That's right...Plum Texan is now coming to you from my couch, courtesy of my kickin' new MacBook. Woo hoo! I've waited a long, long time for this, and so far, it's everything I'd dreamed.
I chose the 13.3-inch MacBook, which you'll notice is not appended with a "Pro." While I would certainly have loved the extra functionality, size was paramount, and even the smallest Pro has a bigger footprint than I wanted.
But I otherwise topped out the speed and other features, and with the able assistance of one TechieBK, upped the RAM to 2GB. She floats like a dragonfly, this one - especially with the addition of a wireless router (huzzah!) and a $40 IKEA Dave laptop table. I picked her up on Friday evening and spent today getting to know her, which has included a little fun and a fair bit of work - only mildly to my chagrin.
Meanwhile, Saturday was spent on an exhausting but satisfying adventure with one Sea Anemone, who let me twist her arm so very, very hard and have her join me on a trek to Twisted Yarns. We got to enjoy fantastic yarn talk with Janet, the other awesome store staff, and a handful of lovely customers from Pasadena. Then we happily let IKEA beat us to pieces, experienced the somewhat unnatural but very refreshing perkiness of Container Store staff, and heartily bitched nearly non-stop about the late August heat. Ah, good times.
Perhaps tomorrow I'll have a moment to share my small but lovely yarn bounty. I may even aim for a photo or two!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Awww...dayum...
As one might have gathered, I've been in a world-class funk the last few days (though I did just give myself a chuckle at a typo I made trying to type "funk" the first time). I have a variety of reasons, many of which are TMI...and some of which are just...ugh.
Not least of which, the kick-assedness that is Sea Anemone Amy, aka Yarn Enabler Amy, is moving way the hell back to Galveston. I'm thrilled that she was able to escape her yucky job for a great brand new one, but DAMMIT my bestest local pal farther away DAMMIT!
So when I visited tonight to see her tell the story to the blogosphere at large, I was not surprised to see that someone had nominated her for this:
But you see, that's not here because I just nicked it; it's here because Amy nominated me today. So here I was, enjoying a perfectly good wallow, planning a pity party, Grumpytown population: me, and I go and I'm all ready to mope all over Sea Anemone Knits, and instead...I melt into a puddle of grateful.
Well, OK...maybe I still moped a little. But it's hard to keep a grouchy countenance in the face of such...niceness. Seriously: friendship means everything, and the day-to-day things matter more than we know. But when somebody tells the world that you rock - well, that just sets
things spinning a lot differently.
So thank you, my favorite Yarn Enabler...and may the next step on your path be the best ever. (But I'm still going to miss you, dammit.)
***
And in honor of the award's spirit, my RGB mad props go out to Sharon of Sharon's Knitknacks, the first knitblogger I ever read and still one of my very favorites; and Colleen of The Pretty Pear, a repository of awesome knowledge on good-looking plus-sized clothes and fashion. (Not that there aren't many more...just that most of the rest I know have been nominated already!)
Not least of which, the kick-assedness that is Sea Anemone Amy, aka Yarn Enabler Amy, is moving way the hell back to Galveston. I'm thrilled that she was able to escape her yucky job for a great brand new one, but DAMMIT my bestest local pal farther away DAMMIT!
So when I visited tonight to see her tell the story to the blogosphere at large, I was not surprised to see that someone had nominated her for this:
But you see, that's not here because I just nicked it; it's here because Amy nominated me today. So here I was, enjoying a perfectly good wallow, planning a pity party, Grumpytown population: me, and I go and I'm all ready to mope all over Sea Anemone Knits, and instead...I melt into a puddle of grateful.
Well, OK...maybe I still moped a little. But it's hard to keep a grouchy countenance in the face of such...niceness. Seriously: friendship means everything, and the day-to-day things matter more than we know. But when somebody tells the world that you rock - well, that just sets
things spinning a lot differently.
So thank you, my favorite Yarn Enabler...and may the next step on your path be the best ever. (But I'm still going to miss you, dammit.)
***
And in honor of the award's spirit, my RGB mad props go out to Sharon of Sharon's Knitknacks, the first knitblogger I ever read and still one of my very favorites; and Colleen of The Pretty Pear, a repository of awesome knowledge on good-looking plus-sized clothes and fashion. (Not that there aren't many more...just that most of the rest I know have been nominated already!)
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Weekend blehs
Feeling not so hot for a couple of days + too much alone time + WORK TO DO + headache + actually needing to get on my own computer but can't + having to rearrange stuff so that the maintenance guys don't get stuff all over my yarn = yeah, not so much of an update. I even have Random Photos that I can't load up, because my husband is using my computer and I've griped at him enough today...so, little fibery stuff.
