i hate this place that is my mind. i am thinking about getting the hell out. posted by kristar 10:24 AM
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Free music is always good. From the Kill Rock Stars label.
Turkey was awesome. The wedding was awesome. I can't wait to go back. Maybe I'll post some photos this weekend.
I'm an auntie! Nathan James was born the day I arrived in Turkey. I haven't seen him in person yet, but I plan to spend the entire coming weekend at his house.
I want to see Garden State. Where is it playing in Michigan???? I'll travel.
I spent the weekend in Austin. It was a crazy weekend with the biker rally and all. A little too crowded for me, but I still miss it! I will move back there.
Well, I've calmed down a bit since my last post. I finally bought a lawn mower. I haven't used it yet because it's been NON STOP RAINING here. As a matter of fact, there is water all over my basement, but I am not going to get excited or angry about it. I am just trying to accept these things. Fortunately, most of the things I have down there are in plastic totes or on shelves. As for the smell, well...what can ya do?
Here's my new lawn mower. It's not inexpensive, but it's really cool and it works even without the battery. It should last a while on my small yard. Thanks to Google ads for referring me to this neat little machine! posted by kristar 9:06 AM
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
At the risk of sounding like a spoiled brat, I FUCKING HATE OWNING A HOUSE!
I just keep finding things that I hate about my house. And I find my foot making black marks on my cupboards and my hand creating dents in the sink (I know I have some anger management issues) because I am so pissed off at something that doesn't work or is just fucking annoying! I was not meant to own a house.
I have some brand new, never been used water skis to unload. I think I will put them up on eBay sometime soon! I have a lot of other stuff too, but I might just sell it next month at the garage sale I was planning. posted by kristar 7:28 AM
On reaching an office complex complete with little shop on the ground floor in case I need tampons, do I pretend to ENJOY the cup of coffee I have snatched from stressed foreign people in a faceless eat-all-you-can-before-you-die deli, even though it tastes like shit, like all New York deli coffee, but I am so middle class bleeding heart pinko liberal that I pretend I prefer it to Starbucks? posted by kristar 8:52 AM
Last night I had a dream that I was in India. And it was snowing there. But the snow was warm and people crouched in the snowbanks to keep warm. When I woke up I was sweating. I guess it's time to bring out the window unit a/c... posted by kristar 7:13 AM
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
My sister's baby is due mid-July and shortly thereafter I was planning to go to Turkey for my friend's wedding. My sister and her husband told me that if I do go to Turkey, I will be on a 30 day quarantine (this means I can't see the baby, except through photos, for 30 days after I return). That sucks! posted by kristar 9:36 AM
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
The interview with the H.R. person was more like a meeting than an interview. She went over all of the benefits and then discussed with me what would be required of me (drug test, physical) should I be offered the position. That same afternoon I received a phone call from one of the people in the department where the position is and she asked me to come back to meet two other people from the department. Anyway, that meeting took place yesterday. At the meeting I found out I was one of two candidates to whom they'd narrowed their search. Suddenly it hit me that I could get this job and it scared me. I was talking to one of my friends about the feeling I had and she said I'm like those girls that are turned off once a boy starts liking them. I think it's kind of true! Shoot. I don't know what to do now. I'm kind of hoping it's not offered to me - not because I love my current job, but I don't feel like I've looked around enough. The job for which I interviewed isn't my dream job. As a matter of fact, it's not even close. Then again, I don't know what my dream job is. But, I know this isn't it.
I still don't have a lawn mower. I'm embarassed at how long the grass is getting. I am thinking about just buying an old school reel mower. It's cheap and it doesn't require gasoline or a long extension cord. The only thing that concerns me is how close it gets to the sidewalk. Maybe I need to just do some edging. My yard needs a whole lotta work! posted by kristar 10:12 AM
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
L.A. was so much fun! I went to the beach (even though it wasn't especially warm), got a fake spray-booth (Mist-ic) tan, got a pedicure, shopped, ate delicious (and nutritious) food, hung out at the Hollywood Farmers' Market, saw a taping of According to Jim (long, but interesting), went to a Groundlings show (HILARIOUS!), and enjoyed the company of friends. The only thing I didn't get to do that I had wanted to do was see the Diane Arbus exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
I didn't knit at all on the trip (shame on me), but I did check out La Knitterie Parisienne where I bought some circular needles for some future sock knitting.
