. Looks like that will prevent the curling I see in some photos quite nicely.

Also knitting a hat. Yay! Too bad I won't be able to wear it for months and months (actually, not too bad - bring on the summer!)

A post really wouldn't kill me...

2007-04-19T22:22:00.000-04:00

So sorry to my hoards of fans! So many reasons for not posting - working insane hours at two jobs and trying to keep my apartments/pets/family ties nice and tight... and also just plain lazy as far as switching my Flickr account over to Yahoo!

As of tonight my Flickr account is taken care of (too sleepy to post photos tonight, but they'll come soon). Also, as of, er, last monday, my job demands have become more resonable (one whole day off every single week!), and, well... really that's all. Things should be easier to manage. Hey, I've even started knitting again.

Somehow I've succumbed to the "allure" of cammoflague. I don't know how it happened. I was in what may be the last Lewiscraft ever, and there was this ball of yarn... great greens and browns. I was fully aware of how this would knit up... and yet... somehow, the idea of a pair of armwarmers or wristbands knit up in that yarn was irresistable. So that's what I'm knitting right now. Clearly, I was desperate. Oh well! I think they'll look awsome when they're done, and I'll be working on them tomorrow night when I go to a little get together (thanks for the reminder Yvette!).

cruddity

2007-03-09T20:40:00.000-05:00

Tonight's a drunken knit night and I'm too wiped out to go. I'm on my 13th straight day of work, and have another 4 weeks worth left to go. Who thought this would be a good idea? Oh right, I did.

Last night we took our guinea pigs to their first vet visit. We suspected Ginger of having mites. The vet couldn't 100% confirm it, but recommended treating her for them anyhow (if they don't have mites, the only damage done is to my wallet, if they do have them, they will be greatly relieved.) I say "they" because if one has it, they both need to be treated. Ka-ching.
Our follow up visit for the second (and hopefully last) shots is next weekend.

I haven't knit since who knows when.

But I'm sketching again (this is a profound and wonderful thing).

Moving right along at a brisk pace....

2007-02-26T18:45:00.000-05:00

Friday: Got the materials and made a bigger, better cage for the guinea pigs (who were getting a little cranky with each other).

Lulu looks up from her relaxin', Ginger on her way over to investigate the camera
The new cage is a good bit larger, and topless (hello googlers) to allow easy acess to the girls (oh dear).
We tried bedding them down on towels as I'd read it would make clean up easier... but without investing the time into creating the layers of different materials... it was just smellier.

Saturday:
Went to the Toronto Auto Show.

I like the concept cars

Sunday: worked the old job

Monday: Started the new job.... ooo! I think it'll be fun.... new and scary (in a good way).... but fun!

Hopefully I'll get some knitting or sewing time in soon. Between the new Full-Time-For-Now job, and the old part-time, there might not be much hobby time!

Oh Valentine's

2007-02-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day has never been a huge thing in my family. It's also been a holiday to celebrate everyone you love - friends, family... not just your "romantic" interest. Usually it's marked with an exchange of cards and silly Valentine candy.
I sent cards to some friends and my mom and grandparents. I also sewed up a quick bunny (like the one earlier this month) with a heart on the tummy for my mom (sorry, no pic, I'll snap one next time I visit her).

The Boyfriend, on the other hand, tends to pull out all the traditional stops - dinner, flowers, candy, presents... Which is delightful, but I end up feeling guilty for not going as all out for him too.
This year I thought I did pretty good. Two of his favorite chocolate bars, a tin of expensive espresso coffee he's wanted to try, a handmade scottie-dog plushie (picture to come later), and a handmade card. Oooo, I also baked these:

Molton Chocolate cake... actually I made it into cupcakes and cooked it longer/lower temp. so we had very rich - but not gooey - cupcakes. Also... I used my "connections" to get this expires-in-march package for $6, instead of the regular $36. Sooo good... but my budgeting would never allow for buying it full price - dude, it's cake mix

We were going to go to a movie, but the Boyfriend was sick so we stayed in instead. He surprised me by getting me a used game cube and game I wanted. Woah! I was thinking about getting one when I start my new job, but then was starting to wavier in favour of waiting until my birthday in September. The Boyfriend admits he goes all out for Valentine's... but defends himself saying it's the last occasion he has to give me a gift before my birthday... which is suuuuch a long way away!

So, my Old Job messed up my availability... thought I was starting New Job this week... so I had the week off. Tuesday and Wednesday were sooo nice out I did a lot of walking. I'm really aching for spring, so yesterday I stopped by Allan Gardens for a bit:

I woke up this morning to a blizzard.

Recent Events

2007-02-16T15:13:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been trying to be busy and productive this year and I think I've been succeeding.
I've been going to the fitness room in my building more regularly, I've been knitting a little more often, I've taken up a new hobby (sewing), and I'm trying to make a point of practising my driving (gotta get that final, full license before mine expires in July). The very best result of increased commitment to being productive and busy? A new job!
Another part time one unfortunately, but this is one that I could very realistically progress to a full-time position. In a bank. The pay is good. The hours are enough that I will get benifits. Training starts the end of this month and I'm so excited! The training will be full time, so my retail job will be going on the back burner - which is fine by me! As much as I like it, there's really nothing in it for me at that job. It's a dead end, as enjoyable as it may be at times.

Anyhow, you're not interested in that! You're interested in this:

My bunny! Made on my new mini sewing machine, with a pattern from this blog

The bear (Fred) and her superman pjs are from Build-A-Bear Workshop, the hat and the sweater are knit by me!

Fred's bunny hat was knit a while ago (I couldn't bear -haha - to part with it), and the sweater is new. The sweater was adapted from a smaller pattern offered by WeeWondefuls (the blog also linked to above for the bunny pattern). I haven't put the rest of the buttons on the front yet.. I'm kinda diggin' this one-button look.

If anyone wants to know my changes for a Build-a-Bear sized sweater (one size should fit all their stuffed animals), ask me in the comments and I'll get back to you.

Finishing the Showing-off of Chistmas Knits

2007-02-09T13:36:00.000-05:00

Ok, first off... it's my blogging that's slow, not my knitting! All the gifts were knit before Christmas, with the exception of a pair of socks for my Grampa, which was finished early January.

Gifts I knit:
-Turtle Mittens (green and brown for StepDad)
-Frostbite Mittens (Blue and black for Dad)
-Black Mittens (for Boyfriend'sDad)
-Purple Mittens (for a friend)
-Wooly Mittens (a great deep reddish/purplish wool spun by Boyfriend'sMom, and knit for her)
-Kitty for StepMom (from this pattern. Attached to the rest of her gift)
-Plain Black Socks for Grampa

-Bunny for Boyfriend'sSister:

Knit from this bunny pattern. Turned out better then my first one I think. The extra give in the acrylic was more forgiving then the cotton I used previously.

I think that's it! And now that that bit of sharing is over with... my new posts can be about my new projects! I may not have been doing a lot of blogging so far in the new year, but I've done a good bit of knitting!

Why Fix What Isn't Broken?

2007-01-10T10:23:00.000-05:00

I signed on to blogger today, all hyped to change my template. Something clean and crisp and simple and cool. And the I realized... that's kinda what I have. I like this template. Green is periodically a favorite colour. So, I guess the blog doesn't need an overhaul.... just my posting style. I'll get right on that....

I'm Still Here!

2006-12-14T09:37:00.000-05:00

Oh boy... "post in blog" has been on my to-do list for ages! It seems like there's not enough hours in the day! This is just going to be a quick post, but knitting content should follow either later today or tomorrow.

I just had to say... why is it I feel more grown up about calling the superintendent to change a lightbulb then I do about renting an apartment with my boyfriend of 3+ years? Is that not bizarre?

Still late on the posting front...

2006-09-14T14:16:00.000-04:00

Will I never get the hang of regular updates?
Here's some pictures I took at the CNE:

A suspicious looking cow outside the Farm, Food, and Fun building

An odd couple walking around. The big bird stole a little girl's hat, and taunted her by holding it just out of her reach as she jumped for it. The bird only reluctantly gave it back to the woman who was travelling with him.

An amazing sand sculpture in the Farm building. I couldn't believe the detail, and whatever angle you looked at it, there was something new and charming to see. This was my favorite side.

In the building at the CNE with the stables and horses, they did a little lasso and trick riding show. At first my wheel-chair bound love and I didn't see any way we could watch the show over the high barriers surrounding it. Then we noticed a special ramped platform just for wheelchairs! It was in a perfect spot, there was room for quite a few wheelchairs. Unfortunately, a lot of people had ignored the "Wheelchairs Only" sign at the bottom of the ramp and filled the platform and ramp leading up to it. People were very rude as we excused ourselves and firmly made our way to a spot on the platform. In the end we watched the show and enjoyed it. I'm very glad that the CNE was considerate enough to provide the seating, I just wish they maybe had someone around to enforce it a little... The people standing on the ramp were SO rude, like how DARE we try and get to somewhere we can SEE the show in a spot SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED for people who couldn't see it from any other vantage point?

I finished knitting my superhero socks while waiting for the moving truck to arrive at my mom's new house. They're an awsome pair of socks!

I've started knitting a scarf for one of my friends for Christmas, one who I didn't know very well that crazy Christmas where I knit EVERYONE scarves. I'm using this pattern, and think it looks ok so far! There's not much done... tomorrow will be my first day off work in about 8 days straight, so I haven't had a lot of knitting time.

