T Minus 3 days until Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Weekend

:: gurgle ::

I CANNOT WAIT!

:: pee pee dance ::

Of course, I get to see my Gwenie Gwen [yarnedy](person) and her new digs in DC. She's arranged all kinds of fun stuff for us to do while I'm there. I CANNOT WAIT! It's not even about the yarn anymore so much as seeing my friend Gwenie Gwen and all the folks from the Knittyboard and Ravelry that I've been chatting with FOREVER, like Cristi [turtlegirl76](person) and lawd knows who else I'm going to run into there.

On the flip side, I'll be missing Teri's big 40th birthday on May 4 and Laura's birthday on May 5. :(

I'll have to make it up to them somehow. :: sigh ::

What else?

Things have died down on the GP front. :: phew! :: Gives me some time to get caught up.

It's spring cleaning time again. It felt so good dragging all manner of crap out to the curb yesterday. Feels like I'm climbing out of an abyss...even though, I know my house is no where near an abyss, but speaking as someone who can only stand a certain level of clutter...I can't stands it no more.

The following Friday or Saturday after Maryland Sheep and Wool, I'll be driving down to Arkansas to spend Mother's Day with my Mommy and Nanny (short for Granny). :: sigh ::
I haven't been talking about her a lot lately because nothing much as changed. She's still weak and can't get around much. She can't work anymore, so she's applied for disability. She's still retaining a lot of fluids and I'm not sure her meds are working or if she's even taking them anymore since she probably can't afford them right now. While I was down there back in February, Nanny told me that we have a history of bad hearts in our family and that many of us have died at a relatively young age, so I figure I've got about 10-20 more years left. I went in last week for preliminary blood work, you know the usual diabetes, cholesterol, etc. and tomorrow I go in for more tests to see what's going on with my heart. I'm kinda dreading this trip because I know it will break my heart to see my Mom so down and out. She begged me to order her some Nutrisystem and get her a recliner chair for Mother's day. :: sigh :: She wanted me to get her the Nutrisystem, so that she doesn't have to bother Nanny to cook for her and so that she can lose a little more weight even though she doesn't have much of an appetite and the chair so that it's easier for her to get up and down to go to the bathroom, etc. Nanny is tired. I don't know how much longer Nanny will be able to look after Mom. If one goes the other won't be too far behind.

My Aunt Gladys died back around 1990 from congestive heart failure. I was at the hospital with my Nanny when she died. Gladys was in her late 50s as well. I see the same things happening to my mom that happened with Gladys before shes died. I know it's only a matter of time now. I don't think we'll have her around much longer. Just from what I've seen in the past. I guess I better call my Aunt Effie and tell her she better get herself together and go see her sister before it's too late. I think things might be too far gone to even be optimistic at this point.

It's been a struggle for me lately. I walk the line between denial and complete ruin everyday. It's like I HAVE to hold back my emotions just so I can function. I can't fall apart because who will pick me up and put me back together again? And so, I dredge along through each day, numb, mindlessly going through the motions, hoping for a glimmer of something good to shine through every now and then. I smile, I joke, I act like everything is fine when so much of the time I want to fall down and fall apart. Things that keep me going are: messages from a friend, a phone call, a text message, time to knit or sew, my Mandarin class, rented movies, just something...anything pleasant to take my mind off the inevitable.

Anywho...back to something more palateable. Non?

Hey? Does anyone even pay attention to my Throwback Thursday entries? I wonder if you find them interesting.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Soul of a Woman

Celebrating its 10 year anniversary this August, Soul of a Woman was Kelly Price's debut album. If you have never heard Kelly sang, you need to RUN and buy this CD. Lawd! This woman can sang! You will feel every note from her soul straight into yours. I have rediscovered Kelly all over again and she is awesome in every aspect.
I love every song on this CD, but some of the more memorable ones are:

2. Friend Of Mine [YouTube Live Performance]
3. Secret Love [YouTube Video]
5. Kiss Test
9. Her [YouTube Video] Story of My Life...
11. Take Me To A Dream
12. Lord Of All - [YouTube Live Performance] This one makes me cry every time. So, beautiful.

I remember when Kelly first debuted. I listened to this CD non stop and it resonates so closely to my own life experiences; betrayal, heartbreak, introspection and re-emergence.

Funny story.
Spring 1999, I was on a business trip to Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia and was staying at the Swissotel. Just so happened that Kelly was in town and staying at the very same hotel. We were even on the same floor. Back then, Kelly and I looked pretty darn similar. Same complexion, same body composition, same hair style, same sunglasses (one of the doormen told me that we had the same ones), etc. No, I wasn't stalking her. Just one of those serendipitous situations. Consequently, I was frequently mistaken for her and found myself absconding from paparazzi and autograph seekers the whole time I was there. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to meet Mrs. Price, but it was nice being a look-a-like for a couple days. :) Some other similarities, we both come from COGIC families. My Maternal Grandmother is the Church Mother at her church. She has struggled with an ailing mother. Mine is still not doing well. We've both lost at least 100lbs, although, I've gained a few of mine back. BOOO! I'm working on it. I'm working on it. I promise. I just got back from the gym.

