Oh, well

Oh, life.
I probably don't have to say too much about life working in the financial sector these days.

Since the last time I wrote anything here there has been opera in the park. Requiring a suitably equipped picnic basket:
Small baked tomato and basil tarts.
And small nectarin and marzipan tarts.
"Oh, look they've brought their own little cakes"

And I've had the pleasure of a day with the lovely Linnea and the Economist. An all too short day with me being too tired and them being wonderful.
Copenhagen seems so much more exotic when you have visitors, I'll just have to brush up on my guide-skills.
Linnea brought yarn. Including some of her own beautiful hand-dyed, which is almost too beautiful to use for knitting. And books! Knitting books.

And I have been knitting. And I've finished the February Lady Sweater for my lovely colleague but couldn't find the camera before gifting it, so you'll have to take my word for it.
She loved it. I like knitting for her!

And a few days in bed with a cold and cuddly cats and knitting have proved very productive.
I'm actually knitting a sweater for a man.
Sweater curse or no sweater curse, he needs a hand-knit pullover. (He particularly needs the ribbed pullover from VK winter 06/07.)
And I've realized that I have no clue about men's sizes. But I'm sure that at least one of the boys at work is of somewhat the same height so that I can measure the length of his sleeves. And if there are two or more I can check for consistency.
(Must remember to send out cryptic mass email requesting height of colleagues)
The yarn is Pakucho, an organic fair trade cotton.
I love this. I love that the people who create it are given a fair price, that it enables them to make a proper living - and that it takes up space that could and maybe would be used for coca plants. No pesticides or any chemicals are used at any point from seed to hank. It's soft and lovely and treads softly on the environment.
I am in love with this yarn.

Scarfs are much easier. Henry from Knitty. Fun, interesting, and wonderfully soft and luxurious in a blend of silk and baby alpaca.


And the cats are just being their own cuddly selves.

Stormy weather and what happens when you try to sort your stash

It's madly stormy outside. Probably one of the more autumnal Midsummer Eves.
And I wonder if the summer is ever coming back.
The cats are cosy.
Very much so.
And I'm knitting Coviellos Ruffled Jacket from VK's 25th anniversary issue.
And I've never seen myself as a ruffle-kind of girl. But it is very pretty.
I attempted some tidying up this weekend which extended to sorting the stash (Oh, I have quite a stash by now), and I found this black aran weight wool which should have been a sweater but obviously didn't want to.
And that was the end to the tidying and the start of the Ruffled Jacket.
At present I have a sleeve and the left front, and that's insane as I only started it yesterday afternoon.
It really is a very pretty jacket - but the amount of seaming involved is crazy and the thought of it nearly makes me want to reconsider the yarn's vocation.
But only nearly.
I think it might be only a week or two before I have a brand new handknit jacket.
That's amazing!
The V-neck dress is taking forever and I'm currently in the middle of a very long, monotonous stretch of plain stockinette in the round. Boring.
So for now that is assigned to be knit only when waiting, watching something very interesting on the telly, or for transport.

Now I'm just wondering if I should cast on for another sleeve or the right front or the back. And when to set the alarm for tomorrow morning. The cats usually wake me up, but they're not fail proof.
I'm not expected to be at the office until 11-12, which allows for a lovely, long, slow morning - and some doing laundry and things. And cuddling soft morning cats.
But .... I'm just looking forward to going to work. And I don't know if I want to wait until noonish.
I have not been there since Friday, and it feels like a very long time.
And this is a feeling it's really very strange and hard getting used to. Actual looking forward to going to work.
After all that time dreading the other crappy job.
Besides there is fresh baked bread in the morning.
And sometimes there are bits of pineapple or fresh berries. Meant for yogurt but fine for just nibbling.

Monday is work and fruit and black dye

Last year's laundry crisis was tough on some of my favourite clothes.
Either hand washing is harder on the fabric than I thought, or I did it wrong.
Maybe both.
So I've had a favourite black dress and a few favourite black t-shirts hiding at the back of the wardrobe in their faded sadness.
But with the arrival of summer I had to bring them out of their hiding place and into the dyepot before being put back to good use.
And rather than let it stay on the to-do list for ages it's done.
A bit smelly and messy and quite fun, and I really should have worn gloves.
But it's done.
And I feel unreasonably proud.
And I have fruit. Lots of fruit.
And I feel like I could launch my own little banana boat.
The cats are still furry little sun-worshipers, and I really need to remember to water those plants.

