A-Z Meme
Because I'm just not in the mood to think much, I decided to track down a meme to jumpstart my thought processes. Enjoy, and consider yourself tagged if you feel like doing it.
A - Z OF ME
A - AVAILABLE : I'm always available for an outlet shopping spree, if that's what you mean. Otherwise, I have my hands full with the three men I live with.
B - BIRTHDAY : December
C - CRUSH : Hmmm... currently, I'll say Johnny Depp, but overall, I've got to say Kevin Smith. Because he looks like Mike in miniature.
D - DAD'S NAME : Vincent.
E - EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO : Another toughie. I'll think on this one.
F - FAVORITE BAND : Duran Duran. Other bands may come and go, but Duran and I have had a mutually beneficial relationship for almost a quarter century now.
G - GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS : I really like the sour gummy worms - this is the culinary delight I've inherited from my children.
H - HOMETOWN : Elmhurst, Queens!
I - INSTRUMENT : Can't play a blessed thing, but I do enjoy a good hard guitar.
J - JUGGLE : Life, yes. Those irritating little blocks, no.
K - KILLED SOMEONE : Only in my feverish, rage-induced imagination. And even then, it's in some Tom & Jerry fantasy-cartoon way, like dropping an anvil on them so they emerge with a flat head.
L - LONGEST CAR RIDE : Probably the NY-Florida drive my dad put us through several times on the "family vacation". It was basically our road trip to WallyWorld.
M - MILKSHAKE FLAVOR : Vanilla - no substitutes.
N - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS : Nada by blood, several by choice.
O - ONE WISH : That the craziness our world is spiralling into would just stop.
P - PERSON WHO EMAILED ME LAST : Karen, who regaled me with tales of her in-laws over Hanukkah. It's nice to have someone else share in the in-law joy, no matter what holiday one celebrates.
Q - QUICK FACT : The kid who was the bully in A Christmas Story is the younger brother on Titus (a hilarious Fox sitcom from a few years ago).
R - REASON TO SMILE : Gingerbread Latte.
S - SONG YOU LAST LISTENED TO : hee hee hee... Fanboy Christmas II: The Wrath of Claus.
T - TIME YOU WOKE UP : 6:30, and then 7:30.
U - UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT ME : As much as I love my heels, I've begun to prefer flats and sneakers. Shhh.
V - VEGETABLE YOU HATE : Cabbage. Smells like roasted ass.
W - WORST HABIT : Picking at my nails and fingers until they're bloody messes.
X - X-RAYS YOU'VE HAD : A couple of chest x-rays, ankle, teeth, back and neck.
Y - YOUR NUMBER OF EMAIL CONTACTS : Holy crap, it's got to be in triple digits.
Z - ZODIAC SIGN : Sagittarius, baby. Fire sign.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Bleah.
One more holiday down, one to go. Isn't that a terrible way to look at the holidays this year? But I'm burnt this year. I think I need to draw up a master schedule of 2008 so I don't run out of time before I've even begun, which is what I'm pretty sure happened this year.
New Year's should be fun, though. We've been getting together with the same group of friends for about 9 years now, so it's a tradition I look forward to. There will be, I'm sure, some intense Trivial Pursuit or other board game, some food (we'll plan, we'll plan), and lots of laughs. And, if Stacey has anything to do with it, another New Year's in a box. ;-)
I'm fried for now, I'll post after more coffee...
One more holiday down, one to go. Isn't that a terrible way to look at the holidays this year? But I'm burnt this year. I think I need to draw up a master schedule of 2008 so I don't run out of time before I've even begun, which is what I'm pretty sure happened this year.
New Year's should be fun, though. We've been getting together with the same group of friends for about 9 years now, so it's a tradition I look forward to. There will be, I'm sure, some intense Trivial Pursuit or other board game, some food (we'll plan, we'll plan), and lots of laughs. And, if Stacey has anything to do with it, another New Year's in a box. ;-)
I'm fried for now, I'll post after more coffee...
Monday, December 24, 2007
NORAD Tracks Santa - Mt. Fuji, Japan
Merry Christmas!! The kids and I have started tracking Santa on the Norad site, so I thought I'd share the details. Currently, Santa's going through Asia - here's video of him going by Mount Fuji in Japan.
He went through New Zealand but alas, no hobbits were to be seen. :-)
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Seaming and Dexter and Holy Crap, It's Five Days Away...
So last night, I knuckled down and seamed two panels of the blanket I'm working on for Mike's great-aunt last night. It took me a good part of the evening, but it's done and it doesn't look that bad. I actually felt pretty accomplished, even though I still think seaming has to be the most tedious thing on earth... now I'm finishing up panel 4 of 7, and I may even take a crack at seaming another panel tonight.
Dexter season finale - HOLY MOSES. Let's talk about it in the comments, so as not to spoil the fun for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. I can't imagine what the next season is going to entail, but I'm psyched for it.
Five days 'til Christmas Eve. I feel like I should be in panic mode, but I'm just too tired.
Errands for today:
1. Back to Best Buy, return Heroes Season 1 DVD and get either Bourne Identity, 28 Weeks Later, or Pirates of the Caribbean 3, or Grindhouse. Or something else. Maybe the special edition of 300 or The Last Legion. Also get Naked Brothers Band CD for a stocking stuffer for Will.
2. Find stocking stuffers for Will and Alex.
3. Find stickers for Alex's holiday party on Friday. I'm giving all the kids in the class stickers, now I just have to find the buggery things.
4. Inventory of what we've gotten for who and start wrapping.
So last night, I knuckled down and seamed two panels of the blanket I'm working on for Mike's great-aunt last night. It took me a good part of the evening, but it's done and it doesn't look that bad. I actually felt pretty accomplished, even though I still think seaming has to be the most tedious thing on earth... now I'm finishing up panel 4 of 7, and I may even take a crack at seaming another panel tonight.
Dexter season finale - HOLY MOSES. Let's talk about it in the comments, so as not to spoil the fun for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. I can't imagine what the next season is going to entail, but I'm psyched for it.
Five days 'til Christmas Eve. I feel like I should be in panic mode, but I'm just too tired.
Errands for today:
1. Back to Best Buy, return Heroes Season 1 DVD and get either Bourne Identity, 28 Weeks Later, or Pirates of the Caribbean 3, or Grindhouse. Or something else. Maybe the special edition of 300 or The Last Legion. Also get Naked Brothers Band CD for a stocking stuffer for Will.
2. Find stocking stuffers for Will and Alex.
3. Find stickers for Alex's holiday party on Friday. I'm giving all the kids in the class stickers, now I just have to find the buggery things.
4. Inventory of what we've gotten for who and start wrapping.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Holiday Malaise
So I am ridiculously unproductive in the hours from 9-5 these days. I putter around the office, because my brain is apparently on winter hiatus.
That aside, I am a knitting psychopath. As I've mentioned, I decided in my foolish way that I can totally knit TWO blankets by Christmas. Starting at the beginning of December. So I've been knitting my panels for Mike's Great-Aunt Trudy's blanket (seven panels in total, I'm on #3 now). I'm using this pattern, which is called an Heirloom Knit Baby Blanket, but it's a beautiful blanket for anyone. I'll put up pictures soon - I'm going to start seaming (stop laughing, I really am) up some of the panels tonight so that I don't have to do all 7 at once, thereby bringing on a nervous breakdown the likes of which haven't been seen since the nuclear winter that wiped out the dinosaurs.
Seriously, I'm knitting everywhere - on the trains, in restaurants, in the car - wherever I can get the needles clacking. I'm a woman on a mission.
Of course, the craft stores are also sold out of the one freaking skein I need to finish off Mike's Great-Aunt Jeannie's blanket. So I may frog it and make her a nice wrap. We shall see. Fear not, I'm on the case.
I've got pictures to come - lots of fun stuff over the past weekend.
So I am ridiculously unproductive in the hours from 9-5 these days. I putter around the office, because my brain is apparently on winter hiatus.
That aside, I am a knitting psychopath. As I've mentioned, I decided in my foolish way that I can totally knit TWO blankets by Christmas. Starting at the beginning of December. So I've been knitting my panels for Mike's Great-Aunt Trudy's blanket (seven panels in total, I'm on #3 now). I'm using this pattern, which is called an Heirloom Knit Baby Blanket, but it's a beautiful blanket for anyone. I'll put up pictures soon - I'm going to start seaming (stop laughing, I really am) up some of the panels tonight so that I don't have to do all 7 at once, thereby bringing on a nervous breakdown the likes of which haven't been seen since the nuclear winter that wiped out the dinosaurs.
Seriously, I'm knitting everywhere - on the trains, in restaurants, in the car - wherever I can get the needles clacking. I'm a woman on a mission.
Of course, the craft stores are also sold out of the one freaking skein I need to finish off Mike's Great-Aunt Jeannie's blanket. So I may frog it and make her a nice wrap. We shall see. Fear not, I'm on the case.
I've got pictures to come - lots of fun stuff over the past weekend.
Friday, December 14, 2007
2008 Knitting Resolutions
TexasPurlGirl, a compadre on Ravelry, has created a list of 2008 knitting resolutions and asked anyone with a blog to do the same. So here we go...
1. You know this one - stop laughing at me - I have to sew projects up. Don't ask me about the stuff I've been working on for Nancy's shower. You know they're still sitting in pieces in my stash basket. No, the baby won't be in college before I give them the goodies. With God as my witness, I will have those projects ready by the baby shower!
2. Finish the adorable U-Neck sweater vest from Knit.1 that Stacey bought me the yarn for (via year's birthday gift, a Michael's gift card) which is roughly 2/3 done and sitting in the stash basket.
3. Find the yarn I need for 'Blanket' and finish it, before Alex no longer speaks to me.
4. Organize my patterns that I print out from the Web - currently, they're sitting in a giant folder, so there's step one. But I need to organize them so I can find an adorable baby blanket or pair of booties without sitting on the couch and screaming.
5. Decrease some stash so I can do some real projects with nice yarn that I salivate over.
6. Oh yeah - learn how to knit socks.
TexasPurlGirl, a compadre on Ravelry, has created a list of 2008 knitting resolutions and asked anyone with a blog to do the same. So here we go...
1. You know this one - stop laughing at me - I have to sew projects up. Don't ask me about the stuff I've been working on for Nancy's shower. You know they're still sitting in pieces in my stash basket. No, the baby won't be in college before I give them the goodies. With God as my witness, I will have those projects ready by the baby shower!
2. Finish the adorable U-Neck sweater vest from Knit.1 that Stacey bought me the yarn for (via year's birthday gift, a Michael's gift card) which is roughly 2/3 done and sitting in the stash basket.