Always a plus size person, Kelly was prompted to make serious changes in her life after her mother and mother in law were both diagnosed with breast cancer. Slimming down from a size 24 to a size 12, Kelly managed to lose 100 pounds through plain ole diet and exercise. What an accomplishment and a great example to all women, especially women of color since we are most at risk for so many obesity related illnesses. Although, I have to say that I think she was so much more beautiful when she was larger. I think some folks just look better bigger, but what is more important is that they are healthier and happier.

Most recently, Kelly has been focusing on gospel music and was on tour with Sisters in the Spirit during 2007. "...Kelly Price is supposed to release a new R&B-CD early 2008 at Atlantic Records (according to Jawn Murry)"

Earth Day 2008

It's amazing how much things have changed in the span of one year regarding earth friendliness.

For example, at my local grocery store, the vast majority of shoppers that I've noticed are carrying in their own shopping bags. YAY! I've managed to acquire quite a few tote bags in my lifetime and have now put them all to work as grocery sacks and such. LOVE THAT! I have an aversion to plastic grocery sacks, so I avoid them like the plague whenever possible. However, you can't always avoid them, especially at Wal-Mart, so I dutifully collect them and recycle in quarterly or as needed at Wal-Mart. I keep my tote bags strategically stashed in my car, work cubicle and hanging on a hook by my back door, so they are always in sight and ready to use.

I hope the next big thing that people start to tackle is recycling or reusing our electronic items.

Personally, I've got 2 monitors, an old laserjet printer, a scanner, a desktop CPU (empty), a broken VCR, old car stereo, broken floor heater, a battery charger, a drill, a couple of stick vacs, Ni-Cad and Lithium batteries, old software CDs and Gawd knows what else is lurking around my house that I refuse to throw into the land fill. April is an excellent month to start my spring cleaning in earnest and I can't wait to unload all these things at my local recycling center.

Do you have anything lurking that needs to find a new home or be recycled?

My Yarnissima Package Arrived!

:: panting ::

When arrived home Friday, my [yarnissima](person) package was waiting for me on my porch!

You see I ordered all 3 of the exclusive Yarnissima Sock Kits (La Digitessa, Spina Di Pesce and Fratello). Each kit includes exclusive Wollmeise colorways especially dyed for Yarnissima by Claudia.

:: gurgle ::

I couldn't wait to tear into it. I immediately went into the kitchen to tear into my box when I discovered that the contents on the inside were TOO PRETTY to disturb. A truly blog worthy sight.

BEHOLD!

The unveiling...
(click the open package to see the slideshow)

THROWBACK THURSDAY: SWV

These three "Sisters with Voices" (SWV), Cheryl "Coko" Clemons, Tamara "Taj"Johnson-George and Leanne "Lelee" Lyons have left an indelible mark on contemporary R&B of the 90s. Now retired, SWV was considered one of the top R&B groups of its time.

"With their 1992 debut, It's About Time, the all-female New Jack Swing trio SWV scored a string of Top Ten R&B hits that established them as one of the most popular urban R&B groups of the '90s. SWV (their name is an acronym for Sisters with Voices) is comprised of three school friends: Cheryl "Coko" Gamble-Clemons, Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George and Leanne "Lelee" Lyons. All three vocalists sang in church as children, which is where they learned how to harmonize. A demo tape the group assembled caught the attention of producer Teddy Riley, a former member of Guy and arguably the father of new jack swing. Prior to SWV, Riley helped establish the careers of Jodeci and Mary J. Blige. Riley's luck didn't wear out with SWV — he helped the group craft their debut, It's About Time, which went double platinum within its first year of release." Read more about SWV.

SWV came onto the scene just as I started my college years. I remember those rare moments when I had time to relax, I'd lay in my bed, listening to their tape over and over again wishing I could sing as passionately as these 3 women.

Some of my most favorite and memorable songs are:

It's About Time
1. Anything
2. I'm So Into You
4. Weak
5. You're Always On My Mind

New Beginning
2. You're The One

Fitted Knits: The Back To School U-Neck Vest

Specifications

Pattern: The Back To School U-Neck Vest Pattern Errata
Yarn: Classic Elite '03 Tweed Colorway: 5927 (Red)

• courtesy of Gwenie Gwen

Needles:Knit Picks Options US 8 32" cable

Modifications: None

Started:

Finished:

Project Details:

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Weekend

'Weekend' is the 3rd album release by contemporary R&B vocalist, Kenny Lattimore. In stark contrast to his 2 previous albums, 'Kenny Lattimore' and 'From the Soul of a Man'. Weekend has a light-hearted, upbeat feel overlaid with Kenny's shiny serenading voice.

Some of my personal favorites are:

1. Weekend (Radio Mix/Album Version)
6. Lately
9. The Things I'll Do For You
10. Who

Did you know it is his birthday today!? Happy Birfday, Kenny! :*

Knitting in the Heartland 2008

:: exhausted heaving sigh ::

A huge THANK YOU to everyone on the Knitting in the Heartland Planning Committee, (Joanna, Teri, Holly, Sandra B., Christine, Johanna), Stefanie Japel, Stefanie's Mom and the little sweet peapod Mazie, our vendors and most importantly our customers!

