Mid-year look at the big plans for 2008

So, on the first day of this year I set up a list of great, big plans for this year.
And since Mid-Summer's Eve is nigh it would perhaps be a good idea to have a look at them.

I will finish the Elfin Bride.
It's finished. It's a bit tight around the chest, and I need to find a way to fix my cast off on the back, as it's a bit too tight. But otherwise it's finished. And very lovely.

I will finish Elizabeth I.
Erm,... I've frogged her. I could not figure out how far I had come, and I decided I would much rather knit her in the round. Besides it's a very enjoyable knit so I will start over - and maybe even finish her this year.

I will knit the second Spiral Boot sock...
I had completely forgotten about this. Probably because I want to reverse the spiraling and have yet to figure out how.

I will finish the City Coat even if it is hard work.
I know it will be worth it, but it still has a long way coming.

I will finish the Saturday in the Park dress from Fitted Knits, even if it’s boring.
It really is boring!

I will finish the Hex coat....
That's such an autumn/winter thing. It will get done in time, I think

I will finish the Fitted Jacket-gone-tunic. I have a major crush on it and it’s very addictive knitting. I just have to read up on the dominating-yarn-thing.
I have yet to read up on the dominating yarn thing, and steeks frighten me. But yes, it's fun, and yes, I'll get back to it.

I will finish the Cashmere lace blouse. It would be perfect for spring….
Maybe next spring.

I will accept and embrace the fact that I suffer from a bad case of castonitis. That is not very likely to change. But I could of course try to control it a bit.
I've chosen to just accept and embrace it.

Once done with the WIPs I will knit the Knitted Robe of Insanity! I will!
I may start a bit sooner.

And I will knit more socks.
There's still time for that. And more is a somewhat loose term anyway.

I will take better care of my skin. By the end of January I’ll be closer to 40 than to 30 and so the days of going to bed without using cleanser and cream etc. are officially over. No matter how tired or drunk I am. I swear!
I've improved a lot. Let's just keep it at that.

I will take very good care of my pancreas!
Oh, yes.
And remember to appreciate the fact that my inner bits and pieces are actually functioning perfectly again. And not cease to be amazed by the complex mostly-silent ever-busy wonder that is the human body.
Oh, yes.

I will spend less time online and more time outside.
I think this one has worked for me. But that's easy to say when the sun is shining and the park is green.

I will read more for entertainment without reading less for education - meaning more fiction but not less non-fiction, just more pleasure reading.
I do get great pleasure from reading non-fiction.

I will be better at taking credit for my work. And learn to toot my own horn a bit.
I'm doing much, much better in that department.

I will learn to recognize flirting when I meet it.
I still have to work on that one.

I will try to work less.
Ha! Not bloody likely, but now I actually enjoy it. A lot!
And play more.
Knitting is playing. As is teasing the cats. So, yes.

I will knit sweaters for the cats. Even if they’ll absolutely hate me for it.
I have not yet gathered the courage.

And I will get my bachelor’s degree this summer! That one is certain.
It was not as certain as that. Unfortunately. But it's OK.

So it's not madly impressive, but then it's always nice to know there's still room for improvement!

This weekend is for fancy new cat litter and dressmaking

Okay, this may not be as exciting as I think it is. But anyway:
We have new cat litter. Very fancy cat litter.
Apparently the cats recognized the bag from the pet store and thought I brought home food. But it was our new Fresh Haiyu Crystals. Stupid name.
It means I will only have to remove the poop.
And with a very fussy Siamese boy who sings songs on his way to the litter box to have me ready to scoop the second he's done, this will be an advantage.
And I'm tired of carrying home not only big bags of food, but also big, heavy bags of litter.

The two bags I've bought are meant to last a month, and thus they cost the same as, if not less than, the usual super market variety.
The bags have been thoroughly examined by the cat boys, with a good deal of rubbing against and sniffing and jabbing at them.
But when I brought the bag to the bathroom rather than their food bowls, I think I saw traces of disappointment.
They have both done a quick test pee, though. So there'll be no need for an adjustment period as it kindly says on the back of the bag (which I didn't read until after replacing the old litter with the fancy crystals.)
I think we're happy with the change.
Less waste, less carrying things, less scooping - and I think it's actually nicer for the cats to use.

Far more interesting is next weeks trip to Stockholm with the Big Investment Bank, for a day of getting to know our colleagues from the other countries and such things.
And there's a big party in the evening. I like parties.
But having nothing to wear I've spent an hour or two going through fabric stores today before deciding on a lovely heavy satin in an oystery colour. I have pretty beads and rhine stones and a very clear idea of what I want to make of it.

It's always a bit difficult dressing for work functions such as this, especially when the only hint at dress code is "festive", which can be interpreted in a myriad of ways.
And the first time you find yourself amongst all your colleagues and the big bosses you do not want to stand out for being under or over dressed.
So I'm aiming for something elegant and fairly simple - but not too simple.
And something to match my gold dancing shoes.

First day of a brand new year!

