Bashir Basenji Boy

Babys and basenjis and aliens, oh my!

2008-10-30T14:34:00.013-05:00

Well, there was another baby shower for people at work, this time for CH and LS. It's chronicled (at least a bit) at CH's site, so I won't duplicate. Much. She missed the action shots of little boys with balloons, which I couldn't miss out on posting. Here's AG and AS with blue balloon... apparently AS needed to wrastle it a bit.

CH got a little bit of practice in with little AZK. Hey! Why jump all the way to jumbo size? Practice with a little one, first... Oh well. Just be glad they don't come out that size. Ouch.

I also did a little knitting for the ladies. CH's mystery gift is nowhere near ready. She may get it in 2012. But LS got a little baby bib.

Remember this yarn? It's from the Elizabethan collar of a blanket that I decided to frog. Well, part went to baby bib, and part when to shopping bag.

I also did something with my Manos that I have had around the house for almost 2 years. I made Muffy, Part II. This one is for me. I still have 2 skeins, so Muffy may get a matching hat or mitts, or something. Bashir wants nothing to do with it, of course.

Speaking of basenjis, we almost had another old basenji man in the house. This is Shane. He is just outside of Scranton, and needs a new home.

He's 13 years old (poor old man) and needs to go into rescue. He almost was ours, until we learned that he's being rehomed because he's getting snippy with the toddler in the house. I did

go down and evaluate him for Basenji rescue, and hopefully someone will take in the old guy. At 13 years old, though, it's tough. We got Mr. Calvin at 10 years old, and he was a tough sell. But now, at 16 years old, he's just as active as...

...well, it took a LOT of effort for him to squeeze into the cat bed. Yes. That is a cat bed. And no, he really doesn't fit in it.

Well, speaking of not quite fitting into things, Bashir doesn't quite fit into this little hat.

I think it's adorable, with little lions on it... but no, it doesn't fit the basenji. I know. So does he. Yes. That's a snippy little basenji look.
And then again, I am not fitting into my clothes anymore. Completely popping out of everything.

But that's ok. I'm 14 weeks pregnant, so I can blame the little one. (Which is why Shane doesn't get to come home with us, and why silly baby clothes and hats with lions do.)

We had our first ultrasound. Baby waved hi. Then hid behind its little hand. CH says ultrasounds are sort of alien like. MR says it looks creepy.

Well, if you think that's creepy, take a look at the website Makemebabies.com. You upload photos of yourself and your partner, real or imagined (yes, MR, you can cross yourself with Palin if you want) and they come up with the love child product. These were three options for ours...

I won't even comment on the creepy factor...

Bye bye, Pussycat

2008-10-16T08:23:00.002-05:00

Well, my fat cat, Felice, finally passed away this weekend. It was a long struggle (about 3 months) of her kidneys failing. She was in no pain, so I guess going in one's sleep is as good as it can be.

We miss her a lot.

I will have to edit my title bar someday.

Arrrrrr!

2008-09-19T13:05:00.002-05:00

Today be international talk like a pirate day! Arrrrr!

I made me a new avatarrrrrr for the occassion.

Random Elmo Posting, for No Knit Sherlock!

2008-09-10T12:17:00.004-05:00

Way back in July, No Knit Sherlock! made a special post in my honor. I don't know how I missed it. I really don't! I do apologize, and here is my blog response...

No Knit Sherlock gave us the Elvis x Elmo hybrid called Elm-is...

I give you "Tackle Me Elmo."

Cheers, NKS!

A major knitting project is currently underway, but it is a gift.... SHHHHHH! So I will post it later, after it is gifted.... SHHHHHH!

I finally finished my hourglass sweater.

It makes me look like a bag lady. More sad photos on Ravelry.com. If you dare to look.

George Lucas Must Be Smoking Crack

2008-08-15T01:47:00.007-05:00

Some of you know I am not the biggest Star Wars fan. Episodes 4, 5 and 6 were good movies. I Who doesn't like Han Solo?

But PLEASE! This newest Star Wars movie - The Clone Wars, was painful. Absolutely painful.

There has been a cartoon series based on The Clone Wars out, some time ago. The animation is pretty good, the story is pretty good....

But this 2008 version?

Yuck.

BashirsDaddy is a Star Wars costumer, and he and his club went for the midnight premier. I went along for the free ticket. Even he hated this schlock.

Mr. Lucas, what is your problem?

Absolutely Offensive: If you thought that Jar Jar Binks was a stereotypical Rastafarian, and that whole characterization was offensive and racist, get ready for this one. I bet you will see Jabba's uncle for what he is - an offensive stereotype of a homosexual. I mean, do people really think a purple Hutt with a lisp and feathers is funny?

Unoriginal Score: Tell me, why do filmmakers always have Middle Eastern music playing in the background when there is a scene with sand. Why not some Navajo flute music? African drums? Or Andean pan flute? Or how about a Didgeridoo? Or better yet, HIRE A FRIGGIN COMPOSER WHO CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING ORIGINAL! Mr. Lucas, I bet you could spare $10,000 for an original song. Well, you could spare it if you stop smoking that crack that you are obviously smoking if you think this is a good film....

A Galaxy Right Next Door, Right Now: There is nothing more painful to me than anachronism. If this is a galaxy far far away, answer this - why do all of those characters use SO MANY late 20th and early 21st century Americanisms? And American military terms. "Roger Roger"? "Stinky"? "Call me"? "SkyGuy" (instead of Skywalker)? I can't even go through the list of them. But they are everywhere. And they are painful to hear, each and every time.
Ok. So it's not just Americanisms... ok. I will buy that. But when your leader of the separatist movement has a Scottish accent? Please.

The Snarky Mary-Sue Padawan: The new character Ashoka - who was nicknamed "Snip" - I think because she was so darn snippy - was a Mary Sue. There is nothing more painful than having your hero or heroine be a snarky, sassy 13 year old kid who talks back, thinks they know it all, and has super jedi powers. She saves the day, AND shows up her Jedi Master (who isn't even a Master yet!) She saved Skywalker's butt on so many occassions you wonder how the Republic ever survived without this 13 year old... This character was the epitome of a Mary-Sue character. Big, cute eyes, supposedly loveable, but to anyone who ever dealt with a sassy 13 year old is really obnoxious to the core. We all remember how annoying Anakin as a kid was in Episode 1. This was much worse. Not only was this new kid annoying, but she is paired up with a snippy and snarky Anakin. I think this is why God gave me TWO eyes. One to poke out after seeing her, the other to poke out after seeing him.

Some say that Ashoka is a strong female role model - which is needed in the Star Wars universe. Great for young girls. Right? WRONG! This snippy little girl is the WORST kind of role model. Why does the only role model for young girls have to be a snippy little bitch? Why not just have her wear pants that say "Porn Star" across her ass, or a t-shirt that says "BRATZ"... ? Is that the only kind of role model young girls can have? Bull shit.

By the way. Give her a burger. That "Be-atch" is verging on the anorexic.

Thanks, Mr. Lucas. You just helped advance the women's movement to the year 1843.

Animation: Ok, this is just my personal taste, but it was awful. I understand there are a lot of different styles and tastes vary, but your characters looked like wood. A carved wooden Obi-Wan beard? And even the motion was belabored. It felt like wooden claymation, animated. Awful.

Mr. Lucas, you once again let down your fans with this one.
Episodes 4, 5 and 6 rocked. Every time you release something else, you just twist the knife a little more.

My final complaint for now....

Was that John Cleese in the movie? Doing one of the voices? If it was SHAME ON YOU, GEORGE! Shame on you for using one of the funniest men on the planet and not giving him one funny line in the whole movie.

Ok. One more complaint. What about these guys? These guys are great. Where are they in this movie? Dammit!

What was I thinking?

2008-05-18T21:05:00.006-05:00

From my last trip to Boston...

Here's your question of the week.

Which is more likely to be so outrageous that it will stop people in their tracks?

The car with hundreds and thousands of toys and action figures glued to it...

...or me in that dress...?

Ok. What was I thinking? Are BIG BLACK POLKA DOTS flattering on ANYONE? How much WAS I drinking? I guess they DO sell alcohol at the Dress Barn. Who knew?

Things are settling a little here. Bashirs Daddy is staying with a friend, locally. He's working some things out, and we are still talking. Still shaky, but at least I am not crying on a daily basis.

2008-04-26T18:50:00.001-05:00

The cat came back.
The husband did not.

Bad Momma

2008-04-15T22:18:00.004-05:00

I let the cats out today after work.

Felice has not come home yet.

I don't know what I will do if she doesn't come home. She's been with me for 16 years.

Shit.

First I lose my marriage. Now I lose my cat. Not sure how much more I can take right now.

I was GOING for that potato sack look... really! I was!

2008-04-04T23:01:00.005-05:00

Knit knit knit knit knit knit knit knit green knit Knit knit knit knit knit Knit knit knit knit knit knit knit knit green knit Knit knit knit knit knit Knit knit knit knit knit knitknit knit knit green

This is my "Knit Knit Green" sweater. I bet you know why. It's technically called the "Hourglass Sweater" by Joelle Hoverson.

I don't think so...

knit knit knit green knit Knit knit knit knit knit Knit knit knit knit knit knitknit knit knit green

And after all this…. I am terrified that this is going to look like potato sack on me. Really. I am.

…and why does taking photos of myself in this somehow turn me into a scene from the Blair Witch project? Or is that the Blair Stitch project?

One Night in Boston...or Nomads Gone Capitalist

2008-03-16T08:29:00.015-05:00

On Friday morning, I left Binghamton. I loaded up the Saturn and made my way east to Boston. The Unsinkable RB was throwing a grand dinner party. This time, it was for one of the unnamed American Shuhadas for Oriental Redundancy, which was meeting in a small unnamed place outside of Boston.

Always up for a trip to Boston, and knowing the True Power of Schmoozing, I decided to accept the invite. Picking up AL in Albany, I drove the 10 hours to spend one night in Boston...

(Silly self photo of me with AL.)

(Pointless photo of me, just to show off my new clothes)

The 80s girl that I am, this reminded me of that 1984 hit "One Night in Bangkok" (which I accidentally typed in as BangCock.)

But instead it was "One Night in Boston."

I was inspired to rewrite the song.