We had a great turnout and yes, I had many sales and nearly sold out of project bags.

:: cheese :: The orange sock box with the snaps is featured on Stefanie blog. :: squeak ::

Saturday Recap
One Word: BLUR! Thankfully. I was so busy Saturday that I don't remember too much.

That's Deb Waggoner's daughter of Two Windows Dye Company whizzing by in the cute shrug as Catherine of The Studio Knitting and Needlepoint shop helped a customer right after the market opened Saturday morning.

Let's see I remember see glimpses of Christine whirring about the market loaded down with yarn. I wonder what she managed to snap up? :: hmmm :: While I was swamped at my vendor table, I remember begging Jo Minor to pick out some yarn for me at the Textiles a Mano table and she did, in fact, pick out some kick@ss Bella fingering weight. It was somewhat painful to watch everyone descend upon them and pick their proverbial carcass clean first thing Saturday morning before I even had a chance to peek at the pretty, pretty yarns.

Can I just say that I love love love Laura (pictured above helping Jo Minor) and Paul Shang from Textiles a Mano. They are such a fun, cute, sweet couple. Laura is from Argentina and Paul is Chinese, so I got a chance to practice my Spanish and Mandarin. I'm definately going to find time to see them again soon. I feel a road trip with my knitter homies coming on soon. :: ehem ::

After her morning class, Gwen came by and helped me manage my vendor table. THANK YOU, GWEN! I LOVE YOU! YOU SAVED ME! See, this was my very first real vendor table and I was overwhelmed to say the least. I was like a space cadet most of the weekend and I'm not really an airhead, but for some reason. SPACE CADET CITY!

It's good Gwen can do math in her head like a calculator 'cause my brain hamster went to sleep a few times. :: small squeak :: It was so much fun to meet so many Ravelers and, finally, put a face with a name! My table was right as you entered, so I got to see and greet a whole lot of people. Once again, many thanks to all my customers. I love you all and want each one of you to be happy and in love with your pretties. Later in the day Saturday, Gwenie Gwen had the most excellent idea to bring in fabric samples Sunday, so that I could take custom project bag orders since my inventory was running a bit thin. Thanks to my homies, Joanna, Teri, Gwen, Johanna, Christine, PlazaJen, Laura and everyone else for helping to pimp the wares. Another special thanks to my new friends Laura [Fluffykira](person) and Tanya [craftygrrl](person) for being so sweet. They were always so attentive and always asking if they could help in anyway. THANK YOU! :: squish ::

[ fast forward to market close ]

Saturday night, there would be a group of knitters joining Stefanie for dinner and a group of us (me, Gwen, Tanya, Laura, Sandra B.) headed over to Mimi's restaurant a little early for a little cocktail hour. Dude! I needed me a drank 'cause Mama's nerves were bad. I ended up having some kind of champagne and fruity juice concoction and, Man!, was it good. :: cheese :: After about 20 minutes, our waitress escorted us over to our table a little early and there, in a booth next to our huge long table, sat this cute little couple. So, we sit down and I start whining to Gwenie Gwen that I can't figure out how to fix a little booboo on my Split Neckline Cap Sleeve Tee, so I whips it out and hands it to her and she expertly starts to fix it when I hear "Hey, are you guys knitters?" Immediately, I perk up and say something like, "YEAH! We're here for dinner with Stefanie Japel. She's our Featured Instructor for Knitting in the Heartland." I don't remember exactly what I said because I was feeling no pain at this point. :: cheese :: So, then I think I asked if they could stay a while and join us, so she can meet Stefanie. Turns out they couldn't stay long, but I insisted that she join us for Sunday's vendor market. More here http://www.theoffwhites.com/blog/2008/04/06/hire-me-please/

It was nice to decompress after a long hard day with my friends. After dinner, I managed to wave Stefanie down to our end of the table and we got to talk with her for a while. I don't even remember how we got on this subject, but she, actually, remembered my story (mentioned on her blog) about the one time I went camping (quasi-glamping) on a work team builder and I explained how I methodically planned out my accoutrement and accommodations, including bug bombing my piece of earth before placing my tarp down, then how I skillfully managed to setup my own 6 person tent all by myself, my dome light/fan, the air mattress, down featherbed, down comforter and down pillows, camp chair with matching umbrella, tiki torches and febreeze (that, actually, came in handy because, of course, one of my team mates had a stinky, moldy tent). The only thing I forgot was a dust buster to get the grit out of the bottom of the tent. Anywho...I was the most prepared AND the most comfortable. :: poofs out chest :: :: ehem :: ANYWHO!
Later that night, at home, Gwenie Gwen and I set about cutting, assembling and naming the fabric samples for the next day. Thanks Gwen. Excellent Idea!


