Success!!!!!

I have been knitting like the wind lately, in an attempt to knit a pair of socks to gift to my bf for his birthday this weekend. Though, of course, when I say "like the wind", I mean "a slight sporadic breeze" as we all know I'm a slow ass knitter.

In the past, I was thinking that a pair of socks normally took me about three to four weeks, knitting around my full-time job, occasional social events, and the ever needed thing called sleep. But what I failed to take into account when I started this pair three weeks ago was that:

A) these are bigger (and hence more work) than the others I've knitted
B) I can't knit them on weekends because he spends weekends with me! GAH!!

Boy, don't think those realizations about a week in didn't cause some panic!

So I only had four evenings (at best) per week to work on them. So each free night I had I'd buckle down and knit for hours in my attempt to finish.

Which, amazingly, happened last night! Just in the nick of time, as he comes over tomorrow right after work so we can leave for Los Angeles! WHEW! That's cutting it close. They are currently blocking and I should be able to gift wrap them tonight! WOOOOOOOOT!

Take a gander, ain't they pretty!

They are a little big on me (note the looseness around the heels and ankles), so I'm HOPING they fit him. I've never knit man's socks before so it was all guess-work (and a little help from T1 (*shout out!*)) with regard to how many stitches to use. I normally cast on 60 for mine, so used 72 for his. Fingers crossed they fit! (please, please, please!)

Also, speaking of T1, here's the pic of the socks you helped me finish earlier this year! I loves them! Thanks so much for reminding me how to do the freakin' heel turn!!! Sorry it took so long for me to post the pic!

(err, which also reminds me that I never posted the Hawaii pics. So I'll get to that, perhaps after I post about this weekend's LA ones!)

Have a great weekend!

You know you have too much money when.....

... you buy the following watch:

"In April the Swiss watchmaker Romain Jerome (which last year created a watch made from remnants of the Titanic) introduced the "Day&Night" watch, which unfortunately does not provide a reading of the hour or the minute. Though it retails for about $300,000, it tells only whether it is "day" or "night" (using a complex measurement of the Earth's gravity). CEO Yvan Arpa said studies show that two-thirds of rich people "don't (use) their watch to tell what time it is" anyway. Anyone can buy a watch that tells time, he told a Reuters reporter, but only a "truly discerning customer" can buy one that doesn't. [News of the Weird, 5-25-08]"

I'm shocked by this! I thought FOR SURE that Rich Folk could afford something we Poor Folk call "a window". Huh ... who knew?!

Headlines that make you go "hmmmm"

Like this one:

"Japanese Company Unveils Solar-Powered Bra"

Yeah, can you say "created by a man"??? Because really, unless you're Madonna (or apparently Amy Winehouse), just wearing a bra in public is not acceptable. And, of course, for the solar powering to be effective, the bra couldn't be covered. Sigh. Men!!

You know, a woman would have created a solar powered hat. Because a hat would make sense! Right? :)

What next, men? ... the solar powered g-string??? (*shakes head with the pathetic-ness*)

Things I learned in Boston

My bf and I just got back from Boston ....

..... and here are some things I learned:

1. Pedestrians do NOT have the right away! We learned quickly to start crossing only when a person who looked like a local Bostonian stepped out to cross. Which, more often than not, did not correspond to when you had the little green "walk" sign.

Which leads me to Things We Learned #2....

2. The green "walk" signs in Boston are worthless! ;)

3. Bostonians are actually very, very friendly people (as long as you're not trying to cross a street, that is!) Each time I pulled out a map, one stopped to ask if I needed assistance. Very nice. Thank you Boston!

4. Bostonians lovelovelove their Dunkin' Donuts! No kidding!! I saw WAY more Dunkin' Donut shops than I saw Starbucks! You heard me correctly. More Dunkin' Donuts than Starbucks. Folks, that's just crazy! But trust me, they are everywhere!

Even at Fenway Park. Look!

And no, this is not a beer line. It's a Dunkin' Donuts line!!! WTF?!

Weird, I tell ya! I mean, the Milky Way hot chocolate they have IS pretty dang yummy. But .... Dunkin's at a ballgame?? Why that's un-American!!! It's supposed to be beer, hot dogs and peanuts, people! Beer, hot dogs, and peanuts! Not donuts! Sheesh! You crazy, Bostonians! :)

5. Fenway Park is beautiful. It's completely old school. I loved it. A bit chilly for our night game though. They announced that it was 46 degrees as the game began. We survived til the 7th inning stretch then left to try and thaw out.

