August IComLeavWe

Saturday, 21st August 2010 · Posted in Memes, Out & About

IComLeavWe has rolled around again, so hi to anyone who drops by from that :-)  I’m going to be a little late in starting this month, because I’m going to be out for most of tomorrow (technically today already, eek), and I might be sleeeeeepy when I get home.  In fact, I should be in bed and sleeping now, so I’d better get going.  I may get a chance to jump online when I get in tomorrow, but if not, it’ll have to wait until Sunday.  I can do double then.

IComLeavWe
IComLeavWe: Join the Conversation

00:38 · 14 Comments 

Days of summer

Friday, 20th August 2010 · Posted in General Rambling, Out & About

Wow, and there goes another month – I did so well blogging all through June, started out in July…. and then Real Life took over!  What a shock to the system that’s been ;-)  Seriously though, it really has been a pretty good summer.  The “busy day” to come that I mentioned about two posts / six weeks ago way back on 5th July was the day that I had an interview for a volunteering “job”, and I’ve been doing that ever since.  Not every day, I mean.  Just once a week.  I’m really enjoying it!  (I’d better not go into specifics just yet.  I’ll check with them first if they mind me blogging about it a bit.  I’ve been almost-burned with that before, when a manager at my job up north told me I should remove all references to work.  And none of that was specific stuff about the company at all, if I remember rightly, and certainly didn’t name anything or anyone.  Just occasional anecdotes about colleagues and work life.  So, double-check first, blog later!)

Other than that, I’ve been going to the Bipolar Course, which is nearly over now.  That’s also been really good.  I hadn’t been going to choir for a while because I’d been ill, but I’ll be going again when rehearsals start back up in September so I’m looking forward to that.  And I’ve also taken up Geocaching!  What-y What-ing?  Well, in case you haven’t heard of it, it’s a sort of a cross between orienteering and treasure hunting, done with GPS.  In my case, I use the GPS thingy in my phone rather than a dedicated device, and it’s been spot on every time so far.  It’s getting me out and about and giving me a reason to go for walks, and it was surprising the first few times how much glee and satisfaction I felt when I found the caches.

Right, I must be getting on.  I’ll try to remember to blog more about geocaching, update my knitting and spinning stuff… um…. oh, and talk about Pirate Day, Promming,  and how much I liked the BBC’s new “Sherlock” adaptation!  I think that’s about it.  Probably.


09:36 · 2 Comments 

July ICLW!

Thursday, 22nd July 2010 · Posted in General Rambling, Memes

IComLeavWe
IComLeavWe: Join the Conversation

Whoops, I’ve just realised that yester-today* is the start of IComLeavWe for July.  So a quick hi to anyone who drops by – I am still here, but I’ve been so busy spinning and doing other Actual Real Life things (shocking, I know) that I haven’t remembered to blog.  And now I’m off to make today’s tally of comments.  Better get to bed after that – it’s late!

* technically yesterday, since it’s now past midnight, but still within the same “day” for me since I’m still up!

02:58 · 11 Comments 

Productive day

Monday, 5th July 2010 · Posted in General Rambling, NaBloPoMo, Out & About, Spinning

I did lots today, and even managed to get in a nap this afternoon.  Well, I’d worn myself out!  Of course, when I say “lots”, that’s “lots for me”, but still.  I’ve been to see the Flower Festival at Mum’s church with her.  Technically it’s over, but she has the church keys and all the displays are still there.  Then I went to the dentist (everything fine; see you in 6 months), did tiny a bit of shopping, came home and cleaned up a storm.  Whew!  And since I’ve also got some spinning and knitting done, I’m feeling quite accomplished.

Tomorrow is another busy day, so I’m off to bed now.  I’m expecting to sleep well!

23:04 · Comment 

Clap!

Sunday, 4th July 2010 · Posted in FOs, NaBloPoMo, Photo album

As I mentioned the other day, I’ve finished my Clapotis [Ravlink] at long long last – it’s only taken me nearly three years!  Although to be fair, for most of that it was languishing in a bag with only the first section knitted.

So here are some photos of the finished object, anyway.  I haven’t blocked it, as I like how it’s turned out as it is.  It’s too warm to wear it at the moment, but as soon as the weather cools down, it’ll be in active service!  Should make a change from wearing purple.

And talking of purple(-ish), I’ve been spinning away for the Tour de Fleece.  More pictures from that tomorrow, I expect.

22:24 · 4 Comments 

And they’re off!

Saturday, 3rd July 2010 · Posted in NaBloPoMo, Spinning, Yarn & stuff

So, I’ve started my spinning for the Tour de Fleece.  As I said yesterday, I’m starting with two complementary braids from Limegreenjelly that I’m going to ply together.  I’d actually spun up half of one of them already, so I have about 50g of that one left to do, then the whole of the second.