One Night in Boston

Boston, Orientalist greeting
Seven o'clock, it's time to start eating
The creme de la creme of the research world in a
schmooze fest with everyone that's worth meeting...

Time flies - doesn't seem a minute
till the convo turns to research permits
All change - don't act like a student
Acting like a scholar would be much more prudent
At Albright... or ACOR... or CAARI... or... or this place!

One night in Boston and the world's a schmooze fest
No bars, no nightlife, but the drinks are free
Discuss your research with some random house guest
And if you're lucky she's a PhD
She may be on a granting committee.

One grant's very like another
When your setting up your next project, brother

It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity
To be schmoozing with the board, not seeing Boston city

Whaddya mean? You've read one boring uninspired final report...

Tea, food, and Jordanian treats
Some set up in Madafa-like suites

Who knew? They're selling pots to tourists!
They're only reproductions, 10th century purists
I got that plate in D.C., sweetie!

One night in Boston makes a student humble
Not much between you and PhD
Don't let them know that your project's stumbled
Maybe they don't know your pottery
Won't see the research mediocrity

Next schmooze. Gonna be the witness
To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness
He rips me more than could
A bad review from BANGSOR would
And thank God you're not my committee, controlling it

I don't see you guys creating
The kind a books like you're berating
My AZOR paper? I would invite you
But the theory I use would not excite you
So let's just go out to the bars, the yarn stores, the Trader Joe's

One night in Boston makes a student humble
Not much between me and a PhD
One night in Boston and your speech is mumble
Can't be too careful with your company
"Did I dig with you back in 93? "

One night in Boston and you made connections

A few from Harvard University

You'll find someone will give you some direction

"Some text, a graph, a little history..."

"I wish you could sign off on my degree!"

In all honesty, this was an incredibly friendly dinner party, filled with some familiar faces, and some new opportunities to meet people doing research in the Middle East. And RB is always the most fun to hang around with. Middle Eastern Hospitality? Huh? You have nothing on RB!

The next morning, we went out to breakfast with TP, and talked about Roman farmsteads and Islamic period overburden. There was almost a rumble at the table....

Then there were the photo sessions with RB in her place, on the divan...

It also made a great pottery discovery. Remember my pottery find in Santa Fe, while on my search for the Nomads store? Where I found this little beauty?

Well, guess what RB had? Hmmmm.... ?

Apparently these are made very recently (more recently than I suspected even) for the tourist trade. RB got hers in Washington, D.C. Well, thankfully they weren't real 10th century pieces that we were buying. But we knew that....

Oh. And then there was the Boston Shopping.... *Sigh* RB lives right near the row of middle eastern grocery stores. Of course, this means an obligatory visit and shopping bonanza. It's my one shot at some imported food. Of course, I always find something new and exciting. The yogurt soda was special, but this time I found the best product line EVER! And I could not be more surprised...

Would you look at this? NOMAD BRAND olive oil? What the...? Since when are Nomads engaged in capitalist production?

And honey? In glass jars? This boggles my mind. Nomads don't even like POTTERY! Let alone GLASS! Oh... wait a minute. Manufactured in Jersey?

I guess the nomads picked up and moved. Not nearly as exciting anymore...

While in Sevan, the wonderful store that has all my favorite Turkish food stuff, I decided to buy something special.... how about KAZANDIBI! It is nice - a milk pudding, a little caramelized.

I don't know why, but I actually confused this with Tavuk Goguzu, which is basically Chicken Breast Pudding. I thought I was buying Chicken Pudding... But I didn't. *sob*

I know it sounds weird, but it is delicious. And it is NOT Kazandibi. This of course means that I have been away from Turkey for FAR too long. It also means that I was scaring RB and AL with my new purchase.

"Don't you want to try some Chicken Pudding?"

"I worry about you and your food choices...."

Finally, we made the pilgrimage to Lexington, for one of my favorite yarn stores in the world. (My favorite yarn store? As if I actually know more than about 10... Hey, what do I know? I imagine poultry in my puddings!)

Wild & Wooly is a great little store. I picked up some nice alpaca, light alpaca, and a few skeins of merino wool from Wales. (Not whales. That would be strange.) I am giving that to Fire Ox vs Metal Dragon for taking care of the basenjiboys while I was away.

Couldn't wait to take a photo of the yarn... had to do it while on the ride home. And that's Peet's coffee too. It's such a different world, when you actually find civilization...

So, all in all, my One Night In Boston was a great success. Friends.... schmoozing... shopping... What more could I want?

St Patrick's Day Parade... March 1st?

2008-03-06T12:15:00.005-05:00

Anyone who knows Binghamton knows it's strange. But did you know we celebrate St. Patrick's Day first Saturday in March? Silly, I know. It's basically so that our marching bands can play other bigger parades on the real day, and other bands from out of town will come here. I mean, would you give up marching through the biggest parade in the world in NYC to come to Binghamton?

I thought not.

This year, I started playing with the Broome Country Celtic Pipes and Drums band. I am a tenor drummer. My nickname is, at least I hope it is, "Boom Boom." In a few weeks, they will vote to see if I am officially in. I don't know if that will be good or bad.

Basically, tenor plays the bass beat. When I get it, I will be able to flourish - or swing the mallets like a pro. But for now, none of that. But I do get to wear this "amazing" (Sarcasm) little outfit.

Ian is a bagpiper, but he likes to hang with the drummers. We're more fun, even if the pipers don't like to admit it.

Actually, there is a little West Side Story rivalry going on in the BCCPD. They say the drummers do nothing but drool. That's ok. We know the pipers blow.

And here's Baggins. He's our unofficial mascot.

My two favorite people of the week

2008-03-02T00:00:00.003-05:00

Started this post a while ago. Never finished it. The momentum may be gone by now, but I just wanted to mention my two favorite people of the week.

The first is one of the people who I have been avoiding for about 6 years... a mentor of sorts, who I have been afraid to meet with. When I finally did, he was warm and excited to see me. He was supportive. It was amazing.

The second is a friend in NYC who has been helping me get through some of the nastiness I am dealing with at home. Sometimes just a friendly ear makes all the difference in the world.

Neither of these people will ever probably see this. But thank you, both, anyway.

You have to be kidding.

2008-02-26T12:08:00.003-05:00

Just for laughs, I did this....

Who the hell are these Chicks? Mischa Barton? WTF.

Of course, not 15 minutes later... what pops up on Yahoo.com?

Mischa Barton facing 4 misdemeanors

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Mischa Barton, who on "The O.C." played a wealthy teenager in idyllic Orange County, got a dose of reality Tuesday when she was charged with four misdemeanors related to a drinking and driving arrest last year.

The former star of "The O.C." was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving while having a 0.08 percent or higher blood alcohol level, driving without a valid license and possession of 28.5 grams or less of marijuana, according to court papers.

In a statement, Barton attorney Anthony V. Salerno said he was pleased his client was only charged with misdemeanors.

"The D.A.'s office is to be commended for treating this case the same as it would any other matter; Ms. Barton has received no special treatment," Salerno said.

Barton was arrested Dec. 27 in West Hollywood after sheriff's deputies saw her car straddling two lanes of traffic and failing to signal for a turn.

EDIT: I ran this with another photo... and indeed, there were differences.

Except for that darned Ms. Barton...

Uninspired

2008-02-08T02:00:00.000-05:00

Look at how beautiful this is. Strap handled jar. Green glazed interior, and over the rim and neck. White slip. Beautiful olive jar.

Why am I so uninspired?

The Day of the Jackalope

2008-01-19T13:04:00.001-05:00

In New Mexico, there is a mythical creature. It is called the Jackalope. Half Jack Rabbit. Half Antelope. There have been many accounts, but it is not everyday that one actually sees the elusive Jackalope.

After a moderately interesting conference for the Society of Historical Archaeology in Albuquerque, NM, I grabbed a traveling partner, put on a little travelling music, and went out on a search for the Jackalope.

Our quest started in the Old Town of Albuquerque. But it was dark, and it was night, and there was nothing to be had, except for dinner, and some shopping.

So our quest headed north, to Santa Fe. Many years before, when I was but a mere undergrad, surveying New Mexico for nothing more than the experience and the lessons in Grateful Dead music, I remembered finding the elusive Jackalope. So there was much hope to find one near the Abode Artist Colony.

I indeed get some kicks on Historic Route 66.

And found the Duke...

Our retreat was the wonderful Inn of the Governors. Not to be confused with the Palace of the Governors.

Opening a tourist map of Santa Fe, I noticed an attraction listed. It was calling to me. It was a store called "The Nomads of Santa Fe." So I went out on my search for the Nomads.

How could I not?

Unfortunately, it seems that the Nomads of Santa Fe had since picked up and buggered off. So there were none to be had. I did find a nice gallery/outdoor hole that sold Middle Eastern/Indian wares. I found the carpet depicting September 11, 2001, and the subsequent invasion of Afganistan, to be rather interesting... to say the least.

I also found this lovely little piece. I am guessing it was about 60 years old, but I am not quite sure. I will have to look this one up.

Yum. Lead glaze. Serve me up some soup.

I also ventured into a store and bought myself a summer dress. Yum.

I also was on the look out for Patron Saints or other saintly things. I toyed with the idea of bringing Mary Magdeline paintings home, but then I saw it. The Best Protection from evil that anyone could ever hope for...

This Kar Tassel seemed to be the most useful one I could see.

"Ray Charles protects you from bad country western music."

Elwood: What kind of music do you usually have here?

Claire: Oh, we got BOTH kinds! Country AND western!

Thank you St. Ray. Baby, please don't go.....

Finally, finally, I saw it... in the distance....

The store I had been looking for.
Jackalope Mercado.

It was there that we found the Jackalope, and other mass produced crap...

The once proud and mighty Jackalope, pushed out of its native habitat by suburban sprawl and cheap imports.

Good god. I think we stumbled upon their breeding ground.

They know me so well..

2008-01-08T21:07:00.000-05:00

An online friend made this for me.

I think it is a little freaky that they know me this well...

Off to the SHAs in ALBUQUERQUE!

And a 2 day venture in Santa Fe... YEAH!

Then it's back to Nomads. And midgets. And mimes...

I may hate nomads.. but I REALLY hate the mimes....