Count down

In one hour I can leave the Crappy Call Center.
And then I will only have to return once - and then only for another four hours.
And I have the weekend off.
I have not had a full weekend off for as long as I can remember with any precision.
And I have a real company christmas party to go to Friday night.
Not the Crappy Call Center's travesty costing each DKK 100 (USD 20) to cover the bad food and the Bacardi Breezers at a discount, but a real Big Investment Bank Christmas party.
I've missed those.
Even if, as we all know, your main goals when it comes to company parties are to behave yourself, not to get too drunk, and absolutely not to get off with anyone.
And still have fun.
While to some extent succeeding at the three first.
I have nothing to wear of course, and little time to go shopping.
But there's always a little black dress hidden in a corner of the wardrobe.
And I have my shimmery golden, handsewn Venetian 3½" dance shoes.

And more important I have cuddly cats waiting at home.
I don't know if they cuddle more now that it's cold. But they do spend a lot more of the cuddling time under cover, if not choosing the radiator over me.
Skinny little beasts.

Will November ever end?

November has been good.
I have discovered bagged milk! And bagged yogurt. And it both puzzles me and makes me laugh. And if all the entertainment provided by the packaging wasn't enough, it is very good ecological yogurt!


And I love being back with the Big Investment Bank.
I almost hate how much I love being back.
More so because it's only temporary, a small detail I seemed to miss with the first excitement.
The woman, who took over from me when I left, is ill, maybe long term - bad damage from using a computer mouse it seems.
And I'm only filling in for her.
With a contract ending mid-December.
But oh, how I want them to want to keep me anyway when she returns.
Even if that doesn't seem very likely or really necessary.
But they have noticed how their presentations are just that bit sharper and more elegant once they've been through my hands.
And I've had a chance to say clever things about communicating and using visual means and telling stories.
And so I'm a bit hopeful, but not too much, and I try to just enjoy it, while it lasts. Hoping that it will. Last.
I really enjoy my morning walk past Marmorkirken and through the yard at the Museum of Arts and Crafts.
And the late afternoon ride on the bus home through Kongens Nytorv with its glitter of Christmas fairy lights.
But twice a week I have to go straight to work at the Crappy Call Center.
Which is why I cannot wait for November to end.
Leaving home at 7:30 in the morning not to return until 22:30 at night at the earliest is not my idea of a good day.
I miss the cats. And I think they miss me too.
And I will have had a total of two days off this month, counting next Saturday.
And so I'm tired.
And I have not had time to do as much knitting or as much cat-belly-stroking as I would like.
But then the cats do have their radiator to keep them warm and cosy.

And tonight they have me too. Only too happy to scratch ears and throw toy mice.
And I have a very nice bottle of wine and a lot of double moss stitch to knit, as I really, really want Norah Gaughan's Hex Coat to keep me warm and cosy, since there's not room for me too on top of the radiator.
It doesn't look very interesting, but I'm a bit surprised how much I like knitting it. It's not very exciting but not too boring either.
Quite perfect for my tired self.

Rain and work, knitting and jumping

I have been at work every single day for the past ... 9 days.
Two more days, this included, to go before I have a full two days off.
So I'm tired and cranky.
More so because it has been terribly busy. Not just busy, but terribly so.
And as I'm currently working on both Elizabeth and the second Elfin Bride, and both require a certain degree of concentration I am saving the Monkey socks for knitting at work.
For which there has not been time.
And this is really not something I should complain about.
Even if knitting a bit does help during a long, long day.
But: I have finished the back of Elizabeth I!
55 stitches mid front are on hold, hence the slightly crumpled crookedness in the photo. She will be very pretty once done!
And I have cast on for the front. The sleeves are already done, and so she should be all fine and finished before .... the last Potter book comes out.
See, that's probably the highlight of my summer. The last installment in the Potter series.
(Sad, really.)
But: First sleeve is done on the Elfin, stitches for the second one has been picked up and I'm getting very close to the gusset cast-on. All very exciting.
(80% cotton, 20% cat hair)
Knitting the sleeves of the first Elfin was a bit of a drag after all the excitement knitting the body. So I've decided to finish the sleeves completely before moving on to the really fun part.
And the slight boredom of sleeve-knitting will let me finish Elizabeth I first. I think.
I have a serious crush on both of these patterns.
I think that the shaping and the details in both are in a league of their own, and I want to knit them both in every colour possible.
I could easily become the one who knitted the same two patterns for thirty years.
(But then my Ravelry queue says something different.)
I wish I had things to tell about travelling the big wide world, or whipping up a lace shawl, or something immensely interesting and fun.
But life these days is rain and work and knitting.
And a lot of jumping not to step on the myriad of snails occupying the sidewalks.
Some of them are pretty. Some of them are incredibly gross (but no less fascinating in the mind of my inner 5 years old). And both make me wish I brought my camera.
But then I would probably be late for work.

