She's Foxy and Crafty

Summertime is here!

And I must admit, its a little cool. But I love it. And on Thursday, its my birthday.

Will update soon. I've been busy, and not in a good way.

Labels: life, special days

Things that piss me of... (Rant alert)

A couple of weeks ago, I auditioned for a community theatre play around here. And I did really well (if I do say so myself). I sang "Someone Else's Story" from Chess, musical theatre vehicle for Benny and Bjorn from ABBA fame. Its a hard song with 6 flats and 2 key changes (for you music types). And I nailed it. Even though I was cut off in the middle of a modulation. even though the pianist had no idea what he was playing.

And I never heard anything.

Fast forward to this weekend. I get a message that I was asked to come back for a chorus part. There's a dance audition Tuesday. I'm not all that interested in a chorus part, but who knows. Today (Sunday) I get another call from the director. telling e I got a callback for the lead part I wanted, but the email he sent to me didn't go through. They had to cast the part anyways because I missed the callback, but would I be in the play anyways?

The thing that pisses me off? Why didn't he call if he knew that the email didn't go through? He called to see if I was going to the dance audition...

So I had to graciously decline. I'm going to work on my own jazz thing this summer anyways. I said that I would audition for the next one; and I will. I am disappointed, the show would have been fun.

/Rant

Labels: anger much?, gripes

World Wide Knit at Home Day?

Today is World Wide Knit In Public Day-- or WWKIP day as the kids call it.

Where did you knit today, Steph?

Well, so far... at home. And the weather doesn't look nice enough to venture outside that.

If I knit by a window, do you think that would count?

Labels: KIP, special days

A Day at the Farm

And what a nice day for it. About 20 minutes away, in the Green Belt there's "the little Fibre Festival that could" in May of each year called the Grimsby Fleece and Fibrefest. It was small, but it was friendly, especially when you're greeted by and alpaca named "Norm".

The vendors were so nice. One vendor taught me how to spin on a drop spindle. And I got it. It wasn't hard at all. Now, I'm not great at it, but what is it they say about practice...?

And I got to meet some pretty stressed out alpacas. I felt bad for those dudes, but they were pretty funny:

I didn't know alpacas made that noise. I find it hilarious. And easy to mimic.

And of course, I bought stuff. Not too much, but enough to keep me busy for a while.

Yes, I have already tried out my drop spindle. I hope to use my new spinning skills to make some crazy yarn, for some crazier one of a kind hats. I hope that works out for me.

Labels: come on now social, fiber, special days, summer

Finally Summer-ish!

I love the warm weather. I love my sandals. I will now wear no socks until October-- Its my summer ritual.

It helps that most of my sock are wool, and entirely too warm for the spring and summer months...

Happy summer-ish weather everyone!

What knitting?

No knitting, and nothing to report.

How did I get so boring?

It's been really busy at work, this is the busiest time of the year I'm told. So I work, and come home and sleep. Every once and a while, I'll go out and do something find-- like go out for dinner, or to a movie, or to see a friend... But that's rare right now.

And I slipped a disk in my back. So Plan SAD has taken a short break too. Now I'm relegated to walking on my lunch breaks and sleeping on the floor.

How boring. No wonder no one reads this blog ;-)

Labels: gripes, life, plan SAD

DKC Knitter's Frolic Fun, fun, fun!

Today was the Frolic! And it was fun!

There was shopping/ enablers:

There were friends:

Clockwise from the top left: Me and Amy; me and MJ ; me and Cyn; and me and my knittas (Didi, Kimmy, me, Glenna and Marth) I also ran into Canary Sanctuary and Emma, but they were too busy shopping for a pic.

And there was yarn!:

Not a huge haul, but very strategic. I bought some bamboo from the Black Lamb, because I've heard nothing but good thing about their stuff. And its lovely. And affordable. These two humungo hanks, 25 buck. I also bought some gorgeous leather purse handles so I can make the Brea Bag. They were a splurge at 44 dollars, but worth it for being leather and handmade. Last, I bought some indigo moon sock yarn a) because I love it and b) so I could meet Trish. What a fab lady. You may remember this yarn from such projects as my forest canopy shawl and my Estonian medallion scarf (WIP). I already had 4 hanks of her wool at home, but I had to buy one right from the dyer. How could you turn down something she dyed with her own hands?

Overall, a very successful trip and a fun time had by all. Even though I probably scared Kim to death with my driving.

And what better way to finish a frolicking good day? With a birthday sushi dinner for my bff Kimmy Kimkins:

Happy Birthday Kimmy!

Five Times the Years

Its been five years since D and I decided that we should be together. And he's been fabulous for all five years. He's my best friend, and I can't imagine the world without him anymore.

