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!