My Ass. And Cowbells

2007-12-31T12:24:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! Here's to new starts!

Well, ok, that's tomorrow, but ok... I wanted to reflect on 2007 a little anyway.

Reflection #1:
This year has been a year dealt primarily with my weight. I have been overweight or obese all my life. In grad school, I turned morbidly obese. I have been that way for 10 years.

I started loosing weight in April. I have lost 55 pounds, which I never thought I could do. It has been hard, but in many ways, I can say 2007 has been good to me. I lost some weight, but gained a lot of confidence in the process.

My Food Diary. I recommend it 110%. It changed my life.

Reflection #2:
Binghamton First Night sucks.

'Nuff said.

Reflection #3:
I perhaps have not been as driven as some people, about my work, about my diet and about my exercise. I guess that's ok. There are always challenges.

Reflection #4:
I find myself more and more in debt these days, mainly due to my shopping for new clothes. Certainly, going from a 22 to a 10 or 12 requires some new duds. I try to shop at Uncle Sal's boutique, or at the consignment shop as much as possible. But sometimes Eddie Bauer calls out to me.

Reflection #5:
I saw my sister over the Christmas holiday. We are not incredibly close, but we are not un-friendly. She was always the thinner one, and according to some, the better looking. It seems that fate has flipped our fortunes, as she has put on significant weight, while I am losing. A few times I think she was bitter about it, making a few nasty comments. It somehow became clear to me that in many ways part of my weight issue linked back to the older sister always putting me down to the point where I didn't think I could do anything - whether it was succeed at work or school, or lose weight. In that stupid pecking order of sisters, she was always top dog.

I may be learning to deal after 37 years.

If she reads this, there will be more tension than there is now. But, I think I have the confidence to face that, too.

Reflection #6:
I don't have the worst body in the world. Even when at my heaviest, I didn't have the worst. But then again, no one has the worst body in the world. There will always be someone worse off than me. There will always be someone better off than me. So I can sit and whittle away about a pound or two, or a wrinkle or two, or get on with it. I visit these diet forums and see other peope who maybe don't see life that way. And I see all those young college girls who cry and agonize over 2 pounds. Or 10 pounds. Or 20. Or whatever.

I understand them completely. I just want to give them a hug and say it's ok.

Then I want to slap them silly and hand them a copy of Susan Bordo.

In the long run, 10 pounds or 10 wrinkles don't really matter as much as 10 friends or 10 phone calls.

Reflection #7:
I finally should admit that ICP and I have been trying to breed, with no luck. Actually, we've been trying for 5 years...

When he was gainfully employed with insurance, we even started treatments. When he lost his insurance, it stopped. My clock did not.

Anyway, I might as well just admit that this has been weighing very heavy on my mind this past year. I don't like to talk about it, since it is really too painful.

But there you have it.

So, in many ways, that's where I stand today, at the end of 2007. I hope to reach some sort of goal in 2008. My goal varies all the time. Sometimes it's a weight. Sometimes it's something else in life.

But at least I have learned that change is good, and it's ok to move on.

All my best for a healthy and happy new year,

Cheers!

But wait! There's more!

Although it is good to move on, it's also good to remember years gone by. So, I leave you with a favorite family New Year memory.

My Uncle Vinnie, who has long since left us, was the best soul around. Every New Year's Eve, he would get out the cow bell and walk the streets in our Queens New York neighborhood. He'd ring that bell, and spread good cheer throughout the town.

Sometimes he even did it while dressed as Baby New Year.

So, get out your own diapers, everyone. It's time to ring your cowbells!

Life?

IT NEEDS MORE COWBELLS!

Then again, everyone needs more cowbell....

Better than Hall and Oates?

2007-12-30T19:28:00.000-05:00

Did you ever hear this version of "She's Gone" by Tavares?

Not too shabby.

Knit One, Write Two

2007-12-11T09:37:00.000-05:00

First, some highlights from Thanksgiving at Bachelor B's Log Cabin.

Would you believe this guy was born and raised in Brooklyn?

Wearing the same color as the Turkey. Gobble.

Otherwise, my time is taken up by knitting and writing. And knitting and writing... Not so bad, especially if I can strike a balance. This is my new Noro feather and fan scarf. I love my Koigu one, but it's not warm for the weather. I am not sure if I like how the yarn is making stripey stripey pattern onthis. I may wind up frogging it and trying something else.

Maybe a Manos feather and fan? Hmmmm...

I finished the two gifts that I was working on for LC and her husband. They are fun and I like them a lot. I am making LC a matching ***, too. I will probably finish that in the waiting room today for my doctor's appointment. They are posted on Ravelry, and chances are that she won't read my blog... but just in case, I will post photos after she opens them.

Until then, here's my holly jolly christmas tree. I am in a bulky sweater, from my bigger days, so you can't tell I have lost 55 pounds.

We went for a real one this year (thankfully) and we also went for a table top one. It was only $13 dollars at Agway. According to MOD, their trees stink, and I should not be surprised if the trunk rots away and it falls over. Gulp.

Christmas cards were done EARLY.

Then the evil cat peed all over them. Stamps and all. So they were all tossed out. Cards will come late this year.

Arrrrrr. Rack 'Em Up!

2007-12-09T02:06:00.000-05:00

My pirate name is:

Mad Anne Rackham

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

NaBloPoEnd

2007-11-25T21:31:00.000-05:00

Well, despite a running start, I didn't do it. Couldn't do it. I missed 6 posts. So, that's that. Oh well...

Back to the irregular postings.

Random strange photo of the day...

That is one unhappy cat.

2007-11-19T23:51:00.000-05:00

A philosophy to live by....

...and eat by.

Playing tag, but running around in circles

2007-11-18T19:34:00.000-05:00

I have been tagged... I have never been tagged before... but I have been tagged randomly by a blogger at feuf-neun in Cina for a random meme. Although this is fun, I can imagine that it can get really old really quickly if it happens too often.

Rules:

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.
Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Is this the equivalent of chain letters? Egads.

Let the games begin:

Ok. Here are my seven random things.

1) I once entered a lip synch concert in Flushing Meadow Park. I lip synched to Thomas Dolby's "Hyperactive" and then won a Culture Club LP record. Yes... that's how long ago it was.

2) I once got felt up in a monastery. On Holy Ground. I was staying overnight in a dorm at St. Catherine's at Mt. Sinai, and in the middle of the night, this guywho had been following me - maybe since Dahab - came into our dorm room and started.... well, you get the picture.

3) I once woke up on a train with a guy playing with my toes. Not coincidentally, it was during that same visit to Egypt, on the Cairo - Luxor all night train.

4) I once almost got stuck in the middle of a riot on a train. Same summer. Return trip. Not the same guy.

5) I do not like Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.

6) I used to intern at a science museum, where I helped teach teachers learn how to use portable and inflatable planetariums, much like these.

7) I used to have midnight grocery cart races in Wegman's with a fellow grad student.

As for my victims....errr.... tagees...

Let me see....

1. Purple Primate
2. Alecto
3. Cinematic
4. Fire Ox vs Metal Dragon
5. Mamacita Caliente
6.
7.

A Bea Arthur Sighting?

2007-11-17T00:27:00.000-05:00

Some of you know that my secret to losing 50+ pounds has been this great website called http://www.myfooddiary.com/. It's subscription based, but at $9 a month, it is very much worth it in my mind.

On one of the forums, there is a thread on Food Porn. It's basically photos of food that will make you want it really really bad... Lots of chocolate, beef burgers, fast food... just all kinds of bad things.

The worst was the pieroghis that someone listed. Now, the pieroghi by itself is pretty bad. What made this wrong was that, like the grilled cheese sandwhich with the Virgin Mary, there was an image in the food.

What I think is most wrong is that this post used Bea Arthur and Porn in the same sentence.

The wait is over

2007-11-16T00:43:00.000-05:00

To Quote Quagmire...

I'M IN!

GIGGITY GIGGITY GIGGITY GOO!

My ravelry invite came in today. The wait is over...

Must have been that crack commando team I sent to Ravelry Headquarters.

Coming unraveled

2007-11-15T09:33:00.000-05:00

There are 758 people ahead of me on Ravelry.com.

Will there be an invite in my gmail anytime soon?

Come to momma...

***

Why can't I drink my coffee black? With tons of sugar and milk, or worse yet, half and half, it is blowing my whole system.

Coffee? Or lunch? Coffee? Or dinner?

Being on a calorie restricted diet sucks. I just want a nice coffee without counting the friggin calories.

Mom used to drink black instant coffee. I mean, if black wasn't awful enough... INSTANT? And not even the "good" instant stuff like Nescafe. She'd buy the bottom of the barrel store brank from King Kullen.

King Kullen. Now that's something you don't hear about everyday. Supermarket of my childhood, which disappeared decades ago...

...or did it?

Of course I have to go look it up online. (It's called hiding out from the nomads.) Well, what do you know? It still exists. And what do you know... the first one, back in the 1930s, was in my old neighborhood in Jamaica, NY. Well, how 'bout that?

I bet the Nomads wish they could shop at King Kullen. They'd even drink instant coffee, I bet.

I'm gonna get hate mail for this one...

Too tired for a real post

2007-11-14T00:05:00.000-05:00

Dissertation project area.

Where are the nomads?
Maybe they moved on. I just don't know.

Starbucks also starts with an "S"

2007-11-13T20:04:00.000-05:00

My theme for the weeks seems to be things that are shitty and start with the letter "S."

So on to Starbucks for my rant.

I popped into one this morning while I waited for my bank to open. Simple order - a large cappuccino, made with skim milk.

I get it, paid, left.

Within 2 minutes, the foam had dissappeared.

WTF?

It's not that big a deal, except when you pay $3-$4 for a friggin shot of caffeine, you expect it to have it's main component. In cappuccino, that means a foamy cap of froth. That's like buying a mocha without the chocolate. Or a plain coffee without the coffee. What is the problem here?

I must admit, I am not a big coffee snob. I won't drink a lot of coffee, but it's not because I am snobby about it. I just don't like the taste of many types of coffee. I will drink some crappy $1.99 chock-full-o-nuts stuff if it tastes good. In the same vein, my $4 Shitbucks coffee got tossed.

