2k6

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? knit socks, got drunk, found out that making socks while drunk doesn't work

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think I made any for 2006, but I am for 2007.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Eleanor was born, but that's not family or anything.

4. Did anyone close to you die? no

5. What countries did you visit? Americkuh

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? endless yarn, a yard for Topper, and a horizontal drivers license.

7. What date(s) from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? July 13, the day we got Topper, August 17th, the day I got Audrey, March 23, the mad rush from one apartment to another.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? getting over my anxiety disorder

9. What was your biggest failure? classics

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury? nothing serious

11. What was the best thing you bought? a puppy and a kitten

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Frannie, for kicking her meth problems.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Britney Spears

14. Where did most of your money go? bills and yarn

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? babysitting

16. What song will always remind you of 2006? something goofy like Fergalicious probably

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? chubasaurus, but working on it big time
iii. richer or poorer? same

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? more friends, more meeting new people

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? crying

20. How will you be spending Christmas? I spent it with my mom and then Michael's fanily.

22. Did you fall in love in 2006? Over and over.

23. How many one-night stands? zero, but one 28-month stand is ongoing

24. What was your favorite TV program? HOUSSSSE omg

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I'm not big on hate, but there is one person that makes me violently ill to think about.

26. What was the best book you read? I think I read the Virgin Suicides last year, but that was so good I can't really consider anything since then "reading".

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Sean Lennon

28. What did you want and get? yarn, knitting time, a puppy and a kitten

29. What did you want and not get? a yard, but that's coming soon

30. What was your favorite film of this year? totally Little Miss Sunshine

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 20 and went to dinner with my parents and Michael

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? a million dollars

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? skinny jeans, long t-shirts with silly patterns, flats

34. What kept you sane? my mommy.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Ed Norton, Nicole Richie (odd combo)

36. What political issue stirred you the most? midterm elections

37. Who did you miss? Laura, the dynamic between me, Kevin and Casey senior year.

38. Who was the best new person you met? Patricia, totally.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006: People will believe what they want to believe, despite all logic and facts pointing the other way. Friendships that died did so for a reason, and they don't need to be tried again.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: "she comes home late with another screw loose, she swears to have had just a pineapple juice, falls asleep fully clothed in her bed, with her makeup remover by her head, she might not be all there, but her dream's all vanity fair"

Eeeek!

Michael and I are horrible at waiting until Christmas to exchange gifts when we have already purchased and wrapped them. So we exchanged; I gave him the lesser of his two games (hahaha he's going to like the second sooo much better), and he gave me my present. It's so beautiful. Boy knows how to pick some jewelry out. He got me the rose link bracelet from James Avery, and it's so wonderful. I can't stop smiling.

In other package news, I got my second package from my secret pal, and it blew me away. I am getting batteries for my camera tomorrow, but I am sooo excited to use the yarn and the stickers and the stationary and the wool wash! Thank you so much secret pal! I wish I had some idea who you were, but I'll find out sooner or later - probably when you tell me, hehe!

on a lighter note

Could this man be any hotter?

(The answer is no.)

eff

I am at a loss for words. I have never been so upset with myself and so disgusted with my actions. I push everything by doing nothing and then I find myself on the edge of things and it doesn't even hit me until it's too late. I have to seriously get my shit together with school and start taking things seriously. I feel like such a failure right now. I don't want to think or talk about it and I just act so nonchalant when people bring up school, but I just want to tell them I fucked up and now I have to teach myself how to actually be a student all over again, without blaming it on my shitty high school or freshman year. It's just laziness, and it's fucking stupid.

I have to get help next semester and I should have this semester.

I keep feeling so upset because I let down my parents, even though I can't bring myself to tell them, and then I know that I have to do this for me, not them, and I get even more mad at myself because I dissapointed myself more than anything.

reflections

Reflections on my night:

1. I am allergic to everclear. Oops. My back stopped hurting a little while ago though.

2. I am so giddy and happy about winter break for the following reasons:
a. Knitting carefree without doing so while not studying for something
b. Seeing Laura
c. Raking in the big bucks whilst house-sitting

3. I am also sooo glad this semester is over.

Busy busy busy

This last week has been pretty hectic, but not unbearable by any means.