He puts up with my hobbies (and my copious amounts of yarn and art supplies!) He encourages me to do my best. He praises me and I do well, and consoles me when I'm hurt. And all he wants in return is a little love.

Well, he's got it. The best of my love.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY D! Love you!

Stephanie's Top Ten Reasons For Not Posting

Okay, folks. I've been MIA for a while now. And I have good reasons. Ten good reasons. So here they are, in particular order:

10. I have been somewhat depressed about the recent allegations of Robert Pattinson smelling badly. I mean, really? He doesn't shower? Who doesn't shower? Water is free, and soap is relatively inexpensive. What kind of rumor is that? That can't be true. I mean, he's a movie star-- they tend to smell like strawberries and heroin, right?

9. Work. Do I work hard, or hardly work? No one will ever know the answer to that one....

8. Pamela Des Barres. Have you read these books? I'm reading Confession of a Groupie and if there has never been another reason to follow the Killers this is it. I am seriously considering quitting my life as I know it to follow, and inevitably sleep with Brandon Flowers, write a tell-all book on rock-n-roll music today to tell all though smug music critics that rock isn't dead. It's just more sensitive and wears a little more eyeliner now.

7. Brandon Flowers. Yummy, yummy Brandon Flowers. Each time I go to post something on this blog, a Killers song comes on the stereo. What can I do? I have to get up and dance. Then after the CD is over, I sit at my computer and daydream about yummy, yummy Brandon Flowers. And when I'm done Google-ing all the pics of Brandon Flowers, I photoshop my face into them and print them off to hang in my office. After I finish that, its like midnight, and I have to go to sleep.

6. Each time I walk my my laptop, it looks at me funny. I try to avoid sitting down and staring in its face.

5. Facebook. I love those quizzes. Did you know my "true" age was 17? Or that I most resemble Jada Pinkett-Smith? Or that I am most like Queen Elizabeth the First? Or that I should marry Jude Law? With answers like that, how could I not visit facebook over, and over again? Those answers are better than my life.

4. Apathy. Meh.

3. I went crazy like Joaquin Phoenix. What is wrong with this guy?

2. Lately I've had a bad attitude. With a Snark-factor of 9.5... I didn't want to unleash that on you, dear readers.

1. I'm still recovering from my conversation with Billy-Bob Thornton. What a dick.

Labels: life, thoughts

Belly Up

So, are you sick of hearing about my foray into fitness (aka plan SAD) yet? Well, here's another installment. Tonight I went belly dancing! I should say I tried belly dancing and tired out my abs. My hips don't lie-- they hurt. Kidding. But I do feel it.

See the hips under that flash? That's me. See the scarf I'm wearing? I was dropping coins all night. I figured that means I was doing it right. Shaking the coins right off my hips. And in the background, that's the beautiful studio that I was at. So much fun. I am so uncoordinated. And un-graceful, which isn't even a word but should be to describe me. But I'm not deterred. I'm going to stick with it, and shimmy my way to a healthier me.

Annoyingly, I was taking pictures of other people's hips. Here's one:

When I took this, the instructor was like, "did you just take a picture of my hips?" And I said, "yes, for posterity." And she said, "Um, ok." And then I smiled. And we had a good laugh. Then she said, "seriously, why the picture of the hips?" And I said, "because they don't lie?" And she just looked at me. So I said, "I really like your scarf?" Which I did, but that seemed like a lame reason to take a pic of someone's hips. We all agreed that I'm strange and I chronicle strange things, and then called it a night.

Of course, I found that exchange extremely entertaining. I'm still laughing about it now. Really, act it out for yourself-- its hilarious.

Maybe next time you'll see a post about my knitting...

Labels: life, plan SAD

Take a Hike!

... which used to be my favorite thing to say. Now its my fave thing to do. If I would have known that telling someone to "take a hike" could be fun for them, I would started with the f-bombs a longer time ago.

As part of my "Steph Avoiding Diabetes" plan, or Plan SAD as we say around here, (ok, we don't but I'm going to start now) D and I started hiking this week. We went on a 3-hour easy trail today. Part of the great thing about Ontario is there are tons of trails for hikers. I bought a books about trails in Ontario and after today I want to do them all. On the trail we were on today at the Royal Botanical Gardens
there were sign posts that help you learn what the birds and plants in the area are.

Labels: life, plan SAD

Preventative Measures

About 2 years ago, my dad was admitted into the hospital with a blood sugar reading of 30. This is way too high for anyone. He was diabetic, but didn't know it. After spending 2 weeks in the hospital, he works out, eats better, and follows a healthier lifestyle.

2 weeks ago, my mother went to the doctor because she wasn't feeling well. She is now a diabetic. And she hasn't started changing her lifestyle to be a healthier person. Which kinda pisses me off a little.