6. While we're on the topic of baseball, I believe you risk life and limb if you are other than a Red Sox fan there. Because EVERYONE wears Red Sox jerseys, hats, etc! I've never seen anything like it! Do hospitals give out Red Sox baby clothes and blankets to newborns before they leave the hospital?!! They must.

7. Fancy convenience stores. Is this not the fanciest 7-Eleven you've seen? I found this in the Beacon Hill neighborhood.

8. Fabulous subways! We found our way to everywhere we wanted by either walking or taking the subway. VERY easy to get around. No need to drive (thank goodness. If trying to cross the street as a pedestrian was bad, I can't imagine actually being in the middle of things there!)

9. They definitely like their statues there. I haven't figured out who/what/why this one? It kinda creeped me out.

But loved this one! This is in Boston Public Garden and is called " Make Way For Ducklings". This is mama duck with babies: Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack. Too cute! Based on a children's book.

10. Boston Public Garden is beautiful!

And the animals in it are as friendly as the (non-driving) Bostonians!

11. Bostonians seem to like things which reflect:

12. Great artwork! We went to the Boston Museum of Fine Art to check an item off my bucket list ....

.... by seeing my Renoir! ...

... and found some other great artwork as well!

13. Apparently hookers are classified into "general" and "non-general" and have separate entrances.

I'm assuming "hooker" does not mean "hooker" and instead is some political term (?) ....but found the sign to be a crackup nonetheless! "Hooker entrance" ... hee hee. Of course, if this state building deals with politicans, then maybe "hooker" does mean "hooker"! (what? You thought it too! You know you did!!! :))

14. Two Cheers there ... the original Bull and Finch Pub which had the its exterior used on the tv show Cheers.

And the mock-up Cheers designed to replicate the interior of the bar seen on the tv show.

Sadly, no-one knew our names at either. ;)

15. Lots of history around Boston. Here's a picture of the Paul Revere Mall with the Old North Church (in which Paul Revere hung the lanterns) in the background.

And Paul Revere's grave. I haven't quite figured out why folks put money on it. But there ya go!

16. The squirrels are horny.

What?!! Is squirrel porn wrong?? :)

17. And last but not least of things we learned in Boston, Kilroy was here! :)

All in all a great trip! And two items checked off my bucket list ... the Renoir painting and a game at Fenway Park! Woot!

An addiction that saves the world!

A friend passed along this link. It's a great way to improve your vocabulary while feeding the poor at the same time. Doesn't cost you at thing .... well, other than hours and hours and hours of your time, of course, as it is hella addicting!!!!

But give it a go anyway, because it is fun, improves the mind, and feeds the poor! Now with all those benefits, how can you not?? :)

Enjoy!

Free Rice - Play and Feed a hungry person!

I Heart Matt Nathanson!

So I've gone to a few concerts lately so I thought I'd finally get off my butt and get you some pics!

First off in this post was the Lifehouse concert. Now, I'll get to the actual Lifehouse portion of this talk in a minute. But first I have to mention the opening band. I'd never seen him, or heard of him before, but am now madly in love with .... Matt Nathanson!!

Look how cute he is! (and yes, that might be my blonde hair in the bottom left corner which means I was back to stalking The Pretties ... but what of it!? :))

Oh so cute!

Not only was the music great, but the guy is freakin' hee-lar-i-ous!!! What a hoot. Here's a bit of him performing Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" (which had T2 in 7th heaven, don't think it didn't, as she loveslovesloves her Rick)



Now doesn't he look like a fun time??

If you haven't heard his music before, go to his website and start listening. He's going to be a huge hit. Even though I swear he kinda reminds me of that actor on the tv show Psych. ;)

So then Lifehouse performed! Wonderful as always!

Let me give an "mmm mmm mmm" for T1 who loves herself her Jason!

Here's a little Lifehouse for you!



And I love this clip of their song "Broken".



And THEN ... the same week I head out to the same venue to see Dropkick Murphys. Check out the difference in the crowds! You just saw Lifehouse and the lack of security in front of the stage! Now check out DKM!



CRAZY, right??!! Makes it hard to watch the band as the crowd is just so freakin' entertaining!! I can't believe those security guys ... they had to be on watch the entire show, continuously physically yanking people out of the pit!!!

Not for me ... uh uh .... I'll stay safely ensconced up in the balconies for Crazy Crowd Shows! That's for sure!

Here's a better one of DKM performing my favorite of their songs ... "The Gauntlet".



