I need a weekend to recover from my weekend.

I took the bulldog to see Go, Diego, Go Live this weekend at Radio City and he LOVED it. He enjoyed this show even more than he did Sesame Live. It was a cute show, and despite our sitting up in the hinterlands, there's really not a bad seat in Radio City so he could see just fine. He danced, he sang, and he growled like a baby jaguar. So cute.

Before the show, there was a dude dressed like Elmo across the street. Folks, only in New York does Elmo hit you up for a tip before letting your kid take a picture with him. The fact that there's a picture of Bulldog with Elmo posted just shows you that yes, I'm a sucker for my kids. But I'm getting mileage out of the picture, ain't I?

Yesterday, we took Bulldog, Heartbreaker and Heartbreaker's best bud to see Medieval Times for Best Bud's birthday. The kids had a blast! Bulldog was about to grab a sword and run out himself, especially when the 'bad knight' unfairly attacked one of the good knights. The veins in his little neck were standing at attention as he screamed at the guy. Definitely one of those moments when I wished I had a camcorder handy.

I laughed out loud when I saw this in the train station this morning. Amen, brother - I remember thinking, "WTF?" throughout the entire 'new' Star Wars trilogy every time they called that poor kid "Ani".

This morning, I registered the little Bulldog for Kindergarten. Where did my babies go? How did this one go so quickly? I feel like I just registered Heartbreaker for Kindergarten, but he's in third grade. Already.

I told Bulldog that I wanted to squish him so he'd stay a baby longer. He laughed and told me, "Nawww..." I asked him why he has to get so big, and he said, "That's how God makes me."

Does God prescribe Prozac for mothers who can't handle their babies growing up? No? I call shenanigans.

I remember the day I registered Will for Kindergarten. We ate breakfast at McDonald's (correction: he decided, after sampling a bite from each part of their big breakfast, that I was to eat it - thanks, sweetie; Mommy needed a 20 point breakfast) and I brought him to work with me. I was still at Bookspan, and he was on better terms with my bosses than I was.

Today, I had to bring Alex back to Pre-K after registration was done. I felt a little sad, not being able to spend the day with him. But he was so excited to be back in his classroom with his teachers and friends that it helped salve my maternal guilt a bit.

I think tonight will call for celebrating. And maybe a few sniffles, when they're not looking. Don't want them to think growing up is a bad thing. Just hard on mommies.

Coffee Swap Questionnaire

Mmmmm... yup, it's another swap - you know my addictive personality - and this one involves yarn AND coffee. Can you get a more perfect swap? Anyhoo, here's the questionnaire.

Coffee

1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?
I've been gravitating toward ground lately, because I'm too impatient to ground the beans. ;)

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?
Absolutely leaded - I'd be sleepwalking otherwise. I like a light, fresh roast now that we're in Spring. It picks me up.

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?
I'd probably run down to Dunkin' and get a pound for the house. Dunkin' rocks.

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?
Both, for sure. I love caffeine, but I just like the taste of coffee, the curling up on the couch when I have a mug, the whole experience.

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?
Ooh, yes and yes! Love flavored coffees, especially any kind of vanillas or caramels. Ditto for the flavored creamers. The only flavors I really don't like are amaretto or chocolate raspeberry-flavored ones.

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?
A big ole mug.

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!
Nice and hot, just poured from my French press, with just enough flavored creamer to wake it up. I'd curl up on my couch, knitting bag next to me, and drink it slowly.

8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?
Chocolate and coffee are made for each other. Brownies sound good (with nuts, naturally), or a nice hot bagel. Or a muffin. Some starchy product.

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet?
I do some crochet, but I'm a far better knitter.

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?
I love wools and cottons. Not so good with the mohairs or eyelashes, but a nice wool or cotton, in any weight from aran all the way down to fingering (I recently started knitting socks) is wonderful. I don't mind if there is a man-made fiber in the blend, but if it squeaks on my needles, it's outta there. ;)

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?
I've got a Snowflake Lace Sock on one set ; I'm also working on a princess pram cover for my son's former teacher's baby. I've got a ridiculous Ravelry queue.

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns?
Bright, spring-like colors are what I'm gravitating toward now. I love primary colors over pastels.