Suffice to say, the weekend did not go as I'd hoped; the major positives were a nice tapas lunch on Saturday with Amy and her BFF, about a row of the Forest Canopy, and some really great pork loin (courtesy of Soup King and Pork Prince TechieBK). I'm not even going to put hopes or projections up today; I can't bear to miss any more deadlines.
I'm sure that you'll all be glad to hear that I'm keeping the not-so-perky post a short one. See y'all at some point this week...and I'll try to be in a better mood.
Suffice to say, the weekend did not go as I'd hoped; the major positives were a nice tapas lunch on Saturday with Amy and her BFF, about a row of the Forest Canopy, and some really great pork loin (courtesy of Soup King and Pork Prince TechieBK). I'm not even going to put hopes or projections up today; I can't bear to miss any more deadlines.
I'm sure that you'll all be glad to hear that I'm keeping the not-so-perky post a short one. See y'all at some point this week...and I'll try to be in a better mood.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
SP11 contest, etc.
Abnormally for a Thursday night, I'm at home - hence why you're seeing me before Sunday. That fibery update will still wait till then, as there's nothing new to report.
My attendance at SnB tonight was already in question when Erin swung an arm over Houston today and dropped several inches of rain, but feeling under the weather (and not just under the precipitation) sealed the deal. Still not 100%, but I can't sleep too much or I won't sleep tonight.
So instead, I'm going to respond to the Yarn Yenta's SP11 contest. I already accomplished the first part (yay me) with my questionnaire. Now I'm answering these:
1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
This sounds like a duh, but: my measuring tape. Instead of a roll-up job or a sewing one, I carry around a compact, quarter-inch-wide Stanley 10-foot metal tape. Never stretches, never catches, quite useful for stuff like shawls and blankets.
2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you?
If so, how much and what type of project? Oh, definitely. I usually take 2-3 projects, depending on what I've got going - a shawl or blanket, if it doesn't take up too much space, and almost always a dishcloth. I'll probably have a traveling sock at some point too.
3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?
Edinburgh, Scotland. There wasn't anything I didn't love about Edinburgh: the touristy-historic stuff, the amazing restaurants, the scenery (landscapes AND men in kilts), the underlying warmth...and of course, the people - I found most Scots as friendly as most Texans (which is to say, very), and I felt very much at home there. And it's much easier to get a sense of how old the world is when you're not in the US.
I rang in 2002 on the Prince's Street in Edinburgh with my best friend and my ex. Thousands of people speaking dozens of languages...a true teeming throng...and I can honestly say I've rarely felt safer, and never enjoyed a midnight more. I can't wait to do it again someday. :)
4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?
I love what No Sheep For You is doing for allergic crafters like me, and how it's introducing everyone to all the amazing sheep-free fibers out there. I don't yet own it because while the patterns are beautiful, I'd only make the Tuscany Shawl. I'd still like to have it at some point for the rest of the advice within.
5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?
I listen to a few podcasts and have tried a few more. CraftyPod is great, though I don't usually listen all the way through in one sitting because it gives me ideas and gets me thinking about other things... :) I always go back to finish it, though!
My favorite is Cast On; I really like Brenda's stories and the guest essays are absolutely spectacular.
And it's not knitting-related, but NPR posts podcasts of selected This I Believe essays. I highly recommend this one; they're usually 5-6 minutes and often really uplifting, thought-provoking, etc.
See y'all this weekend!
My attendance at SnB tonight was already in question when Erin swung an arm over Houston today and dropped several inches of rain, but feeling under the weather (and not just under the precipitation) sealed the deal. Still not 100%, but I can't sleep too much or I won't sleep tonight.
So instead, I'm going to respond to the Yarn Yenta's SP11 contest. I already accomplished the first part (yay me) with my questionnaire. Now I'm answering these:
1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
This sounds like a duh, but: my measuring tape. Instead of a roll-up job or a sewing one, I carry around a compact, quarter-inch-wide Stanley 10-foot metal tape. Never stretches, never catches, quite useful for stuff like shawls and blankets.
2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you?
If so, how much and what type of project? Oh, definitely. I usually take 2-3 projects, depending on what I've got going - a shawl or blanket, if it doesn't take up too much space, and almost always a dishcloth. I'll probably have a traveling sock at some point too.
3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?
Edinburgh, Scotland. There wasn't anything I didn't love about Edinburgh: the touristy-historic stuff, the amazing restaurants, the scenery (landscapes AND men in kilts), the underlying warmth...and of course, the people - I found most Scots as friendly as most Texans (which is to say, very), and I felt very much at home there. And it's much easier to get a sense of how old the world is when you're not in the US.