3. Find the yarn I need for 'Blanket' and finish it, before Alex no longer speaks to me.
4. Organize my patterns that I print out from the Web - currently, they're sitting in a giant folder, so there's step one. But I need to organize them so I can find an adorable baby blanket or pair of booties without sitting on the couch and screaming.
5. Decrease some stash so I can do some real projects with nice yarn that I salivate over.
6. Oh yeah - learn how to knit socks.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Some Progress Made...
I did not have to commit heinous acts last night; I ended up getting a seat, knitting podcast happily in my ears, and I knitted all the way home. How I'm going to finish a 7-panel afghan and seam it together (stop laughing; I know I'm horrible at actually seaming things up), AND finish the other afghan (no seams required, and it is 3/4 of the way done) by Christmas Eve is beyond me. But best not to think about it; I'll just knit.
I did mail Christmas cards yesterday, so that's one more thing down.
Because the kitten is still psychotic, we haven't really done much with the tree. This could be another reason for my holiday ennui, since I do love the tree decorating. I had the kids make paper snowflakes last night, and Will made an Advent wreath that I stuck in there, too. I'm trying, I'm just so wiped. I'm not even tired so much as just wiped. I just wish some spark of energy would visit me so I could get jazzed about the holidays.
I did not have to commit heinous acts last night; I ended up getting a seat, knitting podcast happily in my ears, and I knitted all the way home. How I'm going to finish a 7-panel afghan and seam it together (stop laughing; I know I'm horrible at actually seaming things up), AND finish the other afghan (no seams required, and it is 3/4 of the way done) by Christmas Eve is beyond me. But best not to think about it; I'll just knit.
I did mail Christmas cards yesterday, so that's one more thing down.
Because the kitten is still psychotic, we haven't really done much with the tree. This could be another reason for my holiday ennui, since I do love the tree decorating. I had the kids make paper snowflakes last night, and Will made an Advent wreath that I stuck in there, too. I'm trying, I'm just so wiped. I'm not even tired so much as just wiped. I just wish some spark of energy would visit me so I could get jazzed about the holidays.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Christmas Is Two Weeks Away. Holy Crap.
I have two blankets and some other things to finish in TWO WEEKS. Somehow, I think sleep may not be on the agenda from now 'til the 24th. I may have to brutalize someone on the train ride home tonight, because I need a seat - that's 40 minutes of knitting time right there.
I haven't even put all the ornaments on the tree - but that's not as much me not being prepared as we're still concerned that the dopey kitten will be in the tree if she sees a bunch of dangly things on it. We may stealthily add some more tonight. We did make a big construction paper chain garland that went on last night, so that was cute. And even Mike got in on it, which was adorable.
Pictures of the tree to come, I just want to put a little more on it...
I have two blankets and some other things to finish in TWO WEEKS. Somehow, I think sleep may not be on the agenda from now 'til the 24th. I may have to brutalize someone on the train ride home tonight, because I need a seat - that's 40 minutes of knitting time right there.
I haven't even put all the ornaments on the tree - but that's not as much me not being prepared as we're still concerned that the dopey kitten will be in the tree if she sees a bunch of dangly things on it. We may stealthily add some more tonight. We did make a big construction paper chain garland that went on last night, so that was cute. And even Mike got in on it, which was adorable.
Pictures of the tree to come, I just want to put a little more on it...
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Where Do I Begin?
Thanks to PopCandy's blog, I found this great Geeks poster - I fit into way too many categories here. Now I just need a knitting geek and a blogging geek and I'd complete my journey to the dark side. Or is that the geek side?
Thanks to PopCandy's blog, I found this great Geeks poster - I fit into way too many categories here. Now I just need a knitting geek and a blogging geek and I'd complete my journey to the dark side. Or is that the geek side?Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Podling
I'm continuing my obsessive podcasting downloading. I've been HUGELY digging the Monday Night 80s podcast - the host, K-Day, has some amazing new wave (and yes, some pop) stuff that I haven't heard in years. He plays Ministry and Bauhaus! And he's good with the Duran Duran - always gives a shoutout to the Durannies. There are remixes and delves depper into popular artists' catalogs (like Wire by U2 - love it) to give lesser-known sounds a listen. You can check out the podcasts on the MySpace site, which I've linked above, or you can search on them at iTunes. There are also great movie clips all over the podcast, including one of my favorites - Bill Murray saying, "You are a maaaadman," from Stripes.
Another good 'cast is the Sci Fi/Fantasy podcast done by Anthony and Scott. They offer some great insight and hilarious commentary into science fiction and fantasy movies including - yes, I am going to bring up the Holy Trilogy again - the Star Wars movies, Battlestar Galactica, Planet of the Apes, and more. I've listened to three episodes so far, and have gone back and downloaded as many as I could from iTunes. Anthony's having some troubles at the moment, so I'm not sure when the next one will be up, but please - do yourself a favor and check out some of the old ones. I e-mailed Chris and Lauren a couple of the episodes because I knew they'd love them, and they remind me of a more in-depth version of Chris' (sadly not UPDATED) blog, Guiltless Pleasures (hint, hint).
I have been wading through a bunch of knitting podcasts - more on those to come...
I'm continuing my obsessive podcasting downloading. I've been HUGELY digging the Monday Night 80s podcast - the host, K-Day, has some amazing new wave (and yes, some pop) stuff that I haven't heard in years. He plays Ministry and Bauhaus! And he's good with the Duran Duran - always gives a shoutout to the Durannies. There are remixes and delves depper into popular artists' catalogs (like Wire by U2 - love it) to give lesser-known sounds a listen. You can check out the podcasts on the MySpace site, which I've linked above, or you can search on them at iTunes. There are also great movie clips all over the podcast, including one of my favorites - Bill Murray saying, "You are a maaaadman," from Stripes.
Another good 'cast is the Sci Fi/Fantasy podcast done by Anthony and Scott. They offer some great insight and hilarious commentary into science fiction and fantasy movies including - yes, I am going to bring up the Holy Trilogy again - the Star Wars movies, Battlestar Galactica, Planet of the Apes, and more. I've listened to three episodes so far, and have gone back and downloaded as many as I could from iTunes. Anthony's having some troubles at the moment, so I'm not sure when the next one will be up, but please - do yourself a favor and check out some of the old ones. I e-mailed Chris and Lauren a couple of the episodes because I knew they'd love them, and they remind me of a more in-depth version of Chris' (sadly not UPDATED) blog, Guiltless Pleasures (hint, hint).
I have been wading through a bunch of knitting podcasts - more on those to come...
Monday, December 03, 2007
Sock Knitting and Other Travails
So I decided it was time to make my foray into sock knitting with the Easy Aran Sock pattern from My Life's Work. (I love Ravelry - I've been introduced to more knitting patterns and cool bloggers and podcasters than I could have imagined!) I went to the yarn store like a big girl, got the right yarn thanks to the nice lady at Yarn Connection, and went home, convinced I was on my way.
WTF?
Casting onto three double pointed needles? Sure. I even did the tube part of the sock. But then I got to the actual shaping and almost had a nervous breakdown. Back to the LYS (local yarn store - in this case, local to my job) and whined. The two lovely ladies at Yarn Connection deciphered the mysteries for me... so we'll see. I've already warned them that I may be back tomorrow with a ball of tangled wool, felted by my tears and sweat.
So I decided it was time to make my foray into sock knitting with the Easy Aran Sock pattern from My Life's Work. (I love Ravelry - I've been introduced to more knitting patterns and cool bloggers and podcasters than I could have imagined!) I went to the yarn store like a big girl, got the right yarn thanks to the nice lady at Yarn Connection, and went home, convinced I was on my way.
WTF?
Casting onto three double pointed needles? Sure. I even did the tube part of the sock. But then I got to the actual shaping and almost had a nervous breakdown. Back to the LYS (local yarn store - in this case, local to my job) and whined. The two lovely ladies at Yarn Connection deciphered the mysteries for me... so we'll see. I've already warned them that I may be back tomorrow with a ball of tangled wool, felted by my tears and sweat.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
One From Lauren
*Please feel free to just insert your own questions wherever you feel like it. Or new categories too.
CONCEPTS
1. Favorite Colors: Blues, pink, deep reds.
2. Favorite Shapes: Circles
3. Cutest Shapes: Stripes
4. Favorite Symbols: { }
NOUNSSS!
1. Favorite Animals: Puppies, polar bears, cats of all sorts.
2. Cutest Animals: Puppies.
3. Favorite Accessories: I'm with Lauren, shoes do it for me!
4. Favorite Plant: Spider plants.
EDIBLES
1. Favorite Foods: Steak with egg noodles & brown gravy. Mac & Cheese.
2. Cutest Foods: Mini shell pasta, mini bowties.
3. Favorite Fruit: Strawberries and Macintosh apples.
4. Cutest Fruit: Blueberries.
5. Favorite Vegetable: Broccoli.
6. Cutest Vegetable: Corn.
7. Favorite Sweets: Almond croissant.
8. Favorite Drink: Coffee!!!!
*Please feel free to just insert your own questions wherever you feel like it. Or new categories too.
CONCEPTS
1. Favorite Colors: Blues, pink, deep reds.
2. Favorite Shapes: Circles
3. Cutest Shapes: Stripes
4. Favorite Symbols: { }
NOUNSSS!
1. Favorite Animals: Puppies, polar bears, cats of all sorts.
2. Cutest Animals: Puppies.
3. Favorite Accessories: I'm with Lauren, shoes do it for me!
4. Favorite Plant: Spider plants.
EDIBLES
1. Favorite Foods: Steak with egg noodles & brown gravy. Mac & Cheese.
2. Cutest Foods: Mini shell pasta, mini bowties.
3. Favorite Fruit: Strawberries and Macintosh apples.
4. Cutest Fruit: Blueberries.
5. Favorite Vegetable: Broccoli.
6. Cutest Vegetable: Corn.
7. Favorite Sweets: Almond croissant.
8. Favorite Drink: Coffee!!!!
Monday, November 26, 2007
A Holiday Meme
I haven't posted a fun meme in a while, so here you go. Let's kick off the holiday season right -and I tag Stacey, Linda, Piera, Laurie, Lauren and Peg!
1.) Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate... no question.
2.) Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa wraps them very nicely at first, and then it becomes a mission to just get the damned things covered in paper of some sort.
3.) Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored!
4.) Do you hang mistletoe? I have never been able to find the blasted stuff, believe it or not.