But while I am not a coffee snob, I most certainly am a FOAM snob. It's so friggin easy to do. What is the PROBLEM!?

I broke down and bought a foamer. It's a little tiny wisk that you can just make up your own cappuccinos at home, which is what I have been doing, and what I will continue to do. But even better, it makes up the BEST whipped foam/cream. It doesn't taste exactly like whipped cream, and it's not stable enough to put on a cake if it's not eaten immediately, but it is yummy. And 1/2 cup of skim milk froths up to 2 cups of foamy yum-ness. 40 calories. Strawberries additional.

Look at this.

The _hit Parade

2007-11-12T00:10:00.000-05:00

Even my dog thinks my dissertation is full of shit.

Today, I found my poor dog Mr. Calvin, sick from who knows what, having an episode of explosive diarrhea in my office.

Here's the list of targets/victims:

Bedouin Rug - Bullseye!
Folders with articles - Bullseye!
Copy of current chapter - Bullseye! But for the chapter he was actually able to spurt out the words "This is Shit" all over it.

and to add insult to injury...

two library books with articles about Nomads - Bullseye!

Everybody hates nomads. Even my dog. But apparently, he hates my dissertation more.

Thanksgiving is a _hit

2007-11-11T00:24:00.000-05:00

This year, I offered to do Thanksgiving Dinner for the family. Little did I know my cousins had arranged for other things, without telling me. So now, Thanksgiving is going to be at my cousin's place. I think his house has plumbing. That's what he said, at least. He does not have any cooking supplies though. Or plates. Or mugs. He might have chairs. I'm going to make several vegetable dishes, cranberry sauce, and a desert. And bring all the things to cook it with.

So basically I AM making Thanksgiving Dinner, I'm just taking it all on the road.

Got a call from a friend today, asking how I was. I had to cut it short. I didn't want to explain it all.

So today has been a little more productive. Chapter is still in shambles, but not Shambles with a capital "S." The Capital "S" is reserved for another word describing my dissertation.

Rolling a ball uphill

2007-11-10T01:23:00.000-05:00

Frustrations are setting in, big time. The dissertation is a sack of bricks. It's heavy and hard to manage. And when it hits you, it hurts like hell.

I've been up relatively late every night, trying to produce, and really I feel completely impotent when it comes to writing. I'm not going to the gym... and I am binge eating... damn ice cream. Who the hell let that in the house... oh. It was me. Nevermind.

I really am frustrated. I should dump this chapter and pick something else up... but then I have lost all momentum.

Wait, isn't that the problem? Lack of momentum.

The weekend awaits. I will be putting all knitting on hold. Bloggin? Short and pathetic... maybe just a way to let people know I am still alive. I don't think I need rescue crews and SWAT teams showing up at my door.

2007-11-09T00:09:00.001-05:00

A short post, and a bit of a personal history lesson.

So, the question is, why the black and white image of you, Bashirs_Momma?

I guess I was inspired.

They are making a come back. They really are. I hear them every time I walk into a grocery store or elevator.

They are back.

How does it feel to be back?

Everybody Hates Nomads

2007-11-08T00:04:00.001-05:00

The Nomads are back. And this time, they're here to stay.

This time, they have settled in my dissertation. How did I let this happen?

And you thought that ONLY the Ottoman state hated nomads.

I shouldn't be too hard on the nomads. After all, they did do a lot for the sheep and goats. But that's cause they owed them. Wool. Milk. You name it.

Today, the outprints from my article came in the mail. Very exciting. I am not happy with some of the changes that were made in the document, but otherwise, good all around.

Huffle-PAF?

2007-11-07T22:37:00.001-05:00

Thanks DC.

And now, as an addendum to my last post...

Introducing PAF's answer to Hufflepuff...

Hufflepuff, all night long...

2007-11-07T00:27:00.000-05:00

At the recommendation of Fire Ox vs Metal Dragon... I took two Quizilla Tests

The Harry Potter Test: Which house would you be sorted into?

At last, I have been sorted! No, not sordid, (although I have been in the past).

I have been sorted into Hufflepuff.

Ok, now what the hell does that mean?

From the source of all sources, Wikipedia:

Hufflepuff, founded by Helga Hufflepuff, values hard work, loyalty, tolerance, and fair play above all else. Its animal is the badger, [WHAT THE...?] and canary yellow and black are its colours. The Fat Friar is its ghost. According to Rowling, Hufflepuff corresponds roughly to the element of earth. The Hufflepuff dormitories and common room are located somewhere in the basement (corresponding to earth), [The PAF offices are in the Hufflepuff dormitory? Perhaps, more likely, it is the Huffle-scruff dormitory. Or is that the Scruffle-puff House? Either way, I think they're onto something.] their entrance found through a still-life painting that is somewhere near the kitchens. You must give a password to the painting to enter. The Hufflepuff common room is filled with yellow hangings and fat armchairs and it has little underground tunnels leading to the dormitories, [I thought that was a tunnel leading to the Science I elevator...] all of which have perfectly round doors, like barrel tops (very much like a badger sett). Very few Hufflepuff members are specifically mentioned, and, in general, they are not seen much in the Harry Potter books. [Like PAF employees in the department of Anthropology. Holy Guacamole. I am Hufflepuff material.]

Ok, so the next quiz was what 80's song would you be?

"You Shook Me All Night Long" (by AC/DC)
'Cause the walls start shaking
The earth was quaking
My mind was aching
And we were making
it and you -
Shook me all night long

AC/DC? You've got to be kidding me. I didn't even know who AC/DC was really until I heard the tribute band Hayseed Dixie.

Well, you win some, you lose some.

2007-11-05T23:51:00.000-05:00

Just a quick photo of the Halloween party crowd. DC as the witch, ICP as Jayne Cobb, Mr. Fire Ox vs Metal Dragon, and me as some non-descript person in a burlap sack.

In theory, it's a Ren Faire outfit.
In reality, it's a "I ain't got nothing better to wear" outfit.

NaBloMe

2007-11-05T05:54:00.000-05:00

This is the first post for NaBloPoMo - National Blog Posting Month. Our motto is "We're gonna post until the internet explodes."

I kind of want to do NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writer's Month, but the 50,000 min for that is kind of impossible, unless I can count my dissertation in that.

Damn. It's November, isn't it?

Here's my grad school version of the Blues Brothers.

It's 2 months till deadline, we got 2 chapters drafted, half a knowledge of theory, it sucks, and I'm avoiding my advisor.
Hit me...

Expect short posts, everyone.

Knit Swiftly!

2007-11-04T10:41:00.000-05:00

At our weekly Stitch n Bitch last weekend, I decided to use the time to just organize some stash. So I brought some Koigu with me to roll into balls...

It was a short little project.

It was innocent enough.

It was a friggin train wreck.

And I wasn't even drinking while knitting.

There was Koigu all over the road in bloody, twisty knots. Coffee drinkers at the next table were rubbernecking, just to see what a friggin disaster area it was. The knitting police were there setting up baracades, saying "Move along... there's nothing to knit here..."

I did it. I broke down and bought myself a swift on ebay. At $31 plus S&H, I was happy. I had to bid about 20 times to win one though. It seems everybody wants a swift. Go figure.

Oh what a difference a swift makes. Even ICP became interested. I guess the only way to get men interested in knitting is to throw some form of technology into the picture, no matter how "primitive" it might be.

"An action shot? Is that what you're doing?"

"Mmmm...hmmm."

"That's the most boring thing I have ever seen in my life."

"What? Let's look! Oooooooo... It is from Star Trek. Woo-ooo-woo-ooo!"

"You're a freak. You really are."

2007-10-31T22:39:00.001-05:00

Which 1950's PIN-UP Girl are you??
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Betty Grable

Betty Grable

69%

Betty Page

56%

Mae West

50%

Audrey Hepburn

44%

Mariyln Monroe

25%

Jayne Mansfield

13%

RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY!

2007-10-29T23:17:00.000-05:00

It's time to swap out the wallpaper on my computer.

But not before I immortalized it on my blog.

For the past few weeks, I had an article about the Sünnet ritual in Turkey that I found online up as my wallpaper. It was from the Hürriyet Gazetesi, August 14, 2005.

I tried to convince myself having this as my wallpaper was to practice my Turkish. But, let's face it, it's up there to torment ICP.

***

The Sünnet - or circumcision - is one of the more important religious rituals in Turkey. Traditionally, it happens when the boy is between 6-9 years old. Some couples are choosing to have their sons circumcised at birth, but for the most part, the traditional way is still most common.

While in Turkey, I always heard the celebrations, as families threw parties for the occassion. Most common in the city of Antalya, as I remember, was to dress the boy up in his appropriate attire, then drive the boy around town in the back of a pick up truck, while a band played music as they paraded through the streets. The parade around town announced the upcoming ceremony, which was the first step into manhood.

Boys wear special costumes for this feast, which includes a fancy suit, a cape, a scepter and a special hat or sash with "Masallah", written on it. I always think of "The Little Prince" when I see this.

***

The Boys of Erzurum make a run for it

"About 300 working-class boys from 14 villages connected with Yakutiye Belediyesi of Erzurum were circumcised en masse yesterday in a festival organized for them in the village of Altunbulak. Dignitaries in attendance included an AKP Parliamentarian, and the AKP Mayors of Erzurum and Yakutiye respectively. At first everything went smoothly as the lads had fun dancing the halay (a folk dance performed by holding hands and forming a circle) accompanied by drum and zurna (a reed instrument somewhat like an oboe/clarinet).

But as the time for the mass circumcision drew near, the children became increasingly fearful -- and began to give ceremony officials and the local police-team a very hard time. Ten year old Ömer, for example, tried to hide by climbing up a tree. And while ceremony officials were persuading him to come down, the other sünnet-wary boys took off -- running away across an adjacent field. And, it took quite a long time before the (out-of-shape) police team could catch and gather them up again.

But finally, after their lengthy game of 'tag' with police (and under extreme pressure from their parents) the boys gave in -- and were circumcised."

You light up my life...

2007-10-27T09:16:00.000-05:00

So here is my newest little knitting thing -a felted bowl- made with Noro Kureyon leftovers. I don't know why this came out like a cylinder. I mean, it's a felted mug, more than a bowl. It's not watertight, like the infamous felted bag that held water, so I will pour my coffee in a ceramic mug for now.