My lawn is getting tall. My parents bought me an electric mower, but rather than being chargeable you have to mow with an extension cord. I will have NONE of that. My parents didn't realize it wasn't cordless. So, tonight we are returning it for a rechargeable one. And if it doesn't rain, I might get to cut the lawn for the first time.
I interviewed for a new job last Friday. The interview went well. Tomorrow I am meeting with an H.R. person and hopefully that will go just as well. I'll give you the scoop when I have it. posted by kristar 10:29 AM
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Geez! We're almost halfway into April. I'm turning into a blog slacker again.
I'm leaving on Thursday for L.A. I can't wait to get the hell out of here. I need some time away from everything. Well, not everything. My knitting is coming with me. I bought some new yarn for a pair of socks. Something to keep me busy on the flights to and from.
Yes, it's Easter and I am in the office. I needed to print the invitations to my sister's baby shower and I have a ton of work to catch up on before I leave town. When I told some friends I was working today (only because they asked what I was doing this weekend), I think they felt sorry for me. "You're working on Easter?" There really is no reason to feel sorry for me. It's not a big holiday in my book. If my family had planned something I probably would not be here, but we haven't really done anything on this holiday since I was a kid. It's just another Sunday. By the way, I am an atheist - the only one in my immediate family. While I don't purposely keep it a secret, I don't tell many people (until now I suppose). It's kind of a funny thing. A lot of people think it's strange not to believe in a god and then those same people start trying to stir up an argument. I don't really want to get into it. I have nothing against people who believe in a god and who have religion in their lives. To a certain extent, I am envious. I think that while those beliefs can divide people, they also bring people together in a very tight way. I am all for community. Now I know that there are lots of places other than a church that I can find community, but sometimes I wish I had a group of atheist friends I could hang with. Not because I want to get together and talk about being an atheist, but so we can do things without it (religion/god/etc.) being an issue. Does that make sense?
All of my yarn is still at my parents' house. It's annoying that I can't just grab some when I need it, but it's also going to be a big pain in the ass to move and organize. My house is small and it's only got two bedrooms. The second bedroom is supposed to act as my office/guest bedroom/craft room and it's about the size of a large walk-in closet. Fortunately, it does have a slightly larger than normal (though not a walk-in) closet. I hope that I can get everything to fit - and soon!
One of my coworkers is learning to knit from her grandmother. She's so excited about it and that makes me really happy. Maybe she'll want to get together and knit at lunchtime.
A couple of weekends ago I saw "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". I really liked it, but I didn't feel so well by the end of the flick because the handheld camera made me sick. While I wasn't sitting right down in front, the screen took up most of my line of vision so that I didn't have anything stable to counter the effects. I think I would have done better in the back of the theatre. We also saw a really impressive trailer for Sundance favourite "Garden State". Check out my cousin blogging about it here. (See March 23, 2004 entry.)
This morning I heard "If I Ever Feel Better" by Phoenix (2000) on the radio. It's got that Jamiroquai/'70s funky pop soul disco sound, but better. You can see the video here. My connection (ok, I know this is stretching it): The mother of D'Arcy (of Smashing Pumpkins fame and a Michigan native) is good friends with a very close friend of my family and D'Arcy's mom's choir actually appears on the Phoenix album United. So there. posted by kristar 7:26 AM
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
My parents and I attended Jeff's memorial over the weekend. The family had expected 75 people, but there must have been at least double that. The back of the room was filled with people standing because there weren't enough seats. It was relatively short, but sweet. Many very nice things were said, but the most touching to me was the letter from a parent of one of Jeff's martial arts students. Jeff had had his share of problems growing up, but he'd really become a respectable and repectful adult. The letter explained how his student's life had changed from one of trouble to one of purpose under Jeff's tutelage. It was very moving especially considering where Jeff himself had come from. The world will miss him. posted by kristar 7:44 AM
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Another song I'm kinda liking these days: "Air" by The Owls. The band is actually on the Magic Marker Records label and is not to be mixed up with Owls, a band on the Jade Tree label. Do you ever buy your music directly from the label? It's a great way to support the small label bands and you can usually get the music for a little less. You'll get more personalized service and they might even include stickers and a bonus free CD in the shipment. Anyway, if you are interested in the song "Air", you can download it from The Owls page on the Magic Markers site.