This coming week may be another story. I have a final in classics on Friday, and in history on Saturday. I just keep telling myself it will all be over in less than a week, and then I am done with school for a month. It is weird to think that I am 1/3 done with college. That might not seem like a lot to other people, but it is for me. I should be halfway done by this time next year, or at the end of this summer at the earliest.

Knittingwise, things are going well. I have put Eleanor's blanket on the backburner until after the new year, because I am planning to gift it for her first birthday in March. I've had a random and sudden burst of energy for Christmas knitting, but I'm not going too crazy. I think I'll still be doing the half and half, and mostly the guys will be left over for next year's gifts (which is easier anyway!).
I have an awesome pair of socks that I am working on, and a zig-zag garter stitch scarf for Michael's mom. Both are of my own design/calculations/ideas, and both are currently working, so I have a confidence boost in the designing department right now.

That's about it until after finals I guess.

blanket

To celebrate my first babysitting adventure this Saturday, and to keep myself occupied while said baby sleeps, I am making her (yet another) baby blanket. This one will be greater than the other two and fun to make.
I'm doing a square for each letter of the alphabet, based on alphabet dishcloth patterns, and then seaming them all together for a blanket. I am using Bernat Cotton Tots in five colors, and I can't decide which color design I like best... Pattern or chaos?

I'm leaning towards the pattern...

Thanksgiving

Since Michael and I will be at the lake for Thanksgiving, I will go ahead and make my annual list of things I am thankful for now.
In no particular order:
1. Michael. Best boy ever. I love him so much, and I think we've grown a lot this last year.
2. My parents, for being my best friends that I don't want to get rid of.
3. Emo, for our five year anniversary, and for being the best cat I could ever have.
4. Topper, for being so cute that we instantly fell in love, and for making me smile and laugh on a daily basis.
5. Audrey, for getting along with Emo and being Emo the Sequel.
6. Knitting, for keeping me sane through everything.
7. Yarn of all kinds for giving me inspiration and a reason to save money.
8. Not having a baby of my own like so many people I went to high school with, but for having a cute one to babysit every now and then.
9. 7-11, for Big Gulps and chocolate milk and tabloids late at night.
10. Laura, my sister/cousin all in one. 29 days!!

newsflash

I can apparently take care of a reeeeally, almost painfully cute 8 month old baby girl for money now. This blows my mind and I am soooo excited.

Secret Pal Package!

I got my first secret pal package in the mail yesterday, and everything is sooo wonderful! I'll start out with the money shot and then show you my absolute favorite:

She (I'm guessing it's a lady :) ) sent me a sweet card (I love the knitting design on the front), some very nice chocolate I haven't dared to touch yet, a wonderul body wash (grapefruit and mint - mmmmm), the softest lip balm I have ever used (and I needed it today!), and best of all, a pair of hand-knit fetching, from knitty's summer issue - in hot pink! It's the most amazing match to Thelma, my car, and I can't wait to put these to good use tomorrow. I can't do the pink justice by photographing it, but I'll try again in the sunshine tomorrow.
Look how even and beautiful the stitches are!


Thank you Secret Pal! You rock!

eh

I'm in a weird sort of melancholy mood right now regarding old friends. I am getting back into touch with a few of them, and all but one are just really bumming me out.
Especially Ana.
I think the reason Ana and I will never really meet up and hang out like we always say we will is because I just couldn't handle it. I associate her with this wonderful, innocent, I guess even blissfully ignorant part of my life. She was always so pure and fun and now she's just sloshed.
I know we're just in our early early twenties, and I'm not against drinking. It just frustrates me when people fall into these ruts with drinking and smoking every weekend, every night, whenever. That's ultimately what made me push myself away from my latest set of girlfriends. Things just got so old ... There was never anything new, no adventures.