But, on the other hand, it makes a nice felted candle cover. I mean, what home is complete without a felted candle cover?

Now, what the heck is up with Ravelry.com? This is what it says about my status...

You signed up on October 21, 2007
You are #47035 on the list.
11171 people are ahead of you in line.
2403 people are behind you in line.
70% of the list has been invited so far

Eleven thousand people AHEAD of me? This website better be friggin amazing. I mean, I want it to not just host images, but also host cocktail parties and weekend galas! I mean, for this kind of wait and anticipation, it better make me wanna roll over and have a cigarette. At least it better buy me dinner and a movie.

I'm not easy, you know.

I Lost 50 Pounds on the Slim Slow Diet Plan!

2007-10-26T21:43:00.001-05:00

Here is the before and after photo.

Follow the Jell-o Brick Road!

2007-10-21T18:18:00.000-05:00

Another post about Darien Lake, upstate NY, and my summer of fun. I had so much fun, I dragged ICP up to my project area for a weekend of survey.

Surveying the park, that is! Guess what ICP found! Beer, of course.

I was a cold day - in the the mid 50s, but that didn't stop me from dragging ICP onto the water rides. Needless to say, there were no lines and we got right on.

And we rode the Giant Funnel.
Poor ICP. He nearly froze his stuff off...

He loves me anyway. I think.

Isn't that sweet?

Speaking of sweet, one of the highlights of my summer was the Jello Museum. Yes, Virginia, there is a Jello Museum, in Leroy, NY.

Ok. Say it with me. Jell-O Museum. Believe it or not, there is a Jello Museum. And I am proud to say that I kidnapped two of my crewmembers on a rain day, threw them in the van, and dragged them to the Jello Museum.

If you are wondering why this even exists, Leroy is the birthplace of Jello. And yes... There is a market for the History of Jello. Well, can you blame them? How could anyone pass up this this piece of history?

Now, come on, everyone. You know you want to say it.

Say it... !!!

JELLO BRAND PUDDING POPS!

No. Not like that. SAY IT LIKE BILL COSBY! SAY IT! SAY IT!

I think the entire reason for this museum was to set up a shrine to Mr. Cosby. The museum, which is about 500 square feet (maybe) has a nice Cosby Wing. They even have the white uniform he used to wear in the commercials.

Look. That photo in the case is right from that commercial. Amazing.

Oh, Mr. Cosby. You went from one of the sexiest men alive (well, next to Mr. Culp), to this. From international Spy, saving the world from Communism and boring prime time television ... to a Jello Pusher.

FYI: Bill Cosby is the one on the right.

The Cosby Wing is located right next to the hallway of suspended utensils. Why they suspend spoons, I have no idea. I mean, you don't eat Jello Brand Pudding Pops with a spoon? It comes with it's own sticks. Personally, I just don't get it.

Come on, Jello Curators. Use your brains! I mean, unless your brains have been turned into Jello.... like THIS ONE! The infamous Jello Brain Mold.

Yes, Virginia. There is Intelligent Life on Earth. But there is also wierd and wonderful stuff in the world too. I am sure a Jello Brain Mold qualifies.

Outside of the Jello Museum, of course, is the Jello Brick Road. Hundreds of bricks on a road, each with Jello-isms.
And how could I pass up an opportunity to follow the Jello Brick Road?

NEWS FLASH! Aztec Temple Discovered in Upstate New York!

2007-09-08T23:31:00.000-05:00

Well, It's been a REAL long time since I posted.

Again.

NO complaints this time. Hey!

My big news...? Down 50 pounds. Photos to follow soon...

But really, mostly I've been away much of the summer, up in Darien and Corfu, New York, working on a long project. It's a great place, mainly because of this...

DARIEN LAKE!

Former Six Flags... Current Obsession.

This is the Mind Eraser... your feet hang down, and you twist and turn. Fun all around.

Pun intended.

I bit the bullet and bought a season pass. Well worth it. I spent quite a few nights there, riding the roller coasters, and just being a kid again.

That's the Giant Shark...

But wait! There's more!

You might ask this - "How could it be better than having a roller coaster inside your project area?"

Well, we had a Spooky Castle,

And an Aztec temple.

This is Conquest Golf... former Mini-Golf fun park in the project area. Complete with it's own abandonned Castle and Temple.

Boy was it fun to dig here...

But did I mention ROLLER COASTERS, A GIANT FUNNEL and TEMPLE IN THE PROJECT AREA?

SG and I had a ball going...

Up next... a visit to the Jello Museum..

Oh, yeah... the knitting...

2007-07-11T20:54:00.000-05:00

Well, yes... there has been a little bit of knitting going on! Not sure who these are going to. Perhaps a nice XMAS present? For someone else? For myself? Hmmmm...

And some photo shots of me in my feather and fan scarf, done in Koigu. I love the colorway, especially with my new hair color!

Coming up next, garden parties and other fun stuff...

Hey! Weird Al...

2007-06-30T22:07:00.000-05:00

...what'chya looking at?

well .... me, apparently...

...Although he really was flirting with ICP...

Shame on you... a married man...

We went to see Wierd Al Yankovic in Albany in the beginning of June. After the show, he hung out in his trailer, and said hi... I thanked him for bringing out me inner geek... and he laughed.

Thanks LM for the cell phone pix!

Elvis and the ducks

2007-06-27T18:59:00.000-05:00

With so much hostility going on in my garden, I decided to start a community garden plot at Otsiningo Park. For $20, I get a 20 x 20 plot of land. Water hook ups right there, and lots of other gardeners. And a lovely view of the Cracker Barrel on Front Street. Yum. (Sarcasm).

So I have tomato plants, arUUUUUUgula, radishes, zucchini, cukes, melons, eggplants, squash, brussel sprouts, beans, broccoli.... and lots more! Yum.

I love the fresh air. The fumes of Interstate 81 mixing with fresh vegetables.... Yum. (Sarcasm).

So, I have been spending a bit of time in Otsiningo this time of year. It is good, since it is only a few blocks from the house.

And then... a few weeks ago, I bumped into this little guy...

"Awwwwww.... he's sooooo cute! What's his name?"

"Elvis."

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. An Elvis sighting at Otsiningo Park.

It seems that theres a whole lotta hunka hunka burning love in the park these days.

The geese are a-reproducing!

Here are a whole gaggle of baby goslings...

Let's not forget the ducks. I decided to have a little talk with them.

And you thought I could only do Klingon. (Sarcasm.)

Onlu ICP can speak Klingon...

...fluently...

Up next.... a few minutes in Wierd Al's tour bus...

Uh....how did they know?

2007-06-24T23:10:00.001-05:00

Bashirs_Momma took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test!

"Needs a change in her circumstances or in her rela..."

Click here to read the rest of the results.

Hosta and Hostility

2007-06-08T19:03:00.000-05:00

With apologies to Jane Austen...

It's the season for gardens and parks. By the time these photos are posted, these plants are LOOOONG gone!

Pretty salvia and lavendar for the front porch. And some pretty daffodils clinging onto dear life in a soil of concrete and sand. Not too many options for the front of the house yet.

Concrete. I hate concrete.

The forsythia in full bloom, and my Ice Pop tulips. Notice the meticulous landscaping. It's a new style called "Random Brick."

Next are the teacup tulips - referring of course to the shape of Turkish Teacups. Ne kadar guzel!

Rosemary & basil... Baby Basil.

And finally, the Hostas from Dad's garden in NYC. Mom planted them in the garden around 1968 or so. So they are older than me. They have grown to massive proportion. So I divided a a few dozen... (like 3) and brought them back to Binghamton... on a Shortline Bus.

Here is a variegated one. I don't know the actual name of the variety, but we call it "Arlyne's Hostas."

The hostas are now happy and spreading and being handed out to Hosta fans throughout the Southern Tier.

One problem is that I am running out of room to plant them. I have a Hosta Garden in the back of the garage, which is nice, but I did plant a few ferns there. And the ferns are starting to take over. The ferns and the hostas will soon be competing for precious gardening space in my yard.

It's a Turf war.

Pun intended.

It's like West Side Story of the gardening world.

When you're a Fern, you're a Fern all the way....

Damn! There's that ugly concrete again.

Of course, with all the turf wars, and too much concrete, too, there isn't enough room for vegetables.... so...

Next post - Garden Plots, and a visit from Elvis.

Lost my a$$

2007-05-27T23:57:00.000-05:00

The inspiration... not wanting to be almost as big as a woman carrying twins

Today at 22 pounds down.

You can call me Mish now

2007-05-20T11:03:00.000-05:00

Well, it's almost a month since my last post. Am I once again in blog absentia? What the hell have I been doing?

Well, you can now call me Mish instead of Misha. I have lost my "a" - or at least part of it.

**drum roll please**

After the horrifying last post I made, I went out and lost 20 pounds.

I weigh what I did 14 years ago.

Still not very noticable on my lard a. But... well...

I am on this website called My Food Diary. I track every friggin thing I put in my mouth, and try for 1200-1300 calories net a day.

Damn I am hungry. Cupcake, stop posting about kettlechip!! Grrrrrr...

No. That's not anger. It's my stomach grumbling.

Sorry. No new photos yet. I am thinking at 25 pounds lost. Which better be friggin soon!

If that's not an incentive to check back, I don't know what is.

Just call me "Misha the Dancing Bear"

2007-04-24T18:13:00.000-05:00

I finally made a piece of clothing... well, other than a scarf!

This is my Ribbed Hat, made of Noro Kureyon. Lovely hat, I wear it all the time. Very comfy.

There are plenty of versions of Noro Ribbed Hats out there on the net. My favorite is this one, although I wouldn't have the guts to wear it. It looks too much like a head nipple. Now, considering I could breastfeed China, I think I have it covered in the nipple department. So I decided to go with the non-nipple version of this hat.

ICP and I were up until 2 am this weekend. I decided to make him take photos of me. This was his penance for ERASING ALL THE PHOTOS OF MY OTHER KNITTING PROJECTS THAT I DID WHILE I WAS ON BLOG HIATUS! Well, there weren't a lot of them, but it did include the yellow feather and fan scarf that I gifted to MDC, and is probably in a landfill by now. But I digress.

Well, at 2 am, we went a little shutter crazy...