5.) When do you put your decorations up? As soon after Thanksgiving as possible; we love having the place decorated as long as possible.
6.) What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I'm a traditionalist; turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing... it's Thanksgiving part deux.
7.) Favorite Christmas memory as a child? Walking out to see all the presents, and seeing the dollhouse I wanted so badly leaning against the couch. Thanks, Santa Claus!
8.) When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think I was a late blooomer; I was about 9.
9.) Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We celebrate Christmas Eve with Mike's family, so yes.
10.) How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I have lots of Hallmark ornaments - Star Wars and Star Trek included! Ornaments from every year of the kids' lives, and each year, I have the boys decorate ornaments to hang so I have a tree full of kid-designed stuff.
11.) Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love snow, dread the slush that follows shortly thereafter.
12.) Can you ice skate? Never tried.
13.) Do you remember your favorite gift? I'd have to say the dollhouse was pretty nifty.
14.) What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being surrounded by family and friends. It's like the one time a year you can tell your friends how much you love them without sounding sappy.
15.) What is your favorite holiday desert? Christmas cookies!!!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Used to be going to midnight Mass at St. Bart's with Carol and having hot chocolate afterwards; now, it's Mike and I wrapping all the presents after the kids have gone to sleep, trying desperately to keep the noise to a minimum.
17.) What tops your tree? Winnie the Pooh, dressed as an angel.
18.) Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving!
19.) What is your favorite Christmas Song? No one does "Oh Night Divine" like Nat King Cole. Love "Holly Jolly Christmas" and of course, "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses and Band-Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", because I'm an '80s gal.
21.) Favorite Christmas Movie? No contest. "A Christmas Story."
22.) What do you leave for Santa? Santa really loves my Tollhouse Cookies.
I haven't posted a fun meme in a while, so here you go. Let's kick off the holiday season right -and I tag Stacey, Linda, Piera, Laurie, Lauren and Peg!
1.) Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate... no question.
2.) Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa wraps them very nicely at first, and then it becomes a mission to just get the damned things covered in paper of some sort.
3.) Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored!
4.) Do you hang mistletoe? I have never been able to find the blasted stuff, believe it or not.
5.) When do you put your decorations up? As soon after Thanksgiving as possible; we love having the place decorated as long as possible.
6.) What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I'm a traditionalist; turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing... it's Thanksgiving part deux.
7.) Favorite Christmas memory as a child? Walking out to see all the presents, and seeing the dollhouse I wanted so badly leaning against the couch. Thanks, Santa Claus!
8.) When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think I was a late blooomer; I was about 9.
9.) Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We celebrate Christmas Eve with Mike's family, so yes.
10.) How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I have lots of Hallmark ornaments - Star Wars and Star Trek included! Ornaments from every year of the kids' lives, and each year, I have the boys decorate ornaments to hang so I have a tree full of kid-designed stuff.
11.) Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love snow, dread the slush that follows shortly thereafter.
12.) Can you ice skate? Never tried.
13.) Do you remember your favorite gift? I'd have to say the dollhouse was pretty nifty.
14.) What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being surrounded by family and friends. It's like the one time a year you can tell your friends how much you love them without sounding sappy.
15.) What is your favorite holiday desert? Christmas cookies!!!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Used to be going to midnight Mass at St. Bart's with Carol and having hot chocolate afterwards; now, it's Mike and I wrapping all the presents after the kids have gone to sleep, trying desperately to keep the noise to a minimum.
17.) What tops your tree? Winnie the Pooh, dressed as an angel.
18.) Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving!
19.) What is your favorite Christmas Song? No one does "Oh Night Divine" like Nat King Cole. Love "Holly Jolly Christmas" and of course, "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses and Band-Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", because I'm an '80s gal.
21.) Favorite Christmas Movie? No contest. "A Christmas Story."
22.) What do you leave for Santa? Santa really loves my Tollhouse Cookies.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Podcast Review - PolarBear Podcast
So the first of my new podcasting addictions to talk about is the Polarbear Podcast. Since I love Sweden and one of these days will get back there, finding this podcast was huge for me. It's a half hour (sometimes longer, but the episode I downloaded is 30 minutes) of all things Swedish - some music, some news, and in this particular episode, the Swedish alphabet (det Svenska alfabetet - see Gab, some things I do remember!) as recited by the host's daughter. I discovered some new music by a band called The Bombhhappies, who I really want to check out more from - totally influenced by '80s Brit pop, and very infectious to listen to, and had a giggle at the Swedish government's expense with some hanky-panky scandal. I'm excited to hear more and can't wait for the next episode to be uploaded. In the meantime, maybe I'll download a few older ones.
If you're interested, I highly recommend checking out an episode. Honestly, it's not like the nightly news being rattled off at you - the host, Andy, has some really amusing commentary. And since Helene and I have had a giggle for years about one of the misconceptions of Sweden being that polar bears roam the streets, the fact that this is called the Polarbear Podcast just made me laugh all the harder. That, and the section on the website that's called "Sweden - not Switzerland"; I can't tell you how many times people have made that mistake. Hilarious.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Pod Junkie
Vickie Howell started it all - now I'm officially a podcasting junkie. I'm in the midst of downloading roughly 40 hours' worth of podcasts - who knew so many people were podcasting about knitting? Hell, I even found a podcast about Sweden that I'm checking out, just because I miss it so blasted much and so I can give Helene a giggle when I write about stuff in the news over there. I even got Will into the act and searched out some kid-friendly podcasts, which I've downloaded to his MP3 player.
I'll blather on incessantly about this new toy I've discovered for myself as soon as I've listened to enough episodes of each show (1 or 2 of each) to have formed enough of an opinion to comment on.
So here's my quandary, which I'm putting out there for you. Should I comment on the crafting podcasts here, or should I talk about them on Domestic Goddesses, where I'm trying to get some traffic moving again? Should Domestic Goddesses be just for recipes and commenting on recipes and cooking, or should I move some of the crafty content over there? I don't want to make this blog schizophrenic, so let me know what you think.
EDIT: I've just downloaded an unholy amount of additional '80s and Sci-Fi podcasts. How am I going to listen to all of this stuff? Damn my obsessive personality.
Vickie Howell started it all - now I'm officially a podcasting junkie. I'm in the midst of downloading roughly 40 hours' worth of podcasts - who knew so many people were podcasting about knitting? Hell, I even found a podcast about Sweden that I'm checking out, just because I miss it so blasted much and so I can give Helene a giggle when I write about stuff in the news over there. I even got Will into the act and searched out some kid-friendly podcasts, which I've downloaded to his MP3 player.
I'll blather on incessantly about this new toy I've discovered for myself as soon as I've listened to enough episodes of each show (1 or 2 of each) to have formed enough of an opinion to comment on.
So here's my quandary, which I'm putting out there for you. Should I comment on the crafting podcasts here, or should I talk about them on Domestic Goddesses, where I'm trying to get some traffic moving again? Should Domestic Goddesses be just for recipes and commenting on recipes and cooking, or should I move some of the crafty content over there? I don't want to make this blog schizophrenic, so let me know what you think.
EDIT: I've just downloaded an unholy amount of additional '80s and Sci-Fi podcasts. How am I going to listen to all of this stuff? Damn my obsessive personality.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Rockin' with Vickie Howell
So this morning, I was seized with the impulse to finally download the Vickie Howell Craft. Rock. Listen. Podcasts. At 7:15 in the morning, when I'm normally rushing around like a lunatic to get myself and the kids out the door to school completely dressed and with lunch. You know me; when I get the urges, I've got to give in. For some reason, I decided that my commute would just be detrimental to another person's health if I didn't have something to keep me Zen.
I only got to listen to one episode - the Sustainabilknitty podcast, with Billie Joe Armstrong's (from Green Day) wife, Adrienne, but it was great. I loved hearing about how she's teaching her kids and their classes to knit, and how she and Billie Joe are all about being as environmentally conscious as humanly possible. Vickie Howell chimed in and both offered some ideas for working with sustainable crafting materials (organic fibers and recycled materials); I particularly loved Vickie's suggestion on raiding thrift stores for old clothes to repurpose and old glasses that can find new life as candle holders.
I also loved Adrienne's insight into how disposable a society we've become, and how important it is to take the time to make things and show the people we care about that we took the time to make something just for them.
I've downloaded another Vickie podcast, so I'm psyched to listen to that on the way home. And now, I'll be wandering the Web looking for more interesting podcasts. Hey, it cuts down on my commute rage.
So this morning, I was seized with the impulse to finally download the Vickie Howell Craft. Rock. Listen. Podcasts. At 7:15 in the morning, when I'm normally rushing around like a lunatic to get myself and the kids out the door to school completely dressed and with lunch. You know me; when I get the urges, I've got to give in. For some reason, I decided that my commute would just be detrimental to another person's health if I didn't have something to keep me Zen.
I only got to listen to one episode - the Sustainabilknitty podcast, with Billie Joe Armstrong's (from Green Day) wife, Adrienne, but it was great. I loved hearing about how she's teaching her kids and their classes to knit, and how she and Billie Joe are all about being as environmentally conscious as humanly possible. Vickie Howell chimed in and both offered some ideas for working with sustainable crafting materials (organic fibers and recycled materials); I particularly loved Vickie's suggestion on raiding thrift stores for old clothes to repurpose and old glasses that can find new life as candle holders.
I also loved Adrienne's insight into how disposable a society we've become, and how important it is to take the time to make things and show the people we care about that we took the time to make something just for them.
I've downloaded another Vickie podcast, so I'm psyched to listen to that on the way home. And now, I'll be wandering the Web looking for more interesting podcasts. Hey, it cuts down on my commute rage.
The Littlest Ramones Fan?
About a week ago, I was watching the Too Tough to Die: A Tribute to Johnny Ramone documentary. Will and Alex, who were going about their business, recognized some of the songs and asked, "What's that?" I told them that it was a show about the "Hey Hey, Let's Go" guys - yes, Blitzkrieg Bop is a popular selection when I'm the car - and left it at that. Apparently, I've given birth to a new generation of Ramones fans. Will has been asking me to download Ramones music to his MP3 player and last night, Mike called me at the Parents' Association meeting to inform me that Alex was walking around last night yelling, "Lobo-to-my! Lobo-to-my!"
You really have to love when your 4-year old digs Teenage Lobotomy.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Book Post
Lest everyone think I've abandoned my bibliomaniacal ways in favor of knitting, I decided to post a book meme today. Questions are courtesy of the Booking Through Thursday meme site, which I've just come across. Check it out, it's entertaining!
What book would you choose to give to a friend and why?
