People, Projects, and Ponderings

Last night was my first ever knitting group meeting! We met at the Borders on Lake and Skokie in Wilmette. I had such a fantastic time! Five others were there and we had a lovely time chatting and knitting. I had been a little hesitant to go, but figured it was such a great opportunity to socialize and meet some new people (and knit in public -- which I had never done before). So, I arrived, grabbed a latte, and began to knit. In a way, it felt like meeting with old friends. No awkward pauses, no lack of conversation. Such a neat group of people and some awesome knitting. I was glad I took my neverending Prisoner of Azkaban scarf as I could just babble on without thinking of what I was knitting and I got through a repeat! yea! (This scarf may be finished one day). I am looking forward to the next meeting in two weeks.

On to a finished project and nifty yarn:


Here are the finished Broadripple socks (pattern at Knitty) done in KnitPicks Sock Garden in Daffodil.

A close-up of the toes....Better color representation here.



A new acquisition! Opal Rainforest sock yarn -- just released -- in Tiger and Ladybug. Feels great and the colors are fantastic! This was a little treat for quitting smoking (11 1/2 days so far).



This was supposed to be a picture of the next yarn I'm going to use to make socks (KnitPicks Sock Garden in Geranium), however, Nemo wanted to help and I couldn't resist adding him to the "composition." :) I think this yarn will become simple ribbed socks.....



Oh, so sleepy....Laska has such a rough life. She's basking in the heat (which she loves) on her sheep pillow. Sad for Laska, but not for everyone else in Chicagoland, the heatwave seems to be over! After weeks of horrid horrid humidity and high temps, today is crisp and cool. Seems like it is a little reminder that fall will be here soon -- hooray!

Yesterday was my official last day at my old job. My co-worker, who I've been working with for almost exactly two years six months, didn't come in to say good-bye. She just left me a voicemail saying she wasn't going to be in blah blah blah oh, and if she didn't come in, "good luck." What the heck?!? This is a woman who I've worked with for ages, who I've helped out of countless computer problems, who has asked me for help selecting books for her book group to read -- she didn't even call me directly to say goodbye! There are only the two of us in a shared office area for 30 months -- she couldn't call me?!? Then my boss, who happens to be my co-worker's son, after being MIA all summer, shows up around 1, promptly gets on the phone until around 4 or so, and then wants to quibble over how much he'll pay me on my last check. Ugh. I'm so glad to be done with them. On Monday I'll begin my new job at Northwestern -- I'm excited!

Everybody Loves a Quitter!

Within an hour of picking up Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince M and I became non-smokers! So, even though David Sedaris may be disappointed (as he signed his book to us "nobody likes a quitter") we have made the plunge:) And we feel like crap:( But I know it will get better:) Or maybe it won't :( But we have lifted our ban on cookies (at least for a while) :) I like cookies -- maybe more than cigarettes:)

Well, as to Harry Potter -- wow! That book delivered! While, if I were forced to rank them all, it may not be my favorite book in the series, it is definitely in the top 3 -- so much new information to think about. I'm having trouble coping with some of the events in the book, but since I don't want to spoil it for anyone that hasn't finished it yet, I'll leave it at that.

I cast on for my second Broadripple sock last night. With Harry Potter and feeling poopy from the no smokey treat thing I put off casting on for that second sock, but now it's on the needles and I'm over half way through the leg. I should be done with it in a couple more days and then I want to finally finish my Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban Scarf that I started last November! I think part of my hesitation on finishing that scarf is that I am using acrylic yarn. I have come to detest acrylic and love natural fibers....I keep thinking maybe I'll start over with some nice wool, but then I realize that I'm over halfway through....I know I can do it. Plus, I want to do another one in Ravenclaw colors using Lionbrand Glitterspun for the stripes -- snazzy!

Oh, totally forgot! I did get the job at Northwestern -- hooray! So, I leave my annoying present job next Tuesday and start my new job the week after-- yea! At some point I could go on and on and on in a post about all the things I dislike about my current job, but for the time being, I'll just say that this career move may save my sanity:)

Picture Pages!

Here is the Broadripple sock I just finished. I did this using the pattern from www.knitty.com with KnitPicks Sock Garden in Daffodil. Unfortunately I think I am getting my first case of "second sock syndrome!" I think I'll cast on for the second one tonight just so I can get it done:)

This is where I spent the last 9 days in the British Virgin Islands. It is a lovely 52 foot sailboat named Recess.

This picture gives a good idea of the awesome weather and sailing we had:)

This is our boat doing some serious sailing -- Yippee!!!!

This is M and me enjoying some mimosas on a beautiful morning in the caribbean....aw -- life is rough:) (Notice M wearing his stripey knitted hat.)

Feeling the Sway of the Ocean

So, we got back very late Sunday and much has happened, but no knitting! We had a terrific time in the BVI -- the sailing was great (except when our jib broke!) and the snorkeling was fantastic. I'm still swaying a bit from being on the boat for 9 days, but I'm sure it will fade in another day or so.

On Tuesday morning I got a call about a job I'd been pursuing at Northwestern U in M's department. It's not the most exciting job, but anything is better than what I'm doing now. So, they can't make the official offer until they talk to my current boss and co-worker for reference. Therefore, I had to give my two weeks notice yesterday without a guaranteed offer, but either way I feel great having an ending date for this job! As of July 27th I will be free! Even if Northwestern ends up flaking on me, I will be happy to work anywhere other than my present place of employment.

So, due to the swaying and the anxiety over job switching I have been neglecting my Broadripple sock, but I hope to finish it up tonight. I'll post some pics of the trip tonight, as well.

Oh, and I did overestimate my reading for the trip....I'm only 1/2-way through The Historian and did not touch any of the other books. By the end of each day on the trip I was just so tired....I need to get The Historian, Riptide, and Middlesex done ASAP since Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is released Friday at midnight -- Yea! Harry Potter! For those that are interested, The Historian is very good so far -- very unique story-telling style. I'll write up a full review once I've finished....