[ fast forward to Sunday ]

Sunday Market Recap
FINALLY! I have time to peruse the other vendor tables. First, on my agenda, Textiles a Mano!
OH MY GAWD! I LOVE THIS YARN! I, first, noticed them last year at Stitches Midwest and made a mental note to mention them to my homies when I got back home, so maybe we can add them to our fall Missouri yarn crawl. I was gushing and gushing to any and everyone that would listen, but no dice. Nobody wanted to drive up to St. Joseph, MO (about a 45-60 minute drive) to see the pretties. So, this year, once again, I gushed and gushed and begged and knudged and down right insisted that Teri make it a PRIORITY to make sure that Textiles a Mano was a vendor at the market. YES! SCORE! They accepted. So, that's the story of how we got 'em. Now, all day Saturday their table had been SWAMPED and I was getting a little crazy 'cause I didn't have time to even glance at their table too hard and they were right next to me. :: grimace :: Yes, good because I was making sales, but, then I'm thinking MY PRECIOUS! THEY TAKES MY PRECIOUS! :: grumble :: Stay tuned for intimate yarn pr0n of each precious hank of yarn, but for now. VOICI! Le Booty!

The Official Knitting in the Heartland 2008 flickr Group

Carmen's Knitting in the Heartland 2008 flickr Set

Joanna's Knitting in the Heartland 2008 flickr Set

Stefanie's Knitting in the Heartland 2008 flickr Set

Teri's Knitting in the Heartland 2008 flickr Set

:: brain dead again ::
:: standby ::

Fitted Knits: The Split Neckline Cap Sleeved Tee

Specifications

Pattern: Fitted Knits: Split Neckline Cap Sleeve Tee

Yarn: Araucania Pomaire Colorway: 4

Needles:Knit Picks Options US 8 32" cable

Modifications: None

Started: Thursday, May 22, 2007

Finished: Saturday, April 5, 2008

Project Details:

March 24, 2008
T-minus 10 days and I’m ALMOST done with it. I’ve hemmed the bodice and one sleeve. :) Will be ready by KITH. YES! I used 3.5 skeins of yarn. You can't tell the colorway changes up close, but you totally see the different skeins on photo.



The Picot Edging
Crocheted Bind Off using a size J (6.00 mm) crochet hook.
When I sewed down the picot hem, I used my Chibi tapestry needle to whip stitch half of the bound off edge stitch to its corresponding purl bump from the first color change round.



January 24, 2008
I'm still plugging away on the split neckline tee. It's mindless knitting. *sigh* I knit on it while watching TV or sitting around somewhere. Still knitting...I'm a 1/3 of the way down the bodice now. I might actually have this completed in time for Knitting in the Heartland. *cheese*

Saturday, June 30, 2007
I’m back on track now. I’ve started working the waist. I elected to use negative ease given the fact that I know cotton will stretch, so I went down a few sizes.
Using my Knit Picks Options 24” cables with end caps as stitch holders for the sleeves.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

So, I had to rip back to the join today. I had a nagging feeling that I wasn’t doing the raglan increases properly. Indeed, I had misread the directions for the raglan increase round kfb, knit to 1st before marker, kfb, sl marker. I was only doing the increase on one side of the marker instead of on both sides of the marker. It says very clearly at the top of the page that the brackets are the repeat operation. sigh Well, at least I caught it before I got too far along. Thanks to T and Joanna for verifying my mistake.

Main Color: Araucania Pomaire #4 and Contrast Color: Debbie Bliss Cotton DK #13003

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Profyle

Dropping in 1999, "Whispers in the Dark" was Profyle's debut album.

"The Shreveport, LA, vocal quartet Profyle consists of a pair of brothers and cousins who grew up together, inspired by the success and positive message of groups like Boyz II Men."

I was listening to them on my way into work this morning and said to myself "HEY! Here's another R&B group worthy of profiling."

Some of my personal favorite titles are:
1. Just Can't Get You Off My Mind
2. I Ain't The One
3. Jiggy Girl
4. Too Shady
5. Whispers In The Dark
7. Don't Be Trippin'

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Tyrese

I've been listening to Tyrese all week in my car. :: swoon :: What a voice! So, powerful and melodic...with perfect pitch and range. You feel what he feels when he sings. That's the way it should be.

You might remember Tyrese from his late 90's Coca-Cola and Tommy Hilfiger advertisements, and Usher's "My Way" video. His self titled debut album, Tyrese, is simply spectacular.

Some of my favorite tracks are:

2. Tell me, tell me
4. Sweet lady
8. You get yours <- The ultimate break-up song!
9. Do you need

Joe The Bully Is Crankier

'nother funny story. I meant to tell some of the girls at UFO Wednesday last night, but I didn't get around to it.