Holy Guacamole. You could fit that whole Noro hat nipple in one of my dimples.

Ignore the zit. It was 2 am, fer crying out loud....

My best guess it that we must have been drunk. Why? Well, because I allowed... no, I ASKED ICP to take some photos of me, full body.

A moment of silence to pull your chins up off the floor. Which is coincidentally about where my nipples are.

Actually, I look a bit like MOD's dog, Fiona. For anyone who knows Fiona, you know what I mean.

On second thought, I look like I have the shape of a bear. Not a pear.... a big old bear.

Actually, I think I am going to need a new name. How about Misha. Misha the Dancing Bear.

Ah, crap.

That bear has an easier time finding pants than I do.

Yes, I know sweetheart. It's sometimes hard to squeeze into those things...

Babies shouldn't play with hypodermic needles!

2007-04-19T15:54:00.000-05:00

Just a few random photos from a recent baby shower
for SG & LK at AZK's place.

AZK, preggers again, shows us baby R's most dangerous of toys -
The Turkey Baster / Hypodermic needle
that she discovered a few months back and stabbed poor dad with...

No No No!
Big girls don't stab daddy with kitchen utensils!

Lots of kids, toys, food, and what not. But without parental permission to post kiddie photos, here are the house and adult photos...

Oh lovely Zeeknits.
You had to bring handmade gifts and make the rest of us look bad,
didn't you?
Oh, the humanity.
I don't even have a really embarrassing photo of you to post as payback.

While you're here, let's see some photos of AZK's house.
Yes, they built it with their own hands.
A handmade house.

Looking up to the second floor at all the wood.
Yes, they even cut down their own friggin trees for this.

(Hey, Zee, I think this one tops your baby kimono...)

And the food. Needless to say, this wasn't a freezer section special.
So, AZK, did you go out and milk the cows
and press your own grapes, too?

You're all Wonder Women, the whole lot of you....

I can't even upload a photo on my blog half the time.

I still hate the X.

I hate the red X

2007-04-19T00:48:00.000-05:00

Why can't I upload anything from my computer?

All I get is that little red X.

I have pictures of my bee-hive hat.

I have especially unflattering photos of myself.

I have pictures of dancing bears, and taxis.

Why can't I upload them?

I hate the X.

Momma Roz

2007-04-14T21:47:00.000-05:00

On Thursday morning, Momma Roz went to the Rainbow Bridge.

***

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

-Author unknown

***

Momma Roz came to us with Mr. Calvin. They were basenji rescues, from BRAT (Basenji Rescue and Transport). At over 10 years old, and as a couple, they were almost unplaceable. Most people want young, single dogs, even in the rescue world. But we travelled to Cape Cod, introduced Bashir to them, and decided to take them home.

***

Momma Roz had a stroke a few months back. Her back legs didn't work 100%. She stopped wanting to go walkies. She stopped coming upstairs for bed time, preferring instead her little bed downstairs.

At 14 + years or so, she just had no more fight in her.

This week, it was just too much. So she just went sleepy bye byes, one last time.

She was wearing the bag lady sweater that I made (and remade, and remade again) for her when she went over the bridge. It was precious, and kept her really warm, and she loved it. Now she will wear it forever.

We miss you very much, Momma Roz.

Wag A Tail, Momma Rosalyn. Wag A Tail.

My Peeps

2007-04-08T23:04:00.000-05:00

After a long hiatus, I have gone Blogger Gah Gah.

Sometimes I lose faith in this town. Then there are times when I am proven wrong. This is one of those times.

The local paper – the Press and Sun Bulletin – ran a Peeps Diorama Contest.

There were just two rules:

1. It had to be a diorama.

2. It had to involve Peeps.

There were too many to post them all.

These are just some of my faves.

***

Cleopeeptra of the Nile

The Nightmare before Peeps

Give Peeps A Chance (notice the "Impeeps Bush" sign)

Psycho -Norman Bates Motel

DaVinci's The Last Supper

Elvis Peepsly

Knitting Peeps

Star Wars Peeps

Dali's The Persistance of Peeps

Hip Hop Peeps

The Trojan Peep

Arabian Peeps: 1001 Nights

Village Peeple

There have been complaints...

2007-04-08T20:13:00.000-05:00

I have not updated this thing for almost four months... So where do I start?

Let's start with squirrels.

Our local knitting space, La Tazza, often displays the work of local artists on the wall. This week, there are lovely nature photos. One of the nicest was a lovely squirrel...

Then, I was inspired by DC's recent reference to the infamous squirrel post. Of course, nothing can compare to that little vignette. But we did have an invasion of squirrels living in our house this winter.

The wall, to be exact.

So this post will be dedicated to the squatter squirrels.

Late at night, we would hear *scuff scuff scuff* in the bedroom wall. The dogs were, and I am not exaggerating, climbing the walls, trying to get to them. The nasty buggers were keeping us up at night. Finally, we called a wildlife relocation service. Or is that The Squirrel Terminator. Or The Squirrelator. Or the Squirrel Later...

Either way, $500+ later, our house was free of squirrels. And another $700+ later, the holes were sealed up. $1200+ for damn squirrels. Damn straight I took photos.

Squirrels infest your house as a family. You don't get one or two. You get 7. Or more. And at $60 a pop, plus collection fees... well, do the match.

The humane traps are pretty neat. They attach to the gutters, and a few peanuts are thrown in as a lure. Then when Squirrey the Squirrel comes for lunch, it snaps close.

That window there is my office window. It was fun hearing the snap and the panic as I was working.

Have fun, squirrel. You ain't getting out any time soon.

Oh, it's easter, isn't it. Well, can't let the holiday go by without a little special tribute to the spring fesival of birth. So here's a special little 18+ tribute to Peeps.

Merry Christmas to All

2006-12-21T08:26:00.000-05:00

Happy holidays, everyone!

Enjoy the tour of the tree... *

Fluffy blue and white knitted ornament cover, a peppermint cat, and some little Turkish knitted sock ornaments. And an English cracker...

And here are some of my little bird ornaments... they are chubby and adorable. The glass mariner's star is also very pretty. The wooden santa icicle, however, looks dangerous.

And how about a cat in the tree. Thankfully it's this one, not the real ones.

Finally, my favorite ornament of all time. The snow bunny...

Also works for Easters in Binghamton.

* I thought that DC's tree tour was so cute that I should reciprocate with a tour of mine.

How do you make multicolor ribbon yarn look good...?

2006-12-08T09:25:00.000-05:00

.... wrap it around a project knitted in Manos del Uruguay yarn, in French Blue, of course!!

What? What is that, you say, oh brilliant Zeeknits? Is Bashir's Momma becoming a yarn snob?

Could be.

I decided to make something for RB in Boston, for all those times she hosted me, and invited me to her parties and shin-digs. Then a chance visit to Wild and Wooly in Lexington (ack! No website?!) gave me a clue that she liked blue. Now, an easy projet...

I stumbled across this mistake rib scarf that used 2 skeins of Manos by Girl on the Rocks. I altered the pattern on her blog to

cast on 33 stitches on 10 1/2 needles
knit in “mistake rib” - Right side and Wrong side rows are knit the same:
K2, P2 for the whole row and end K2 P1.

Easy as pie.

I think I wold have liked it a bit longer - maybe with may only 27 or 29 stitches cast on.

But I like it. Hope RB does, too.

Uh Oh! I think Mr. Calvin even likes the idea of a Manos del Uruguay knitted project... Get off the friggin table, you bad dog!!

Speaking of dogs, I think the next major project will have to be a redo of the dog coat... It's getting cold out there!

***

Coming up soon - some photos from Graceland ( I hope!!) from the pilgrimage in the 90s. And more camelids in the news!

I couldn't make this stuff up, even if I tried...

Gus, the drunken camel

2006-12-06T21:43:00.000-05:00

EG passed this news story on to me, courtesy of Yahoo news.

Guinness guzzling camel crashes Xmas party

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Staff at an Irish riding school were forced to postpone festivities after Gus the camel chomped his way through 200 mince pies and several cans of Guinness intended for their Christmas party.

Gus, starring in the riding school's Santa's Magical Animal Kingdom show, helped himself to the feast while staff were getting changed for the party.

"Gus found his way out of his pen and helped himself," Robert Fagan, owner of the Mullingar Equestrian Centre in central Ireland, told Reuters.

The 11-year-old camel, originally from Morocco, cracked open six cans of Ireland's famous stout with his teeth after the door to his stall was left open.

Gus appeared well after Monday evening's feeding frenzy, Fagan said, adding: "We were all looking forward to it, but you couldn't blame him. He's really a very gentle, docile sort of camel."

***

I find this most interesting, especially considering Dee's sighting of Sir Gus...

Elvis, the bloated years

2006-12-03T22:04:00.000-05:00

This is not so much a new post as an addendum to "Believe it or not..."

With VLo's permission...

And now, ladies and gentlemen, for a second sold out appearance... It's Elvis Presley in the great comeback tour...

Just in case you missed the sideburns...

The sideburns were made out of the same pleather I picked up at the Evil Empire-Mart for the cape. And at $1.99/yard, I couldn't afford NOT to go the extra mile for a bit of facial hair.

But, just so you know, they were not really attached to me, as much as they were attached to the glasses.

Elvis.

Still makin the girlies scream...

Again, check out those sideburns!

Was Elvis really that chesty?

It's good to be the King...

Believe it or not, it's just me

2006-11-28T22:15:00.000-05:00

I may have stolen that title from one of my favorite shows from the 1980s... but what better way to introduce some random photos?

With ICP and Poppy, at Grandma's memorial

Our first Christmas, 2003, in the basement apartment

With Bozo the Guard, Covent Garden, 2002

Stonehenge, 2002

Halloween photo, 2006

The FHM

Taking a nap with the dogs and the fat cat

And finally- as an Elvis Impersonator, for MOD's

Viva Las Vegas Poker Night

Can you see those sideburns?

My dog looks like a bag lady

2006-11-27T13:41:00.000-05:00

The ouchy acrylic scarf was my first knitting project. Made out of two skeins of Lions Brand Jiffy acrylic yarn, in a color called El Paso.

I should have done the old El Passo at the yarn shop...