I know I'm in danger of having books thrown at my head, but I'd have to say The Hobbit by the master himself, J.R.R. Tolkien. It's a perfect book. It's light, fun, it's fantasy, has endearing characters, and an incredible quest. And Gandalf, possibly my favorite literary character ever.
It doesn't have the darkness that comes with the subsequent Middle-Earth adventures, so I wouldn't bring anyone down.
I've got one more - Grover and the Monster at the End of the Book. Because it's my favorite kids' book. Grover is still the greatest Muppet.
Lest everyone think I've abandoned my bibliomaniacal ways in favor of knitting, I decided to post a book meme today. Questions are courtesy of the Booking Through Thursday meme site, which I've just come across. Check it out, it's entertaining!
What book would you choose to give to a friend and why?
I know I'm in danger of having books thrown at my head, but I'd have to say The Hobbit by the master himself, J.R.R. Tolkien. It's a perfect book. It's light, fun, it's fantasy, has endearing characters, and an incredible quest. And Gandalf, possibly my favorite literary character ever.
It doesn't have the darkness that comes with the subsequent Middle-Earth adventures, so I wouldn't bring anyone down.
I've got one more - Grover and the Monster at the End of the Book. Because it's my favorite kids' book. Grover is still the greatest Muppet.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Trains Suck
Yup, you guessed it - the sky lets loose with a little water, and the New York subway system cripples. Took me just about an hour to get in today - 20 minutes longer than it should. Got down to the 67th Avenue train station, waited at least 10 minutes for a local train, and it crawled to 74th Street. The locals were few and far between, so every train was packed to the point of being ridiculous. I opted to take the E train to Lex and transfer to the 6 so I stood a snowball's chance in Hell of getting to work near 9 a.m.
Upon reaching Lex, and waiting for another 5 minutes to actually reach the escalators to the 6 platform, I heard an announcement about the 4 and 5 running with delays because of the almighty "earlier incident", this time at 14th Street. At least the green lines actually make announcements, because my lines (E, F, V, R) didn't say a blessed thing about the delays this morning. Maybe they realize no one believes them anymore?
Yup, you guessed it - the sky lets loose with a little water, and the New York subway system cripples. Took me just about an hour to get in today - 20 minutes longer than it should. Got down to the 67th Avenue train station, waited at least 10 minutes for a local train, and it crawled to 74th Street. The locals were few and far between, so every train was packed to the point of being ridiculous. I opted to take the E train to Lex and transfer to the 6 so I stood a snowball's chance in Hell of getting to work near 9 a.m.
Upon reaching Lex, and waiting for another 5 minutes to actually reach the escalators to the 6 platform, I heard an announcement about the 4 and 5 running with delays because of the almighty "earlier incident", this time at 14th Street. At least the green lines actually make announcements, because my lines (E, F, V, R) didn't say a blessed thing about the delays this morning. Maybe they realize no one believes them anymore?
Monday, November 05, 2007
TV Catch-Up
Ah, Chuck. I know a lot of people have been turning Chuck off after the first brilliant episode, but I still love my Nerd Herders. And, seeing as how I love a good sidekick (honestly, they make the show - the star is the star, but the sidekick gets all the really good jokes. See Reaper above.), I have to send some love out to Joshua Gomez, who plays Morgan. Morgan could possibly be Sock (Reaper) from a parallel universe. I'm telling you, watch the sidekicks. They get the best lines.
I think Chuck is going to make it. And I think it's going to stay well-written. Let it work out its growing pains.
Do I have to even mention my chick-crush on Katee Sackhoff as an explanation as to why I'm loving Bionic Woman? With the threat of BSG's final season looming in front of me, where else am I going to get my Starbuck fix in? Please, PLEASE NBC - don't kill off the 'original' Bionic Woman.
I spent a good part of the weekend catching up on lots of TV viewing - what did I do before the advent of DVR? So I'm almost fully caught up to Reaper, which is shaping up to be quite possibly my favorite of the new shows this season. If you haven't checked it out yet, please tune in tomorrow night. Sock, played by Tyler Labine, is one of the funniest slacker sidekicks in sitcom history (I'll get to Joshua Gomez - Morgan from Chuck - in a sec). The first episode was directed by Kevin Smith - what are you waiting for? Will gives Reaper two thumbs up - and yes, I do let my 8-year old watch a show about a slacker whose parents sold his soul to the Devil. So there.
I also caught up with Supernatural, which Will got me hooked on, actually. He stumbled across it somehow last season and demanded that every episode be recorded. I ended up curled up on the couch one night and watched last season's finale with him - and proceeded to kick myself for taking the better part of two entire seasons to check this show out. Brothers who hunt demons? Where have I been? Even my mom was into this show before me. Jeez. Just finally sat and watched the season opener - and man, this is going to be a good season. Fortunately for me, the first two seasons are out on DVD. Santa Claus, are you listening?
Ah, Chuck. I know a lot of people have been turning Chuck off after the first brilliant episode, but I still love my Nerd Herders. And, seeing as how I love a good sidekick (honestly, they make the show - the star is the star, but the sidekick gets all the really good jokes. See Reaper above.), I have to send some love out to Joshua Gomez, who plays Morgan. Morgan could possibly be Sock (Reaper) from a parallel universe. I'm telling you, watch the sidekicks. They get the best lines.
I think Chuck is going to make it. And I think it's going to stay well-written. Let it work out its growing pains.
Do I have to even mention my chick-crush on Katee Sackhoff as an explanation as to why I'm loving Bionic Woman? With the threat of BSG's final season looming in front of me, where else am I going to get my Starbuck fix in? Please, PLEASE NBC - don't kill off the 'original' Bionic Woman.
Show I desperately want to get better because I love it so: Heroes
Shows whose return I'm waiting for: The Tudors, Lost
Bitching about Stitching
Grr... frogged a baby sweater I was about 2/3 of the way done with because I buggered up a sleeve. I was just feeling really irritable and decided that it would somehow just be better if I started all over again. I know, I know, there's something wrong with me. Clearly.
I am, however, on a tear to finish that piece I've been working on with the yarn I got from Rhode Island. I misplaced the directions - yes, I'm a genius lately - so I'm printing out another set and will finish that by the end of the week. Whoo hoo!
We took the boys to Dan and Danny's this weekend, which was too much fun. At one point, the basement sounded like an arcade from around 1984, between the Dig Dug and Pac-Man sounds. It was awesome. The kids are dying to go back, especially since next time, there will likely be puppies running around.
Grr... frogged a baby sweater I was about 2/3 of the way done with because I buggered up a sleeve. I was just feeling really irritable and decided that it would somehow just be better if I started all over again. I know, I know, there's something wrong with me. Clearly.
I am, however, on a tear to finish that piece I've been working on with the yarn I got from Rhode Island. I misplaced the directions - yes, I'm a genius lately - so I'm printing out another set and will finish that by the end of the week. Whoo hoo!
We took the boys to Dan and Danny's this weekend, which was too much fun. At one point, the basement sounded like an arcade from around 1984, between the Dig Dug and Pac-Man sounds. It was awesome. The kids are dying to go back, especially since next time, there will likely be puppies running around.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Freaking Trains
You guessed it, yet another morning where the trains screwed up my morning commute. I've decided to blog about my commute to see how often the trains are screwed up - because I honestly feel like in the little over a month I've worked here, it's becoming more the norm. And since the MTA wants to raise the price of a Metrocard swipe again, I've got issues - before you spend money on something, isn't it supposed to work?
Anyway. This morning, got the kids off to school with no problems. Got down to the train station by 8:15. First announcement of a problem was after about 10 minutes on the platform, when the empty V train bypassed our station (63rd Drive). Took a crowded R train to Queens Plaza (because 74th/Roosevelt was nightmarish). Wasn't able to take the E train because it was overcrowded. Finally got on a packed V. Arrived at 42nd Street at 9:15.
Overall time delay: Normally, it should take 40 minutes for me to go from school door to my desk. I got to my desk at 9:20, so the commute took me an hour an 5 minutes today - delay time of 20 minutes.
You guessed it, yet another morning where the trains screwed up my morning commute. I've decided to blog about my commute to see how often the trains are screwed up - because I honestly feel like in the little over a month I've worked here, it's becoming more the norm. And since the MTA wants to raise the price of a Metrocard swipe again, I've got issues - before you spend money on something, isn't it supposed to work?
Anyway. This morning, got the kids off to school with no problems. Got down to the train station by 8:15. First announcement of a problem was after about 10 minutes on the platform, when the empty V train bypassed our station (63rd Drive). Took a crowded R train to Queens Plaza (because 74th/Roosevelt was nightmarish). Wasn't able to take the E train because it was overcrowded. Finally got on a packed V. Arrived at 42nd Street at 9:15.
Overall time delay: Normally, it should take 40 minutes for me to go from school door to my desk. I got to my desk at 9:20, so the commute took me an hour an 5 minutes today - delay time of 20 minutes.
Monday, October 29, 2007
| You Could Be a Vampire... If You Had To |
 Like most people, the thought of being a vampire has crossed your mind. But you're not sure if you'd do it, even if you could. Living forever doesn't sound half bad, if you could live forever with the people you love the most. But do vampires even love? And would the vampire version of you even be you? It's all too much to contemplate. Luckily, the chances of you ever becoming a vampire are astronomically low. What you would like best about being a vampire: Living forever What you would like least about being a vampire: Blood stained teeth |
| You Are a Werewolf |
 Your greatest power: Your ability to tap into nature Your greatest weakness: Lack of self control You play well with: Vampires |
http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofmonsterareyouquiz/">What Kind of Monster Are You?
Monday Monday
It was a good weekend - took the kids to a Halloween party that a friend of Will's had, which was nice for Will after spending most of the week in the house with a stomach virus. Even Alex had a good time. The parents really went all out - great decorations, fun stuff for the kids to do, food - just really a genuinely nice time. I feel like a turd, because I just can't get it together to decorate for Halloween. I think part of it is that I get so frustrated by the clutter that I just can't get into decorating.
Went to Jersey from Saturday evening - last night, so we spent the day with Mom. Alex was crabby beyond belief - but I'm pretty sure that's due to a cold he's developing.
Now I'm here at work, trying desperately to focus and losing the battle. I'm so tired.
It was a good weekend - took the kids to a Halloween party that a friend of Will's had, which was nice for Will after spending most of the week in the house with a stomach virus. Even Alex had a good time. The parents really went all out - great decorations, fun stuff for the kids to do, food - just really a genuinely nice time. I feel like a turd, because I just can't get it together to decorate for Halloween. I think part of it is that I get so frustrated by the clutter that I just can't get into decorating.