My birthday was yesterday. I worked a late shift that ended around 10, so I didn't do much... that's ok. The day before my birthday my mom came to visit and took me out for dinner and that sort of thing. It was a lot of fun.

I'm so tired, I wish today was my day off, but alas, 4-9:30 tonight! At least I got to sleep in this morning (I never thought I'd ever be calling 8:30am "sleeping in")!

Oh work

2006-08-22T14:45:00.000-04:00

Well, good news - the construction above me (which was actually TWO floors above me, not RIGHT OVER MY HEAD as I originally suspected) is now happening in regular hours, and only seems to be intermittent hammering, no crazy power tools. Awsome!

A friend of mine was in Toronto today and we met up for lunch. I wish she could've stayed longer, we had a good time. I'm glad she called me up!

Work called this afternoon. Filled with dread that they would be cancelling my evening shift today, I asked what they wanted... do I want to do an extra shift in the stock room? Sure! 7AM - 3:30PM... ok! Thanks! Bye.

7AM? Shoot. That's early. It's ok. I need the money, work is just down the street, I can make it alright if I sleep in until 6AM.

Oh boy.

A little letter to the people above me...

2006-08-18T09:27:00.000-04:00

Dear Upstairs Neighbours,

Would you please refrain from starting construction until at least 9 am? Please? From the sounds of things, you're retiling your bathroom right above us. It's nice that you don't start right out with what I'm going to call a "mini jackhammer", but instead ease into it with a hearty round of hammering... but the hammering is still very loud and obnoxious at 6:55 am... it's really not much better then the jackhammering (ok, the hammering is MUCH better then the jackhammering, but either one will wake me up at a time in the morning I don't need to be up). Considering you will go at this all day anyhow, will starting later hinder your progress *that* much? Technically I don't need to be up until 10 most mornings, but I like to think I'm being friendly and compromising to suggest 9.

Please return this friendship by holding off on your workday just a little longer. Enjoy you cup of coffee a little later.

Thank you,

Under Construction

A long post...

2006-08-14T15:36:00.000-04:00

I feel like I've been a very lazy blogger... I have the best intentions when it comes to updating regularly, honest! Everything else just seems to get in the way.

In the past month, I finished my frostbite mittens (named because I ran out of blue partway through the second mitt and switched to black... I think they look ok):

I finished my first "super hero sock" (named for the bright colours):

Check out the little rainbow at the heel:

The second sock is partway done... just about to turn the heel. No pictures of it.

I had to mail a couple letters (one was a birthday card for my Dad, yay Dad!) near the beginning of the month, and look at the neat stamps I bought:

They're just regular old canadian stamps, but very pretty and HUGE. That loonie is in there for scale. I thought it was approprite to include!

A note to my neighbour: Please, PLEASE! On a saturday morning.... just please refrain from pulling out your power tools and/or hammer until after 10am. 8:30am is just not cool.

A note to customers of the store where I work: In an EXPENSIVE store, do not expect a "sale" to mean rock bottom prices. They might become resonable prices, at best.

And to avoid the end of this post being a little negative.... LOOK! Cute guinea pigs!

Ginger and Lulu, very clearly being bribed into a little photo shoot.

Me and the Piggies...

2006-07-28T22:23:00.000-04:00

It's sort of a girls night. Just me and the guinea pigs. The boyfriend left this afternoon to visit his grandparents cottage for the weekend. I'm insanely jealous, but I have to work. *sigh*

I finished the frostbite mittens the other day.

I'm almost to the heel of what I'm calling my "superhero socks".

I had three chicken wings and three cookies for dinner tonight. From the size of the cookies, that's a higher cookie-to-chicken ratio then I'd like to admit. They were homemade though... so that makes it better... right?

I think I better go find a vegetable.

BUGS!

2006-07-22T16:44:00.000-04:00

Eeek!

I was cleaning out my guinea pig cage this morning... As I swept some of the hay/bedding on the floor.... I thought I saw a little bug. But I wasn't sure. It was more likely just another bit of dirt flicked around by the broom. Brushing some old hay off the table (where the pig cage resides), I notice holy smokes, little tiny bugs! Ack! I'm perfectly fine with bugs. I squashed a few with my fingers... trying to deny that there was an infestation. I tracked down the source to the hay. It was quickly contained. I checked the pigs, nothing on them (thank goodness!). I'm not sure whether they're actual harmful bugs or just some little hay-lovin' critters... but I'd rather not take my chances. I'm pitching the rest of the bag (over half *sigh*), and I bought a new one (which I checked carefully). I also sent a frantic email to my mom (a petstore employee who is the source of my piggies' grass) warning her about it and asking her to check the bags she just recently picked up for me, that she was planning to bring the next time we visit. Oh the drama! The oblivious pigs were rather put-off about the bug-checking.

In knitting news... you know that blue mitten I was knitting? I finished it last week at a knit night (where it then proceeded to make out with a rainbow sock), and started it's mate. Unfortunatly, I've run out of blue yarn. Sooo... half of the second mitt will be knit in black. I'm calling them my "frost bite mittens". Classy.

Lots of Project Pictures!

2006-07-14T16:45:00.000-04:00

I'm really trying to keep updating regularly - honest! I've been busy with work, and trying to find more (clearly, a part-time job cannot sustain a person for long... must find either a second part-time, or replacement full-time job to pick up some slack). Also busy with trying to get all some dental stuff done before my super-cool insurance coverage is up. Finally, busy with knitting!

A man-sized pair of black mittens

A little gift all ready for Christmas! And in the spirit of striking while the iron is hot:

up to the thumb on another pair of man-sized mittens
I really like this mitten pattern. It's really quick. Each mitten is knit flat on straight needles, and once they're cast-off, you just fold the mitten over, and seam up the one side. I imagine it would be really easy to line mittens like this with some warm flanel or something - just sandwich the lining inbetween and do a little extra sewing.

mmm, I'm liking these close-ups
Finally, a dishcloth that is another sort of present in reserve. I know who it will be for, I'm just not sure when I'll gift it, and what will go with it. I knit a lot of discloths... they're fun and functional, and it's good for the environment. Previously, I'd just use j-clothes and throw them out when they got gross. This way, dishcloths get washed and reused. They're knit with Lily Sugar and Creme cotton (bought on sale at Lewiscraft), they're durable, the colours don't run (though they do fade a little with a lot of use), and they're great for gently scubbing dishes!

On another note, I'm really going to miss Lewiscraft. I have a lot of memories of popping into them at the mall near my dads. They were there for me with inexpensive yarn when I was just starting to knit (and after that, when I was doing projects that didn't require anything too fancy). There was a Lewiscraft underground near my apartment when I first moved to Toronto (still not quite closed as of a day or two ago), and even though I've visited a lot of really great yarn shops in Toronto.... Lewiscraft was just so convieniently close and familiar. Maybe another little chain of craft store will pop up and fill Lewiscraft's place, and reach the market that Lewiscraft couldn't quite hold on to.

A lovely evening where I didn't take pictures

2006-07-06T14:34:00.000-04:00

But here's someone who did. I had a great time, but in real life as in blog land, I'm afraid I was a bit of a lurker. I'm a very shy person. I plunked myself in admist everyone and knit and listened to the fun conversations around me and had a great time... but I didn't really participate. At least I'm getting out of the house - that's step one! In an effort to get more involved with my local knitting scene, I've finally applied for the GTA Knit Blog web ring. I've been reading a lot of the blogs in it, and I figured it's high time I got myself in there!

Updating, for once

2006-07-05T12:09:00.000-04:00

Here's a picture of the cozy I knit for my boyfriend's DS Lite:

I asked him if it was long enough, and he said it was... but we're both now thinking it might've been better a tiny bit longer. He's satisfied with it though, and doesn't want to let me add a couple more rows!

I've also knit up a dishcloth with a rooster in the middle of it using this pattern. The rooster doesn't appear as prominently in my dishcloth as it does in the website's photo, but it's definitly there and visable. I think it would've looked better if I'd used a smaller needle size (the pattern didn't specify a size). I knit up a regular dishcloth as well. Finally, I knit a "feather boa" to accessorize the bunny I knit a while ago - I used eyelash yarn and man! I hate the stuff!

I'm working on a pair of mittens that will be a christmas gift, almost done the first mitt!

I think tonight I might attend this little Knitty party.

It has begun!

2006-06-27T11:42:00.000-04:00

My new job has started! The orientation was last night. I'm really excited, kind of nervous though. I don't consider myself much of a 'people person', I feel very awkward (although as a bonus, this tends to make my interactions with people much more sincere, if that makes any sense), and here I continually get myself hired into jobs that require TONS of interaction with customers. I guess it's the best way to improve, right?
This evening will be my first shift... very exciting. I was a film student but unfortunately, this job isn't anything to do with film. It's mainly to pay bills and get me out of the house. However, I have applied for an internship at an interesting looking new company that is very much involved in the film industry. Wish me luck! Hopefully if I get this internship, I will be able to balance it with my paying job. I want them both so bad, I'm sure I'd sort it all out!

As far as knitting goes, I finished a cozy for my boyfriend's Nintendo DS Lite... pictures will pop up as soon as I can get it away from him for a quick photo session!

Pride!

2006-06-25T17:14:00.000-04:00

First off, I've finally taken pictures of my very first pair of handknit socks!

super simple, super cool!
And then, just in time for the gay pride parade, a Besotted Wristband:

If you'll look closely, you'll see cabled x's and o's
I used part of the same pattern I used for the Besotted Scarf (great pattern) to do the x and o cables.