With both of my parents living with diabetes now, I jump into a really, very, substantially high risk group for developing it.

I am not happy about that.

So, although I hate exercise, I have started exercising. Every week. Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6am I swim. Then I go to work. On Wednesday evening, I go to belly-dancing class. On the weekends, I hope to go for a walk with D once it gets a little warmer.

I haven't really changed how I eat so much. I'm a vegetarian, and I eat pretty healthily anyways. What I did do was cut high fat things out, and I use low-fat options where available.

Do I feel better yet? Not really. But soon I should.

Now if I could only get my mom's ass in gear....

Labels: life

...But not to busy for you, my blog.

I've been really horrible at blogging as of late. Work is busy and new and takes up all my time. That's not a complaint-- I love it. But I haven't been knitting too much. As a result, I don't have anything to show. There are some pluses though:

1. I feel better emotionally. Now that I'm busy my depression is chilled.
2. I'm challenging myself. I come up with new ideas and I can act on them--
see what being a manager can do?
3. I'm going to sleep at a reasonable hour each night. That's good.
4. I bought a new car. I love it.
5. I'm still broke, but at least I'm not living on my credit card anymore.

I have to resolve to schedule at least once a week to my blog though. How do you make time? I really need to discover that secret...

Labels: life, thoughts

TMInternet

From the Kwatchblog. 50 questions. I’m not tagging anyone. So read and be merry.

50 QUESTIONS (42 questions in my case)

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Me and my brother were named after my mom's dad. Steph and Steve. My middle name Elizabeth is after my mom's aunt.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
About a week ago. I get stressed easily.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yep. It changes, so do I.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey. I love turkey sammiches.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Nope. Don't really want any either.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Oh yeah. I'm fun and loyal. Who could ask for anything more?

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Noooo. Not me.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
You bet.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Yep. I would and have. What a thrill.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Oatmeal Crisp with Almonds. Or granola with sliced bananas.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Yep, can't take boots off without untying them.

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
No ice cream. I'm lactose intolerant.

13. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Eyes. It's also how I recognize and remember people.

14. RED OR PINK?
Red.

15. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Impatience. Next question!

16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
That's a good question. I think my friend Anne. We talk all the time, but she live far away-- its not the same as making her go shopping with me.

17. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Yellow hoodie. Pink t-shirt. Pink trackers. I look awesome.

18. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
D making me a turkey sammich, and some Korean TV show.

19. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Red. Or purple.

20. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Cake baking. Cookies baking. Turkey roasting. Wow, lots of food there. Um, coffee. Yep, all my favorite smells are food related.

21. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
D, yesterday after work. I've been a hermit lately.

22. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Tch, sports? None.

23. HAIR COLOR?
Black, baby.

24. EYE COLOR?
Brown.

25. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Not anymore.

26. FAVORITE FOOD?
Anything edible. I just like food. Except hot pockets.

27. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings.

28. LAST MOVIES YOU WATCHED?
Taken. Liam the Jedi is serious. Seriously.

29. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Pink.

30. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer! I'm Southern!

31. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs. I live hugs. I'll hug people that hate hugs and try and make them like hugs.
It usually doesn't work, but sometimes Kwatch lets me get away with it.

32. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Fahrenheit 451. Again.

33. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Orange swirls.

34. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Something in Korean. After we got home from BSG night.

35. FAVORITE SOUND(S).
Music.

36. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles.

37. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Like today... The garbage chute.

38. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Nope. Nothing special.

39. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
In a hospital.

40. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
At university. Our offices were on the same floor.

41. YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD:
I was a social worker and I work in non-profits.. I think that totally counts.

42. LAST TIME YOU FELT LIKE A KID?
Tonight when I farted on D's head.

Labels: life, meme

FO: Socks Fantastic

I finished them. My Rib Fantastic socks. They really are fantastic. I didn't work on them often, but when I did I motored. I finished the first sock in no time because this yarn is so yummy. I think that this may be my favorite sock yarn in the world. That's right-- the entire world! And I know I already said this, but this book is fantastic. I love the patterns. I love the information. And I love that it's all collected in one book. It's gonna be my go to sock book.

Specs-tastic:

Pattern: Rib Fantastic Sock from Knitting Sock with Handpainted Yarns
by Carol Sulcoski
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock, color Rayon Vert-- 1 hank with TONS leftover.
Needles: 2.75mm DPNs
Time to complete: Ah, a month or so.
Love it Level? (1-10): 10! I love them! They are comfy, warm and so pretty. I love the toe and heel, they're thicker so they should wear out so quickly.
Mods?: The toes is really short in this pattern, so if you have long feet like I do, add some rows before you start the toes decreases. I added 8 rows. And now they fit perfectly.

Perfectly fantastic.

Labels: FOs, socks, yarn