Chicago to Los Angeles to Tokyo to Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur.
That is the route the woman at United Airlines cobbled together for me. She also said I might have fewer stops if I fly Singapore Airlines. So, I suggested we try that instead. But, she couldn't get a confirmation from them and I have to call back tomorrow. I have the other itinerary on hold.
Cough. Cough.
I am going to hack up a lung pretty soon.
I like lying in bed with my laptop (and the tissue box).
Photo of one nearly finished bootie:
The incandescent lighting makes it look a bit more pinkish than it actually is. Light is funny that way. posted by kristar 11:14 PM
Thursday, May 30, 2002
So much for my road trip to Michigan and back. I have had to postpone it. I am feeling worse and hardly slept last night because of this nasty sickness. Driving that far on almost no sleep is not a good idea. I'm hoping to make the trip in a couple of weeks when, I assume, I will be feeling better. At least most everything is packed up and ready to go. posted by kristar 9:30 AM
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
After thinking I had misinterpreted the baby bootie pattern, I knitted the second one up the way I thought the designer meant it to be. Woops! Still turned out funky. So, I checked out the "errata" section of her website only to discover the pattern was wrong and I was not. I am not going to frog the booties, though. I showed them to a couple of people who told me they actually prefered them the way I knitted them. So, even though I am not sure I agree (that they look better), I think I will leave them the way they are. Here's a picture of the un-finished item:
Feel my pain I am at work despite the headache, sore throat, cough, and general lack of energy. The cold medicine I took seems to be kicking in right now and I am feeling a little out-of-it. There was a small electrical fire in my cube and the smell of burning plastic isn't helping my head.
My friend in Malaysia gave me the OK on the dates I would like to visit. Now it's just a matter of booking a flight. I spent some time this morning looking for decent itineraries. I am not sure if I want to use my frequent flier miles or pay for it. I think I have some vouchers I might be able to use. Decision, decisions...
I was hoping to sew up the baby booties last night, but I just wasn't feeling up to it. Maybe tonight I will make some time to knit. If not, I will at least take a photo of the pre-made up booties. posted by kristar 11:24 AM
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Sucks! I am sick! Overnight the symptoms set in and now I feel like hell. I need to pack up my things to haul them from Texas to Michigan this weekend. Shit. This is going to be a horrible week. posted by kristar 9:44 PM
Monday, May 27, 2002
I'm sick of traveling for work. Tomorrow I have a 3-1/2 hour layover in Chicago. Yuck! I probably won't get to work before 2pm. Why do I even bother showing up?
Please check out Haypenny, the world's greatest on-line funmaker and bear eatery, for their latest *menu*.
I've finished knitting the baby booties, but I have yet to sew/make them up. Photos soon to come!
What happens when you type the words "loser", "sour", and "target" into the Google search engine? Try it and find out! Okay, lazyass, here's the link. So, why did I type those words in anyway? To be honest, I really have no idea.
Okay peeps, I just spent way too long surfing the knitting bloggers webring. I gots to get off this and pick up my knitting sticks! posted by kristar 7:02 PM
I'm spending my holiday weekend in Michigan. I left Austin early Friday morning on a flight to Chicago where I made my Michigan connection. When I arrived at my parents' house I found the package of soaps I had ordered from the knitbloggers' very own Crafty Girl! These soaps are wonderful! I must say, I favour the Lemongrass Peppermint Scrub. And the lovely Nag Champa lotion bar is excellent! It brings back memories of college where I went through many a stick of nag champa incense. Please check out her website. I am all about supporting small businesses that provide quality goods and services.
I spent a cool and cloudy Friday with my parents. On Saturday, I went to Grand Rapids to spend time with my friends. Today is a gorgeous day. I got in a little hiking and gardening and my parents and I enjoyed a lovely lakeside brunch.