This is how much I already had spun:

LGJ Merino-Tencel in Night Fever on the bobbinand this is the remaining fibre, before I started spinning today:

LGJ Merino-Tencel in Night Fever waiting to be spunOnwards!

23:23 · 3 Comments 

TdeF Prep

Friday, 2nd July 2010 · Posted in NaBloPoMo, Photo album, Spinning

As well as carrying on with the Big Clear Out / spring-clean / whatever, I’ve been preparing for the start of the Tour de Fleece tomorrow.  I’ve got the wheel all set up, and the fibre that I’ll be starting with all ready.  I’m basically aiming to spin every day for at least half an hour, more if I can manage it, and overall just get as much done as I can.

Limegreenjelly Merino-Tencel in FeverLimegreenjelly Merino-Tencel in NightfeverThe first thing I’m spinning are two similar, but complementary, colourways from Limegreenjelly.  Actually, everything I’ll spin will be LGJ, since that’s all I have!  I’m spinning each of these into singles, then plying the two together. I think it’ll look nice.

23:28 · Comment 

NaBlo-ing again

Thursday, 1st July 2010 · Posted in General Rambling, NaBloPoMo, Newsworthy

I’ve decided to sign up for July’s NaBloPoMo again, because why not?  I won’t do the alphabet thingy again, even though it really helped me going, because I’ll have the Tour de Fleece to post about for a good part of the month.  I’ll find other things to keep me going for the rest of the time.

The summer spring-cleaning is continuing on here in my flat.  I’m on a roll!  I’m also going to be doing some tidying of the computer.  I haven’t done that for waaay too long.  There’s a whole load of pointless old files that need deleting.  Plus, I’m going to change my broadband provider to a better tariff.

I’m also ridiculously excited because I just found out that Question Time is going to be on in Bexhill in a couple of weeks.  I’m so applying for the audience.  I must find out if anyone else wants to go too, though.  I’m not sure if anyone I know locally would be up for it, but I’ll check.

23:50 · Comment 

And I’m Done

Wednesday, 30th June 2010 · Posted in NaBloPoMo, Photo album, Spinning

Woohoo, I’ve completed NaBloPoMo for June.  I shall give myself a pat on the back… and maybe check if there’s a “winner” badge or something.  No big deal if not.

I’ve also been seeing how I can do on the Monthly Scavenger Hunt on Flickr.  This is my first month, and I didn’t get something for all twenty items, but I managed to do sixteen, so that’s not a bad start!


Mosaic of June Scavenger Hunt photos

Mosaic of June Scavenger Hunt photos


1. Abandon hope all ye who enter here, 2. Smile Though Your Heart is Breaking, 3. Call the fashion police!, 4. Veteran, 5. Bubbly, 6. Reflecting, 7. Mad, bad and dangerous to know, 8. Nightlights, 9. Prized Possession, 10. Belly up, 11. Desolate, 12. Walkabout, 13. The north wind doth blow, 14. Microcosm, 15. An elephant in the room, 16. Born to be wild?

So, what next on the blogging front?  Now that I’ve managed to maintain blogging through June, I don’t want to just stop again.  The Tour de Fleece is coming up, so I think I’ll plan to post an update on how I’m doing each day of that… which will mean it’ll be very spinning-centric around here for a couple of weeks.  I dare say I’ll ramble about other things though.  I can only say “today I span such and such a thing, here’s a photo” so many times!

23:57 · Comment 

Z is for Zips

Tuesday, 29th June 2010 · Posted in FOs, Knitting, NaBloPoMo, WIPs

Even though I haven’t started sewing up the Menace jumper [Ravlink] yet, I’ve been thinking about the other Unfinished Object that’s been sitting around for ages and ages, and that’s my Chunky Zipped Jacket [Ravlink] which is knit from Sirdar Bigga yarn.  The main thing that’s keeping me from finishing this is the zip, although I’m also not quite sure whether to sew the seams with the Bigga yarn (which is “Super Bulky” weight), or with a thinner yarn of the same colour.  I do have a thinner yarn, and that would make the seams less bulky, I think.  But would it show up or be less stable, too?  I don’t know!  Help!  I also suspect that this might not be the best project to try attaching a zip to, when it’s the first time I’ve ever done that.  Again, the bulkiness is an issue.  What do I sew the zip on with?  Thread or yarn?  This stuff is hard.  Time to get advice from wiser heads, I think.  I’ll cart it along to KnitJam next week.