After that show, I was shocked I was able to convince the same friends to attend another Crazy Crowd Show coming up in a few months! This one is probably going to be even a bit more wild so .... wish me balcony seats!!! :)

And last but certainly NOT least on this concert post, was the recent Bruce Springsteen concert here in Portland. You know I loves me my Bruce. And on my Bucket List I have listed front row at a Springsteen concert. Yeah, well ... it didn't happen AGAIN! ARGH!

First let me send out a HUGE thank you to T2 for suffering through the standing and waiting outside in the sleet (literally!) for hours to get in (general admission sucks!). AGAIN! T2, thank you, thank you, thank you! I know you and your pregnant self did that all for me and I SOOOOOOO appreciate it! You ROCK!*

But as in Los Angeles, we had about a fifty-fifty shot of our wristband number getting us into The Pit (the floor area closest to the stage). And AGAIN, we didn't make it! CRAZY! What's a girl got to do, Bruce?!! GAH! At this point I'm thinking my quest for the night in the Lincoln Bedroom and the flight in a Blue Angels jet are going to be easier than this Bruce front row one! Good lordy!

But anyway, even though we didn't have the pit, we still were pretty close. (relatively speaking, of course, as we were in a huge arena! Not so close had it been a small club! Just sayin' is all! ;)). Here's a couple of pics:

And here's a little blurb of him singing "Badlands". Man how I love how he'll just have the house lights on and you can look around and see everyone standing on their feet rocking out (uhh, not in this video, but ya know ... when there! ;)). Just doesn't get any better than that!



Still love you Bruce, even though I may never get to see you up close and personal! You know, like I did Matt Nathanson!!!

Woot!

Okay, so I think that's it on the latest concerts! Hope you enjoyed!

*also thank you for the use of some of these images!

I bought cable tv for my cat

Well, I call it "tv" ... most people would call it a "birdfeeder".

But I tell you what, Emma is in seventh heaven! I hung it outside my dining room windows, which are huge and can be seen from three different rooms.

Unfortunately, we all know Emma is NOT the sharpest tool in the shed, eh? And so she doesn't get that sitting right in the window keeps the birds from approaching the feeder two foot away!

Come to me, my pretties!

Eventually, she got a little more slick! Check out this bird watching tactic!

Ah ha, I fool you! Surely you can not see me now!

Sadly, the birds are still smarter than Emma. As Emma can't contain her excitement and pops right up as soon there is any bird movement near the feeder. Poor kitty. She'll get it right at some point!

In the meantime, there is a squirrel that she couldn't scare off! In fact, they both were shaking their tail feathers (so to speak) at each other for quite awhile! (note: the squirrel is hard to see but is on the limb to the right of Emma)

Yep, this is the best cat toy I've purchased in forever!! And it doesn't even contain cat nip!!! Who knew?! :)

With these kinda odds, maybe I should be buying a lotto ticket??

So this is crazy! I was just reading an article listing the 2008 top 10 Dirtiest Hotels in America .... and I've stayed at the hotel listed as NUMBER ONE!!!!!! Y'all ....... what are the odds??? Just think about that ..... how many frickin' hotels are there in your city alone?!!!! Now ponder in ALL OF AMERICA! And I managed to hit #1! Scary, isn't it! And the dang thing was like $150 a night too! That's the real pisser! I mean, you pay $29.99 for a room ... well, expect to be rooming with some cockroaches. But $150? Come onnnn, now. At least change the sheets, know what I'm sayin??

Here's the top 10 list for those of you interested:

The 2008 Dirtiest US Hotels

1. Hotel Carter, New York
2. Ramada Niagara Falls, New York
3. Days Inn Vanderbilt/Music Row, Nashville
4. Red Carpet Inn, Fort Lauderdale
5. Regency Inn & Suites, New York
6. St. Augustine Beachfront Resort
7. Travel Inn Civic/Medical Center, Miami
8. Eden Roc Motel, Wildwood
9. Days Inn Lancaster, Lancaster
10. Pacific Sands Motel, Santa Monica


And here's a link to my writeup of the hotel in a post back in 2005. Man, just seeing those pictures again makes me want to scrub down in a scalding hot shower for a couple of hours, let me tell you!! Because it was NASTY!

Seriously, where's my loofah!??!

So do you think ....

.... I pulled a muscle in my left butt cheek while participating in extreme paper shredding, full-contact income tax filing, or perhaps tv watching which ran into overtime??