Some photos from my mom's gardens:
I've been working on the child's guernsey and have nearly completed the back. This evening, though, I think I will make a set of baby booties. posted by kristar 5:31 PM
Thursday, May 23, 2002
Useless fun I know I am supposed to be working, but my friend sent me this time-wasting link and now I am can't get away from it. It makes me think of HotOrNot.com, but it's way better. posted by kristar 11:42 AM
Tonight I made a baby bootie. It didn't turn out quite right, though. The pattern was a little vague which caused me to make some incorrect assumptions. A bit frustrating. Anyhow, it's a quick knit and I have learned from the experience. I used DaleSvale (color 5403) which, when knit up, is so much softer than I expected. I'll most definitely take a photo of the next one I knit.
BTW, I just watched The Man Who Wasn't There. Great movie. posted by kristar 12:41 AM
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
Today is boring. I want to go home and knit. posted by kristar 5:26 PM
And next year I am off to Côte d'Ivoire to visit my friend Erik. He will be leaving the U.S. in mid-June. I am very excited for him. He's wanted to be a Peace Corps volunteer for a long while. He loves Africa (he's spent a lot of time there) and he speaks French fluently (as a matter of fact he talks to my mom in French - I don't even get to do that). He's now my third friend to travel to Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. The other two worked in Guinea and Mali. Other close family friends volunteered in Jamaica in the 1960s. It's something I always thought I would do too. But, once I completed a few years of college, I realized I wouldn't be able to handle it. It's not even for physical reasons. Mentally and emotionally it would be too much of a challenge for me. Perhaps one day that will change. Maybe I will think differently when I visit next year. Or perhaps the trip will reinforce how I already feel. posted by kristar 10:13 AM
This morning before leaving the apartment, I checked my email and discovered a message from my good friend who works in Malaysia. She asked if I'd thought anymore about traveling to visit her. Why, yes, I had! Now I just have to work with her to plan the dates to be there. I can't wait to go! posted by kristar 9:52 AM
Monday, May 20, 2002
I've been working on the Child's Guernsey from Debbie Bliss's How To Knit for what seems like an incredibly long time. Well, that's due to the fact that almost two weeks ago I had to frog the entire back which I had nearly finished. Sucked! I had looked at the wrong measurement (yes, I marked the correct one before I started working the pattern) and ended up knitting 9 inches of stockinette stitch rather than 11 inches. It's not like the sweater was coming along so quickly anyway. So, I guess it wasn't a major setback. I put my positive thoughts into my work and now I have nearly reached the point at which I was when I ripped it all out. Yippee!
before frogging
current state
Okay, well, it's almost time for the Six Feet Under episode I missed last night. Gotta go! posted by kristar 8:59 PM
Sunday, May 19, 2002
The weather here (in Austin) has me feeling a little guilty about watching movies indoors. Fortunately my movies don't have to be returned to the store until Wednesday. I have the sliding door to my porch open right now. It's warm (not hot), sunny, and breezy. Absolutely perfect weather. I'm glad I'm not in Michigan right now. Sorry Tonya. *wink* posted by kristar 8:56 AM
Saturday, May 18, 2002
Today's movie:Reality Bites Oh the memories this flick brings back. posted by kristar 12:37 PM
1. What shampoo do you use?
-- Aveda Rosemary Mint
2. Do you use conditioner? What kind?
-- Aveda Rosemary Mint
3. When was the last time you got your hair cut?
-- December 2000. Yes, that's right, it's been well over a year since I had my hair cut or trimmed or coloured.
4. What styling products do you use?
-- None. Once in a great while I will use some sort of pomade to keep my hair smooth when I am trying to look nice.
5. What's your worst hair-related experience?
-- I can't really think of anything. I usually have no regrets since my hair grows pretty fast and I can usually change it if I don't like it. I guess the closest to anything bad was when I had some of my hair woven with pretty, coloured floss and eventually had to have it cut out. It left a small stub of hair on my head. It was more amusing than anything. Sometimes it's okay to wear hats. posted by kristar 2:58 PM
Thursday, May 16, 2002
Okay, after all of the promises I made, I did finally update my knitting galleries with some FOs. Check out the hair tube and the dishcloth. Maybe this evening I will update the WIP section. posted by kristar 5:35 PM
I don't want to go to work today. It's 9:03am CDT and I am still sitting here, unshowered, in my pajamas. What is wrong with me?!