As many of you know, I'm currently enrolled in a conversational Mandarin class at a local community college. I absolutely love learning new languages and am falling in love with Mandarin and Chinese culture, right now. So, as luck would have it, we have a class bully named "Joe" who is engaged to be married to a young mainland China Chinese lady. Yes, you guessed it, they met online. Ever since class began back in January, Joe has been GUSHING about his future bride, so much so, that EVERYONE in the class is sick of hearing about her and his recent trip to China to meet her and her family for the first time. Joe is in his early 20s, your average Joe. He's not very attractive AND not very smart. From his demeanor, Joe comes off as a control freak and a hot head who HATES to be wrong. He's got chunks of gray hair already from all the stress and rage. Anywho, Joe is young, dumb and in love. From the looks of things, I can safely assume that he isn't very savvy about love and relationships. He doesn't strike me as the type of guy that women fall all over themselves to be with, so whenever he's able to snare a woman online and things escalate to a real life encounter, he's all in. I'm guessing these two haven't known each other very long, maybe a few months to a year and they're ready to get married, so that he can lock this girl in for life, right? :: hmph ::

Joe is the class know it all and seems to enjoy flaunting his "superior first hand" knowledge of Chinese culture and Mandarin Chinese. Our honorable teacher or (lao shi), Jackie immigrated to the US from Taiwan some years ago and is, of course, is fluent in Mandarin. I trust our teacher. She's a great instructor, but for some odd reason, Joe seems to challenge her CONSTANTLY! What a DOUCHEBAG! Generally, I'm a pretty outgoing, talkative person, but when I'm in a situation where I know NOTHING, I tend to just shut the hell up and let the expert do all the talking. During class, I sit quietly in the back of the room and absorb everything I can, taking notes and asking questions when warranted. Not Joe. Oh No. He's got to sit at the very front of the class and interject his personal opinions and experiences ALL FREAKIN' CLASS LONG! :: ARGH ::

One time, Joe was arguing with one of the students in our class, a German immigrant fluent in German about some German grammar/syntax. Joe insisted that he was correct, but fortunately, she stood up to him and basically told him he's wrong and that she should know since she speaks German as her first language. :: smirk ::
I looked over at her and smiled and gave her a virtual high five. LOL! Take that!

After a brief hiatus, our classes resumed this past Tuesday night and there were only 3 students in the class. Me, Joe and Louise. Of course, Joe monopolized the ENTIRE class. He started out offering to show our teacher (lao shi) some emails from his girlfriend. I looked over at Louise and rolled my eyes and she smiled. After class, Joe announced that he and his fiancee had set a date and that he couldn't wait to get married. They had set a date sometime in 2009. He explained to Jackie that his fiancee had to consult the Chinese version of the Farmer's Almanac/Astrology Horoscope to ensure they had chosen a lucky day to get married. Curiosity got the best of me and I asked Joe if he had consulted with an immigration attorney about getting his wife into the country after they got married in China. Joe quickly snipped that he doesn't need an immigration attorney because they are getting married and that his wife would automatically be a US citizen and he could bring her back to the states and live happily ever after. I, taking pleasure in his increasing level of frustration, went on to explain that simply because you get married, doesn't guarantee citizenship and there were going to be some hurdles they'd have to jump before she could even apply for full citizenship and re-iterated that he should consult an immigration attorney before he got married in China. Joe didn't like that. He was annoyed. On his way out the door he mentioned that he couldn't wait for the new President to take office. I informed him that a change in Presidency doesn't always mean a change in department policy, i.e. Department of Homeland Security isn't going to change its immigration/citizenship policies overnight with the election of a new President. Joe had heard enough and swiftly walked away. I had hit a nerve. PAYDIRT! The prospect of life not turning out EXACTLY the way he envisions it is unnerving to Joe. He can't control bureaucracy and its going to mess up his whole pretty plan. :: scoff :: :: sly smirk ::

Leaving the classroom, Jackie joked that maybe Joe's fiancee' should teach him Chinese and that she was tired of Joe challenging her and that she had consulted with her teaching adviser on the issue. Joe is getting under her skin and she's at a loss for what to do. I assured her that she's not the only one who is tired of Joe and his constant challenges. Personally, I'm not going to let him intimidate me. I'll go toe to toe with the skinny bastard. BRING IT ON! I love mashing his buttons. :: evil grin ::

EENIE MEANIE WIENIE MENS!

:: laboured sigh ::

...yet another installment in lies of my life. LOL! It's mating season again.

So, I was being heavily pursued by yet another middle aged, average White guy. Yep, you guessed it. We met online. :: shrug ::

Saturday evening, I hopped online for a bit to chat with friends and up pops this IM from Brad.
Brad and I have been IMing back and forth for some weeks and, FINALLY, were able to clear some time to meet in real life. On paper, Brad seemed like a nice enough guy, I GUESS! I mean he wasn't physically my type, but he seemed to have a pretty funny disposition, so I said, what the heck. All I'm going to do tonight is sit on my sofa, knit and watch Dexter, so I might as well get out for a while and see what's what around the old neighborhood.

Anywho, we chat and make arrangements to meet in my 'hood 45 minutes later for dinner at a local restaurant. We both had to get ready and he had about a 20 minute drive from the suburbs, so I knew he'd be a few minutes late...which meant I'd get there before him or even on time.