The parade was awsome and I think I'm going to brave going outside and down Church St., where I can hear the festivities continuing!

Linking Maddness!

2006-06-21T14:36:00.000-04:00

Took a little time today to update some links on my sidebar, and added a few more. They're the sites I visit almost daily, I hope you find one or two (or hey, more even) that interest you too.

This weekend I went to the Rolling Rampage, which is a 10k wheelchair road race. It was my third year attending the event, and it keeps on improving. Unfortunately, I hadn't got my act together as far as collecting pledges goes, and then didn't feel so great anyways in the morning, so I didn't participate in the 5k walk/run/roll for pledges. The money goes to supporting athletes with disabilities. Later in the morning (I made it on time to see this, my favorite, part) were the races. I have to say, if you've never seen wheelchair races... they're pretty intense. I was kinda disappointed that neither Jeff Adams, or Chantal Petitclerc were racing, but those who were racing were great.

Choosing between bringing my camera, or bringing the sock I'm knitting... I'm afraid I chose my sock. So no pictures for this post - but my sock's almost done!

Latest knit project

2006-06-17T17:37:00.000-04:00

Here it is, my first sock, and my soon-to-be second sock:

If you've taken a peek at the latest post of my second blog, you might start to get the impression I have a foot fetish going on!

Next on the needles will be a cozy for my boyfriend's new Nintendo DS Lite (he's been carrying it around in a sock the past couple days).

And then some dishcloths - for gifts (damn, I'm an exciting gift-giver, arn't I? Dishcloths... woo!)
And then back to mittens - for a gift (christmas, so I'm way ahead of myself)
And then a winter hat for me with the lovely alpaca yarn I bought with a gift certificate... mmm... alpaca...*love*
And then another bunny from the Jess Hutch pattern - for a gift

All small projects that make me happy :)

Jobjob Jobby Job!

2006-06-12T16:45:00.000-04:00

Really mature title, I know. I'm full of maturity. In fact, I am so full of maturity, I have secured myself a job, a mere 6 days after graduating. Ok... I've been looking for work since March... and ok.... it's not in my field at all. But I still claim maturity, since I will be able to keep happily paying my bills (well... you know, maybe not "happily"... but paying them anyhow! It's great!).

Have I mentioned I've been horribly envious of sock knitters? Keeping track of all those dpns, creating beautiful custom socks for themselves, their family, and friends! Sooo envious. I tried once last summer, in the car, during a three hour drive to Toronto (on our way to look for apartments, which we were clearly successful at!). It wasn't pretty. I didn't make it past the ribbing, and it was later quietly taken out back and frogged.
Recently, inspired by a prize of two lovely balls of sock yarn, I tried again. Of course, I didn't use the sock yarn... I used a substitute acrylic yarn that will likely make my feet sweet (now that's sexy)... but I've FINISHED one sock! And have been since wearing it around the apartment! To the amusement, and confoundment of my boyfriend, who rolls his eyes as I prance around with one sock!
FInally, about a week after the completion of sock #1, I realized, hey! I have to make TWO of these! Oh!
Sock #2 is underway, almost through the ribbing. It's just a super simple, basic pattern (I modified it to make them more of an ankle sock, and I'm glad I did, because otherwise I would've run out of yarn), but I like it!

I'll post pictures when both socks are done!

And just to share with the world - My grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary is on the 15th! Er, or maybe the 16th! Depending on who you ask! Nanny checked their marriage license, but I don't remember the verdict! We had a big party for them this weekend. It was great! Here's to many more years! Gotta say, I don't think a lot of people thought it would last this long... and you know, they might not be showy with their affection, but there's a lot of care in their relationship. Good for them, and congradulations!

Late for Easter...?

2006-05-23T13:20:00.000-04:00

... Yet fashionably late... right?

This guy is a little something I've been working on lately. I used a free pattern from Jess Hutch. It didn't turn out too badly, especially for my first time really using dpns. I plan on making another, brown one, and giving both away as gifts.

Keeping up low spirits

2006-05-15T18:05:00.000-04:00

I had a fantastic weekend! Friday I met up with a bunch of knitters at a pub right near my house. I sat next to some lovely women who were very friendly. I really felt welcome. Not to bash the other knitting group I met with, ages ago, but this one is one I will be returning to!

Then, Saturday, I participated in the TTC Knit-A-long. I'm so glad I did! I didn't buy any yarn (in fact, I won a prize for "showing the most restraint"), but I had a fantastic time. I laughed more then I have in a long time. I need to be more social, more regularly! There was one disaster early on in the day though. As we were getting off the subway, one woman's yarn trailed behind. Someone pulled it in an attempt to rescue it as the subway doors were closing, and the yarn plummeted down the gap between the train and the platform! 15 women screamed! The poor driver (we had been in the front car) probably thought someone had dropped their child. The knitter was forced to cut the yarn. As the train roared away, 15 women leaned over the platform....

The TTC collector had a good laugh when we described our problem, and sent someone to retrieve the yarn for us. Unfortunately by the time the retriever came (grumpy at first, but quickly put at ease by everyone's joking and lighthearted-ness), the yarn had been blown along by more passing trains, and had come to rest in a big old puddle of subway sludge. The knitter cut her losses (it was just wool, nothing expensive), we thanked the TTC folks involved, and we carried on our way.

Ooh... I also won two balls of sock yarn for completing the first finished object, a dishcloth I had cast-on that morning as we were all meeting up.

Planning Is KEY

2006-04-30T16:44:00.000-04:00

The overwhelming amount of suggestions by readers that followed my last posting was inspiring. In fact, I had so many ideas of things to do while my friend was visiting... that we did a lot of nothing. Haha... actually, that makes it sound like it was a bad time. True, we didn't really have a lot of places in mind to go or anything, but just visiting was plenty of fun in and of itself. Oh... we ate nearly 2 litres of icecream - "we" as in just two people - during the course of only 3 episodes of Family Guy... back to back episodes. One night. Yeah.

And I got up the courage and temporarily silenced the little budgeting voice in my head, and signed up for the TTC Knit-A-Long. I'm really looking forward to meeting new people. I really hope some of those new people are under 40. Under 30 would be a wonderful, wonderful bonus. Not that I have problems with the over-thirty crowd... I just really really want to meet some more people in Toronto around my own age! (Ok... maybe a knitting group isn't the best place for that... but I'm guarenteed good people, reguardless!) If you're going to be there, leave a comment! I look forward to meeting you!

Wanted: Awsome Things To Do!

2006-04-21T21:57:00.000-04:00

Hello Hello!

I'm super excited - one of my very best friends will be coming from Ottawa to visit me! She only has one week off between the end of her co-op and the start of her summer classes, and she's going to be spending a few of those days with me! Now, when I visited her last summer... there were dinosaurs involved.

So I must top this! So far the plans include Thai food, and three stories of kinky. And that's about it.... we're going to need more things to occupy our time! Anyone know of out-of-the-ordinary things to do in Toronto? Things that wouldn'tve been included in a high school field trip. Suggestions are very welcome!!

(oh! and here I'm adding this in, practically as an afterthought.... shame... Second cousin number three arrived a whole month early! She's happy and healthy from what I hear, and I'm soooo greatful I'd decided to knit a six-month sized sweater for her, because otherwise her knitwear wouldn't be ready for her in time!)

Gads, I need a job!

2006-04-17T19:08:00.000-04:00

So... the novelty of "holiday" is wearing a little thin. And budgeting is weighing heavily on my mind... not to mention I should look into starting to pay off my OSAP before it gets to the point where they charge interest (they charge a LOT of interest).

I'm trying to get over my shyness enough to drop in on a knitting group, because they're getting together sooo close to my home it would be just plain lazy not to check it out. I'm also considering signing up for the TTC Knit-A-Long the next day. It sounds like a fun day, and I was feeling a little silly for not participating in the last one in the fall.

Oh. I won 2nd prize in a draw, and got a one-month free gym membership... except really they mean 10-day guest pass (which doesn't come with the health/body assessment a membership would), and they really tried to lay on the pressure for me to sign up for an expensive one-year membership. Uuuh, no thanks. That's a bit of bait-and-switch there I think.
Since I'm a wuss, my boyfriend called them up to try getting me my one month membership... the guy told him if I wanted it, I'd need to pay a $99 deposit. We checked them out on the Better Business Bureau, and found out they had complaints reguarding contract issues, billing/collection issues, and refund/exchange issues... I decided to keep my $99 to myself and be content with my 10-day guest pass.

Perfectly Pink

2006-04-15T23:11:00.000-04:00

Feeling a bit guilty for all the times I've gone to the boyfriend's family's dinners and events without bringing anything, I asked his grandmother what I could add to their Passover dinner. The answer: Strawberry Mousse! She gave me the recipie, and declaired that it was a lovely, light dessert to follow a heavy meal.

After pureeing the strawberries and sugar, then adding it to a mix of beaten egg whites, lemon juice, and more sugar, I looked skeptically at the mixing bowl. "Do you think I should make a double batch?" I ask the boyfriend. Beat until mixture doubles in volume... here goes....

This was awsome fun to make... and the fantastic pink pouffyness of it all was extremely exciting! I think it would be just the thing to make while hostessing a gathering of little girls, or babysitting, or a tea party... Although the 24 hour freezing time might try the patience of anyone (even unfrozen, it was delicious.... I had to sample a little!). This frozen dish certainly turned out delish, and I recieved many compliments, and a recipie-request. Success!

