I have basically been going insane lately.
School SUCKS right now. SUCKS. I cannot wait to get through next semester, graduate, and have a whole summer off before I do it all over again. Being the neurotic overachiever that I am, I signed myself up for a lot…probably too much…and the honors scholarship requirements are basically fucking killing me. But I’ll do it, because I do these things to myself to say “I did it”.
However I no longer torment myself for the glory of completion in two areas of my life. One is books (I recently established a strict five chapter rule. I have SO many books to get through that I’ve already purchased that if a book doesn’t make me care what happens after five chapters it gets put away. See also: Mistress of the Art of Death. *yawn*) and the other is knitting. So say goodbye to the Mystery Stole. This was a bad time to start a KAL in the first place, and I screwed up somewhere that I can’t seem to rip back to. I’m done. It’s a lovely pattern, but I have too much xmas knitting to do to have a “problem knit” right now.
All is not lost however, I have a new found love for beading my knits. So thanks for that, Mystery Stole.
So what do I do when the homework piles up, the “new job smell” of tutoring has been replaced by lazy student stench, and the Xmas knitting looms over my head?
I log onto knitpicks.com and blow fifty bucks I don’t exactly have.
And what happens when I’ve hugged all the new yarn smell out of that…the same day it arrives?
I add 4 skeins of lace weight, 1 new hank of sock yarn, and some charity-friendly Lamb’s pride from Eva’s.
Uh, and a pair of Addi Lace #5’s, Quicksilver #4’s, and new size 2 DPNs for all the socks I’m simultaneously knitting.
…And a magnetic chart board.
I’m almost ashamed of myself. Almost.
But I’m done now. Really. I gotta get back to focusing on Xmas shopping rather than me shopping. I’ve finished one gift knit for my mom (Ravelers can hit the link to see, but the rest of you will have to wait because I’m not sure if my mom reads my blog. Sorry! Just think of the FO post I’ll have after Xmas!) Completed the kiddo’s Santa shopping, acquired the husbands bigger gift, and started two more gift knits.
After Xmas knitting is done I’ll be finishing that damn CPH (which I actually have been knitting on here and there), starting my first Clapotis (I know…way to be behind), finishing my Madeline Tosh Jaywalkers, and casting on for the Two-Toned Shrug from Fitted Knits and the HoneyBee Shawl I bought the above lace weight and Addi’s for. Yes sir, big knitting plans for 2007.
Christmas in the City update: I’ve received two more scarves from Kelly (Kellingsen on Ravelry) and about 10 more emails from potential volunteers! I’ve also gotten a few about prize donations, which will be shown off and raved about when they arrive! You guys are great! As always, keep spreading the word!
One disappointing thing about this drive has been the complete lack of replies to my emails out to “bigger” local bloggers and knitting news sites asking if they could help spread the word. I’m not naming of course, perhaps they have their reasons, but that’s a bit saddening. I would never hesitate to spread the word about any of your, my dear readers, or anyone’s charitable projects.
However many of you have spread the word on your blogs, and really, you’re all I need. The majority of my blog reading isn’t spent reading the “bigger” knit blogs. The blog rockstars tend to be very impersonal and frankly…not any better writers/bloggers than more friendly knit bloggers. I love bloggers that reply to their comments, interact with their readers, and don’t act so…I think you know what I mean. Give me Tropical Knits, GrrLeigh Knits, Insubordiknit, Marnie MacLean, Knitphomaniacs, Needlephile, Flutter, I May Be Knitting A Ranch House, or Spinster In Training ANY day over any of the biggest of knitting blogs. So here’s to you, all of you, that I’ve chatted with, subscribed to, and read over these last few years. 300 comments per post does not an interesting blog make.
Speaking of friendly rockin bloggers I’ve come across, I’ve been tagged by Glenna (who you may remember from my blogger bingo experience) for another 8 Random Things.
1. My living room is nearly 100% IKEA furniture. I love IKEA. Even if I could afford more expensive furniture, I would still shop at IKEA. And maybe Pier 1, I love that place, too.
2. My showering is meticulously patterned. I wash my hair, then my face, then the rest of me, shave, put in a little conditioner, rinse it out, and then stand with my face in the water for no less than three minutes to psych myself up to face the day. If I do any of this out of order, I will forget to do something…like rinse the conditioner out of my hair.
3. I fucking hate black licorice.
4. I don’t have a drivers license. I may have shared this before but it seems to be the most shocking thing about me to other people. I grew up in a Boston suburb ripe with public transport. I just never learned. I have since learned, am only semi-terrible at it, but still don’t have an actual license.
5. I will get a terrible night’s rest for the comfort of my pets. I can’t bring myself to shove any of them off me/the bed because I think of how warm and happy they must be sleeping on my completely numb leg/arm/face.
6. I make lists. A lot. Like, everyday in fact. Crossing something off a list is equal to euphoria for me and I have no idea why.
7. One chip in my nail polish is enough to make me stare at the offending fingernail all day until I get home to my nail polish remover. I am currently out of nail polish remover…guess what I’m staring at?
8. I am currently keeping at least one big secret. 
I’m not going to tag anyone in particular, but if you want to do this one let me know in the comments and I’ll check it out!
That’s all for today, I will leave you with a bit of a public service announcement because I don’t want this to happen to anyone else:
When you buy a cheap “beater” car, or any car for that matter, look underneath it first. No matter what the jerk selling it to you says. I say this because my husband did not and this is the axle we were driving around on, obliviously, until we noticed the wheel looking a little crooked:
We could have been hurt or killed if my cousin the wonder mechanic hadn’t spotted this first. I won’t even go into the “new transmission” we were assured this van had. The very same transmission that died two days ago…less than three months after we bought this POS. Or the two doors that don’t stay shut. Or the leaks. Basically, eat shit Sparky’s of New Bedford, MA.
Happy knitting!
