Cha-chiiiiing!

(If you're not familiar with Queen Anne's Lace - though I'd love to see a show of hands if anyone is - imagine that sung in seven-part harmony. It's really quite lovely.)

I suppose at least three of you want to know who won. That's right, three (count 'em!) entries were received for my contest. I was stunned to discover that only Laura, Kara, and Jet were interested in free stuff, but of course that made my job a bit easier...which I am all about.

Everyone got it at least half right. On July 20, 2003, I met TechieBK Bryan, sometimes known as Mr. Plum Texan, for the first time. A great story, but one I'll tell later. At any rate, this is the part for which you all came up roses.

Other (really good) guesses included my "knitiversary" (which is actually about December 15, and it'll be four years this year), and kitty birthdays (September 30, and they'll both be 10!). Only one got the second one right: on July 17 of last year, after ten and a half months as a contractor, I was hired permanently for the Best Job Ever.

Kara, come on down! (Or let me e-mail you...not that I'd mind if you did come down...oh, you know what I mean.)

And thanks also to Cable Queen Laura and Jet Lee, International Crime Fighter for making this fun. Maybe more of you will feel lemming-like next time...

*****

A bit of something to make up for the rambly:



A macro of the back of the Forest Canopy. I've just finished another repeat, and I'm thinking one more might cut it. My dwindling but dense little ball of Sea Silk is still quite the wonder. Also, I still love my camera.

*****

Coming tomorrow: my Secret Pal 11 questionnaire, complete with permanent link for my pal's convenience. Yay! Giving and getting secret stuff! :)

It didn't start out that way

I had an up-and-down but mediocre day that turned into a horrible, awful, no-good, very bad evening. I don't wish to discuss it...I just realized that I said "August 5" and didn't announce a winner for the contest. I hope I can be forgiven if I don't do it tonight, either...but there is one, and I'll try to make it back tomorrow.

My secret love, revealed

I adore memes. In other online journal incarnations, I've been known to do nothing but; in this one, I've largely avoided it because I really am doing my best not to feel as though I'm copping out.

Of course, if I feel that way, it's my own fault. A good meme can be fascinating, and so I'm giving in today, possibly in lieu of a real post later, possibly not. I'm doing my best to turn this into a guilt-free Sunday.

Here now, attributable to Grumperina's influence and credited to Bella Knitting, my feelings on creative interests. I also like the way Grumperina did it, so I'll do it similarly (with my own twists).

Anyone else?

1. I have no interest (in doing it myself).

shibori, cartooning, toy/doll making, macrame, flower arranging*, calligraphy, video/filmmaking, needlepoint

2. a) Would love to try it.

canning (fruits & vegetables), tile/glass mosaic, hand quilting, decorating, stained glass, polymer clay, dyeing, spinning, machine embroidery

b) Might like to try it.

jewelry-making, paper-making, painting, inventing

3. I do or have dabbled in it.

Do: crochet, beading, stamping, graphic design

Have done, WILL do again: dance (swing, C&W), entertaining, gardening, gift wrapping, storytelling, sewing

Have done, may do again: glass painting, poetry, acting, drawing, music, scrapbooking, dance (tap, raks sharqi [belly dance]), soap making

Have done, not likely to do again: cross-stitch, candlemaking, stage work

4. Love it! This is my thing.

writing (fiction, essays), knitting, baking, cooking, photography (landscapes, scenery, botanic gardens)


* This is mostly due to allergies and fragrance sensitivities.

Thank you, Marvin

This awful business, again.

RIP Marvin Zindler, consumer reporter extraordinaire, Chicken Ranch squawker, man whose yelling his sign-off scared the bejeezus out of me for the first five years of my life...laid to rest today at Beth Israel Cemetery in southwest Houston.

And what a story Marvin's is. His name probably means little to those of you not in Houston - but Marvin is most certainly a local legend, and say what anyone will, he got a lot of things done in the 35 years he was on the air. His weekly "Rat and Roach Reports" exposed health violations at restaurants all over Houston (say it with me: "Sliiiiime in the ice machine!"), and his Blue Ribbon is still the local gold standard for restaurant cleanliness.

Aside from helping hundreds who'd been swindled or otherwise cheated, he recruited Marvin's Angels (local businesses who stepped in to assist those in need) and earned nearly as much attention for his charity as he did for his love of cosmetic improvements. Marvin was a character in many senses - one of a fast-disappearing breed of old-fashioned colorful local broadcasters, and a fixture in the life of millions of Texans.

You'll be missed, Marvin. I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing you an afterlife filled with good golf, good tennis, or whatever makes you happy.

Your Title Here

The only eye candy I could muster today: a crocheted hacky-sack that I did not make. This is one of the things I won on my excursion to Main Event; the rest of the haul went to Thomas, the Coolest Kid Ever.

It figures that today, of all days, I'd come down with a massive case of writer's block. And it would seem that my brain did not return from my mini-vacation as quickly as I did, because I've been pretty well behind all day.

But here it is, y'all: my one-year blogiversary...and all the dragonflies and Sea Silk in the world can't help me find something interesting to say. I know it's temporary, but it's profoundly annoying. Really, just...nothing.

So let me keep it simple. To the 20 or so people that probably ever read Plum Texan (including the 8 of you subscribed on Bloglines), I'm much obliged. Someday, my Nefarious Plans for a blog readable by dozens will come true.

Also on that day: I will finally be able to meet a self-imposed project deadline. (And El Diablo will need a parka because it will suddenly be rather chilly in his neck of the woods...)

At any rate...not the best day for a celebratory post. I'm still happy to be here, though! And thanks to Kara, there's now a second entrant in the contest. You know, that thing where you can win stuff? :) Enterenterenter...

I'll spend the next couple of days trying to get my shiznit together to give you some real content. Hey, quit laughing - it could happen.