So the first day of 2008 is a bit grey and wet.
But for once I didn't wake up to the new year with a hangover and champagne breath.
New Year's Eve was spent in bed with pneumonia - and the cats.
Quite cozy in its own way, and it seems the entire neighbourhood shot their fireworks across our roof and my bedroom skylights.
And the cats did not bat an eyelid in spite of the noise and general mayhem outside. I was very proud of them, remembering too well my big red cat, Oscar, who hid in the farthest corner of the wardrobe most of the fireworks season.

And so I've had time to make big plans for 2008:
I will finish the Elfin Bride. I'm so very nearly there.
I will finish Elizabeth I. It's almost done.
I will knit the second Spiral Boot sock and give them to Katharina as planned, even if I’d rather keep them myself.
I will finish the City Coat even if it is hard work. It will be worth it!
I will finish the Saturday in the Park dress from Fitted Knits, even if it’s boring. It should be worth it.
I will finish the Hex coat, even if I’m mildly bored with it and the yarn seems a bit odd at times.
I will finish the Fitted Jacket-gone-tunic. I have a major crush on it and it’s very addictive knitting. I just have to read up on the dominating-yarn-thing.
I will finish the Cashmere lace blouse. It would be perfect for spring….
I will accept and embrace the fact that I suffer from a bad case of castonitis. That is not very likely to change. But I could of course try to control it a bit.
Once done with the WIPs I will knit the Knitted Robe of Insanity! I will!
And I will knit more socks.
I will take better care of my skin. By the end of January I’ll be closer to 40 than to 30 and so the days of going to bed without using cleanser and cream etc. are officially over. No matter how tired or drunk I am. I swear!
I will take very good care of my pancreas!
And remember to appreciate the fact that my inner bits and pieces are actually functioning perfectly again. And not cease to be amazed by the complex mostly-silent ever-busy wonder that is the human body.
I will spend less time online and more time outside.
I will read more for entertainment without reading less for education - meaning more fiction but not less non-fiction, just more pleasure reading.
I will be better at taking credit for my work. And learn to toot my own horn a bit.
I will learn to recognize flirting when I meet it.
I will try to work less.
And play more.

I will knit sweaters for the cats. Even if they’ll absolutely hate me for it.

And I will get my bachelor’s degree this summer! That one is certain.

The waiting room

Today I will not leave the house.
Not until I have received my care package from Apple.
I called Apple on Tuesday.
I told them about my problem and what I had so far done to fix it.
And I told them about my suspicion that the trouble is caused by a recent security update not working with a recent iTunes update on OS X 10.3.9.
My intuition. Not valid proof, just .... intuition.
(The iTunes update makes it impossible to verify Permissions in Disk Utility on 10.3.9 - and that's a known problem.)
And now there's an OS X 10.4. upgrade on its way by courier, and it should be here today.
They regretted they could not deliver it sooner.
During my 8 years as a Mac-lover I've only had reason to contact them twice.
The first time because I had spilled wine into the keyboard of my then 4 years old iBook and needed a replacement, as the spacebar and the n had stopped working.
It was with me within two days.
I was prepared for some sniggering because of the age of the iBook and the wine, but it never came.
I was also prepared for it to cost a small fortune, but it didn't.

I would never dare fiddling with the roots if I had a PC.
(Actually I would never even dare go on the internet with a PC, I see too much trouble with worms and Trojan horses and .... germs amongst my PC-using friends).
Not to mention all the fun you can have with Windows Vista.
I have never had a Mac freeze on me until now.
At work I have a visit from Dr. Watson at least once a day.
I have never had a Mac refusing to restart either. Not until now .....
Or ask me to restart it. In the middle of something important.
I have never had to search for a driver.
This may be why the PowerBook is breaking my heart.
But it is also why I still love and trust it.
Oh, and I have never bought the AppleCare. I have thought about it, but never actually gotten around to doing it.
Still they give outstanding and very caring service.
Just a few reasons for my hearting Apple.
And now I'm all dressed and ready to run down and hug the courier once he gets here.
I may get some knitting done, while I wait.
And ponder my back-up procedure in the future.

And because there's more to life than reading and writing, knitting and waiting, I also have a very secret project to play with.
Involving this:


And sorting through the old photos I found one of kitten Laurenz.
When he was a wee one still living with his sister and the rest of his big cat family.
And was called Lorentin.
"Who's a cheeky little monkey?"

That Chevron sweater - and the big hole

Some time ago I fell in love with a picture of the Chevron sweater in Erika Knight's Glamour Knits.
Finally getting hold of the book, thanks to the lovely library, I'm no longer quite as infatuated.
It is constructed by something as simple as rectangles with no shaping at all.
And being anything but rectangular myself that will no doubt need some shaping to work for me.
In particular as I do like a bit of shapeliness and a good fit to my clothes.
And I always get a bit distrusting of the fit of a pattern if the front and the back are shaped the same, as my front and my back definitely are not.
But I still think it is beautiful.
And I think I could make it work, with a bit of tweaking here and there.
And it may well become my simple mindless knit while writing the last two papers and waiting for the time to come for the second Elfin.