Here's the description from the Lions Brand website:

Quick and easy to work, velvety soft, 2 ply brushed 100% acrylic that looks like mohair.

[Don't you believe them.]

El Paso: An intense mix of burgundy, denim, sage green and dark gold

[When I think of something being intense. I think a hot relationship. I think extreme sports with bungee jumping and skydiving and no nets. When I think of intense, I do not think 100% acrylic...]

That scarf was big. It was bulky. It was ouchy. But it was not mohair. It was 5000+ repititions of knit. Knit. Knit....

Ok. It was fine for a beginner's project. But I hated it. Even for just throwing on me to walk the dogs. So I decided to unravel it, and make something else.

Hmmmm. How about a coat, for the dog?

Well, I measured the dog. I really did. And I followed a pattern. I did.

Well. Not exactly. I figured that I needed an increase or two. Here and there. And, well, so what if I wound up knitting instead of purling. Keep going, and it looks like a deliberate texture change. Doesn't it?

Looks good anyway, doesn't it...

Well, I guess that is the magic of photography for you.

ICP came home, looked at Momma Roz, and asked why the dog looked like a bag lady.

"Well, it's just for going out on walks..."

"She looks like a bag lady."

"Well, It's not finished. She needs sleeves."

"She looks like a bag lady."

Ok. He's right. She looks like a bag lady dog, in a 100% acrylic fake mohair-like coat.

Ok. Here is Momma Roz in her new coat.

Still, she wore it without any fuss. She slept in it. It is probably warm, aside from those big gaping holes where the air can get in. I guess the warm outweighed the ouchy...

It is way too big. And as I type, it is being torn and unraveled.

I think next time I will try to follow the directions. At least just a little...

Random Camel Photo - and yes... it is related to knitting

2006-11-22T12:03:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I have a thing for camels. Any camel photo is welcome here! Well, MDC just made a trip to Dubai, where she got a shot of this camel.

To my surprise, it was also knitting related. Ironically, she did not know I had taken up knitting since the last time I saw her.

Take a look at that muzzle!!!

Edit: Shall we have a camel spit guard knit a long?

Edit #2: There is a write in campaign to the comments section that this muzzle or spit guard may in fact be crocheted.

Edit #3: I have created a button for the Camel Spit Guard Knit-A-Long. Perhaps it will take off the ground.

The not so freakishly huge mitt... revealed!!

2006-11-18T21:30:00.000-05:00

...drum roll.....

Well the freakishly huge mitt is no longer that big anymore. After 3 cycles in the wash, it has come out like a nice, pretty pot holder.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you....

THE MITT...

Love the colors, and the weight is thick enough to take out those baking sheets from the oven - filled with Pumpkin cookies that DC had posted on her blog, of course!

So there you have it... the Mitt...

I also finished the case for my circular needles. It did not turn out right. The edge had too few stitches, so it just curled up in felting. So I decided to work around it.

Not what the pattern looked like, but fun and functional anyway.

Warshing up

2006-11-18T00:35:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo of State Street, this morning, after the waters went down. The water was easily 3 feet high, if it was an inch. The park was completely flooded. It was also exactly where the dogs wanted to walk this morning.

After our tromp through the muddy sewage water, we all jumped into the shower.

Well, not literally.

But I did have to do three emergency dog baths this morning. And it was not all that fun...

Well, there are more knitting things here today. First, I have hopped on the Mason Dixon Knit A Long Warshrag wagon. I have posted my first rag for the world to see.

And look ma!!! No felting!!!

I feel so wrong.

The next projects came from, or at least were inspired by Cat Bordhi's Second Treasury of Magical Knitting.

They are supposed to be little covers for pairs of needles. In my case, they are thicker and wider, and they became cases for all my double pointed needles... they are great!

(Aw, shucks, I don't have the other circular needle case photographed yet.... soon! I promise!)

Anyway, these are the little cases. In my favorite Paton's wool. All of my dpns go in these three! Even the chubby, 4 inch #15s!!

The little red spiral one is my fave. But they are all great.

The technique is pretty simple. The yellow one was done with a double strand on thick #15 needles, and went quickly. 1 1/2 hours, and I am slow. Then you make a square, sew one side, felt it. Then while it's damp, twist it... same for the little one. The green was done on dpns, and was knitted in the round. It was a bit diffult, but not too bad....

Ok guys. here it comes...

The next post....
The you know what....

***DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!!!***

Taking on water

2006-11-16T20:43:00.000-05:00

You all remember the waterproof felted bag, don't you?

Boy could we need some protection from water right about now. As wonderful as felting is, I don't think it's going to be able to fight off these waters.

Today, Binghamton got hit with a big storm. A bunch of roads were flooded, and a bunch of the buildings and roads on campus were also underwater. The boss called in, and she had been stuck in traffic, with water up to the door of her Honda. Plus, there was a state of emergency issued for Broome County. I decided to spend the night at the office. I knew where DS kept the Aldi's food stash, so I was ready to raid his office and reimburse him later... And if that didn't work, I had a survival bag of popcorn ready. And lots of coffee and tea...

Then there was calm. The rain stopped.

With a call from a friend or two who had made it back home unscathed, I headed on the road. No problems. What were they talking about? I didn't see any flooding? A little water.... a few puddles. *psssht!!*

Then I got to my exit...

This is what I saw on the off ramp.... (Photo from the Press and Sun Bulletin).

I had to get back on the highway, drive around to the other side of the river, then over the bridge to get back to our road. As I got towards the house, I saw that the end of the road was.... gone.

Completely underwater.

The neighbors down the bottom of the road have water in the basements. The road is submerged. The park is underwater, with only the tips of the park benches visible.

The creek, which you can't even really see anywhere near our place, probably flooded over, and the fallen leaves have probably blocked all the drains.

Part III - THE FHM

2006-11-14T23:29:00.000-05:00

Zeeknits has been waiting patiently for this to go up... So without further delay, my Freakishly Huge Mit. My FHM.

Oh, it's a virtual work of art... It was gorgeous in its enormity. It was bigger than life. And for exactly 53 seconds, it was on display at the Gallery in La Tazza, downtown Binghamton.

The Story of the FHM
I loves to felt! I loves it! I loves it! I loves it! I think it is fun, and I can just throw things in the wash and viola! Things are tight and small and there are no dropped stitches! So far, about 80% of my projects have been felted.

About a year ago, I bought about 20 skeins of Paton's Wool in purple, red, green and mustardy yellow. These are not the official names, but I no longer have the label. I started felting everything out of these things. I made post holders and trivets. I made bags, and needle cases and circular needle cases. I made a notions bag. It is the best stuff to felt with, in my inexperienced opinion. But I love it.

Now, I decided to try to make another kind of pot holder from Knit One, Felt Two (see below). This one was a mitten... Oh no.... that little thumb scared me. And it was knitting in the round.

I was terrified. Honestly terrified.

I bought the size 15 double pointed. They were only 4 inches long, though, so that was a disaster. I ripped that apart.

Another few months waiting until I found normal length dp needles.

Finally, I began the process. And this past Saturday, I finally finished.

This is a hypothetical version of the conversation we had when I finished.

Zeeknits: Uh, that doesn't look right.

Bashirs_Momma: It felts down.

**Odd look from Bestitched, from across the table**

Bashirs_Momma: I'm gonna felt it...

Zeeknits: That thumb looks.... odd....

Bashirs_Momma: It's really big.

Zeeknits: It felts down.

**Odd look from yuppie women sitting in table near us**

Bashirs_Momma: I can tell people it's for my husband.

Zeeknits: With a freakishly huge hand?

Bashirs_Momma: Maybe for Andre the Giant?

Zeeknits: It's really big.

Bashirs_Momma: It felts down...

Ok. Ok. We didn't use those words at all. Maybe we channeled the ghost of Andre and talked about how huge it was. But for the love of God, don't quote me here. I can't remember what we said. I just know that we were all amazed by the Freakishly Huge Mit.

Come by in a few days and see what happened...

No. I am not holding it up to the camera. Indeed the mit is freakishly huge. It looked like ML's hand after an allergic reaction to a bee sting on Long Island Pilgrim. I mean, this mit was huge!

Saturday Edition, Part II

2006-11-13T18:46:00.000-05:00

More photos from the emergency Stitch N Bitch session on Saturday.

Dearest Cupcake brought out some of her finished and unfinished projects. Work continues on the Xmas gift (SHHHHH!!!!). And she was exceptionally happy with the hexoganal scarf, but not so happy with the sweater she had been working on for so long.The final decision was to rip it out. I hope she will at least take a photo of it. Perhaps one day she will learn to love the Medieval Armour look...

Shades of gray... shades of gray...

CB also came by for the special event, with her scarf. She is not all that happy with her project either. We tried to convince her to move on to the next project. She was simply disgusted.

I tried to capture the look of disgust on her face, but it was not there for long. Perhaps it was the wonderful-ness of the afternoon in a psuedo-NYC environment.

Stitch N Bitch, Saturday Edition Pt I

2006-11-11T18:16:00.000-05:00

Normally the Binghamton Stitch N Bitch group gets together on a Sunday at La Tazza. It's one of the few downtown places in Bingo that reminds me of being in a big city. But this week, with DL visiting, we decided to get together for a special Stitch N Bitch, Saturday Edition. Same place, new and exciting time...

And this time, breaking with all tradition, we brought cameras.

DL didn't bring LL with her for the stitchery. She was with dad... but we did get a chance to meet her, and she was adorable and cute, especially yesterday when she tried to climb into the artifact buckets in the lab.

CH brought another quilt she is making. This one was commissioned for a friend.

More photos to come...

On the Last Leg

2006-11-09T20:55:00.000-05:00

Just taking a break to share these two cartoons, from Steve Bell, whose political cartoons are featured on The Guardian's website.

From November 3, 2006 ...

...then from November 9, 2006

Speaking of being on their last leg, our dog, Momma Roz, is doing much better since her stroke. She does not have complete normal function of her back leg any more, but she can sometimes make the stairs, and with help jump on the bed. She prefers to stay downstairs now, since the trip upstairs in quite hard for her.

This is Roz, in her Doggie Depends, and Mr. Calvin getting into the camera... Is that her, sticking her tounge out at me? Naughty naughty girl!