On the knitting front... I've made a lot of progress on the baby sweater. At the 6-month size (I wasn't anticipating feeling in such a knitterly mood), it's the biggest sweater I've worked on yet! At this rate, it won't take me longer then just one more week to finish... although I'm kind of hoping I don't find myself with quite that much time on my hands!

Babies in Sweaters

2006-04-12T11:19:00.000-04:00

I'm sure somewhere along the line, I've promised to post pictures of the babies in the sweaters I've knit. And so, without further delay...

This is my very first second-cousin in her sweater:

My mom says the static-y hair reminds her of me at that age.

And here's my very second second-cousin in a smaller sized sweater:

As you can see, the arms on both are too long... the boyfriend asked if I was "knitting for an orangutan"... but that's what the pattern instructed. I think both sweaters still look like they have a bit of room to grow.

Currently knitting a different style of sweater for second-cousin number three, who will be making their debut in about a month!

I'm Still Around! Promise!

2006-04-10T18:57:00.000-04:00

Ok! After an entirely too-long period of silence, I'm back to post!
To catch up:

A few weeks ago, the Boyfriend and I invested in this furry girl, Ginger:

Isn't she cute?

After much researching and debate, we realized she would be much happier and well off with a friend. And so, a week later... Meet Lulu:

Quite a handful!

Both seem to be adjusting well, and still get bolder by the day.

Co-op is finished. Haven't done much knitting in AGES. Lewiscraft is apparently closing, I bought some very nicely priced sugar & creme cotton, and last night started knitting a dishcloth. So exciting, I know.

This past weekend, I went to a baby shower and the baby of honour was wearing the sweater I knit her! The sleeves were a little long, but otherwise it fit beautifully, on a beautiful little girl. Don't you worry... pictures will come as soon as I get them off my camera.

So, I should be posting a little more regularly now. Hopefully once I find that real job (real soon, cross your fingers), I'll manage my time a little better then with co-op, and will continue regular posting!

Plodding right along

2006-03-16T20:29:00.000-05:00

Still slowly getting through my to-do list. yay! Still don't have the right size knitting needles to make that new baby sweater - boo! Maybe I'll just knit the same old pattern and save my pennies. *Sigh*

Just wait until my full-time job involves being PAID. Silly, silly co-op.

Trying to pick up the pace!

2006-03-10T22:51:00.000-05:00

Ok!! I've been trying to get out and DO more! The nearing end of winter has got me anxious to get moving. I've started up some spring cleaning. I'm clearing out some old clothes from my closet (going to donate them to a place down the street - maybe pick up some "new" additions to my wardrobe there too... maybe), trying to send out some belated emails, booking some "creativity time" to sit down and write, all that sort of thing. This feels more like a time of resolutions then January. I'm itching for summer, so much so that I plan on buying a bathing suit and looking in to public pools nearby so I can swim! That's always been one of my favorite activities and I haven't done nearly enough of it this past year.
The little baby I knit that sweater for a little while ago was born - day before Valentines. Poor girl is going to be getting pink hearts and chocolate birthday gifts for a loooong time to come! Another baby is on its way to another cousin of mine. The only thing standing in the way of their baby sweater is a lack of the proper size needles for the new pattern I want to try.

Another thing that has me in the mood for spring... A couple trips to a greenhouse just a few subways stops away. Look at the beauty virtually in my backyard:

On another bright note: the college strike thing isn't affecting me in the slightest. I can continue my co-op as normal, submit my projects as normal (it might take a little longer for them to be graded).... that's about it. Knock on wood that doesn't change. For those who arn't so lucky (including some of my family and friends), I hope this thing ends soon!

The only thing slow lately is my blog...

2006-02-25T00:16:00.000-05:00

Wow! Pretty much a postless month! I tell you though, I've been a busy little intern...
First off, not intern related:

Valentine's roses from my wonderful boyfriend!

I will never stop being thrilled with roses - or any flowers really. These were georgeous... I wish they'd last longer! I kept some of the petals, so they'll dry out and be added to a little box of keepsakes.

And now to my super-business.
In the last week I've been on set of two music videos and a commercial. I was a PA on both videos, and just a visitor on the commercial. Since I signed a confidentiality thing at work and I don't want to risk rocking the boat (I'm very square), I'll refrain from mentioning the names of the bands/videos/product until they're on the air.

This is my favorite prop from one of the videos, they're supposed to be the hearts that were removed from a couple in love. It's not supposed to be grusome though - they're meant to look almost like little cakes! I was mostly lending a hand to the art department, there's a lot of work that goes into it that I never even realized. Those props don't magically appear out of nowhere!

Hearts on a platter!

The second music video shot on thursday in an abandoned recycling-type plant thing. It was a really neat old building. It was a super cold, dirty, long day. I also go to be an extra in this video because not enough people showed up. We made due, and I think the video will look great!

The paint was peeling off the walls in the basement in sheets!

I'm still sore from that one, and awake to write this post by sheer force of will.

The commercial this afternoon was also an awsome experience. I couldn't choose a picture... it was in a neat old theatre type building. Clearly still used and very loved, it was a beautiful place. It's so different being on set of a commercial vs. music video. You can feel the difference in budget! The commercial certainly felt more organized and a bit more laid back. They got the money!

In knitting news... I finished a baby sweater, but am just realizing right now that I didn't take a picture before sending it off! The baby was born the day before Valentines, and I figured sending it off ASAP was a must! It was the same pattern as this one, only a smaller size.

Also knitted myself some mittens with some yarn I recieved for christmas. I'll post a pictre of them soon... right now they're drying from a washing. They smell like pidgeon poo. From being on set of the second music video. Yeah. Film is glamorous.

I liked studenting....

2006-01-25T21:29:00.000-05:00

.... better then working.

There's a lot of work to do at work (co-op, field placement, internship, whatever you wanna call it). And it's only very loosely related to what I actually want to do (very very loosely related. When I'm being optimistic.)

I have a soft spot for student films, since after all, I make them. One that incorporates knitting in a big way is very special to me ( I had nothing to do with it, I just happened across a link in another knitters blog. I'd credit them with the find, but I can't remember who it was). I left my computer on for a week so I wouldn't close this window, before I could post a link.

My boyfriend asked.... "why didn't you bookmark it?"

Fah..... what does he know....

Knit like a Jedi Knight!

2006-01-23T20:43:00.000-05:00

Oooooh yeah:

light up knitting needles

That's pretty neat. I likely won't be getting any on my tight student budget... but they're still neat looking.

By the way... they're the only knitting accessory that my boyfriend has actually agreed with me, yes, they're cool.

From One Extreme to the Other

2006-01-17T21:15:00.000-05:00

Boy oh boy! I went from wallowing around all day at my apartment and doing whatever errands I had to do whenever I want, to working 5 days a week. Solid, barely-lunchtime working. It's taken some getting used to, but on this, my third day, I'm feeling a little more comfortable and looking forward more to new challenges.

Also feeling very sore and exhausted from all the running around downtown (dropping things off, picking things up - for work) and physical stuff (packing files, lugging garbage bags) I have to do at work. Methinks I'm a little out of shape. By the time I get home at the end of the day, I just wanna veg out. But there's still dinner to make, groceries, laundry, schoolwork (yes, teachers gave us projects for this co-op semester), family issues that need attention, other industry contacts to milk (which is hard, since now I'm working during the same hours they are, and therefore can't call people while they're at work... because duh, I am too), keeping in touch with friends.... it seems like so much. But people do this everyday. I can handle it.

And here's a new personal little challenge to keep me on my toes.... I think I want to join the Knitting Olympics. The link'll give you more info, but basically you choose a challenging (to you) project, and knit it during the winter olympics (cast on during opening ceremony - Feb. 10 - and be finished, including blocking, when the flame goes out, Feb. 26). I just need to choose a project. As silly as it may sound, I think I might try socks. I've never done them, been wanting to do them, and have only had brief flirtations with double-pointed needles.

I'll search for a pattern and muse over this a little more.

Two posts, one day!

2006-01-12T20:55:00.000-05:00

Will miracles never cease?

In a space of four hours, I went to never having heard of --not saying the name, I dunno why.... all my 0 readers might hunt me down-- (and having a phone, with them on the other end, thrust into my hands) to being "employed" by them. I put employed in quotes because I'm not sure if being an intern counts as genuine employment, but I can still taste sweet victory. It looks to be more of an office PA job, which I was trying to avoid, but it looks fun, and high energy, and hectic. If I hate it, it looks like I'll be kept busy enough that time will at least go by quickly (but I really doubt I'll hate it!). Holy Crap. I start tomorrow morning.

Full time, monday to friday co-op (unpaid, as per my program's guidlines). My weekends will be free for working a paying part time job (now that I have a co-op, I can look for one of them). The necessary part time job will help stem my rapidly depleting funds, and keep me living in my apartment.

Looks like much less knitting time in my future. Geeze, I never thought I missed my 45 minute commute to school! (I know, 45 minutes is not a big commute, and I'm really not complaining about it, I didn't mind it horribly).