I rang in 2002 on the Prince's Street in Edinburgh with my best friend and my ex. Thousands of people speaking dozens of languages...a true teeming throng...and I can honestly say I've rarely felt safer, and never enjoyed a midnight more. I can't wait to do it again someday. :)
4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?
I love what No Sheep For You is doing for allergic crafters like me, and how it's introducing everyone to all the amazing sheep-free fibers out there. I don't yet own it because while the patterns are beautiful, I'd only make the Tuscany Shawl. I'd still like to have it at some point for the rest of the advice within.
5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?
I listen to a few podcasts and have tried a few more. CraftyPod is great, though I don't usually listen all the way through in one sitting because it gives me ideas and gets me thinking about other things... :) I always go back to finish it, though!
My favorite is Cast On; I really like Brenda's stories and the guest essays are absolutely spectacular.
And it's not knitting-related, but NPR posts podcasts of selected This I Believe essays. I highly recommend this one; they're usually 5-6 minutes and often really uplifting, thought-provoking, etc.
See y'all this weekend!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Secrets and plies
Secret Pals! Knitting! Get it?!
...OK, that's about my bad pun quotient for the month, I think. Now that I've got that squared away...
It's Secret Pal 11 time! I've signed on for my first round, and I think it's going to go really well. Obviously, there's not much I can say about my spoilee, but she will be easy to spoil, I think. We've already exchanged notes and she seems really cool. I'll say the same for my spoilER - a nice note from them makes it sound like a great time will be had by all. Many thanks to you both, though probably only one of you will see this... :D
This may not make for much in the way of generating interest, so I'm going to do some shameless trolling for comments while I let y'all do some shameless self-promotion. If you sell your handwork of most any kind - hand-dyed yarns, knitting accoutrements, natural candles, bags, anything affordable and easily mailable - leave me a comment with a link to your Etsy, eBay, or personal shop and I'll come check it out...I may even buy something!
I promise to at least stop by and take a good look at your stock. This offer applies even if I know you IRL, but especially if I don't (so that I may share the love as much as possible). Handcrafters unite, right?
Oh, and if I don't know you (IRL or otherwise) and don't already know how you found me, could you pass that along too?
In other news, the Seven Weeks of Hell have begun at work. It's again time for the biggest trade show of the year, which is when I most appreciate how much I like my co-workers. We are slammed, buried, up to our eyeballs, busier than one-legged men in a butt-kickin' contest, more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. And so far, we're still having a great time.
But since that may not last...and at the very least, since I'll be getting home much later than normal for the next six weeks...there's a chance that you'll only see me for the Sunday Evening Post. That's almost certainly when you'll see me next, at any rate, at which point I promise an update of a fibrous nature.
Until then, I trust my fellow denizens of the Texas Gulf Coast to keep their heads (more or less) dry during our first tropical storm deluge of the season. Fingers crossed for everybody in the path - this is a small one, so maybe it'll just be...squishy.
...OK, that's about my bad pun quotient for the month, I think. Now that I've got that squared away...
It's Secret Pal 11 time! I've signed on for my first round, and I think it's going to go really well. Obviously, there's not much I can say about my spoilee, but she will be easy to spoil, I think. We've already exchanged notes and she seems really cool. I'll say the same for my spoilER - a nice note from them makes it sound like a great time will be had by all. Many thanks to you both, though probably only one of you will see this... :D
This may not make for much in the way of generating interest, so I'm going to do some shameless trolling for comments while I let y'all do some shameless self-promotion. If you sell your handwork of most any kind - hand-dyed yarns, knitting accoutrements, natural candles, bags, anything affordable and easily mailable - leave me a comment with a link to your Etsy, eBay, or personal shop and I'll come check it out...I may even buy something!
I promise to at least stop by and take a good look at your stock. This offer applies even if I know you IRL, but especially if I don't (so that I may share the love as much as possible). Handcrafters unite, right?
Oh, and if I don't know you (IRL or otherwise) and don't already know how you found me, could you pass that along too?
In other news, the Seven Weeks of Hell have begun at work. It's again time for the biggest trade show of the year, which is when I most appreciate how much I like my co-workers. We are slammed, buried, up to our eyeballs, busier than one-legged men in a butt-kickin' contest, more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. And so far, we're still having a great time.
But since that may not last...and at the very least, since I'll be getting home much later than normal for the next six weeks...there's a chance that you'll only see me for the Sunday Evening Post. That's almost certainly when you'll see me next, at any rate, at which point I promise an update of a fibrous nature.
Until then, I trust my fellow denizens of the Texas Gulf Coast to keep their heads (more or less) dry during our first tropical storm deluge of the season. Fingers crossed for everybody in the path - this is a small one, so maybe it'll just be...squishy.
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