Happy Birthday Mom

Today would have been my mom’s 68′th birthday, had she not died 4 years ago. Or is it 5 now? Anyway, Happy Birthday Mom.

 

Loopy Ewe haul

 

Earlier this year, my friend Megann gave me a gift certificate for The Loopy Ewe and I finally figured out what to use it for. I got this haul I’d wanted sock blockers but they had to have the sheep in them. My friend Tara found some on The Loopy Ewe so I went and ordered them and browsed the yarns and picked these two. The grey one is really really nice…I’ve never knit with bamboo before so I grabbed it. The other one is amazing, it’s so soft. Not quite sure what I’ll be making with it but some pair of socks.

 

These log cabin socks are a gift for someone that I have to get off today or tomorrow. Hopefully they’ll make it across the border in time rather than be a month late like last year. This is the third pair of these socks in a row. I wanted to make myself another pair but maybe in January-I’m bored with it now. Different yarns but still…it’s 6 of the same socks I’ve knit in a month’s time.

 

My friend Maria got me some cat paw non-skid things to iron on the bottom of slippers so I’ll put those on my dads. Hope they work. They look cool

 

 

 

 

 

 

Been having one HELL of a time with my nerves and haven’t been taking the Xanax for fear of not getting anymore. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Yesterday I had to take one and I’ve been fine ever since. Occasionally that happens that you seem really out of joint and take one and it just seems to hit just right that everything is ok for a few days. I hope this lasts because the stress was getting to the point I was fearing a heart attack.

 

I’m curious how much of this, also, is roller coaster withdrawal. I honestly believe I am addicted to them. I get funky in the summer sometimes but always know there’s a roller coaster to ride and things aren’t THAT bad. Over the winter tho it do get grumpy ‘coz it seems to take forever for the season to start. One thing to really look forward to is we have plans next year to go to Cedar Point with a friend of mine, her husband and his sister. That is going to be so totally cool. I can’t wait to see them when they’re walking past Millennium Force on the way to the queue line and look up and kind go “Whhhhhatt the fuuuuck!” LOL! It is so incredibly tall it’s not even funny. I found this photo on a Cedar Point fan site and it just made me smile with joy…I love this ride so  much-what an AWESOME shot. Must have been a helicopter because the only ride you’d look DOWN on this from is Top Thrill Dragster and that’s not where this was taken from. it’s funny, this looks insane from this angle but when you’re on the ground looking up as you walk past, 310 feet just seems so TALL LOL! Needless to say I cannot wait to park my ass on this next season. I miss riding it!

Top 10

I’ve wanted to do this Profile thing for a while but ACE does not allow ANY negative comments as per their rules of membership…you’re supposed to smile and say everything is fantastic even if it eats raw ass. I can probably get my membership revoked for this–I mainly am a member for the magazine anyway, We’ve only been to one event. 

I finished my Kindness Sock. I like the short row heel and the colour changes go without saying although I think these may be a bit foo-foo for me. I don’t get why people go on about how scratchy Noro is…it’s no worse than store bough athletic socks and when they’re on your feet, can you REALLY tell the difference?

 

Anyway-here’s my coaster Profile:

 

Most Difficult Coaster to Add To Track Record: Drachen Fire, Busch Gardens Europe. I saw it being built and couldn’t wait to ride it. By the time I found someone to ride with, it was torn down. Guess it was just a bit too much coaster for Busch Gardens. 