What about those that you'd never find in your stash?
I'm over the gray thing. I had a lot of gray and it just got depressing. Ditto for brown, if it's on its own (I like it with greens and blues, and pinks). Purples have left me a little cold lately, too.

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?
I've tried the plain plastic needles and my yarn sticks to 'em - do NOT like that. I love, love, LOVE bamboo needles, though. Aluminum and stainless steel are just fine, too. I don't mind the plastic crochet hooks so much, but that's probably because I'm not as good on crochet.

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?
Can you actually have enough tape measures? I know I always misplace mine. Ditto for stitch markers. I've only swapped once before, so I guess I'm not on notion overload just yet.

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?
I think I'd try the bamboo blend, because I've been wanting to try bamboo yarns out. The malabrigo would probably be my backup.

Spring

1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?
Spring seems to come in waves in NYC lately, so today, yes, it's Spring-like. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?
I love gerbera daisies.

3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?
The longer days - it's like nature's prozac. And the cool weather, not too hot, not too cold, just right. Ahhh...

4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?
I don't have to go to work? Then, I get the kids, the husband, and head for the park or something outdoors to do, like a zoo.

5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?
Oh god, yes. I get very mopey and absolutely stir crazy when I'm stuck indoors in lousy weather. I'd try to get to a movie with the kids (and bring an easy knitting project) or let them keep busy and I'd work on a knitting project.

Odds n Ends

1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?
Books. Lots of books. And Hello Kitty stuff.

2. Are you allergic to anything?
Just penicillin.

3. Do you have pets?
Two cats!

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro?
I've only done one swap before, and I'm in another one at the same time as this. So I'm getting there.

What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?
I was in the Longing for Spring Swap and loved it! I'm currently also in the Saucy Knitters Hot Sauce Swap.

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.
Aside from my friends' blogs, my three fave blogs are PopCandy, Whitney Matheson's pop culture blog from USA Today; You Knit What (Two) is always good for a giggle, and yes, I'll admit it... I read Perez Hilton every day. But I'll also mention that I have Lime & Violet's Daily Chum in my Bloglines, too...

Ten. More. Days.

Man, have I got a serious case of Spring Fever today. I just cannot pay attention to work for longer than five minutes, and I keep staring out the window wanting desperately to play outside. I think we need to collectively move, as a nation, toward a 4-day workweek. For starters.

I think I'm going out for lunch today.

Swaptime!

Since my first swap went so well, I've ended up getting involved with two more. A new friend that I've met through the Longing for Spring Swap has asked me and one more knitter to co-host a Hot Sauce Swap with her - most awesome. I've also just signed on for a Spring Fling Coffee and Yarn Swap - ooooga.

First up, the Saucy Knitters Hot Sauce Swap Questionnaire.

Hot Sauce

What kinds of sauces do you like? Do you like ‘em hot and spicy or more toward the sweet? Do you like four alarms going off at once, or a heat that builds?

I love a good, sweet hot sauce, that builds rather than assaults my taste buds from the get-go.

Do you have any sauces that you do not like at all?

I haven't found one yet, but I do try not to try sauces that talk about how hot they are for the sake of being hot rather than adding to a dish.

What do you like your hot sauce on?

All sorts of stuff; I particularly like it on chicken or beef, though.

What kinds of recipes do you like to work your hot sauce magic with? Do you BBQ? Throw it in take-out? Put a dash into your eggs in the morning? Do you like to cook, or do you prefer to just dress up a good take-out dish?

I like hot sauce in chili, or tossed in with some chicken when I'm grilling it up. I like it thrown in with Chinese noodles, like lo mein, too. And I LOVE salsa with a nice kick, so hot sauce in salsa is aces with me.

Do you have any particular food allergies that should be avoided when picking out a hot sauce? None that I know of!

Recipe you would like to share?

It's simple but tastes great - Lightly coat a wok with oil (I use canola oil or peanut oil); toss some chicken cutlet strips into a wok with some broccoli; apply teriyaki sauce to your taste. Boil up some soba noodles (or whatever noodles you like) separately. Toss the chicken, broccoli, and noodles together when all cooked. Then give a couple of shots of hot sauce to the whole business, mix it up, and enjoy.