Today I went out and bought a few skeins of Sugar & Creme yarn, to make some Warshrags out of The Mason Dixon Knitting book. I am not sure what colors to make, since I am not sure if they will stay with me, and grace my new ktichen, or if they will go out as gifts. I don't really want them to wind up like my "masterpiece pottery" from 8th grade did - hidden away in my Aunt J's china cabinet. Plus, I am considering giving them as gifts to a master knitter, who will no doubt laugh at me for my efforts. But perhaps I can put them in a prezzie along with a copy of the book itself for Crimble... She also has a thing for country & western stuff, so she may enjoy it.

She shall remain nameless, in case she ventures to this blog.

CH has posted all the Baby Quilts we made last year on her blog, Fire Ox vs Metal Dragon. They look great. Same pattern as my quilt I made solo... but lots of different variations. No need to double post them here, but they have a little bit of me. The thirty stitches to the right are mine...

Halloween pictures of ICP and Me will follow soon. Somehow, I couldn't get out of it...

It Felt Good

2006-11-07T09:35:00.000-05:00

Spent the weekend in NYC with Dad. No hassels. Just tv, work, dog walks, grocery shopping. It was pleasant. And unusually quiet.

Just a few of my other felting projects.

I have been drooling over the felting projects from this book. "Knit One, Felt Too: Discover the magic of knitted felt with 25 easy patterns" by Kathleen Taylor. I have been dying to make the little hat. I want those little felted slippers. I am thinking about the Christmas stockings in purple and green.

Alas, all I have made are the pot holders.

A whole bunch of felted squares. That's it... They are nice, but that's the extent of my knitting talent. Felted Squares. Oh well. Here they are...

Lots of stripes. That is as exciting as it gets, folks.

But I like these colors. They are the same that I have been using for my felted bag projects.

Oh, and look at them next to the Talavera square bowl. Now that is what I call pretty...

Welcome November

2006-11-02T22:21:00.000-05:00

There was a memorial for BW yesterday, at his house. That was also the place where I first met him. Coincidentally, it was right around Halloween, too.

I remember it was a Halloween party 14 years ago. There was a big bonfire, and dancing, and a crazy Halloween pumpkin carving contest. The driveway was lined with pumpkins carved in strange and unusual ways. Ok. Perhaps the barfing pumpkin wasn't among them, but there were strange and wierd and wonderful creations. The one that I do remember most was LC&RD's entry into the contest; RD dragged a big pumpkin out to the driveway, got out her shotgun, and started firing. It made an impression on me. Well, not literally... But I do remember that it was the first time I ever saw someone with a shot gun. I had just moved from NYC up to "the country." Growing up in "the city" meant you almost never saw shot guns.

But I digress.

The memorial was nice...There was a lot of food, and a lot of people. JL brought a Godzilla Cake. A video of the original King Kong with Faye Wray was playing in the parlor.

The memorial ended (just like all the other parties at BW's place) with a big bonfire. DS went crazy in his pyromania, and almost single handedly fed the flames until after dark.

I wonder if he would be upset about a barfing pumpkin on this blog... but I think he'd appreciate it.

We will miss him...

***

November is here. That means cold weather. And for the cold weather, there are always more scarves.

This scarf was made with a pattern our local Knitting shop had out for free.

Some day I am going to organize all my projects and the directions so I will have the info at hand.

And this is the mega mega scarf. It was one of the first projects I ever attempted.

Yummy multicolor acrylic blend...

It keeps you warm and fire retardant...

I have another ball of this stuff somewhere, but I don't have the heart to make anything else with it. I debated making something for the dogs, but that just seemed cruel. Sort of like kicking puppies. So I decided against it.

Really. This looks worse in real life. But it does keep me warm. And it is nice for late night dogs walks. If nothing else, the dogs see me putting it on, and they stop complaining about walking outside in the cold.

They know better.

Welcome, November.

Autumn Leaves Falling

2006-10-30T20:12:00.000-05:00

Most of the autumn leaves in upstate New York have already fallen. The bright, wonderful colors that we took for granted last week are now gone.

I regret not taking that drive in the country just to look at them, to enjoy the view, and experience them in all their brilliant colors.

I miss them already.

Last week, we lost an old friend.

BW was as vibrant as the New York landscape on an October day. He was as colorful as any autumn leaf you could ever imagine.

And like an autumn leaf, he has left us, far too soon.

That's How I Felt!

2006-10-26T00:31:00.000-05:00

I have been knitting only a very short time now. I am still learning the basics. But I quickly realized that I really like to felt. All the sins seem to disappear in the wash....

Or so I thought...

This is one of my first projects.

A felted stash bag, with I-cord handles. I also made a coordinating notion bag, which is admittedly a little crooked.

But they are really cute, super handy, and I thought they were pretty nice for a beginner.

To go with this, there is a lined needle case, which is handy dandy.

After mastering the felting process, I decided to tackle the Mason Dixon Buttonhole bag. It would be easy. I would rock the world.

Or so I thought.

I got lazy. I didn't watch the clock. I put it on hot wash in my front loader and walked away. I put it on a second time, and walked away.

The third time, I was asking for it.

The result was my version of the Buttonhole bag.

I call it my Bulletproof, Waterproof, Fashionproof bag.

It is still cute, but it could have been oh-so-much-more.

But as DL claims, not everyone is a winner.

I will ignore you

2006-10-22T08:31:00.000-05:00

The cats and dogs do not get along.

In the pantheon of house animals, the cats are supposed to be like Zeus. They are supposed to be the ones to determine when it will rain, cause major earthquakes. That sort of thing...

But ever since the basenjis came along, they tend to take the back seat. It's really not their nature, but that's what has happened.

But I know better.

If they could reach the pedal on the Geo, they would certainly take the car, a couple of tuna fish cans, and leave. They'd pack up the catnip and go interstate with it. If they could reach the ATM buttons, they'd leave town with $40 of our cold, hard cash, and never look back.

Forget Mount Olympus.

My cats would be the Thelma and Louise of the Feline world.

DJ is the little cat that has really big paws. Lots of extra fingers.

Then there is Felice the fat cat. Lots of extra pounds. Freakishly huge.

Quilting the Bees

2006-10-19T23:03:00.000-05:00

Almost 10 years ago, MP taught me how to quilt.

I never really got the hang of it until the Oh-so-talented CH really got me going. We had a few days of quilting blankets for charity. No need to cross post them - you can follow the link for Fire Ox vs Metal Dragon to see them all. We also had a mad bee quilting for a triple header baby shower. Lots of communal quilting.

On my own, however, I have produced only one little baby quilt, despite the yards of fabric waiting to be sliced and seamed.
This one was for Baby A in Rhode Island.

I went with a Classic Pooh Quilt, with a few bees thrown in the mix.

Who wouldn't like Pooh on a baby blanket?

Oh. Yeah. Right.

The back is golden, with lots of pooh bear honey bees.

The front is filled with Classic, Pre-Disney era Pooh Bears, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore,

and even Christopher Robin.

And more non-pooh honey bees, just for fun.

My next quilt will be the long-awaited Halloween Quilt.

It is partially pieced. But it is far from finished.

Maybe for next year.

"As if by magic, the Shopkeeper appeared..."

2006-10-17T18:19:00.000-05:00

ICP has finally found a job that he seems to enjoy. Today he went to a marketing conference in Albany. He wore his three piece suit. I asked him if he had an umbrella, since it was raining hard.

He said of course he did. He's English.

I told him he should wear his bowler hat.

This is Mr. Benn.

Mr. Benn is a kid's book from England. ICP used to tell me all about Mr. Benn, and I thought he was mad. It's about an ordinary bloke who visits a Fancy Dress Shop, run by a fez-wearing Shopkeeper.

When Mr. Benn puts on a costume, he is transported to some far away land where everything turns out right, and Mr. Benn is the hero.

My favorite story was the time when Mr. Benn puts on medieval armour, and he goes off to save the friendly dragon wrongfully accused of setting fires by an evil match salesman.

Each time, Mr. Benn steps into a costume, he solves the problem and saves someone from nasty things. Then, when everything is done, when the world is good, the story ends with the catchphrase...

"As if by magic, the Shopkeeper appeared..."

The Shopkeeper, Mr. Costumepashazade, steps into the fantasy land and takes Mr. Benn home.

No one gets hurt. The world is good.

English children play with Mr. Benn Beanie Babies.

Mr. Benn can be ordinary by day, save the world from match salesmen and make the world safe for dragons once again. Mr. Benn can do whatever crazy thing comes to mind and it's all cool. Mr. Benn cavorts with big husky fez-wearing shop keepers, and no one bats an eyelash.

I have often wanted to run away and join the circus. I have changed my mind.

I would like be Mr. Benn, only with clowns.

I want to run away and join the circus. I want to be clown, or be a mime. I'd protect midgets from evil, and tour with Siegfried and Roy impersonators. Then, when it was all over, I'd go back to my real world.

Then again, maybe instead of joining the circus, I would simply like to be able to escape from Binghamton for an afternoon. I'd eventually come back, escorted by a modern day Ottoman administrator, and have the world sorted out for me.

But most of all, I would like to hear the phrase...

"As if by magic, the dissertation text appeared..."

It works for Mr. Benn, but not for Bashir's Momma.

***

Halloween is coming up. I can't decide if I will be a circus clown, a mime, or a big husky fez-wearing shopkeeper.

I do own a fez. I do have the mime shirt. I do own clown pants.

Perhaps I will simply borrow ICP's bowler hat.

Not real dogs

2006-10-16T21:41:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I feel like my life is centered around these three basenjis. Sometimes it's true.

But they sure are cute, especially when they are not tearing up the furniture, jumping on our guests, or eating my clothes out of the hamper. They are our demolition experts.

A basenji is often referred to as a cat in a dog's body. I don't know if this is true, but they are not like real dogs. Not really.

Basenjis do not bark. Instead, they "yodel." They will often clean themselves, almost like cats. The behavioral characteristics of the breed are unusual, at best. ICP often asks Bashir why he isn't a real dog. So far, he has not answered.

Everyone, meet our basenjis. From left to right, they are Momma Roz, Mr. Calvin, and Baby Bashir. Roz and Mr. Calvin came from BRAT - Basenji Rescue and Transport.

Our three big cats dressed in dog costumes.