Went to Jersey from Saturday evening - last night, so we spent the day with Mom. Alex was crabby beyond belief - but I'm pretty sure that's due to a cold he's developing.
Now I'm here at work, trying desperately to focus and losing the battle. I'm so tired.
Friday, October 26, 2007
I Had to Post This...
Man, I love the '80s. Oh, and by the way - rocked a quiz on OK Cupid.
Man, I love the '80s. Oh, and by the way - rocked a quiz on OK Cupid.
Thank the great god Balki! You're finished! You scored 29 out of a possible 30 Accuracy Points, and you earned an extra 10 Bonus Points!
| Link: The Think you remember the 80's? Test written by jahazarak on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
Blogging Zombies
No, for a change it's not a reference to my waking state. I'm blogging for the Zombie Hunter Show. Make sure to check it out; I'm updating on a pretty regular basis now and trying to get some buzz going - especially since we're going to have a booth there at Chiller in May. Make sure to check it out!
No, for a change it's not a reference to my waking state. I'm blogging for the Zombie Hunter Show. Make sure to check it out; I'm updating on a pretty regular basis now and trying to get some buzz going - especially since we're going to have a booth there at Chiller in May. Make sure to check it out!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Sleep... Perchance to Dream...
I am SO tired. Between being up at 4:15 yesterday morning with Will, who's recovering from a stomach virus, and being up at 5 this morning thanks to that freaking cat chasing yet another piece of paper around, I'm going to snap from pure sleep deprivation. They should have used kittens in A Clockwork Orange, forget that Beethoven montage. Tons of kittens chasing random scraps of paper and anything else they can find around. All night long.
I am SO tired. Between being up at 4:15 yesterday morning with Will, who's recovering from a stomach virus, and being up at 5 this morning thanks to that freaking cat chasing yet another piece of paper around, I'm going to snap from pure sleep deprivation. They should have used kittens in A Clockwork Orange, forget that Beethoven montage. Tons of kittens chasing random scraps of paper and anything else they can find around. All night long.
Monday, October 22, 2007
More Vickie Howell Love
As a thank-you for giving her upcoming podcast a shout-out on my blog, Vickie Howell sent me a ball of rockin' yarn from her Craft. Rock. Love. line. How pretty is this yarn? It's bamboo silk, so I'm doubly excited to work with it. Although right now, I just want to stare at it and pet it occasionally. Nice yarn. Niiiice yarn. Love the yarn.
I *Heart* Pop Candy
USA Today's pop culture junkie and blogger, Whitney Matheson, rocks. I can't tell you how many cool things and sites I've gotten from her Pop Candy blog. She is also a huge fan of Heroes, Lost and The Office - 'nuff said there.
Some latest goodies - retroCRUSH has listed their 100 Scariest Movies Scenes of All Time, which includes some really cool stuff. There's the expected (shower scene in Pyscho, even though the scene where Martin Balsam buys the farm is far more terrifying to me) to the obscure (Silent Scream - even now, I remember that commercial giving me the creeps as a kid) and the non-horror but still unnerving (Willy Wonka's psychadelic boat ride). It's cool stuff, and definitely fodder for an all-night horrorthon discussion.
In knitting news, I decided to put the tilting blocks blanket down for a couple of days until the mood swings pass by. I'm working on mini-sweaters again, to put on gifts as decoration this year. We'll see how far I get...
USA Today's pop culture junkie and blogger, Whitney Matheson, rocks. I can't tell you how many cool things and sites I've gotten from her Pop Candy blog. She is also a huge fan of Heroes, Lost and The Office - 'nuff said there.
Some latest goodies - retroCRUSH has listed their 100 Scariest Movies Scenes of All Time, which includes some really cool stuff. There's the expected (shower scene in Pyscho, even though the scene where Martin Balsam buys the farm is far more terrifying to me) to the obscure (Silent Scream - even now, I remember that commercial giving me the creeps as a kid) and the non-horror but still unnerving (Willy Wonka's psychadelic boat ride). It's cool stuff, and definitely fodder for an all-night horrorthon discussion.
In knitting news, I decided to put the tilting blocks blanket down for a couple of days until the mood swings pass by. I'm working on mini-sweaters again, to put on gifts as decoration this year. We'll see how far I get...
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Pumpkin Picking!
So today Mike surprised us and went to Jersey, picked up my mom, and took us all to Demarest Farms in New Jersey so the boys could go pumpkin picking. The kids had a great time, and thanks to the amazing bakery they had, so did I. Just when I thought I was getting back on track, foodwise...
So today Mike surprised us and went to Jersey, picked up my mom, and took us all to Demarest Farms in New Jersey so the boys could go pumpkin picking. The kids had a great time, and thanks to the amazing bakery they had, so did I. Just when I thought I was getting back on track, foodwise...
Will and Alex see how they measure up
Alex and a little furry friend (no, the rat from the train adventure last night was smaller)
The inside of the bakery was all done up for Halloween, with skulls, giant, hairy bats and spiders descending from the ceiling, skulls and witches aplenty, and TONS of Halloween-y goodness from sticky body part things that grow in water to Halloween cookies and cakes. They had homemade donuts and apple cider, both of which we bought in quantity. (Taste a homemade donut and see if you go Dunkin' again. I dare you.) It was all just so much fun, I forgot that I was raging with PMS for a little while.
That bakery ROCKS. I think I need to add Demarest Farms to my list of places to visit on an obsessive basis. We had ice cream, hung around outside and let the kids run around a corn maze (not that much of a maze where I couldn't see the kids), and then went on the hayride to the pumpkin patch.
Mom and the boys on the hayride line
The boys running free, looking for the perfect pumpkin
Alex, who's recently read Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin
Closet Monsters Reading
I've blogged about my friend Dan's book, Closet Monsters
, before. Last night, I was lucky enough to go to his reading down at the Rapture Cafe on Avenue A and had a blast. The Cafe is a coffee bar and indie bookstore that has to be one of the most relaxed environments I've ever been in. Dan and another author, Tom Cardamone, who read from his book, Werewolves of Central Park.
I haven't been to a good LGBT event since I left ISO, so this was just such a great night out for me. I got to see some old friends, meet some new ones, and support one of my close friends as he embarks on authorhood. Dan's been published before, but Closet Monsters is his first work of fiction that's all his. There are five short stories and a novella that anchors the book. Dan read from the novella, Zombied Out and rocked it; and in true Dan self-deprecating fashion, proceeded to talk about how he looked like the perv since Tom decided to read a less-scintillating entry from Werewolves - no worries Dan, I don't think anyone had a problem with that. ;-)
I've blogged about my friend Dan's book, Closet Monsters
, before. Last night, I was lucky enough to go to his reading down at the Rapture Cafe on Avenue A and had a blast. The Cafe is a coffee bar and indie bookstore that has to be one of the most relaxed environments I've ever been in. Dan and another author, Tom Cardamone, who read from his book, Werewolves of Central Park.I haven't been to a good LGBT event since I left ISO, so this was just such a great night out for me. I got to see some old friends, meet some new ones, and support one of my close friends as he embarks on authorhood. Dan's been published before, but Closet Monsters is his first work of fiction that's all his. There are five short stories and a novella that anchors the book. Dan read from the novella, Zombied Out and rocked it; and in true Dan self-deprecating fashion, proceeded to talk about how he looked like the perv since Tom decided to read a less-scintillating entry from Werewolves - no worries Dan, I don't think anyone had a problem with that. ;-)
It was just a nice, relaxing night out. I was surrounded by books, good coffee, and friends. What more can anyone ask for, especially since my nights out don't come 'round that often? I even got to play photojournalist for the evening, taking pictures along with Danny, Dan's boyfriend (and muse - tongue planted in cheek).
Shot of the Rapture toward the back - I just thought all the black and white ads and art looked so cool, contrasted with the very reading parlor-feel of the front of the cafe.
Counter shot - don't you want to buy a copy?
Of course, the adventure begins when I head home. I was proud of myself for successfully navigating a new train line for me - the L train - and got to Union Square, where I transferred to an N to 34th Street, figuring just in case the R isn't running (you know it happens all the time), I stand a chance of getting home. I walk over to catch the F train when I notice a rat is running up the stairway directly across from me, like a little commuter. Ah, New York. Get down to the F line only to see the Queensbound side is roped off, with no explanation. Even the lights on the Queensbound side are dim. Argh. I run back to the local side, asking some random guy on the way if he knows whether or not the R is running. He answers that it is, so I decide to take his answer on faith rather than go upstairs and hail a cab. Thankfully, an R is pulling in as I run back down the staircase. Whew. At least I don't have to transfer at Roosevelt now. I get some more knitting done, and am back home a little after midnight.
I remember when my evenings began slightly earlier than when I arrived home last night. All I could do was murmur to Mike about what a great time I had, thank him for being cool about letting the kids terrorize him all night, and pass out.
Okay, Dan - when's the next reading?
Friday, October 19, 2007
Lunch...
I went wandering at lunch, with every intention of going to get some WonTon soup and red bean buns again. Then I passed Toys R Us and ended up doing some Christmas shopping instead.
I've had a Balance Bar and a bag of Veggie Crisps. I don't think that qualifies as lunch, no matter how much I'm trying to convince my body otherwise.
I went wandering at lunch, with every intention of going to get some WonTon soup and red bean buns again. Then I passed Toys R Us and ended up doing some Christmas shopping instead.
I've had a Balance Bar and a bag of Veggie Crisps. I don't think that qualifies as lunch, no matter how much I'm trying to convince my body otherwise.
Friday, Friday
So happy it's Friday. I can't shake the sleepies this week! I think there's something about the onset of Fall that's so comforting to me that I just want to curl up in bed with some yarn and the DVR remote.
And speaking of Fall, when will the weather actually accompany the season? I'm sitting here in capris and a short-sleeved shirt. Someone get Al Gore on the phone so we can strategize this.
Just found out that a Forest Hills pizzeria that I've always meant to go to is either part of the Grimaldi family or reminiscent of Grimaldi's, depending on whose website one reads. Anyway, Nick's Pizza may have to be on my places to visit list this weekend, especially since Stacey and Claire managed to undertake the amazing feat of getting me to wait on a line to get into Grimaldi's last week. And it was all worth it (and I knitted the entire time, to offset line rage).
Weekend - tomorrow we've got a birthday party for Will's buddy Randy, and hopefully some living room gutting and cleaning. Sunday, we're hoping to get to either Queens Farm for pumpkin picking and animal feeding or the Bronx Zoo for Halloween tomfoolery and animal feeding. Either way, there will be pictures. And lots of handi-wipes.