Yarn

Do you knit or crochet?

Primarily, I knit; trying to get better at crochet.

What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?

I love wools and cottons the most; usually a good sport or worsted weight is great for me because they're so versatile. I've just started knitting socks, which has been fun, so I've begun exploring fingering weights.

I have also seen a few wool blends that knit up nicely, but primarily, I love the wools and cottons.

What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?

Just when I had worked through my UFO pile, I started knitting socks! I have the second sock for both the Snowflake Lace Socks and the Horcrux socks (for my 4-year old) on needles, plus a Princess Pram blanket for my son's former teacher. My Ravelry queue is insane!

What are your favorite colors to work with? Are there any colors you wouldn’t want caught dead in your stash?

Since it's Spring and I've had enough of winter, I'm all about bright, happy colors. Pastels are okay, but I have been drawn to bright stuff lately, like teals and yellows. There are some beautiful shades of green out lately, too. I'm digging the whole pink/brown and blue/brown/green combos I've seen lately.

I think since I'm deep into Spring mode, dingy or drab colors, like olive greens, brown on its own, and navy blue are colors I'm going to steer away from.

Any preference in your hooks/needles? Prefer bamboo over plastic or aluminum? You’re good with whatever you’ve got to work with? Let us know.

I've been using my bamboo needles a lot lately and enjoying them more and more. Aluminum needles are great, but I love the way that yarn slides on the bamboo and makes working a project so enjoyable. Plastic tends to frustrate me because the yarn sticks.

Notions. C’mon, let us know – if you get one more measuring tape, will you run screaming from the room? Or are you the type that loses stitch markers constantly? What notions do you love and loathe?

I am constantly losing stitch markers! I haven't received any notions yet, so nothing to scream about here.

Any fiber allergies we should know about?

Thankfully, none!

Stuff

Are you a snacky type of person? Do you like candy? Chocolate? In between hot sauce applications, what would we find you snacking on?

Oh man, I have been SOOO snacky lately. I love Payday bars, Peanut M&Ms, and Lindt truffles. But I'm a chips girl, too; I've been hooked on Veggie Crisps lately after a while of not having them. My kids have gotten me hooked on Pringles, and I've always loved Nacho Cheese Doritos.

Are you into recipe magazines? Knitting mags? What kinds of quick, stash-it-in-your-knitting-bag reading do you like to have on hand?

I love magazines! I subscribe to Everyday Rachael Ray and a few other chick mags (Health, Glamour, Marie Claire, et al). I buy knitting magazines periodically, and usually get either Vogue Knitting or Interweave Knits. I share a Paula Deen magazine Everyday Food subscription with my mom (buttah!) and we used to get Everyday Food, which I still like to check out and have gotten many good recipes from.

What cheers you up?

A bright day, nice weather, a good book, '80s music, soft yarn, a day with nothing to rush around to, and snuggling on the couch with my husband and kids.

Do you collect anything other than yarn?

Books. LOVE books. Recipes and knitting patterns. Hello Kitty stuff.

Do you have pets?

2 cats!

Any other allergies?

Aside from hayfever and ragweed-y stuff, none that I know of.

Are you a swap newbie, or have you done this before? Any good advice for newbies you’d like to share?

I've only been in one another swap before, and it was so much fun! My partner spoiled me to bits and I loved it! (Hi, Kristen!) My best advice to newbies - treat your partner in a way you wouldn't treat yourself. Really get to know, as best you can, who they are and make it fun for them. You'll be even more thrilled when your goodies show up because you won't feel guilty!

Zombie Love

I just checked out Mail Order Zombie's review of Zombie Hunters: City of the Dead. And they like it!!! Huzzah!! Brother D and Bren also gave me the nicest shout-out. They are SO cool. And they dug the show. I swear that they could both fit in with the crazy group we're all in over here. Sometimes, the Internet really does bring people together in the coolest ways. So go and download the episode!

I have to harass Patrick about t-shirts before the weekend is out, because if we're hitting Chiller in May, we need shirts. And then I'll get the CafePress store up.