Oh! And on another note: two different security people in my building have now asked if my boyfriend is my brother. What's up with that??? Guys in wheelchairs don't have girlfriends? Maybe we ought to start making out in the lobby or something. And when I smiled sweetly and responded that no, he's my boyfriend, the security guy called me a "very special lady". I know he was being nice (and nosy), but that didn't sit well with me. I just kinda giggled and blushed and made my awkward exit, hoping the elevator would come quickly and whisk me away to my little home. And my hot boyfriend, to tell him about my co-op.

I better be careful. People might start thinking I'm a grown-up or something. Uh-huh.

As I Wait For My Train

2006-01-12T09:56:00.000-05:00

I have about 20 minutes to kill before I leave home to catch my train, so I thought I'd do a little post. Uh-oh, gonna meet with the co-op teacher today. Outlook not so good. Hopefully my head is still attached to my neck by the time I leave her office.

This seems like a much better strategy then the typical make-all-my-resolutions-at-once thing. It explains how creating one new good habit a month is much better then trying to start up all kinds of new habits the day after New Years. Easy to keep track of, and by the end of the year, 12 New Habits.

And, did you know Toronto is a Knitting Capital?

So... 15 minutes til train time. I think I'll go work on that baby sweater.

On Set!

2006-01-11T10:26:00.000-05:00

Check this out:

My first non-student shoot!

This weekend I got invited to script supervise for the pilot episode of a kid's show! I'm not sure how much I can say about the show itself, but I'm bursting to share my experience!

First off, wow, they really only touched on what a script supervisor does while I was in school. There's a lot of paperwork, and you've really got to pay attention to everything. That said, I got to sit in a chair next to the director! I got to have my nose in everything! Everyone was super friendly and helpful! I was so scared when I arrived saturday morning, but long before lunch, I felt pretty comfortable.

This particular episode will only, as far as I understand, be used for pitching. It's a not-for-broadcast episode that will never see t.v. *sigh* But it was a ton of fun, and SUCH a huge confidence booster. Everyone seemed to think I did a good job - I certainly feel like I did one. I still don't have a co-op, but a lot of people have said they'll put a good word in with so-and-so. Maybe something will come of it.

I'm frustraited with my co-op teacher. I guess she's trying her hardest (which is admittedly harder then I've been trying), but the latest job offer she sent me was a computer tech support thing. It didn't really have anything to do with film or television, aside from the company that was hiring. She keeps coming up with offers of office PA things. I just feel kinda swindled or something... why did I pay soooo much money for film school if I'm going to end up being a secretary or receptionist? Oh well, at this point I guess I need to just take whatever comes along so I can be finished my co-op hours in time to graduate and get my silly diploma.

That's sad. You know what's happy though?

I've gotten a good way into a baby sweater for a cousin of mine who's expecting. The baby's due in February (the 14th in fact!), and at this rate, the sweater will be done no problem. Another cousin of mine is also expecting (it's baby time!), and I can't remember when they're due... march I think, so I'll have to get started another sweater soon. Also on the baby front, a highschool friend is expecting and I want to make this chicken viking hat. Sure, I wasn't super close with her in highschool, and barely talk with her now, but who can pass up an opportunity to knit this? Especially when you know the recipient will dig it.

Ok, time to play with some code and fix the sudden ugliness of my blog!
***Update: Maybe fixed... sometimes I look at it it's fine, other times my text is all strangely centered and the bar on the right is stretched out.... I think it's fixed though *fingers crossed*

If I wasn't trying to make dinner right now....

2006-01-05T19:15:00.000-05:00

... I'd try and figure out why my blog is looking decidedly ugly when it loads.

I visited the set of Puppets Who Kill today.

This weekend I'm going to be doing continuity for a pilot episode of a kids show. I'll be working (unpaid) with professionals. Holy Freakin Crap. I will be spending tomorrow going over every single note on continuity I ever took in school.
Talk about being thrown in the deep end and being told to swim!

I'm so excited!

Oh yeah, also finished my mom's birthday scarf - the besotted scarf. Only a few days late for her birthday. Hopefully she'll be visiting soon.

Wrapping up 2005

2006-01-04T16:37:00.000-05:00

Well, we're a few days into the new year now. No magical transition to a fresh new life. But that's ok. My old one may need a little mending, but it suits me just fine. And I admit, I have already been presented with some interesting possible job-related opportunities (more on this when I'm more sure of things - after rambling semi-coherently to my mom about it, I'm reluctant to share with the world for fear of jinxing things).

So here! To distract all of my 0 readers (oh I know... I have a webcounter now... this blog is about as unread as a diary at the moment) from wondering what the excitement is about - LOOK! COOKIES!

yummy gingerbread

Baked these up in Toronto just before packing up and heading to my mom's for Christmas. Iced them up there with the help of my boyfriend and my very best old highschool friend. My first attempt at gingerbread was fairly successful I'd say! (Man, that's some sticky batter though)

And here, just to boast:

Average sized Godzilla DVD for scale

That would be allllll my christmas (AND boyfriend's hanukah) decorations packed up together in one tiny little cardboard box, +little tree beside. I'm sure one day I'll look back on this and laugh, longingly.

(ps... something weird is happening at the moment with my sidebar... I haven't been fiddling with the code lately, so I'm just going to ignor it and hope blogger is up to something, and it's back to normal soon)

Happy New Year!

2006-01-02T19:31:00.000-05:00

And it's off to a rough start. Not horribly rough really, but old habits die hard. I'm still working to get out of the funk I was in at the end of 2005. I've made some progress though. I'm clinging to the idea that once I have my co-op, my life will be perfect... sort of with that same conviction of a kid who just knows that a certain expensive, althete-endorsed pair of skates would improve their entire hockey game, and life. Oh, it will though, it will.

A bit of a setback... my emails to a certain company seem to have the wrong address and were sent back to me. I guess I shall have to wait for the co-op teacher to be back from holiday to give me the right address. *sigh* But at least I was trying to sort things out!

Almost done mom's b-day scarf... so close.... it's exciting!

Going to visit my dad this weekend and realized that while I've got the rest of the little bath kit ready for my step-mom's present, the key feature - the bath mitt - has yet to be knitted! Whoops! It'll only take an evening to finish though, and I still have plenty of yarn for it.

That is all. I leave you with a picture from my trip to visit a friend in Ottawa this past summer. Post office lion:

Back From Holidays

2005-12-29T23:29:00.000-05:00

Well, back from my visit to the countryside. Took a bus out to visit my folks for Christmas. It was a decent enough visit, though I wish I could've spent more time with my mom. Between her having to work, and all the Christmas preparations (mom was hosting the family dinner this year) it didn't seem like a whole lot of time.

Not much family was able to show up to the party in the end, but some did. I enjoyed myself and I hope everyone else did! Unfortunately Erika wasn't there, so I couldn't give her the present I had for her (our family draws names, so she's the one I had), so I don't know whether it will really be appreciated or not. I hope so!

After much worry we wouldn't be able to, we did manage to visit my boyfriend's family for a few days as well. Holiday travelling is the one time I really feel the lack of a car!

Didn't manage to finish the besotted scarf for my mom's birthday in time. It's tomorrow, and her scarf is here with me... so close to being finished. I ran out of yarn and hope I can get the same dyelot. It's silly, I'll use so little of the new ball... but the scarf won't look right without it... I'll need to find another project.

So... back in the city, back to looking for a co-op.
And feeling sad about the recent shooting. I hope my mom hasn't seen it on the news (though how could she not? It seems to have become quite an issue) because she'll worry about me. I feel so awful for the girl's family and friends. It's really weird walking down the hallways of a school after suddenly loosing someone who should be there.
Here's wishing everyone the best in the coming New Year! (Gosh, I'm aiming to post again before then!)

It's beginning to feel like Christmas!

2005-12-17T14:51:00.000-05:00

I'm slowly getting into the Christmas spirit. We've gotten some pretty flippin' cold and snowy weather lately... which I love (at least for short jaunts in the outdoors, and looking out windows). Finally set up a little Christmas tree a couple days ago:

It's a little tinsel tree (a sort of more-green-then-blue teal colour), with a little string of lights and a couple ornaments my mom sent me. And we've also put up a little string of lights on our balcony. I need to get one more present for my boyfriend, and then shopping will be done. We're going to exchange presents either today or tomorrow (we're leaving to spend christmas with my parents and it seems silly to cart the gifts for each other all the way there - on the bus - and then all the way back again) so I need to get on that.
While I'm out today I do believe I'll try and pick up a cookie cutter and ingredients for ginger bread men.
I think the only thing standing in the way of a carefree christmas spirit is my lack of co-op. Whatever my problem is, I'm having trouble looking. I'm supposed to have it for January... at this rate I'll likely get it late and have to try and get a butt-load of overtime so I can get the hours I need by the date marks need to be in. I can do it. I think.
Merry Early Christmas!

Let's Make Movies... and Christmas is coming

2005-12-14T13:38:00.000-05:00

Ok... super long post, GO!
First off, I've been working on these little Bath Kits for various people on my Christmas (and Hanukkah) lists.

That blob in the centre of the mitt is a Mr. Butterball bath bomb from here. They look cute, and the reviews are good... maybe I'll have to treat myself to one sometime! Oh, and my experiences with their staff have been EXCELLENT! They're very helpful and knowledgeable about their products and can make good recommendations.
Here's a better look at the mitt:

I added a little loop for hanging it after I took this photo, too. So most my gifts are wrapped and ready to go. Every year there's more and more people to buy/craft for! One more little gift to get.