Most Sought-After Coaster To Get To:  Up until this summer, I’d have said Millennium Force. Now I guess I’d have to say X2

Personal Top Five Wood:

 

• Mean Streak, Cedar Point
• Gemini, Cedar Point
• El Toro, Six Flags Great Adventure
• Cyclone, Six Flags New England
• Great White, Wildwood NJ

 

Personal Top Five Steel:

 

• Millennium Force, Cedar Point
• Nitro, Six Flags Great Adventure
• Maverick, Cedar Point
• Medusa, Six Flags Great Adventure
• Raptor, Cedar Point

 

Coaster/Park Collections:

Coaster t-shirts, ride photos, Postcards, 

Other Interests: 

Knitting, writing, 80’s heavy metal

Additional Comments:  After hearing so much hype about Superman:Ride of Steel at SF New England it was  a real let down to finally ride this coaster and find it bored me to death. Where’s the airtime I heard so much about? It has none. I don’t know why people love it so much. It is forceless, it meanders at ground level too much-it’s just a lousy ride. It doesn’t matter where you sit…front or back were equally dull. The painful ankle restraints didn’t help either. Nitro beats it for pacing and thrills, Millennium Force for the speed…I don’t like the ride.

Noro socks on Apple TV

 

I’m pretty jazzed. After a horrible Saturday where I thought I lost a ring and DID loose an earring that still freaks me out…I take comfort in this sock-my first Noro sock. Have always wanted a pair and I’m one of those who drank the kool aid when  first discovered Noro-the world would be a nicer place if everyone had a lil something made of Noro. The colour changes are just so very soothing. I think I’ll go and buy metric tons of Noro just to have on hand.

Anyway, this is the Socks of Kindness pattern and I owe a great deal of thanks to Cat Bordhi for the shot row tutorial on YouTube. Without that, I NEVER would have been able to do this heel without holes galore. I’d tried short row heels once and it was a disaster. Cat’s demonstration was an immense help. See….I may rant and rave at the drop of a pin but I always like to think I’m a fair guy and give credit where and when it’s due.

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday was spent with Chris trying to get Apple TV working. I’ve been on a kick where I’ve wanted Netflix but Comcast is capping bandwidth and I’ve rad lots of stories on line who they fuck with the signal to make it an unpleasant experience. I don’t get that when you’re paying for a service why they have a right to cripple it. If they want to GIVE internet service for free then they have every right to do what they want but when you’re paying….fuck that. SO…..I got Apple TV instead. Not QUITE the same but it’s still pretty damn cool after it took Chris 2.5 hours to get  it going.  It was nice to watch a video podcast like Let’s Knit2Gether on a decent tv in good quality rather than a dinky iPod screen.

This also means I had to go get Apple’s Airport which actually turned out to be a smart buy. It now means my Playstation 3 in the kitchen has WIFI internet access and I can watch streaming movies down there when I knit at the kitchen table. Can also surf the net to keep up on Ravelry and Plurk when I’m sick in bed and maybe even organise a virtual video Knit-A-Long with the horror knits Rav group like we tried doing before.

Millennium Force First Drop

Millennium Force First Drop

Originally uploaded by Garlic Kat

Usually it’s the bone-chilling days of late December that coaster withdrawal begins to set in badly. Not so this year…its already begun to rear it’s ugly damn head. There are approximately five long months before Cedar Point re-opens for the 2009 season…

Millennium Force’s first drop-oh how I miss thee

I Been Bizy

I’ve been spinning all day today. After getting 3/4 the way through some beautiful roving I was given at Rhinebeck, it suddenly clicked and I’ve been having a much easier time of it. I have 2 braids of merino superwash yet to spin and then I have some regular wool and then maybe I’ll not be such a chicken and spin the silk. If all goes well, maybe I will see if I can spin angora. I don’t know why I’m so into angora since guys generally can’t wear it but I love it. Maybe because it’s super soft and feels safe. I dunno. 

But here’s a picture:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have some that I’ve plied and washed and is now hanging to dry.  

 

I was over looking at Sairy’s blog and decided to steal this. Sorry Sairy but it was too cool to pass up.

ACCENT: Born and raised in Bawhstin but I don’t have the accent. I think it sounds ignorant and low brow.

BREAKFAST OR NO BREAKFAST: I never ate it until I hit my 30’s.

CHORE I DON’T CARE FOR: Emptying the dishwasher. I don’t know why but I despise that chore.

DOG OR CAT: Cats-love felines. I’m hoping to be one of those eccentric types tht has 950 cats when I grow up.