up and down

Things I like, lately:
sock yarn
wearing my marc jacobs flats daily
sleeping
Michael
pizza
counting down until I see Laura again
talking to people and making them laugh
izze

Things I don't like, lately:
Topper ruining my child's french sock and devouring my bamboo needles.
not getting enough sleep
feeling ill in general


My Noro scarf is about halfway done. It's all I worked on this weekend, and it made me happy. I'm doing a short row, multidirectional scarf. Simple, but sooo quick. I'm thinking of doing entrelac with the next 3 skeins of Kureyon I get in the mail. I woke up this morning to find that Topper had gotten a hold of my child's french sock, almost through the gussets. It's dead. He ate the bamboo needles I was working it with, and thus all of the stitches are loose and impossible to pick back up. I'm currently not on speaking terms with my puppy for this reason.

Noro Therapy

Because of a fairly bad day, I went out and enjoyed some light retail therapy - 3 skeins of Noro Kureyon in color 159. It's so vivid and beautiful, and as much as I love knitting socks, there's something I can't explain about feeling wool run through my fingers while I'm making a scarf. Especially Kureyon. I plan on making another feather and fan scarf, like the one I made last year, to go with my new coat.

As wonderful as all of this winter planning is, it won't do me any good if we continue having 90 degree days like today. Ugh.

okay

On a lighter note, I got my prize for knitting the 500th pair of Jaywalkers last week! Grumperina sent me the most beautiful Lorna's Laces. The color is Pale Pink, and it is the most perfect color of pink I have ever seen. I am so excited to find a pattern that will do this yarn justice.
After laughing maniacally while ripping out that last sock I was working on in Lana Grossa, I started a new pair this weekend. I'm using my solid turqouise Cherry Tree Hill to make the Child's French Sock from "Knitting Vintage Socks" by Nancy Bush. The pattern is working out beautifully, and it is my most complicated sock to date. I have only messed up twice so far (knock on wood), and both times, I have been patient enough to frog back and fix the mistake quickly.
There's nothing more satisfying than knitting a sock that fits in a pattern that works perfectly.

non-knitters

I picked up a copy of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's "Knitting Rules!" yesterday, and while I love the book, there's one major point I disagree with her on. I'm not too far into the book, but I've noticed she keeps saying time and time again that "anyone can knit". She says at one point that if you can dress yourself, you can knit.
I don't really think this is true. Maybe I'm a snob, but I think it takes someting special to really be able to knit. I don't think just anyone can knit - just like not everyone can paint or rebuild an entire engine. I don't know what it takes exactly, but it has to be something beyond a human brain and two hands.
When I learned how to knit, I taught myself, and that worked for me. I know a lot of knitters take classes or learn from friends or family (I've taught a few). If you're looking at just knowing how to make a knit and a purl stitch, then yes, I guess it does just take a brain and two hands. I don't really consider these people "knitters" though. To me, being a knitter entails a certain passion for knitting, not just letting it be something you "learned a while back and gave up on".
I don't really know what I'm talking about anymore, but the point is, the idea that anyone can knit really bugged me. I don't think it's really correct to say to someone, "Oh, you can knit if you can dress yourself!". No! It's not that simple.

better

I am about to give up on these socks. It pains me to do so, but it pains me even more to work on the damn things.
Part of what added to this was a package I received today... my yarn from Michael, my boy.



Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Rainbow. I smile whenever I look at it.
Beautiful yarn.

ouch

I started a pair of socks with my Lana Grossa yarn...and wow,this stuff kills my hands. My fingers start burning because the yarn isn't soft and it's cool here, so every inch of skin on my body starts drying up. This is not a good thing. I am determined to finish these though, and I will reward myself with some of my wonderful, soft yarn.
This is the colorway and yarn I am using:


I'll try to take a wip picture tonight. I'm making these babies reeeeeally short compared to what I had planned.

no way

Wow! I somehow managed to win something, and something that really means a lot to me at that. I submitted the 500th pair of Jaywalkers to Grumperina's gallery, and I get sock yarn for knitting a pair of socks that I love. How awesome is that? I also have 2 skeins of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock in Flourite and Sherbert coming to me at some point, and a KnitPicks order of sock yarn on its way to me. To celebrate all of this goodness, I did nothing other than cast on for a new pair of socks. I have my gauge all worked out and I'm ready to go.

