Unexpected

Sometimes things are just amazing, like how my grandmother filled up a fifty state quarters book for each and everyone of her grandchildren, all 10 of us, and also included several coins that were collected by my late grandfather. I received the 1927 silver dollar, which was from the year they were born. It is incredible how dilligent and thoughtful this was, something that I'm sure to cherish for a lifetime.

Think of all the ways molecules move

It's snowing like mad out there. I was supposed to head to campus today, but I've decided that I'm snowed in. So I've been knitting and decided to upload the number one winter song that you've never heard.

"Blood On The Snowplow" by Algoma

I started my Noro socks to prove that they won't be ugly. I'm keeping it relatively simple and using the Madder Ribbed Sock pattern in "Knitting Vintage Socks". This means I now have 3 pairs of socks in progress for myself. I did turn the second heel in the very first pair of socks I ever started though. I'm hoping that at least two of these pairs will get finished before school starts up again in January. The LYS is planning a potluck where everyone is expected to bring in all their current works in progress, and I don't want to embarrass myself with so much stuff.

Noro Kureyon sock yarn


Hiking boot socks, nearly finished


And now to write some papers!

Soon as I see you walk up in the club

I'm rocking the mash-ups from thehoodinternet.com right now. And still avoiding work.

On the highway here they have signs that flash new speed limits during "inclement" weather. This morning they were flashing 45mph. I'm beginning to take these as more of a challenge than a guideline. If these signs weren't there, I probably would actually go slower than the speed limit. Instead, I go the regular posted limit, because I've driven through worse. Also, I think watching Top Gear is changing the way I drive. I definitely push my car a little bit harder while accelerating lately. Maybe this happens when The Stig is your hero.

Last week was an eMusic week. I was going to do a whole big post just about that, but I guess I put it off. The big winner from the collection was "Parades" by Efterklang though. And I picked up "Sologne" by Loney, Dear at the record store. And yesterday I allowed myself to get "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" because I could use my Bull Moose points and get it for half-price.

I bought Noro sock yarn this week. I don't know when I'll get to it. Michelle, the owner of the LYS, assured me that this colorway looked fantastic when knitted into a sweater, so I have high hopes for it in a pair of socks. I also finished my first pair of gift socks. The socks are, unfortunately, different a bit, because I used a different heel on the second one. Oh, and by finished, I mean they are knit, but I have to sew in the ends.

School is almost done. I have a crazy next five days. Then I want to party and knit. In that order.

My vodka and snow is melting.

So I spent Thanksgiving down in Massachussetts on Cape Cod with my aunt Nancy and uncle Doug and Nancy's son David and his girlfriend Michelle and Michelle's daughter Emily and David and Michelle's daughter Bella. It was quite the adventure. Emily is 10 and and pretty awesome. Bella is 3 and quite awesome too, but she was pretty shy. I did manage to get her to play on my foosball team though, and we kicked Emily's butt. Before going, my parents warned me that they might not have a regular Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, etc., but they did. The food was great. I shrugged off questions of "honeys/hunnies" at school from David, which is something I'm kind of getting sick of doing. Anyway, apparently the thing to do on Cape Cod after Thanksgiving dinner is to take a walk on the beach.


Set: Thanksgiving 2007

When David and crew left on Thursday night Doug said "Thank God" and even Nancy slumped against the door. And fittingly enough, I fell asleep that night listening to podcasts of the News from Lake Wobegon portion of A Prairie Home Companion. On Friday morning, I headed out at 9 to get back to Fiberphilia for the yarn sale of the year (seriously, the only one). I was sent on my way with a full plate of food and something close to a full pie. I figured it was about time to crack open the holiday music on the drive back, so I decided to break out my recent purchase of "Peace On Earth: A Holiday Album" featuring the likes of The Long Winters, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, and more. I would seriously recommend that you purchase this. It's only seven dollars and all proceeds go to Toys For Tots. Head over to hardtofindafriend.blogspot.com to get your copy.

I made it to the yarn store just before three in the afternoon, and ended up with 4 skeins of sport weight alpaca for a scarf, and 4 skeins of fingering weight merino in two different colorways for some socks. I also picked up another set of size 2 double points and my first set of size 0s and Nancy Bush's book "Knitting Vintage Socks" which has a high concentration of mens sock patterns. The first I plan on doing is the Gentleman's Sock with lozenge pattern. And they took my picture in my Koolhaas hat for their wall. And then getting back from that I had the cd that I ordered from The Dodos, "Beware the Maniacs" waiting for me. So all in all, it's been a pretty good weekend.

And of course I have pictures of my recent purchases for everyone. :-)

scarf-fodder: Blue-Sky Alpacas Melange


soon to be Gentlemen's Socks with lozenge pattern: Claudia Hand Painted - Buckeye colorway


and will be socks but I don't know what yet: Claudia Hand Painted - Jungle colorway


And I finished my first gift sock for the holiday season. It's the Hiking Boot sock from "Knitting With Balls" modified with contrasting color heel and toe. I hope the recipient will enjoy it as least as much as I enjoyed making it.