So happy it's Friday. I can't shake the sleepies this week! I think there's something about the onset of Fall that's so comforting to me that I just want to curl up in bed with some yarn and the DVR remote.
And speaking of Fall, when will the weather actually accompany the season? I'm sitting here in capris and a short-sleeved shirt. Someone get Al Gore on the phone so we can strategize this.
Just found out that a Forest Hills pizzeria that I've always meant to go to is either part of the Grimaldi family or reminiscent of Grimaldi's, depending on whose website one reads. Anyway, Nick's Pizza may have to be on my places to visit list this weekend, especially since Stacey and Claire managed to undertake the amazing feat of getting me to wait on a line to get into Grimaldi's last week. And it was all worth it (and I knitted the entire time, to offset line rage).
Weekend - tomorrow we've got a birthday party for Will's buddy Randy, and hopefully some living room gutting and cleaning. Sunday, we're hoping to get to either Queens Farm for pumpkin picking and animal feeding or the Bronx Zoo for Halloween tomfoolery and animal feeding. Either way, there will be pictures. And lots of handi-wipes.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Because I Promised Pictures...
Here, we have Blanket. It is a work in progress. Alex is thrilled, and I'm kinda happy to be working on it, too. :-) I just need to go on another yarn run to get the last half's worth. I hate when I underestimate myself.
Here, we have Blanket. It is a work in progress. Alex is thrilled, and I'm kinda happy to be working on it, too. :-) I just need to go on another yarn run to get the last half's worth. I hate when I underestimate myself.
This is a vintage project; I got on this mini-sweater kick a couple of years ago and made a bunch. I was thinking of making some this year to give away as ornaments, so I thought I'd show off one. So cute, so easy to make - and I sewed it up the same day that I knit it, so it deserves to be shown!
My first real crochet project from a pattern - it's the One-Skein Scarf from The Happy Hooker (Deb Stoller's crochet bible). I really chose this picture because Gypsy's face is truly priceless. I think this may be the most hilarious picture I have ever taken of her...
I Got A Vickie Howell Shout-Out!
If you don't know who Vickie Howell is, get off this blog. Nah, just kidding. ;-) Anyway, Vickie Howell is the ultra-cool host of one of my DIY addictions - actually, the reason I became addicted to DIY - Knitty Gritty. She's also one of the hosts of Stylelicious, where you can learn to make cool stuff like tote bags out of duct tape. Check it out if you get a chance.
Anyway, I LOVE Knitty Gritty and Vickie Howell rocks. I've been reading her blog for a little while, and it turns out, she's going to start podcasting - like I needed more knitting stuff to do on the Web. :-) She's asking fellow bloggers to promote the link, so I link to the podcast (Look to your right. See the icon? Awesome.) and let the webmaster know. And I got a shoutout! I am so psyched!
In other news, still knitting secret stuff like crazy. But I'm also re-knitting Blanket. Need a refresher on the Saga of Blanket?
When Alex was first born, I crocheted him a blanket from this great light cotton yarn. Which I promptly forgot (okay, it wasn't prompt, it was like 10 months later) at a friend's house and I've yet to get back. Grr.
So I set out to make Alex another blanket. I got the same yarn - I believe it's Sugar & Cream, or something like that - I have to check the label, which is home and I'm typing this up at work. Anyway. I got the yarn in a really nice blue, white and yellow variegated, and made the Big Bad Baby Blanket from my Knitting Bible, Stitch & Bitch. Alex loves it. I mean, LOVES it. It is named Blanket, and he's like a miniature Linus. He can't sleep without it, travel without it, anything. Blanket is there. He wouldn't even potty train unless he was holding Blanket.
One day, about a year ago, Blanket started to unravel. So I checked it out, figuring I'd just stitch up the loose end or something. Oh, no. Blanket was literally wearing away in spots. I took custody of it, hoping to fix it and give it back within a week. No good. Blanket is now occupying a spot where I keep Will's & Alex's baby clothes, delicately wrapped in its own Blanket.
I knit up another blanket for Alex, this time with a worsted weight, blue yarn. No good. It wasn't Blanket. For over a year, I've heard about how he misses Blanket.
So finally, I go and get more yarn. Blanket Yarn. All I had to do was flash Alex the ball of yarn and he jumped up and yelled, "BLANKET!"
I'm about 2/3 of the way through Blanket, and realize I need more yarn. Gar. But at least Blanket's in progress. He may be a UFO for now (unfinished object), but he'll be done. Soon. And that's one picture I can post!
If you don't know who Vickie Howell is, get off this blog. Nah, just kidding. ;-) Anyway, Vickie Howell is the ultra-cool host of one of my DIY addictions - actually, the reason I became addicted to DIY - Knitty Gritty. She's also one of the hosts of Stylelicious, where you can learn to make cool stuff like tote bags out of duct tape. Check it out if you get a chance.
Anyway, I LOVE Knitty Gritty and Vickie Howell rocks. I've been reading her blog for a little while, and it turns out, she's going to start podcasting - like I needed more knitting stuff to do on the Web. :-) She's asking fellow bloggers to promote the link, so I link to the podcast (Look to your right. See the icon? Awesome.) and let the webmaster know. And I got a shoutout! I am so psyched!
In other news, still knitting secret stuff like crazy. But I'm also re-knitting Blanket. Need a refresher on the Saga of Blanket?
When Alex was first born, I crocheted him a blanket from this great light cotton yarn. Which I promptly forgot (okay, it wasn't prompt, it was like 10 months later) at a friend's house and I've yet to get back. Grr.
So I set out to make Alex another blanket. I got the same yarn - I believe it's Sugar & Cream, or something like that - I have to check the label, which is home and I'm typing this up at work. Anyway. I got the yarn in a really nice blue, white and yellow variegated, and made the Big Bad Baby Blanket from my Knitting Bible, Stitch & Bitch. Alex loves it. I mean, LOVES it. It is named Blanket, and he's like a miniature Linus. He can't sleep without it, travel without it, anything. Blanket is there. He wouldn't even potty train unless he was holding Blanket.
One day, about a year ago, Blanket started to unravel. So I checked it out, figuring I'd just stitch up the loose end or something. Oh, no. Blanket was literally wearing away in spots. I took custody of it, hoping to fix it and give it back within a week. No good. Blanket is now occupying a spot where I keep Will's & Alex's baby clothes, delicately wrapped in its own Blanket.
I knit up another blanket for Alex, this time with a worsted weight, blue yarn. No good. It wasn't Blanket. For over a year, I've heard about how he misses Blanket.
So finally, I go and get more yarn. Blanket Yarn. All I had to do was flash Alex the ball of yarn and he jumped up and yelled, "BLANKET!"
I'm about 2/3 of the way through Blanket, and realize I need more yarn. Gar. But at least Blanket's in progress. He may be a UFO for now (unfinished object), but he'll be done. Soon. And that's one picture I can post!
I Hate the Trains
What the heck has been up with the trains? Today is my one-month anniversary at Working Mother (and if you've been reading for the past couple of years, you know that's a reason to celebrate) and I swear to you, I have not had ONE DAY where the commute to work has been aggravation-free. This morning, I dropped the kids off at school and was at the train station by 8:10 - a personal best, if I may say so myself.
No train. Okay, one'll be along shortly.
Five minutes. No train. I'm reading my book, trying to unlock my jaw. Okay, so I'll get there just in time, today. Maybe I'll get my coffee after I get to my desk.
Ten minutes. A crowd is forming. Some woman asks me, "Are there delays?" I restrain my irritable, pre-2nd cup of coffee-response and say, "I don't know." I debate taking the local on the other side and catching an express at Forest Hills. Then I decide against it, remembering that strategy has bitten me on the backside every single time.
Roughly about 20 minutes later, a V pulls in. It is so packed that I can't even look at my cell phone clock to see what time it actually is. Luckily, my book's already out because otherwise I'd be forced to spend the commute reading the same old ads on the train. Grr.
The train crawls into NYC, and I get out of the train at 9:12. Yay for freaking me. I decide to get McDonald's for breakfast and soothe my raging temper.
This has got to get better - it's been a damned month, already. What should be at most a 40-minute commute takes over an hour. WTF?
What the heck has been up with the trains? Today is my one-month anniversary at Working Mother (and if you've been reading for the past couple of years, you know that's a reason to celebrate) and I swear to you, I have not had ONE DAY where the commute to work has been aggravation-free. This morning, I dropped the kids off at school and was at the train station by 8:10 - a personal best, if I may say so myself.
No train. Okay, one'll be along shortly.
Five minutes. No train. I'm reading my book, trying to unlock my jaw. Okay, so I'll get there just in time, today. Maybe I'll get my coffee after I get to my desk.
Ten minutes. A crowd is forming. Some woman asks me, "Are there delays?" I restrain my irritable, pre-2nd cup of coffee-response and say, "I don't know." I debate taking the local on the other side and catching an express at Forest Hills. Then I decide against it, remembering that strategy has bitten me on the backside every single time.
Roughly about 20 minutes later, a V pulls in. It is so packed that I can't even look at my cell phone clock to see what time it actually is. Luckily, my book's already out because otherwise I'd be forced to spend the commute reading the same old ads on the train. Grr.
The train crawls into NYC, and I get out of the train at 9:12. Yay for freaking me. I decide to get McDonald's for breakfast and soothe my raging temper.
This has got to get better - it's been a damned month, already. What should be at most a 40-minute commute takes over an hour. WTF?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
I Don't Wanna Work, I Just Wanna Bang on the Drum All Day...
Not a statement about the job. Love the job. I think I'm still on vacation in my brain. Maybe wandering the mansions of the Cliff Walk made my desire to be idle rich even more prevalent. Who knows? All I know is that I've got the attention span of a 4-year old today. Mayhaps I should take a walk and get some fresh air. But honestly, I don't want to expend the energy. How sad is that?
I just hung out on Ravelry.com and checked out some of the knitting groups. I belong to Subway Knitters, but there is a group for everything. I think I'll keep it small, so I can actually post to the group with some regularity.
Snackage. I am snacky. I want to get a bag of Veggie Chips but I that would require the expenditure of energy. Can't I will them to me?
Not a statement about the job. Love the job. I think I'm still on vacation in my brain. Maybe wandering the mansions of the Cliff Walk made my desire to be idle rich even more prevalent. Who knows? All I know is that I've got the attention span of a 4-year old today. Mayhaps I should take a walk and get some fresh air. But honestly, I don't want to expend the energy. How sad is that?