And as I promised, here's a picture from set (my job was continuity, so most my pictures were rather boring shots of knick knacks on shelves, piles of boxes, the actors/actress' makeup, and other things that would have to look the same in every shot)

This picture is from behind the camera, so you can see all the lights setup. The two people mainly in the shot are our DP(cinimatographer/director of photography)/camera operator, and AD (assistant director).

One more day of classes until school's done. And I still don't have a co-op for January. I'm so stressed out you have no idea! And our phone isn't working... Bell's on their way to check out the line... anxiety builds.

FRENZY!

2005-12-03T21:10:00.000-05:00

Woosh! Been on set a whole lot lately. Between that and regular homework I haven't had much of a life. Yesterday was a day of frantic gift shoppiing/wrapping/making. I'm almost done! A few little things to knit (each should only take a couple hours tops), and I need to figure out a present for my dad... but other then that....!
Gonna have some great shots from the set and some great shots of knitting soon!

Christmas Presents Underway

2005-11-23T21:12:00.000-05:00

Well.. not quite underway, but I have the materials! I went out and bought a few balls of cotton yarn today, for knitting some happy little christmas presents soon. They're little projects, that shouldn't take more then a night or two to finish, so I ought to have time.

I stopped by the new Winners on Bloor St. today too. Not bad. Very busy. I bought a new wallet :) It's got lots of little pockets and was a much more reasonable price then some I've looked at. Beats my old wallet, which was being held together by an elastic band (ooo... dirty student, I know).

Had an.... incident... with the laundry. I think I'd rather not go into details (why did I mention it? Because I'm a tease, that's why).

Yeah... didn't do much homework today. Oh! But I was asked if I would be able to help out with another shot this weekend, for a project I had really wanted to do earlier, but there weren't really any positions available! Sweetness... extra points! And the only class I'll be missing (twice, ouch) is one I'm not particularly fond of (watching Lord Of The Rings extra features does not a class make... let alone 3 classes). So cool!

I think... I may be over the hump...

2005-11-16T21:04:00.000-05:00

Shhh.... don't jynx it... But... I might be almost done with the most of my work for this semester in school. I've got 4 out of 6 points so far on my portfolio project (and at least one of the other 2 will be mine by the end of this weekend), I've got the first draft of my script written (and I think it's damn good - and I scored a meeting with the writing teacher in the first week of meetings, so I'll have the maximum amount of time for my second draft), I finished a survey for my New Trends class... All I have left is to sort out my survey info, that second draft of my script, a website (which'll take a little while still), and finding that elusive co-op for next semester (the hardest task apparently... I need to get more serious about it I think). Gosh... I honestly think that's all I have left...

Maybe I'll get all my christmas knitting projects done after all.... musn't speak too loudly though...

......knock on wood....

Christmas Scarfage Progression!

2005-11-09T18:21:00.000-05:00

Well, Erica's punky scarf is nearly complete. It's mostly black, with stripes of fuzzy eyelash (doubled with regular black for support), and occasional stripes of pink.

And then there's the besotted scarf, with it's occasional little mishaps, progressing nicely. You don't really see the accidents, and it's for a forgiving recipient who will appreciate all the time and effort that went into making it (my mom).

First time with cables - it's slow going... but enjoyable... just have to give it lots of attention!

The righting of my world

2005-11-04T23:17:00.000-05:00

Good evening!
Sleepy... In a warm and fuzzy way, not in the grumpy must-stay-up-just-a-little-longer-to-finish-storyboards kind of way. I've got storyboards for one entire production done! 130someodd shots baby! Yeah! One more biggie (100 or so) and then a nice little 35 shot project to go! I've finally been getting my ass together and am searching for my co-op. It's supposed to run 11 weeks and start in January, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I land something related to writing for children's television. That's all the stuff that was stressing me out, but now I'm acting on my co-op, and have organized (and am making headway on) my projects!

Not so much headway on the besotted scarf - but I'm almost done a punky scarf for my cousin Erika for Christmas!

As my camera batteries charge, I leave you with a picture I took in the summer at the CNE. It feels so bright and fun and somehow behind-the-scenes and.... a little bit blurry, lol.

Lost my digital camera charger...

2005-11-01T21:38:00.000-05:00

So this post will be pictureless for now. But I plan to add a picture of my super-cool jack-o-lantern soon! Didn't do anything for halloween, I had homework, but I hope everyone else had a good one!

Oh, and I'm sick of "quaint"... what a cheesy, over-used word.

There are no mistakes... It's quaint

2005-10-25T19:08:00.000-04:00

A common posting in a lot of knitting blogs has the blogger describing an item they were knitting, and how they noticed (several rows previous to where they are working) a mistake and had to frog everything - or a large amount. I've done the same myself numerous times. But I've decided to take a more relaxed approach. Is the mistake that bad?
Sometimes - like in the case of wrong gauge, dropped stiches... by all means frog it. Lately though, it's been little things, like on one part of a cable ( in the besotted scarf) I held the stiches to the back instead of the front (only on the one, the rest of the row was right)... when I was switching colours. It's kinda obvious. At the same time, it's not horrible. In fact, I think it looks quaint. It's a reminder to the person I'm gifting it to that yes, this is a handknit item, knit with love by me. I make little mistakes every once in a while. They don't stand out, but I'm sure you'd notice them if you were looking closely (with an appreciative eye, of course). It doesn't bother me one bit!

(check out the definition of "quaint", it's perfect! I think knitters ought to keep it in mind)

Reading Week - Will I Use It To The Fullest?

2005-10-23T10:13:00.000-04:00

I don't know. Homework wise, I've stalled already. Waiting for more information from the directors of my various projects so I can draw their storyboards. And the other stuff... lets not discuss the other stuff.

I've started knitting my moms besotted scarf... three times. Three's the charm, right? I'm new to the cable thing - though oddly enough the cables haven't been the reason for frogging. Using the wrong needles the first time (US 8 is not 8mm... I know that, but I guess I forgot!), the second time I must not have been paying enough attention, because the whole pattern seemed to have shifted over somehow...

This is a neato site Jess Hutch Crafts. There's a free knitted bunny pattern that I've been thinking of trying. I better wait until after christmas knitting is done though.

Ch-ch-ch-Changes!

2005-10-16T21:27:00.000-04:00

******UPDATED TO INCLUDE PHOTO!********

New look to my blog... I'm going to be slowly customizing more and more... improving picture quality... basically try to create a blog I'm proud of. I don't like half-assing work, so why should I half-ass play?

Here's a neat trick I might try next time I'm procrastinating: Procrastination Hack Link found courtesty of Lifehacker

FINISHED Jim's scarf. I have some pictures of it blocking... all soggy on my bed... (hope it's dry by the time I go to sleep! I was considerate enough to do the blocking on my half of the bed - my boyfriend's so lucky) but those arn't cool pictures. With any luck, tomorrow I shall extract from Jim the Price Of The Gift... a model shot! Hopefully he'll cooperate.

**And He DID!***

Well... you can see the backside of it around his neck there - pretty good - I really loved the finished scarf, much more then I "enjoyed" making it. Jim seems quite pleased with it!
****

Started a besotted scarf, a christmas gift for my mom.

Didn't go to the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival. Spent the day with a friend - who was totally willing to go with me, but due to timing issues, we went shopping instead.

Dog Sweater!

2005-10-12T23:05:00.000-04:00

*****updated to include PHOTO! WOW******

I've been working pretty solidly on Jim's scarf... when I get the chance. However, this weekend I set it aside so I could whip up a doggie sweater for the boyfriend's sister's pooch. It's a cute little chiwawa, and the sister's only request when I let her know of my plans was, "something girly." Oh, it's girly alright. I dunno if the sister's fiance was too keen on the blinding hot pink, but he did like the purple. It turned out pretty good for my first stab at such a thing. I had to make the pattern smaller, and it fits perfectly! One sleeve is a little shorter then the other, but that was really the only problem I had with the thing. Cool!
Might go to a crafter's convention thing this weekend. It will have knitting content.

Not bad, eh? Shoulda picked up another stich in the arm there... I see a hole... Next time will be even better!

Hope I can drag myself out of the blue funk I'm in and start to enjoy school again... It's been hanging on for quite a while, and these past couple of weeks have made me almost unbearably miserable at times... and my poor boyfriend puts up with everything, much more then he should maybe! But I am definitly thankful for him, and his support. I think right now I don't have much faith in some of my classes... the organization is awful - and this program is damned expensive! I wish I could see it was all worth it, but right now...

PROGRESSIVE SCARFAGE!

2005-10-05T12:23:00.000-04:00

Yeah, that's right. I'm working on Jim's scarf again... I don't know why this silly scarf is taking me so long... probably because it's not the most interesting project ever. At least now it feels like it's moving faster, I'm about 1/3rd of the way done. I knit it for almost an entire class today (3 hours... gosh now that I think of it, that's a long time... I guess I was talking a lot though, and stopping to take notes, and watch the films that we were analyzing... I don't think I'm really that slow - is that slow?) How long does it take you to knit a scarf? I'm using 5mm straights, and putting a stripe up the middle.

Is it even Flu Season?

2005-09-25T17:29:00.000-04:00

Not yet... and thankfully I've just contracted a cold. No flu (phew!). I blame subway germs (the method of transportation, not the sandwhich joint), or maybe school germs. Unfortunately I haven't had a day to just veg out, as my current condition really really needs. Still going to school, doing homework, had my mom visit (I missed her, I wasn't about to cancel our weekend!), and all that sort of thing. Sadly my determination to not be bedridden didn't last, and I had to stay home from a memorial service for a wonderful teacher this evening.