ESSENTIAL ELECTRONICS: iPod. I railed against electronic music in the early part of the new age and now can’t live without my iPod.

FAVORITE COLOGNE: Angel by Thierry Mugler

GOLD OR SILVER: Silver or Platinum. I don’t like gold and am allergic to it anyway.

HANDBAG I CARRY MOST OFTEN: Umm, I own a penis. I don’t get the man purse thing. Guys don’t carry purses.

INSOMNIA: Only if I’m having an extreme case of anxiety.

JOB TITLE: Retired tattoo artist.

KIDS: Nope. Not for me.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: I’ve recently moved back in with my dad. It’s not easy. I miss living in my own house.

MOST ADMIRABLE TRAIT: oh shit, I have no idea.

NAUGHTIEST CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR: I used to tell dirty jokes and other kids parents would call my mom to complain, I guess.

OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY: No.

PHOBIAS:  Getting lost,  driving to and in unfamiliar places, being alone, surgery. I’m just a total mess LOL

QUOTE: “Good times, good tunes, good brew, good friends.” ~ My old headbanging mates-often before a beer was poured over your head.

REASON TO SMILE: C’mon…if you know me, you know my reply. Roller coasters.

SIBLINGS: I’m an only brat.

TIME I WAKE UP: With dawn’s crack. 5 AM or so.

UNUSUAL SKILL OR TALENT: Unusual? Oh hell’s bells, I’m boring. I can’t think of any.

VEGETABLE I REFUSE TO EAT: I dunno-I love vegetables.

WORST HABIT: I’m often too negative and a pessimist.

YUMMY STUFF: Absinthe, tea, UNI! OH GOD I LURVES ME SOME UNI!!!!!!!!

ZOO ANIMAL I LIKE MOST: Big cats, I’m quite content with the big cats thanks. (And please don’t take me to the monkey pen-they hump each other and masturbate while smiling at you and its embarrassing and gross)

Rhinebeck

What to say? Sensory overload? It was so good to go and see all the fibery goodness and even more fun that it was a group S&B outing. One of the nicest things was to be in the country and smelling AUTUMN rather than pollution. It was really nice! I took my camera but it never came out of the bag. Partly because I was too damn busy shoving roving into it. 

I got some merino:

and pencil roving tho I found the pencil roving splits like a bastard so I’ve not given it too much use. I’m spinning the front one-Blue Steel at the moment which was given to me by my friend Sharon whose friend Jess sells it in her Etsy shop. I’m finding the merino harder than the first stuff I spun.  I need to try to do this at least an hour a day to get consistent with it. Then I can spin this silk/merino blend that  am still foaming at the mouth over:

Not sure what I’ll use that for yet but the colours just knocked me on my ass. It’s gorgeous!

 

I also flipped when I saw this booth of a woman selling 100% handspun angora. OMG is it luscious! See:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I’m going to use it to make a pair of fingerless mitts. It’s only approx. 300 yards and I don’t know what to do with that. I just know I had to have it. I’m DYING to get good enough to spin my own angora. WHo knows, it might even mean I’d buy an angora rabbit or two to get my own fibre to spin!

 

I got some beautiful Shetland silk to make a Fisherman scarf. I’ll probably make that for my dad for Christmas. It’s a gorgeous coffee brown. I want it for myself but I’ve got so many scarves now. 

I also got this Oktoberfest sock kit that we spotted. It came in several different colours. Chris got one in a light amber colour,mine is a deep rich brown.He said it didn’t look like beer. I said “What’s wrong with you boy…GUINNESS is that colour!” I lurves me some Guinness! I hadn’t realised it was a toe-up sock. Good thing too, I said I’d never do a toe up because I had trouble with short row heels. Well-this not only has a short row heel, it has  a short row toe as well and I was psyched I was able to do it with little effort. I’m heading up to the heel with no effort at all. Maybe my bad sock mojo is finally broken. I hope!