[ fast forward 50 minutes and I'm ready, waiting and knitting at the restaurant's bar ]

[ Brad arrives shortly after I did ]
[ internal grimace ]
[ thinks to myself, "DAMN! He looks EXACTLY like his picture. He told me he has lost 30 lbs since he took that picture and he had a few more sprigs of hair, too. I hate it when they lie. Why bother? :: shrug ::" ]

Me: HEY! You made it.
Brad: Yeah.
Me: OK! Let's grab a table.
Brad: OK.

[ hostess seats us at a table ]
Me: [ looks across table and notices that he has some type of canker sore/blister on his lower lip ] [ dry heave ] [ wonder why he just doesn't shave his whole freakin' head instead of hanging on to those 5 hairs that he gets cut every week? ]

Brad is 41, never married, no kids, non-smoker, one cat. He's about 5'9", portly, blonde and balding badly. He's lived in KC for about 2 years and moved here to be a high school/college hockey and baseball referee. Brad dresses very conservatively, dare I say, vintage miserly. Uh yeah, he had on one of those Members Only type jackets, a JCPenney polo and khaki pants. Not bad, but I wonder what he REALLY looks like....I mean that was his first date attire. :: eyeroll ::

[ more dinner conversation ensues...blah blah blah ]

I don't have anything really interesting to type for dialogue since he was utterly boring and mundane. I mean we talked about places we'd traveled, jobs, college, generic crap, but nothing really drew me in...

[ fast forward again. Dinner is over. We go dutch on the bill, I insisted. ]

So, dinner is over and I'm not quite ready to go home, so I mention I'm going down the street to a pub and ask if he wanted to go along. :: NOW WAIT! I KNOW! I KNOW! but, :: shrug :: I was being nice and thought I'd give him a chance to redeem himself , plus I'd already made up my mind that there is NOT WAY I was inviting this guy over to my house. NUH UH!

We agree to meet up down the street at the bar, he had to go back to his car to put his leftovers away and I had to put my knitting away in my car and I didn't want him to see my car anyway.

I didn't see Brad right away at the bar, so I made my way over to a bartender and bought myself a nice STRONG martini. I needed it. I was really hoping that our paths wouldn't cross again and he'd give up and leave, but no...he found me downstairs hanging out by myself. DAMMIT!

So, I'm standing up leaning against a bar table, enjoying my martini buzz as I stared deeply at my martini glass as I slowly turned it clockwise. It was still early and there weren't that many people downstairs or on the dance floor yet. I was enjoying the people watching anyway and the solace. Soon though, I caught a glimpse of Brad bounding down the stairs towards me. CRAP! He sidled up next to me and began yammering about how he tried to call me and text me and that he had been waiting upstairs for me the whole time. GREAT! :: internal grumble :: I explained to him that I left my phone in the car along with my knitting. He had a bottle of beer with him...O'Douls. I remembered seeing one of those a long time ago. I thought to myself, "Isn't that a non-alcoholic beer?" and I remembered that he only had water with his dinner. So, I reach over and take a closer look at the bottle. Yep, O'Douls. Brad picks up his bottle takes another swig and proceeds to remove the front label, ball it up and fling it at me playfully. I was not happy.

Me: So, you're in recovery, huh?
Brad: Yeah, been sober 12 years. You want another drink?
Me: No, I'm fine. Thanks.
Brad: Ok. Just making sure.
Me: You know I had no idea. I mean we can leave.
Brad: Nah. This isn't my first time in a bar since I got sober. It takes 12 O'Douls to have the same effect as 1 regular beer.
Me: [ thinks he's on his 3rd or 4th by now. ]

Now, I don't know how you even really broach the subject of sobriety when you are first meeting someone. I mean is that something you disclose before you go out? I don't know, but once again, I feel like he's not being who he really is with me and it bothers me! GREATLY!

[ fast forward a few minutes of awkward chit chat, then in walks a brood of bachelorettes ]

Ordinarily, I DO NOT LIKE BACHELORETTE PARTIES! 'cause I know things will get real ugly, real fast. But, upon further inspection, this brood of bachelorettes seemed quite mannered and subdued, so I set aside judgment for the time being.

The ladies gathered nearby our table and no sooner had they arrived, than one of the many drunken college frat boys was mashing on one of them rather hard.

Drunk Frat Boy: [ places his drink on my table and proceeds to harass Bachelorette Party Girl ]
Me: [ feels encroached upon and starts seething. I mean usually you'd motion to the current occupants of a table if it's ok to set your drink on their table and most folks nod and say sure..no problem. ]
Me: [ continues to watch frat boy with a keen eye...ponders shoving his drink onto the floor..can feel that Brad is terrified that I might actually do it ]

I could see that Bachelorette Party Girl was trying unsuccessfully to convince the drunk frat boy to leave her alone. Finally, I intervened on her behalf.