And the great big hole:
My gorgeous landlord is converting the old laundry room into a beautiful bathroom. While the space under the stairs will become the new and improved laundry room.
But now, after five weeks, this is the state of the new laundry room: big hole.
(bad lightning + bad camera + less than talented photographer = bad photo of hole in ground)
I may very soon need to find a laundromat.
But it seems that this neighbourhood, while being lovely, is too bloody affluent to support one.
And as I have not yet felt the urge to take my laundry for a bus ride, I've been keeping myself with clean clothes with the help of a bucket in the shower. For quite a few weeks now.
And I probably will until I run out of clean towels and bed linen.
In a few weeks.
Not sooner.
I hope.

Thrifty goodness

I have not had time to do much about The Pledge.
But as I'm still waiting for the verdict on the hard drive, while still swearing at Vogue Knitting and, more important, still pondering whether or not to start the great rewriting of exam papers, I may get just a little bit done in the sewing department.

I brought home a bag full of goodness from the local thrift store yesterday.

Two men's shirts, in luxurious white cotton, which I intend to turn into something much less masculine and much more suitable for the hot summer days ahead.

And I found a white table cloth which may become a dress or maybe just a tunic-like thing, as it is a bit smaller than I thought (cats helpfully wandered in to indicate scale).

And if this wasn't enough I also got a set of bedlinen, with one stripey side and one blossomy side. This is now destined to become a pajamas.

All for the Danish equivalent of $10. Benefiting the Red Cross, and thus making me feel a little bit guilty for not paying more, but the lovely little old lady insisted that was the price.
I hope to get something done about it this weekend.
Starting with the first white shirt, once washed and ironed.
Even if laundry these days is something done in a bucket in the shower.

A very good day and more Big Plans

Oh, this has been a wonderful day so far.
The cats have been cuddly and somewhat well-behaved.
I have actually done a very thorough synopsis for my exam-paper, so now all I have to do is fill out the blanks.
Which is still a lot of work ahead, but the framework is in place and that's important.
I have been to two yarnstores fondling mohair-blends with the Knitted Robe of Insanity in mind. Yet went home empty-handed. The abundance of available colours and variations on the theme of softness always overwhelms me beyond purchasing-ability.
And now:
I have a bread in the oven, already filling the house with lovely fragrant bread-ness.
And somewhat more importantly:
Earlier today I picked up my very own copy of Jennifer Stafford's Domiknitrix.

My very first, very own knitting book. The other's have to return to the library, but this will stay with me.
It is brilliant.
I think her articles on techniques and how-to are among the best and most clear I've seen.
Her writing style is precise and very pleasant to read - charming, and a bit tongue-in-cheek, which is rather refreshing.
The layout is beautiful.
Even if the title may turn some off, it reflects her attitude and personality (I think), while the book itself reflects her creativity and skills.
And the patterns are wonderful, and surprisingly classic yet original.
Which has added more Big Plans for 2007.
I do not think I can live much longer without the L'il Red Riding Hoodie or the City Coat.
And I dream of having the skills to knit the Elphin Goth.
Maybe next year.
Then:
I remembered, that some time in December I cast on for the Child's French Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks. And while pondering the exam paper I managed a few more repeats.

And now it's dark outside and raining, making it just the perfect thing to sit here, with a paper to write and very nice cheese to go with fresh bread.
With the cats all soft and snuggly.

Great plans for 2007 (with insane number of pictures to prove I'm serious)

I have great plans for the new year.
Now that I am finally getting used to the idea that 2006 is another thing of the past.
1. Hand in exam paper in Digital Aesthetics.
Hey, I did that yesterday.
2. Hand in exam paper in Digital Communication Theory
To be done next week. I picked up the questions today and then have a week to do my cleverness. Hopefully.
3. Quit smoking.
Was done surprisingly easy when reading Allen Carr was combined with being very hungover from insane flood of champagne on the first day of this year.
Two out of three are down. Almost cheating. Yet all done in 2007.
4. I will finish Vigdis.
I am more than halfway through. Plan is to have "her" done come February.
5. I will finish the Simple Knitted Bodice.
I have finished both sleeves, but picking up the stitches for the neckline is killing me.
Still there is evidence of progress.

Including bottom-sleeve detail. I did not like the purling, so I chose to do 1 1/2 lace pattern repeat instead. And I like it.

6. Once these two are done I will knit Alice Starmore's Elizabeth I from Tudor Roses.
I have even splurged on some long-desired gorgeous merino/silk from Nydal for this.
These charming creatures have delivered the merino:

And as if my crush on the happy sheep wasn't enough:
7. I have fallen head over heels in love with this thing:

A knitted robe.
I think it is one of the most insane yet most beautiful knitted things I have ever seen, from "Romantic Style" by Jennie Atkinson.
And it has been chosen as my Big Project for 2007.
I have yet to get the book. And to find the yarn. (It takes a LOT of worsted weight wool/mohair.)
But come this time next year, I swear I will be deliciously enrobed. (And Vincent had better keep from the mohair in the future.)
8. I will finish the Old Fur Project.
9. I will do ashtanga yoga every day. Except Saturday.
So far not so very good. Hungoverness and exam-busyness has been in the way.
10. I will dance more.
And
11. I will do something about the state of my wardrobe.

This is embarrassing