If you're punk and you vote (even if not): PunkVoter.com.
Well, I am finally back in the knitting bloggers web ring. Woah! There are a lot of people in here now (I used to be #49, now I'm #953). Rock on! posted by kristar 7:56 AM
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
I'm planning a visit to the Detroit area this weekend, so I think I will stop by City Knits to check out the new digs. They've actually been in the new location for a while, but it's been a long time since I was last at the shop.
I need to transfer the shawl from the straight needles I started it on, to the longer circular needles. I just can't find the circ anywhere! What the heck did I do with it???? Sometimes moving sucks because you lose things.
The son of my mom's best friend was murdered in East Lansing last week. I am planning to attend Jeff's memorial this weekend. I really feel bad for his family. I feel bad for the other guy's family too. It's just been an all around sad time. Jeff's wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl. I think my mom said that her name is Jade. I am sorry that Jeff was never able to see her. posted by kristar 10:19 AM
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
While I don't miss my old job, I really, really miss Austin. It's time again for South by Southwest.
New favorite song: "Shake That Ass On The Dance Floor" by Vicious Vicious. You can even download it for free from Amazon. Although, I prefer the version I hear on the local college station better. It includes a female singer.
Work is keeping me busy. Gotta go. posted by kristar 10:24 AM
Monday, March 15, 2004
I didn't get a lot done on the shawl this weekend because I spent much of Saturday and Sunday out of town. I think it would be a good idea to start a smaller project that would be easier to carry around with me - maybe some socks. My younger sister is pregnant with her first child. I really need to get something started for her since the baby is coming in July. I am planning her baby shower for May and I need to come up with an activity that isn't corny, but something to break the ice for people who don't know one another. My sister said she doesn't want to play any games (and I personally don't care for playing them either), but I think we should do something so everyone gets to know everyone else. Anyone out there have any ideas? Or do you know of any good sites for shower planning?
I spent part of this past weekend at my aunt and uncle's home going through photographs. My grandfather passed away this past January and as a former photographer he had tons of photographs of the family. I love looking at them all. So that everyone can have copies of them, we started scanning them so that we can put them on CD-R. We will probably fill many CD-Rs.
This week I hope to start a new yoga class. Hopefully there is space still available. I went to the instructor's open practice session last Thursday and I really, really enjoyed it. It's much better than the class I've been taking at the community college.
As for my house, I still have so much to unpack and sort through (most of it has been in storage for two years while I lived with other people). My neighborhood is having an area-wide garage sale in June. I can't wait to get rid of some things.
Well...hmmm...I am back and I still knit. The past few months have been kinda crazy. I finally moved out of my parents' house after living with them for 9 months. I bought a house (my first), I underwent some surgical procedures that sucked, and I started a new healthful food regimen. My job isn't so good and I want to find a new one. I just need to get my resume updated. Why is that so hard for me?
Currently I am working on a shawl for a friend of mine to give to her mother. It's a very basic triangular pattern ina dark gray yarn. So far so good.
I'm reading The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean. It's wonderful! No wonder the movie was so good. A combination of an oddly interesting book and a spectacular screenwriter - you can't go wrong. I also went to my library and checked out The Whale Rider. I really loved the movie and I look forward to reading the book now.
I'm flying out to Los Angeles next month and I can't wait! I just want a vacation. I really don't care where I go. It should be fun since I am visiting a friend. I'm planning to visit some yarn shops while I am there. I'll post any good finds.
Blogging from work sux! I must get high speed internet at home. I don't even have a land line there. Is there any good reason to have a land line if I already have a cell phone? I don't see one. Unless there's an emergency and I haven't charged up my phone. Or if the power goes out for a long period of time... Hmmm...maybe I should have one. I don't want to spend the money!