Me: HEY! YOU! BEAT IT! [ points finger at him and shoos him away ]
Drunk Frat Boy: [ looks at me and see that I'm entirely serious and moves away ]
Brad: [ speechless motionless ]
Me: [ thinks to myself, "What a freakin' wuss! I had to get control of the situation. He didn't even try to say anything to the schmuck to save the girl. I bet he was praying he didn't have to fight that guy and I'm like "PFFT!" I'd break both of y'all in half in a few seconds." ]
Bachelorette Party Girl: HEY THANKS! That guy just wouldn't leave me alone. I told him I didn't want to dance and that I'm married, but he just wouldn't take no for an answer. [ places her drink on our table and moves in closer to us. ]
Me: [ smiles and scoots over]
Brad: [ leaves to go get another O'Douls ]
Me: [ eyeroll ]

So, what happened to chivalry and manly mens who fight for a woman's honor? ALL GONE!
They been wussified or something...seems like girls have to fend for themselves more often than not these days. 'nother reason, I'm going to take Krav Maga, get a gun and take up shooting practice.

Anywho, back to the bar, soon a table frees up behind us and we move, allowing the bachelorette party to have our old table. They weren't so bad. I'll be nice.

At our new table, Brad and I had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to talk about. NOTHING! I watched as Brad removed yet another O'Douls label from his beer. He was ashamed. I picked up the label and shredded it into little pieces as we stood there speechless and watched the people dance and flirt. I mean he was all snuggled up next to me, c0ck blocking and all, but we had nothing to talk about and I KNEW I wasn't going to dance with him. So, I decided to pull the proverbial plug and go home. That was it. I motioned to Brad that I was leaving and he followed behind as we went up the stairs to the exit. I could feel his eyes scanning my booty butt cheeks, too. LOL! At the door, I told him it was nice to meet him and have a good night. THE END!

So, the moral of this story is that you aren't guaranteed what you see or what you think when you meet someone in real life from online. DUH! That goes without saying, but when it does happen, I'm mainly pissed off that the person didn't think highly enough of themselves to just be themselves and not put on aires or out right lie about what they look like or who they are...lumps and all. Put your lumps on the table and sort through them together with the other person and let them decide if they can deal with 'em or not. Don't just spring stuff on 'em. That's NOT cool. Not at all.

My Personality Recipe

The Recipe For Carmen

3 parts Fun 2 parts Humor 1 part Wisdom Splash of Charm Chug!

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

The Muppet Personality Test

You Are Miss Piggy

A total princess and diva, you're totally in charge - even if people don't know it. You want to be loved, adored, and worshiped. And you won't settle for anything less. You're going to be a total star, and you won't let any of the "little people" get in your way. Just remember, piggy, never eat more than you can lift!

The Muppet Personality Test

All that vitamin D is making me happy...

So, 'nother funny story.

I'm walking down the stairs on my way out of work today and there's this guy, I'll call him "All American Joe" walking behind me. On our way down the stairwell, "All American Joe" makes a comment to a couple dark complexion East Indian men who were talking in front of a window in the stair well. I'll assume these guys are on his team or that he knows them.

All American Joe: "So, what are you guys doing soaking up some vitamin E standing there in front of the window?"

East Indian Guys: "Uh? We're just talking about some work stuff..."

Me: :: looks back at All American Joe as we descend the stairs :: "Actually, it's vitamin D."

All American Joe: "...vitamin D, eh I always thought it was vitamin E."

:: pregnant pause as we walkout the main doors ::

Me: "Yeah, little trivia for you...dark complexion people like myself can't absorb vitamin D from sunlight, we have to get it from supplements or food"

:: I'm enjoying making All American Joe squirm as we walk towards the parking garages ::

All American Joe: "I figured since you dark complexion people are so dark that you would absorb MORE vitamin D from the sun."

Me: "Well, see...we are designed to BLOCK certain sunlight rays...you know the whole UVA and UVB thing."

All American Joe: "Oh, so is that why you dark skin folks are so happy...not enough vitamin D?"

Me: :: smiles :: :: eyeroll ::

All American Joe: :: continues walking in complete oblivion of his own ignorance ::

Darker skin interferes with the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D.

Black People Need Vitamin D Supplements

Single After 25?

So, I read this thread today and my head almost exploded. :: sigh ::

"http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200803/single-marry

...Maybe I find the article easier to swallow because I am young and in a relationship with someone I didn’t have to settle for, but I often worry that my single friends are being too picky about superficial things and are going to end up single at 40 and have slim pickings. Even 24 doesn’t seem too early to be thinking about these things.

What do you guys think? I mean, I’m sure there are a number of women out there who have stories about meeting the loves of their lives after 35 or who are really and truly happy with being single as everyone around them pairs up, but does that seem to be the exception or the rule?"

My response was as follows:

"WHOA! This irks me. It’s as if to say that if you’re 40 and never married that you’re a loser? No. Au contraire.

Don’t pity me or anyone else like me who is older than you and has never been married. Marriage is NOT the measure of a person.

I enjoy being single with the knowledge and security to know that when I walk into my own house that I purchased with my own hard earned money that a man won’t be there to hit me in my eye, belittle or berate me because I got married to some man just to say I’m married. It’s so easy to think you know someone and then, when you get married, they change or become the person they really are. :: patoeey :: Tonight and every night, I can lay my head on my pillow ALONE secure in the knowledge that I’ve done good things in my life and that I deserve to be with a man that is deserving of someone like me. A good man. No, I’m not picky…not overly picky that is. I’ve been there done that on both sides of the scales from being too picky to not picky enough. Personally, I had no clue who I was or even what I wanted in my 20s and most of my 30s and it has only been until recently that I’ve gained enough knowledge and experience to be able to truly see who I am and what I want in my life. I know what I’m looking for and what kind of man it takes to be with me. Only thing is they are a rare find, indeed.