In lamer news, I really busted up my big toenail this evening, cleaning up after dinner. I rewarded myself for not passing out by using my new spa set from Target, mostly just the "hair mud mask". Gross. It smells fine, but I don't think I'll purposefully be putting mud in my newly shampooed hair again any time soon.

finished jaywalkers

Lorinda, my Secret Pal 9 hostess, asked us to talk about our favorite FO so far. Well, mine just happens to be my first pair of Jaywalkers, fresh off the needles this week! I loved this pattern so much. It was so simple but gave such a great result. The socks fit me great, and I wore them all day yesterday. This pair has definetly gotten me addicted to Cherry Tree Hill. Without further ado, the picture:


I am to the heel on my grandma's first sock, made of the lavendar Cascade Fixation. This yarn is interesting to me. I thought it would be hard to keep gauge with the elastic content, but the sock is going great, and so quick. I am doing just plain stockinette for this one, with a ribbed cuff and a short row heel. Nothing like trying out a new technique.

20 days remain

The office is holding its annual chocolate-free October contest. Whoever is left at the end of October splits $500. So far, only Sue has been knocked out, so we're up to $62.50 each. Last year I didn't even participate, but this year...I couldn't help it when I thought of all the yarn I could buy. Mark, Ken and Hunter will be easy to knock out, which would bring us to $100 each. I am also trying to sabotage Doran, but he's pretty strong willed about chocolate already.
I am to the toe of my second jaywalker, and I expect to finish it tomorrow. I would crank it out tonight, but I have to study for my government midterm. I have decided I'm not a fan of professor Brands. He has us reading through James Adams' presidency in the book, but he's not even through the revolution in lecture. He doesn't speak to us directly, but rather as a blob, and up until Tuesday, we had no idea who the TA's were because he never bothered to introduce them. And! He's not even here for the week of the midterm! Ugh.

addicted

First, and of course foremost, hook 'em! We beat OU for the second year in a row today, and I couldn't be any prouder of Colt McCoy.

Second, I ventured to Bluebonnet Yarn Shoppe today with my mom, and I think between them and Hill Country Weavers, I'm pretty much covered for immediate yarn desires in the Austin area. I got some Artyarns Ultra Merino in a green/purple combo that reminds me of grapes, but more muted.

To demonstrate my growing addiction to sock yarns, I have uploaded (and notated) the following image:

(Click on it to see the other sizes, including the version with notes.)

Other than rooting for my school and buying yarn, I got a new digital camera on sale today, and you can thank it for the overload of pictures you will soon experience.
In closing, the puppy is really big, the kitten loves me, and Emo is the best cat ever.

Secret Pal 9 Questions

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love Noro (Kureyon, Silk Garden mostly), Cherry Tree Hill supersock, Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, anything alpaca or wool. I like animal fibers the best, but I'm not completely opposed to acryllic, as long as it's soft.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I just got a beautiful needle holder that somehow holds everything. It's silk, white and teal, with embroidery, and I love it.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I taught myself how to knit over the summer of 2005. I caught on pretty quick, and I'd say I'm somwhere between intermediate and advanced. The only thing I haven't really done is colorwork. I'll be diving into that pretty soon though.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I like 'clean' smells that aren't too powdery or flowery. Examples: anything with "rain" or "air" in the name or citrus smells.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have several sweet teeth. :) I like Toblerone quite a bit, and I have a weak spot for tangy, sour things, including sour punch straws and smarties.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I am working on cross-stitch, but I don't really like it so far. I journal and paint occasionally. I don't spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My musical tastes are pretty random. I like classics, such as John Lennon, the Beatles, Bill Withers and Ella Fitzgerald; some indie bands, such as the Shins, the Postal Service, Rilo Kiley, and old Belle & Sebastian; and finally, weird things like the Hello Dolly Soundtrack and Threepenny Opera. My computer and car stereo can both play cds.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My absolute favorite is pink. I like it enough to have a hot pink car. I love every color though, and I like changing things up colorwise between projects.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my boyfriend, Michael, my two cats, Emo and Audrey (both brown tabbies, 5 years and 4 months, respectively), and our ever-growing black lab puppy, Topper (5 months).