I just hung out on Ravelry.com and checked out some of the knitting groups. I belong to Subway Knitters, but there is a group for everything. I think I'll keep it small, so I can actually post to the group with some regularity.
Snackage. I am snacky. I want to get a bag of Veggie Chips but I that would require the expenditure of energy. Can't I will them to me?
More Rhode Island Goodness
The happy couple, at the rehearsal dinner on Thursday night.
The Three Mrs. Kiladitises (Kiladitii?) at the wedding on Friday -
we took our jackets and wraps off for the shot, but we were freezing!
Back to the Cliff Walk - Mike decided it would be funny to sit where there was no guard rail and laugh at me.
He finally got me out there, and I was terrified the whole time. See me clinging to the rock? 
More water. Nothing exciting to write, just very relaxing and beautiful to look at.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Aaahhhh...
Rhode Island has officially knocked Virginia down to the #2 spot on my "Places to Drop NY Like a Hot Potato For" list. We were there for Mike's cousin Jen's wedding last week, and I fell in love shortly after arrival (and congrats, Jen and JP!).
I located a yarn store within 20 minutes of our arrival - baby, I Googled yarn stores weeks before we left - and got some nice, blue yarn that I've started knitting with already (can't divulge more than that for a few months, sorry) and it knits up like a dream.
We went on a Cliff Walk to see all the Old Moneyed mansions - as Mike's uncle puts it, "These people considered you 'new money' if you made your first million after 1908." The Vanderbilt's estate, The Breakers, was just amazing. I took this picture right by the estate. Can you imagine looking at that when you woke up every morning?
We missed the kids unbelievably, but it was nice to play boyfriend and girlfriend again.
We also found the best Thai Restaurant ever, Thai Cuisine, on the main drag, Thames Street. To say we gorged ourselves is probably putting it mildly, but it was all worth it. Any chance they do takeout to New York?
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Nope, haven't started sewing yet...
I still haven't started that skirt that I bought the fabric for. I think I have to dig my apartment out from under all the accumulating crap first. We've been in the swing of seasonal clothing changes, so we've got large Rubbermaid containers all throughout the place, not to mention the usual cavalcade of junk laying around. I'm ready to hire a professional organizer at this point. Or Tim Gunn. But that's just for my clothes.
Speaking of Tim, has anyone checked out Tim Gunn's Guide to Style? I have to admit, I was a little disappointed; I don't know what I expected, but it's just another makeover show. Kind of like Queer Eye, minus 4. I'm psyched for the new season of Project Runway, though.
Little stressed trying to learn everything at the job these days, but otherwise loving being back at work - if, at times, a little guilty.
Break time's over; more to come.
I still haven't started that skirt that I bought the fabric for. I think I have to dig my apartment out from under all the accumulating crap first. We've been in the swing of seasonal clothing changes, so we've got large Rubbermaid containers all throughout the place, not to mention the usual cavalcade of junk laying around. I'm ready to hire a professional organizer at this point. Or Tim Gunn. But that's just for my clothes.
Speaking of Tim, has anyone checked out Tim Gunn's Guide to Style? I have to admit, I was a little disappointed; I don't know what I expected, but it's just another makeover show. Kind of like Queer Eye, minus 4. I'm psyched for the new season of Project Runway, though.
Little stressed trying to learn everything at the job these days, but otherwise loving being back at work - if, at times, a little guilty.
Break time's over; more to come.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Some Knitting, Some Sewing, Some Sleeping...
...describes the weekend. I had a great day out with the girls when Nancy, Stacey and I took off to go shopping yesterday. Any day that involves unlimited salad & breadsticks at Olive Garden is a good day for me. I even purchased some new yarn - cotton yarn to recreate Alex's beloved 'blanket', which literally wore away about a year and a half ago. I knitted it for him when he was first born, and he became like Linus with it. When it first started to fall apart, I tried to mend it but like I said, it was literally worn away in some spots. So I just knit up another one, with a regular yarn. He's tolerated us, but continues to ask for 'Blanket'. So I got home yesterday, whipped out one of the balls of yarn, and said, "Hey Alex, what's this?" He jumped up and down and said, "BLANKET!" It kind of blows me away that he remembers it.
Will is sullen because I haven't started that massive skull blanket project from DomiKNITrix yet, but that's HUGE.
I also got some fabric because Stacey insists that I can too make a simple wrap skirt using one of the patterns I got when Rag Shop went out of business. Let's see how simple it is when I call her, sobbing, at 1 a.m. one night soon... ;-)
...describes the weekend. I had a great day out with the girls when Nancy, Stacey and I took off to go shopping yesterday. Any day that involves unlimited salad & breadsticks at Olive Garden is a good day for me. I even purchased some new yarn - cotton yarn to recreate Alex's beloved 'blanket', which literally wore away about a year and a half ago. I knitted it for him when he was first born, and he became like Linus with it. When it first started to fall apart, I tried to mend it but like I said, it was literally worn away in some spots. So I just knit up another one, with a regular yarn. He's tolerated us, but continues to ask for 'Blanket'. So I got home yesterday, whipped out one of the balls of yarn, and said, "Hey Alex, what's this?" He jumped up and down and said, "BLANKET!" It kind of blows me away that he remembers it.
Will is sullen because I haven't started that massive skull blanket project from DomiKNITrix yet, but that's HUGE.
I also got some fabric because Stacey insists that I can too make a simple wrap skirt using one of the patterns I got when Rag Shop went out of business. Let's see how simple it is when I call her, sobbing, at 1 a.m. one night soon... ;-)
Friday, September 28, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Zombie Hunters, A Little Late...
I totally forgot to post some of the pictures from the Zombie Hunters shoot we were on a few weeks ago. What a great time. Mike was particularly thrilled at the chance to break a bottle over Patrick's head - something he's wanted to do for 15 years! Stacey got a bit bloody - she blogged about it, too.
I'll be updating the Zombie Hunters blog, so I'll post here when it's live with some juicy links.
Attack of the Crankies
Wow, I'm bitchy today. I just feel irritable and ready to bite someone's head off. I think being at home with the boys all summer long has whittled down a lot of patience. Only a couple of days more... I've even packed my little 'desk drawer bag', or the Duane Reade bag as I call it. All my little necessities, all in one convenient spot.
I think I'll do a week's worth of ironing, just to feel like I'm getting closer to the big day.
I'm at a knitting impasse at the moment, which is also making me cranky. I'm being my notorious self when it comes to finishing one piece that's been done for weeks, and something that should be relatively simple has a small stumbling block that's sent me off into inaction. And since knitting has become such a soothing activity for me, that's made me very irritable. Grr.
I think I need to do some yoga. I've skipped two days and think I'm starting to feel it. Which can be a good thing, since it means I've gotten back into a routine - hurrah!
And in a complete tangent, anyone want to discuss Britney's tragic performance at the VMAs? Or has Kanye's whiny meltdown moved to the topic du jour? Dude, he makes Alex look mature. Yeesh.
Wow, I'm bitchy today. I just feel irritable and ready to bite someone's head off. I think being at home with the boys all summer long has whittled down a lot of patience. Only a couple of days more... I've even packed my little 'desk drawer bag', or the Duane Reade bag as I call it. All my little necessities, all in one convenient spot.
I think I'll do a week's worth of ironing, just to feel like I'm getting closer to the big day.
I'm at a knitting impasse at the moment, which is also making me cranky. I'm being my notorious self when it comes to finishing one piece that's been done for weeks, and something that should be relatively simple has a small stumbling block that's sent me off into inaction. And since knitting has become such a soothing activity for me, that's made me very irritable. Grr.
I think I need to do some yoga. I've skipped two days and think I'm starting to feel it. Which can be a good thing, since it means I've gotten back into a routine - hurrah!
And in a complete tangent, anyone want to discuss Britney's tragic performance at the VMAs? Or has Kanye's whiny meltdown moved to the topic du jour? Dude, he makes Alex look mature. Yeesh.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Ah... Insomnia...
Coming to you live from New Jersey again, it's 12:54 a.m. and I cannot sleep. Grr. Aside from Alex's small but incredibly bony elbows sticking me into the back, I'm just keyed up like crazy, obsessing on wrapping up business at the current job, enjoying my last few days as a mostly at-home mom, and getting ready to start a new page the week after.
If there were space, I'd do some yoga. But space is tight and I know I'd somehow crack my head open doing an intense downward dog. I'd knit, but I'd need the light on and that would definitely wake one of the boys up at least. I'm lucky the glow of the computer monitor hasn't roused them yet. I'd eat, but lots of things are starting to fit now that haven't in a long time, so I'm not jeopardizing that. Besides, I did some damage earlier at this street festival thingie Will wanted to go to.
Not only was it hotter than the outer reaches of Hell, but the food was awful. If I'm going to blow my healthy eating plan in a spectacular way for the day, it'd better be tasty. Any kind of outdoor festival must involve either zeppole or funnel cake. I saw a sign claiming to have zeppole, 6 for 3 bucks. Not bad! I order a bag and peek inside, waiting for a waft of hot, doughy powdered sugary goodness to hit. Zeppole, my foot. Zeppole turds, yes. They were these hard, tiny things that look like premature zeppole. And they were overcooked. Feh.
Of course, I ate them. Hey, I'm an eternal optimist - what if one of them was done right?
I've got to wander to a site that requires less typing and more reading. More to come, perhaps when the daylight hours hit.
Coming to you live from New Jersey again, it's 12:54 a.m. and I cannot sleep. Grr. Aside from Alex's small but incredibly bony elbows sticking me into the back, I'm just keyed up like crazy, obsessing on wrapping up business at the current job, enjoying my last few days as a mostly at-home mom, and getting ready to start a new page the week after.
If there were space, I'd do some yoga. But space is tight and I know I'd somehow crack my head open doing an intense downward dog. I'd knit, but I'd need the light on and that would definitely wake one of the boys up at least. I'm lucky the glow of the computer monitor hasn't roused them yet. I'd eat, but lots of things are starting to fit now that haven't in a long time, so I'm not jeopardizing that. Besides, I did some damage earlier at this street festival thingie Will wanted to go to.
Not only was it hotter than the outer reaches of Hell, but the food was awful. If I'm going to blow my healthy eating plan in a spectacular way for the day, it'd better be tasty. Any kind of outdoor festival must involve either zeppole or funnel cake. I saw a sign claiming to have zeppole, 6 for 3 bucks. Not bad! I order a bag and peek inside, waiting for a waft of hot, doughy powdered sugary goodness to hit. Zeppole, my foot. Zeppole turds, yes. They were these hard, tiny things that look like premature zeppole. And they were overcooked. Feh.