Okay, I'm rambling. Time to get back to work. But maybe, first, some more coffee...

Cool News!

Exciting stuff is happening with Zombie Hunters! I recently started listening to a new podcast called Mail Order Zombie, which covers indie and straight-to-DVD zombie movies. It's a really entertaining show with some good commentary from the host, Brother D, and his wife - always nice to get a female horror fan talking. We've traded some e-mails, I sent him a copy of Episode 1, and it's getting reviewed on an upcoming episode!! I was so excited when I got the e-mail. I'll make sure to blog about the episode when it's up, but in the meantime, check out the show if horror is your thing. I think you'll dig it.

From the Heart of Hell, I Spit At Thee...

...or just spit up crap, essentially. Oh, come on - who else paraphrases Melville while referring to bronchitis? I've been sidelined for days with this blasted thing. I was sent home from work on Friday before I infected everyone at work and managed to score a repeat performance at the doctor's that day. Apparently, my virus had been upgraded to 'bacterial bronchitis'. I felt like I was going to return to my apartment to find it swathed in plastic like when the scientists got hold of E.T., or some random X-Files episode. Just call me the Outbreak Monkey.

Wow, this is a rather cinematic entry... must be the codeine.

So today I feel better than I have for a few days, and decided to catch up on some computing. I have a lot of e-mail. Holy crap.

I also have the coolest swap partner in the known universe. When the postman brought this huge box out of the elevator yesterday, I thought Mike had ordered something. But then I saw MY name on it, and jumped up and down until I started coughing like I was going to die. I managed to get a cough drop in so I could open the box. Holy COW. How awesome is my swap partner? Oh, about this awesome:



Kristen is also 45 oz. of M&M peanuts awesome. Yes, that is a 45 oz bag of peanutty, m&m-y goodness there.

More goodies? How can you deny the insane cute factor of a sheep in a sweater?



And how much do Hello Kitty knitting needles rock?



All in all, my first swap was awesome. I just heard from Leslie, my swap partner, who seems to like all the goodies I got her. On to the next swap - anyone like Hot Sauce?

And before I toddle back off to sick bay, more great news - it's a boy! Super-Secret Knitting projects are underway...

Plague.

Okay, so maybe that's a touch dramatic. But I'm still freaking sick.

I spent Wednesday in bed, mostly sleeping. During some lucid moments (i.e., in between dosages of codeine and night-time cold medicine) I knitted more of my snowflake lace socks. You know, I should knit while intoxicated on cold meds more often; I didn't knit nearly as tightly as I normally do. I ended up finishing Snowflake Lace sock #1 yesterday, but I think I need to pick up another ball to finish the other sock, since it looks like each sock takes about a ball and a half of yarn.

In other news, I am SO excited - Yaz is touring!!! Viva las '80s!



I have GOT to get tickets to see them when they hit NY in July. I had the luck of seeing Alison Moyet about 14 years ago when she toured for her HooDoo album - it was an all-acoustic show at The Academy and she encored with an acoustic version of Situation, quite possibly my all-time fave Yaz song. Her voice was incredible, so powerful and strong. It was a great show. I've seen Vince Clarke live a bunch of times, since I see Erasure every chance I get. But to think that I may get to see Yaz live is so exciting.

Sorry for the Silence...

But what I thought was a cold is, naturally, bronchitis. I spent 2 1/2 hours in my doctor's office yesterday. Thank God I had knitting with me, or I would have been just loverly.

Updates coming soon. Promise.

A Quick Apology

For some bizarre reason, whenever I incorporate pictures into my post, my paragraph spacing goes away. I've edited the posts once I see it happen, and it just reverts back to the run-on pargraph of doom once it's back on the screen. I apologize for anyone who's finding this as irritating as I do. Anyone know how I can fix it?

Okay, now back to futzing with the Figure-8 cast-on... you know, because I didn't mention knitting in my last post.

So, who watched Project Runway last night? I jacked myself up on coffee so that I could stay up to watch it live, desperately hoping upon hope that my man Rami would pull out a surprise upset and win it all. Alas, as I said to Linda just now, Robo-Spice delivered the kiss of death by unabashedly fawning over Christian's collection.