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, and occasionally mittens if I can find them. I don't do hats or ponchos, especially ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I am developing a great love affair with the sock.

13. What are you knitting right now?
A pair of jaywalkers (almost done! must...keep...going!)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love it.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like bamboo and aluminum needles best, Clovers are my favorites. I like circulars and straights both.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No. I'm hoping for one this christmas though.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
This is embarassing...I have a Picovoli tee on the needles that has been sitting in my knitting basket since July.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Shoes and yarn.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I want to get a pair of Addi Naturas at some point, but I don't know what size or length. I don't have any knitting magazine subscriptions.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'm about to start learning colorwork.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes! I'm a straight-up size 9 (US womens). I can take actualy measurements if you need me to.

23. When is your birthday? September 12

socks

I got my Cascade fixation in the mail yesterday from Simply Sock Yarn Company and both colors are exactly what I wanted. I hid them on the shoe shelf in our closet, not from Michael, but from the puppy, who is still convinced most things are toys.
I turned the heel on my second Jaywalker last night, so I am just chugging away at the gusset decreases before I can speed down the foot. I have so many socks I want to knit, but I am making myself finish this pair first.

better

Today is a lot better, less stressful, and more enjoyable. My classics midterm went okay I think. There were a few curveballs he threw at us, but for the most part, I knew what I was talking about.
I am eagerly awaiting more yarn in the mail. I need to find my card reader so I can upload pictures of knitting and yarn. There is a sock yarn explosion happening in my stash right now.
Also, my cats are in love:

classics

I just want to smash my printer right now because I am supposed to work on memorizing a map of ancient greece but this stupid thing keeps printing everything backwards and I just want to climb into a big comfy chair and work on a sock.

well...

He mentioned the book again.

BAHHHH

Professor Brands has mentioned writing a book about Ben Franklin in every lecture we have had.
"In my book about Ben Franklin..."
"I wrote a book about him..."

I will probably hang myself in class, Airplane style, if he mentions it again. Today, this is how he started class:
"Well, let's get started. I wrote a book about Ben Franklin a few years ago..."

Now what gets me, and in turn makes me want to hang myself, is that the man has written a few dozen books. Why the obsession with this one book???

ugh

I finished my first Jaywalker, and part of me wants to just make socks for the rest of eternity.

I am tired of Christmas knitting. I need to evaluate what I have done and decide if I want to keep going for everyone or redistribute what I've already made to the important people.

Here's what I was planning on:
Aunt Cindy, hat
Uncle Randy, hat
Janna, hat
Elissa, hat
Daniel, hat
Uncle Mike, hat
Aunt Carolyn, wristwarmers
Uncle Kevin, hat
Amber, scarf
James, hat
Courtney, hat
Michael's Nana, hat
Michael's Papa, felted slippers
Christine, hat
Trinity, hat
Alexis, scarf
Jordan, hat
Caitlin, hat
Diana, scarf
Mark S., golf club covers
Mindy, scarf
Mark J., beer cozy
Michelle, hat

I bolded what I have already finished, and italicized what is started. Still, just looking at that list makes me want to pull my hair out.

Jaywalker WIP

Imagine it with the prettier colors I posted below.

progress

I am about to turn the heel on my first jaywalker and I love, love, love the pattern. It's so easy and fast and has such a nice result. I am also very happy with the Cherry Tree Hill supersock. It softens up just working the yarn through my fingers to knit. I'm glad I have two more colors to work with after this. I have a leafy green sort of color and bark, a dark brown... I was going to use the dark brown for a pair of socks for my dad, but now I'm leaning more towards using both for a pair of red herring from the new knitty. Sigh. Socks. I also have to do Christmas knitting though.
Classes are wonderful, and I really do love school. I am trying my hardest not to get lazy or complacent, and I think it is working. I got really into my lingustics homework last night and I didn't want it to end.