Yeahhhh, so sad. This gettin' old thing sucks!!! ;)

The good news is I'll be able to rest it up in Hawaii in just a few days! Woot!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!

I found a fascinating website today ... either it is VERY appropriate for Valentine's Day ... or VERY inappropriate for Valentine's Day .... I can't tell which! All I know is .... I find it fascinating! ;)

Take a gander and let me know what you think.....

Relationship Obituaries

Apparently I'm now a Monthly Blogger....

... Instead of an Almost Daily Blogger. What the hell happened there? It's as if my blogging ability has dried up. Or my creativity. Or my time. Or all of the above. Actually, I think it's mainly my time. Work has been busy since one of our programmers left and now I actually have to work! (gah! :))

Ah well, instead of analyzing it .... let's just get to a quick roundup of what's been going on!

First up, though I can't name names as I don't know quite how public the info is, I'd like to congratulate YouKnowWhoYouAre on the fact that I'm going to be an "auntie" again! Whoo hoooo! And I am using all my positive thinking to believe that after the baby is born, these folks won't up and move across country as SOME other people did after they had their little one (*cough T1 cough*) :) I want to be an in-town auntie, damnit, so these folks MUST stay! (that's right, I'm laying down the law!). Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS! I am very excited for you guys!

More exciting news, T1 and hubby and baby were just in town! Whoo hooo! And though it was fabulous just to spend time with them, the BEST part was that T1 helped me "remember" how to do the heel on my sock! I know, I know ... I've done what .... at least 5 or 6 pairs in the past? And even had finished the first sock of this pair. AND even had the pattern on how to do the heel. And yet, I stared at the directions, I stared at my needles, and had NO clue! So I waited til my Knitting Guru came back to town and now I am well on my way to finishing the sock! YAY! Just a few more stripes on the main foot part to do and then I start the toe decreases! (hmmm, toe decreases .... do I remember how to do that?? T1, maybe you need to book another flight soon??? :))

We had a gathering while T1 was in town, and during that another friend's 4 year old daughter wanted to sing for the group. Now remember, she's FOUR. Also, she's never had a singing lesson .... just watched the movie so many times that she has taught herself. Check out this video .... amazing!



Yeah, you'll be seeing her on American Idol in 12 years, I'm sure! :)

What else? ... what else? Oh, FINALLY bought the camera I've been wanting! I'd like to get back into photography and My Boy is taking me to Hawaii next month (yeah, I know, I'm SPOILED!) and so I finally bit the bullet and bought the camera because I know I'll have some great photo ops while we're there and I wanted a good camera to get the best shots possible. It's the Nikon D40x .... ain't it pretty? :)



Yeah, I've been talking about that camera for awhile! I'm glad I finally bought it!

Also, I went to Jill Conner Browne's booksigning. Do y'all know who she is? ... author of the Sweet Potato Queen books. Man, those books are a hoot! And the recipes she includes are to die for (literally, they'll harden your arteries up in no time!). Anyway, here's a pic of her and then one I snapped of some attendees who showed up in "queen" attire! Too cute!

We've getting quite a few days of snow in Portland this winter, though nothing that has kept me home from work (dagnabit)! Still beautiful to see though. Especially so I suppose because it's been safe to drive in (yeah, us Southern Californians ... wusses I tell ya when it comes to anything but clear and sunny driving conditions!) :)

I can't think what else offhand. Oh, happy early birthday to my mama!

Okay, I guess that's it. Hope all is well with everyone! And next time I blog (if'n I am still in this Once A Month funk) I'll have Hawaii pictures to share! Whoo hoooo!!

Awww Heath....

RIP Heath Ledger 1979-2008

I found this quote of Heath's character Ennis Del Mar (from Brokeback Mountain) particularly interesting given the potential drug overdose twist:

"Bottom line is... we're around each other an'... this thing, it grabs hold of us again... at the wrong place... at the wrong time... and we're dead."

Too sad. How many people do we have to lose before folks wise up?! It's just truly such a waste.

And if this was a purposeful overdose by his own hand, how sad that someone with SO much going for him felt so lost and hopeless. What a tragedy.

Either way, condolences to his daughter, family, friends, and us ... his fans. You'll be missed, Heath. :(

A new year giggle

In case I'm not the only one who didn't see this video in 2007, here's the hilarious Dramatic Prairie Dog video. This thing just cracks me up! (it didn't the first watching, but I swear it grows on you!)

It's only 5 seconds but make sure you've got sound on!

And Happy New Year, everyone! I wish you all the best!