Otherwise, today has been more of a knitting day than a tidying up one, though I have got some of that done.  But good news!  I’ve finished my Clapotis [Ravlink] at long last.  I still have to weave in the ends, and block it (probably… I might leave it, I haven’t decided yet) but otherwise I’m done.  Woohoo!  Pictures will be coming soon.

22:40 · Comment 

Y is for Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn!

Monday, 28th June 2010 · Posted in General Rambling, NaBloPoMo

The hot weather is continuing, and now it’s got to the point where it’s really too hot to sleep at night.  Not so much fun.  Especially with a cat who’s determined to plaster himself against you!  Ugh.  I didn’t even go out today, but stayed inside knitting (my Clapotis is very very nearly done, yay!) and doing housework, all while listening to podcasts.

I was really quite productive though, which is good.  I’m tired now, yes, but the house is clean, and I’ve managed to file away (or recycle) a whole load of paperwork that had been lurking.  I can even use the dining room table again – it had been covered in said piles of paperwork.  I have every intention of covering it up again, as I want to finally sew up my Menace jumper.  Now that I’ve got started with the filing, I’m planning to carry on tomorrow.  Because yes, there is more.  I need to go through my files, too, and shred all the older stuff.  I should ask Mum to bring her shredder up when she comes over to help me consign stuff to charity donations.  My filing cupboard definitely needs some paring down.  Hah, so much for spending more time on the beach – I’m thinking up excuses to stay in out of the heat.  I get a lovely breeze blowing through my flat most days.  But I really must get out as well.  Maybe later in the week.  Too tired to think about it now.  Zzzzzzzzz.

22:50 · Comment 

X is for X Marks the Spot

Sunday, 27th June 2010 · Posted in General Rambling, NaBloPoMo, Newsworthy

I can’t remember if I blogged about this already, but there’s a Pirate Day as part of Old Town Carnival Week at the beginning of August, where they’re trying to get as many people dressed as pirates gathered together as possible, with the goal of breaking the world record.  I intend to to along and join in – should be fun!  There’s going to be other piratical stuff going on as well.  Food, and music, and so on.  And of course a Treasure Hunt, though I suspect that’s for kids!

Of course, I’ve got to find something appropriate to wear.  I understand there are certain dress code rules that you have to follow to be considered one of the official pirate crew, though I don’t know what that is yet.  I must have some basics that I can wear, though.  I’ll have to have a rummage through my things.  I need to have a clothes sort-out anyway, and send some stuff off to the charity shop.  I should call my Mum and find out if she’ll be free to come and give me a lift over there so I can take all my donations at once.

20:36 · Comment 

W is for Who!

Saturday, 26th June 2010 · Posted in Fandom, NaBloPoMo

Doctor Who, of course – today was the season finale.  No spoilers here, because I know it doesn’t air in the US (and Australia, I think) for another couple of weeks, but I will say that I loved it!  The solution to the cliffhanger of last week, and the arc that’s been on-going all season was wonderfully twisty and just right.  And oh, there were just enough little hints dropped that I really want to be able to see next season as soon as possible now, too.  Evil, evil showrunners!  It’s six months til the Christmas Special (and if that’s what was mentioned at the very end, then hee!), and about nine months until season 6.  Aaaaah!  I’ll just have to keep busy until then, won’t I?

23:08 · Comment 

V is for Volunteering

Friday, 25th June 2010 · Posted in NaBloPoMo, Out & About, WIPs

I’ll be starting some voluntary work at a local library soon, helping people on the computers and internet.  I’ve got to go in for a sort of induction day and an interview, but as I understand it, they’re trialling a tutorial programme to help people who aren’t used to computers, and my role would be to support them using that, and then provide refresher info and help afterwards.  Sounds like fun!  (No, I’m not being sarcastic, it does.)  I’m looking forward to it, and it’ll be good to have something else regular in my schedule.

This evening I’ve been working on my Clapotis [Ravlink] while watching the Glastonbury coverage, and I’ve now tinked back so that I have one repeat of the straight section less, and therefore hopefully enough yarn left now to finish the project.  I’d better have, because I’ve started on the decrease section again!  Actually, I haven’t got very far into that… maybe I should pop a lifeline in just in case?  Better safe than sorry.

23:02 · Comment 

U is for Uninventive

Thursday, 24th June 2010 · Posted in General Rambling, NaBloPoMo

Which is how I’m feeling today.  I think it’s the heat – lovely as it is, I’m starting to get lethargic.  I could just go for a nice snooze right about now!  And I’m only just back from Knit & Natter at Carisbrooke House.  I think I’ll go and find something relatively mindless to do that involves me moving around.  Housework should do the trick!  Not exciting, but necessary.

17:01 · Comment 

Next Page »