I miss having a sociology class. I can't wait until all I have are sociology classes.

I had a wonderful birthday, and I am happy to be twenty instead of nineteen. I am getting back into things, including drawing, reading, writing, and working. I started a new pair of socks. The pattern is Grumperina's Jaywalker, and I'm using Cherry Tree Hill in Fall Folliage:

And I'm very excited.

well

My birthday is in four days, and I am pretty happy about turning twenty. Michael says it is a boring age to turn, but I think 19 is a pretty weird age to be. At least with twenty I am no longer in the same decade I was in when a lot of dumb stuff happened.
School is wonderful. I love my classes, I love my school, I love drinking smoothies and making new friends and getting back in touch with old ones.
I found the perfect color of SWS for Michael's mom, and I started her Christmas scarf yesterday. I might want to keep it for myself, but I will fight that urge.

back

School started today, and I already like my classes and professors. I feel a little more comitted this year already, and I really want to make good grades. It is nice to go home to the puppy and cats, and to be able to romp around with Topper and rub his belly before I have to go to work.

better

Things are looking up. The kitties cuddled last night and we are working on things to make them better.


I am Audrey's mommy now.

Audrey

She is tiny and we are already falling in love and attached to each other.



My big beast Emo is handling it really well, and we cuddled last night like I hadn't brought a tiny kitten into the home. I think they will be very close once they get used to each other.

sigh

Having a hard time deciding what to do and if I even want to pretend that I fit in any more. I know I do not belong with these people, I don't smoke and I don't really drink at all. I read for a while at the party Saturday, until I was convinced to down a tiny bottle of apple flavored vodka. It just made me really hot and I spent the rest of the time, the next hour or so, laying down in Patricia's bedroom thinking.


I really can't wait for school to start.

An Open Letter...

An Open Letter to Adrien Brody, Adrien Grenier, Jimmy Stewart, & Jason Schwartzman:

Dear ... Men.

If your picture appears below, please knock it off. You know what I'm talking about.
Especially you, Jason Schwartzman. ESPECIALLY YOU.






Sincerely,

Caitlin Looney

Christmas Knitting

I have finished probably 1/3 of my Christmas knitting already, and I'm still going full speed ahead with it. I have some more hats, two scarves, a pair of slippers, and some other things that haven't been decided yet. Tonight, I finished a scarf that I cast on last night. It's five feet long, thick yarn on ridiculously thick needles:

(ignore the messy bathroom in all of these...)
My other two favorites are two hats. One, is a colorful hat, that I haven't decided who to give to yet...

and the other is Tychus, from knitty, made of the required yarn in heathered gray and white, for my cousin Daniel. I hope he likes it. It should be big enough for his head, as it drowns mine a little.


In other news, Michael and I took Topper to the dog park for the first time tonight. He did very well. It makes me giggle to watch him interact with other dogs and see him running around smiling. I love that dog so much already, and we're just one month into this.

dos años

I have been thinking a lot lately, which is a good thing, as it will lead to me writing more. I got approved for a small loan through a private lender, so I don't have to work myself to death to get through school. I don't mind a little debt, as long as I can keep my sanity. I am so anxious for school to start so I can completely lose myself in classes and readings and such. I got new mary janes this weekend, and I fell in love with my puppy even more, and I fell in love with Michael all over again when I found our old ichat transcripts on his computer. It's so strange to read those old words again, two years after we first shared them. Two years August 27th. Wow.