Some days are better than others

And so today has been very good so far.
I've baked oatmeal biscuits and done laundry (in bucket in shower).

And I've had my synopsis approved and made progress on the paper on Cézanne - Cézanne put into a neuro aesthetic frame with focus on cognition and perception.
The dying of the harddisk allowed me to reconsider the subject of this paper. And I chose to make a complete change.
And now I'm flirting with Cézanne again.
I fell in love with him last year and am strangely excited about this paper, especially as I'm still in the process of making up things and finding out and investigating.
And reading more than writing. Other than the stray thoughts and things to remember and wild ideas.

And I've done the dishes and knit a few rounds on Clessidra, (which looks black and boring right now and is covered in cat hair, but will be lovely and warm and is at some point to meet the lint roll).
And I've invited our gardener up for tea (and biscuits) as she's really, really interested in meeting the cat who barks at her.

And I still have a few hours left to do things before going to the library (to pick up Erika Knight's Glamour Knits and some more neuro psychology - and returning a few overdue books) and then to work.
And the sun is shining.

I have....

First of all I have a new modem. The second new modem in one month.
The old one burned out.
The first new one did too.
But the second new one is still not burned out at all.

I also have what may very well be the most beautiful yarn in the world.

Recycled Sari Silk Yarn. It is gorgeous and shiny and so very soft and glistens in the colours of all the jewels of the world.
I am so very much in love with this yarn and pet it very gently while wondering if I ever can bear to knit with it.

It came in a box full of wonders (which Vincent the Helpful assisted in unpacking) from the lovely Linnea, along with a pattern for fingerless gloves and matching dpns and chocolatey goodness and a wonderful, beautiful and very inspiring book:

I've seen this book, and read a bit about it. But none of what I've seen or read has done it justice. It's so very inspiring, and I really like the focus on who, why and how rather than what.
And I will absolutely use it and try to do something good for someone - once I've done my bit on the five exam papers and projects I have to hand in during the next two months.

I also have cats enjoying the return of the sun.


And I have a garden which has exploded in colours and floral abundance this past month.

My gorgeous landlord isn't much the gardening type, so it's all a bit wild and left to itself - and it's probably the prettiest garden in the street, even if it's trying to escape through the fence:

And I wish I knew the name of this one:

It has a few days yet before it once again becomes this glorious fairytale tree of flowers, and then it will be only a day or two before same flowers are strewn across the lawn.

I also have made progress on the Elfin Bride. In spite of myself, and red wine, and a strong inability to properly read patterns.
But I plan (hope) to finish it this week, so that I can concentrate fully on the exams. It is the most interesting and exciting and beautiful piece of knitting I have ever encountered (not that that really says much, but still....).
And it's very addictive.

And I have two weeks before handing in the first exam paper/practical project.
And I have a cold, which may actually be some kind of hay fever.
And I have new shoes. Beautiful shoes.

And no actual news or interesting things to tell. At all.

My week in colours

I am actually more disciplined than I ever thought I could be.

The weekly schedule does not leave much time for sudden impulses although there are plenty of little white spots for not only going by bus and train (transport time is included in the white) but also delays in traffic and cuddling cats - and a bit of knitting.
Having the week planned, and having a rather fixed schedule keeps me sane and organized. Otherwise I do think I would be stressed out, living in a big mess with no clean clothes to wear.
And even if cold and dark winter mornings do not exactly make you jump out of bed and onto the yoga mat, that daily hour of ashtanga adds more to my general wellbeing, physically and mentally, than an hour of sleep.
And I have managed to keep both Friday and Saturday free to go to concerts, or dinners or to go dancing. (Even if I'm usually too bloody tired to.)