I know I bitch a lot... I changed the domain name servers for my domain on Monday and I received a message that I would get a confirmation email. It also said it would take 48-72 hours to change it. Okay, fine. Well, I thought the confirmation email would have appeared first, but I have yet to see it. So, I'm waiting the full 72 hours (until sometime this evening) to see if it arrives, but I am losing hope. I wanted to be able to post inline photos to my blog and I can't until they get this change made. I am so sick of waiting! Argh!!!!
So, I am still seriously thinking about quitting my job. I was talking to Jackie (my good friend, fellow knitter, and also married to my cousin) about it. She suggested I look into some career counseling...possibly through my alma mater. So, I did a little searching and found some good info that I hope to investigate further. Thanks so much for the help, Jackie!
While I was in college some of my friends traveled around the globe by working on Organic Farms. It's called WWOOF-ing. I think this is something I'd like to do. Maybe for next year. Possibly after my trip to Côte d'Ivoire to visit my friend, Erik. Learn more about The International WWOOF Association. It's an especially good way for vegetarians to see the world. Anyone interested in joining me? posted by kristar 4:56 PM
The weather is so nice here today -- again! The last three days have just been gorgeous in Austin. Warm and sunny with a cool breeze blowing through. I just love it! Every morning I walk out of my apartment and think I should just skip work and laze about in the out-of-doors. Instead I am holed up in a cubicle with no natural light and no view of the outside. And now you wonder why I leave the building to eat at an outside restaurant everyday... posted by kristar 10:28 AM
Monday, May 13, 2002
"I have known since I was a child that my fate held three great promises for me. Firstly, and most importantly, I am destined for a Great Love with one woman ..."
"Secondly, I have always known that great wealth was in my future..."
"Thirdly, I have always believed that I will become President..."
-M. H.
Somehow I got to looking at the website for the Nicole Kidman *stalker* and I couldn't stop reading! I could be wrong about him, but he doesn't seem all there. Check out the Boycott Nicole Kidman section too. It's quite amusing. posted by kristar 6:02 PM
To add some goofiness to your day, go check out the latest Haypenny update. Go therenow! posted by kristar 3:35 PM
Sunday, May 12, 2002
Yesterday's Chicago Cubs game was rained out. It was supposed to be my sister's 30th birthday celebration activity, but it just poured cats and dogs here in Chicago. Instead, we (her husband and several of her friends included) hung out at her condo and snacked on Potbelly's sandwiches and other munchables. I also picked up a 6-pack of my favourite beer: Bell's Oberon. I used to drink it in college. I would save up what little cash I had for a single bottle of the stuff and I would usually end up splitting it with one other person. It's sooo good! And from a great brewery in Michigan.
Tomorrow morning I will fly back to Austin. I'm once again thinking about quitting my job. If I can make it until June 2nd, my 5-year anniversary, when my 401K will be 100% vested I think I might do it. Then again, maybe I will change my mind.
I frogged everything I'd done on the child's guernsey. I took some before and after photos. I also started knitting the piece again. I'm not quite to the yoke pattern yet. I will hopefully post some photos this afternoon.
Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there! posted by kristar 10:06 AM
Tuesday, May 07, 2002
Oh man! It's been a while since I posted anything on my blog. I feel bad for anyone who has had to waste any time passing by via the web ring. So sorry.
On the knitting front: As this is primarily a knitting blog, I thought I should get my knitting adventures out of the way first. On my train ride to Michigan last Friday, I worked on the Wheatfields dishcloth which I had kind of blown off for a while. It is all finished and I need to post a new picture of it in the galleries. I also knitted more of the guernsey sweater, but I have decided to pull out all of the yoke pattern and add the 2 inches of stockinette stitch I missed. It will be sad to see it go. And it will be even sadder to re-knit the pattern. I'll take some photos to document what I did.