Also, this Gnarls Barkley song is officially my favorite by them:
What did you do
What did you say
Did you walk or did you run away
Where are you now
Where have you been
Did you go alone or did you bring a friend

I need to know this cause
I notice you smiling
Out in the sun, having fun
And feeling free
And I can tell you know
How hard this life can be
But you keep on smiling for me

What went right
What went wrong
Was it the story or was it the song
Was it overnight or did it take you long
Was knowing your weakness what made you strong

Or all the above, oh how I love
To see you smiling
And oh yeah take a little pain just in case
You need something warm to embrace
To help you put on a smiling face
Put on a smiling face

Don't you go off into the new day with any doubt
Here's a summary of something that you could smile about
Say for instance my girlfriend she bugs me all the time
But the irony of it all is that she loves me all the time

I wanna be you whenever I see you smiling
Because it's easily one of the hardest things to do
Your worries and fears become your friends
And they end up smiling at you
Put on a smiling face.

New start?

I cut my hair tonight before I went out. I didn't have very much fun. I mostly got left out and noticed what idiots they are anyway.
The following statements/actions, uttered by the new girl, made me not want to know any more about her:
1. The thing about Houston is the Astros are really good. Sports anyone? Did anyone watch the world cup?
2. I'm not doing the whole school thing.
3. Using a cigarette case to actually hold cigarettes.

I am so tired of these people and I want new smart friends who will still make me laugh and not forget to call me for two weeks or greet me with "Why are you here?"

animals

This is what life has been since Friday:





Emo has been so wonderful about all of this, and he is such a good kitty. He has been sleeping with one eye open though:

Puppy!!

Michael and I got a puppy today. We get to pick him up from the animal shelter tomorrow. His name is Topper and he is a 11-week-old black lab with white spots on his chest. So sweet, so cute, such a puppy. We're very excited. I get to go supply shopping after work tomorrow, and then Michael and I are picking him up to take him home. Eeek! So much to do, but first, two pictures.

This is the pitiful picture of him from the shelter website. He looks so sad. But, upon meeting us, he turned into this:

The world's happiest puppy!


I can't wait. Work is going to be sooo long tomorrow.

creative spurt

I finally finished the painting I've been working on for a while. Actually, I still have to paint the edges, but the actual work is done.


After that, I did a journal entry with more Wilco lyrics and a cut-out from a children's encyclopedia I bought yesterday.


Also, the gerbils look reeeeally cute when they snuggle on top of each other like this:



Other than that, I am doing really good I think. Michael and I are thinking about getting a puppy. I was spontaneous but also responsible tonight, and I am not sad about being home alone.

listings

Things I need to start doing soon:
1. Journalling more. I need to get old magazines and books to cut up for this.
2. Wear my skinny jeans over and over.
3. Start listening to, and buying, more music from the 40's-50's.
4. Get my hair cut. First, pick how I want it to look. And get it straightened.

the times they are a changin'

I'm having a rough night. Scarlett came back, and I got to see her and it was lovely, and my outfit and everything looked very cute, I think. And then it started to hit me how everyone but me has this special someone in the group, like Kim and J Bugg, and Scarlett and Dana. I tried to console myself by saying Michael was my special someone in the group, but then he left to take Matt home without even saying goodbye to me. I felt so small and unimportant. He just walked off, and I didn't want to cry there so I went home.

And now I'm just sad.

At least I didn't cry.

Progress Indeed

I have caught myself up to where I was on Picovoli, pre-ripping, and I wanted to take a picture of it on to show how things are going. I give you, Picovoli:


What? The image looks like...nothing? Yeah, I think my camera is officially on its last legs. I might put my bonus towards a new digital camera...
I used the tried-and-true Basil Fawlty "Smack on Head" technique to get it working and came out with this picture:

(Ignore the white strings you can see; those will be where the sleeves are added later, and where I will continue knitting at the bottom.)

Also, just for laughs, I caught Emo mid-yawn on my cell phone.

Hahahahahhaa. I can't stop laughing at this, or thinking of things he could be yelling in a funny voice.

blah

My Picovoli shaping was coming out crooked, and sure enough, I miscounted when I placed my markers. I could have kept going, but I don't want this thing to look terrible, so I ripped back...two inches. Blahhhhhhh. Everything is back on the needles though, and I can get back to where I was on the drive to Houston, as Michael will be driving. Mmm baseball.

you made me forget my dreams.