More homework to do, and more school in the morning. *sigh* knitting progress and pictures are sure to fit into the picture somewhere eventually - I promise!

Sea Monkeys

2005-09-16T15:15:00.000-04:00

A couple weeks ago my boyfriend set up a little sea monkey tank that I'd been given for my birthday last year. I was skeptical - but it worked! We've got some large critters swimming around in that tank now (I tried taking pictures... but they were extremely unfocused... calling to mind bigfoot photos... sea monkeys... bigfoot... yeah, that's what I thought. They're real though, and pretty darn cool.
Rainy today. It's kinda nice, now that I'm done my running around (during the running around, I wasn't so impressed). I'm going to curl up with a cup o' tea and maybe do a little knitting... before my running around tonight (Midnight Maddness screening at the film festival!)
Post ya later!

Birthday!

2005-09-13T22:21:00.000-04:00

Wooo!

Ok.... so I didn't really go out and do anything special (that's what FRIDAYS are for)...
But my wonderful boyfriend attempted to make me a cake. I say attempted because he discovered I guess, that he wasn't so sure how to use the oven (we're in a new apartment, it is a strange button system). He did get it working in the end, and I have a half a birthday cake... (lol, apparently the bottom half stuck in the pan, despite greasing). It looks lovely anyhow, he did a super job icing it. Can't wait to have a big slice when I'm not so full of dinner!

Also, I recieved a super gift basket from my mom, and amoung all the wonderful treats were some nice new stitch holders ( I currently use large safety pins, or a handy dpn... no always the best solutions). The funny thing is, the packaging called them "stitch markers" which they really are not. Oh well - certainly not complaining!

Oh! And I never even mentioned, I had a good time at the knitting meetup last wednesday, and I look forward to going again tomorrow night! I'm sure the more I get to know the ladies and gentlemen (there were two, with a couple interested fellows looking on and saying they just may need to join and learn as well), the more fun I'll have. They were all older then me (I was sort of expecting that) but a couple of them couldn't have been toooooo much older.

Work to Be Done

2005-09-07T11:20:00.000-04:00

Today I get to work my ass of preparing for a pitch this week, for a project that was NEVER OFFICIALLY ASSIGNED. Yeah. I mean, everyone knew the third year portfolio project would be a film. But we were never given any kind of outline, or expectations or anything. All we had to go on was what the 3rd years from last year told us. Yes I was working on things this summer. No I have nothing ready to pitch thursday. Yet. I'm going to try.
I was just hoping, you know, to actually be assigned the project before busting my ass on it.
Now I feel like a slacker.

Tonight I had plans to go to a knitting meetup group - to meet new people and knit of course. My friend invited me to a screening of a movie she got tickets to, that doesn't really come out in theatres for another week. I watched a trailer and it looks like a fun movie... but (and maybe this reflects badly on my chosen path or something) I really have no great need to see it before everyone else. It's just a silly looking rom-com. So the knitting group is still the plan - as long as I get a pitch sorted out.

Back in Action!

2005-09-02T22:34:00.000-04:00

Whew! Soooo, here I am! My boyfriend and I are finally in Toronto. We've got ourselves in a nice little apartment. Right near a subway stop, so I'll be able to commute to school as convieniently as possible. It's exciting!
We moved about a week ago... and were supposed to have internet the next day - with the boyfriend relying a lot on email communications and web searching for job opportunities, it's important, and I needed to enroll in classes. We got our internet today. After what seemed like a million phone calls to Bell, ordering and twice reordering internet service. It was a bit insane. Finally, going higher and higher in the chain of command... something about a wiring problem on their end. Got it sorted out. It's working now anyhow.

My curtains were delivered to the wrong store. But they're being redirected and are on their way now... I'll have them in a week. The building right next to us - yeah, the one I kinda wanna co-op at, and maybe work at when I'm done school - everyone's likely seen me in my pjs by now anyhow.

Got my new computer. It's lovely.

Trying so hard to finish Jim's scarf. Started another baby sweater... another cousin is expecting :)

Looking forward to the Toronto International Film Festival... although prices have gone up again and my cheap student self is cringing. Hopefully I'll coax myself to stop being so cheap and go see a few - it's good for my education, darn it!

And that's my life in a nutshell... blogland is caught up... though I feel a bit like I'm talking to myself here! lol

Hideous Tank in Full Glory

2005-08-08T11:12:00.000-04:00

So here's a pic of me wearing the hideous tank. It's a bit blurry... I used to turn my nose up at blurry pictures (c'mon, is it that hard to focus)... but I've found out I'm a lazy blogger... Stuff that's worth doing is worth doing well... *sigh* this blog is killin' me!

It's a very warm tank top. Knit in an obnoxiously pink acrylic. Yarn snobs are staring, wide-eyed with horror. It'll be cozy in fall/winter. On laundry days, when I have nothing else to wear. I'm almost sad it's such a perfect fit. Oh well, now I know sizing for the next project!

Also working on Jim's scarf. And thinking about those poor neglected "socks".
I'm going to be finished at work this friday, that's exciting! And I have a driving test tomorrow so (hopefully) I can finally move up to the next stage of my license, woo!

Hooray for Visiting! And the Hideous Tank Top.

2005-08-04T12:31:00.000-04:00

My mom and my Aunt and my cousin Erin came to visit me for a couple days. It was lots of fun, I took time off work and we spent a lot of time at the beach. My mom, boyfriend, and I took a local boat cruise one morning and it was a good time. My mom and the boyfriend's parents seemed to get along well. Good times. We'll all meet again in a couple weeks at Ikea, when everyone helps me and the boyfriend shop for the Apartment (Did I mention, we have a new apartment? It's all ours on Aug. 15, my first place!) I hope his parents don't get too carried away - they're being very generous and it seems the list of things they want to buy for us keeps getting longer!

My poor sock has done plenty of traveling but I've only gotten so far as casting on. Knitting in motion brings about the motion sickness *sigh*. So it's now been on a 5-hour bus trip. And a 3 hour trip to Toronto (plus another 3 hours on the way home). It's kinda sad.

The Hideous Tank Top is nearly done. Just need sew it together. I'll post pictures. Trust me, it's pretty far beyond ugly. PJ shirt it is. Aside from the blog, I doubt this tank will ever make a public appearance.

***UPDATE: Pictures of Hideous Tank
It's two pieces sandwiched together (I'm going to have to pull out the seam and redo it though, they didn't quite line up properly.. I should've blocked it better and such). This ugly thing is the first top I've knit, and I'm kind of sad it fits so perfectly... it's so ugly... The pink is soooo much hotter then it looks in the picture... lol - maybe I can convince myself it's "punk" somehow - which is trendy... and that pink and black are In. Which they are... but should they be?

it screams "wear me!"

Home again (sigh)

2005-07-25T10:55:00.000-04:00

Well, I handled all the bus riding and train riding and the switching in between. And the party was a success, went smoothly and all that goodstuff. It was kind of hard seeing my uncle, who I haven't seen in about a year - since he was diagnosed with cancer. It was also hard trying to get used to one of my cousins who was in a very serious car accident near christmas. Her personality's changed quite a bit. Seeing my family was great all the same - including the new addition, my cousin Mike's wife, Tilly.

And on a knitting note... I bought sock yarn. Sox. In bright, rainbow colours. Yes, I've jumped on the bandwagon.
I see all these people travelling with their socks, and I guess mine got an early start, with the yarn travelling in my suitcase for the 5 hour bus/train marathon. No pictures though... aww.

Oh Oh! Before I forget! Yay! I'm part of a knitting webring now! Ooooo...

Anticipation of a Bus Trip

2005-07-20T10:12:00.000-04:00

Sooo, Friday I head to Oshawa for my cousin Mark's 'Jack and Jill" (like a wedding shower, but both guys and girls are welcome to attend). It'll be about a 5 hour bus/GOtrain trip... and I intend to do at least a little knitting! Finishing my tanktop would be nice, but it would also be nice to get a good length done on my friend Jim's scarf. I've frogged it a few times now and haven't even looked at the yarn for quite a while now (who wants to think of scarves in this heat anyhow). Yesterday was actually beautiful and cool weather-wise, and hopefully today will be the same.

On a sadder note, one of my film teachers - and a respected man in the camera/lighting world - passed away last week. Richard Leiterman was definitly one of the best.

Sloggin' away

2005-07-16T10:41:00.000-04:00

Taaa-daaa! Bunny hat, baby size. The only baby I know is Breena's-soon-to-be, so I can either mail it up to her, or save it for the next baby. Although the next baby might be a long time coming... most of my friends are currently not even dating. Although I do have some more relatively newly wed cousins...

the little lump on the head is where I switched from circs to dps... but it's still pretty cute!

The teacozy is also done - waiting for my friend to bring over his teapot so the cozy can be properly fitted and stiched up (and modeled for a shot or two).

Got a library card (actually... borrowing someone else's for the summer).

Lots of work, but it's all hostessing instead of waitressing... gonna need to have a talk with the folks in charge. First the headwaitress on monday, then if that gets me nowhere, the manager/owner. Yes I'm new - but they hired me saying I'd get BOTH waitressing and hostessing, with the stress on the waitressing part. I cannot live this fall/winter on hostess pay alone! (especially if I don't see any tip outs!).

Busy Day Ahead!