Saw some absolutely beautiful Aran jumpers and one even in a beautiful purple. Normally I’d have asked the dude who made it and/or where the wool came from. I’ve been looking for a purple like that for an Aran but have not been successful. I just wasn’t able to bring my brain to full functioning order to ask the guy about it. Next year!

I was also psyched to meet up with my friend Sharon there as well. She’s always a blast and introduced me to two of her friends. Maybe next year we’ll have more time to raise some hell Shar?!

I don’t know what to do with my time now. I want to spin and I want to knit. I think those of us into the fibre stuff need to  evolve to have 2 sets of arms because one set just doesnt’ cut it. With two we could spin and knit at the same time.

On that note, I think I’ll go knit for a little bit before it’s time for bed. I should be in bed already-I’ve got a canker in my mouth that is killing me. 

 

On the devil box: Sorry, Wrong Number!

Entrelac socks

 

So we went to New Jersey last weekend to close out the season with a few more coaster rides and to see some friends of mine. It felt good to get on Nitro and EL Toro (especially Nitro) although after Millennium Force, I think I’m not longer nervous of heights. I didn’t love El Toro quite as much as Mean Streak…Mean Streak you are just literally cocooned in wood. EL Toro is a lot more open even tho it’s a big  wooden structure. Mean Streak dwarfs it for sure.

I decided to try knitting in the car. this entrelac sock is the result of the highway ride to and from New Jersey. I found it more difficult to knit than I thought-rough roads are not conducive to knitting, especially not on Addi Turbo needles. Still, it seemed the best ride since I was able to be productive rather than sit there and grip the seat in fear at all the animals on the road. People do drive to gooddmaned fast.

I’ve also been thinking…my doc is sending me for this test to scan my liver. Nothing serious, just wants to be sure. I was ok with this until I googled it. The test is a HIDA scan with CCK. The test falls under nuclear medicine which is fine, not a problem for me. The CCK part IS a BIG fucking problem. First, this test seems to be used to diagnose gall stones with I was diagnosed with LAST YEAR. We know I have them. Hasn’t been a problem.  I do not and have not had symptoms. One thing I have read a lot of is the CCK often makes people sick. I can tell you right now one of them will be me. My body is not used to greasy foods, a hamburger often goes right through me because my diet consists largely of bran, skinless chicken (poached or grilled), fish and sushi. If I eat red meat 4 times a year that is a lot…I DON’T eat that stuff…my dad on the other hand eats red meat 3 and 4 times a week.

Well-this CCK is a hormone your gall bladder secrets to digest a fatty diet. I DO NOT EAT A FATTY DIET! What this hormone does is causes the gall bladder to contract so I’m taking this to mean it induces an attack. This was supposed to be a liver scan. I know what he’s looking for and I plan to ask a number of questions before any IV is started on me and if the radiologist cannot satisfy my questions, I’m walking out-I am NOT submitting to the test. This test can be done withOUT the CCK hormone and I’m going to ask if mine can be and if not, WHY NOT. And “because your doctor ordered it” is not a satisfactory answer. If I have to pay for the tests, I want a better response than that.

Since I went to the doctor two years ago for anxiety, it’s been one thing after another. I’m almost sorry I didn’t go look for a heroin dealer. There is NOTHING wrong with me. I have a hernia and gall stones that are not causing my problems. Why go looking for shit? This is the last test that I am going to consent to. I am doing this medical shit like my 80 year of aunt goes to the fucking doctor. It’s going to stop. I have anxiety-give me my Xanax and leave me the fuck alone.

Glass Spinning Wheel

OK, as a glass crafter and knitter and beginning spinner this just makes me knees weak. I WANT ONE! I’ve seen Andy’s work in New York and it’s gorgeous, I can only imagine how beautiful this wheel is in person as it’s absolutely mind boggling in the video.  I wonder how many thousands this would cost if I contacted him to make me one? WOW…that’s all I can say….WOW

 

I am The Moon

Just a quick quiz that some people on Ravelry were doing.

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery – when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.