On days like today, when I am not in a very good mood, I like to nap and go grocery shopping and pet the M on Emo's forehead.

I like this picture of me too:


You made me forget my dreams
When I woke up to you sleeping
We had peace for a night at least
But the trouble starts today
This morning you'll say
I'll see you sometime, maybe and I
Fall back to uneasy sleep

journaling

I have done a little more than this in my new paper journal, but I liked the way these two pages turned out enough to share:

Just actual writing and some flowers. I liked the way it looked and the way the colors look in real life. I pretty much posted the exact same thing here a few days ago, just without the images.

Good luck reading this one on the larger sizes...it's horribly blury so I could get decent color. It's just a mini-story called "The Sixth Burrow" from "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer. Amazing book, amazing amazing amazing. I loved this so much. Everyone needs to read this book now.

Oh!! And Michael's mom found my first copy of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, that Michael thought he had lost. Kim has my new copy, but now I can have one on hand always, and pass the other around. I love the underlines and highlights from everyone, and I can't wait to re-read it.

Thelma it is.

As promised, a picture of the new car.


I have two goals that I did not accomplish with Louise:
1. Keep this one cleaner.
2. Take more pictures.

We are only two days into our relationship, and a guy named O'Neil hit her in the parking lot during the movie with my mom. He left a note and he was very apologetic, and he is handling it very well (set up the claim for me, etc), but WTF??
Am I a magnet??


I think this was just bad luck though, mostly because I hadn't named the car yet. I decided on Thelma, because, well, Louise was Louise. It just makes sense I guess.

(you can click either picture for other sizes and such.)

too much

When my cat looks at me like this, sometimes it feels like my heart is going to burst.



I had a very lazy Saturday, and it felt wonderful. I am about to go to sleep, and then I will wake up to see a movie with my mom at what most people call "lunchtime". Michael and I watched Deep Impact today, and it was horrible, but I am a big wuss so I cried near the end of it, when the newly blind astronaut can't see his baby before he dies. Bahhhh.

2006.06.28 sun picture

I liked the way the sun looked so much that afternoon, I stopped on my way in the gate at home to take a picture. I like how the sun looks like it is both in front of and behind the power lines.

two years

Amazing afternoon and night. I finally got rid of the rental and picked up my new(er) hot pink volvo. It looks amazing, and I need to name her still, but she drives like a champ, and I'm so excited. I feel like I'm seventeen again, almost. Michael and I went to Outback for dinner, and it was amazing and fantastic and it didn't make my stomach hurt this time at all. I drove us back to our apartment and then he drove us to the theater to see Superman Returns. It was good, and mostly it just reaffirmed my adoration for Kevin Spacey. I suppose it's genetic, as my mom seems to be under his spell as well. We had a great night, despite the idiots around us, and I am just so happy lately.
He called me just to say he loves me. That was it.
I've been journaling, and I need to post some pictures of my pages tomorrow, along with a picture of me with the new car.

Things are looking up.

I often think about two years ago. Where the past two years have taken me, and how I've changed into who I've become. I can't believe how naive I used to be, but I know I will feel the same way in a few years about how I am now. Two years ago, I sat in smoky coffee houses on velvet sofas with Laura, and we laughed and giggled, and vienna sausages meant love. I had no idea what love was of course, or how amazing it could feel; the surge of power and the gasp of losing it all and being so out of control. I sometimes miss driving with Louise's sunroof open and letting Elliott Smith fill the car, but then I recall the emptiness and how lost I felt on so many of those nights. I don't really wonder if I will ever feel that way again because it isn't something to worry about. I feel like I have almost found my place.

fresh start

Things feel empty and void at the old journal, so it is time for a fresh start. I started a new paper journal, and I will start a new online version of it here, along with knitting, and pictures, and probably more writing when school starts or the girls get back from overseas.