Overall, my feelings are mixed. I do think that Christian is ridiculously talented - bravado aside. I think the finalists this season were an apples and oranges mix - Jillian and Rami were fantastic at clothes that I could actually conceive of a 'real' person wearing. Rami creates beautiful evening wear, and Jillian's sportswear just rocks. Christian, though, designs - and I think Rami said this last night - for models, not women. He is haute couture in every meaning of the word. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the three of them.

I have one bone to pick with the judges this time around. Rami got a crazy amount of grief for his "Brady Bunch Colors". Are they kidding? Who wants to look like a Sprocket? Then, they jumped on Christian for using so much black. WTF?

And finally, I'm catching up on my magazine reading since doing so many reader reports has given me a lovely pile to work through. I'm up to January 2008's Marie Claire. Got a copy handy? No? No worries, let me guide you. Page 23 - What Our Editors Are Buying - gee, a hot pink Calvin Klein bag; a bright turquoise Burberry trench, a yellow v-neck cardigan from H&M, and a pair of purple satin peep-toe pumps from Steve Madden. And that's just for starters.

I'm sure Nina would roll her eyes and say drolly, "But we are Elle Magazine."

Whatev.

No Freaking Mood

I'm PMSing. And I'm sick. How do I politely tell someone that she's not nearly as funny as she thinks she's being? Maybe if I throw my computer at the wall, that will be the clue?

Snowflake tagged me for a meme today, so here goes.

In this meme, Who is Part of My Life, you choose a quote that speaks to your heart and dedicate it to three other bloggers. All of my friends who read this blog can choose to participate. If you do, leave a comment here so I can come and check out your quotes!

So you know that just one quote ain't going to be enough for me. And if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." - Gandalf, via JRR Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

"Not all who wander are lost." JRR Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

"I've never been a millionaire but I just know I'd be darling at it." Dorothy Parker

"One person's crazyness is another person's reality." Tim Burton

Cynical Knitting Gal posted a fun meme, and I haven't done one in a while. So here goes.

7 Random Things About Me

1. I am a huge fan of sci-fi/fantasy/horror and before kids, when I had a disposable income, went to a lot of conventions. I am the proud owner of a Boba Fett helmet - signed by the original Boba Fett, Jeremy Bulloch. My children are not allowed to touch it.

2. I listen to a ridiculous number of podcasts. They keep me from snapping and going insane on the subways.

3. I am in my late 30s, but still get a kick out of irritating my father.

4. My friend Helene lives in Stockholm, Sweden. We started out as pen pals 20 years ago when we shared a mutual love of Duran Duran (John Taylor in particular). If you see my wedding pictures, she's the Valkyrie. ;)

5. I really want to change careers, but sometimes worry that I'm too old.

6. I love Haagen-Dazs vanilla swiss almond ice cream, peanut M&Ms, and Laffy Taffy. Not all at once.

7. I could probably go to sleep after I hit "publish", if I wasn't at my desk at work.

Chia Scooby as Science Project...

We went to visit Mom today. Normally, Sundays in Bergen County are very low-
key because of the Blue Laws that keep most stores closed. Usually, it's a dash to the grocery store and back to mom's just to hang out, let the kids play PlayStation (you know, because they need a break from the video games at home) and possibly see their cousins.

On the first Sunday of the month, however, it's a different ballgame. The Skein Attraction is open for a four-hour window, and I needed to get some woolly goodness for my Longing For Spring Swap Partner. Figuring I'd be a good swap partner and also get some window shopping in for myself, I went in.

Holy crap - where did all the people come from? The store is usually bustling, but today it was packed. Looking toward the back, I saw the two words - YARN SALE.

Oh yes. Yarn. Sale. Fill a small, lunch-toting-to-and-from-work-type gift bag with as much yarn as you wanted (without it being torn or distended - darnit) for $40. Forty bucks!!! There were skeins of yarn that were going for $8 each at sale price!

Trying very hard to be good, I considered treating myself to a couple of bargain skeins of baby alpaca and chose the yarn for my swap partner. Until Mike walked in, grabbed a bag, and started pointing yarn out. "You like that? How about that?"

You know, sometimes my husband rocks.