In my opinion, there are far too many people who are married and miserable. Yes, I’m talking about the high school sweethearts and those who thought they found the “ONE”. The ones who had the fairy tale wedding, the 2.5 kids, the house, the cars, but at the end of the day the love they once had just isn’t there anymore and they are stuck. Let’s face it people change and sometimes the fairy tale turns into a nightmare.

There’s no guarantee that you’ll find “love” before age 25 or 35 or 45 or 55. We live in a different era now. We don’t marry the guy next door anymore. Hell if we even know who the guy next door is anyway.

It’s not like the old days when your parents would arrange who you’d marry. Even back then, there were no guarantees. You marry the boy next door and you think you’re going to live this perfect life and you find out that boy next door is in the closet or an alcoholic or abusive or whatever. That’s reality. There’s only a small percentage of marriages/relationships that are those “one of a kind” loves where they can finish each others sentences and they get all giddy when they think about each other after 50 years that they’ve been together.

Life and love. It’s all just one big crap shoot. If you’re lucky, you’ll role 7 or 11 and go home a big winner, but most of the time you roll craps, set your chips on the table and roll the dice again and again."

I mean really who cares anymore. I think its safe to say that dating, relationships and marriage are pretty well f*cked up these days, right? :: gah :: I just thank God that I can lay my head down at night and feel safe and secure. Don't have to worry about where he is at 3 AM or if he's going to try to kill me or anything like that because really...that's the norm not happily ever after. Not anymore.

BLOGSTALKING 2008: Oldest FINISHED OBJECT (FO) Currently In Your Possession

Sunday, March 16, 2008:
Oldest FINISHED OBJECT (FO) Currently In Your Possession.

Vogue Knitting Holiday 2003 - The Shawl Collar Jacket

One Down, One to Go!

The Nursing Symposium, this past Thursday, was my very first attempt at participating in a vendor market. Overall, I count it as a valuable learning experience. Mainly, I handed out literature for the upcoming Knitting in the Heartland (KITH) event and a list of all the Kansas City Metro Yarn Shops. I fielded a lot of questions regarding knitting/crochet and managed to sell a couple of bags and a set of markers. So many of the nurses mentioned that their grandmothers knit or that they tried knitting when they were little. :: sigh :: To which I responded, "Knittin' ain't just for grannies anymo'" LOL! All in all the whole thing was a loss, since it cost me more money to attend the market than I actually made, but now I know better. Plus, I got some ideas for how to set up my Knitting in the Heartland table.

What else? I'm BURNED OUT! I'm tired of looking at my sewing machine, but I intend to make at least another batch of project bags and markers before KITH. After the KITH vendor market, no more vendor markets for me. I learned my lesson.

As for knitting, well, I've started some small projects that I will use as props during KITH to demonstrate how some of my tools are used. I'm knitting up Foliage - Knitty Fall 2007 using my Queensland Bengali to demonstrate the use of my circular row markers to track the lace pattern.
I'm knitting up the Flying Geese Dishcloth using a ball of Lily Sugar n' Cream White cotton to show the use of regular stitch markers and flat row markers. I'm still working on my Split Neckline Cap Sleeve Tee and have about 4 inches left on the bodice, then time for the edging.

My Chinese classes start up again on March 26. Can't wait. I even ordered special brush pens to help me with my traditional Chinese calligraphy.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: EMOTIONAL

Emotional, produced by P-Diddy's Bad Boy Records and released April 18, 2000, is Carl Thomas' debut album. Although not as vocally emotive as other romantic male R&B artists like Brian McKnight or Tyrese, Carl has a melodically fluid style that manages to strike all the right chords.
I've had this CD since its debut and it is a constant companion. I refer back to it often, especially when I want to convey my most sentimental of sentiments.

2. Emotional (Album Version)
Lyrics - Emotional <- just reverse the genders for a broken hearted female. This one goes out to my girl, Aldorris [Aldorris](person). I feel you, gurl. I feel you.

3. I Wish (Album Version)
Lyrics - I Wish <- reverse the genders with regard to my situation. These lyrics apply to Army Chris. :: sigh :: ARGH! Did I blog about him? Chris if you read this, listen to this song and you'll see why I'm hesitating. I've told you how I feel about your situation and I don't think you want to really hear me, but I'm not settling.

8. Woke Up In The Morning (Album Version)
Lyrics - Woke Up In The Morning <- never actually slept with either of them, but the sentiment is the same.

I gave a copy of this CD to J@son and Ab3 at some point during my infatuation with them and I don't think either of them took the time to really L I S T E N to the lyrics. If they had, they would understand why things are the way they are today.

Overall, this CD has some very memorable ballads that you will refer back to from time to time because they go right along with whatever you might be feeling....hence, emotional.