I Have Four DPNs And Know How To Use Them

Yes, I'm a process knitter - not a product knitter. I finished my take on the ubiquitous February Lady Sweater earlier today. I had been weaving in ends as I went along and the buttons were already fastened, so all I had to do was steam-block the cardigan. And so by the middle of the afternoon I was wearing my warm (organic) cardigan to the supermarket. I was chuffed, I was.

Then it dawned on me that I no longer had my project in process and that I could either a) pick up that Lilac Top O'Doom that has been in hibernation longer than I care to remember, b) work on a Christmas gift or c) cast on for a new project. I ruled out the Lilac Top O'Doom (because it pretty much means trying it on, figuring out that, yes, it does not fit and then ripping it out to start all over). The Christmas gift is nearly finished and I'm now trying not to work on it too much since it's so enjoyable I don't want the process to end too soon (see, PROCESS knitter!).

So I tried to cast on for a new project.

Actually I cast on two new projects and ripped them both out within ten rows. They just didn't feel right (plus I couldn't find my 5.00mm DPNs). And now I'm in a really, really foul mood because I'm between projects and I need to find the next process that I'll really enjoy.

PS. This shawl is no more. Hallelujah.

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Oh, Anyway, It’s Looking Like A Beautiful Day

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One of my favourite pastimes of late has been taunting my local physicist friends: "Oh, I cannot make plans later than Wednesday morning because we are all going to die" or "I'm really looking forward to this event horizon thing". Their facial expressions have been priceless, I tell you. Usually I mostly get affronted linguists or disgusted literary scholars, so annoyed physicists have been very diverting. Ah, mass media and their funny takes on scientific matters. I'm also rather pleased to see Elbow winning the Mercury Prize with "The Seldom Seen Kid". It's a very good album and I'm happy to (maybe) see them gain a bit more success. The first single off the album, "Grounds For Divorce", features a fabulous sentence construction: "There's a hole in my neighbourhood / Down which of late I cannot help but fall".

But because I can, let me spam you with a Mercury Prize nominee, not winner. Heartbreakingly gorgeous stuff.

And finally, fifty minutes after my blog rant, Parcelforce delivered my yarn. That'll teach 'em.

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Tuesday Linkage

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I may be in the throes of female hormones, so here are some calming links. + Smugopedia: "Smugopedia is a collection of slightly controversial opinions about a variety of subjects. We offer you the chance to buy a fleeting sense of self-satisfaction at the small cost of alienating your friends and loved ones."

+ It’s Not You, It’s Your Books: Literary dealbreakers. I once dated a guy who had a shelf of Oprah-esque self-help books. I'm not saying that's why I broke up with him.. but we only lasted a week after that discovery.

+ Pretty staircases. Note that the URL is NSFW but the content is very, very SFW. This is my personal favourite (first photo).

+ A Field Guide to Ten Most Common Frontmen Styles. My favourite frontman happens to be a cross between no. 6 and no. 10. Hmm.

+ The Lost Tribes of Green Sahara. Beautiful photography.

+ Sarah Palin is Your New.. What? Many people have opinions on just what who Palin is. I quite like "..Hail Mary" and "Faustian Bargain" but my absolute favourite is "Star Wars: Episodes I - III Plus The Clone Wars". Heh.

Addendum: Booker Shortlist.

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Do You Taunt Me On Purpose Or Do You Just Roll Like That?

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Parcelforce, the bane of my British existence. 2005: Box with my collection of Alasdair Gray First Editions goes missing. Parcelforce either forgot to attempt delivery or to leave a collection card. Boyfriend bravely battles his way to a remote depot, doing excellent postal kung-fu and leaves with my precious books in his arms.

2006: Christmas presents go missing, Parcelforce insists they've been delivered when I phone them for the fifth time (the other times the presents didn't exist on their system), December 29 our downstairs neighbour comes home from holiday to discover that our presents had been left with her for no apparent reason. No card or notices, of course.

2007: Another overseas "surprise" present goes missing. Parcelforce claims incorrect address when confronted with tracking number. Another delivery attempt obviously not attempted. We have to paid for extra special delivery - and our correct address is printed in big, black letters on the top of the box. We are not amused. Especially not me who may have given Parcelforce the URL of the Danish postal service, just for kicks.

2008: Where is my red alpaca-silk yarn, you freaky Parcelforce people?

Stay tuned.

And So the Football Season Picked Up Its Golden Armour..

Can we agree on an ban on the word "epic" in the following context: "Cousin, however, scored an epic goal.."? Let's look at the definition of "epic":

Pronunciation: \ˈe-pik\ Function: adjective Etymology: Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos word, speech, poem — more at voice Date: 1589

1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic (an epic poem) 2 a: extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope (his genius was epic — Times Literary Supplement)

Thus, a football season of normal duration or a regular goal cannot be described as "epic", dear BBC Scotland football commentator. And I'm going to hit you with a hardback copy of The Iliad next time you employ the word incorrectly. And that will cause you epic pain, believe me.