Of course, I ate them. Hey, I'm an eternal optimist - what if one of them was done right?
I've got to wander to a site that requires less typing and more reading. More to come, perhaps when the daylight hours hit.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Two Down!
Alex, ready to take on the world in his TMNT backpack today
Will and Alex at the playground for Will's first day, yesterday
Alex, ready to take on the world in his TMNT backpack today
Will and Alex at the playground for Will's first day, yesterdayI've got two kids in school. It feels so weird to say that.
Will started third grade yesterday - I think the bloom is off the rose, so to speak. He's happy to be around his friends again, but I'm not sure how much he loves school. I think he's turning into a 'dude'. I'm a little worried, what with this being the first year of the state tests that our NYC Public school kids must endure, so I'll have to sit tight and brace for the rough ride. I'm hoping I'm worrying for naught.
Alex, on the other hand, LOVES school. Walking with him today, I asked him if I could cry. He told me no, because he'd "be home later!" First into his classroom, he greeted his teachers with a happy "GOOD MORNING!", happily chose his own cubby, and proudly displayed his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles backpack for them. Then he put his picture on the attendance board and ran to the circle time area to read. I barely got a kiss on the side of my ear because his new buddy, Jason, had arrived.
It's very strange, after being home for 9 months, to suddenly have 2 1/2 hours to oneself. I went back to Will's school to help escort new kindergarten parents and kids to the classrooms, and then took a nice, long walk. I figured if I rushed home just to sit in silence, I'd be pissed at myself for wasting two hours on a beautiful day. So I walked into Forest Hills, ended up at Barnes & Noble with a $25 gift card from my CafeMom Secret Sister (mwah! Love ya!), and browsed the crafting titles with an intensity normally reserved for parent-teacher conferences.
I ended up getting three kids' books and a free Halloween tote bag. Hey, I've got $6.50 left on the gift card, I'll get a new magazine; maybe the next issue of Interweave Knits.
I saw a chapter book for Will that looked interesting - and honestly, anything that keeps him reading these days, when it's getting tougher and tougher, is a book I'm going for. I've got the first in a new series, Fred and Anthony's Escape From the Netherworld. It's definitely going for the Captain Underpants audience, a couple of years older. And it claims to have "Ghosts! Monsters! Blood! Guts!" on the cover, so I'll take it. Wish me luck.
Alex, for whom reading and being read to is still a pleasure (please, please, PLEASE stay that way!), got two books (well, I figure he and Will could share one). Max's Halloween, which is a cute board book featuring Max from Max and Ruby, who Alex loves. Very cute stuff. I also saw a book by Carl Reiner, Tell Me a Scary Story - But Not Too Scary. It even came with a CD of Carl Reiner reading the book, with sound effects. For $7.99 and the chance at getting a free tote bag, it sealed the deal. The book is a home run with both boys, by the way - I've played the CD for Alex three times today, and Will's just put it in now. Score, baby!
I've finished off two books myself, but I'll blog more about them later. I'm wiped and I still have to get one kid out of the bath and put one in. And work out. And iron. I think I should rename myself Cinderella.
Monday, September 03, 2007
School Starts Tomorrow? Holy Crap!
So it's Labor Day today (Happy Birthday, Mom!) and I find myself embracing the fact that Will goes back to school tomorrow, and that Alex starts Pre-K the following day. And yes, I will cry like a 2-year old with a skinned knee when he does.
After being home all summer with the boys, I'm grateful to have had the time with them, but as I've said before and will say again until the day I die, being an at-home mom (or a part-time at-home mom, as I've been for the past few months) ain't pretty. I think I've said the word "Guys" in a threatening voice approximately every 2.5 seconds every day since June 28th, when Will got out of school. "Please!" follows, clocking in at about 3.2 second intervals. I've almost had sunstroke from being out in the park, while my children play blissfully on, I've watched a lot of DIY Network (new obsession show: Greetings from DIY - Lauren and Linda, I'm talking to you), I've knit a lot and even got to know my sewing machine a little better. I've baked a lot of muffins, I've explored some new recipes, and I've had a lot of fun.
That said, I'm thrilled to say I've accepted a full-time job! Starting on September 17, you can find me at Working Mother Magazine, where I'll be a Consumer Marketing Manager. I'm so excited; I've been reading the mag on and off for about 8 years, and to have the opportunity to be a part of the magazine is so exciting. I love the location (42nd right off of Vanderbilt), which will leave me the opportunity to meet with Stacey for some mac & cheese at Burger Heaven (mmmm...); I really hit it off with the people I interviewed with, and I'm thrilled and hopeful, which I haven't really been much of in a while.
The boys are excited to be in afterschool - yes, after I started my little experiment, figuring I'd give them the home-time and security and freedom I thought they were lacking, they turn around and tell me they miss their friends. Who knew?
So it's Fall, the kids are going back to school, and I kind of feel like they do, as I get ready to go back to work. I'm psyched that I'll have their first two weeks of school off for them (especially since I don't feel like scrambling so early on to find out where to put them on Rosh Hoshanah).
And to be mercenary for just a moment, it'll sure be nice to have two full-time paychecks again... a girl's gotta have yarn, ya know...
So it's Labor Day today (Happy Birthday, Mom!) and I find myself embracing the fact that Will goes back to school tomorrow, and that Alex starts Pre-K the following day. And yes, I will cry like a 2-year old with a skinned knee when he does.
After being home all summer with the boys, I'm grateful to have had the time with them, but as I've said before and will say again until the day I die, being an at-home mom (or a part-time at-home mom, as I've been for the past few months) ain't pretty. I think I've said the word "Guys" in a threatening voice approximately every 2.5 seconds every day since June 28th, when Will got out of school. "Please!" follows, clocking in at about 3.2 second intervals. I've almost had sunstroke from being out in the park, while my children play blissfully on, I've watched a lot of DIY Network (new obsession show: Greetings from DIY - Lauren and Linda, I'm talking to you), I've knit a lot and even got to know my sewing machine a little better. I've baked a lot of muffins, I've explored some new recipes, and I've had a lot of fun.
That said, I'm thrilled to say I've accepted a full-time job! Starting on September 17, you can find me at Working Mother Magazine, where I'll be a Consumer Marketing Manager. I'm so excited; I've been reading the mag on and off for about 8 years, and to have the opportunity to be a part of the magazine is so exciting. I love the location (42nd right off of Vanderbilt), which will leave me the opportunity to meet with Stacey for some mac & cheese at Burger Heaven (mmmm...); I really hit it off with the people I interviewed with, and I'm thrilled and hopeful, which I haven't really been much of in a while.
The boys are excited to be in afterschool - yes, after I started my little experiment, figuring I'd give them the home-time and security and freedom I thought they were lacking, they turn around and tell me they miss their friends. Who knew?
So it's Fall, the kids are going back to school, and I kind of feel like they do, as I get ready to go back to work. I'm psyched that I'll have their first two weeks of school off for them (especially since I don't feel like scrambling so early on to find out where to put them on Rosh Hoshanah).
And to be mercenary for just a moment, it'll sure be nice to have two full-time paychecks again... a girl's gotta have yarn, ya know...
Thursday, August 30, 2007
** NEW ** THE OFFICE SUMMER VACATION
I cannot WAIT for the premiere! And hour-long episodes for the first FOUR weeks? The Office rocks!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Soggy Summer
Here it is, August, and I feel like I've wandered into March by mistake. Yeesh.
Well, I've been in beautiful downtown Dumont, NJ, since Tuesday - a getaway with the kids at Nana's - and it's been soggy. I'm hoping the weather lets up today so I can get them to a park. My uncle stopped by and took us to a Burger King with a playground yesterday, and then to a store to do some school supply shopping (which Will does begrudgingly), so that was nice. I'm hoping he calls again today, because I get antsy being stuck in doors all day - especially when I'm indoors with two little ones who get wackier than I do.
Alas, payday isn't until tomorrow, so my beloved Skein Attraction remains in the distance. Uncle Bill offered to take me yesterday, but going into a yarn store with no resources is just cruel and unusual punishment. I continue to amuse myself with my Baby Ull yarn, picked up last time. The pattern has given me a little less agita since I fooled around with it, so I've gotten much of the pieces knit; now I just have the inevitable (sob) assembly - and you can bet I'll be at Skein Attraction for that.
I really have to work on the Zombie Hunters press kit. I'm showing it tomorrow. I've got to clean up the stationery I've concepted, and need to pick up red and black folders today. Lots of cutting and pasting in my immediate future. I've got some cool production stills printed out, just have to whittle down exactly which ones I'll use. I'm going to probably let Patrick vote on the final 4 or 5. Then I go to work on the blogs and CafePress store that I've set up.
I went on a tear and read every script, and I can't believe how good the storyline is. It's great stuff, and I hope this really takes off. I'll keep this space posted on the developments. I'll be AD'ing this weekend, so that's cool. It's been a long time since I've been behind the cameras!
Here it is, August, and I feel like I've wandered into March by mistake. Yeesh.
Well, I've been in beautiful downtown Dumont, NJ, since Tuesday - a getaway with the kids at Nana's - and it's been soggy. I'm hoping the weather lets up today so I can get them to a park. My uncle stopped by and took us to a Burger King with a playground yesterday, and then to a store to do some school supply shopping (which Will does begrudgingly), so that was nice. I'm hoping he calls again today, because I get antsy being stuck in doors all day - especially when I'm indoors with two little ones who get wackier than I do.
Alas, payday isn't until tomorrow, so my beloved Skein Attraction remains in the distance. Uncle Bill offered to take me yesterday, but going into a yarn store with no resources is just cruel and unusual punishment. I continue to amuse myself with my Baby Ull yarn, picked up last time. The pattern has given me a little less agita since I fooled around with it, so I've gotten much of the pieces knit; now I just have the inevitable (sob) assembly - and you can bet I'll be at Skein Attraction for that.
I really have to work on the Zombie Hunters press kit. I'm showing it tomorrow. I've got to clean up the stationery I've concepted, and need to pick up red and black folders today. Lots of cutting and pasting in my immediate future. I've got some cool production stills printed out, just have to whittle down exactly which ones I'll use. I'm going to probably let Patrick vote on the final 4 or 5. Then I go to work on the blogs and CafePress store that I've set up.
I went on a tear and read every script, and I can't believe how good the storyline is. It's great stuff, and I hope this really takes off. I'll keep this space posted on the developments. I'll be AD'ing this weekend, so that's cool. It's been a long time since I've been behind the cameras!
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