Still it does pi** me off quite a bit when a friend of mine, who has no job (inheritance makes it not so necessary) whines about stress caused by having to do both laundry and shopping in one and the same day.
(And when I have to decline an invitation because I have to prepare for Friday's seminar I get the reply that "well, maybe you should learn to plan better".)
I love her, but I wish she would try living in the "real" world.
Not necessary "my" world, but just one which does hold responsibilities and deadlines - and bringing home enough to pay the rent and feeding the cats, and buy a bit of yarn once in a while.

This is by no means meant as a complaint.
It is my own choice, and I am strangely happy.
Getting my degree means enough for me to live like this until I have it, even if it may not be as fun as it could be.
And seeing a beautiful pair of shoes does sometimes make me long for the days of having a real job and a real salary.
But those days will come again.
And there will always be beautiful shoes

Yawn

The return of a week with 40 hours at work, 16 hours of university courses, 8 hours of public transportation (with no calm quality time for knitting or reading), and 12+ hours of preparing for courses (not including the three papers I'm working on in order to be well-prepared for summer's exams) has left me just generally tired and a bit overwhelmed.
Even if I really should be used to it by now.
It's nothing new.
I just wish I had witty insightful things to tell, or extraordinary evidence of knitting and sewing skills to show off.
Or at least just a pretty kitty picture.

But: nada.

Once that the work, and the coursework, and the cleaning, and the laundry, and the other practical, everyday things are done, there is not much batterylife left in me.
Still, if my camera had not vanished I could have proven that knitting is actually taking place - and that the cats are still as beautiful as they are bad.
I have cast on for the amazing Elfin Bride, even if it terrifies me as much as it excites me.
And I'm well through the front of Elizabeth I.
Mostly because ....
The Simple Knitted Bodice has me bored to tears. And I'm not even sure if I really like it.
And I don't think I want to finish Vigdis at all, a realization I wish I had come to before I was nearly done, having only the back to finish.

And I really should be working right now.

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.

I've knitted a hat

I have fallen completely in love with Grumperina's Odessa hat. It was such a lovely, easy and fun pattern. And a nearly all too fast knit.
And right now it's actually a bit wet and drying after an incident with spilled tea and a quick wash.
Cheapish but surprisingly soft and pleasant superwash wool/acrylic yarn from the yarn store near work (where I quite often go to fondle yarn on my lunch breaks).
I have decided to attempt a slightly more mannish version for lovely colleague, who has been asking me to knit him something, anything - even a nose cone.
I do knit at work. In a strange way it keeps me calm and happy all through the day, or evening.
The hat is for Katrine.
As an extra little package for the calendar, which I can finally give her tomorrow. I'm not sure if the bed socks will be able to wait in their wrapping until the 24th. That's a lot of warm softness going unused while it's cold outside.
This very evening I have cast on for the beautiful Simple Knitted Bodice, using Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Tweed in black. And I'm terribly excited about it!
Sadly, Vigdis has been put on the backburner for a while, as I had to return the book to the library and cannot find the copy I made of the cable chart. And I do not dare try it out from memory. So untill the book returns to me or the chart shows up - no finished Vigdis. Unless I decide to test my memory or whatever skills may be needed.
I have also prepared for tomorrow's lecture - after a full day at work.
And cleaned the bathroom. And done the dishes. And played tag with the bad cats.
This weekend should bring more cleaning, more knitting, more reading, a bit of work, and hopefully also a bit of Christmas decorating, just for once.
And more playing with the cats.

My week in the shape of a pie

Having a full time job while studying full time is not ideal.
Far from it.
The white slice represents the time left for knitting, the cat-cuddling, .... drinking coffee, shopping, cooking, eating, bathing, doing laundry, going to the post-office, to the bank, or to the library, the time for cleaning, sewing, pleasure-reading, keeping plants alive, dancing (far too little), making the bed, drawing, seeing lovely people, exhibitions, concerts and movies. And all the other "little" things, not scheduled.
Which is probably why I'm not as elaborate, or witty or ... clever as I would like to be on this page. It's not as important, not as necessary, as other things are.