2005-07-13T10:10:00.000-04:00

Today is my day off work. I am happy to note I've been getting tons of hours the last few weeks and am pretty satisfied with things. I do wish I was doing more waitressing (instead of so much hostessing - not as much tip $). And I would be very happy if the "tip outs" (small percentage of waitresses tips that go to hostesses, bartenders, and kitchen staff) would come in. It's been a few weeks and nothing. This friday I should be expecting my second tip out... not still wondering what's happened with the first - like everyone else. I suppose the owners have been busy. First sign of unhappiness and everyone seems to threaten to quiet, which is added stress on everyone else!

Today is Laundry Day. There is plenty.
Today is also Lawn Mower Day (with a great environmentaly friendly cutter lawnmower thing that only needs knitgirl power to run!)... the lawn will have to wait until this evening when it is cooler. Wow, 9am was already muggy. Lets hope the rain holds off.
Don't forget the Baking potion of today (mmm... muffins for breakfasts!).
And Emailing (tying up loose ends and maintaining contacts today).
And Form Filling (OSAP and Passport forms would be very happy to be completed. Just a little help from my mom next time I see her - later in July - to sign things and fill in a bit of extra info... and I can mail 'em!)
And Form Mailing (eesh, I must finally make a copy of, and then mail in, my Rolling Rampage forms - I finally reached my goal in the end of at least matching last year's pledges!)

Aaaaaand: Finishing Knitting Projects. Wish me luck on my tanktop, teacozy, and cat toys! They're all so close to being done - teacozy and cat toys especially. Must buy some kind of stuffing for cat toys...

Unreleased Knitting Book?

2005-07-08T10:45:00.000-04:00

Well, a very lovely person who attended a booksellers convention of some sort a couple weeks ago brought me back a very nice little gift: a knitting book!
I went to amazon.com to find a link, and lo and behold, this book isn't released yet. It's a great book with projects for various skill levels, grouped by the length of time they should take to knit. It has a section at the back that describes various knitting techniques in a very clear, easy-to-follow manner. I'm trying to finish some other projects on the go before starting any new ones (and since this is an early copy of the book, I might run into issues with pattern mistakes... hopefully not!)
I'm guessing this book will be released closer to the holiday season, and I think it would be a really nice gift for any knitter!
(The book is called Holiday Knits)

Productivity

2005-07-05T13:10:00.000-04:00

Hello all (I say in the optimistic hopes that someone is reading my blog),
Trying to get things done and keep busy lately. I've been calling apartments in Toronto (what a weird experience... I try to ask if places are wheelchair accessible - I thought it was a fairly straightforward inquiry - but apparently there are people who don't understand the combination of the words "wheelchair" and "accessible".)

I've resolved to email Toronto storyboard artists today. It's an area I might be interested in working in and I'd like to make some contacts and maybe glean a little advice from some people who are out there doing it. I keep putting it off, nerves or something. The worst that can happen is they won't have time for me or my questions - no harm done really.

Ooo, I've been given the use of my boyfriend's old digital camera (of the point-and-shoot variety), so I don't need to keep borrowing his nice, professional digital camera. Woosh!
So, here is a picture of a current work in progress:

soon to be a bunny hat

It's at the point now where I'll have to switch off circs to a few dpns... but I'm not entirely sure how to do this. I've never knit a hat before. This little baby hat will hopefully eventually morph into the adorable bunny hat from Stitch and Bitch Nation. If anyone has any advice on finishing the top part of a hat, when it's too small for cirs, let me know. Otherwise I guess I'll have to rely on experimentation and surfing the web!
Over and out!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!

2005-07-01T09:59:00.000-04:00

I feel like I ought to knit something Canadian themed... I suddenly really want a canadian flag scaf of some form! But I work all day today - luckily off just in time to shower and eat before heading out to watch fireworks!

I haven't posted a whole lot lately - it's been too hot to knit. Today, however, is breezy and cool - I'm wearing JEANS, for cryin' out loud! I figure though, that I ought to keep this blog relatively up to date. I hope to join a knitting webring at some point, and weekly posts seem to be a pretty general requirement.

I'm almost at the part of my knitted tanktop where I try knitting some form of picture in the front. I'm thinking black skull-and-crossbones would look coolest on this hot pink tank. Maybe when it's done, assuming it fits and all, I'll find some kind of cool black lace to put around the bottom edge. I'm cool like that. Oooh yeah. So cool with the knits.

Pictures will come in an update... perhaps tomorrow because today might be a lovely busy day!

Sloooow days

2005-06-24T09:52:00.000-04:00

Hasn't been much to blog about this week. Finished Erin's scarf, and I'm well on my way to a finished tanktop (pictures will come soon!). Finally working today, haven't been much at all this week - so frustraiting. And that's about all!
Blog ya later!

Weekend on wheels

2005-06-20T11:06:00.000-04:00

Sooo, Friday morning I got to take the long car ride to Toronto (and I've already learned I can't make good use of that time by knitting, I get kinda carsick). Spent the afternoon with a friend from school, went to a screening that was part of the Toronto short film festival - not bad. Had dinner with said friend and my boyfriend at East! (yum!), a restaurant right across from.. City TV I believe it was? Down by Much Music. Good times.

Now the main draw to Toronto was the event on saturday, the Rolling Rampage. Last year it was the most fun ever, me on my rollarblades, the boyfriend in his racing chair, and one of his friends also on rollarblades. We got to raise money and do laps around Queens park. Then watch all the professional wheelchair racers - I got hooked on the sport.
This year, the professional races were awsome. Toronto's own Jeff Adams was sooo close to winning! He came in second. (He's the fellow who wiped out during a demo of wheelchair racing at the olympics). Chantel Petticlerc won her race of course. Great fun.
Unfortunately, the Roll for Pledges was sad, sad, sad. Instead of getting to race around Queens Park like the pros, we had to do laps of a little tiny piloned off section - hardly enough room at the ends for the boyfriend in the racing chair to turn around. It didn't do much to help the stereo type of wheelchair users not being able to keep up with the able-bodied. I guess last year they had complaints of it being too long.
The boyfriend and I complained (I was heartbroken at the sad state of affairs), and most the organizers seemed to agree that this year was a bit off the mark. Admittedly there was much less turnout as well. We might try joining the committee to help organize next year's. So hopefully it will get better - it's only in it's third year afterall - and will do a better job at intergrating both the able-bodied and wheelchair-users into one event that everyone can feel proud of!

And that's my rant. I think I'll go work on cousin Erin's scarf now.

Who can't afford a library card?!

2005-06-16T13:22:00.000-04:00

Me! That's who! To get a temporary library card (since I'm only in this area for the summer) costs $60! The whole point of me getting a library card was because I'm a cheap, poor student who doesn't want to be spending all my money at the bookstore (wonderful one though it is in town here). Yes, the $60 is returned at the end of my stay... but it... oh I don't know. I'm cheap and can't part with it.
The reason, I claim, to get a library card, is so I can read the necessary books to write essays required for certain scholarships (which really is important, and definitly a real part of the reason). Secretly though... I wonder what their selection is on knitting books...

Lazy Days

2005-06-14T14:02:00.000-04:00

The restaurant where I'm working hasn't been giving me enough shifts lately, so I've been pretty bored. I'm trying to make progress on my list of Things To Do This Summer... but it's slow going. I'm worried about money; I've been applying for scholarships, and hoping my original plan of 'work this summer to cover rent for the school year' will still work out.

I frogged a scarf the other day that wasn't working (sorry Jim, I'll try again soon). Today I started cousin Erin's scarf - it's pretty cool, with a wavey pattern of increases and decreases that's fun and been knitting up fairly quicky (ahhh garter stich). After badgering her to let me know what style and colours she wanted, I promptly disreguarded her requests... at least my choice of yarn has her requested colours in it...

Erin's scarf in the works & baby sweater for Breena's almost-ready baby!

Thinking of knitting another cat toy today. I have pet store connections and might be able to sell the toys there if I can make a batch of them. I've found websites selling them for $5, so that's going to be my price too I suppose. Get this hobby paying for itself maybe (or at least making a contribution to itself!)

Because the world needs another knit blog...

2005-06-11T13:08:00.000-04:00

Hi! I'm Laurie and this is my first blog, "Scared Sheep", because somewhere out there is a very, very scared sheep - this being a reference to my insatiable desire to knit project upon project!

I'm a film student (going into 3rd year) and can't wait to move back to Toronto in the fall. I first learned to knit about a year ago when I knit a scarf of my own design, which I now affectionately call "The Pinapple Scarf".

This past christmas I went insane and knit eight different scarves which I gifted to seven different friends and family mambers (the eighth being a little gift to myself).
Since then I've knit a small purse, another scarf, a baby sweater (Baby's First Tattoo from SnB Nation - I'll picture it shortly), cat toys, a bath mitt (I started & finished that one last night, and when attempting to use it this morning had an Incident with the dye running like crazy), and two cellphone cozies.

cell cozies - "mac sock" for the boyfriend, pretty yellow for me

Projects currently on the needles include: A tank top (weather's waaaay to hot to worry about finishing a knit tanktop anytime soon), another scarf for a friend who missed the chirstmas spree (I think I'll need to frog this and start over), a tea cozy (ran out of wool... I bet another 3 feet or so would do me...).

Projects on the waiting list are: socks for me, socks for cousin Erin, scarf for cousin Erin.... and possibly chirstmas scarves for cousins? (shhhh!) and gator mitts! Yay!