I've also been a slightly evil knitter. Well, not really evil...just a little devilish. I have been hanging out with a couple of my friends here in Michigan. Juli and Carolyn. I taught them both how to knit and they are each working on projects right now. I find that I can't help myself when I see their projects lying around and I pick up the item and I start knitting it! I have a terrible addiction! It's like I can't help myself. If I don't have knitting in my hands I take someone else's! Is that bad? Last night I crawled into bed and decided to start something new because I wasn't in the mood to frog the guernsey. So, I decided to make a tube top for a friend of mine. It may end up being a wrap if I screw it up. I am not working from any pattern. I just picked up some cheap yarn and started knitting it to keep myself from knitting other people's work.
I also finished the hair tube of which I will post a photo very soon. I need to recharge the batteries in my digital camera.
Gardening: I have the coolest succulent garden going on! My mom took me to her friend's greenhouses and gardens over the weekend and I bought some excellent plants for a very low price. I will be sure to get some photos posted soon. Promises, promises...
Work: This week I am working from Michigan. I'm really enjoying my time away from the office. It's going to be difficult going back. If I could only convince *them* to let me work from here every week. The one thing I miss? High speed connectivity. I am working over a dial-up connection and I am realizing how spoiled I have been! Of course I connect to the network at the office, but I have a very reliable cable modem in my apartment in Austin as well. If I hang out here on a more permanent basis I will probably get DSL and a second phone line.
Life: I really love living with my friend. It's so wonderful to spend time with her and her daughters. They call me "Aunt Kika". They are sweet and challenging and playful and frustrating and very, very loving. I see how much work being a mother/mom is and I see how rewarding it is too. I wonder if I will ever feel ready for it. I think I am still a little too irresponsible to consider it any time soon. Speaking of...I think I am going to Malaysia in June. Another friend is living in Kuala Lumpur and she wants a visitor. I just need to get some specific dates from her and then I need to book a flight! I am so excited!
Okay, well I'm sure I could go on and on about everything that's been happening over the last few days, but it might get boring for you, dear reader. I will stop for now. posted by kristar 10:09 AM
Thursday, May 02, 2002
This page needs some work. I am now seeing it on my sister's monitor with a different resolution than my own. It's not looking too good. Things need to be more dynamic. I'll work on this when I have some time because scrolling sux! Changes soon to come.
My flight to Chicago went very smoothly. Now I must take the dog for a walk. posted by kristar 11:03 PM
It was cool to see everyone knitting on TV this morning! I plan to get in some good knitting time during the train ride from Chicago to Michigan. I also suffer the motion sickness problem that Dangerous Chunky mentioned in her blog today. I have to take Dramamine whenever I travel...whether via plane, auto, or boat. Sometimes it makes me sleepy, but it's the only way I can knit or read on the move. posted by kristar 1:47 PM
Ha HA! I am flying out of here today. This week I decided to fly into Chicago and then take the train to Michigan. I've had enough of missed flight connections. This plan means I will spend the night in Chicago tonight and then catch a train tomorrow morning. I'm excited to see my parents this weekend. I'm also hoping to work on a succulent garden. A week away from the office - awesome! My laptop is all set up to work remotely. I am going to set up an office in my friend's house for a whole week! I can't wait to have friends around. Anyway, after my week in Michigan I will return to Chicago for the following weekend -- also my sister's birthday weekend. I have been invited to join her at a Chicago Cubs baseball game! I'm almost embarassed to say that in all the years that I have lived in Chicago I have never been to a Cubs game. I've never really been a huge fan of traditional sports. Though, I did enjoy a Chicago Fire soccer game once. But, everyone seems to have a great time watching the Cubbies and I hope I do the same.
Ohmigosh! I don't know how I am going to get this suitcase on to the plane let alone the train! It's so heavy and full of yarn, needles, knitting books...oh yeah, some clothes too.
Well, I have the Early Show on right now and Jane Clayson keeps mentioning the knitting segment. Can't wait to see my fellow knitbloggers. Let's get it on already! I'm still waiting... posted by kristar 8:44 AM
Wednesday, May 01, 2002
Changed the appearance of my blog. It's still quite dull, but it seems easier on the eyes than the old one did. Soon I will find a place to host my domain and then I will be able to have inline pictures. Maybe next week?
I've also changed over to YACCS comments now that sign up is open again. posted by kristar 12:10 PM
